Electrical Stimulation for Diverse Therapeutic Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept applies the core technology of implantable stimulators to novel therapeutic areas, including mental health, cognitive function, sleep disorders, athletic performance, and addiction treatment.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed implantable stimulators for treating chronic pain and other conditions. However, these devices were limited to specific applications. The new inventive concept addresses the need for adaptable, wireless stimulation devices that can be applied to a broader range of therapeutic areas, providing more effective and targeted treatments.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises wearable or implantable devices equipped with multiple electrode arrays, capable of applying electrical impulses to specific areas of the body or brain. The devices are wirelessly powered and can be controlled by mobile applications, allowing for real-time tracking and adjustment of treatment parameters. The new claims introduce novel applications, such as treating mental health disorders, improving cognitive function, enhancing athletic performance, and addressing addiction.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces a paradigm shift in the application of electrical stimulation technology, moving beyond traditional uses in chronic pain and movement disorders to tackle complex, high-impact therapeutic areas. The inventive step lies in the novel combinations of device components, wireless power transmission, and mobile application control, enabling a new generation of flexible, adaptive, and effective treatments.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include miniaturized implantable devices, external stimulation devices, or hybrid systems combining implantable and wearable components. Variations could involve different electrode array configurations, energy harvesting methods, or integration with artificial intelligence for personalized treatment optimization.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the growing markets of mental health, neurological disorders, sleep disorders, athletic performance, and addiction treatment. The adaptable, wireless stimulation devices could be marketed to healthcare providers, medical device companies, and pharmaceutical organizations, offering a new generation of therapeutic solutions.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical engineering, specifically implantable neural stimulation devices and electrode array technologies for therapeutic interventions
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in neural stimulation, electrical engineering, wireless power transmission, and medical device miniaturization, holding advanced degrees and practical experience in developing implantable medical technologies
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's core technology of wirelessly powered implantable electrode arrays provides a fundamental platform for expanding therapeutic applications across diverse neurological and physiological domains. The PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of existing electrical stimulation principles, utilizing known wireless power transmission and electrode configuration techniques. The technical foundations established in the source patent inherently suggest broader applications beyond initial chronic pain and movement disorder treatments.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,796 |
|---|---|
| Title | Stimulation with electrode arrays |
| Assignee(s) | Curonix LLC |