Short-Pulse Spinal Cord Modulation for Paresthesia-Free Pain Relief

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 shorter pulse widths are less effective in masking pain without generating paresthesia.

Innovation Solution

Implementing spinal cord modulation using short pulse width waveforms (less than 50 microseconds) with frequencies between 2 Hz to 1,500 Hz to directly inhibit neural activity, reducing pain without inducing paresthesia, and utilizing simplified systems and procedures for lead placement and signal delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If long pulse width electrical pulses are used to generate paresthesia, then pain masking is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain masking effectivenessVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pulse width parameter from conventional long durations (>50 microseconds) to short durations (<50 microseconds), fundamentally altering the stimulation mechanism from paresthesia-based masking to direct neural inhibition, thereby improving patient comfort while maintaining pain relief effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using long pulse widths to generate paresthesia that masks pain, the invention inverts the approach by using short pulse widths to directly inhibit neural activity, eliminating the need for uncomfortable paresthesia while achieving pain relief through a相反 mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If long pulse width electrical pulses are used to generate paresthesia, then pain masking is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain masking effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pulse width parameter from conventional long durations (>50 microseconds) to short durations (<50 microseconds), fundamentally altering the stimulation mechanism from paresthesia-based masking to direct neural inhibition, thereby improving patient comfort while maintaining pain relief effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses periodic short pulse width stimulation at specific frequencies (2 Hz to 1,500 Hz) to achieve cumulative neural inhibition effects, allowing effective pain relief with reduced overall energy consumption compared to continuous long pulse width stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If short pulse width waveforms are used to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but pain relief effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpain relief effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pulse width parameter from conventional long durations (>50 microseconds) to short durations (<50 microseconds), fundamentally altering the stimulation mechanism from paresthesia-based masking to direct neural inhibition, thereby improving patient comfort while maintaining pain relief effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters including pulse width, frequency, and amplitude to optimize the balance between power consumption and pain relief effectiveness, using short pulse widths at varying frequencies to maintain therapeutic effect while minimizing energy use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250345610A1Spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain via short pulse width waveforms, and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 NEVRO CORP

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.