Pain Measurement System Using Controlled Electrical Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pain measurement methods are subjective and unreliable, as they rely on patient-reported visual analog scales or physiological reactions, which vary significantly between individuals and are difficult to standardize, making objective pain evaluation challenging for diagnosis and therapeutic assessment.
Innovation Solution
A pain measurement system that applies a stimulus with increasing magnitude, using a combination of step-up and step-down control modes, allowing for the recognition of stimulus values and calculation of a pain ratio, to objectively quantify pain experienced by a patient without causing discomfort, utilizing a console and control unit to manage the stimulus application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a visual analog scale based on patient evaluation is used to measure pain magnitude, then the measurement method is simple, but the evaluation is subjective and has varying standards between patients, making comparison difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a physiological signal (electrical response from muscle or nerve) as an intermediary between the patient's pain sensation and the measurement system. This intermediary provides an objective, quantifiable indicator that reflects the patient's pain level without requiring subjective interpretation, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and objectivity.
2Measurement precision
If physiological reactions such as aspiration, heartbeat, and blood pressure are used to measure pain objectively, then objectivity is improved, but the measurement efforts have proven unsuccessful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physiological parameter being measured from general systemic reactions (heartbeat, blood pressure) to a specific localized electrical response from the muscle or nerve near the pain site. This parameter change enables successful objective measurement by focusing on the direct physiological correlate of pain sensation rather than indirect systemic effects.
3Measurement precision
If a stimulus with increasing magnitude is applied to measure pain threshold, then objective pain quantification is achieved, but the patient may experience discomfort or pain during measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical stimulation to create a controlled, adjustable stimulus that copies or simulates the conditions needed for pain threshold measurement without necessarily reproducing the full intensity of actual pain. The stimulus magnitude can be precisely controlled and increased gradually, allowing measurement of pain threshold while minimizing patient discomfort through controlled, incremental exposure.
Data Source
AI summary
A pain measurement system is capable of accurately and reliably measuring the magnitude of temporary pain in a patient while reducing burdens on the patient during pain measurement. The pain measurement system has a system assembly including a controller that controls an electric stimulus signal output unit to apply a pulse current which increases with time through an electrode. The value of the pulse current is recognized as a minimum sensed current value when a first signal is received. The electric stimulus signal output unit is then controlled to apply, through the electrode, a pulse current having a current value which increases from a predetermined initial value stepwise by nX (where X represents the minimum sensed current value and n represents a positive rational number). The current value of the pulse current is recognized as a pain-commensurate current value when a second signal is received.