Stretchable Arm Electrode Sleeve for Compression and Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode sleeves for neuromuscular electrical stimulation and electromyography face challenges such as difficulty in donning, alignment, maintenance, achieving a good fit, and ensuring robust electrical contact, particularly for users with impaired dexterity or those using the device alone.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable fabric sleeve with integrated electrodes and assistive features like thumb loops, zippers, and optional secondary tensioners, designed to provide consistent compression and alignment, ensuring reliable electrical contact and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stretchable fabric sleeve is used, then ease of donning and fit are improved, but maintaining consistent compression and alignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is divided into multiple size segments (small, medium, large, extra large) with specific circumference ranges. Each size is designed to fit specific arm circumference measurements, ensuring that the sleeve provides appropriate compression and alignment for different user sizes while maintaining ease of donning through the stretchable fabric construction.
2Ease of operation
If surface electrodes are used for non-invasive stimulation, then user comfort and willingness to use are improved, but robust electrical contact becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The inner sleeve surface is differentiated into electrode regions with conductive material and non-electrode regions with non-conductive material. The electrode regions are specifically positioned to contact skin at locations requiring electrical stimulation or EMG measurement, while maintaining overall user comfort through the soft fabric construction. This local differentiation ensures robust electrical contact where needed without compromising overall comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve incorporates composite material construction combining stretchable fabric with conductive materials in electrode regions. The conductive material is integrated into the fabric structure to create regions that maintain electrical contact with the skin while the surrounding non-conductive fabric provides comfort and isolation. This composite approach enables reliable electrical contact for surface electrodes without sacrificing user comfort.
3Ease of operation
If the sleeve is designed to be stretchable for comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is pre-formed with specific dimensional characteristics for each size (small, medium, large, extra large) with predetermined circumference ranges. The electrode regions are pre-positioned at specific locations and orientations during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the stretchable sleeve is donned, the electrodes align correctly with target muscle groups and provide consistent compression without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
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 sleeve ensures robust and continuous electrical contact, facilitates easy donning, and maintains alignment, enhancing the usability and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and electromyography applications.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve is sized and shaped to be worn on a human arm, and comprises a stretchable fabric
Data Source
AI summary
A device for functional electrical stimulation (FES), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), and/or in receiving electromyography (EMG) signals includes a sleeve and electrodes. The sleeve is sized and shaped to be worn on a human arm, and comprises a stretchable fabric The sleeve has a distal end disposed on or adjacent a wrist of the human arm when the sleeve is worn on the human arm and a proximal end opposite from the distal end. The electrodes are secured with the sleeve and positioned to contact skin of the human arm when the sleeve is worn on the human arm. The sleeve may include an inner sleeve contact with the skin and an outer sleeve disposed over the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve has openings in which the electrodes are disposed.