EMG-Guided Spasticity Garment for Targeted NMES Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rehabilitation methods struggle to effectively manage spasticity, which limits passive range of motion and hinders advanced techniques like functional electrical stimulation due to involuntary muscle tightening.
Innovation Solution
A spasticity treatment device and method utilizing a garment with embedded electrodes that measure EMG signals, identify spasm regions, and apply targeted neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or pharmacological agents to reduce spasticity, optionally with autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rehabilitation methods are used, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but spasticity management effectiveness is insufficient due to inability to address involuntary muscle tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated garment: EMG signal sensing electrodes are embedded in the fabric, the garment itself provides compression therapy, and the system delivers targeted electrical stimulation. This merging of sensing, compression, and stimulation functions into one wearable device improves spasticity management effectiveness while avoiding the need for multiple separate treatment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates autonomous operation capability where the electronic processor automatically processes EMG signals, identifies spasm regions, and triggers appropriate treatments without requiring constant clinical oversight. The garment self-monitors muscle activity and self-adjusts treatment delivery, reducing the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining effective spasticity management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If passive range of motion is limited due to spasticity, then advanced rehabilitation techniques cannot be applied, but removing spasticity requires complex intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively monitors EMG signals to detect early signs of spasticity onset and triggers preventive treatment before full spasms develop. By identifying spasm regions through real-time EMG analysis and applying targeted stimulation in advance, the system prevents involuntary muscle tightening from fully developing, thereby maintaining passive range of motion and enabling advanced rehabilitation techniques to be applied.
3Productivity
If manual monitoring and treatment of spasticity is performed, then treatment precision can be maintained, but treatment efficiency and automation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors EMG signals from electrodes embedded in the garment and uses this real-time feedback to automatically identify spasm regions and adjust treatment delivery. The electronic processor analyzes the EMG signal patterns, determines which muscle groups are experiencing spasticity, and triggers targeted electrical stimulation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system maintains high measurement precision while enabling autonomous operation that significantly improves treatment efficiency.
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 precise and automated treatment of spasticity, allowing for full passive range of motion and reducing spasticity without clinical oversight, using EMG-based identification and targeted NMES or injections.
Implementation Method 1
measuring electromyography (EMG) signals from a target anatomy using electrodes contacting skin of the target anatomy
Implementation Method 2
applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to the one or more spasm regions in the target anatomy using the electrodes contacting the skin of the target anatomy
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating spasticity uses a garment worn on a target anatomy to arrange electrodes on an inner surface of the garment contacting the skin of the target anatomy. Using an electronic processor, a spasticity treatment cycle is performed. The spasticity treatment cycle is initiated by providing a human-perceptible prompt to initiate a spastic event, or by triggering the spastic event by applying electrical stimulation to at least a portion of the target anatomy using the electrodes. Thereafter, electromyography (EMG) signals are measured from the target anatomy using the electrodes. One or more spasm regions in the target anatomy are identified based on the EMG signals. Targeted treatment of the one or more spasm regions is performed using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), or is directed to be performed by displaying a representation of the target anatomy with the one or more spasm regions indicated on the representation.