Short-Pulse Spinal Cord Modulation for Paresthesia-Free Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems rely on long pulse width electrical pulses to generate tingling or paresthesia, which may not be comfortable for patients and require higher power consumption, while shortening pulse widths to avoid paresthesia poses challenges in achieving effective pain relief.
Innovation Solution
Implementing short pulse width waveforms (less than 50 microseconds) with frequencies ranging from 2 Hz to 1,500 Hz for spinal cord modulation, targeting specific neural populations to inhibit pain without inducing paresthesia, using simplified systems and procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long pulse width electrical pulses (greater than 50 microseconds) are used for spinal cord stimulation, then pain relief is achieved through paresthesia generation, but power consumption increases and patient comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pulse width parameter from conventional long durations (greater than 50 microseconds) to short durations (less than 50 microseconds, specifically 10-30 microseconds). This parameter change allows achievement of pain relief through a different mechanism (direct neural inhibition rather than paresthesia), while simultaneously reducing power consumption since shorter pulses require less energy delivery.
2Reliability
If long pulse width electrical pulses are used, then pain relief is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to uncomfortable paresthesia sensations
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the pulse width parameter to short durations (10-30 microseconds), the patent eliminates the generation of paresthesia sensations that cause patient discomfort. The short pulses directly inhibit pain transmission neurons without activating the sensory pathways that produce tingling sensations, thereby maintaining pain relief effectiveness while improving patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or separates the pain relief function from the paresthesia generation function. Conventional SCS relies on paresthesia to mask pain, but this invention achieves pain relief through a different mechanism (direct neural inhibition) that does not require paresthesia, effectively removing the harmful side effect while preserving the therapeutic benefit.
3Use of energy by moving object
If short pulse width waveforms (less than 50 microseconds) are used to avoid paresthesia, then power consumption is reduced, but achieving effective pain relief becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent successfully uses short pulse width (10-30 microseconds) parameters to reduce power consumption while maintaining pain relief effectiveness. The key is that the short pulses are delivered at appropriate amplitudes and frequencies to directly inhibit pain transmission neurons in the spinal cord, providing an alternative mechanism to conventional long-pulse SCS.
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
Achieves pain relief without paresthesia and reduced power consumption by modulating neural activity, selectively affecting smaller fibers and desensitizing neurons, thereby reducing chronic pain effectively.
Implementation Method 1
Implementing short pulse width waveforms (less than 50 microseconds) with frequencies ranging from 2 Hz to 1,500 Hz for spinal cord modulation, targeting specific neural populations to inhibit pain without inducing paresthesia
Data Source
AI summary
Short pulse width spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, modulation signal has pulse widths in the range of from about 10 microseconds to about 50 microseconds may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address chronic pain without using paresthesia or tingling to mask or cover the patient's sensation of pain. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.