Non-invasive Neuronal Stimulation via Physiological Cycle Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with pathologically synchronous neuronal activity, such as Parkinson's disease, often have variable therapeutic effects and require frequent, prolonged sessions, with potential side effects and risks from invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive medical device that uses a stimulation unit to administer various stimuli, controlled by a clock unit generating signals related to physiological activities or cycles, to suppress synchronous neuronal activity, allowing for state-dependent and cycle-locked therapeutic interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-invasive stimulation treatments are applied frequently for several hours every day, then therapeutic effect may be achieved, but treatment consistency varies and overall efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic stimulation patterns that are synchronized with the patient's physiological cycles (such as circadian rhythms or sleep-wake cycles). The stimulation is delivered in structured sessions that align with natural bodily rhythms, improving consistency while reducing total treatment time compared to frequent prolonged sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the patient's physiological state and adjust stimulation parameters accordingly. This ensures optimal therapeutic effect consistency by adapting to individual variations in physiological cycles, thereby improving reliability without requiring extended treatment durations.
2Reliability
If high-frequency Deep Brain Stimulation is used for Parkinson's disease, then standard treatment for refractory patients is provided, but surgical risks and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical DBS systems with non-invasive stimulation methods. Instead of surgically implanting electrodes in the brain, the system uses external stimulation devices that can modulate neuronal activity through the body's natural pathways, eliminating surgical risks while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses physiological cycles and natural bodily rhythms as intermediaries to deliver therapeutic effects. By synchronizing stimulation with these natural cycles, the treatment achieves brain modulation effects without requiring direct brain intervention, thereby avoiding surgical complications.
3Reliability
If L-DOPA pharmacological treatment is administered, then Parkinson's disease symptoms are addressed, but long-term side effects and limited therapeutic effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological chemical intervention with physical stimulation methods. By using controlled external stimulation to modulate neuronal activity, the system achieves therapeutic effects without introducing chemical substances into the body, thereby eliminating long-term pharmacological side effects.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a medical device (10) for stimulating neurons of a patient to suppress a pathologically synchronous activity of the neurons. The medical device (10) comprises a non-invasive therapeutic stimulation unit (12) configured to administer a plurality of stimuli to a patient's body which is configured to suppress the pathologically synchronous activity; a clock unit (24) configured to generate at least one periodic or cyclical clock signal (S(t); S′(t); S(t), S′(t)) related to a physiological activity or physiological cycle of the patient; and a control unit (18) configured to control operation of the medical device (10) in dependence on the at least one clock signal (S(t); S′(t); S(t), S′(t)).