EMS Electrode Pad Sinusoidal Design for Uniform Current Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) electrode pads suffer from edge effects, where current is concentrated on the edges, leading to uneven muscle stimulation and potential tissue damage due to excessive heating.
Innovation Solution
The EMS electrode pad design features a sinusoidal wave pattern with varying electrode sizes and shapes to distribute current uniformly, minimizing edge effects and ensuring even heating across the muscle area, utilizing a dielectric layer for capacitive coupling and a graphene layer for enhanced contact with the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional electrode pad is used for EMS, then muscle stimulation is achieved, but current concentration on edges causes uneven stimulation and tissue heating
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode pad incorporates a dielectric layer with spatially varying properties - thicker at edges and thinner at center - to compensate for edge current concentration. This local variation in dielectric thickness creates non-uniform capacitive coupling that counteracts the edge effect, achieving uniform current distribution across the electrode surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dielectric thickness parameter across the electrode surface to control current distribution. By adjusting the dielectric layer thickness from edge to center, the capacitive reactance varies spatially, thereby redistributing the current density to achieve uniform stimulation while preventing edge concentration and excessive heating.
2Strength
If RF energy is applied through skin for muscle treatment, then muscle strengthening is achieved, but uneven current distribution causes localized overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer is designed with local quality variation - thicker regions at edges provide higher capacitive impedance to reduce current concentration, while thinner regions at center allow adequate current penetration. This spatially differentiated structure prevents localized overheating while maintaining effective muscle stimulation across the entire treatment area.
3Area of stationary object
If electrode pad contacts curved skin surface, then adequate coverage is achieved, but uneven contact pressure causes non-uniform current delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer thickness varies locally to compensate for contact pressure variations on curved surfaces. Thicker dielectric regions are positioned where higher contact pressure occurs (typically edges), providing higher impedance to reduce current concentration, while thinner regions are at areas with lower pressure (center), ensuring adequate current delivery without excessive heating.
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
This design effectively reduces tissue damage and pain by distributing current uniformly, enhancing muscle stimulation while maintaining contact with curved skin surfaces, thereby improving treatment efficacy and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a dielectric layer for capacitive coupling
Implementation Method 2
ensuring even heating across the muscle area
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a treatment method capable of changing an impression with strengthened muscles by stimulating muscles by delivering energy to muscles that determine facial expressions.