Arbitrary Waveform Generator for Spinal Cord Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cord stimulation devices are limited to simple waveform shapes, restricting the ability to selectively activate specific nerve fibers, which can lead to reduced therapeutic effectiveness and increased side effects, and require more energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device capable of generating complex waveform shapes, adjusting amplitudes and pulsewidths efficiently, and rescaling waveforms in time without recomputing samples, using a combination of waveform generation circuits, memory storage, and digital synthesis techniques to produce flexible stimulation pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If simple rectangular or trapezoidal waveforms are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to selectively activate specific nerve fibers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-stores multiple arbitrary waveform shapes in memory before they are needed for stimulation. This allows the device to retrieve and use different waveform shapes without complex real-time computation, achieving waveform variety while keeping the generation circuitry relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copies of waveform shapes stored in memory rather than generating waveforms through complex analog circuitry. This approach allows multiple waveform types to be stored as data and retrieved as needed, providing waveform versatility without proportionally increasing hardware complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex waveform shapes are generated through circuit design, then waveform variety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex waveform-generating circuitry with a digital approach using a processor and memory. Instead of using complex analog circuits to create different waveforms, the system stores waveform data digitally and uses a processor to retrieve and apply the appropriate waveforms, simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal waveform generation approach where a single memory storage system and processor can generate multiple different waveform shapes by retrieving stored data, rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each waveform type. This multi-functional approach reduces overall device complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional waveform generation methods are used, then the device is simpler, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs waveform generation calculations in advance by pre-computing and storing waveform data in memory. This eliminates the need for energy-intensive real-time waveform computation during stimulation, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining waveform generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-stored digital copies of waveforms rather than generating them in real-time through complex computation. This approach reduces the computational energy required during operation, as the system only needs to retrieve and scale pre-computed waveform data rather than perform complex mathematical operations in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy.