Acupressure Device Using Electroactive Polymers for Sleep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for administering acupressure therapies are bulky and uncomfortable, disrupting sleep due to their large form factor and inability to deliver variable pressure effectively, making them unsuitable for treating insomnia and other conditions requiring precise and modulated pressure application.
Innovation Solution
A health device utilizing smart shape-changing materials, such as shape memory alloys and electroactive polymers, which change shape in response to temperature or electrical stimuli, allowing for the delivery of variable pressures to acupoints without the need for bulky actuators, enabling comfortable and unobtrusive use during sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional actuators are used to deliver variable pressure to acupoints, then pressure modulation capability is improved, but device size and weight increase making it bulky and uncomfortable for sleep use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuators with electroactive polymer materials that change shape in response to electrical stimuli. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical components while maintaining the ability to deliver variable pressure to acupoints, directly resolving the contradiction between pressure modulation capability and device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the actuator material by using electroactive polymers that alter their shape and stiffness in response to electrical fields. This parameter change allows the device to achieve variable pressure delivery without the mass and complexity of traditional mechanical actuators.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional actuators are used to deliver variable pressure to acupoints, then pressure modulation capability is improved, but device form factor increases making it disruptive to sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuators with electroactive polymer materials that change shape in response to electrical stimuli. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical components while maintaining the ability to deliver variable pressure to acupoints, directly resolving the contradiction between pressure modulation capability and device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-film electroactive polymer actuators that can be integrated into a compact, flexible device form factor. These thin films provide the necessary pressure modulation capability without increasing device volume, making the device suitable for comfortable wear during sleep.
3Measurement precision
If manual acupressure is applied by trained professionals, then treatment precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates requiring professional training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to self-administer acupressure therapy through a device that automatically identifies acupoints using electrical impedance detection and applies appropriate pressure through electroactive polymer actuators. This eliminates the need for professional training while maintaining treatment precision through objective electrical measurements and controlled actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates electrical impedance sensing that provides real-time feedback to identify acupoint locations and monitor treatment progress. This feedback mechanism ensures precise treatment delivery without requiring professional expertise, as the device automatically adjusts based on measured electrical properties of the skin.
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 device provides effective acupressure therapy by delivering variable pressures that mimic the precision and modulation required for true acupressure, improving sleep quality and reducing arousal levels, making it suitable for treating insomnia and other conditions like depression and anxiety.
Implementation Method 1
one or more actuator members, each comprising a smart shape-changing material of a class which is disposed to change shape in response to a change in temperature or to the application of an electrical stimulus
Implementation Method 2
one or more actuator members, each comprising a smart shape-changing material of a class which is disposed to change shape in response to a change in temperature or to the application of an electrical stimulus
Implementation Method 3
one or more stimulating means to deliver thermal or electrical stimuli to the one or more actuator members, for stimulating shape change of the smart shape-changing material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a health device for automatically administering skin pressure-based therapies to a user. The device comprises one or more actuator members, each comprising a smart shape-changing material of a class which is disposed to change shape in response to a change in temperature or to the application of an electrical stimulus. The actuator members are controlled by a controller to apply pressure to one or more points on a user's skin.