Movable Foot Stimulation Electrode for Venous Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for electrical stimulation of the feet, while improving venous blood flow, often lead to fatigue and do not effectively replicate the natural movement and action of voluntary exercise, which can limit their efficacy in improving circulation and reducing venous stasis.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that allow the foot to move naturally during electrical stimulation by having a contact surface that is movable, enabling changes in the angle of the joints of the foot and ankle, thereby mimicking voluntary exercise and reducing fatigue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical stimulation is applied to the feet to improve venous blood flow, then circulation is improved, but fatigue increases and the treatment does not effectively replicate natural exercise movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficacy in improving circulationVSAvoidfatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is made movable to allow dynamic movement of the foot and ankle joints during electrical stimulation. This enables the subject's foot to naturally move and change joint angles, replicating the movement patterns of voluntary exercise while maintaining electrical stimulation, thereby improving circulation efficacy without causing excessive fatigue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If electrical stimulation is applied to the feet to improve venous blood flow, then circulation is improved, but the treatment does not replicate natural exercise movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficacy in improving circulationVSAvoidability to replicate voluntary exercise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is made movable to allow dynamic movement of the foot and ankle joints during electrical stimulation. This enables the subject's foot to naturally move and change joint angles, replicating the movement patterns of voluntary exercise while maintaining electrical stimulation, thereby improving circulation efficacy without causing excessive fatigue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach significantly increases venous blood flow, reduces fatigue, and enhances the training response of the electrical stimulation treatment by allowing natural movement of the foot and leg during the stimulation cycle.

Implementation Method 1

supplying an electrical current to the contact surface for the electrical stimulation of the plantar muscles of the foot of the subject

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentUS9867977B2Apparatus and method for providing electrical stimulation to a subject
Publication Date: 2018.01.16 ACTEGY
  • US9867977B2 patent drawing
  • US9867977B2 patent drawing
  • US9867977B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for the electrical stimulation of a subject is provided, the apparatus comprising a contact member having a contact surface for contacting the plantar surface of a foot of the subject; and means for providing an electrical stimulation cycle to the foot of the subject comprising supplying an electrical current to the contact surface for the electrical stimulation of the plantar muscles of the foot of the subject; wherein the contact surface is moveable so as to allow the angle of the joints of the foot and ankle of the subject to change during the electrical stimulation cycle.