Adaptable Current Regulator for Electrical Stimulation Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical electrical stimulation devices face challenges in efficiently delivering electrical stimulation therapy due to high power consumption and complexity associated with regulated current paths, which can limit battery life and increase device size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a combination of regulated and unregulated electrodes, where regulated electrodes are coupled to regulated current paths and unregulated electrodes are coupled to a reference voltage via unregulated current paths, allowing for selective configuration as either regulated or unregulated, promoting power efficiency and simplifying stimulation field configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all electrodes are coupled to regulated current paths, then precise current control is achieved, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode array into two distinct groups: regulated electrodes coupled to regulated current paths for precise current control, and unregulated electrodes coupled to unregulated current paths for power efficiency. This segmentation allows the system to achieve precise current control where needed while reducing overall power consumption by using simpler unregulated paths for other electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different current path characteristics to different electrodes based on their specific functional requirements. Regulated electrodes receive precise current control suitable for primary stimulation, while unregulated electrodes use simpler current paths appropriate for their secondary role, optimizing both precision and power efficiency locally.
2Measurement precision
If all electrodes are coupled to regulated current paths, then precise current control is achieved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode array into two distinct groups: regulated electrodes coupled to regulated current paths for precise current control, and unregulated electrodes coupled to unregulated current paths for power efficiency. This segmentation allows the system to achieve precise current control where needed while reducing overall power consumption by using simpler unregulated paths for other electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different current path characteristics to different electrodes based on their specific functional requirements. Regulated electrodes receive precise current control suitable for primary stimulation, while unregulated electrodes use simpler current paths appropriate for their secondary role, optimizing both precision and power efficiency locally.
3Use of energy by moving object
If unregulated electrodes are used, then power consumption is reduced, but current balancing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The unregulated electrodes automatically balance the current distribution across the electrode array based on their inherent electrical characteristics and the stimulation pattern being delivered. This self-balancing property reduces the need for complex active current management circuitry while maintaining overall current balance, thereby reducing power consumption without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical electrical stimulator provides selective control of stimulation via a combination of two or more electrodes coupled to respective regulated current paths and one or more electrodes coupled to unregulated current paths. Constant current sources may control the current that is sourced or sunk via respective regulated current paths. An unregulated current path may sink or source current to and from an unregulated voltage source that serves as a reference voltage. Unregulated electrodes may function as unregulated anodes to source current from a reference voltage or unregulated cathodes to sink current to a reference voltage.