Minimally Invasive Digestive Organ Stimulator With Wireless Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for functional gastrointestinal diseases, such as medication and surgery, have limitations in effectiveness and patient satisfaction, and existing electrical stimulation methods for the gastrointestinal tract are invasive and require general anesthesia.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive stimulator for the digestive organ that uses an electrode member inserted and fixed within the gastrointestinal tract, controlled by an external device, which provides electrical stimulation and can be used for treating functional gastrointestinal diseases, obesity, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, with a compact structure and wireless charging capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied to treat functional gastrointestinal diseases, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but invasiveness and need for general anesthesia increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulator is divided into separate functional modules: a case housing, substrate member with circuitry, electrode member for stimulation, and wireless power transfer components. This segmentation allows minimally invasive insertion while maintaining full treatment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/wire-connected power and control systems with wireless power transfer and wireless communication technologies. This eliminates the need for external power cables and control wires, enabling minimally invasive placement without general anesthesia.
2Ease of operation
If the stimulator structure is miniaturized for compactness, then ease of insertion and fixation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode member is nested within the case housing, which contains the substrate member. The wireless power transfer coil and communication antenna are integrated within the same housing structure. This nested arrangement minimizes overall device size while organizing complex components efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The case housing serves multiple functions: structural protection, wireless power reception, wireless communication, and magnetic attachment to the digestive organ wall. The substrate member integrates power management, signal processing, and control functions in a single component, reducing overall device complexity despite multiple functionalities.
3Reliability
If the electrode member protrudes from the case to contact the digestive organ, then electrical stimulation effectiveness is improved, but stability of fixation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The case housing is equipped with magnetic elements that enable preliminary attachment to the digestive organ wall before electrode insertion. The electrode member is pre-positioned and protected within the case during insertion, then extended to contact the tissue only after stable magnetic fixation is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The case housing acts as an intermediary between the electrode member and the digestive organ wall. It provides magnetic attachment stability while allowing the electrode to extend through the housing wall to contact the tissue for effective stimulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A stimulator for a digestive organ includes a case, a substrate member disposed in the case, and an electrode member connected to the substrate member and extending to protrude outwardly from the case. The electrode member may have a shape of a wire and may be configured to provide an electrical stimulation in a state of being inserted and fixed at a predetermined location within a digestive organ.