Remote Autonomic Nerve Stimulation via Vascular Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracardiac autonomic nerve stimulation, such as high-frequency endocardial stimulation, are limited by their restricted application areas and risk of causing undesired cardiac arrhythmias, and lack a reliable way to assess vagal denervation effects, especially when used near the heart or brain.
Innovation Solution
The ExtraCardiac Nerve Stimulator and ExtraCardiac Nerve Stimulation (ECANS) method uses a remote neural stimulator that delivers a broad frequency range of electrical pulses with short pulse width and adjustable amplitude, allowing stimulation from within veins or viscera without direct nerve contact, and includes safety features to prevent cardiac arrhythmias and tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-frequency endocardial stimulation is used to stimulate autonomic nerves, then neural fiber stimulation is achieved, but the application area is restricted and undesired cardiac arrhythmias may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses blood vessels (veins or arteries) as an intermediary medium to deliver electrical stimulation to autonomic nerves. The catheter is positioned within the lumen of a blood vessel, and electrical pulses are transmitted through the blood vessel wall to stimulate adjacent autonomic nerves. This intermediary approach allows access to nerves in previously unreachable locations without direct nerve contact, thereby expanding application areas while maintaining safety by avoiding direct manipulation of neural tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact with nerves (surgical dissection and exposure) with a non-contact electrical field approach. By positioning the catheter within blood vessels and using electrical pulses to stimulate nerves through tissue, the method eliminates the need for surgical nerve exposure and direct mechanical interaction with neural structures, thereby reducing the risk of arrhythmias while accessing broader anatomical regions.
2Reliability
If parasympathetic denervation by ablation is performed to treat vagal related atrial fibrillation, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but reliable evaluation of denervation effects is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by using the same endovascular catheter system to both deliver stimulation and record neural responses. After performing parasympathetic denervation by ablation, the system can immediately re-administer electrical stimulation through the catheter and record the neural responses to assess whether denervation was successful. This closed-loop feedback allows real-time evaluation of therapeutic efficacy without requiring separate diagnostic procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional catheter system that can perform both therapeutic ablation and diagnostic stimulation/recording functions. The same endovascular catheter used for delivering electrical pulses for denervation can also be used to stimulate nerves and record responses to evaluate the denervation effect. This universal tool eliminates the need for separate diagnostic equipment and procedures, making the evaluation process integrated and reliable.
3Reliability
If direct nerve stimulation is used to achieve autonomic nerve stimulation, then effective neural activation is obtained, but surgical dissection and tissue lesion are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs blood vessels as an intermediary pathway to reach autonomic nerves. Instead of requiring surgical dissection to expose and directly contact nerves, the catheter is navigated through the vascular system to positions adjacent to target nerves. Electrical stimulation is then delivered through the blood vessel wall to activate the nerves. This intermediary approach maintains effective neural activation while completely avoiding complex surgical dissection and tissue lesion procedures.
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
This approach enables safe and effective stimulation of autonomic nerves from a distance, allowing for precise monitoring of vagal responses and denervation effects, reducing the risk of cardiac complications and providing a diagnostic tool for therapeutic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The method makes possible the stimulation without direct contact with the nerve based on special electrical wave
Data Source
AI summary
The ExtraCardiac Nerve Stimulator and the ExtraCardiac Nerve Stimulation (ECANS) are, respectively, the apparatus and method to get remote nerve stimulation for medical applications. The system makes possible the stimulation without direct contact with the nerve based on special electrical wave. The remote nerve stimulation is extremely important for investigational and therapeutic proposals. The possibility of having this resource without surgical dissection, nerve exposure and tissue lesion with time-consuming process, is remarkable. This procedure relies on a settable stimulator with special features that releases a pulse wave with high frequency, very short pulse width, great amplitude, and precise current and time limitation connected to a special catheter, placed inside a vase or viscera. Frequency, pulse width, amplitude and time of application are operator adjustable to be effective against large patient variations, different anatomy, and areas of application. Special features prevent the application of the stimulus in the heart.