Phase Response Mapping for Electrical Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for treating movement disorders and neurodegenerative impairments, such as Parkinson's disease, face challenges in effectively delivering electrical stimulation therapy to manage oscillating brain signals associated with these conditions, as existing methods lack precision in timing and parameter determination for optimal therapeutic effect.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves delivering electrical stimulation at specific phases relative to ongoing oscillating signals, mapping phase-dependent responses, and adjusting stimulation parameters to induce phase resets or amplitude changes, using an implantable device with a processor to determine optimal delivery phases and amplitudes for subsequent therapeutic stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is delivered without phase-specific timing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the therapeutic effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mapping of phase-response characteristics by delivering test stimulation pulses at multiple phases relative to the oscillating signal and measuring the resulting phase shifts. This preliminary action characterizes the tissue's responsiveness and stores the data for use in subsequent therapeutic stimulation delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical stimulation device dynamically adjusts the timing of stimulation pulses based on the measured phase-response mapping. Instead of using fixed timing, the system adapts the phase of each stimulation pulse according to the characterized tissue response, enabling optimized therapeutic delivery.
2Measurement precision
If phase-response mapping is performed with multiple test stimulation pulses, then the measurement precision of tissue responsiveness is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers a limited set of test stimulation pulses at specific phases (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°) rather than exhaustively testing all possible phases. This partial sampling provides sufficient phase-response characterization while significantly reducing the time required compared to complete phase sweeping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the measured phase-shift responses as a template or copy to determine optimal stimulation timing for therapeutic delivery. The phase-response mapping creates a reference profile that guides subsequent stimulation without requiring continuous real-time measurement during therapy.
3Reliability
If electrical stimulation amplitude is increased to eliminate oscillating signals, then the therapeutic effect is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the amplitude parameter of electrical stimulation by selecting the minimum effective amplitude that produces the desired phase reset and signal elimination. The phase-response mapping identifies the precise stimulation parameters needed, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from excessive amplitude increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures the phase-shift response to test stimulation pulses and uses this feedback information to determine the optimal amplitude for therapeutic delivery. The measured responses indicate whether higher amplitudes are necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, enabling energy-efficient parameter selection.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques for delivering electrical stimulation at one or more phases relative to an ongoing oscillating signal in a patient, and then mapping the response to the oscillating signal. The techniques may reduce or eliminate the oscillating signal. In one example, the disclosure is directed to a method that includes delivering a set of first electrical stimulation at a plurality of phases relative to an oscillating signal, measuring a response in the oscillating signal to the set of first electrical stimulation after delivering electrical stimulation at each respective phase of the plurality of phases, determining a phase at which to deliver second electrical stimulation based on the measured responses, and delivering the second electrical stimulation to the patient at the determined phase to produce a therapeutic effect.