Dual-Patch Electrical Stimulation for Tissue Inflammation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chronic inflammation underlies various chronic diseases and current medications like NSAIDs and steroids have side effects, necessitating a more effective and side-effect-free treatment approach.

Innovation Solution

A system employing two external devices for simultaneous electrical stimulation of afferent nerves at local inflammation sites and the vagus nerve, utilizing closed-loop feedback for optimizing treatment parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If medications like NSAIDs and steroids are used to treat chronic inflammation, then inflammation is reduced, but side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinflammationVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical medications (NSAIDs and steroids) with electrical stimulation technology. External electrical stimulation devices are applied to the skin overlying target tissues, delivering electrical currents that modulate neural activity and reduce inflammation through neurogenic mechanisms, thereby eliminating the need for systemic pharmacological agents and their associated side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrical stimulation as an intermediary mechanism between the external device and the inflammatory process. Electrical currents act as a mediator that modulates neural pathways and immune responses, reducing inflammation without directly suppressing the immune system or causing the harmful side effects of traditional medications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If electrical stimulation is applied to treat inflammation, then anti-inflammatory response is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinflammationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electrical stimulation system into separate modular components: external stimulation devices applied to the skin, wireless communication modules, and a processor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining effective anti-inflammatory treatment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal electrical stimulation platform that can treat multiple types of inflammation (local and systemic) through a single device architecture. The system incorporates multiple electrodes and programmable parameters that can be adapted for different treatment scenarios, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple external devices are used for simultaneous electrical stimulation, then anti-inflammatory response is enhanced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinflammationVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple external electrical stimulation devices into a coordinated system that operates simultaneously or sequentially. The devices communicate wirelessly and are controlled through a centralized processor, allowing the user to manage multiple treatment sites through a single interface and simplifying the operation of what would otherwise be multiple independent devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor treatment response and automatically adjust stimulation parameters. This closed-loop control reduces the need for manual monitoring and adjustment by the user, making the system easier to operate while optimizing the anti-inflammatory response through real-time parameter adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 a non-invasive, anti-inflammatory response greater than either local or systemic mechanisms alone, with reduced side effects and user-controlled, adaptable treatment protocols.

Implementation Method 1

External electrical stimulation is then applied to the skin overlying the target tissue(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250222256A1Tissue Inflammation and Electrical Stimulation

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 NEUROSTIM TECH LLC

AI summary

Embodiments treat inflammation of a user by applying a first patch on a dermis of the user adjacent to an afferent nerve, the first patch comprising first electrodes, and applying a second patch on the dermis of the user adjacent to a vagus nerve or a vagus nerve connecting branch, the second patch comprising second electrodes. Embodiments generate a treatment protocol during a time period comprising simultaneously applying a first electrical stimuli to the afferent nerve via the first electrodes of the first patch and applying a second electrical stimuli to the vagus nerve or the vagus nerve connecting branch via the second electrodes of the second patch.