Electrostimulation Apparatus Impedance Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrostimulation apparatuses for pain treatment and acupuncture are not universally effective across a wide range of patients due to varying electrical impedance in human bodies, requiring personalized signal waveforms and intensities that are difficult to achieve without invasive measurements.

Innovation Solution

An electrostimulation apparatus with a control unit that dynamically adjusts electrical signals based on ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, and time of day to optimize signal parameters, using electrodes with probe terminals of varying sizes and a conductive gel with active ingredients to enhance treatment efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical signals are applied to stimulate acupuncture points or treat pain, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the varying electrical impedance of different patients causes inconsistent treatment outcomes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidadaptability to individual patients
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus measures the electrical impedance of the patient's tissue and uses this information to automatically adjust the electrical signal parameters (amplitude, frequency, pulse width) to optimize stimulation effectiveness for each individual patient, ensuring consistent treatment outcomes despite biological variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes electrical signal parameters based on measured tissue impedance characteristics, adapting voltage, current, frequency, and pulse duration to match each patient's specific electrical properties, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable treatment and individual adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If personalized electrical signal waveforms and intensities are used to treat different patients, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of selecting and adjusting parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidparameter selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs self-adjustment by automatically measuring tissue impedance and selecting optimal electrical signal parameters without requiring the operator to manually tune multiple parameters, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while eliminating parameter selection complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a standardized measurement protocol that rapidly determines tissue electrical characteristics and automatically computes optimal stimulation parameters, accelerating the parameter selection process and eliminating the need for complex manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Measurement precision

If invasive measurements are used to assess biological tissue conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation and patient comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue condition measurement precisionVSAvoidease of application
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus uses surface electrodes as intermediaries to non-invasively measure tissue electrical impedance, which provides sufficient information about tissue conditions without requiring needle insertion or other invasive procedures, thereby maintaining measurement precision while improving ease of operation and patient comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 apparatus provides effective and easy-to-use electrostimulation treatments by adapting to individual biological tissue conditions, increasing the absorption of active ingredients and improving treatment outcomes for both antalgic and transdermal electroacupuncture procedures.

Implementation Method 1

electrical signals are applied locally to the patient's body to stimulate particular points in the nervous system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

measuring a return signal from the electrode, wherein the return signal has electrical parameters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical impedance measurement: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

a conductive gel with active ingredients to enhance treatment efficacy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

increasing the absorption of active ingredients

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3863709B1Electro-stimulation apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 WECARE THECNOLOGIES SRL
  • EP3863709B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3863709B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3863709B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for electrostimulation of biological tissues is proposed. The apparatus (1) comprises a signal generator (53) adapted to generate an electrical signal, an electrode (40) electrically connected to the signal generator (53) to receive the electrical signal generated by the signal generator (53), and a control unit (51) operatively connected to the signal generator (53) to adjust parameters of the generated electrical signal and to read the parameters of an electrical signal returning from the electrode (40). Advantageously, the control unit (51) is configured for determining (1001) the parameters of an electrical signal (stx), reading (1005) the electrical signal (sr) returning from the electrode (40), comparing (1009) at least one parameter of the return electrical signal (sr) with a corresponding parameter of an expected return signal, and if one or more of the parameters of the return electrical signal (sr) differ from the corresponding parameters of the expected return signal beyond a threshold value, then the control unit (51) is configured for modifying (1013) the parameters of the electrical signal (stx) and repeating steps b) to d).