Deep Brain Stimulation Targeting Subgenual Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for treatment-resistant depression lack effective alternatives, as existing methods for neurological disorders often require destruction of nervous tissue and fail to account for individual anatomical variations in the subgenual area, which affects the accuracy of stimulation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the identification of specific brain regions through neuronal activity measurement and stimulation using electrodes and an implantable pulse generator to deliver targeted electrical pulses to the subgenual area, allowing for modulation of neuronal activity to treat mood and anxiety disorders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If electrical stimulation is used to treat neurological disorders, then the treatment avoids destruction of nervous tissue, but the accuracy of targeting specific brain regions is reduced due to individual anatomical variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenervous tissue destructionVSAvoidtargeting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification of the subgenual area using neuroimaging techniques (MRI, PET, or CT scans) before implementing electrical stimulation. This preliminary action allows the system to account for individual anatomical variations and establish accurate targeting coordinates specific to each patient's brain structure, thereby maintaining both tissue preservation and targeting precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by customizing the stimulation parameters and target coordinates according to each patient's specific anatomical characteristics. The system identifies the precise location of the subgenual area in each individual and adjusts stimulation parameters locally to match the patient's unique brain anatomy, ensuring accurate targeting while preserving nervous tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If traditional lesioning methods are used to treat treatment-resistant depression, then the treatment may be more effective for resistant cases, but it destroys nervous system tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidnervous tissue destruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical destruction mechanism of lesioning with an electrical stimulation mechanism. Instead of using thermal or chemical methods to destroy tissue, the system uses controlled electrical pulses to modulate neuronal activity in the subgenual area, achieving therapeutic effects without permanent tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrical stimulation as an intermediary between the treatment goal and the nervous tissue. Rather than directly destroying tissue to achieve therapeutic effect, the system uses electrical fields as a mediator to modulate neuronal function, providing an alternative pathway to treatment effectiveness that preserves tissue integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If generic stimulation protocols are used for deep brain stimulation, then the treatment approach is simpler to implement, but it fails to account for individual variations in the subgenual area anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment implementation simplicityVSAvoidanatomical variation accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the stimulation protocol based on individual anatomical measurements. The system adjusts target coordinates, electrode positioning, and stimulation parameters according to each patient's specific subgenual area geometry identified through neuroimaging, making the treatment adaptable to individual variations while maintaining a systematic approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach effectively identifies and treats pathological regions in the brain, improving symptoms of depression and anxiety by modulating neuronal activity without damaging nervous tissue, offering a more precise and effective treatment for patients resistant to traditional therapies.

Implementation Method 1

The use of electrical stimulation for treating neurological disease, including such disorders as movement disorders including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and chronic pain, has been widely discussed in the literature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

measuring the electrical activity in the brain by placing electrodes on the surface of the brain or inserting electrodes into the brain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeuronal electrical activity detection: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS8315703B2Methods for targeting deep brain sites to treat mood and/or anxiety disorders

Publication Date: 2012.11.20 ADVANCED NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of identifying a target such as within the subgenual area by measuring neuronal activity in response to a stimulus. Once the target is identified, it can be stimulated to treat a neurological disorder, such as a mood disorder or an anxiety disorder.