Wireless Neuromodulation System for Spinal Cord Injury
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neuromodulation systems for spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders are limited by the need for multiple wires, which can cause health complications and lack the flexibility to optimize stimulation patterns for voluntary movement and function restoration.
Innovation Solution
A wireless neuromodulation system with a programmable controller, signal generator, and a microelectrode array that allows for wireless communication, power reception, and selective electrode stimulation and recording, enabling voluntary movement and function restoration with reduced wire count and improved mechanical reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple wires are used for neuromodulation stimulation, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but health complications and mechanical reliability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wire component entirely from the neuromodulation system. Instead of using external wires to connect electrodes to the stimulator, the system uses a wireless power and communication receiver implanted in the animal that receives power and data wirelessly from an external transmitter, eliminating the harmful wire interface while maintaining electrical connection reliability through implanted electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with a wireless electromagnetic power and communication system. The mechanical wires that caused health complications are substituted with wireless power transfer through electromagnetic induction, maintaining the necessary power and data transmission without the mechanical constraints and health issues of wire implants.
2Power
If traditional wire-based neuromodulation systems are used, then electrical stimulation can be delivered, but flexibility in optimizing stimulation patterns is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of stimulation patterns through software programming of the controller. The system can adaptively adjust stimulation parameters including pulse width, frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle in real-time based on feedback signals and experimental conditions, providing flexibility to optimize stimulation patterns for different neurological functions and research applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional neuromodulation system that can deliver various types of electrical stimulation patterns (monophasic, biphasic, pulse width modulation, frequency modulation) and receive multiple types of feedback signals (EMG, ECoG, LFP, spike signals). This universal platform can be configured for different neurological functions, research protocols, and therapeutic applications through software control rather than requiring separate hardware systems for each function.
3Measurement precision
If a microelectrode array with multiple electrodes is used, then spatial precision of stimulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode array into multiple independently controllable electrodes or electrode groups arranged in specific patterns (e.g., rectangular arrays with multiple rows and columns). Each electrode or electrode group can be selectively stimulated independently through the multiplexer circuit, allowing precise spatial control of stimulation while distributing the control complexity across multiple simple, identical units rather than requiring a single complex control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multiplexer circuit as an intermediary between the controller and the microelectrode array. The multiplexer simplifies the control architecture by sequentially switching between different electrode pairs or groups, allowing the controller to manage multiple electrodes through a reduced set of control lines. This intermediary circuit handles the complexity of electrode selection and routing while maintaining the spatial precision benefits of the multi-electrode array.
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 effectively induces voluntary movements and restores functions in mammals by delivering precise electrical stimulation and recording physiological signals, reducing health risks and enhancing flexibility in stimulation patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless power receiver configured to receive power wirelessly from a power supply and rectify the received power into at least one DC voltage for the controller and the signal generator
Implementation Method 2
the controller, in cooperation with the signal generator and the at least one electrode can be configured to deliver a stimulation to a mammal based on an instruction received from the host computer, the stimulation thereby inducing voluntary movement and/or enabling restoration of function
Implementation Method 3
the multiplexer circuit can be configured to enable the processor to select a second pair of electrodes to sense an electrical signal within the mammal
Data Source
AI summary
Neuromodulation systems are described. An example neuromodulation system includes a controller wirelessly communicatively coupled to a host computer, a signal generator communicatively coupled to the controller, and a plurality of electrodes communicatively coupled to the signal generator. The controller, in conjunction with the signal generator and the at least one electrode are configured to deliver a stimulation to a mammal based on an instruction received from the host computer. The stimulation is configured to induce voluntary movement or restore function in the mammal.