Closed-loop Neuromodulation via Blood Parameter Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional neuromodulation devices lack the ability to sense physiological responses of nerves or arteries/nerve plexus to stimulation and blood-based parameter changes, and cannot adjust stimulation parameters based on these feedbacks, leading to inefficiencies and potential neural damage.
Innovation Solution
A neuromodulation system with sensors to monitor blood flow, blood pressure, and arterial distension, and a controller to modify stimulation parameters based on these measurements, enabling closed-loop feedback control to optimize neuromodulation therapy and minimize adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional neuromodulation devices deliver electrical stimulation to nerves or arteries/nerve plexus, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but adverse physiological effects and potential neural damage occur due to inability to monitor responses and adjust parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sensors continuously monitor blood-based parameters (blood flow, blood pressure, arterial distension) and neural responses, and the controller automatically adjusts stimulation parameters based on this feedback. This resolves the contradiction by enabling safe, adaptive neuromodulation therapy while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated sensing and control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If neuromodulation devices use fixed stimulation parameters, then device complexity is minimized, but therapeutic effectiveness decreases due to inability to optimize based on individual physiological responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static, fixed stimulation parameters to dynamic, adaptive parameters that automatically adjust based on real-time physiological feedback. The controller modifies stimulation amplitude, pulse width, frequency, or electrode configuration in response to sensed blood-based parameters and neural responses, enabling personalized therapy while keeping the control logic systematic and manageable.
3Productivity
If neuromodulation stimulation intensity is increased to maximize therapeutic benefits, then treatment effectiveness improves, but adverse physiological effects such as restricted blood flow increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses real-time feedback from sensors monitoring blood-based parameters (blood flow, blood pressure, arterial distension) to automatically adjust stimulation intensity. When adverse effects are detected, the controller reduces stimulation parameters; when therapeutic benefits are achieved without adverse effects, the controller maintains or optimizes parameters. This resolves the contradiction by enabling effective therapy while preventing harmful effects through continuous monitoring and adaptive control.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to implantable neuromodulation systems and methods, and in particular to systems and methods for sensing blood-based parameter changes triggered by neural stimulation and subsequently optimizing the stimulation parameters based on feedback from the sensed blood-based parameter changes. Embodiments are directed to a method that includes delivering neural stimulation to a nerve or artery/nerve plexus based on a first set of stimulation parameters, monitoring a response to the neural stimulation that includes monitoring responses of the nerve or artery/nerve plexus and blood-based parameters of the artery, modifying the first set of the stimulation parameters based on the blood-based parameters to create a second set of stimulation parameters, and delivering the neural stimulation based on the second set of the stimulation parameters.