Selective Nerve Stimulation via Segmented Cuff Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and other physiological disorders through nerve stimulation often require accurate detection and selective stimulation of specific nerves, but they typically activate entire nerves or nerve bundles, leading to inefficiencies and incomplete solutions.
Innovation Solution
An implantable neurostimulator system with a cylindrical electronics enclosure, coil, and electrodes, including cuff and open trough designs, that allows for selective stimulation of specific nerve portions by encircling the nerve with a cuff and delivering stimuli through contact points on the cuff or trough electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If entire nerves or nerve bundles are stimulated, then coverage of all nerve fibers is achieved, but selective stimulation of specific muscle groups cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The nerve is divided into multiple discrete stimulation sites along its length. Each site can be independently stimulated to activate specific muscle groups, allowing selective control without requiring complex external programming or multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the nerve are stimulated with different characteristics (amplitude, frequency, duration) to achieve localized effects on specific muscles. This allows tailored stimulation patterns for different muscle groups along the nerve's pathway.
2Ease of operation
If non-selective nerve stimulation is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but unwanted muscle activation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulation electrode is segmented into multiple independent contacts distributed along the nerve. By activating only specific contacts rather than the entire electrode, unwanted muscle activation is avoided while maintaining simple device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the necessary portion of the nerve is stimulated rather than the entire nerve. This partial action achieves the therapeutic effect on target muscles while avoiding activation of non-target muscles, improving ease of operation by reducing side effects.
3Measurement precision
If accurate detection and selective stimulation are implemented, then treatment precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same electrode system serves both detection and stimulation functions. The electrode can detect neural signals and deliver stimulation through the same interface, eliminating the need for separate detection and stimulation components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection and stimulation functions are merged into a single integrated system. The electrode array serves dual purposes, allowing accurate condition detection and selective stimulation without requiring complex coupling between separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable neurostimulator system is disclosed, the neurostimulator system comprising a hollow cylindrical electronics enclosure having a top, a bottom, and a side; a coil extending from a first part of the electronics enclosure; and at least one electrode operatively connected to the electronics enclosure.