Neural Stimulation Synchronization with Respiratory Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Neural stimulation therapies, such as vagal nerve stimulation, can unintentionally modulate respiratory functions, leading to adverse effects like reduced respiratory rate and tidal volume, particularly in patients with respiratory disorders like apnea, hypopnea, or dyspnea, necessitating a solution to control and synchronize neural stimulation with respiratory cycles to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
A neural stimulation system that utilizes a respiratory signal to synchronize the delivery of neural stimulation pulses with respiratory cycles and adjusts or suspends stimulation in response to detected respiratory disorders, incorporating a stimulation output circuit, a respiratory signal input, a synchronization module, and a respiratory disorder detector to ensure effective therapy while minimizing adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If neural stimulation is applied to treat cardiac disorders, then hemodynamic performance is improved, but respiratory functions are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors respiratory signals and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust or suspend neural stimulation when respiratory disorders are detected, thereby preventing adverse respiratory effects while maintaining cardiac therapy effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation delivery is made dynamic by enabling real-time adjustment of stimulation parameters based on detected respiratory conditions, allowing the system to adapt between active stimulation for cardiac benefit and suspension to avoid respiratory harm
2Productivity
If neural stimulation pulses are delivered continuously, then therapeutic effect on cardiac function is maximized, but respiratory side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of respiratory signals and uses this information to create periodic stimulation patterns that are active during safe respiratory periods and suspended during risky periods, optimizing the balance between therapeutic benefit and safety
Data Source
AI summary
A neural stimulation system controls the delivery of neural stimulation using a respiratory signal as a therapy feedback input. The respiratory signal is used to increase the effectiveness of the neural stimulation, such as vagal nerve stimulation, while decreasing potentially adverse side effects in respiratory functions. In one embodiment, the neural stimulation system synchronizes the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses to the respiratory cycles using a respiratory fiducial point in the respiratory signal and a delay interval. In another embodiment, the neural stimulation system detects a respiratory disorder and, in response, adjusts the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses and/or delivers a respiratory therapy treating the detected respiratory disorder.