Spinal Cord Stimulation Feedback for Blood Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience dysregulated blood pressure due to disconnection of sympathetic pathways, leading to hypotension, hypertension, and associated health risks, for which current pharmacological interventions are ineffective and have significant side effects.
Innovation Solution
A device and algorithm that uses electrical stimulation of spinal cord circuitry caudal to the injury site to regulate blood pressure by interfacing with physiological monitors and stimulation devices, adjusting stimulation output based on feedback control to maintain a target blood pressure range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmacological agents are used to manage blood pressure after SCI, then blood pressure can be increased or decreased, but significant side effects occur and onset of action is delayed (10-60 minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological chemical intervention with electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to regulate blood pressure. The electrical stimulation directly activates sympathetic pathways to vasoconstrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure, or inhibits them to decrease blood pressure, providing immediate control without the side effects and delayed onset of pharmacological agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback control system with blood pressure monitoring and automated stimulation delivery as an intermediary between the physiological state and the therapeutic intervention. The system continuously monitors blood pressure and automatically adjusts electrical stimulation parameters to maintain blood pressure within target ranges, eliminating the need for manual medication administration and monitoring.
2Reliability
If antihypertensive drugs are used to manage high blood pressure, then blood pressure can be decreased, but arterial blood pressure drops significantly below desired level for hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback control system that continuously monitors blood pressure and automatically adjusts electrical stimulation parameters in real-time. When blood pressure rises above the target range, the system increases stimulation intensity to activate sympathetic pathways and vasoconstrict blood vessels. When blood pressure falls below the target range, the system reduces or stops stimulation to prevent excessive hypotension, thereby maintaining stable blood pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the blood pressure control system dynamic and adaptive by using real-time feedback to continuously adjust stimulation parameters. The system can rapidly respond to changing blood pressure conditions, adjusting stimulation intensity, duration, and frequency to match the patient's instantaneous physiological state, unlike static pharmacological interventions with fixed duration of action.
3Speed
If electrical stimulation is applied to spinal cord circuitry, then blood pressure can be regulated rapidly, but precise control of stimulation parameters is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to simplify the complexity of electrical stimulation parameter adjustment. The blood pressure monitoring system continuously provides information about the physiological response, and the control algorithm automatically adjusts stimulation parameters (intensity, frequency, pulse width) to achieve and maintain target blood pressure ranges, eliminating the need for manual parameter tuning by clinicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-regulating system where the blood pressure control apparatus autonomously monitors its own effectiveness and adjusts stimulation parameters without external intervention. The system self-corrects for variations in patient response, electrode positioning, and physiological changes, making the complex stimulation parameters automatically adaptable to individual patient needs.
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
Effectively stabilizes blood pressure in individuals with SCI, reducing the risk of hypotension and hypertension, and improving cardiovascular function through controlled electrical stimulation of sympathetic circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
electrical stimulation of spinal cord circuitry caudal to the injury site to regulate blood pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A device and algorithm for controlling an autonomic function in an individual. A controller device that utilizes physiological measurements (such as blood pressure) to regulate spinal cord electrical stimulation to stabilize blood pressure. A control interface and algorithm for controlling an autonomic function in a subject. For instance, an algorithm that utilizes physiological measurements (such as blood pressure) to regulate spinal cord electrical stimulation to stabilize blood pressure.