Neuro Activator Patch for Tibial Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for nerve disorders such as overactive bladder often rely on surgical procedures or medications, which have limitations in effectively managing urinary voiding behaviors and providing long-term improvements in bodily functions.
Innovation Solution
A smart patch system that applies electrical stimulation to the tibial nerve, using a controller with embedded electronics and communication elements to generate adjustable electrical signals, allowing for remote activation and monitoring, thereby improving bladder management and urinary control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical procedures or medications are used to treat nerve disorders, then some treatment effect is achieved, but the effectiveness in managing urinary voiding behaviors and providing long-term improvements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying electrical stimulation parameters (voltage, pulse width, frequency, duty cycle) to optimize treatment effectiveness for different nerve disorders and urinary voiding conditions. The controller adjusts these parameters dynamically based on feedback from sensors and pre-programmed protocols, enabling adaptive treatment that overcomes the limitations of fixed surgical or pharmacological approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-service elements through automatic feedback control mechanisms where sensors monitor physiological responses (such as bladder activity, muscle contraction) and the controller automatically adjusts stimulation parameters without requiring manual intervention. This enables the device to adapt to changing conditions and provide long-term management of urinary voiding behaviors autonomously.
2Ease of operation
If a smart patch system with controller and communication elements is implemented, then bladder management and urinary control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional integrated unit that combines electrical signal generation, sensor data processing, communication capabilities (wireless and wired), and user interface functions. This universal controller handles multiple tasks including delivering tailored electrical stimuli to specific nerves, monitoring physiological feedback, transmitting data to external devices, and providing user control, thereby improving ease of operation despite the inherent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the controller contains embedded electronics that are integrated within the patch assembly. The communication elements, power management circuits, and stimulation generation components are nested within hierarchical layers of the device, with the controller itself being a compact integrated unit. This nesting approach manages complexity by organizing components in concentrated modules rather than distributed arrangements.
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 smart patch system effectively reduces the frequency of urination by stimulating the tibial nerve, providing users with improved bladder control and management of overactive bladder symptoms through adjustable and adaptive electrical stimuli.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical signal generator is configured to generate electrical stimuli to activate the tibial nerve
Data Source
AI summary
A neuro activation system includes a patch adapted to be applied externally on a dermis of a user, the patch comprising a flexible substrate and an adhesive on a first side adapted to adhere to the dermis of the user, an electronic package directly coupled to the substrate, the electronic package including a control unit and one or more stimulators, and electrodes directly coupled to the substrate and the electronic package, the patch adapted to generate an electrical stimuli via the electrodes. The neuro activation system further includes a controller in wireless communication with the patch, the controller including remote functionality to start and stop the electrical stimuli.