Electrical Stimulation for Diastolic Flow Reversal Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reducing peripheral vascular resistance and treating associated disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis, are limited in their ability to alter blood flow patterns and address conditions like lower limb arterial disease and cardiac issues effectively.

Innovation Solution

Electrical stimulation of leg muscles, specifically through isometric contraction using electrodes placed on the calf and foot areas, reduces peripheral vascular resistance and alters blood flow patterns by stimulating the calf and foot musculovenous pumps, thereby treating a broader range of conditions including lower limb arterial disease, cardiac issues, and sports injuries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If electrical stimulation is applied to activate calf musculovenous pump, then venous emptying and venous blood flow are increased, but the ability to alter arterial blood flow patterns and reduce peripheral vascular resistance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevenous blood flowVSAvoidability to alter blood flow patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic electrical stimulation protocols that vary in frequency, amplitude, and timing to elicit different muscle contraction patterns. By dynamically adjusting stimulation parameters, the system transitions from simple venous pump activation to complex isometric contraction patterns that simultaneously reduce peripheral vascular resistance and alter arterial flow patterns, thereby resolving the contradiction between venous flow enhancement and arterial flow adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes multiple stimulation parameters including frequency (e.g., 1-50 Hz), pulse duration, and intensity to achieve different physiological effects. By systematically varying these parameters, the system can selectively target venous return enhancement at lower frequencies while inducing isometric muscle contractions at higher frequencies that reduce peripheral vascular resistance, thus enabling versatile blood flow pattern alteration while maintaining effective venous emptying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If electrical stimulation causes muscle contraction to promote blood circulation, then venous blood flow increases, but diastolic flow reversal in arteries persists due to high peripheral vascular resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood circulationVSAvoiddiastolic flow reversal

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies electrical stimulation in advance to induce isometric muscle contractions that reduce peripheral vascular resistance before diastolic flow reversal becomes problematic. By preliminarily activating the musculovenous pump and reducing vascular resistance through controlled muscle contractions, the system prevents the development of severe diastolic flow reversal in arterial beds, thereby protecting against harmful flow patterns while maintaining beneficial venous circulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of muscle contraction (which could increase peripheral resistance) into a beneficial effect by using isometric contraction patterns. These isometric contractions maintain muscle tension without significant limb movement, thereby reducing peripheral vascular resistance through mechanical compression of vessels and metabolic effects, while simultaneously activating the musculovenous pump. This transforms what could be a harmful increase in resistance into a beneficial reduction, eliminating diastolic flow reversal while enhancing blood circulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This approach effectively reduces peripheral vascular resistance, prevents diastolic flow reversal, and enhances blood flow, offering therapeutic benefits for various conditions including lower limb arterial disease, cardiac issues, and sports recovery, while also improving bone perfusion and skin circulation.

Implementation Method 1

administering one or more electrical stimuli to a plurality of leg muscles sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Implementation Method 2

This in turn activates the calf musculovenous pump, in which blood circulation is promoted by muscle contraction, so serving to reduce the risk of thrombosis in the limb

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMusculovenous pump mechanism: Pump

Implementation Method 3

diastolic flow reversal in the artery may be reduced or even prevented. This is thought to be a consequence of a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeripheral vascular resistance reduction: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11491328B2Prevention and treatment of diastolic flow reversal

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 SKY MEDICAL TECH

AI summary

Methods and devices are described for preventing diastolic flow reversal and/or reducing peripheral vascular resistance in a patient. Also described are methods of cosmetic treatment, and methods of promoting delivery of therapeutic agents or contrast agents to bones and related tissues.