Implanted Splenic Nerve Stimulator for Precise Inflammatory Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-inflammatory drug treatments for cancer patients are imprecise due to inconsistent pharmacokinetics, leading to fluctuations in inflammatory state, which can impact cancer treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
An implanted device configured to electrically stimulate the splenic nerve using electrodes, modulating the immune system by increasing or decreasing inflammation, thereby treating cancer more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If anti-inflammatory drugs are administered to control inflammation in cancer patients, then the harmful inflammatory effects are reduced, but the precision of inflammatory state control deteriorates due to inconsistent pharmacokinetics and peak-trough fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical drug administration system with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of using anti-inflammatory drugs that rely on pharmacokinetics, the invention uses electrical stimulation of the splenic nerve to modulate immune system activity and control inflammation, thereby achieving precise inflammatory state control without the limitations of drug delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the body's own immune system to regulate inflammation through electrical stimulation of the splenic nerve. The stimulation activates endogenous immune mechanisms rather than relying on external drug administration, allowing the body to self-regulate its inflammatory state with greater precision
2Reliability
If anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat cancer, then cancer treatment efficacy is improved, but the consistency of immune system activation deteriorates due to pharmacokinetic variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological intervention with electrical stimulation to achieve consistent immune system activation. The electrical stimulation of the splenic nerve provides reliable and repeatable activation of immune cells without the pharmacokinetic variability that plagues drug administration, thereby maintaining both treatment efficacy and activation consistency
3Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation of the splenic nerve is used to modulate the immune system, then precise control of inflammatory state is achieved, but device complexity increases due to the need for implanted electrodes and stimulation control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the implanted device to perform multiple functions: electrical stimulation of the splenic nerve, monitoring of immune system response, and adjustment of stimulation parameters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall system while maintaining precise control of the inflammatory state
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 device allows for precise control of the inflammatory state by modulating immune cell activation and cytokine levels, enhancing cancer treatment outcomes while minimizing adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
electrically stimulating the splenic nerve with a plurality of electrical pulses
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods and devices for monitoring or modulating an immune system in a subject with cancer, and methods and devices for treating a cancer in a subject. The implanted device can electrically stimulate the splenic nerve of the subject, which can modulate the inflammatory system (for example, by increasing or decreasing the blood level of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines to increase or decrease inflammation in the subject) and/or activate or increase circulation of one or more immune cells (such as natural killer cells and/or cytotoxic T-cells), for the treatment of cancer. The implanted medical device includes two or more electrodes configured to electrically stimulate the splenic nerve, and may further include an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive ultrasonic waves and convert energy from the ultrasonic waves into an electrical energy that powers the device.