Dual-Channel Electrotherapy Circuit With Series-Parallel Electrode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrotherapy devices lack the ability to provide optimized, safer, and more effective treatments with simplified administration, particularly in terms of diathermy and conductivity, while ensuring user safety and flexibility in treatment options.
Innovation Solution
An electrotherapy device with N electrodes, where N is 2 or 3, utilizing two isolated sinusoidal voltage generators connected in series or parallel configurations, allowing for different potential generation at each active electrode, and optionally a return electrode, to facilitate diathermy and conductivity treatments with adjustable currents and voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single high-frequency voltage generator is used to promote both diathermy and tissue healing simultaneously, then both effects are combined, but the treatment cannot be optimized separately and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single voltage generator into two separate voltage generators, each capable of independent control and optimization. This segmentation allows one generator to be optimized for diathermy while the other is optimized for tissue healing, enabling separate treatment optimization while maintaining user safety through independent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that manages the operation of both voltage generators. The control unit coordinates the two generators to ensure they work together safely, providing separate control for diathermy and tissue healing functions while maintaining overall system safety through centralized monitoring and regulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are connected to a single voltage generator, then the device structure is simple, but the treatment area is limited and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each voltage generator multi-functional by enabling them to operate independently for different treatment purposes. Each generator can serve as an active electrode or a return electrode depending on the treatment configuration, allowing the system to expand treatment area and flexibility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching capability through the control unit, which can switch between different operational modes (Series mode for diathermy, Parallel mode for tissue healing). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same hardware to adapt to different treatment requirements, expanding functionality without requiring separate dedicated devices for each treatment type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two voltage generators are used with separate control, then treatment optimization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of two voltage generators into a single integrated control unit. This unified control system manages both generators simultaneously, coordinating their operation to achieve optimized diathermy and tissue healing treatments. The merging of control functions reduces the overall complexity compared to having two separate independently controlled systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust the operation of both voltage generators in real-time. This feedback system ensures that the two generators work together harmoniously, automatically adjusting parameters to maintain optimal treatment conditions while preventing unsafe operating conditions, thereby managing complexity through intelligent control.
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 enables multiple treatment options, including diathermy and conductivity, with enhanced safety and flexibility, allowing for increased treatment area and intensity adjustment, promoting tissue healing and minimizing risks.
Implementation Method 1
the device comprises a transformer for each voltage generator such that the two voltage generators are isolated by a transformer
Implementation Method 2
two sinusoidal voltage generators, advantageously intended to produce respectively a first signal and a second signal
Implementation Method 3
Diathermy creates heat in the cellular tissues of injured parts of the body between two electrodes in contact with the living tissue, so that an electrical current flows through the body between these two electrodes
Implementation Method 4
Due to the electrical impedance of the fabric itself, the electric current flows through the fabric and causes a rise in fabric temperature through the Joule effect
Implementation Method 5
the device is configured to generate a different potential at each active electrode so as to ensure the transmission of current between the two nearest active electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrotherapy device comprising: N electrodes (212, 222, 240), N being equal to 2 or 3, two sinewave voltage generators (210, 220), characterised in that the two voltage generators are isolated by a transformer (211, 221) and the device comprises a control unit configured so that the device adopts either: - a first configuration, referred to as a series configuration, in which N is equal to 2, having two active electrodes (212, 222) and two voltage generators, the two voltage generators being connected in series, the device having no return electrode (240); - a second, configuration, referred to as a parallel configuration, in which N is equal to 3, having two active electrodes (212, 220) each respectively connected to a voltage generator and one grounding return electrode (240) connected to each of the voltage generators (210, 220), the two voltage generators being connected in parallel.