Auricular Acupuncture Ear Retention for Self-Administered Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional acupuncture treatments for conditions like PTSD and opioid addiction require frequent, in-clinic visits by trained practitioners, making them impractical and expensive.

Innovation Solution

Auricular acupuncture devices that use focused optical or electrical energy to stimulate acupuncture points on the ear, allowing self-administration without direct practitioner contact, and integrate with wearable sensors and a remote database for monitoring and feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional needle-based acupuncture is administered by trained practitioners, then treatment effectiveness is ensured, but treatment frequency and cost increase due to requirement for frequent in-clinic visits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidtime for frequent clinical visits

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables patients to administer acupuncture treatment to themselves through the auricular acupuncture device with energy output sites that deliver optical or electrical energy to acupuncture points on the ear, eliminating the need for frequent visits to trained practitioners while maintaining treatment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical needle-based acupuncture system with an automated energy delivery system that uses optical energy (laser or LED) or electrical energy to stimulate acupuncture points, allowing for consistent and repeatable treatment without requiring manual manipulation by practitioners

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If traditional acupuncture requires direct practitioner contact, then treatment precision is maintained, but accessibility and ease of treatment administration decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacupuncture point stimulation precisionVSAvoidease of treatment administration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device creates a replica or copy of the practitioner's hand and acupuncture stimulation function through the auricular acupuncture device with multiple energy output sites positioned to correspond to acupuncture points, allowing precise reproduction of the treatment effect without requiring direct practitioner contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary device that delivers energy to acupuncture points through the ear retention device with energy output sites, serving as a mediator between the practitioner's intent and the acupuncture points, thereby maintaining precision while enabling self-administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If automated auricular acupuncture devices are used, then treatment accessibility improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of self-administrationVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: an ear retention device for positioning, multiple energy output sites for acupuncture point stimulation, and an energy interface module for energy delivery, making the complex system modular and easier to understand and operate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auricular acupuncture device is designed to be universal and adaptable, with multiple energy output sites that can treat different acupuncture points corresponding to various body conditions, allowing a single device to address multiple treatment needs without requiring multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables effective, economical treatment of conditions like addiction and PTSD through precise stimulation of auricular acupuncture points, reducing the need for frequent clinical visits and providing comprehensive patient monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

stimulate the auricular acupuncture points via refraction or redirection of the optical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

each of the energy output sites directs electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the auricular acupuncture points in sufficient levels to penetrate tissue of the mammalian car

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260014055A1Devices, systems and methods for auricular acupuncture

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 ADAPTOGENICS TECH LLC

AI summary

The present application relates to devices, systems and methods for auricular acupuncture. The devices suitably include an ear retention device that substantially contacts a patient's auricular surface, so as to allow sufficient energy from an optical or electric source to stimulate auricular acupuncture sites. The devices and systems are useful in various methods of treatment of patient conditions and presenting symptoms.