Sub-threshold Electrical Pulses for Nerve Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical nerve block methods using kilohertz pulses require super-threshold intensity, leading to initial nerve excitation, pain, and potential physical damage due to muscle contractions, which are not tolerable for many patients.
Innovation Solution
Devices applying sub-threshold electrical pulses below the minimal intensity required for nerve excitation to block nerve conduction, using high-frequency biphasic stimulation, which increases the excitation threshold over time, allowing for prolonged post-stimulation block without initial excitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If super-threshold intensity electrical pulses are used to block nerve conduction, then nerve block effect is achieved, but initial nerve excitation occurs causing pain and potential physical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using sub-threshold intensity electrical pulses before the nerve can be excited. These pulses accumulate over time to increase the excitation threshold, preventing the harmful initial excitation that occurs with super-threshold pulses while still achieving nerve block effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the intensity parameter of electrical pulses from super-threshold to sub-threshold level. By operating below the excitation threshold, the system avoids triggering nerve excitation and associated pain, while prolonged application still achieves the desired nerve block through threshold elevation.
2Reliability
If super-threshold intensity electrical pulses are used to block nerve conduction, then nerve block effect is achieved, but muscle contractions and physical damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-threshold pulses are applied preliminarily to elevate the excitation threshold before strong muscle contractions can occur. This prevents the harmful physical damage associated with super-threshold stimulation while maintaining effective nerve block.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the intensity parameter to sub-threshold levels, the patent eliminates the harmful muscle contractions and physical damage that result from super-threshold stimulation, while still achieving the therapeutic nerve block effect through prolonged application.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sub-threshold intensity electrical pulses are used to block nerve conduction, then initial nerve excitation and pain are avoided, but longer stimulation duration is required to achieve block
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-threshold pulses perform preliminary action by gradually elevating the excitation threshold over time. Although longer duration is needed compared to super-threshold pulses, this preliminary threshold elevation prevents harmful excitation and ultimately achieves effective nerve block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic sub-threshold pulses that accumulate their effect over time. This periodic stimulation below threshold gradually raises the excitation threshold, achieving nerve block without the harmful effects of single high-intensity pulses, despite requiring extended treatment time.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If sub-threshold intensity electrical pulses are used to block nerve conduction, then safety and tolerability are improved, but excitation threshold must be increased over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the intensity parameter to sub-threshold levels, improving safety and tolerability by eliminating painful excitation. The extended time required reflects the gradual threshold elevation process, which is an acceptable trade-off for the significant improvement in patient comfort and safety.
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
Achieves effective nerve block with reduced pain and physical discomfort by increasing the excitation threshold, enabling prolonged block without the need for super-threshold stimulation, thus providing a safer and more tolerable treatment option.
Implementation Method 1
applying sub-threshold electrical pulses below the minimal intensity required for nerve excitation to block nerve conduction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided herein is a method of blocking a nerve or neuron by applying an electrical stimulation to the nerve or neuron, wherein the electrical stimulation is of an intensity below the excitation threshold of the nerve or neuron for a length of time sufficient to produce a block of nerve conduction or neuron excitation.