Neural Activity Decoupling via Periodic Feedback Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current deep brain stimulation methods for treating pathologically synchronous brain activity in neurological and psychiatric diseases are limited by high energy consumption, adaptation of nerve cell populations leading to increased stimulus amplitude, and associated side effects, as well as the risk of complications from depth electrode implantation.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses measured and processed neural activity as a feedback stimulation signal to decouple or desynchronize pathological brain activity, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for depth electrodes, thereby minimizing side effects and operational risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous high-frequency stimulation is applied to suppress pathologically synchronous neural activity, then the therapeutic effect is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly requiring frequent battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic stimulation instead of continuous high-frequency stimulation. The device stimulates neural tissue at specific intervals (e.g., 1-10 minutes on, then pause) rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining therapeutic effect through repeated dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback control by monitoring neural activity (e.g., LFP signals) and adjusting stimulation parameters accordingly. The device detects pathological synchronization and applies stimulation only when needed, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
2Reliability
If continuous high-frequency stimulation is applied to suppress neural firing, then therapeutic effect is improved, but nerve cell populations adapt leading to increased stimulus amplitude requirements and side effects
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic rather than continuous stimulation, the patent prevents neural adaptation to the stimulation. The pauses between stimulation cycles allow neural populations to reset, maintaining treatment effectiveness over time and reducing the risk of adaptation-related side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism allows the device to adjust stimulation parameters based on real-time neural activity monitoring. This prevents over-stimulation and adaptation by reducing or stopping stimulation when pathological activity is already suppressed, thereby minimizing side effects.
3Reliability
If depth electrodes are implanted to deliver stimulation to target brain areas, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but risk of complications during implantation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses intermediate structures such as epidural electrodes or scalp electrodes as intermediaries to deliver stimulation without requiring deep brain penetration. These intermediate electrodes placed on the surface or just outside the brain reduce implantation complexity and risk while still achieving therapeutic effect through the skull and tissues.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for decoupling and/or desynchronizing neural, pathologically synchronous brain activity, in which, the activities in a partial region of a brain area or a functionally associated brain area are stimulated by means of an electrode, resulting in decoupling and desynchronizing the affected neuron population from the pathological area and suppression of the symptoms in a patient. In an alternative embodiment of the device, the pathologically synchronous brain activity due to the disease is desynchronized which also leads to the symptoms being suppressed. The device has a stimulation electrode and at least one sensor which are driven by a control system in such a manner that they produce decoupling and/or desynchronization in their local environment.