Paired Pulse Stimulation for Adjustable Excitation Locus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Epidural spinal cord stimulation for pain control faces challenges in directing stimulation-induced paresthesia to the desired body part and managing side effects, with existing methods requiring skilled practitioners and being limited by the need for optimally spaced electrodes and linear steering capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that use non-simultaneous pulses applied to at least two electrodes to create adjustable loci of excitation in electrically excitable tissue, allowing for the superposition of subthreshold potential areas to induce action potentials at a desired locus, with the time delay between pulses varying to adjust the size and location of the suprathreshold potential area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If optimally spaced electrodes are used to achieve precise control of excitation locus, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode placement precisionVSAvoidelectrode configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temporal parameter by applying pulses non-simultaneously with variable time delays. This allows precise control of excitation locus through timing rather than requiring optimally spaced electrodes, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control through variable time delays between pulses. The time delay can be adjusted to modify the size and location of the suprathreshold potential area, enabling flexible control of excitation locus without fixed electrode geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If linear steering of electric field is used to adjust excitation locus, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering control simplicityVSAvoidexcitation locus adjustment range

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from linear (one-dimensional) steering to two-dimensional control by applying pulses to multiple electrodes with variable time delays. This enables adjustment of excitation locus over a greater area while maintaining ease of operation through programmable pulse timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If single value cathodes are used for stimulation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode configuration simplicityVSAvoidstimulation parameter adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic pulsing with variable time delays between pulses. This periodic action with adjustable timing allows a single value cathode to achieve multiple stimulation effects by varying the pulse timing, thereby improving adaptability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables precise control of action potential loci without the need for optimally spaced electrodes, allowing for deeper tissue stimulation and adjustment of paresthesia patterns over a greater area, reducing the complexity of electrode placement and minimizing side effects.

Implementation Method 1

areas of subthreshold excitation may be controlled in order to adjust an area of superposition of such areas of subthreshold excitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrotonus:

Implementation Method 2

Superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas provide deep tissue suprathreshold areas of adjustable locus providing additional action potentials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperposition of electrical potentials:

Implementation Method 3

The time delay between the application of the first and second pulses can be varied for a corresponding adjustment in size and location of the suprathreshold potential area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime-dependent potential decay:

Data Source

PatentUS7689289B2Technique for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue with paired pulses

Publication Date: 2010.03.30 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. Substantially non-simultaneous first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate both first and second action potentials and first and second subthreshold potential areas, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where additional action potentials are induced may be determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. Superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas provides deep tissue suprathreshold potential areas of adjustable locus wherein additional action potentials are induced.