Elastic Input Box for Biopotential Electrode Caps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical personnel face inconvenience when holding needle electrodes during measurements due to the limited elastic deformability of existing holders, which fail to accommodate caps of varying shapes, requiring manual handling and risking blood contact with the cap.

Innovation Solution

A tubular elastic member with a tapered design, featuring an entrance with a larger inner diameter and a contracted portion with a smaller inner diameter, allowing it to securely hold electrode caps irrespective of their shape, and is insertable into an insertion portion within an input box, ensuring the cap is protected and easily managed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a holder made of hard resin is used to hold the needle electrode, then the structural strength is improved, but the adaptability to accommodate caps of various shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadaptability to accommodate caps of various shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is constructed from an elastic material that can deform elastically to accommodate caps of various shapes. The elastic member includes a receiving space with a contracted portion that can flexibly adapt to different cap geometries while maintaining sufficient holding strength through elastic recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The holder utilizes elastic deformation to change its physical parameters (shape, volume) dynamically. When a cap is inserted, the elastic member deforms to accommodate the cap's specific shape, then returns to its original state to secure the cap firmly, thus adapting to various cap configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the holder is made of hard resin with small elastic deformable range, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as medical personnel must manually hold the needle electrode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholder shape consistencyVSAvoidease of holding and managing needle electrode

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder employs an elastic material that provides both manufacturing consistency and operational flexibility. The material can be precisely manufactured while maintaining elastic properties that enable automatic adaptation to different cap shapes without requiring manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic holder automatically adapts to and secures the cap through its inherent elastic properties, eliminating the need for manual holding by medical personnel. The holder performs the holding function autonomously through elastic deformation and recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the holder has a fixed rigid structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different cap shapes deteriorates, requiring additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholder structure simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility with various cap shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder uses a single elastic component that combines the functions of a rigid structure with adaptive flexibility. The elastic member deforms to match different cap shapes without requiring multiple components or complex adjustment mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic holder serves multiple functions with a single component: it provides structural support, adapts to various cap shapes, and secures the cap through elastic recovery. This universal design eliminates the need for different holders for different cap types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 elastic member effectively holds the electrode cap in place, allowing medical personnel to focus on measurements without manual handling, preventing blood contact and accommodating caps of different shapes, thus enhancing operational convenience and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a tubular elastic member configured to hold a cap to be mounted on the electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11589791B2Measuring apparatus, elastic member, and input box

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 NIHON KOHDEN CORP

AI summary

A measuring apparatus is configured to be connected to an electrode to measure biopotential. The measuring apparatus has an input box to which the electrode is connected. The input box has a tubular elastic member configured to hold a cap to be mounted on the electrode, and an insertion portion configured such that the elastic member is insertable into the insertion portion. The elastic member has an entrance having a first inner diameter and a contracted portion having a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter.