Enhanced Arced Implant Unit for Optimized Nerve Modulation
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved arced implant unit for modulating nerves, featuring adjustable curvature, integrated sensors, and optimized energy delivery for enhanced therapeutic responses.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed an arced implant unit for modulating nerves, but it had limitations in accommodating variations in nerve anatomy and optimizing energy delivery. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing an adjustable arced shape, integrated sensors, and optimized energy delivery, enabling more effective nerve modulation.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced arced implant unit comprises an adjustable arced shape to facilitate close proximity to the nerve, accommodating variations in nerve anatomy. The unit features a flexible carrier with integrated sensors to detect nerve activity, and multiple electrodes spaced along its length to deliver energy to the nerve based on the detected activity. The system enables real-time feedback and adjustment of energy delivery, ensuring optimal therapeutic responses. The inventive concept also encompasses methods for treating sleep breathing disorders and optimizing nerve modulation using the enhanced implant unit.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces an adjustable arced shape, integrated sensors, and optimized energy delivery, which are not present in the original patent. These features provide a significant improvement in nerve modulation, enabling more effective and targeted therapeutic responses.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include varying the material and structure of the flexible carrier, using different types of sensors or electrodes, or incorporating additional features such as wireless communication or power harvesting. These variations would ensure broad conceptual coverage and adaptability to different nerve modulation applications.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced arced implant unit has significant commercial potential in the treatment of sleep breathing disorders, as well as other conditions that can be addressed through nerve modulation. The target industries include medical device manufacturers, healthcare providers, and research institutions focused on neural modulation and treatment of neurological disorders.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical engineering, specifically neural modulation devices and implantable electrical stimulation systems for nerve intervention, with expertise in medical device design, electrode configuration, and neurological therapeutic interventions
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, working knowledge of neural stimulation technologies, understanding of implantable medical device design principles, and familiarity with nerve modulation techniques for therapeutic interventions
Obviousness Rationale
A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering extensions of the source patent's core neural modulation implant design. The proposed adjustable arced shape, integrated sensors, and multi-electrode configuration are logical refinements that address known limitations in existing nerve stimulation technologies. These modifications represent standard design optimization strategies within neural implant engineering, utilizing well-understood techniques to enhance therapeutic effectiveness.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,791 |
|---|---|
| Title | Arced implant unit for modulation of nerves |
| Assignee(s) | Nyxoah SA |