Selective Small-Diameter Axon Neuromodulation via Localized Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neuromodulation technologies lack the ability to selectively target and modulate small-diameter axons to a greater degree than large-diameter axons, which is crucial for treating medical conditions involving sensory, autonomic, and motor systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a nerve modulating therapy, including heat signals, pressure waves, optogenetic manipulations, or pharmaceutical dosages, to selectively target small-diameter axons by configuring a source to provide a therapy that inhibits or enhances conduction in these axons with lower intensity than required for large-diameter axons, using a probe to apply the therapy to a target area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional neuromodulation therapies are applied to target areas, then neural conduction is modulated, but small-diameter axons cannot be selectively targeted to a greater degree than large-diameter axons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by delivering nerve modulating therapy directly to the target area through a probe, creating localized modulation effects. The therapy is concentrated at the application site, enabling selective targeting of small-diameter axons in the immediate vicinity while minimizing effects on distant large-diameter axons. This localized delivery mechanism resolves the contradiction by achieving both selectivity and independent modulation capability through spatially confined therapy application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing different intensities of nerve modulating therapy to differentially affect axons based on their diameter. Small-diameter axons are modulated at lower intensities compared to large-diameter axons, which require higher intensities for equivalent modulation. This intensity parameter differentiation enables selective targeting and independent modulation of different axon types, resolving the technical contradiction between selectivity and adaptability.
2Reliability
If higher intensity therapy is applied to modulate large-diameter axons, then conduction in large-diameter axons is effectively modulated, but small-diameter axons are also affected to the same degree
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by delivering nerve modulating therapy at an intensity that is sufficient to modulate small-diameter axons but deliberately kept below the threshold required to significantly affect large-diameter axons. This partial intensity approach enables selective modulation of small-diameter axons without co-modulating large-diameter axons, resolving the contradiction between selectivity and modulation effectiveness by accepting that large-diameter axons will be less affected at this intensity level.
3Ease of operation
If nerve modulating therapy is applied to modulate conduction in axons, then neural activity is controlled, but spatial and temporal selectivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by delivering nerve modulating therapy in controlled temporal patterns through the probe. The therapy can be applied in pulses or intermittent sequences, enabling temporal selectivity in modulating neural activity. This periodic delivery mechanism provides precise temporal control while maintaining spatial selectivity through localized probe application, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
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
The system effectively modulates conduction in small-diameter axons to a greater degree than large-diameter axons, allowing for selective inhibition or enhancement of neural activity, which can treat conditions such as chronic pain, hypertension, and other neurological disorders with high spatial and temporal selectivity.
Implementation Method 1
A source 12 is configured to provide a nerve modulating therapy. A probe 14 is configured for application of the nerve modulating therapy to a target area
Implementation Method 2
The nerve modulating therapy can include the application of one or more modifying agents to the target area to target the small diameter axons
Implementation Method 3
The modifying agent can be any agent that affects the outer surface of one or more nerve fibers to modulate conduction in the one or more nerve fibers
Data Source
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AI summary
Small-diameter axons can be targeted for neuromodulation. A nerve modulating therapy can be configured to target the small diameter axons in a target area of a subject specifically. The nerve modulating therapy can be applied to the target area to modulate conduction in one or more small diameter axons within the target area to a greater degree than in large diameter axons within the target area. The nerve modulating therapy can be any therapy that affects an outer surface of the one or more small diameter axons (like a heat signal, a pressure wave, an optogenetic manipulation, and/or a pharmaceutical dosage).