Nerve Stimulation With EEG Feedback for Chronic Pain Pathway Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and treating chronic pain are inadequate due to the lack of a practical and effective system for locating neural pathways associated with chronic pain and treating them effectively, as existing technologies like fMRI are expensive, space-consuming, and lack timely data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using nerve stimulation and brain wave monitoring to identify neural pathways associated with chronic pain by delivering nerve stimulations and monitoring evoked potential activity in the brain to confirm nerve location and effectiveness of nerve block.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If functional magnetic imaging technologies (fMRI) are used to discern brain regions active in chronic pain, then markers of chronic pain can be identified, but the technology is expensive, space-consuming, requires controlled environment, and lacks timely data acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of fMRI (identifying chronic pain markers in brain regions) and implements it through a simplified system using EEG electrodes and nerve stimulation. This removes the need for complex, expensive, space-consuming imaging equipment while retaining the core capability of identifying chronic pain neural pathways through evoked potential monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/imaging-based fMRI system with an electrical/electrophysiological system using EEG and nerve stimulation. This substitution eliminates the need for controlled non-ferromagnetic environments and large imaging equipment, providing a more practical clinical solution while maintaining the ability to identify chronic pain markers
2Reliability
If a probe is passed percutaneously into the vicinity of nerve to deliver ablative energy, then chronic pain can be treated by interrupting neural signal transmission, but there is no method to confirm nerve location or successful lesioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using evoked potential monitoring to provide real-time confirmation of probe proximity to the target nerve during the procedure. After ablative energy delivery, the same monitoring system provides feedback to confirm successful nerve lesioning by detecting the absence of evoked potentials, thereby verifying treatment effectiveness without requiring probe removal or additional imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary nerve identification and localization using evoked potential monitoring before delivering ablative energy. This preliminary action ensures the probe is correctly positioned near the target nerve, increasing the reliability of subsequent treatment while providing a baseline for comparing post-treatment efficacy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively identifies and treats chronic pain by confirming nerve location through evoked potential monitoring and delivering targeted nerve stimulations to block or impair the neural pathways responsible for chronic pain, providing a practical and timely solution.
Implementation Method 1
delivering a first nerve stimulation from the probe to the target nerve, wherein the first nerve stimulation is sufficient to elicit a chronic pain response in the brain
Implementation Method 2
monitoring for evoked potential activity in the brain as a result of the first nerve stimulation via electroencephalography electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for identifying and treating a neural pathway associated with chronic pain via nerve stimulation and brain wave monitoring of a mammalian brain includes positioning a probe to stimulate a target nerve, wherein the target nerve is suspected of being a source of chronic pain; delivering a first nerve stimulation from the probe to the target nerve, wherein the first nerve stimulation is sufficient to elicit a chronic pain response in the brain; and monitoring for evoked potential activity in the brain as a result of the first nerve stimulation. The method can also include delivering second and third nerve stimulations to confirm the correct identification of the neural pathway and to treat the chronic pain, respectively. A system and apparatus for performing a procedure to identify and treat a nerve that is the source of chronic pain are also described.