Neuromodulation System for Treatment-Resistant Depression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for depression, particularly treatment-resistant cases, lack effective alternatives, as many patients do not respond to existing antidepressant medications, and existing electrical stimulation methods are invasive or require external apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrical, chemical, magnetic, ultrasonic, and thermal stimulation techniques applied to specific brain areas, such as the subgenual cingulate area and orbital frontal cortex, via implanted devices or externally applied magnetic fields, to modulate neuronal activity and treat depression and anxiety disorders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrical stimulation is applied through scalp electrodes, then treatment accessibility is improved, but treatment effectiveness is insufficient for treatment-resistant depression
Solution Approach 1:
The invention nests multiple treatment modalities within a single system architecture. Implantable devices (deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation) are integrated with external apparatuses (transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation) to create a hierarchical treatment system that combines minimally invasive and non-invasive approaches for comprehensive depression treatment
2Reliability
If deep brain stimulation is used to improve treatment effectiveness, then surgical invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is segmented into multiple independent but complementary components: implantable deep brain stimulation devices, implantable vagus nerve stimulation devices, and external transcranial stimulation apparatuses. This segmentation allows clinicians to select and combine specific treatment modalities based on patient needs, reducing unnecessary invasiveness while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces external transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation as intermediary treatments that can bridge the gap between non-invasive scalp electrodes and invasive deep brain stimulation. These intermediary approaches provide enhanced treatment effectiveness compared to scalp electrodes alone, while avoiding the full surgical invasiveness of implantable devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for different stimulation types, then treatment versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a universal treatment system architecture where a single integrated platform can deliver multiple stimulation modalities (deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation). This multi-functional approach allows one system to perform the roles of multiple separate devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive treatment versatility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a novel method for treating depression and anxiety disorders by modulating neuronal activity in targeted brain areas, offering an alternative for treatment-resistant patients with potential for improved efficacy and reduced invasiveness compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The use of electrical, chemical, magnetic, ultrasonic, and thermal stimulation techniques applied to specific brain areas
Implementation Method 2
The use of electrical, chemical, magnetic, ultrasonic, and thermal stimulation techniques applied to specific brain areas
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention involves a method and a system for using electrical stimulation and/or chemical stimulation to treat an affective disorder, such as depression. More particularly, the method comprises surgically implanting an electrical stimulation lead and/or catheter that is in communication with a predetermined site which is coupled to a signal generator and/or infusion pump that release either an electrical signal and/or a pharmaceutical resulting in stimulation of the predetermined site thereby treating the mood and/or anxiety.