Wireless Vagus Nerve Stimulator Implantation via Lumen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for conditions like treatment-resistant major depression and other neurological disorders often face challenges with medication resistance and the need for invasive procedures for vagus nerve stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A wireless neural stimulator device is implanted near the vagus nerve without the need for an implantable pulse generator or wired connection, using remote radio frequency energy to power and control the device, allowing for non-invasive stimulation of the nerve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wireless neural stimulator device is implanted near the vagus nerve, then the need for invasive procedures and wired connections is eliminated, but the complexity of the implantation procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pulse generator from the implantable device, creating a wireless neural stimulator that can be implanted near the vagus nerve without requiring a separate IPG or wired connections. The external programmer and power source are completely separated from the implanted device, eliminating the need for invasive wiring procedures while maintaining therapeutic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external programmer as an intermediary device that communicates with the implanted wireless stimulator through non-invasive means (such as electromagnetic coupling or acoustic coupling). This intermediary enables programming, power transfer, and data communication without requiring surgical wiring, thus simplifying the implantation procedure while maintaining device control capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If a wireless neural stimulator device is used, then the need for implantable pulse generator and wired connections is eliminated, but the reliability of stimulation delivery may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-programming the wireless neural stimulator with therapeutic parameters during the implantation procedure or before use. The device is pre-configured with stimulation protocols, power management settings, and safety parameters, ensuring reliable and consistent stimulation delivery without requiring complex real-time adjustments or wired connections to an external power source.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless neural stimulator is designed as a self-contained device with integrated power management, stimulation control, and therapeutic parameter adjustment capabilities. The device autonomously manages its operation, including power consumption optimization, stimulation delivery, and therapeutic parameter adjustment, ensuring reliable performance without dependence on external wired connections or implantable pulse generators.
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
This method provides effective symptom relief for various neurological disorders, including depression, without the need for invasive procedures or wired connections, offering a more convenient and efficient treatment option.
Implementation Method 1
using remote radio frequency energy to power and control the device
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implanting a wireless neural stimulator device, the method including: inserting a device through a patient's skin on a lateral side of a patient's neck, wherein the device includes with a proximal end, a distal end, a first opening at the proximal end, a second opening at the distal end, and a lumen extending between the first opening and the second opening; after inserting the device through the patient's skin, advancing the distal end towards a perivascular bundle of the patient until the distal end is proximate to the perivascular bundle; inserting the wireless neural stimulator device through the first opening; and advancing the wireless neural stimulator from the first opening through the lumen until the wireless neural stimulator exits the second opening and is proximate to the vagus nerve such that the neural stimulator is able to stimulate the vagus nerve.