Optical Implant Light Pipe for Brain Phototherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) systems provide symptomatic relief for neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease but do not slow or stop the underlying degenerative processes, necessitating a method to deliver phototherapy to neurons in the brain.
Innovation Solution
An optical implant (OI) is developed, comprising a light source and electronics housed in an implantable device that is connected to an IPG, using a light pipe to deliver therapeutic light to specific areas of the brain, potentially combined with electrical neuromodulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DBS systems are used to provide symptomatic relief for neurological disorders, then patient symptoms are improved, but the underlying degenerative processes continue to progress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical stimulation (DBS) and optical stimulation (phototherapy) into a single implantable device that can deliver both modalities through integrated electrodes and optical fibers. This merging allows the device to provide both symptomatic relief from electrical stimulation and neuroprotective effects from phototherapy, simultaneously addressing both the symptom management and disease modification needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both electrical neuromodulation and optical phototherapy through a single system. The device includes both electrical electrodes for DBS and optical fibers for phototherapy delivery, enabling it to serve multiple therapeutic functions - both symptom relief and slowing degenerative processes - through one unified platform.
2Device complexity
If a single implantable device is designed to provide both electrical and optical stimulation, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing and integration challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional modules: electrical stimulation electrodes, optical fiber bundles, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently before integration, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving multi-modality functionality in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fibers are integrated within or alongside the electrical electrode assemblies, creating a nested structure where multiple functional elements share the same spatial envelope. This nesting approach consolidates multiple stimulation modalities into a compact unified device while managing the integration complexity through hierarchical organization of components.
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 OI effectively delivers phototherapy to neurons, potentially curtail degenerative processes, and can be combined with electrical neuromodulation for enhanced therapeutic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating neurons with near-infrared (NIr) light can curtail degenerative processes within the neurons
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device for providing phototherapy to a patient's brain is disclosed. The device includes a housing containing a light source for providing phototherapy to a patient. A light path is attached to the housing. The implantable medical device is configured to be positioned between a patient's skull and scalp with the light path extending into the patient's brain, such that light from the light source can irradiate a target position within the patient's brain. The implantable medical device is powered and controlled by an implantable pulse generator (IPG) that may be implanted into a patient's tissue remotely from the device and connected to the device by wire leads.