Spinal Cord Neuromodulation to Prevent Bronchoconstriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for asthma, including medications and biologics, provide inconsistent symptom relief and often come with significant side effects, and there is no known cure for the condition, necessitating a trial-and-error approach that can be burdensome and risky.
Innovation Solution
A device is programmed to generate electrical pulses targeting the spinal cord to provide neuromodulation with specific parameters (0.5-2.5 mAmp, 350-500 Hz, 240-350 μs) to prevent bronchoconstriction, using implantable leads or leadless stimulators to stimulate sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional medications (bronchodilators, corticosteroids, biologics) are used to manage asthma symptoms, then symptom relief is achieved, but side effects increase and treatment consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical/pharmacological system (medications) with an electrical/neurological system (spinal cord stimulation). Instead of using drugs that chemically interact with the body to relax airway muscles, the invention uses electrical pulses delivered via spinal cord stimulation to modulate neural pathways that control bronchial smooth muscle tone, thereby achieving bronchodilation without pharmacological side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the spinal cord and nervous system as an intermediary between the control system and the airway muscles. Rather than medications directly acting on bronchial smooth muscles, the spinal cord stimulation modulates neural signals that indirectly control airway tone, providing a more natural physiological pathway that avoids drug-related side effects
2Reliability
If frequent medication administration is required to control asthma, then symptom management is maintained, but patient burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous or near-continuous spinal cord stimulation through an implantable pulse generator that delivers electrical pulses continuously or on-demand, replacing the intermittent medication administration schedule. This continuous neural modulation provides sustained bronchodilation and asthma control without requiring the patient to remember and execute frequent dosing schedules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the body's own nervous system to serve the function of asthma control. The spinal cord stimulation activates endogenous neural pathways that naturally regulate airway tone, allowing the patient's own physiological systems to maintain asthma control without external intervention, thereby eliminating the burden of frequent medication administration
3Reliability
If biologic medications are used to target underlying mechanisms, then severe asthma cases are treated, but trial-and-error approach is required and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the trial-and-error pharmacological approach with a unified neurological approach. Instead of testing multiple different biologic medications to see which one works for each patient, the spinal cord stimulation provides a consistent neural modulation mechanism that can be adjusted through programming parameters (pulse width, frequency, amplitude) to suit individual patients without requiring trial-and-error medication selection
Data Source
AI summary
A device for treating respiratory conditions is disclosed. The device generates electrical pulses directed to a region of the spinal cord column. The electrical pulses provide a neuromodulation that prevents bronchoconstriction to mitigate symptoms associated with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).