Neurostimulation Calibration via Neural Phase Reset Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-invasive desynchronizing neurostimulation techniques face challenges in calibrating stimulation parameters effectively, leading to inefficient and stressful calibration processes for patients with neurological or psychiatric diseases, as current methods rely on time-consuming trial and error without systematic testing of all possible stimulation sites.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for automatic electrophysiological calibration of stimulation parameters, using a control and analysis unit, stimulation unit, and measuring unit to monitor and analyze neural activity, allowing for independent, patient-friendly calibration of acoustic, optical, tactile, vibratory, thermal, and electrical transcutaneous stimuli to desynchronize pathological neural activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If trial and error method is used for calibration, then all possible stimulation sites can be tested, but the examination time becomes excessively long and patient stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where neural activity is continuously monitored during calibration and used to automatically adjust stimulation parameters. The control and analysis unit receives real-time data from measuring units and modifies stimulation settings based on observed neural responses, eliminating the need for lengthy trial-and-error procedures while maintaining calibration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system performs self-calibration by automatically determining optimal stimulation parameters through electrophysiological monitoring. The apparatus independently adjusts stimulation settings based on measured neural activity without requiring extensive manual testing, thereby reducing examination time while ensuring accurate calibration.
2Ease of operation
If manual calibration by examiner is used, then stimulation parameters can be adjusted, but the process becomes examiner-dependent and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system performs self-calibration by automatically determining optimal stimulation parameters through electrophysiological monitoring. The apparatus independently adjusts stimulation settings based on measured neural activity without requiring extensive manual testing, thereby reducing examination time while ensuring accurate calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual examiner operations with an automated control and analysis unit that uses electrophysiological signals to determine optimal stimulation parameters. This substitution of mechanical/manual calibration with an automated electronic system simplifies the operational process while managing device complexity through integrated control algorithms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive stimulation is used, then side effects are reduced and accessibility improved, but calibration of stimulation parameters becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where neural activity is continuously monitored during calibration and used to automatically adjust stimulation parameters. The control and analysis unit receives real-time data from measuring units and modifies stimulation settings based on observed neural responses, eliminating the need for lengthy trial-and-error procedures while maintaining calibration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual examiner operations with an automated control and analysis unit that uses electrophysiological signals to determine optimal stimulation parameters. This substitution of mechanical/manual calibration with an automated electronic system simplifies the operational process while managing device complexity through integrated control algorithms.
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
The apparatus enables effective therapy with reduced side effects, shortening the calibration process and making it more tolerable for patients by systematically determining ideal stimulation parameters and sites, thereby improving treatment efficacy and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit 12 for recording a measured signal 23 from the brain 26 or the spinal cord 26
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for stimulating neurons having a pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity, said apparatus comprising a non-invasive stimulation unit (11) for applying stimuli (22) that stimulate a patient's neurons, a measurement unit (12) for recording test signals (23) that represent a neural activity of the stimulated neurons, and a control and analysis unit (10) for controlling the stimulation unit (11) and analyzing the test signals (23). The stimulation unit (11) applies first stimuli (34), and based on the test signals (23) recorded in reaction to the application of the first stimuli (34), the first stimuli (34) causing the phase of the pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity of the stimulated neurons to be reset are selected, whereupon the stimulation unit (11) applies the selected first stimuli (34) with a time delay, and the test signals (23) recorded in reaction to the stimuli (34, 38) applied with the time delay are used to verify whether said stimuli (34, 38) applied with the time delay suppress the pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity of the stimulated neurons.