Integrated Electrode Therapy Garment for Spastic Muscle Relaxation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current muscle stimulation techniques are not suited for targeted muscle relaxation, particularly in patients with central nervous system injuries, leading to spasticity and musculoskeletal pain, and existing electrode systems are cumbersome and time-consuming to apply.
Innovation Solution
A wearable garment with integrated electrodes and a control unit that allows easy attachment and flexible control of stimulation pulses, using open-loop control and sub-control units to reduce discomfort and improve usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrode systems are used for muscle stimulation, then muscle relaxation therapy can be provided, but the application process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple electrodes and control circuits directly into a single garment structure, combining what were previously separate application components into one unified wearable device. This merging eliminates the need for separate electrode placement and simplifies the application process while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses integrated electrodes for stimulation, contains control units for programming therapy parameters, and acts as a wearable platform. This multi-functionality consolidates various therapeutic components into one device that can be applied as a single unit.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex control systems are used for precise muscle stimulation, then targeted muscle relaxation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into modular sub-control units, each responsible for specific electrode pairs or muscle groups. This segmentation allows precise control of individual muscle regions while keeping each control module relatively simple and manageable, avoiding the need for one large complex control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate control layers between the main control unit and the electrodes, where sub-control units act as mediators that process stimulation signals and distribute them to appropriate electrode pairs. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall control architecture by breaking down complex control tasks into smaller, more manageable stages.
3Power
If high frequency stimulation is used to induce muscle contraction, then functional muscle contraction is achieved, but antagonist muscle spasm is activated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed stimulation rather than continuous high-frequency stimulation. By delivering controlled pulses with appropriate timing and frequency, the system induces muscle contraction in the target muscle while allowing antagonist muscles to relax between pulses, preventing reciprocal spasm activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation is applied locally to specific muscle groups with precisely positioned electrodes that target only the intended muscles. This localized stimulation approach ensures that high-frequency pulses affect only the designated agonist muscles while minimizing activation of antagonist muscles, achieving selective muscle relaxation.
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 garment provides comfortable, efficient, and user-friendly muscle relaxation therapy by reducing discomfort and simplifying the application process, while effectively relaxing spastic muscles and reducing pain.
Implementation Method 1
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation or electromyo-stimulation is a commonly known method for increasing muscle mass in specific areas, by providing an electric current into the muscle causing contraction
Implementation Method 2
a measuring unit (U1) of the master unit determines a first current value flowing from the first electrode through the first muscle to the second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The garment has a first sub-control unit or master unit electrically connected to a first electrode and a second electrode placed at a first muscle or first nerve and a third electrode and a fourth electrode placed at a second muscle or second nerve. The garment has sensors attached to the garment and electrically connected to the first sub-control unit or master unit. The sensors measure position, electrical signals or movement of the patient wearing the garment. The first sub-control or the master unit receives information about the position or movement and comparing the position, electrical signals or movement to an interval of pre-stored desirable positions, electrical signals levels or movement. When the position, electrical signals or movement is outside the interval, the master unit sends through the first sub-control unit a stimulation signal to the first muscle to cause or facilitate a contraction of the first muscle.