Field-Shaping Electrodes for Colonoscopy Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical stimulation devices for pain relief during medical procedures, such as colonoscopies and dental treatments, lack control over the electric field distribution, leading to inefficient pain management and potential muscle damage from multiple electrode placements.
Innovation Solution
The use of field-shaping electrodes, which are electrically insulated and unable to inject electric charges, is introduced to control the electric field around the stimulation area, allowing for better direction and magnitude control of the current, and time delays between electrodes to optimize pain relief and heart pumping efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electrodes are placed for pain relief during medical procedures, then pain management coverage is improved, but muscle damage and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode segments that can be activated selectively. This allows pain relief to be targeted at specific anatomical regions rather than requiring multiple electrodes placed across different body areas, thereby reducing muscle damage while maintaining effective pain management coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables localized electrical stimulation by controlling individual electrodes or electrode groups to deliver current only to the specific pain-affected region. This localized approach concentrates the therapeutic effect where needed while minimizing exposure of surrounding healthy muscles to electrical current, thus reducing side effects.
2Area of stationary object
If electrical stimulation is applied broadly for pain relief, then coverage area is improved, but current distribution control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array comprises multiple individually addressable electrode segments that can be activated in specific patterns. This segmentation enables precise control over current distribution pathways while maintaining broad coverage area, as different electrode combinations can be selected to target various anatomical regions and current paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which electrodes are active and their stimulation parameters based on the specific clinical need and anatomical target. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same electrode array to provide both broad coverage when needed and precise current control when targeting specific structures, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and control precision.
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 approach enhances pain management by targeting specific areas effectively and improving heart pumping efficiency by controlling the electric field and current distribution, reducing muscle damage and side effects.
Implementation Method 1
electrical stimulation of neurons in animals that are associated with the sensation of pain
Implementation Method 2
control the electric field around the stimulation area, allowing for better direction and magnitude control of the current
Data Source
AI summary
A device and means to decrease the pain associated with colonoscopy and similar procedures to examine the oesophagus, the stomach, etc. The device uses electrical currents of both positive and negative polarity, or alternating current. The improvement described can be incorporated into existing bodies of existing devices. Application on colonoscopy screenings and intestine polyp collection and other types of biopsies.