Electro-dermal Patch for Dysmenorrhea Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for managing dysmenorrhea, such as TENS devices, are cumbersome, difficult to use independently, and lack real-time feedback and customization options, failing to provide effective long-term pain relief with minimal habituation.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile, wearable electro-dermal patch system that delivers electrical stimulation via a microcontroller, transceiver, and pulse generator, integrated with a companion device for wireless communication, allowing for programmable and customizable therapy based on patient data, including menstrual cycle and pain levels, without the need for wires or implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional TENS devices are used for managing dysmenorrhea, then pain relief is provided, but the devices are cumbersome and difficult to use independently
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-dermal patch is designed for self-application by patients without requiring assistance from healthcare providers. The patch includes self-adhesive properties and intuitive placement guidelines that enable patients to independently apply the device to appropriate dermatomes, eliminating the need for complex setup procedures or professional intervention while maintaining effective pain relief through targeted electrical stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential therapeutic function of TENS devices (electrical nerve stimulation) from the cumbersome conventional device structure. By isolating the pulse generator and electrodes into a small, disposable patch that can be applied directly to the skin, the system removes the bulk of the equipment while preserving the core pain management capability, thereby improving ease of use without sacrificing effectiveness.
2Reliability
If conventional TENS devices are used, then electrical stimulation is delivered, but real-time feedback and customization options are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms where the external device communicates with the electro-dermal patch to monitor treatment response and adjust stimulation parameters dynamically. This feedback loop allows the therapy to be customized based on individual patient responses, pain levels, and treatment effectiveness, enabling precise adaptation of the electrical stimulation protocol to each patient's specific needs while maintaining reliable pain management.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the static, fixed-parameter TENS devices into dynamic systems that can adjust stimulation intensity, frequency, and duration in real-time. The external device enables patients or providers to modify therapy parameters based on changing pain conditions, making the treatment adaptable and versatile while preserving its effectiveness for managing dysmenorrhea across different stages and severities.
3Reliability
If conventional devices are used, then pain relief is achieved, but long-term management with minimal habituation is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-dermal patch system is designed for repeated, periodic use over extended periods to manage dysmenorrhea long-term. The disposable nature of the patch allows for frequent replacement and continued treatment without accumulating habituation effects that might occur with prolonged use of a single device. This periodic application strategy maintains effective pain relief while minimizing tolerance development through regular rotation of treatment sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables variation of electrical stimulation parameters across different treatment sessions and over time. By changing pulse width, frequency, amplitude, and other stimulation parameters in subsequent treatments, the system prevents neural adaptation and habituation that would reduce effectiveness with continuous identical stimulation. This parameter diversity allows sustained long-term pain management while maintaining treatment efficacy.
4Ease of operation
If a low-profile wearable patch is used, then ease of use and patient compliance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two distinct components: a simple, disposable electro-dermal patch containing only the essential electrodes and adhesive substrate, and a separate external device housing the complex electronics, power source, and control interfaces. This segmentation places the complexity in the reusable external device while keeping the disposable patch simple and easy for patients to apply, thereby improving compliance without requiring the patient-managed portion to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The external device serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of power supply, pulse generation control, and communication protocols. This intermediary device handles all complex functions wirelessly, allowing the disposable patch to remain simple while still enabling sophisticated customized therapy. The intermediary absorbs the device complexity burden, leaving the patient-facing component simple and compliant-friendly.
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 convenient, long-term management of dysmenorrhea with real-time feedback and customization, improving patient compliance and reducing pain effectively while minimizing habituation and side effects.
Implementation Method 1
A low-profile, wearable electro-dermal patch system that delivers electrical stimulation via a microcontroller, transceiver, and pulse generator
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device for treating dysmenorrhea in a patient includes a microprocessor, electrical stimulator and at least one electrode configured to deliver electrical stimulation from the external surface of the patient's epidermal layer through a range of 0.1 mm to 10 mm or a range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm of the dermis by applying electrical stimulation to the epidermis of a T9 to T12, L1, L2, L5 and/or S1 to S4 dermatomes of the patient. The device includes a pad, in which the electrode is disposed, for secure placement of the device on a skin surface of the patient. The device is adapted to provide electrical stimulation as per stimulation protocols and to communicate wirelessly with a companion control device configured to monitor and record menstruation-related patterns of the patient. The control device is also configured to monitor, record, and modify stimulation parameters of the stimulation protocols.