Electro-stimulation Device Mixed Signal Modulation for Nerve Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrotherapy devices for treating biological tissue face limitations such as habituation, accommodation, or tachyphylaxis, where the effectiveness of treatments like TENS and MENS decreases over time due to nerve adaptation. Additionally, these devices often require manual adjustment and have restricted frequency, intensity, and waveform capabilities, limiting their therapeutic efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that apply a mixed electrical signal with a combination of two different frequency signals, where a higher frequency signal is superimposed on a lower frequency signal, creating a current intensity window as an envelope. This signal is applied through electrodes for a predetermined period, with the amplitude, duration, and frequencies varied according to a programmed schedule, allowing for automated and sustained therapeutic effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TENS or MENS devices are used for prolonged pain treatment, then pain relief is achieved, but treatment efficacy diminishes due to habituation and accommodation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically varies multiple electrical signal parameters including frequency, pulse width, and current intensity according to predetermined schedules. This dynamic adjustment prevents nerve habituation by continuously changing the stimulation pattern, thereby maintaining treatment efficacy over prolonged periods without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device implements periodic variation of electrical signal parameters through programmed cycles. Different parameters are systematically varied at different time intervals, creating a periodic stimulation pattern that prevents accommodation while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness throughout extended treatment sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If multiple electrical signal parameters are varied to prevent habituation, then treatment efficacy is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidsignal parameter control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically varies multiple electrical signal parameters according to predetermined programmed schedules without requiring manual adjustment. The system self-regulates frequency, pulse width, and current intensity variations, eliminating the need for user intervention and reducing operational complexity while maintaining complex therapeutic protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device systematically varies multiple electrical signal parameters including frequency, pulse width, and current intensity according to predetermined schedules. This multi-parameter variation approach prevents habituation through comprehensive parameter modulation while the automated control system manages the complexity of coordinating multiple parameter changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment and control are required during treatment, then treatment can be adapted to patient needs, but ease of operation decreases and treatment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment customizationVSAvoiddevice operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically adjusts electrical signal parameters according to predetermined programmed schedules without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains treatment adaptability through systematic parameter variation while significantly improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for continuous user control and adjustment during treatment sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If limited frequency and current intensity ranges are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different treatment conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal generation capabilityVSAvoidtreatment condition coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device varies frequency, pulse width, and current intensity parameters according to predetermined programmed schedules. This systematic parameter variation expands the effective treatment range and adaptability to different conditions while the automated control system manages the complexity of generating and coordinating multiple parameter variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12296160B2Electro-stimulation device and method of systematically compounded modulation of current intensity with other output parameters for affecting biological materials

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 FAST TRACK TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An electro-therapy device that generates a mixed electrical signal through electrodes, wherein the mixed electrical signal is a combination of at least two different frequencies, a first frequency having a first minimum and maximum microamp range and a second frequency having a different second minimum and maximum microamp range. The higher of the two frequencies is superimposed on the lower frequency, creating a current intensity window as an envelope along a profile of the lower frequency. The mixed electrical signal is automatically applied for a pre-determined period of time, and amplitude and/or duration and/or frequencies is varied according to a pre-set schedule.