Automated Neurostimulation Contact Calibration via Phase Reset Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for selecting optimal stimulation contacts and parameters for Coordinated Reset (CR) neurostimulation in treating neurological and psychiatric diseases are time-consuming and rely on trial and error, lacking objective measurement variables, which can lead to suboptimal effectiveness and increased patient strain.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a control and analysis unit, a stimulation unit, and a measuring unit that automatically calibrates stimulation parameters based on electrophysiological measurements to select the most effective stimulation contacts and optimize CR stimulation, reducing patient examination time and minimizing side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trial and error method is used to select stimulation contacts, then stimulation parameters can be adjusted, but examination time increases and patient strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback system where the control and analysis unit continuously monitors electrophysiological signals from the measuring unit and automatically adjusts stimulation parameters based on real-time neural activity measurements. This closed-loop feedback mechanism replaces manual trial-and-error with objective, measurement-driven parameter selection, significantly reducing examination time while maintaining or improving therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-calibration where the neurostimulation device automatically selects optimal stimulation contacts and parameters without requiring continuous manual intervention. The control and analysis unit processes measuring signals autonomously to determine the most effective stimulation configuration, making the device self-sufficient in the calibration process and eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments.
2Reliability
If trial and error method is used to select stimulation contacts, then stimulation parameters can be adjusted, but patient strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated feedback system continuously monitors patient neural activity and adjusts stimulation parameters in real-time based on objective electrophysiological measurements. This eliminates the need for prolonged manual trial-and-error procedures that strain patients, while ensuring optimal therapeutic effectiveness through measurement-guided parameter selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of trial-and-error adjustment with an automated electronic control system. The control and analysis unit objectively determines optimal stimulation parameters based on electrophysiological measurements, eliminating the subjective and time-consuming manual adjustment process that causes patient strain.
3Ease of operation
If manual selection of stimulation contacts is performed, then examiner can adjust parameters, but objective measurement variables are not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the control and analysis unit utilizes objective electrophysiological measurement variables from the measuring unit to automatically determine optimal stimulation parameters. This ensures that parameter selection is driven by quantitative neural activity data rather than manual estimation, maximizing therapeutic effectiveness while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual parameter adjustment with an automated electronic control system that processes electrophysiological measurement signals. The control and analysis unit objectively selects stimulation contacts and parameters based on quantitative neural activity data, eliminating the loss of information associated with subjective manual assessment while preserving ease of operation through intelligent automation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for stimulating neurons having a pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity, said apparatus including a stimulation unit (11) that comprises a plurality of stimulation contacts (25-28) to stimulate neurons in a patient's brain and/or spinal cord with electric stimuli (22), 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). The stimulation contacts (25-28) of the stimulation unit (11) apply stimuli (22), and the control and analysis unit (10) selects the stimulation contacts (25-28), the stimuli (22) of which cause the phase of the pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity of the stimulated neurons to be reset. The selected stimulation contacts (25-28) then apply phase-resetting stimuli (22) with a time delay, and the control and analysis unit (10) verifies whether the pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity of the stimulated neurons is suppressed by said time-delayed stimuli.