Alternating Electric Fields for Pain Blocking With Reduced Electrosensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pain management methods, including pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical approaches, often fail to safely eliminate or alleviate pain effectively, and treatments using alternating electric fields can cause unpleasant electrosensation, leading to reduced treatment adherence.
Innovation Solution
Applying alternating current (AC) signals with specific amplitude and frequency characteristics between electrodes positioned on the body to block pain, using frequencies between 50 kHz and 1 MHz and amplitudes between 75% and 150% of a threshold value determined by individual electrosensation tests or previous data, to achieve pain blocking without causing significant electrosensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alternating electric fields are applied at high amplitude to block pain, then pain blocking effect is improved, but electrosensation increases causing unpleasant sensations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting specific frequency ranges (50 kHz to 1 MHz) and amplitude ranges (75% to 150% of threshold value) for the AC signal. These parameter optimizations enable effective pain blocking while minimizing electrosensation, directly resolving the contradiction between therapeutic effectiveness and side effect reduction.
2Reliability
If conventional pharmaceutical approaches are used to manage pain, then pain relief is achieved, but safety concerns and habit-forming risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmaceutical chemical interventions with an electrical field-based physical therapy approach. By using alternating current signals applied through electrodes to modulate nerve activity and block pain transmission, the invention eliminates the safety risks and addiction potential associated with conventional pain medications while maintaining effective pain relief.
3Productivity
If AC signal amplitude is increased to improve pain blocking, then treatment efficacy is improved, but electrosensation threshold is exceeded causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms by determining the subject's electrosensation threshold through testing and using this information to optimize the AC signal amplitude. The signal is applied at 75% to 150% of the determined threshold value, ensuring effective pain blocking while maintaining patient comfort and compliance through continuous adaptation to individual responses.
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
Effectively blocks pain at target sites on the body by utilizing AC signals, reducing or eliminating the need for pharmaceutical interventions and minimizing electrosensation, thereby enhancing treatment compliance and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
applying a first AC signal between the plurality of electrodes. The first AC signal has a given frequency between 50 kHz and 1 MHz
Implementation Method 2
increasing an amplitude of the second AC signal until the subject begins to experience electrosensation
Data Source
AI summary
Pain can be blocked in a living subject by positioning a plurality of electrodes at respective locations on the subject's body, and applying an AC signal between the plurality of electrodes. The AC signal has amplitude and frequency characteristics such that, when the AC signal is applied to the electrodes, the AC signal will block pain at a target site. The AC signal has a given frequency between 50 kHz and 1 MHZ, and an amplitude between 75% and 150% of a threshold value. The threshold value is either (a) determined based on a test performed on the subject to determine a lowest amplitude at which the subject experiences electrosensation at the given frequency or (b) based on previously obtained data that specifies a lowest amplitude at which most subjects experience electrosensation at the given frequency.