Neuromodulation Device for Colonic Inflammation via Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating inflammatory disorders like colitis, particularly in the colon, face limitations due to the lack of specific and targeted neuromodulation techniques, often resulting in systemic side effects from vagus nerve stimulation, and inadequate anti-inflammatory effects in areas with limited vagal innervation.
Innovation Solution
Modulating the neural activity of the sympathetic nerves, specifically the splenic nerve and superior mesenteric plexus, using a neuromodulatory device to increase norepinephrine levels and reduce inflammation, thereby providing a local and potentially systemic anti-inflammatory effect without the need for vagal nerve signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vagus nerve stimulation is used to treat inflammatory disorders, then anti-inflammatory effect is achieved, but systemic side effects occur and effectiveness is limited in areas with limited vagal innervation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vagus nerve into cervical and pelvic portions, each with distinct innervation patterns. By stimulating the pelvic vagus nerve specifically, the invention targets colonic inflammation while avoiding the systemic side effects associated with cervical vagus nerve stimulation, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving anti-inflammatory effect and avoiding harmful systemic effects
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by targeting the pelvic vagus nerve which provides specific parasympathetic innervation to the colon. This localized approach ensures that anti-inflammatory effects are concentrated in the colonic region where vagal innervation is present, while avoiding activation of other bodily systems that would produce systemic side effects
2Reliability
If vagus nerve stimulation is used to treat colonic inflammation, then some anti-inflammatory effect is achieved, but effectiveness is limited due to restricted vagal innervation in the distal colon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the pelvic splanchnic nerves as an intermediary pathway. These nerves provide parasympathetic innervation to the distal colon and rectum, complementing the cervical vagus nerve pathway. By stimulating both pathways, the invention achieves comprehensive coverage of the entire colon, resolving the limitation of restricted vagal innervation in the distal region
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sympathetic nerve modulation is used to achieve local anti-inflammatory effect, then specificity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional neuromodulation device capable of stimulating both the cervical and pelvic vagus nerves through a single implantable system. This universal approach allows the device to address multiple innervation pathways for comprehensive colonic coverage while maintaining a unified device architecture, thus managing complexity while achieving specificity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides devices, apparatuses, systems and methods for treating and ameliorating inflammation of the gut. In particular, the invention provides devices, apparatuses and methods in which a neuromodulatory signal is delivered a splenic nerve and/or superior mesenteric plexus (SMP). The signal is able to treat inflammatory disorders, e.g., colitis, for example in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.