Muscle Stimulation Calibration Control for Accurate Force Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing muscle stimulation systems are unsuitable for adaptive and targeted generation of muscle forces and proprioceptive sensations due to the inability to determine quantitative control parameters quickly and in real-time, making them expensive and user-unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for muscle stimulation using a pair of electrodes controlled by a unit that adjusts stimulation parameters based on calibration phases for different subjects and users, determining third stimulation parameters using first and second parameter values and physical characteristics to achieve desired muscle responses with high accuracy and reduced calibration effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If subject-specific calibration is performed for each user to achieve accurate muscle force generation, then manufacturing precision of the stimulation effect is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the user's muscle response characteristics during a brief calibration phase, storing this as a profile that can be reused. Instead of performing full calibration each time, the system copies and applies the stored profile parameters, dramatically reducing repeated calibration effort while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration in advance during an initial setup phase, storing the results for later use. This preliminary action captures user-specific muscle characteristics before actual application, eliminating the need for repeated calibration procedures and reducing time consumption during subsequent sessions.
2Measurement precision
If extensive calibration is performed for each user to achieve desired muscle response accuracy, then measurement precision of muscle force is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration measurements in advance during an initial setup phase, storing the results as reusable profiles. This preliminary action captures all necessary measurement data before actual application, eliminating repeated calibration time while preserving measurement accuracy for future sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and stores a digital copy of the user's muscle response characteristics during calibration. This profile can be quickly copied and applied in subsequent sessions without requiring repeated time-consuming measurements, maintaining precision while reducing time investment.
3Productivity
If manual input interface is used for setting stimulation parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity of parameter adjustment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically adjust stimulation parameters based on measured muscle responses. Sensors detect muscle activation levels and provide feedback to the control unit, which then optimizes parameters in real-time, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while improving adaptation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation system performs self-adjustment of parameters based on stored user profiles and real-time feedback. The system serves itself by automatically selecting and optimizing stimulation parameters without requiring manual input, thereby increasing productivity while the added automation complexity is justified by the operational benefits.
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
Enables accurate generation of desired muscle forces and sensations across a wide range of users with minimal calibration, improving user-friendliness and reducing costs compared to existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a muscle in a human or animal body can be electrically stimulated using electrodes attached to the skin to induce, for example, muscle contraction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (10) for stimulating at least one muscle by means of electrical stimulation. The system (10) comprises a control unit (2) configured to acquire and store calibration data of at least one subject (1) during a first calibration phase, to acquire and store calibration data of a user (7) during a second calibration phase, and to adjust the electrical stimulation administered to the user (7) during an application based on the calibration data of the subject (1) and the user (7) acquired and stored during the first and second calibration phases. The invention further relates to a method for controlling at least one pair of electrodes (3).