Neuronal Stimulation Device Preventing Masking via Variable Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders caused by abnormally synchronized neuronal activity are ineffective due to improper stimulation patterns and timing, leading to insufficient therapeutic effects.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a non-invasive stimulation unit that generates various stimuli via multiple channels, controlled by a unit that sets specific parameters such as modality, frequency, amplitude, and timing to suppress pathological synchronous neuronal activity, incorporating a minimum non-stimulation period to prevent masking and habituation effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If periodic stimulations are administered according to a simple repeating pattern, then the treatment is easier to implement and control, but the therapeutic effect is insufficient due to masking and habituation effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic stimulation pattern with varying intervals between stimuli. The control unit is configured to administer stimuli at different time points within a stimulation period, creating a non-uniform periodic pattern that avoids habituation while maintaining operational simplicity. This resolves the contradiction by using structured periodicity rather than simple repetition.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation pattern is made dynamic by allowing the control unit to adjust timing and characteristics of stimuli based on predefined protocols. The pattern varies within each treatment session and between sessions, providing adaptability that enhances therapeutic effect while keeping the overall structure manageable for clinical use.
2Reliability
If a minimum non-stimulation period is introduced between stimuli to prevent masking effects, then the therapeutic efficacy is improved, but the stimulation pattern becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages complexity by systematically varying key parameters (timing intervals, stimulus characteristics) according to predefined patterns rather than requiring complex real-time adjustments. The minimum non-stimulation period is implemented as a configurable parameter that simplifies the control logic while ensuring therapeutic effectiveness.
3Reliability
If stimulation characteristics and timing are precisely optimized, then the therapeutic effect on pathological synchronous activity is enhanced, but the device operation and parameter setting become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to automatically manage complex parameter settings and timing optimizations without requiring manual intervention. The device self-regulates stimulation parameters according to embedded algorithms, maintaining precise control while simplifying operation for the user. This resolves the contradiction by automating the complex parameter optimization process.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device is provided for stimulating neurons of a patient to suppress a pathologically synchronous activity of the neurons. The device includes a non-invasive stimulation unit for administering different stimuli (s) to the patient's body via at least one stimulation channel and a control unit for selectively actuating the stimulation unit. The control unit actuates the stimulation unit to successively generate a first stimulus and a subsequent second stimulus in a sequence such that a minimum non-stimulation period (Pcc, Pic) is provided between the first and the second stimulus. The control unit also sets the duration of the minimum non-stimulation period (Pcc, Pic) in dependence on at least one stimulus characteristic of the first stimulus.