Temporal Interference Spinal Cord Stimulation Without Implantable Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable medical devices for neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation, require invasive surgical procedures, causing trauma and longer procedure times, while noninvasive techniques like transcranial direct current stimulation have limitations that need further innovation.
Innovation Solution
A noninvasive or minimally invasive neuromodulation system using transcutaneous or subcutaneous electrodes generates a beat waveform through temporal interference of input waveforms to create a modulated electric field that targets neural tissue, mimicking the effects of implantable pulse generators without invasive surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If implantable electrodes are used for spinal cord stimulation, then therapeutic effect on neural tissue is achieved, but surgical trauma and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an external electrode array as an intermediary device that generates electric fields through the skin to stimulate spinal cord neural tissue. This external mediator eliminates the need for implanting electrodes directly into or near the spinal cord, thereby achieving therapeutic effects without surgical trauma. The external electrodes serve as a non-invasive interface between the stimulator and the target neural tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical implantation process with a non-invasive external field application system. Instead of mechanically inserting electrodes through surgical incisions into the spinal cord region, the system uses externally applied electric fields that penetrate the skin and tissue to reach the target neural structures, substituting a mechanical invasive approach with a non-mechanical non-invasive approach.
2Reliability
If implantable electrodes are used for spinal cord stimulation, then therapeutic effect on neural tissue is achieved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external electrode array acts as a mediator that can be quickly applied and removed without surgical implantation. The electrodes are placed on the skin surface over the spinal cord region, eliminating the time-consuming surgical procedures required for implantable electrode placement, thereby reducing overall procedure time while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple independent electrode elements arranged in an array configuration. This segmentation allows for selective activation of specific electrode subsets to target different regions of the spinal cord, enabling flexible and efficient treatment protocols that can be quickly adjusted without requiring surgical repositioning of implanted electrodes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If noninvasive stimulation techniques are used, then surgical trauma is reduced, but therapeutic effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the electric field stimulation at specific target regions of the spinal cord through selective electrode activation. By activating particular subsets of electrodes in the external array, the system creates localized high-intensity fields at the desired neural targets while keeping other regions at lower intensities, thereby achieving effective localized therapy without invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of electrode activation patterns, allowing real-time adjustment of which electrodes are active and at what intensities. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different treatment requirements and patient responses, optimizing therapeutic effectiveness while maintaining the noninvasive advantage. The stimulator can switch between different electrode configurations and stimulation parameters without physical repositioning.
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 system provides therapeutic effects to neural tissue with reduced invasiveness, offering safer and more tolerable treatment options for chronic pain and movement disorders, similar to implantable devices but with minimized surgical trauma and procedure time.
Implementation Method 1
A noninvasive or minimally invasive (e.g., subcutaneous) neuromodulation system and method for providing therapy to a target neural tissue of a patient based on a temporal interference phenomenon caused by two or more input waveforms
Data Source
AI summary
A noninvasive/minimally invasive neuromodulation system and method for providing therapy to a target neural tissue of a patient. In one arrangement, an example method comprises applying at least two input waveforms to respective pairs of electrodes affixed on the patient's skin or subcutaneously disposed relative to the target neural tissue, wherein the frequencies of the input waveforms are configured such that they combine, when simultaneously applied, to generate a beat waveform having a beat frequency due to interference. The beat waveform is causative of a transcutaneous/subcutaneous temporal interference (T/STI) electric field generated in the patient body, the T/STI electric field including an interference region at least partially overlapping the target neural tissue of the patient, wherein the beat frequency is of a value operative to impart a therapeutic effect to the target neural tissue.