Conductive Wheel Stimulation Device for Skin Irritation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for electrical stimulation and massage require separate devices and treatments, leading to increased expense, inconvenience, and limited area of stimulation, with patches causing skin irritation and only allowing localized stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A device combining electrical stimulation and roller massage using conductive wheels that deliver electrical current over a large surface area, with adjustable voltage or current to accommodate varying skin impedance, and the option for monophasic or biphasic current to reduce skin irritation and improve conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation patches are used to stimulate muscles, then specific muscle groups can be targeted, but only a localized surface area of the skin can be stimulated at any given time and skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the skin surface into multiple segmented electrode zones arranged in a grid pattern across the palm and fingers. Each zone can be independently activated, allowing precise targeting of specific muscle groups while distributing the stimulation across a larger total area, thereby resolving the contradiction between targeting precision and stimulation area.
2Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation patches are used to stimulate muscles, then specific muscle groups can be targeted, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs alternating current that periodically reverses direction, switching between different electrode zones in a systematic pattern. This periodic action prevents continuous stimulation of any single skin location, allowing skin recovery between activations and significantly reducing irritation while maintaining precise muscle targeting capability.
3Reliability
If separate devices are used for massage and electrical stimulation, then each function can be optimized, but expense and inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges mechanical massage functionality with electrical stimulation by integrating conductive electrodes directly into the palm and fingers of a massage device. The rolling motion provides mechanical massage while the electrodes simultaneously deliver targeted electrical stimulation to underlying muscles, combining two separate therapeutic functions into one unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform multiple therapeutic functions simultaneously: mechanical rolling massage for soft tissue manipulation and electrical stimulation for muscle activation and pain relief. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices while maintaining optimal performance of each function through dedicated mechanisms.
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 device provides a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective means of stimulating muscles and improving skin appearance by delivering electrical current and massage simultaneously over a wide area, reducing skin irritation and allowing for customizable treatment based on skin resistance.
Implementation Method 1
electrical current is delivered from the stimulating assembly to or into the skin and underlying tissues
Implementation Method 2
The stimulating assembly is pressed onto a human skin and underlying tissues and rolled in the forward and backward directions
Data Source
AI summary
A device and related method of use are disclosed which employ electrically-conductive wheels to massage and contact the skin to deliver electrical current. The present invention has both cosmetic and drug applications. In a cosmetic application, the rolling action of the wheels provides a light pressure skin massage that is important to reduce the appearance of skin surface irregularities. In a drug application, the device may be used to deliver ingredients of a conductive gel to or into the skin.