Electroactive Vibration Device for Body Cavity Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for vibration stimulation in body cavities lack customization and efficiency, often requiring external vibration generators and failing to provide targeted and selective stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A stimulation member with a multi-layered structure comprising a flexible electrically insulating layer, compliant conducting layers, and a dielectric polymer layer, which expands and contracts to impart vibrations when electrical potentials are applied, allowing for localized and controlled vibration stimulation without an external generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an externally arranged vibration generator is used to stimulate body tissue, then vibration stimulation can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and customization capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vibration generation function directly into the stimulation member by integrating an electroactive polymer layer between two conducting layers. This merging eliminates the need for separate external vibration generators, thereby reducing device complexity while enhancing customization capability as the stimulation member can be directly tailored to specific treatment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation member generates its own vibrations through the electroactive polymer's response to applied voltage, without requiring external mechanical vibration generators. This self-service mechanism allows the device to be more adaptable and easier to customize for different treatment scenarios while reducing overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a multi-layered electroactive structure is used for vibration generation, then customization and selectivity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulation member is divided into distinct functional layers (first conducting layer, electroactive polymer layer, second conducting layer) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for precise targeting while simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to creating a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in electrical parameters (voltage application to different electrode configurations) to control the vibration characteristics and targeting precision. By varying electrical parameters rather than requiring complex mechanical adjustments, the system achieves high manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of manufacture through simpler structural requirements.
3Speed
If ionic electroactive polymers are used, then the structure is simple, but the response time is slow (order of seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining conducting layers with an electroactive polymer layer. This composite material approach enables faster response times compared to ionic EAPs alone, as the specific electroactive polymer composition and thin-film structure reduce response time to the order of milliseconds while maintaining structural simplicity through the integrated layered design.
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 efficient, selective, and customizable vibration stimulation of body tissue, improving treatment efficacy and safety by eliminating the need for external generators and allowing precise targeting of specific tissue areas.
Implementation Method 1
when an electrical potential is applied between the conducting layers, an electrostatic field occurs and the electrostatic force from the charges on the conducting layers mechanically loads the polymer layer
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric polymer layer provided on at least a part of the first conducting layer; a second compliant electrically conducting layer provided on at least a part of the dielectric polymer layer
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stimulation member for imparting vibrations to body tissue in a body cavity, comprising a flexible electrically insulating layer (1) having a first surface and a second surface, wherein at least a part of the first surface of the layer is adapted to abut against the tissue of the body cavity; a first compliant electrically conducting layer (2) provided on at least a part of the second surface of the insulating layer (1), and being electrically connectable to a first electrical potential; a dielectric polymer layer (3) provided on at least a part of the first conducting layer (2); a second compliant electrically conducting layer (4) provided on at least a part of the dielectric polymer layer (3), and being electrically connectable to a second electrical potential. The present invention moreover relates to devices and methods for vibration stimulation in body cavities.