Neuropathy Detection Platform With Embedded Stimulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting diabetic neuropathy are inaccurate due to variability in pressure application, friction issues, and inability to assess localized nerve damage effectively, leading to missed neuropathic sites and increased risk of foot ulcers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a rigid platform with embedded stimulators that apply thermal or vibrational energy to the skin, allowing patients to indicate sensation location and magnitude, reducing variability by assessing under physiological loading without strapping sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pressure application methods are used to detect neuropathy, then the examination can be performed with simple equipment, but the measurement precision is poor due to variability in pressure application and friction issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pressure application with an automated mechanical system consisting of a platform, multiple stimulators, and a computer-controlled activation system. This substitution eliminates operator variability in pressure application while maintaining relatively simple equipment structure, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the patient's own body weight to apply pressure to the stimulators through the platform, eliminating the need for external operators to apply pressure manually. This self-service approach ensures consistent physiological loading conditions while simplifying the operation of the examination system.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are strapped to the skin surface to assess neuropathy, then localized nerve damage can be assessed, but the ease of operation is reduced and physiological loading conditions are not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching sensors to the skin surface as in conventional methods, the patent inverts the approach by placing stimulators in a rigid platform and having the patient's foot rest on the platform. This allows assessment of localized neuropathy while maintaining natural physiological loading conditions and simplifying the examination procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient's own foot weight provides the necessary contact force between the skin and stimulators, eliminating the need for operators to manually position and secure sensors. This self-service mechanism maintains physiological loading conditions while greatly simplifying the ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If standard clinical tools are used to screen for neuropathy, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision is insufficient to detect early or localized nerve damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the examination system into multiple independent stimulators arranged in an array on the platform, each capable of being activated independently. This segmentation allows for localized neuropathy assessment across different foot regions, improving detection precision while keeping each individual stimulator component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform with multiple stimulators serves multiple functions: it provides physiological loading through the patient's body weight, enables localized assessment through selective stimulator activation, and maintains operational simplicity through automated computer control. This multi-functionality improves measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Provides accurate, localized assessment of neuropathy, reducing the risk of missed neuropathic sites and improving early detection, enabling timely intervention to prevent ulcers and deformities.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulator may comprise a heating element, in which case the stimulation delivered by the stimulation is thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
Alternatively, the stimulator may comprise a vibrator, in which case the stimulation delivered by the stimulator is a vibrational energy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a system and method for detecting or monitoring neuropathy in an individual. The system of the invention includes a platform having a surface in which a plurality of stimulators is embedded. Each stimulator is configured to stimulate a region in a skin area when the skin area is applied to the platform. The stimulators may deliver thermal and/or vibrational energy to the skin region. In the method of the invention, a skin area is applied to platform and one of the stimulators is activated. A minimal stimulation is determined that is sensed by the individual in a skin region in contact with a stimulator. Neuropathy in the skin region in contact with the stimulator is detected if either the determined minimal stimulation is above a predetermined threshold, or if a stimulation is not sensed before a magnitude of the stimulation reaches a predetermined maximal magnitude. The process is then repeated with other stimulators.