Flexible Thermostimulation Circuit with Surface-Mount Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermostimulation pads are small, inflexible, and difficult to manufacture, with shallow electric field penetration due to their design, limiting therapeutic effectiveness and patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
A compact circuit with an electrode and heating element on opposite surfaces of a flexible substrate, using surface-mount technology for resistors and a temperature sensor, allowing simultaneous heat and electrical stimulation with optimized heat distribution and improved flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional small pads are used for thermostimulation, then the device is portable and easy to apply, but the electric field penetration depth is shallow and therapeutic effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heat therapy and electrical stimulation into a single thermostimulation pad, merging two therapeutic modalities to work synergistically. The heating element and electrodes are integrated on the same flexible substrate, allowing simultaneous application of heat and electrical current to achieve deeper tissue penetration and enhanced therapeutic effects compared to separate applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the pad by using a flexible substrate that allows larger surface area and better body contour conformation. This enables larger electrode surface area for current delivery and positioning heating elements at optimal distances from target tissues, thereby increasing electric field penetration depth and therapeutic effectiveness.
2Power
If larger amounts of power are applied to conventional pads, then electric field strength increases, but patients experience pain or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by incorporating a heating element that applies thermal energy to the tissue. This thermal parameter change allows the tissue to tolerate higher electrical currents, as the heat increases blood flow and relaxes muscles, thereby enabling stronger electric fields without causing pain or discomfort to the patient.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional rigid pads are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the pads are inflexible and break easily when bent or folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible substrate as the base for the thermostimulation pad, replacing rigid materials with a flexible thin film structure. This allows the pad to be bent and folded repeatedly without breaking, significantly improving durability and flexibility while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard flexible circuit board techniques.
4Area of stationary object
If conventional small pads are used, then the device is compact, but the electrode surface area is limited and treatment coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate enables the pad to be larger in surface area while remaining thin and conformable to body contours. This increased electrode surface area allows for better current distribution and broader treatment coverage without significantly increasing device complexity, as the flexible nature maintains portability and ease of application.
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
Enhances therapeutic effects by increasing electric field penetration depth, improving patient comfort, and simplifying manufacturing with a flexible design that conforms to body contours.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, wherein at least one of the electrode and the heating element comprises an electrically conducting region patterned on a surface of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit (51) for applying heat and electrical stimulation comprises a substrate (500). The substrate (500) comprises an electrode (514) for applying electrical stimulation and a heating element (502). At least one of the electrode (514) and the heating element (502) comprises an electrically conducting region patterned on a surface of the substrate (500). The substrate (500) can be flexible.