Wearable Headband Stimulation Circuit With Overcurrent Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brain stimulation devices are bulky, costly, and require complex setups, often necessitating hospital use, with safety concerns due to overcurrent flow and user safety issues, and lack portability and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A wearable headband device with a first and second stimulation electrode, an electronic circuit for current direction switching, and a protection circuit to control current flow, using low-power switches and a microcontroller for precise stimulation and safety, including a protection circuit to prevent overcurrent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional brain stimulation systems are used, then brain stimulation function is achieved, but device size becomes bulky and portability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the brain stimulation system into separate functional modules: a portable stimulation device with electrodes that can be worn on the head, and a separate analysis system. This segmentation allows the stimulation function to be portable while the complex analysis can be performed externally, resolving the contradiction between portability and functional completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heavy computational and analysis components from the wearable stimulation device, placing them in external analysis systems. The wearable device retains only the essential stimulation delivery and basic sensing functions, making it portable while maintaining full brain stimulation capability through external support systems
2Ease of operation
If conventional wearable stimulation devices are used, then portability is improved, but user safety is compromised due to overcurrent flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the portable device continuously monitors current flow through sensors and adjusts stimulation parameters in real-time. This feedback loop prevents overcurrent conditions by detecting potential hazards and automatically correcting them, maintaining safety while preserving portability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary safety checks and current limit settings before stimulation begins. The device pre-configures safe operating parameters and conducts initial tests to ensure current remains within safe boundaries, preventing overcurrent flow before it can occur during actual stimulation
3Area of stationary object
If traditional stimulation systems are used, then comprehensive brain coverage is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using focused electrode placements that target specific brain regions rather than requiring comprehensive scalp coverage. The stimulation is localized to areas of therapeutic need, reducing the number of electrodes and system complexity while maintaining effective treatment through precise, targeted delivery
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 targeted, safe, and cost-effective non-invasive brain stimulation with improved accuracy and user safety, allowing for personalized and effective treatment of conditions like depression and anxiety without requiring surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
detect and control the flow of current passing through the first stimulation electrode and the second stimulation electrode via the first circuit, based on a voltage drop across a current sense circuit of the protection circuit
Implementation Method 2
an electronic circuit for switching the direction of flow of current between the first stimulation electrode and the second stimulation electrode
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A wearable headband device for non-invasive brain stimulation includes a first stimulation electrode (102A), a second stimulation electrode (102B) and an electronic circuit (106) for switching a direction of flow of current between the first stimulation electrode (102A) and the second stimulation electrode (102B). The electronic circuit (106) includes a first circuit (116) including a pair of first type of switches (118) and a pair of second type of switches (120). Furthermore, a protection circuit (124) is configured to detect and control the flow of current passing through the first stimulation electrode (102A) and the second stimulation electrode (102B). Further, a microcontroller (126) is configured to control the pair of first type of switches (118) and the pair of second type of switches (120) of the first circuit (116) for the switching the direction of flow of current between the first stimulation electrode (102A) and the second stimulation electrode (102B).