High-Frequency Peroneal Nerve Stimulation With EMG-Guided RLS Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) are inadequate, with pharmaceutical therapies having significant side effects and implanted devices posing health risks, while existing neurostimulation methods lack consistency and personalization, leading to variable efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive peripheral nerve stimulation (NPNS) system using high-frequency electrostimulation is applied to the peroneal nerve, with parameters adjusted based on surface EMG signals and patient feedback to ensure the signal is above the tonic motor threshold and below pain and distraction thresholds, optimizing therapy for individual patient responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmaceutical therapies are used to treat RLS, then symptom relief is achieved, but significant side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmaceutical therapy with a non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation system. The NPNS device uses electrical currents delivered through surface electrodes to activate peripheral nerves, substituting chemical medication with a physical stimulation mechanism that avoids pharmacological side effects while treating RLS symptoms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a non-invasive electrical stimulation intermediary between the patient and the treatment outcome. Instead of drugs entering the bloodstream and affecting multiple systems, the electrical stimulation acts locally on peripheral nerves as an intermediary mechanism to relieve RLS symptoms without systemic side effects
2Reliability
If implanted devices are used to treat RLS, then treatment efficacy is improved, but health risks and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential therapeutic function of implanted devices (electrical nerve stimulation) and removes the harmful implantation component. The NPNS system delivers stimulation through surface electrodes, taking out the invasive surgical implantation while retaining the beneficial electrical stimulation effect on peripheral nerves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a non-invasive, removable external device instead of permanent implants. The NPNS system uses surface electrodes and external stimulators that can be applied and removed without surgery, eliminating the long-term health risks associated with implanted devices while providing effective treatment
3Ease of operation
If transcutaneous nerve stimulation is applied, then non-invasive treatment is achieved, but inconsistent nerve recruitment and variable efficacy occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically optimizes electrical stimulation parameters (current intensity, pulse duration, frequency) to achieve reliable nerve fiber activation through the skin. By carefully controlling these parameters, the NPNS system overcomes the attenuation and dispersion effects of transcutaneous delivery, ensuring consistent recruitment of target peripheral nerves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust stimulation parameters in real-time. By measuring patient response and nerve activation signals, the system automatically adjusts current intensity and pulse characteristics to maintain optimal nerve recruitment consistency across different patients and treatment sessions
4Ease of operation
If electrical nerve stimulation is delivered transcutaneously, then non-invasive application is achieved, but significant variability in activating target nerve occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies stimulation electrodes at specific anatomical locations where peripheral nerves are most accessible and superficial. By targeting precise nerve pathways (such as the peroneal nerve), the NPNS system concentrates electrical energy where needed, improving activation precision while maintaining non-invasive application through the skin
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 NPNS system effectively reduces RLS symptoms by inducing tonic muscle activation without causing discomfort, providing a viable alternative to medications and implants, with significant symptom relief and improved patient tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to treat one or more conditions, such as chronic or acute pain, epilepsy, depression, bladder disorders, or inflammatory disorders
Implementation Method 2
parameters adjusted based on surface EMG signals and patient feedback
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for treating a patient having symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) using high-frequency stimulation by applying a high-frequency pulsed electrostimulation therapy signal to a peroneal nerve or a branch thereof, where the therapy signal is above a motor threshold of a muscle innervated by the peroneal nerve or branch thereof. Surface EMG (sEMG) response to neurostimulation can be used to evaluate patient responsivity to neurostimulation, or to evaluate neurostimulation efficacy, such as to compare various neurostimulation parameter settings and to select between such settings to meet or balance between one or more goals. The sEMG response can be obtained with the muscle at rest, or during muscle activation.