Neuromodulation System Conflict Detection Before Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neuromodulation systems face conflicts between planned stimulation programs and system capabilities or patient conditions, leading to infeasible or unsafe neuromodulation outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A neuromodulation system with an input module, analyzing module, and correction module to identify and resolve conflicts in neuromodulation events, ensuring compatibility with system and patient boundaries before stimulation, using algorithms and user intervention for semi-automatic or manual correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a planned neuromodulation program is created with desired stimulation parameters, then the stimulation efficacy is improved, but conflicts with system capabilities or patient conditions may arise leading to infeasible outcomes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneuromodulation safety and feasibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity for conflict detection and correction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the planned neuromodulation program before actual stimulation delivery. The analyzing module detects potential conflicts between stimulation parameters and system capabilities or patient conditions in advance, allowing corrections to be made before the stimulation is applied, thus ensuring safety and feasibility without compromising the intended therapeutic effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the analyzing module continuously monitors the planned stimulation program and provides information about detected conflicts. The correction module then adjusts the parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that ensures the final stimulation program is both effective and feasible within system and patient constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If conflict detection and correction mechanisms are added to ensure safety, then neuromodulation reliability is improved, but the system complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation program feasibilityVSAvoidprogram preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By performing conflict detection and correction in advance during the program planning phase, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming adjustments during or after stimulation delivery. The preliminary analysis identifies and resolves issues before they can affect treatment delivery, maintaining efficiency while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The correction module automatically adjusts stimulation parameters to resolve detected conflicts without requiring manual intervention. This self-correcting capability reduces the time burden on operators while maintaining high reliability, as the system independently resolves conflicts between stimulation goals and system/patient constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual or semi-automatic correction is implemented for resolving conflicts, then flexibility in adjusting stimulation parameters is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter adjustment flexibilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The correction module provides automatic conflict resolution capabilities that reduce the burden on users. While manual adjustment options remain available for complex cases, the system's ability to automatically detect and correct conflicts simplifies routine operations, making the overall system easier to use while maintaining adaptability for specialized needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The correction module acts as an intermediary between the user's stimulation goals and the system constraints. It automatically mediates conflicts by suggesting or implementing parameter adjustments, reducing the complexity of direct user-system interaction while preserving the ability for users to make flexible adjustments when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12415079B2Neuromodulation system

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 ONWARD MEDICAL NV

AI summary

A neuromodulation system including at least one input module for inputting a planned neuromodulation event or a series of neuromodulation events and at least one analyzing module for analyzing a neuromodulation event or a series of neuromodulation events.The analyzing module and the input module may be connected such that the input module is configured to forward the planned neuromodulation event or a series of neuromodulation events to the analyzing module and the analyzing module is configured to analyze the planned neuromodulation event or a series of neuromodulation events regarding one or more possible neuromodulation conflict(s).