Garment-Integrated Gel Dispensing for Dry Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dry electrodes, such as carbon or carbon equivalent electrodes, require a conductive gel or liquid for optimal performance but integrating them into garments poses challenges due to difficulties in applying the gel or liquid effectively, leading to potential short circuits or inefficient distribution.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gel or liquid dispensing system into garments that includes a reservoir and fluid passageway to actuate the dispensing of a conductive gel or liquid onto the electrode, ensuring accurate and efficient application, with features like one-way valves and pressure-deformable reservoirs for convenient refilling and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If dry electrodes are integrated into garments, then electrode durability and reusability are improved, but gel or liquid application becomes difficult and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads gel into a reservoir that is integrated into the garment, allowing the gel to be dispensed onto the electrode at the appropriate time. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual gel application while ensuring the electrode is properly conditioned for use.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid passageway system acts as an intermediary between the gel reservoir and the electrode, automatically transporting the gel to the electrode surface. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable gel delivery without requiring direct manual application.
2Reliability
If gel is manually applied to electrodes in garments, then electrode performance is improved, but short circuits and inefficient distribution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system serves itself by automatically dispensing gel onto the electrode surface through an integrated reservoir and fluid passageway system. This self-service mechanism ensures precise gel application without human intervention, preventing over-application that could cause short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical application of gel is replaced with a controlled fluid delivery system using fluid passageways and pressure-driven dispensing. This substitution provides precise control over gel distribution, ensuring adequate coverage without excessive gel that could cause short circuits.
3Manufacturing precision
If a gel dispensing system is integrated into garments, then gel application accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gel reservoir, fluid passageways, and electrode are merged into a single integrated garment system. This consolidation achieves precise gel application accuracy while minimizing the overall complexity by combining multiple functions into one unified structure rather than adding separate components.
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
Enables reliable and efficient application of conductive gel or liquid onto electrodes integrated into garments, preventing short circuits and ensuring consistent performance of dry electrodes, making them suitable for reusable and durable electrical stimulation devices.
Implementation Method 1
The reservoir may be at least partially formed of a pressure deformable material and actuating the dispensing system may include applying pressure to the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The valve may be a one-way valve configured to allow the gel or liquid to flow in only a direction from the reservoir to the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A device for electrical stimulation of a user is disclosed. The device includes an electrode for applying an electrical stimulation and a gel or liquid dispensing system. The electrode is attached to a first side of a garment such that a surface of the electrode is placed in contact with a portion of a user's skin when the garment is worn by the user. The gel or liquid dispensing system is attached to the garment and configured to be actuatable to dispense a gel or liquid onto the surface of the electrode, the dispensing system having a reservoir configured to hold the gel or liquid and a fluid passageway extending from the reservoir to the surface of the electrode. The electrode may be a carbon or carbon equivalent electrode.