Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Bronchial Constriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical treatments for bronchial constriction conditions such as asthma, anaphylaxis, COPD, exercise-induced bronchospasm, and post-operative bronchospasm are often invasive, insufficient, or associated with significant side effects, lacking effective non-invasive solutions for immediate symptom relief.
Innovation Solution
Non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve using magnetic and/or electrical energy to modulate nerve signals, thereby relaxing bronchial smooth muscle and reducing mucous production, achieved through devices that apply controlled energy impulses to stimulate or inhibit specific nerve fibers without causing significant heart rate or blood pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive surgical implantation of electrodes is used for vagus nerve stimulation, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient safety and comfort deteriorate due to surgical risks and invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical implantation method with a non-invasive acoustic stimulation approach. Instead of surgically implanting electrodes to stimulate the vagus nerve, the invention uses sound waves transmitted through the skull to achieve the same therapeutic effect, thereby eliminating surgical risks while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium to transmit stimulation energy to the vagus nerve without direct physical contact or surgical intervention. The acoustic energy acts as a mediator that can penetrate the skull and selectively stimulate the target nerve, avoiding the harmful effects of invasive procedures
2Reliability
If conventional medical treatments are used for bronchial constriction, then some symptom relief is achieved, but immediate and sustained relief is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary acoustic stimulation to the vagus nerve before bronchial constriction fully develops or at the onset of symptoms. By activating the vagus nerve in advance, the treatment prevents or immediately reverses bronchial constriction, achieving both immediate relief and sustained effect without waiting for conventional medications to take effect
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive acoustic stimulation is applied to the skull, then patient safety is improved, but precise targeting of the vagus nerve becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing acoustic energy on specific regions of the skull that correspond to the location of the vagus nerve. By varying the intensity, frequency, and focal point of the acoustic waves in different areas, the system can selectively stimulate the target nerve while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues, thereby maintaining both safety and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust the acoustic stimulation parameters in real-time. By detecting the physiological response and optimizing the sound wave delivery, the system achieves precise targeting of the vagus nerve while maintaining patient safety through continuous adjustment of stimulation parameters
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 method provides immediate and sustained bronchodilation, improving lung function and reducing symptoms in patients who do not respond to conventional treatments, with minimal side effects and the ability to be used in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic stimulator, which generates a time-varying magnetic field that induces an electrical current in a nerve
Implementation Method 2
An electrical stimulator that applies electrical current to a nerve to propagate action potentials
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exercise-induced bronchospasm and post-operative bronchospasm. The treatment comprises transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers that activate neural pathways to reduce the release of acetycholine from airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons within the brain of the patient. The transmitted energy impulses, comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy, stimulate the selected nerve fibers to produce the bronchodilation.