Wearable Neurostimulation for RLS Using Sleep-Triggered Closed-Loop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) lack effective mechanisms for personalized therapy in natural sleep environments, relying on lab research or patient reports, which can be inadequate for understanding sleep disorders and their symptoms during actual sleep.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electrostimulation device with auxiliary sensors that collect data on heart rate, oxygenation, leg movement, and sleep environment conditions, allowing for a closed-loop system to adjust electrostimulation protocols based on feedback for improved treatment efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lab research or patient reports are used to understand sleep disorders, then treatment protocols can be established, but the understanding of sleep disorders and their symptoms during actual sleep is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sleep data collected by sensors during natural sleep is fed back to automatically adjust electrostimulation therapy parameters. This resolves the contradiction by providing continuous real-time feedback from the actual sleep environment, enabling precise understanding and personalized treatment adjustment without leaving the natural sleep setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically collecting sleep data through integrated sensors and autonomously adjusting therapy parameters based on detected sleep stages and quality metrics. This eliminates the need for manual patient reporting or laboratory-based monitoring, allowing the system to serve itself in gathering necessary information and making treatment decisions in the natural sleep environment.
2Productivity
If personalized therapy based on real-time sleep data is implemented, then treatment efficiency and patient outcomes are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single wearable device: electrostimulation therapy delivery, multi-parameter sleep data collection (heart rate, oxygenation, movement), and automated parameter adjustment. This consolidation improves treatment efficiency by integrating therapy and monitoring while managing complexity through unified device architecture rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously providing electrostimulation therapy, monitoring multiple physiological parameters, detecting sleep stages, and automatically adjusting treatment parameters. This universal design resolves the contradiction by enabling one device to perform multiple functions that improve treatment efficiency without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby managing complexity through integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for neurostimulation therapy is disclosed, particularly for patients suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). The technique can involve initiating a high-frequency electrostimulation signal during a specific time period associated with the patient's transition from sleep to wakefulness. The signal can be delivered to a target location on the patient at a frequency ranging from 500 Hz to 15,000 Hz and can be controlled toward parameters below the threshold that would wake the patient, while effectively mitigating the symptoms of RLS or PLMD.