Non-Regular Stimulation Patterns for Neurological Disorders
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deep brain stimulation (DBS) methods rely on high-frequency constant stimulation patterns, which can exacerbate symptoms in some patients and lead to increased power consumption and shorter battery life, while non-regular patterns have shown reduced efficacy and increased variability, necessitating a more effective and efficient stimulation approach.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of non-regular pulse trains with varying inter-pulse intervals, including pulse bursts, pauses, and gradual changes, to create a lower average frequency stimulation pattern that regularizes neuronal firing and reduces side effects, using a programmable microprocessor in an implantable pulse generator to deliver these patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high frequency stimulation (above 100 Hz) is used to achieve effective symptom relief, then clinical efficacy is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using burst stimulation patterns where high-frequency pulses are delivered in periodic bursts separated by intervals. This allows the system to achieve therapeutic effects through periodic activation rather than continuous high-frequency stimulation, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining clinical efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by varying stimulation parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse width) over time according to different protocols. The stimulation pattern dynamically transitions between high-frequency bursts and lower-frequency intervals, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to therapeutic needs rather than operating at constant high frequency.
2Reliability
If high frequency stimulation is used to relieve symptoms, then therapeutic effect is improved, but side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic burst stimulation with intervals between bursts, the system achieves therapeutic effects during the burst phases while allowing tissue recovery during interval phases. This periodic approach reduces cumulative side effects compared to continuous high-frequency stimulation while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by delivering high-frequency stimulation only during specific burst periods rather than continuously. This partial application of high-frequency stimulation is sufficient to achieve therapeutic effects while limiting exposure that would cause side effects.
3Reliability
If high frequency stimulation is used to mask pathological burst activity, then symptom relief is improved, but battery size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic burst stimulation pattern delivers high-frequency pulses only during active burst periods, reducing total energy consumption compared to continuous high-frequency stimulation. This lower overall energy demand allows for smaller battery size while maintaining the ability to mask pathological burst activity during therapeutic windows.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stimulation system, comprising a lead configured to contact neural tissue and an implantable pulse generator configured to deliver successive non-regular electrical pulse trains including non-regular inter-pulse intervals which are linearly cyclically ramped over time to the lead, wherein the successive non-regular electrical pulse trains have an instantaneous change so that a final inter-pulse interval in an earlier train is larger than a first inter-pulse interval in an immediately subsequent train and wherein each non-regular electrical pulse train includes a singlet pulse spaced apart by progressively increasing inter-pulse intervals which decrease in frequency over time from about 140 Hz to 40 Hz.