Neuromodulation Signal With Non-Linear Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches to neuromodulation for treating brain injury and other neurologic conditions have limited efficacy, necessitating further improvements to enhance the impact of electrical stimulation and other forms of neuromodulation.
Innovation Solution
Applying electromagnetic energy, specifically electrical signals with varied inter-pulse intervals generated by a deterministic, non-linear dynamical system, to targeted sites in the nervous system, such as the brain, to modulate neural function and improve symptoms in patients with conditions like stroke, depression, and movement disorders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical stimulation is applied to treat brain injury and neurologic conditions, then neural function can be modulated, but the therapeutic efficacy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by varying inter-pulse intervals in a non-linear, deterministic manner rather than using fixed intervals. The pulse generator dynamically adjusts the timing between pulses based on a non-linear control algorithm, allowing the stimulation signal to adapt its temporal structure to maximize therapeutic effect on neural tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temporal parameters of the electrical stimulation signal by introducing non-linear variations in inter-pulse intervals. Instead of maintaining constant stimulation parameters, the system modulates the timing between pulses using non-linear dynamics, thereby altering how the neural tissue responds to the stimulation and improving therapeutic efficacy.
2Productivity
If fixed inter-pulse intervals are used in neuromodulation signals, then the signal is simple to generate, but the ability to amplify small perturbations and facilitate phase transitions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic electrical pulses delivered through the electrode, but with non-linear variation in the inter-pulse intervals. This periodic action with controlled variability allows the system to maintain a structured stimulation pattern while introducing the temporal complexity needed to amplify neural perturbations and facilitate phase transitions in neural activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-linear determination of inter-pulse intervals incorporates feedback mechanisms that respond to the state of the neural system. By using non-linear dynamics to adjust timing based on system state, the signal can amplify small perturbations in neural activity and facilitate transitions between different functional states, thereby improving neural response effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and software for operating such apparatuses, for neuromodulation in a live mammalian subject, such as a human patient, provide for applying electrical energy to a target site in the nervous system of the subject using a signal comprising a series of pulses, wherein the inter-pulse intervals are varied using the output of a deterministic, non-linear, dynamical system comprising one or more system control parameters. In certain embodiments, the target site may be a site in the brain involved in generalized CNS (central nervous system) arousal. The dynamical system may be capable of exhibiting chaotic behavior.