Field-Shaping Electrodes for Precise Electric Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical stimulation devices for pain management during dental procedures and heart muscle contraction optimization lack precise control over electric current propagation and distribution, leading to inefficient pain relief and heart pumping efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of field-shaping electrodes, which are electrically insulated and incapable of injecting electric charges, to create an optimized electric field that directs the current injected by active electrodes, allowing for better control over the propagation and distribution of electric charges within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electrical stimulation devices are used for pain management during dental procedures, then pain relief is provided, but precise control over electric current propagation and distribution is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the electrode system into two distinct functional types: active electrodes that inject electric charges and field-shaping electrodes that are electrically insulated and incapable of injecting charges. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each electrode type's function, enabling precise control over current propagation while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Field-shaping electrodes serve as intermediary elements that mediate the interaction between active electrodes and target tissues. These insulated electrodes shape the electric field without directly injecting charges, acting as a mediator that controls current distribution patterns and enhances precision without requiring complex control systems
2Productivity
If conventional electrical stimulation devices are used for heart muscle contraction optimization, then some level of stimulation is achieved, but efficient pain relief and heart pumping efficiency are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies local quality by using field-shaping electrodes that are electrically insulated and incapable of injecting electric charges, creating localized field shaping effects. This allows the electric current to be directed precisely to specific regions of the heart muscle, optimizing contraction sequences in targeted areas while reducing energy waste in non-target regions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameter state by introducing electrically insulated field-shaping electrodes that modify the electric field distribution without injecting charges. This parameter change enables optimized current propagation patterns that improve pumping efficiency while reducing overall energy consumption through more effective current utilization
3Ease of operation
If active electrodes inject electric charges directly, then current delivery is effective, but control over current propagation direction and distribution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is segmented into active electrodes for charge injection and field-shaping electrodes for field control. This segmentation enables independent optimization where active electrodes provide effective current delivery while field-shaping electrodes provide reliable directional control, achieving both ease of operation and current distribution reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Field-shaping electrodes act as intermediaries between active electrodes and target tissues, mediating the current propagation process. They receive current from active electrodes and shape its distribution pattern, providing reliable directional control while maintaining the effectiveness of charge delivery through the active electrodes
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 during dental procedures by ensuring effective pain relief and improves heart pumping efficiency by optimizing the contraction sequence and blood volume pumped per unit energy spent.
Implementation Method 1
The use of field-shaping electrodes, which are electrically insulated and incapable of injecting electric charges, to create an optimized electric field that directs the current injected by active electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A device and means to decrease the pain associated with dental procedures as from dental drills, the probing scratching tool to detect cavities, the needle to inject anesthesia, the tool to extract nerve for root canal treatment, etc. The device uses electrical currents of both positive and negative polarity or alternating current.