Neural Regulation Signal Patterns With Low-Duty High-Frequency Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical signal therapies for nerve modulation in treating conditions like obesity and inflammatory bowel disease face issues with patient compliance and energy efficiency, leading to a loss of effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A high-frequency low duty cycle pattern of electrical signals with microsecond and millisecond inactive phases is applied, allowing for varying application frequency and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous electrical signal therapy is applied to modulate nerve activity, then therapeutic effectiveness is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic electrical signals with specific duty cycles (e.g., 10% duty cycle with 1ms on-time and 9ms off-time within 10ms cycles) to deliver therapeutic effects during active phases while allowing neural reset during inactive phases, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous stimulation while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
2Reliability
If high frequency electrical signals are applied to downregulate nerve activity, then neural modulation effectiveness is improved, but energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs high-frequency periodic signals (e.g., 1000 Hz carrier frequency) within pulsed duty cycle frameworks, where brief active phases deliver the high-frequency modulation needed for effective neural downregulation, followed by inactive phases that reduce cumulative energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes frequency modulation by varying the carrier frequency (e.g., 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, or higher) within the electrical signal cycles to optimize neural modulation effectiveness while the duty cycle parameter controls the energy delivery ratio, allowing separation of effectiveness optimization from energy consumption management
3Reliability
If electrical signal therapy is applied frequently to maintain effectiveness, then loss of effectiveness is minimized, but patient compliance decreases due to charging requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements extended inactive phases (e.g., 9ms off-time in 10ms cycles, or longer inter-burst intervals) that reduce the overall duty cycle, allowing implantable devices to operate intermittently with lower average power consumption, thereby extending battery life and reducing charging frequency requirements to improve patient compliance
Data Source
AI summary
A method of downregulating and/or upregulating neural activity by applying a high frequency alternating current electrical signal to a nerve in a subject is disclosed. The signal comprises more than one microsecond cycle comprising one or more periods, each period comprising a charge recharge phase, and optionally, a pulse delay, each period having a frequency of at least 1000 Hz; and a microsecond inactive phase. In embodiments, an electrical signal treatment comprises more than one microsecond cycle to form a millisecond cycle, each millisecond cycle separated by a millisecond inactive phase during an on time. In embodiments, the electrical signal patterns can differ in amplitude.