Noninvasive Cranial Nerve Stimulation for Infant Feeding Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Preterm and term infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy face significant feeding difficulties due to oromotor dyscoordination, leading to prolonged hospital stays and the need for invasive gastrostomy tubes, which are costly and psychologically distressing for parents.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive cranial nerve stimulation system using electrodes to stimulate nerves like the trigeminal, facial, and vagus nerves, paired with muscle activation feedback to enhance neuroplasticity and improve feeding skills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gastrostomy tube insertion is used for feeding, then feeding can be ensured, but general anesthesia and scarring are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical intervention (gastrostomy tube insertion requiring anesthesia and incision) with a neuromodulation system that uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to regulate gastric function. This substitutes a mechanical/surgical solution with a physiological/electrical one, eliminating the need for general anesthesia and abdominal scarring while ensuring reliable feeding.
2Ease of operation
If occupational therapy is provided once daily, then feeding skills are trained, but the process is time-consuming and requires prolonged hospitalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous vagus nerve stimulation that can operate throughout the day, replacing the intermittent once-daily occupational therapy sessions. This continuous neuromodulation provides sustained therapeutic effect on feeding-related physiological functions, accelerating skill acquisition and reducing the time required for rehabilitation without compromising the quality of training.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the vagus nerve as an intermediary between the control system and the gastrointestinal functions. By modulating this neural pathway, the system indirectly regulates gastric motility, secretion, and overall digestive function, providing a more efficient and less time-consuming alternative to direct manual therapy intervention.
3Quantity of substance
If g-tube is used for feeding, then adequate nutrition is provided, but parental perception of child's developmental potential is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visible mechanical gastrostomy tube with an invisible neuromodulation system. The external stimulator and implanted vagus nerve electrode are much less conspicuous than a gastric tube, allowing infants to appear more 'normal' while receiving equivalent or superior nutritional support through vagally-mediated gastric regulation.
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 system accelerates the learning of feeding skills, reduces hospital stays, enhances neuroplasticity, and improves parental perception of developmental potential, while being less invasive than traditional therapies.
Implementation Method 1
measuring muscle activation using the at least one sensing electrode
Implementation Method 2
administering stimulation using the at least one stimulating electrode to the cranial nerve
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to systems for providing noninvasive cranial nerve stimulation and methods for using the same. The present invention administers therapy through electrodes that are noninvasively attached to one or more of a subject's cranial nerve. The systems can be used to enhancing rehabilitation and recovery by improving neuroplasticity and coupling muscle training with feedback.