EMS Device with EMG Feedback for Motor Point Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) face challenges in accurately determining the motor point location and optimal stimulus intensity due to anatomical variations, leading to inefficient and potentially painful muscle contractions.

Innovation Solution

A device that uses bioelectrical feedback, such as H-reflex and M-wave signals, to optimize electrical pulse characteristics and locate the most effective electrode placement for muscle contraction, adjusting stimulus intensity to minimize discomfort while maximizing muscle activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrode patches are placed further away from the motor point, then the treatment area is easier to locate, but higher stimulus intensity is required which causes discomfort and pain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of electrode placementVSAvoidpain and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses EMG sensors to detect muscle activation feedback in real-time. The control unit processes this feedback to automatically adjust stimulus parameters and determine optimal electrode placement, eliminating the need for manual motor point location while minimizing pain through closed-loop control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting the motor point through EMG feedback during an initialization phase. The device independently determines optimal electrode placement and stimulus parameters without requiring user expertise in anatomical landmarks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If stimulus intensity is increased to ensure muscle contraction, then muscle activation reliability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle contraction reliabilityVSAvoidpain and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

EMG sensors continuously monitor muscle activation levels and provide feedback to the control unit. This allows the system to maintain reliable muscle contraction by adjusting stimulus intensity dynamically based on actual muscle response, rather than using fixed high-intensity settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The stimulus parameters are made dynamic and adaptive rather than static. The control unit continuously adjusts pulse amplitude, frequency, and duration based on real-time EMG feedback to maintain optimal muscle activation with minimal discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If manual determination of motor point location is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidmotor point location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

EMG feedback provides objective, precise measurement of muscle activation at different electrode locations. The control unit uses this feedback to automatically identify the motor point with high precision, compensating for the added device complexity through intelligent algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If higher stimulus intensity is used for muscle contraction, then muscle activation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle activation effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The EMG feedback system allows the device to optimize energy usage by delivering stimulus only when and where needed for effective muscle activation. The control unit adjusts stimulus parameters dynamically to achieve maximum muscle activation efficiency with minimum energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively determines the minimal stimulus intensity required for muscle contraction, enhancing neuromuscular function and reducing pain by precisely targeting the motor point, leading to more efficient and comfortable electrical muscle stimulation.

Implementation Method 1

electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), which is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electrical pulses. The pulses are generated by a device and delivered through electrodes placed on the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Implementation Method 2

electrical measurement system such as an electromyography (EMG) device (measuring bioelectrical feedback)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromyography:

Data Source

PatentUS11426580B2Systems and methods for low intensity high efficiency electrical stimulation

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 NUK USA LLC

AI summary

Examples of the present disclosure are related to devices in the field of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. More specifically, embodiments are related to devices that are configured to automatically detect the stimulation intensity range and the motor point to generate a high efficiency, low intensity electrical stimulation treatment.