Timed Neural Stimulation for Neurologic Dysfunction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical stimulation techniques for treating neurological disorders often rely on fixed rate stimulation, which may not effectively address the specific timing characteristics of intrinsic neural activity, leading to inadequate treatment of conditions such as movement disorders, psychiatric diseases, and chronic pain.
Innovation Solution
The method involves applying timed electrical and/or magnetic stimuli that establish specific temporal relationships with native neural discharges or adjunct reference stimuli, using implanted pulse generators and electrodes to deliver conditioning stimuli that inhibit or facilitate neural activity, optimizing clinical effectiveness and reducing collateral neural activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed rate electrical stimulation is used to treat neurological disorders, then the treatment can be delivered with simple programming and consistent delivery, but it fails to effectively address the specific timing characteristics of intrinsic neural activity, leading to inadequate treatment outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulation system transitions from fixed-rate delivery to dynamic, adaptive timing that responds to detected intrinsic neural activity. The signal generator adjusts stimulation pulse timing based on real-time detection of neural discharges, allowing the system to adapt its delivery pattern to match the dynamic characteristics of the target neural population's spontaneous activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the sensor detects intrinsic neural activity and provides information to the signal generator, which then adjusts the timing of stimulation pulses accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that stimulation is delivered at optimal moments relative to the neural cycle, improving treatment effectiveness while maintaining simple overall system operation.
2Ease of operation
If stimulation is delivered at fixed rate and amplitude, then the device operation is simple and predictable, but it cannot optimize clinical effectiveness by accounting for the phase and timing of intrinsic neural discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the patient's own intrinsic neural activity as the reference signal for timing stimulation delivery. By detecting spontaneous neural discharges and using these events to trigger or modulate stimulation pulses, the system automatically adapts to individual patient characteristics without requiring complex external programming or adjustment, maintaining ease of operation while improving clinical effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal generator dynamically changes stimulation parameters, particularly timing and phase relative to intrinsic neural activity, based on detected neural events. This allows optimization of clinical effectiveness by delivering stimulation at critical phases of neural oscillations while keeping the overall system operation simple through automated parameter adjustment.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrical stimulation is applied without considering intrinsic neural timing, then the treatment protocol is straightforward to implement, but it may induce collateral neural activity and produce inadequate therapeutic outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of intrinsic neural activity patterns before delivering stimulation. By identifying the timing and phase of spontaneous neural discharges in advance, the system can then time stimulation pulses to coincide with or follow these events, ensuring therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing the risk of inducing unwanted collateral neural activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detected intrinsic neural activity serves as an intermediary reference that mediates between the stimulation generator and the target neural population. This natural neural event provides a timing reference that guides stimulation delivery, ensuring pulses are delivered at appropriate moments in the neural cycle, thereby reducing collateral effects while maintaining simple protocol implementation.
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 allows for precise modulation of neural activity, effectively treating a range of neurological dysfunctions by synchronizing stimuli with intrinsic neural events, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes and minimizing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
electrical stimulation of the brain... applying timed electrical and/or magnetic stimuli... using implanted pulse generators and electrodes to deliver conditioning stimuli
Implementation Method 2
allows for precise modulation of neural activity... by synchronizing stimuli with intrinsic neural events
Data Source
AI summary
A method of selectively inhibiting or driving neural discharge or activity in or from a specific brain area One embodiment of a system and/or method directed toward affecting neurologic function may apply conditioning stimuli to a set of target neural populations. The conditioning stimuli are intentionally timed to occur within an inhibitory time domain or a facilitatory time domain relative to intrinsic neural activity associated with a target neural population. The application of a conditioning stimulus within an inhibitory or facilitatory time domain relative to the occurrence of an intrinsic neural discharge may respectively diminish or enhance an outcome associated with the neural discharge. In one embodiment, conditioning stimuli may be produced by a pulse generator coupled to an electrode that is implanted relative to the location of a target neural population. In one embodiment, a conditioning stimulus may be temporally applied relative to the occurrence of an adjunct reference stimulus or signal, which may have an origin that is external or internal to a patient.