Ultrasound Stimulation Device for Sensory Cortex Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensory restoration technologies, such as cochlear and brain-stem implants, are invasive, non-specific, and fail to accurately restore hearing or vision due to electrical stimulation issues, leading to limited sound or image perception in patients with deafness or blindness.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive ultrasound stimulation system that emits focused ultrasound waves directly to specific areas of the sensory cortex, using an implantable device with a support and transducers to modulate brain activity, allowing for precise activation of neural circuits without disrupting somatotopy, and includes features like variable steering, remote control, and monitoring to prevent epileptic events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation electrodes are implanted in contact with neural tissue, then sensory restoration is achieved, but the treatment becomes highly invasive and damages natural residual sensory function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical stimulation with mechanical ultrasound stimulation. The ultrasound transducer emits acoustic waves that mechanically stimulate the sensory cortex through the skull, eliminating the need for electrical electrodes and their associated invasive implantation procedures while maintaining sensory restoration functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the skull as an intermediary medium that transmits ultrasound waves from the external transducer to the sensory cortex. This allows non-invasive delivery of stimulation energy through the natural anatomical structure rather than requiring direct penetration or contact with neural tissue
2Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied to neural tissue, then sensory activation occurs, but electrical diffusion activates multiple neural circuits without sufficient specificity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies focused ultrasound waves to specific localized regions of the sensory cortex corresponding to particular sensory modalities (auditory, visual, tactile). This focal stimulation activates only the intended neural circuits with high spatial precision, avoiding the diffuse activation pattern characteristic of electrical stimulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensory cortex into distinct functional regions (auditory cortex, visual cortex, somatosensory cortex) and applies targeted ultrasound stimulation to each region independently. This segmentation enables selective activation of specific neural circuits without cross-activation of adjacent regions
3Reliability
If electrodes are implanted in dense neural zones, then sensory stimulation is achieved, but wrong or poor positioning risks occur and somatotopy cannot be preserved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the skull as an acoustic window and transmission medium that allows ultrasound waves to reach the sensory cortex without requiring penetration or direct contact with the dense neural tissue. This eliminates positioning risks associated with electrode implantation in highly innervated zones while preserving somatotopic organization through focused beam delivery
4Reliability
If cochlear or brain-stem implants are used, then hearing or vision can be restored, but patients can perceive only very few different sounds or images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies focused ultrasound stimulation to specific functional regions of the sensory cortex (auditory cortex for hearing, visual cortex for vision) with high spatial precision. This localized activation of intact cortical processing areas enables perception of a wide range of sensory stimuli while maintaining natural processing capabilities, unlike electrode implants that stimulate only limited neural populations
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 more accurate and less traumatic sensory restoration, enabling patients to perceive a wider range of sounds or images, improving their ability to engage in normal conversations or navigate environments, while avoiding the limitations of existing electrical stimulation methods.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ultrasound transducer carried by the support and including means for emitting focused ultrasound waves through the internal wall of the support towards a determined zone of the sensory cortex of the patient's brain in order to generate modulation of the brain activity in the cortex
Data Source
AI summary
A system for treating at least one sensory capacity of a person with the help of a stimulation device comprises an electronic converter of a sensory signal into an electronic signal for controlling at least one transducer for emitting signals that are images of the sensory signal. The stimulation device for direct ultrasound stimulation of the sensory cortex of a brain comprises at least one support that is implantable in a skull and that includes at least one internal wall and at least one ultrasound transducer carried by the support. Means for emitting focused ultrasound waves through the internal wall of the support towards a determined zone of the sensory cortex of the patient's brain in order to generate modulation of the brain activity in the cortex are provided. The ultrasound transducer is driven by the electronic converter to emit focused ultrasound signals that are images of the sensory signal.