Auricular Acupuncture Earpiece 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 specific ear points, allowing self-administration without direct practitioner contact, and integrate with wearable sensors and remote databases for monitoring and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional needle-based acupuncture is administered by trained practitioners, then treatment effectiveness is ensured, but treatment cost and practitioner dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through an automated ear acupuncture device that allows patients to independently apply acupuncture stimulation without practitioner assistance. The device includes an earpiece with multiple acupuncture point contacts that can be self-applied to the auricle, eliminating the need for trained practitioners to perform the treatment while maintaining treatment effectiveness through standardized point stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle-based system with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of using physical needles that require practitioner skill for insertion and manipulation, the device uses electrical currents delivered through contacts at standardized acupuncture points on the ear, substituting mechanical intervention with automated electrical stimulation.
2Reliability
If acupuncture treatment is administered frequently (multiple times per day or daily), then treatment effectiveness for addiction and PTSD is improved, but treatment cost and time commitment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous treatment through a wearable device that can be used multiple times per day or continuously over extended periods. The earpiece device allows patients to receive acupuncture stimulation throughout the day as needed, providing continuous therapeutic action without requiring repeated clinic visits, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while reducing overall time commitment.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-applied nature of the device allows patients to administer treatment themselves at any frequency required, eliminating the need for practitioner scheduling and clinic visit time. Patients can apply the device immediately when treatment is needed, providing continuous access to therapy without the logistical constraints of traditional clinic-based treatment.
3Ease of operation
If automated acupuncture devices are developed for self-administration, then treatment accessibility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but device complexity and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acupuncture device into a simple earpiece component that interfaces with the patient's ear and a separate control/energy source component. The earpiece contains the essential acupuncture point contacts and can be easily inserted and removed by the patient, while the more complex electrical stimulation controls are housed in a separate unit that connects to the earpiece, dividing complexity between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical energy as an intermediary to deliver acupuncture stimulation without requiring physical needle manipulation. The electrical current serves as the medium that transfers therapeutic effect from the device to the acupuncture points, replacing the need for complex mechanical needle insertion and retention mechanisms with a simpler electrical delivery system.
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 auricular acupuncture, reducing the need for frequent clinical visits and providing real-time monitoring and feedback.
Implementation Method 1
each of the energy output sites directs optical energy from the optical energy source to the auricular acupuncture points in sufficient levels to penetrate tissue of the mammalian ear and stimulate the auricular acupuncture points via refraction or redirection of the optical energy
Implementation Method 2
the optical energy is from a laser or a laser light emitting diode, for example from a laser at a power output of about 5 mW to about 50 mW and a wavelength of about 610 nm to about 685 nm
Implementation Method 3
the optical energy is from a laser or a laser light emitting diode
Implementation Method 4
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 ear and stimulate the auricular acupuncture points
Data Source
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.