Muscle Relaxation Sensor Sheet with Force Area Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for learning and practicing the Kanshoho muscle relaxation technique are difficult for most people to master, as they require years of experience and expertise, making it challenging for healthcare providers and individuals to effectively relieve muscular tension.
Innovation Solution
A method involving physical exercise to expand and contract muscles while applying controlled pressure to specific skin spots with a sensor system that assists in maintaining a predetermined area and force range, using sensor sheets and an information processing system to guide users in achieving optimal muscle relaxation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Kanshoho pressing methods are used, then muscle relaxation effect is achieved, but it requires years of experience and expertise to learn correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using sensor sheets to detect pressing force and area in real-time, providing visual or auditory feedback to the user. This allows learners to immediately see whether their pressing technique falls within the optimal range, enabling self-correction without requiring years of expert training. The feedback mechanism transforms an experience-dependent skill into a learnable technique with objective guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for effective pressing: area between 0.1-2 cm² and force between 100 gf-1 kgf. By defining these quantitative parameters, the patent converts the qualitative, experience-based Kanshoho technique into a standardized method with measurable criteria. Users can achieve reliable muscle relaxation by maintaining pressing parameters within these specified ranges, eliminating the need for years of apprenticeship.
2Reliability
If precise pressing control is applied to achieve optimal muscle relaxation, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sensor sheets that are inexpensive and single-use. These sheets contain multiple pressure-sensitive elements that detect pressing force and area, then are discarded after one use. This approach provides precise measurement capability without the complexity and cost of reusable, sophisticated sensing systems. The disposable nature eliminates calibration, maintenance, and sterilization requirements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If pressing area is reduced to increase precision, then measurement precision is improved, but the area becomes too small for effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing area into multiple discrete pressure-sensitive elements arranged in a matrix pattern across the sensor sheet. Each element independently detects pressing force at its location. This segmentation allows the system to precisely measure small pressed spots (down to 0.1 cm²) while still providing effective treatment, as the cumulative effect of multiple segmented sensing points covers the necessary treatment area. The segmented approach resolves the contradiction by enabling precise measurement without requiring the entire treatment area to be uniformly small.
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 method effectively relaxes muscles by controlling the pressed area within 0.1-2 cm² and force within 100 gf-1 kgf, enhancing muscle relaxation efficiency and making the technique more accessible to learn and execute.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor elements output pressing signals corresponding to pressing applied from the pressing object to the respective positions
Data Source
AI summary
A method causes relaxation of a muscle of a body of a person or an animal. In a period in which a patient moves his or her body in a reciprocating manner to expand and contract the muscle, the patient or another person presses an arbitrary spot on the skin of the patient toward the muscle using a fingertip, for example. The pressing by the fingertip is controlled so that the area of the pressed spot on the skin falls within a range of 2 cm2 to 0.1 cm2 and the pressing force applied to the pressed spot falls within a range of 1 kgf to 100 gf.