Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Using 10-100 Hz Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES) methods for pain relief and neurological conditions are suboptimal due to reliance on high-intensity currents and lack of consideration for the role of cutaneous craniospinal nerves, leading to inefficiencies and potential interference from electromagnetic fields.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of AC current pulses superimposed on or alone, with specific frequencies between 10 Hz and 100 Hz, and durations of 10 to 60 minutes, applied through electrodes positioned on the forehead and retromastoid areas to target cutaneous craniospinal nerves, optimizing analgesic and neuromodulating effects without the need for frequency changes during treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-intensity electrical currents are used to induce general anesthesia, then analgesic effect is achieved, but surgical complications and electromagnetic interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of electrical current from high-intensity continuous current to low-intensity pulsed current with specific frequency (10-100 Hz) and pulse width (1-10 ms). This parameter transformation achieves analgesia through neuromodulation of cutaneous craniospinal nerves while avoiding the harmful effects of high-intensity current, such as surgical complications and electromagnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pulsed current application instead of continuous high-intensity current. The pulsed current is applied at frequencies between 10-100 Hz with pulse widths of 1-10 ms, creating rhythmic neuromodulation of the cutaneous craniospinal nerves. This periodic action generates analgesia through repeated stimulation cycles while maintaining low overall energy delivery, thus avoiding surgical complications and electromagnetic interference.
2Productivity
If conventional TES methods are used without considering cutaneous craniospinal nerves, then treatment is simplified, but analgesic efficacy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies cutaneous craniospinal nerves as the intermediary pathway between transcranial electrical stimulation and analgesic effect. By positioning electrodes to selectively stimulate these nerves, the patent creates a direct neuromodulatory pathway that enhances analgesic efficacy. The cutaneous craniospinal nerves serve as the mediator that translates electrical stimulation into pain relief through spinal cord inhibition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selectively targeting the cutaneous craniospinal nerves through specific electrode positioning on the scalp. Rather than uniform stimulation, the method concentrates electrical current density at locations where cutaneous craniospinal nerves are superficial, creating localized neuromodulation. This localized approach maximizes analgesic efficacy by directly engaging the neural pathway responsible for pain inhibition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequency of electrical current is changed during TES procedure, then adaptability to subject response is improved, but device complexity and treatment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamics by allowing adjustable frequency parameters (10-100 Hz) and pulse width (1-10 ms) that can be modified based on subject response. The system dynamically adapts stimulation parameters to optimize analgesic effect while maintaining simplicity. Frequency and pulse width can be adjusted during the procedure to match individual neural responsiveness without requiring complex automated control systems.
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 provides effective analgesia and neuromodulation for various medical conditions, including pain, neurological disorders, and cognitive enhancement, with reduced risk of skin burns and electromagnetic interference, while maintaining comfort and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
supplying electrical current to the first electrode and to the pair of second electrodes for a period of time to elicit a response from the subject
Data Source
AI summary
The inventions include a method of eliciting analgesia in a human subject by Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TCES, herein “TES”). Electrodes secured to the skin of the subject's head at particular sites provide an electrical current that includes a direct current combined with rectangular AC current pulses delivered at a particular frequency of between 10 and 100 Hz. In an embodiment the total current transmitted, a sum of the DC component and a Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) of the current pulses, has a value between 0.2 and 20 mA. The method is used to produce analgesia during perioperative period, surgery and the post-operative procedure. It can also be used for treating acute chronic pain and a wide variety of other conditions.