Surface Electrode Neuromodulation With Feedback Pulse Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neuromodulation treatments for conditions like incontinence and overactive bladder face challenges such as pain, infection risk, nerve damage, and inaccurate nerve targeting due to invasive needle insertion, requiring a more precise and patient-friendly method.
Innovation Solution
A neuromodulation device with a control unit, electrodes, and response detectors that adjust electrical pulse parameters based on body movement frequency, using sensors like optical, infrared, or accelerometers to ensure accurate nerve stimulation without needles, and a system for optimizing treatment parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle is inserted into the patient's body to deliver electrical current to the nerve, then the stimulation effect is achieved, but pain, risk of infection, and risk of nerve damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surface electrodes as an intermediary method to deliver electrical stimulation without direct needle insertion into the body. The electrodes are placed on the skin surface and conduct electrical current through tissue to reach the target nerve, thereby achieving stimulation effect while avoiding the harmful effects of invasive needle insertion such as pain, infection risk, and nerve damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle insertion method with a non-invasive electrical conduction method using surface electrodes. Instead of mechanically penetrating the skin with a needle, the system uses electrical fields generated by surface electrodes to stimulate the target nerve, eliminating the mechanical trauma and associated risks.
2Reliability
If a needle is inserted to stimulate the nerve, then nerve stimulation is achieved, but accurate targeting becomes difficult and success rates are impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the control unit monitors the patient's response to electrical stimulation and automatically adjusts the electrode pulse parameters. This feedback loop ensures that the stimulation is effectively reaching the target nerve by observing physiological responses and optimizing the delivery parameters in real-time, thereby improving targeting accuracy without requiring precise manual needle placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of stimulation parameters based on real-time patient response. The control unit continuously adapts the electrical pulse characteristics (amplitude, frequency, duration) to optimize nerve stimulation effectiveness, replacing the static and imprecise needle placement approach with a dynamic, responsive system that self-optimizes targeting accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If manual needle insertion is used for nerve stimulation, then treatment can be delivered, but the requirement of a medical professional increases treatment complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service capability where the control unit automatically manages the stimulation process based on patient feedback. The system self-adjusts electrode pulse parameters without requiring continuous medical professional intervention, enabling patients or caregivers to administer treatment independently while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness 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
The device provides safe, precise, and effective neuromodulation by automatically adjusting electrical pulses to match individual patient needs, reducing pain and risk, and improving treatment efficacy for conditions like incontinence and overactive bladder.
Implementation Method 1
A medical use of electrical stimulation of neurons to benefit a human subject has been used
Implementation Method 2
The detector of the device can be an optical sensor
Implementation Method 3
an infrared sensor
Implementation Method 4
an accelerometer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a device and a method for neuromodulation treatment. The neuromodulation device comprises a pulse generator to generate electrical pulses and at least one active electrode coupled to the pulse generator. The at least one active electrode has an electrically conductive surface configured to be attached to a leg of a patient. The at least one active electrode stimulates via the electrically conductive surface a nerve of the leg of the patient by the electrical pulses generated by the pulse generator. A control unit controls the pulse generator and sets at least one parameter of the generated electrical pulses. A response detector detects a response of the patient to the nerve stimulation and provides feedback on the detected response to the control unit. For the treatment the control unit determines a treatment setting by varying an initial setting of the at least one parameter of the generated electrical pulses until the detected response of the patient to the nerve stimulation is within a predetermined range.