Electro-hydro Massage Device Multimodal Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current TENS and EMS devices primarily provide electrical stimulation without incorporating tactile and thermal stimulation, which are benefits of hydro-massage, limiting their therapeutic effectiveness for muscle relaxation and pain reduction.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held electro-hydro-massage device that simultaneously delivers electrical nerve and muscle stimulation through embedded electrodes and water flow, with adjustable temperature and flow rate, to enhance therapeutic benefits by reducing skin resistance and providing tactile and thermal stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is delivered through conductive pads or electrodes, then electrical nerve and muscle stimulation is achieved, but tactile and thermal stimulation benefits are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical stimulation electrodes with hydro-massage water jet delivery system into a single integrated device. The electrodes and water flow apertures are positioned to coincide on the treatment surface, allowing simultaneous delivery of electrical, tactile, and thermal stimulation through the same contact area with the user's skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment surface of the device serves multiple functions: it delivers electrical stimulation through embedded electrodes, provides tactile stimulation through water jets, and provides thermal stimulation through temperature-controlled water flow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate TENS/EMS and hydro-massage devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If water flow is used for hydro-massage, then tactile and thermal stimulation are provided, but electrical nerve and muscle stimulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electrical electrodes and water flow delivery system into a single device with coinciding treatment surfaces. The water flow and electrical current are delivered simultaneously through the same contact area, providing both hydro-massage and electrical stimulation benefits in one treatment session.
3Reliability
If water flow rate and temperature are increased to enhance thermal stimulation, then skin resistance reduction is improved, but risk of thermal damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable controls for water flow rate and temperature, allowing the user to dynamically adjust these parameters based on treatment needs and skin tolerance. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization of skin resistance reduction while preventing thermal damage through real-time parameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes adjustable water temperature and flow rate parameters to control the degree of skin resistance reduction. By allowing parameter adjustment, the system can achieve optimal electrical current penetration while maintaining safety margins to prevent thermal injury to the skin.
4Reliability
If electrode contact pressure is increased to improve electrical current delivery, then electrical stimulation effectiveness is improved, but skin discomfort or damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water flow as an intermediary between the electrodes and the skin. The water acts as a conductive medium that enhances electrical current delivery while distributing the contact pressure, thereby reducing direct mechanical stress on the skin and minimizing discomfort or damage risk.
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 effectively combines electrical, tactile, and thermal stimulation, reducing skin resistance and increasing the penetration of electrical current, thereby enhancing muscle relaxation and pain reduction while minimizing the risk of electrical damage.
Implementation Method 1
The water flow also moistens the skin, reducing resistance to electrical current flow
Implementation Method 2
it provides warming or cooling to complement and enhance effects of the electrical stimulation
Implementation Method 3
The electrically conductive electrodes imbedded in the treatment surface are connected to an electrical source
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-hydro massage device enhances the therapeutic benefits of electrical nerve and muscle stimulation by incorporating simultaneous tactile and thermal stimulation from water flow, using a hand-held source of electric current and water flow, in contact with the user's skin. The water flow also reduces the skin's resistance to electrical current and provides warming or cooling to complement and enhance effects of the electrical stimulation. The treatment surface of the hand-held electro-hydro massage device contacts the user's skin and contains two or more electrodes and one or more sources of water flow. The electrically conductive electrodes imbedded in the treatment surface are connected to a battery-powered electrical source with controls to select the source voltage amplitude, voltage frequency, pulse frequency, and other characteristics to achieve the desired physiological effects. The device is connected to a water source with selectable temperature and flow rate, with aeration to facilitate more gentle and uniform water flow over the treatment area.