Force Regulating Device Applicator for Medical Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variability in force application when attaching medical devices to a patient's tissue can lead to inconsistent and unreliable results, as excessive force can displace conductive gel, while insufficient force may prevent effective contact, affecting the efficacy of medical monitoring or treatment procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of device applicators equipped with force regulators and feedback mechanisms, such as bistable springs and two-stage force regulators, that provide tactile and auditory feedback to ensure consistent and controlled force application, preventing excessive or insufficient force, thereby maintaining effective contact between the device and the patient's tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excessive force is applied to attach the device to the patient's tissue, then the device contact is ensured, but the conductive gel is squeezed out from between the electrode and the tissue, reducing electrical coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from manual force application (variable parameter) to spring-loaded mechanism with predetermined force (controlled parameter). The spring constant and pre-compression distance are designed to provide optimal force that ensures device contact while preventing gel displacement, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable contact and gel retention.
2Loss of substance
If insufficient force is applied to attach the device to the patient's tissue, then the conductive gel is preserved, but the self-prepping mechanism fails to engage with the tissue, reducing procedure efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism transforms the force parameter from uncontrolled (manual application) to controlled (predetermined by spring characteristics). The spring is calibrated to exert sufficient force to activate the self-prepping mechanism and ensure proper tissue engagement while maintaining force within limits that prevent excessive gel displacement, thus balancing gel retention with mechanism activation.
3Ease of operation
If manual force application is used by operators, then the device can be applied to the patient, but the force varies from application to application and between operators, reducing consistency and quality
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded applicator is designed to automatically provide the correct application force through its mechanical design. The operator simply activates the mechanism, and the spring's predetermined characteristics (constant and pre-compression distance) self-regulate the force applied to the patient's tissue, eliminating variability between operators and ensuring consistent force application across all procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the force parameter from variable (manual application) to controlled (spring-determined). By designing the spring with specific characteristics and pre-compression distance, the system ensures that the same optimal force is applied in every procedure, regardless of operator differences, thus improving force application consistency while maintaining ease of operation.
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
These solutions ensure consistent and reliable application of medical devices by regulating force, maintaining effective contact and preventing gel displacement, thus enhancing the quality and consistency of medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member (e.g., a spring) configured to transition from a first configuration, in which the contact portion is spaced away from the surface, to a second configuration, in which the contact portion is in contact with the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are apparatus and techniques for applying a device to a subject. Such apparatus and techniques may provide feedback to an operator and/or regulate the force used to apply the device, yielding an improved result. Particularly useful embodiments include apparatus and techniques for applying a medical device, such as a skin surface electrode or microneedle array, to a patient's tissue.