Conduction Cord Segmentation for Curved Pad Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conduction cords for low-frequency treatment devices struggle to securely attach electrode pads to sites with large curvatures, such as the wrist, due to limited flexibility and ease of attachment, often resulting in the pad ends lifting up.

Innovation Solution

A conduction cord with independently arranged connection terminal portions coupled by an elastic coupling portion, which forms a flexible group, and an electrode pad with a gel layer for enhanced adhesion, allowing for reliable and intimate attachment to curved surfaces without movement restriction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an easily bendable material is used for the conduction cord, then the flexibility is improved, but the response capability to steep curved surfaces remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidresponse capability to curved surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection terminal portions are divided into multiple independent sections (first, second, third connection terminal portions) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each section to adapt to different parts of curved surfaces while maintaining overall connectivity, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and response capability to steep curves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection terminal portions are designed to be movable relative to each other, creating a dynamic structure that can adjust its configuration in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the conduction cord to respond to varying curvature requirements of different treatment sites, overcoming the limitation of static flexible materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conductive section is divided into three or more portions, then the connection terminal portions can be arranged independently, but the connecting portion becomes large making attachment to curved surfaces difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent arrangement of connection terminalsVSAvoidconnecting portion size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection terminal portions are segmented into multiple independent units that can be arranged in different configurations. This segmentation allows the connecting portion to maintain a compact size while still providing independent arrangement capability, enabling attachment to curved surfaces without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable connection terminal portions create a dynamic connecting structure that can adjust its effective size and configuration. This dynamic adjustment reduces the apparent complexity of the connecting portion while maintaining the ability to independently arrange terminals for various curved surface applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If the adhesive pad is attached to a treatment site having large curvature, then the treatment coverage is improved, but the ends of the adhesive pad lift up reducing intimate attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment coverageVSAvoidintimate attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable connection terminal portions create a dynamic connection system that can adjust to the curvature of treatment sites. This dynamic adaptation prevents the pad ends from lifting up by accommodating the geometric constraints of curved surfaces, thereby maintaining intimate attachment while achieving comprehensive treatment coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection terminal portions can change their spatial arrangement and configuration parameters to match the curvature of different treatment sites. This parameter adjustment capability ensures that the adhesive pad maintains intimate contact with curved surfaces while covering the required treatment area, preventing edge lifting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flexible coupling portion and gel layer ensure the pad remains securely attached to curved surfaces, preventing lifting and improving attachment ease and reliability, while maintaining flexibility and reducing the risk of adhesive surfaces sticking together.

Implementation Method 1

a coupling portion (44), made from an elastic material, for coupling the connection terminal portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an electrode pad with a gel layer for enhanced adhesion, allowing for reliable and intimate attachment to curved surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2050480B1Conduction cord for low frequency treatment device and electrode pad having the conduction cord attached thereto
Publication Date: 2014.03.05 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD
  • EP2050480B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2050480B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2050480B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

To enable a pad to be more reliably and intimately attached to a treatment site even when attaching the pad to the treatment site of large curvature. A cord 40 includes connection terminal portions 42a, 42b, and 42c arranged to contact to and separate from a plurality of electrodes arranged on a pad 30; lead wires 43a, 43b, and 43c, connected to each connection terminal portion 42a, 42b, and 42c, for electrically connecting a low frequency treatment device body and the pad 30; and a coupling portion 44, made from an elastic material, for coupling the connection terminal portions 42a, 42b, and 42c; wherein the connection terminal portions 42a, 42b, and 42c are independently arranged, and coupled by the coupling portion 44 to form one connection terminal portion group.