Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Calibration via Phase Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-invasive CR stimulation methods face challenges in accurately calibrating stimulation parameters without expert intervention, particularly in determining suitable target sites on the body surface for effective mechanically tactile and thermal neurostimulation, which affects treatment efficacy and increases the risk of side effects.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a control and analysis unit, a stimulation unit, and a measuring unit that automatically calibrates stimulation parameters based on electrophysiological signals, using sensors to monitor neuronal activity and adjust stimuli to achieve phase reset and desynchronization, allowing for independent, examiner-free calibration and precise targeting of stimulation sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-invasive CR stimulation is used, then accessibility and cost are improved, but calibration precision and localization accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-calibration by detecting the patient's own electrophysiological signals (EMG, EEG, ECG) and using these signals to determine optimal stimulation parameters and body surface locations, eliminating the need for expert manual calibration while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors electrophysiological signals during calibration and therapy delivery, using real-time feedback to adjust stimulation parameters and confirm accurate targeting of the intended neuronal populations, thereby ensuring high localization accuracy without requiring invasive procedures
2Measurement precision
If manual calibration by examiner is used, then stimulation parameter accuracy may be improved, but examination time and patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs calibration by detecting electrophysiological signals and computing optimal stimulation parameters without requiring manual intervention from an examiner, thereby maintaining accuracy while dramatically reducing examination time and patient burden
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs rapid automated calibration before therapy delivery, using pre-recorded electrophysiological signals to determine stimulation parameters in advance, which eliminates the need for time-consuming manual calibration procedures during patient visits
3Device complexity
If stimulation targets are not accurately localized, then device simplicity is maintained, but treatment efficacy decreases and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex manual localization procedures with automated detection of electrophysiological signals (EMG, EEG, ECG) to identify optimal stimulation sites on the body surface, achieving high localization accuracy while maintaining relative device simplicity through software-based solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses electrophysiological signals as an intermediary to bridge the gap between the external stimulator and the target neuronal populations in the brain, allowing accurate non-invasive targeting without requiring direct access to or complex manipulation of deep brain structures
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, shorter and more tolerable calibration processes for patients, and achieves precise stimulation parameter settings, improving treatment outcomes for neurological and psychiatric diseases by ensuring accurate stimulation of target neuronal populations.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit (12) arranged to detect electrophysiological signals
Implementation Method 2
by means of sensory, e.g. vibrotactile, stimuli
Implementation Method 3
mechanically tactile and/or thermal CR stimulation
Data Source
AI summary
A device for stimulating neurons that includes a stimulation unit that applies mechanically tactile and/or thermal stimuli to the body surface of a patient that stimulate neurons with a pathologically synchronous and oscillatory neural activity. The device includes a measuring unit that records measurement signals of neural activity of the stimulated neurons, and a controller that controls the stimulation unit and analyzes the measurement signals. The controller actuates the stimulation unit to scan at least one part of the body surface of the patient along a path and thereby periodically applies stimuli and also selects two regions or more regions on the patient's body surface along the path where the phase synchronization between the periodic application of the stimuli and the neural activity of the stimulated neurons have a local maximum using the measurement signals. The stimuli are then applied in a delayed manner in the two regions.