Implantable Electroacupuncture Device for Erectile Dysfunction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electroacupuncture devices for treating erectile dysfunction are invasive, requiring needles and long insulated wires, which limits their effectiveness and commercial feasibility.
Innovation Solution
An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) with a small, coin-sized housing containing electrode configuration, pulse generation circuitry, a primary battery, and a sensor for wireless control, applied at acupoints BL52, BL23, or GV4, providing electroacupuncture stimulation without the need for needles or long wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electroacupuncture devices with needles and long insulated wires are used, then electroacupuncture stimulation can be delivered, but the device becomes invasive and limits effectiveness and commercial feasibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the invasive needles and long insulated wires from the electroacupuncture device. Instead of using external needles inserted into the body, the invention uses an implantable device with electrodes that are surgically placed directly onto the skin at acupoint locations, eliminating the need for penetrating needles and extensive wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle insertion system with an implantable electronic device system. The mechanical needles and wires are substituted with a surgically implanted device containing electrodes, pulse generation circuitry, and a battery, which delivers electroacupuncture stimulation through a much smaller incision site.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If implantable electroacupuncture device with coin-sized housing is used, then invasiveness is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single integrated implantable device. The electrodes, pulse generation circuitry, battery, and sensor are combined into one coin-sized housing that is implanted as a single unit, eliminating the need for separate needle inserts, wires, and external controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device performs multiple functions within a single unit: it delivers electroacupuncture stimulation through its electrodes, monitors patient response via its sensor, controls pulse parameters through its circuitry, and provides power through its battery. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
3Reliability
If electroacupuncture stimulation is applied deep into tissue, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic, pulsed electroacupuncture stimulation rather than continuous stimulation. The pulse generation circuitry delivers electrical pulses at specific intervals and durations, allowing the tissue to recover between pulses. This periodic action achieves deep tissue penetration and effective stimulation while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes stimulation parameters including pulse width, frequency, and amplitude to achieve effective deep tissue stimulation with minimal energy. By carefully controlling these parameters, the device delivers sufficient energy to reach target acupoints and underlying tissues while maintaining low power consumption through efficient pulse delivery patterns.
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 IEAD offers a less invasive, efficient, and cost-effective treatment for erectile dysfunction by focusing electric field deep into tissue, with a low duty cycle and low power consumption, allowing for long-term use with minimal maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The IEAD includes: (1) a small IEAD housing having an electrode configuration thereon that includes at least two electrodes, (2) pulse generation circuitry located within the IEAD housing that delivers EA stimulation pulses to the patient's body tissue
Implementation Method 2
a primary battery also located within the IEAD housing that provides the operating power for the IEAD to perform its intended function
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) treats an erectile dysfunction condition of a patient through application of stimulation pulses applied at a target tissue location underlying, or in the vicinity of, at least one of acupoints BL52, BL23 or GV4. The IEAD includes an IEAD housing having an electrode configuration thereon that includes at least two electrodes, and pulse generation circuitry located within the IEAD housing and electrically coupled to the at least two electrodes. The pulse generation circuitry is adapted to deliver EA stimulation pulses to the patient's body tissue at or near the target tissue location in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen, the stimulation regimen requiring that the stimulation session have a duration of T3 minutes and a rate of occurrence of once every T4 minutes, and wherein a ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05.