Square Four-Electrode AC Tissue Stimulation for Airway Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for airway disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea are invasive and uncomfortable, lacking effective non-surgical alternatives.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrical stimulation through multiple electrodes positioned in a square configuration to convey AC currents with specific frequencies to stimulate target tissues, including the hypoglossal nerve, to enhance muscle movement and airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical implants or invasive treatments are used to treat airway disorders, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and invasiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/surgical interventions with electrical stimulation. Instead of using surgical implants or mechanical devices to open the airway, the invention uses electrical currents delivered through electrodes to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve and surrounding muscles, causing them to contract and pull the tongue forward to open the airway. This substitution of electrical stimulation for mechanical intervention resolves the contradiction by providing effective treatment without surgical invasion, thereby improving patient comfort while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Productivity
If continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is used to force airflow through the airway, then airflow is improved, but patient comfort and convenience worsen due to mask requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical CPAP system with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of using a mask to force air pressure through the airway, the invention uses electrical currents to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve and muscles, allowing the patient's own respiratory muscles to open and maintain the airway. This eliminates the need for masks and external pressure devices, resolving the contradiction by improving airflow through physiological mechanisms while significantly enhancing patient comfort and convenience.
3Reliability
If high frequency AC currents are applied through multiple electrodes, then tissue stimulation effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical stimulation system into multiple independent electrode pairs, each delivering AC current at different frequencies. The four electrodes are arranged in a square configuration with two pairs, where each pair operates independently at a specific frequency (e.g., 5000 Hz and 5050 Hz). This segmentation allows the system to create distinct current paths through the tissue, improving stimulation effectiveness by targeting different tissue regions or depths while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular electrode design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the frequency parameter of the AC currents applied through different electrode pairs. By using different frequencies (e.g., 5000 Hz for one pair and 5050 Hz for another pair), the system creates frequency differences that result in differential tissue stimulation. This parameter variation improves treatment effectiveness by enabling selective stimulation of different tissue types or depths while keeping the overall system relatively simple, as it only requires frequency control rather than complex multi-parameter adjustment.
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
Non-invasive treatment of airway disorders by stimulating target tissues to improve airflow and reduce obstruction, providing a comfortable and effective alternative to surgical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
a first pair of electrodes configured to contact a person and to convey a first AC current between the first pair of electrodes through tissue of the person
Implementation Method 2
the first AC current and the second AC current configured to stimulate the target tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for electrical stimulation of tissues includes four electrodes that include a first pair of electrodes and a second pair of electrodes. The first and second pair of electrodes are each configured to contact a person and to convey AC current between the respective pair of electrodes through tissue of the person. The four electrodes are positioned approximately in the shape of a square where the first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes are each positioned at opposite vertices of the square. The first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes are configured to be positioned such that their AC currents are simultaneously conveyed through a target tissue of the person and are configured to stimulate the target tissue.