Ramped Therapeutic Signals for Selective Inhibitory Interneuron Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurological stimulation systems for pain management often activate excitatory interneurons, leading to side effects like paresthesia, and fail to effectively inhibit pain signal transmission by activating inhibitory interneurons.
Innovation Solution
The development of ramped therapeutic signals with adjustable parameters such as amplitude and pulse width, specifically designed to preferentially activate inhibitory interneurons while preventing the activation of excitatory interneurons, delivered through implantable pulse generators and leads positioned near the spinal cord.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard electrical pulses are delivered to activate interneurons, then pain signal transmission can be inhibited, but excitatory interneurons are activated causing paresthesia side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using ramped pulse signals where the amplitude increases gradually from zero to a maximum value over a specified ramp period, rather than delivering abrupt high-amplitude pulses. This gradual amplitude increase selectively activates inhibitory interneurons while preventing excitatory interneuron activation, thereby achieving pain relief without paresthesia side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the pulse amplitude time-dependent through ramping. The amplitude is not static but dynamically changes during each pulse cycle, increasing from zero to maximum and then decreasing, which creates different activation thresholds for different neuron types and selectively targets inhibitory interneurons
2Reliability
If high amplitude pulses are used to ensure activation of target neurons, then pain relief is achieved, but unwanted activation of motor and sensory signals occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-conditioning the neural tissue with gradual amplitude ramping before delivering the full therapeutic effect. The ramped approach prevents the abrupt activation of motor and sensory pathways that would occur with standard high-amplitude pulses, thereby achieving pain inhibition without unwanted side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The ramped pulse delivers a preliminary low-amplitude phase that gradually increases to the therapeutic amplitude. This preliminary action allows inhibitory interneurons to be activated in a controlled manner before reaching full amplitude, preventing the simultaneous activation of motor and sensory signals that occurs with abrupt high-amplitude delivery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for treating a patient's pain using ramped therapeutic signals for modulating inhibitory interneurons, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes positioning an implantable signal delivery device proximate to a target location at or near the patient's spinal cord, and delivering an electrical therapy signal to the target location via the implantable signal delivery device, wherein the electrical therapy signal has a frequency in a frequency range of from about 1 kHz to about 100 kHz, and wherein the frequency is increased or decreased from a first value to a second value during delivery.