Foot Stimulation Platform Using Inertial Actuators for Targeted Meissner's Corpuscle Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot stimulation devices are bulky, complex, and ineffective in targeting Meissner's Corpuscles specifically, as they provide stimulation to the entire foot surface, including both front and back portions, which is not optimal for therapeutic effects.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with a platform designed to provide up and down motion specifically to the front plantar portion of the foot, using inertial actuators and a controller to adjust stimulation levels based on user input and load, ensuring targeted stimulation of Meissner's Corpuscles without stimulating the heel portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibration platform is designed to stimulate the entire bottom of the foot using levers and linkages, then therapeutic effects are provided, but the device becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex lever and linkage mechanisms from the vibration platform design. Instead of using mechanical linkages to transfer motion, the invention directly applies vibration to the platform, removing unnecessary components that add weight and complexity while maintaining the therapeutic vibration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever and linkage system with a direct vibration generation system. Rather than using mechanical advantage and motion transfer through linkages, the invention uses vibration actuators that directly generate the required oscillatory motion, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components.
2Reliability
If a vibration platform is designed to stimulate the entire bottom of the foot, then therapeutic effects are provided, but the device complexity increases due to levers and linkages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex lever and linkage mechanisms from the system, retaining only the essential vibration generation and transmission components. This extraction of unnecessary elements simplifies the device structure while preserving the core therapeutic function of vibrating the foot platform.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanical system to generate vibration through levers and linkages, the invention inverts the approach by directly generating vibration through actuators mounted on the platform. This reversal of the mechanical approach eliminates the need for motion transfer linkages and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Volume of moving object
If stimulation is applied to the entire foot surface including heel, then the device can be compact, but Meissner's Corpuscles are not effectively targeted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the platform with a specific geometry that concentrates vibration on the front plantar surface of the foot where Meissner's Corpuscles are located. The platform has a front surface area larger than the heel surface area, ensuring that vibration energy is preferentially delivered to the target region rather than uniformly distributed across the entire foot.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dynamic control of vibration parameters including frequency and amplitude modulation to selectively stimulate Meissner's Corpuscles. By varying the vibration characteristics, the system can target specific receptors in the front plantar surface while minimizing stimulation of other foot regions, achieving precise therapeutic targeting with a compact device.
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 provides effective and targeted stimulation to Meissner's Corpuscles, enhancing therapeutic effects such as bone growth, blood flow, and lymph circulation, while being portable and easy to use, avoiding the bulkiness and inefficiency of prior devices.
Implementation Method 1
one or more actuators attached to the platform under the upper surface for imparting motion to the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A device for stimulating the Meissner's Corpuscles along the front plantar portion of the foot or feet of a person is provided. The device has a platform disposed upon motion guides for movement up and down with respect to a base. The platform has a shaped surface for ease of placement of at least the front plantar portion of at least one foot of a person seated in front of the device in which the back or heel portion of the foot is disposed away from the device. One or more inertial actuators are attached to the platform underneath its surface. A controller controls operation of the actuator(s), via signals to a driver, to move the platform with respect to the base in a sinusoidally varying motion at a user selectable stimulation level. The stimulation level may be set wirelessly via an external device, or by manually tilting the device.