Electrical Stimulation Device for Walking Motion Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical stimulation methods are inadequate for performing muscle strength training necessary for complex motions like walking, particularly for individuals with weak muscles or cerebrovascular disease, as they primarily focus on simple leg bending and stretching without effectively mimicking the muscle strength required for everyday activities.

Innovation Solution

An electrical stimulation device and training apparatus that uses a combination of electrode pads and a control apparatus to apply specific electrical stimulation patterns, simulating the motions of walking by alternately stimulating quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles through controlled electrical stimulation signals, allowing for practical muscle strength training.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrical stimulation is applied to thigh portions using simple bending and stretching methods, then the operation is simple and easy to perform, but the training effectiveness for complex motions like walking is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of electrode attachment and stimulation applicationVSAvoidtraining effectiveness for complex motions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The leg is divided into multiple muscle groups (quadriceps femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior) with separate electrodes for each group, allowing independent control of each muscle segment to reproduce complex walking patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical stimulation parameters (intensity, timing, duration) are dynamically adjusted to match the physiological patterns of actual walking motion, transitioning from static simple bending/stretching to dynamic complex motion simulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If electrical stimulation intensity is fixed, then the device operation is simplified, but the training program cannot be individually adjusted for different users or conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism simplicityVSAvoidindividualization of training program

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation parameters including intensity, pulse width, frequency, and timing are made variable to accommodate different users, muscle groups, and training phases, allowing individualized prescription while maintaining automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If electrodes are attached to multiple muscle groups with independent control, then the training effectiveness for complex motions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining effectiveness for complex motionsVSAvoidnumber of electrodes and control channels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus is designed to universally manage multiple electrode channels through standardized protocols, where the same control system can independently or simultaneously stimulate different muscle groups to achieve various training objectives

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

Enables effective muscle strength training for complex motions such as walking by replicating the intensity and patterns of muscle contractions needed for these activities, improving muscle strength in individuals with weak muscles or cerebrovascular disease.

Implementation Method 1

an electrical stimulation generation section (120) supplying electrical stimulation signals to the plurality of electrode pads (110a to 110d)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3173124B1Electrical stimulation device and training apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.03.25 SYST INSTR

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AI summary

Provided is an electrical stimulation device including a first to fourth electrodes, and an electrical stimulation generation section which supplies an electrical stimulation signal to each of the first to fourth electrodes. The electrical stimulation generation section supplies, to the first and second electrodes, an electrical stimulation signal according to a first stimulation pattern, and supplies, to the third and fourth electrodes, an electrical stimulation signal according to a second stimulation pattern. The first stimulation pattern is set so that an electrical stimulation signal for changing stimulation intensity according to a first waveform is supplied to the first electrode, and an electrical stimulation signal for changing stimulation intensity according to a second waveform is supplied to the second electrode, the second waveform being increased and decreased in conjunction with the first waveform. The second stimulation pattern is set so that an electrical stimulation signal for changing stimulation intensity according to a third waveform is supplied to the third electrode, and an electrical stimulation signal for changing stimulation intensity according to a fourth waveform is supplied to the fourth electrode, the fourth waveform being increased and decreased in conjunction with the third waveform. The electrical stimulation generation section alternately performs electrical stimulation of the first stimulation pattern and electrical stimulation of the second stimulation pattern.