Leadless Implantable Electroacupuncture Device for Obesity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electroacupuncture devices for obesity treatment are invasive, requiring needles and long insulated wires, and are inefficient or ineffective due to their large size and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) with a coin-sized, leadless design featuring a symmetrical electrode configuration, a primary battery with high internal impedance, and pulse generation circuitry that delivers EA stimulation pulses to acupoints SP4, LR8, or ST40, or their underlying nerves, allowing for wireless external control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electroacupuncture devices are used with needles and long insulated wires, then the treatment can be administered, but the device becomes invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the invasive needle and long insulated wire components from the electroacupuncture device. Instead, it uses a leadless implantable device with electrodes that are part of the housing structure, removing the complex external wiring and needle insertion requirements while maintaining the electroacupuncture treatment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrode function directly into the device housing structure. The housing itself contains the electrodes (anode and cathode) as integral components, eliminating the need for separate external electrodes and wiring. This integration simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining treatment capability.
2Power
If traditional electroacupuncture devices are used, then stimulation can be delivered, but they are large in size and consume high power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by using a high-impedance battery (at least 5 ohms internal impedance) and optimizing the pulse generation circuitry to deliver effective electroacupuncture stimulation with minimal power consumption. This allows the device to be small while maintaining adequate power for treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pulse generation for electroacupuncture stimulation rather than continuous power delivery. The pulse generation circuitry delivers stimulation pulses at controlled intervals, significantly reducing average power consumption and allowing for a smaller battery and overall device size.
3Ease of operation
If a small coin-sized device is used, then invasiveness is reduced, but the electrode configuration becomes more difficult to design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric electrode configuration within the symmetric coin-shaped housing. The anode is positioned as a ring electrode around the perimeter edge while the cathode is a central electrode, creating an asymmetric current flow pattern that is optimized for delivering electroacupuncture stimulation at the target site while maintaining a compact form factor.
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 provides a less invasive, efficient, and effective treatment for obesity by focusing EA stimulation deep into tissue with low duty cycle and low power consumption, reducing the need for complex user instructions and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
pulse generation circuitry located within the IEAD housing that delivers EA stimulation pulses to the patient's body tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) treats obese conditions of a patient through application of stimulation pulses applied at acupoints SP4, LR8 or ST40, or their underlying nerves saphenous and peroneal. The IEAD comprises an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture device having at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen generates stimulation pulses during a stimulation session of duration T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio T3/T4, is very low, no greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years.