Neuro Stimulation System Impedance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neuro-stimulation devices for pain management and recovery, such as electro stim devices, face challenges in accurately measuring skin impedance due to the energy transfer during treatment pulses, leading to inconsistent results and inefficient energy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pulse generator and control mechanism that applies a high-voltage, short-duration electric pulse train with minimal energy transfer, incorporating impedance sensing pulses to identify active treatment areas, and a monitoring circuit for visual or audio feedback on impedance changes, ensuring consistent stimulation and energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If treatment pulses are applied to deliver energy for neuro-stimulation, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but skin impedance changes leading to inconsistent measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse train is divided into two distinct segments: measurement pulses with low amplitude designed specifically for impedance sensing, and treatment pulses with high amplitude for therapeutic effect. This segmentation allows the measurement function to operate independently without being affected by the therapeutic pulses, thereby maintaining measurement consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
Impedance measurements are performed using low-amplitude pulses before the application of high-amplitude treatment pulses. This preliminary measurement action captures the baseline skin impedance without causing the impedance changes that would occur during treatment, enabling accurate and consistent measurement results.
2Power
If high voltage pulses are used for effective treatment, then stimulation efficacy is improved, but energy transfer to patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device delivers pulses in a periodic train format with specific timing characteristics. Each pulse in the train has controlled duration and spacing, allowing high peak voltage for effective stimulation while limiting total energy transfer through precise temporal control of the periodic pulse delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pulse parameters including voltage amplitude, pulse width, and frequency to optimize the balance between stimulation efficacy and energy delivery. By changing these parameters within the pulse train, effective treatment is achieved while controlling total energy transfer to the patient.
3Device complexity
If treatment pulses are used for both therapy and impedance measurement, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generator operates in dynamic modes, switching between measurement mode with low-amplitude pulses and treatment mode with high-amplitude pulses. This dynamic operation allows a single device to perform both functions while maintaining measurement accuracy, as the device adapts its output characteristics based on the current operational requirement.
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 device effectively maintains consistent stimulation and energy delivery across varying skin impedance, optimizing treatment efficacy by identifying and targeting active areas with lower impedance for enhanced recovery and pain management.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic control mechanism to apply a relatively high voltage, but short duration, electric pulse train to the skin of the patient
Implementation Method 2
The impedance sensing pulse is applied to the skin at selected locations to measure the relative impedance of the body in those locations
Data Source
AI summary
A device (10, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) is used to apply an electric pulse or spike to a patient to treat the patient. The device can have a series of preset treatments programmed therein. A user can select a treatment from menus displayed on a display (100). The impedance of the skin and underlying tissue to be treated can be measured prior to the treatment to locate active areas on the skin for treatment. A variety of probes can be used with the device, with the device automatically detecting the type of probe attached. Multiple electrodes can be used on the probe, which allows the active areas in contact with the probe to be identified prior to treatment to allow the treatment to concentrate on the active areas.