Smooth Muscle Stimulation via Calcium Entrainment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical stimulation methods for smooth muscles, such as sphincters, are ineffective for sustained contraction as they rely on continuous stimulation, which does not align with the natural oscillatory behavior of smooth muscle cells and often results in inadequate contraction, particularly in conditions like GERD and incontinence.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that modulate a continuous pulse train signal to match the dynamics of intracellular calcium ion oscillations in smooth muscles, entraining the oscillations to increase their frequency, targeting the pacemaker region rather than the sphincter directly, using intermittent on-and-off stimulation to enhance contraction force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous electrical stimulation is applied to the sphincter, then the stimulation is continuous and constant, but the contraction effectiveness is inadequate and cannot sustain smooth muscle contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by modulating the continuous pulse train signal at a modulation frequency to create intermittent stimulation patterns. This periodic modulation aligns with the natural oscillatory behavior of smooth muscle cells, enabling sustained contraction effectiveness that continuous stimulation cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from static continuous stimulation to dynamic modulated stimulation. The modulation frequency is specifically designed to match the natural oscillation frequency of intracellular calcium ions in smooth muscle, creating a dynamic stimulation pattern that adapts to the physiological characteristics of the tissue.
2Force
If continuous pulse train signal is applied, then the stimulation is simple and continuous, but the contraction force is insufficient for sustained smooth muscle contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous pulse train signal is modulated at a specific modulation frequency to create periodic variations in stimulation intensity. This periodic modulation enhances contraction force by resonating with the natural oscillation frequency of intracellular calcium ions, while the modulation parameters can be adjusted to balance effectiveness with system complexity.
3Stress or pressure
If conventional electrical stimulation is used, then the method is simple to implement, but the closing pressure increase is limited to 27%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic modulation of the pulse train signal at a modulation frequency that matches the natural oscillation frequency of intracellular calcium ions. This periodic action resonates with the calcium ion oscillations, amplifying the physiological response and achieving a 350% increase in closing pressure compared to the 27% increase from conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stimulation parameters by introducing modulation frequency as an additional control parameter. By tuning the modulation frequency to match the calcium ion oscillation frequency, the system achieves enhanced closing pressure through resonant amplification of the natural physiological oscillations.
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 achieves a significant enhancement of smooth muscle contraction force, demonstrated by a 350% increase in closing pressure compared to conventional methods, which are limited to a 27% increase, effectively addressing the limitations of continuous stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
entraining a group of cells of the smooth muscle by applying the modulated continuous pulse train signal to the group of cells of the smooth muscle to increase an oscillation frequency of the calcium ion oscillations
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for electrically stimulating a smooth muscle. The method includes generating a continuous pulse train signal having pulses and pulse intervals between the pulses, the pulses and the pulse intervals being generated at a pulse frequency. The method also includes modulating the continuous pulse train signal at a modulation frequency to match dynamics of intracellular calcium ion oscillations in the smooth muscle. The method also includes entraining a group of cells of the smooth muscle by applying the modulated continuous pulse train signal to the group of cells of the smooth muscle to increase an oscillation frequency of the calcium ion oscillations.