Electrical Stimulation Controlling Device for Seizure Phase Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical stimulation therapies for epilepsy are not equally effective across all ictal phases and can lead to decreased effectiveness and increased power consumption due to prolonged stimulation, as they typically start stimulation during the pre-ictal phase without precise timing.

Innovation Solution

An electrical stimulation controlling device and system that detects seizure onset and analyzes ictal neural signals to determine the optimal time point for initiating stimulation, specifically targeting the irregular phase for more effective intervention, and adjusts stimulation waveform based on identified ictal states and previous stimulation history.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical stimulation is provided continuously from the pre-ictal phase, then seizure control is maintained, but patient endurance decreases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseizure control effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of seizure onset through EEG signal monitoring and analyzes ictal phases before initiating stimulation. By identifying the specific ictal phase (pre-ictal, irregular, or burst phase) through signal analysis, the system prepares to apply stimulation at the optimal moment rather than continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining seizure control effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies electrical stimulation in periodic pulses rather than continuous stimulation. The controller generates stimulation signals with specific pulse widths and frequencies tailored to each ictal phase, allowing the system to deliver effective stimulation intermittently rather than continuously, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining therapeutic effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If electrical stimulation is provided continuously from the pre-ictal phase, then seizure control is maintained, but patient endurance to stimulation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseizure control effectivenessVSAvoidpatient endurance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of seizure onset through EEG signal monitoring and analyzes ictal phases before initiating stimulation. By identifying the specific ictal phase (pre-ictal, irregular, or burst phase) through signal analysis, the system prepares to apply stimulation at the optimal moment rather than continuously, thereby reducing prolonged exposure and maintaining patient endurance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters based on the identified ictal phase. Different pulse widths, frequencies, and amplitudes are applied according to whether the system detects pre-ictal, irregular, or burst phase activity, optimizing the stimulation effect for each phase while minimizing prolonged exposure and maintaining patient tolerance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If electrical stimulation starts from the pre-ictal phase, then seizure onset is addressed early, but stimulation effectiveness varies across different ictal phases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseizure control effectivenessVSAvoidstimulation timing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the ictal activity into distinct phases (pre-ictal, irregular phase, and burst phase) based on EEG signal characteristics. By dividing the continuous seizure activity into discrete phases with different signal features, the system can apply tailored stimulation strategies to each phase, improving timing precision and overall effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes stimulation parameters (pulse width, frequency, amplitude) according to the identified ictal phase. This parameter adaptation allows the stimulation to be optimized for each specific phase characteristics, enhancing precision and effectiveness rather than using a fixed stimulation protocol

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3744386B1Electrical stimulation controlling device and electrical stimulation system
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 A NEURON ELECTRONICS CORP
  • EP3744386B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3744386B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3744386B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An electrical stimulation controlling device and an electrical stimulation system are provided. In which, the electrical stimulation controlling device includes a receiving circuit and a controller coupled to the receiving circuit. The receiving circuit is configured to receive an ictal neural signal which is a signal obtained by a detector when a neural event has been occurring. The controller is further coupled to a stimulator and configured to: determine a time point to start an electrical stimulation according to the ictal neural signal after an onset of the neural event has been determined; and generate and transmit a control signal to the stimulator for providing the electrical stimulation according to the determined time point.