Neurostimulation Device Dynamic Current Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neurostimulation devices face challenges in delivering consistent electrical current to the target organ due to manufacturing inaccuracies in microelectronic current sources and sinks, leading to biases in current delivery and interpretation of physiological effects.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic allocation system where current sources and sinks are dissociated from stimulation poles, allowing multiple sources to be combined at a single pole and multiple sinks to be combined at another, ensuring a constant average current delivery across different stimulation configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple current sources are used to deliver stimulation current to different electrodes, then the stimulation can be delivered to multiple targets simultaneously, but manufacturing inaccuracies cause each source to deliver different currents leading to bias in current delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple current sources into a single shared current source that serves all electrodes. By using one common current source instead of multiple independent sources, the system eliminates manufacturing variations between sources while maintaining the ability to deliver current to multiple electrodes through switching circuitry. This merging approach resolves the contradiction by preserving configuration flexibility through software control while achieving current consistency through hardware unification.
Solution Approach 2:
The single current source is designed to be universal, serving multiple electrodes through a switching matrix that can connect the current source to any electrode as needed. This multi-functional current source can deliver current to different electrodes in different configurations without requiring separate dedicated sources for each electrode, thereby achieving both versatility and precision.
2Ease of operation
If current sources are dedicated to specific electrodes, then current delivery to each electrode can be independently controlled, but the number of current sources increases leading to greater manufacturing variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dedicated current sources into a single shared current source. Instead of having one current source per electrode, the system uses one current source that can be switched to serve any electrode. This consolidation reduces the number of current-generating components from N to 1, thereby minimizing manufacturing variability while maintaining independent control capability through electronic switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching matrix acts as an intermediary between the single current source and multiple electrodes. This intermediary component enables independent control of current delivery to each electrode without requiring dedicated current sources, thereby decoupling the control function from the current generation function and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple current sinks are used to collect current from different electrodes, then current collection can be optimized for each electrode, but manufacturing inaccuracies cause variations in current collection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle to current sinks just as it does to current sources. By consolidating multiple dedicated current sinks into a single shared current sink, the system eliminates manufacturing variations between sinks while maintaining the ability to collect current from multiple electrodes through the switching matrix. This ensures consistent current collection across all electrodes.
4Ease of manufacture
If the number of current sources equals the number of electrodes, then each electrode has its own current source, but this increases device complexity and manufacturing difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically simplifies the device by merging N current sources into 1 current source. This reduces the number of current-generating components by a factor of N, significantly easing manufacturing and assembly. The switching matrix, while adding some complexity, is a standard electronic component that is easier to manufacture and integrate than multiple precision current sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The single current source is designed with universal capability to serve any electrode through electronic switching. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for N separate current sources, each requiring precise manufacturing and calibration. The universal current source approach reduces device complexity while maintaining full functionality through software-controlled switching.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device which includes a generator (10) of electric current pulses and a neurostimulation probe with M sectoral electrodes (24) forming stimulation poles for passing a current between at least one anode (A) and at least one cathode (K) in a predetermined stimulation configuration. The generator (10) includes N current sources (22) and N current sinks (32), the N sources and the N sinks being defined independently of the M electrodes. A first distribution circuit (26) can indiscriminately and dynamically switch any of the N sources to any of the M electrodes, and a second distribution circuit (36) can indiscriminately and dynamically switch any of the N sinks to any of the M electrodes. The device can thus define a plurality of switching combinations between sources and/or sinks, providing a single average current in the organ to be stimulated for different respective predetermined pole configurations.