Oscillatory Signal Source Location Detection in Neural Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical stimulation therapies for conditions like Parkinson's disease and epilepsy face challenges in accurately targeting oscillatory signal sources within the brain, leading to inefficiencies in symptom management and potential side effects due to non-specific stimulation.

Innovation Solution

A medical device is configured to determine the location of an oscillatory signal source by comparing actual and expected electrical signal measurements, iteratively adjusting a hypothetical location to minimize error, allowing for precise selection of electrodes for therapy delivery based on proximity to the signal source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrical stimulation therapy is delivered using conventional electrode selection methods, then therapy can be provided to treat conditions like Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, but the stimulation may not accurately target the oscillatory signal source, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential side effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of signal source locationVSAvoidcomplexity of location detection method
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by comparing actual electrode measurements with modeled measurements at different hypothetical locations, iteratively refining the estimated signal source location until the error between measured and modeled values is minimized

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a computational model (copy) of the electrical field distribution that mimics the actual physical measurements, allowing virtual testing of different signal source locations without physical intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If iterative error minimization is used to determine signal source location, then electrode selection accuracy is improved, but computational time and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of electrode selectionVSAvoidtime for location determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-computing or quickly evaluating modeled measurements at multiple hypothetical locations before final selection, preparing the data structure in advance to accelerate the iterative optimization process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system efficiently explores different parameter spaces (hypothetical locations) by systematically varying spatial coordinates and using optimization algorithms to converge on the best match, reducing the number of iterations needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3958958B1Neural oscillatory signal source location detection
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP3958958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3958958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3958958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are described to determine a location of at least one oscillatory signal source in a patient. Processing circuitry may determine expected electrical signal levels based on a hypothetical location of the at least one oscillatory signal source. Processing circuitry may determine the electrical signal levels and determine an error value based on the expected electrical signal levels and the determined electrical signal levels. Processing circuitry may adjust the hypothetical location of the at least one oscillatory signal source until the error value is less than or equal to a threshold value, including the example where the error value is minimized.