Drawable Electrode for Customized Neuromuscular Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-invasive electrodes for transcutaneous electrical stimulation and biological signal sensing face challenges such as limited customization, discomfort due to skin imperfections, detachment near joints, and inability to maintain conductivity over prolonged use, especially in clinical settings where multiple electrodes are required.
Innovation Solution
A 'drawable' electrode system with a pervious electrically conductive layer and insulating element allows users to customize the shape and position of electrodes by applying conductive material, maintaining contact and preventing detachment, and can be reused by washing components, with an optional insulating layer for added protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-invasive electrodes are used for transcutaneous electrical stimulation, then electrical current can be delivered to the body, but the electrodes may cause skin irritation or pain due to inhomogeneous current density
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode uses a porous conductive material that allows uniform current distribution across the electrode-skin interface. The porous structure increases the effective contact area and homogenizes current density, preventing hot spots that cause skin irritation while maintaining effective electrical stimulation delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is constructed as a composite material combining conductive and insulating properties in a single structure. This composite design ensures homogeneous current density distribution across the electrode surface while maintaining good electrical contact with the skin, thereby preventing both stimulation failure and skin irritation.
2Reliability
If conventional non-invasive electrodes are used for biological signal sensing, then biological signals can be detected, but the impedance with respect to the skin is too high to effectively detect signals
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the electrode material significantly increases the effective contact area with the skin, thereby reducing the electrical impedance. This allows effective detection of biological signals such as ECG, EEG, and EMG while maintaining good signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode material parameters are specifically optimized to achieve low electrical impedance with skin. The conductive material composition and porous structure are tuned to minimize impedance across the frequency range relevant for biological signal detection, enabling effective signal sensing.
3Reliability
If multiple electrodes are placed on the body for transcutaneous electrical stimulation, then the desired stimulation pattern can be achieved, but the amount of wiring increases limiting user freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrodes are integrated into a single flexible electrode assembly or garment that can be worn on the body. This merging of multiple electrode functions into one wearable unit reduces the amount of external wiring needed while maintaining the ability to deliver precise stimulation patterns to multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode system is designed with flexible, movable connections that accommodate user movement. The electrodes can dynamically adapt to body movements while maintaining electrical contact, allowing users to move freely during stimulation therapy without worrying about wire constraints or electrode detachment.
4Manufacturing precision
If traditional electrodes are placed near joints for anatomical positioning, then the electrodes can be positioned accurately, but they easily detach during use
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode design incorporates flexible, adaptive attachment mechanisms that can dynamically adjust to joint movements. The electrode material and mounting structure are engineered to maintain stable contact with the skin even during dynamic movements near joints, preventing detachment while preserving accurate anatomical positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode uses flexible thin-film construction that can conform to the contours of joints and move with the underlying tissue. This flexible design maintains secure attachment during joint movement while preserving precise electrode placement on anatomical landmarks, solving the detachment problem without sacrificing positioning accuracy.
5Duration of action of moving object
If conventional electrodes are used for prolonged wear, then continuous monitoring or stimulation can be provided, but the electrodes detach or lose conductivity due to evaporation of water content
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode material parameters are optimized for long-term stability, including water content management and conductivity maintenance. The material composition and structure are designed to resist evaporation and maintain electrical properties over extended wear periods, ensuring reliable continuous monitoring or stimulation therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode uses composite materials that combine conductive properties with moisture retention characteristics. This composite structure prevents water content evaporation that would otherwise cause detachment or conductivity loss, enabling prolonged wear while maintaining stable electrode-skin contact and reliable performance.
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 system provides customizable, comfortable, and long-lasting electrode contact, reducing discomfort and detachment issues while allowing for precise application and reuse, enhancing user flexibility and application-specific performance.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive layer and the insulating element are pervious in a way as it can be penetrated and/or crossed up to the skin surface by an electrically conductive material applied on the upper face of the conductive layer and/or the insulating element
Data Source
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AI summary
Non-invasive "drawable", or "paintable", electrode for electrical stimulation or biological signal sensing comprising a pervious and electrically conductive layer (1), at least one electrically insulating element (2) for maintaining the electrically conductive layer (1) separated from the skin (11), and a conductive material (3) that is deposed using a delivery system (4) on desired areas (5) of the electrically conductive layer (1). The conductive material (3) can penetrate the electrically conductive layer (1) and any other part of the electrode underlying the desired areas (5), thus reaching the skin. The conductive material (3) creates an electrical connection between the desired areas (5) of the electrically conductive layer (1) and the skin. Therefore, the shape of the desired areas (5) electrically connected with the skin, can be customized by the user deposing (or "drawing") the conductive material (3). Thus, the conductive material (3) enables the fabrication of electrodes with custom-shaped electrically conductive areas in desired positions.