Device for applying stimulation to the foot or feet of a person
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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 that allows for up and down motion specifically targeting the front plantar surface of the foot, featuring a sloped and angled design to exclude the heel portion, using inertial actuators and a controller to adjust vibration amplitude and frequency, and a method to automatically adjust power based on load changes for consistent stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibration platform stimulates the entire bottom of the foot, then the device can provide therapeutic effects, but the device becomes bulky and complex with levers and linkages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex lever and linkage mechanisms from traditional vibration platforms, retaining only the essential vibration generation capability. This simplification eliminates unnecessary mechanical components while preserving the therapeutic vibration function, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lever and linkage system with a direct vibration actuation mechanism. By substituting the complex mechanical transmission system with a simplified vibration source that directly contacts the foot, the device achieves the same therapeutic effect with dramatically reduced complexity.
2Reliability
If a vibration platform stimulates the entire bottom of the foot, then the device can provide therapeutic effects, but the device becomes heavy at 20 lbs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy lever and linkage mechanisms from traditional vibration platforms, retaining only the essential vibration generation component. This extraction of unnecessary mechanical parts directly reduces the device weight from 20 lbs to a much lighter, portable form factor while preserving therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the heavy mechanical transmission system with a lightweight direct vibration actuation mechanism. By replacing the complex mechanical structure with a simplified vibration source, the device achieves significant weight reduction while maintaining the therapeutic vibration function.
3Reliability
If stimulation is applied to the entire foot surface, then the device can provide therapeutic effects, but it cannot specifically target Meissner's Corpuscles in the front plantar surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the platform to provide vibration stimulation specifically to the front plantar surface of the foot where Meissner's Corpuscles are located. Rather than uniform stimulation of the entire foot, the device concentrates vibration energy on the specific anatomical region that provides the greatest therapeutic benefit, thereby improving both targeting precision and therapeutic effectiveness.
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 targeted stimulation to Meissner's Corpuscles, enhancing therapeutic effects such as blood flow and bone growth, while being portable and easy to use, without the bulk and complexity 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
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B~5
AI summary
A device (10) for stimulating the Meissner's Corpuscles along the front plantar portion (21b) of the foot or feet (20) of a person is provided. The device (10) has a platform (12) disposed upon motion guides (26) for movement up and down with respect to a base (13). The platform (12) has a shaped surface (14a) for ease of placement of at least the front plantar portion (21b) of at least one foot (20) of a person seated in front of the device (10) in which the back or heel portion (21a) of the foot (20) is disposed away from the device (10). One or more inertial actuators (28) are attached to the platform (12) underneath its surface (14b). A controller (44) controls operation of the actuator(s) (28), via signals to a driver (46), to move the platform (12) with respect to the base (13) in a sinusoidally varying motion at a user selectable stimulation level. The stimulation level may be set wirelessly via an external device (54), or by manually tilting the device (10).