Subcutaneous Electrode Implant for Atherosclerotic Plaque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by plaque build-up in blood vessels, leads to heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease, and current treatments such as statins and invasive surgical procedures have limitations including side effects and invasiveness.
Innovation Solution
A subcutaneous device with a housing, anchoring mechanism, and prongs equipped with electrodes that deliver therapeutic pulsating electrical stimulation to create an electric field around blood vessels, preventing plaque build-up and breaking up existing plaque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If statins are prescribed to prevent plaque build-up, then atherosclerosis can be prevented, but patients must take them for life and they have many side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of statins with an electrical field mechanism. Electrodes deliver pulsed electrical stimulation to the carotid artery, creating an electric field that prevents plaque formation through physical means rather than chemical intervention, thereby eliminating drug-related side effects while maintaining preventive efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical field as an intermediary between the power source and the blood vessel. The electrical field acts as the mediating agent that directly interacts with the arterial wall to prevent plaque accumulation, replacing the need for chemical mediators (statins) that cause harmful side effects
2Reliability
If invasive surgical procedures like stent placement or bypass graft are performed, then plaque build-up can be treated, but the procedures are invasive and require surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical surgical procedures with non-invasive electrical field therapy. Instead of physically inserting stents or performing bypass surgery, the device uses electrical stimulation to prevent and treat plaque buildup, eliminating the need for open surgery while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a programmable microcontroller with stored algorithms that can be updated wirelessly, replacing the need for complex, permanent surgical hardware. The electrical stimulation protocol is software-based and can be adjusted without invasive procedures, making the treatment more adaptable and less invasive than traditional surgical solutions
3Reliability
If continuous electrical stimulation is applied to create an electric field around the blood vessel, then plaque build-up can be prevented and existing plaque can be broken up, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pulsed electrical stimulation instead of continuous stimulation. The microcontroller delivers periodic electrical pulses at specific frequencies and durations, creating the necessary electric field to prevent and treat plaque while allowing energy conservation during off-periods. This periodic action maintains therapeutic effectiveness while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous stimulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of electrical stimulation parameters through a programmable microcontroller. The system can adjust pulse frequency, amplitude, and duration based on therapeutic needs and battery status. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to maintain effective treatment while optimizing energy usage, extending battery life, and reducing power consumption compared to fixed continuous stimulation
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 effectively prevents and treats atherosclerosis by using electrical stimulation to inhibit plaque formation and dissolve existing plaques, offering a less invasive and potentially lifelong solution.
Implementation Method 1
Circuitry in the housing is in electrical communication with the first electrode that is configured to deliver electrical stimulation using the electrode to create an electric field around the blood vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A subcutaneously implantable device includes a housing and an anchoring mechanism attached to the housing that is configured to anchor the device to a muscle, a bone, and/or a first tissue. The device further includes a first prong with a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing that is configured to be positioned adjacent to a first blood vessel, and a first electrode on the distal end of the first prong that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the first blood vessel. Circuitry in the housing is in electrical communication with the first electrode that is configured to deliver electrical stimulation using the electrode to create an electric field around the blood vessel.