Wearable Electro-Dermal Patch for Gastric Emptying Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical stimulation devices for delaying gastric emptying and appetite modulation are invasive, require frequent medical visits, and lack patient independence, comfort, and real-time feedback, making them inconvenient for long-term use and effective weight management.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile, wearable, disposable electro-dermal patch that delivers electrical pulses to the skin, allowing patients to self-administer therapy, with programmable and adjustable settings via a mobile device for real-time feedback and monitoring, enabling delayed gastric emptying and appetite control without the need for implantation or wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive electrical stimulation devices are used to delay gastric emptying and modulate appetite, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a disposable patch component that contacts the skin and a separate programmable controller, allowing the invasive electrical stimulation function to be isolated in a temporary, easily replaceable unit while the control interface remains external and user-friendly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable patches that are applied to the skin for short durations (e.g., 20-30 minutes per session) and then discarded, eliminating the need for permanent implantation while maintaining effective electrical stimulation for appetite modulation and gastric emptying delay
2Reliability
If implantable electrical stimulation devices are used for gastric emptying control, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and patient independence worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control functionality from the implant site, placing the programmable controller and power source in an external handheld device that communicates wirelessly with the simple patch electrodes, thereby eliminating the need for complex implantable electronics while maintaining effective gastric emptying control
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables patients to self-administer therapy sessions by simply applying the patch and using the handheld controller, without requiring surgical implantation or complex medical procedures, making the system accessible to patients independently
3Manufacturing precision
If frequent medical visits are required for device administration, then stimulation precision is improved, but loss of time and patient convenience worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld controller provides real-time feedback to the patient during stimulation sessions, allowing for immediate adjustment of parameters and ensuring therapeutic precision without requiring follow-up medical visits for programming or monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes pre-programmed stimulation protocols that are prepared in advance within the handheld controller, allowing patients to initiate effective therapy sessions at home without requiring medical professionals to be present for each administration
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 device allows for effective, patient-independent management of gastric emptying and appetite, promoting weight loss and improved dietary compliance with reduced nausea and habituation, while providing comprehensive data integration for caloric management and long-term wearability.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical pulse generator positioned within the housing and in electrical communication with the controller and the at least one electrode, wherein the pulse generator is configured to deliver a plurality of electrical pulses
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed wearable device modulates a patient's gastric emptying time and/or gastric retention time. The wearable device includes a microprocessor, electrical stimulator and at least one electrode configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the epidermis, through a range of 0.1 mm to 10 mm or a range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm of the dermis, of a T2 dermatome to a T12 dermatome or meridian of the patient, a C5 to a T1 dermatome across the hand and/or arm, and/or the upper chest regions. 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 appetite patterns of the patient. The control device is also configured to monitor, record, and modify stimulation parameters of the stimulation protocols.