Stimulus Sequencer for Closed-Loop Sleep Neuromodulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleep therapy devices often disrupt sleep states or wake patients, failing to provide effective and autonomous treatment for sleep disorders, and are vulnerable to electronic interference and environmental factors, requiring manual adjustments and frequent optimization.
Innovation Solution
A closed loop neuromodulator with an EMI/ESD hardened sensor interface, activity detector, stimulus timer, stimulus sequencer, and transducer driver, which dynamically adjusts stimulation based on real-time feedback to optimize treatment without waking the patient and withstands electronic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stimulation intensity is increased to effectively interrupt sleep disorders, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient awakening and sleep disruption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus sequencer dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters (intensity, duration, frequency) based on real-time sensor feedback about the patient's physiological state and response to previous stimuli. This allows the system to optimize treatment effectiveness while minimizing sleep disruption by adapting to the patient's actual condition rather than using fixed high-intensity protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop system continuously monitors patient responses through sensors and uses this feedback to adjust subsequent stimulation parameters. The stimulus sequencer receives feedback about treatment effectiveness and sleep state, then modifies the stimulus sequence to maintain effectiveness while preventing patient awakening, creating a self-regulating system that balances these competing requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustments and frequent optimization are performed to adapt to varying patient conditions, then treatment adaptability is improved, but device complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus sequencer automatically adapts treatment parameters to varying patient conditions by processing sensor feedback and generating appropriate stimulus sequences without requiring manual intervention. The system self-adjusts to optimize treatment effectiveness across different patient states, eliminating the need for frequent manual optimization while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulus sequencer pre-configures multiple stimulus sequences with varying parameters (intensity, duration, frequency, type) based on anticipated patient conditions and treatment goals. When treatment begins, the system automatically selects and adjusts from these pre-programmed sequences based on real-time feedback, enabling rapid adaptation without complex real-time calculations or manual adjustments
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring and real-time feedback are implemented to optimize treatment, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus sequencer divides the continuous feedback and control process into discrete, manageable stimulus sequences with specific parameters (intensity, duration, frequency, type). Each sequence is independently configured and can be selectively applied based on sensor feedback, breaking down the complex continuous control problem into simpler modular units that are easier to implement and manage
Data Source
AI summary
This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for generating a sleep therapy stimulus waveform for a patient. Stimulus sequence information can be selected from a sequence memory array, and stimulus sequence information can be received from the sequence memory array at a stimulus generator selector. A generator select signal can be provided to a stimulus generator of a closed loop neuromodulator using the stimulus sequence information and a stimulus duration signal, wherein the generator select signal can include stimulus type information related to stimulus pulses generated using the closed loop neuromodulator.