Neuromodulation Timeline Slot Arbitration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current epidural electrostimulation (EES) systems face challenges in delivering precise neuromodulation due to hardware limitations, such as limited power supply and electrode chemical stability, which complicates the simultaneous stimulation of multiple muscle blocks with different pulsed electrical waveforms, leading to potential pulse overlap and reduced battery life.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that divide a timeline into exclusive time slots for neuromodulation entities to avoid pulse overlap by assigning slots based on predefined rules or randomly, ensuring that each entity can apply stimulation without collision, using an arbitration unit to prioritize entities based on therapeutic, electronic, or safety properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple stimulation blocks are stimulated simultaneously with different pulsed electrical waveforms, then the neuromodulation coverage is improved, but pulse overlap occurs causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneuromodulation coverageVSAvoidpulse overlap

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The timeline is divided into discrete time slots that are assigned to different stimulation blocks. This segmentation prevents pulse overlap by ensuring that each stimulation block has dedicated time slots for delivering pulses, thereby maintaining comprehensive neuromodulation coverage while eliminating harmful pulse interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic time slot allocation where stimulation blocks are activated in alternating periods. This periodic action pattern allows multiple stimulation blocks to operate simultaneously in terms of coverage while preventing pulse overlap through temporal separation of pulse delivery within each period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If multiple pulses are outputted on different electrodes simultaneously, then the stimulation effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The time slots are segmented and assigned to different stimulation blocks, allowing the system to deliver pulses to multiple electrodes simultaneously in terms of stimulation effectiveness while managing power consumption through controlled temporal allocation. The arbitration unit optimizes which blocks receive pulses in each time slot based on therapeutic needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically allocates time slots to stimulation blocks based on real-time therapeutic requirements. This dynamic allocation allows the system to maximize stimulation effectiveness by activating the most needed blocks while optimizing power consumption by limiting simultaneous high-power deliveries to essential stimulation targets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the stimulation frequency is increased to improve muscle activation, then the therapeutic outcome is improved, but battery lifetime is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic outcomeVSAvoidbattery lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The timeline is segmented into time slots that are distributed across multiple stimulation blocks. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high therapeutic outcomes through frequent stimulation by activating multiple blocks in parallel across different time slots, while the overall power consumption is managed through efficient time-based allocation rather than continuous high-frequency stimulation of a single block.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The time slot allocation system serves multiple functions: it manages therapeutic effectiveness, optimizes power consumption, and extends battery lifetime simultaneously. By making the stimulation system multi-functional in its time management approach, the system can deliver high-frequency stimulation when needed while preserving battery life through intelligent allocation of limited time resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 minimizes adverse therapeutic effects and extends battery life by ensuring exclusive access to time slots, allowing for controlled and efficient neuromodulation, even during complex physiological responses like walking or standing, while optimizing energy use and preventing hardware damage.

Implementation Method 1

A first pulsed electrical waveform is delivered within a first timing channel to a first set of the electrodes... A second pulsed electrical waveform is delivered within a second timing channel to a second set of the electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS11491335B2Method and system for providing neuromodulation

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 ONWARD MEDICAL NV

AI summary

A system for neuromodulation, at least including a timeline definition module configured to define a timeline in which neuromodulation may be provided; A timeline dividing module for dividing the timeline into a series of time slots; several neuromodulation entities, each entity being capable to claim at least one slot exclusively for providing neuromodulation.