Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation via Cutaneous Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiac-related disorders, and fatigue often have significant side effects and limited efficacy, with existing brain stimulation methods like deep brain stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation carrying risks and uncertainties in outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for trigeminal nerve stimulation using a cutaneous electrode assembly to stimulate the ophthalmic, infraorbital, and mentalis branches of the trigeminal nerve, modulating the vagus nerve circuit or trigeminal nerve cardiac reflex to treat various medical disorders with minimal current penetration into the brain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If deep brain stimulation or vagus nerve stimulation is used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders, then treatment efficacy may be improved, but the risk of side effects and procedural complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidside effects and procedural complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the trigeminal nerve as an intermediary pathway to indirectly modulate brain activity and treat neuropsychiatric disorders. Instead of directly stimulating the brain or vagus nerve, electrical stimulation is applied to the trigeminal nerve, which then transmits signals to brain regions involved in mood and cognition regulation, thereby achieving therapeutic effects with reduced procedural risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces invasive surgical procedures (deep brain stimulation electrode implantation or vagus nerve stimulation surgery) with non-invasive electrical stimulation through surface electrodes. This substitution eliminates surgical risks while maintaining therapeutic efficacy through the trigeminal nerve pathway

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If invasive brain stimulation methods are used, then treatment effectiveness may be enhanced, but device complexity and procedural risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential therapeutic function from complex invasive procedures by isolating the trigeminal nerve stimulation component. This extraction allows treatment to be delivered through simple surface electrodes without requiring surgical implantation of complex devices, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of approaching the brain directly through invasive methods, the patent inverts the approach by stimulating a peripheral nerve (trigeminal) that connects to brain regions. This indirect approach simplifies the device and procedure while achieving the same therapeutic goal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If traditional pharmacotherapy is used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders, then ease of administration is maintained, but side effects and limited efficacy occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of administrationVSAvoidtreatment efficacy and side effect profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes pharmacological treatment with electrical stimulation through the trigeminal nerve. This replacement eliminates the need for oral medication administration while providing a controllable, adjustable treatment that avoids many drug-related side effects and achieves better efficacy in treatment-resistant cases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10639468B2Devices, systems and methods for the treatment of medical disorders

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to methods, devices and systems used for the treatment of medical disorders via stimulation of the superficial elements of the trigeminal nerve. More specifically, cutaneous methods of stimulation of the superficial branches of the trigeminal nerve located extracranially in the face, namely the supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, auriculotemporal, zygomaticotemporal, zygomaticoorbital, zygomaticofacial, infraorbital, nasal and mentalis nerves (also referred to collectively as the superficial trigeminal nerve) are disclosed herein.