Non-Invasive Nerve Stimulation With Optical Electrode Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-invasive nerve stimulation devices for conditions like migraine headaches face challenges in ensuring precise application, avoiding accidental stimulation of incorrect nerves, maintaining optimal positioning, and managing stimulation duration and intensity effectively, especially when used by patients without professional supervision.

Innovation Solution

A nerve stimulation system using a smartphone-integrated device with electrodes and a software application that adjusts parameters, ensures correct nerve targeting, minimizes movement, and controls energy delivery, incorporating features like fluorescent spot imaging and adjustable stimulation protocols to optimize treatment efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If non-invasive nerve stimulation is used for self-treatment, then patient autonomy and convenience are improved, but precision of nerve targeting and safety are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient autonomyVSAvoidnerve targeting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual positioning and mechanical alignment with optical imaging technology. Fluorescent spots are applied to reference positions on the skin, and a camera captures their locations to automatically determine electrode placement, substituting mechanical precision requirements with optical detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses real-time feedback through camera imaging of fluorescent spots to verify and adjust electrode positioning. The captured images provide feedback on whether electrodes are correctly positioned over target nerves, allowing patients to self-correct placement errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If simple non-invasive device is used, then ease of use is improved, but control over stimulation parameters and treatment efficacy are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidstimulation parameter control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters based on individual patient anatomy and response. The software application allows modification of stimulation intensity, duration, and frequency to optimize treatment efficacy for each patient's specific condition and nerve geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements controllable stimulation parameters including pulse width, frequency, and amplitude. The software application enables patients to adjust these parameters within safe ranges to optimize treatment while maintaining ease of use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If extended stimulation duration is used, then treatment efficacy is improved, but patient comfort and safety are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic pulsed stimulation rather than continuous stimulation. Electrical impulses are delivered in controlled bursts with inter-pulse intervals, allowing tissue recovery between stimuli and reducing cumulative discomfort while maintaining therapeutic efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies stimulation at threshold levels sufficient to activate nerves without excessive intensity. By delivering just enough stimulation to achieve therapeutic effect rather than maximum possible stimulation, patient comfort is maintained while treatment efficacy is preserved

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables safe and effective self-administered nerve stimulation, providing rapid relief from migraine headaches and other conditions by ensuring precise nerve targeting, stable positioning, and controlled energy delivery, reducing the need for professional intervention.

Implementation Method 1

The stimulator is configured to transmit an electrical impulse from the electrodes through the outer skin surface to a target site within a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the camera is used to image fluorescent spots that had been applied to reference positions on the patient's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence detection: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20260054063A1Nerve stimulators

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 ELECTROCORE INC

AI summary

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as a headache, by electrical non-invasive stimulation of a nerve. A system comprises one or more electrodes configured for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and a stimulator coupled to the one or more electrodes. The stimulator is configured to transmit an electrical impulse from the electrodes through the outer skin surface to a target site within a patient. The stimulator is configured for coupling to a computer readable media comprising non-transitory computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, adjusts a parameter of the electrical impulse.