Nerve Stimulator Positioning via Heart Pulse Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive nerve stimulators face challenges in optimizing the position and amplitude of electrical impulses for effective nerve modulation, relying solely on patient perception which can lead to suboptimal stimulation.
Innovation Solution
The use of heart pulse sensors to detect the target location of underlying nerves, such as the vagus nerve, allowing for precise positioning of the stimulator and providing alerts for optimal electrode placement, combined with a device that generates and transmits electrical impulses through the skin for therapeutic nerve modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive nerve stimulation is used, then patient safety and comfort are improved, but positioning accuracy and stimulation effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect physiological signals (heart pulse, muscle activity, nerve responses) and provides real-time feedback to guide electrode positioning. The feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust electrode placement based on detected physiological markers, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring invasive procedures. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining non-invasive safety while achieving precise positioning through intelligent feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with automated sensor-based detection and control systems. Instead of relying on physical palpation or visual inspection for electrode placement, the system uses electronic sensors to detect physiological signals and automatically determines optimal electrode positions. This substitution maintains the non-invasive approach while dramatically improving positioning accuracy through electronic detection and automated control.
2Device complexity
If patient perception is used to guide stimulation, then device complexity is reduced, but treatment effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates multiple physiological sensors that detect objective markers of nerve stimulation effectiveness, such as muscle responses, heart rate changes, and other physiological signals. These objective feedback signals replace reliance on subjective patient perception, providing reliable data on whether the desired nerve modulation is occurring. This allows the system to maintain simplicity while significantly improving treatment effectiveness through objective physiological monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patients to self-administer therapy by providing clear, objective feedback signals that indicate proper electrode placement and effective stimulation. The physiological markers detected by sensors serve as self-guiding cues that allow patients to independently optimize their own treatment without requiring complex device controls or professional intervention. This maintains device simplicity while ensuring reliable treatment outcomes through self-monitored physiological feedback.
3Measurement precision
If trained healthcare professionals are involved, then positioning accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated sensor-based guidance that enables patients to independently achieve accurate electrode positioning without requiring trained healthcare professionals. The sensors detect physiological signals and provide real-time feedback that guides patients through the positioning process, allowing them to self-correct placement errors and optimize stimulation effectiveness. This transfers the expertise previously requiring professional training directly to the patient through intuitive, sensor-driven feedback mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for professional skill and experience with automated electronic detection and guidance systems. Instead of relying on the tactile expertise and anatomical knowledge of trained professionals, the system uses sensors to objectively detect physiological markers and automatically guide electrode placement. This substitution maintains positioning accuracy by using objective physiological data while dramatically improving ease of operation and accessibility for self-administration.
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 more effective and precise non-invasive nerve stimulation by ensuring accurate placement and optimal amplitude of electrical impulses, improving treatment outcomes for various medical conditions without the need for trained healthcare professionals.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor(s) 170 may be configured to detect a target position for stimulating a selected nerve within a patient. In one such embodiment, the sensor 170 comprises a heart pulse sensor configured to detect a heart pulse in the patient.
Implementation Method 2
An electrical impulse is then applied from the electrode transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient to the selected nerve to modulate the nerve.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods are provided for delivering energy impulses (and/or fields) to bodily tissues for therapeutic purposes. A method for stimulating a nerve within a patient comprises detecting a target location on an outer skin surface of the patient adjacent to, near, or overlying, a selected nerve and positioning an electrode in contact with the outer skin surface at, or near, the target location. An electrical impulse is then applied from the electrode transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient to the selected nerve to modulate the nerve. Detecting the target location of the underlying nerve allows the patient to position the nerve stimulator in the optimal position for stimulating the nerve.