Thermoelectric Nerve Block with Moderate Heating and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for nerve block, such as extreme cooling or heating, require significant energy and can cause nerve tissue damage, and high-frequency electrical stimulation induces initial nerve firing, making them unsuitable for chronic applications.
Innovation Solution
A method of reversibly blocking nerves by heating to temperatures between 42°C to 54°C and cooling to 15°C to 30°C, using a thermoelectric device with a temperature controller and sensor to achieve a reversible nerve block without initial nerve firing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extreme cooling (below 15°C) or heating (above 46°C) is used to block nerve conduction, then nerve block is achieved, but significant energy is required and nerve tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameters from extreme values (below 15°C or above 46°C) to moderate values (cooling to 15-30°C after brief heating to 42-54°C). This parameter modification achieves nerve block while avoiding tissue damage and reducing energy consumption, directly resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic thermal stimulation with heating phases (42-54°C for brief duration) followed by cooling phases (15-30°C). This periodic action pattern achieves reliable nerve block while allowing tissue recovery between cycles, preventing cumulative damage and reducing overall energy requirements compared to continuous extreme temperature application
2Duration of action of stationary object
If high-frequency electrical stimulation is used to block nerve conduction, then chronic nerve block is achieved, but initial nerve firing occurs causing painful sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical stimulation with thermal stimulation (heating and cooling cycles) to achieve nerve block. This substitution eliminates the mechanism of initial nerve firing associated with electrical stimulation, thereby preventing painful sensations while maintaining chronic block capability through sustained thermal cycling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stimulation modality from electrical (high-frequency) to thermal (temperature cycling). This fundamental parameter change in the stimulation approach achieves chronic nerve block without triggering initial painful sensations, as thermal effects on nerve conduction do not produce the same immediate firing response as electrical 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
Provides a safe and reversible nerve block for treating chronic diseases like obesity, pain, heart failure, and bladder dysfunction, without causing nerve damage or initial painful sensations.
Implementation Method 1
heating the nerve to a temperature above 37° C. and below a temperature and time duration at which an irreversible nerve block is produced
Implementation Method 2
cooling the nerve to a temperature below 37° C. and above a temperature at which an irreversible nerve block is produced to produce a reversible nerve block
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods of nerve blockage, for example for treatment of obesity, heart failure, cardiovascular disease, muscle spasms, chronic pain, or urinary retention in a patient. The method comprises first heating a nerve above physiological temperature (e.g., 37° C. in a human), such as from 43° C. to 54° C. for a duration that leads to reversible nerve blockage as opposed to nerve damage. Second, reversible nerve blockage is produced by cooling the nerve below physiological temperature to a temperature in which reversible nerve blockage is achieved, for example from 15° C. to 30° C.