Peltier Thermal Nerve Stimulation for Overactive Bladder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for over-active bladder (OAB) and other urinary or bowel movement disorders are invasive and have potential complications or side effects, particularly those using electro-stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A thermal device with a thermal array of heating and cooling elements, such as Peltier devices, is applied externally to stimulate the saphenous or tibial nerves to alleviate symptoms, using automatic temperature control and alternating current direction to mimic a thermal grill effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electro-stimulation is used to treat over-active bladder, then nerve stimulation effectiveness is improved, but invasiveness and potential complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical stimulation with thermal stimulation using Peltier devices to activate the saphenous and tibial nerves. This substitution maintains the therapeutic nerve stimulation effect while eliminating the invasiveness associated with electrical methods, as thermal energy can be applied externally through skin contact without requiring electrodes or surgical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for nerve stimulation from electrical to thermal. By controlling temperature parameters (heating and cooling cycles) instead of electrical parameters (voltage, current, frequency), the treatment achieves effective nerve modulation while reducing harmful effects associated with electrical stimulation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal devices are applied externally to stimulate nerves, then invasiveness is reduced, but temperature control precision must be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the temperature at the skin surface and provide feedback to the control system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the microcontroller to adjust the current supplied to Peltier devices in real-time, maintaining precise temperature control within the therapeutic range (e.g., 40-45°C for heating, 15-20°C for cooling) despite external environmental variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the Peltier devices' inherent ability to both heat and cool by reversing current direction, eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling systems. The devices self-regulate through automatic current reversal controlled by the microcontroller, which switches between heating and cooling modes based on the desired treatment protocol, simplifying the overall system while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Peltier devices are used for heating and cooling, then device functionality is improved, but current reversal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs Peltier devices that can function as both heating and cooling elements by simply reversing the direction of current flow. This multi-functionality allows a single device to perform both thermal therapies, eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling devices and reducing overall system complexity despite the bidirectional current control requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic reversal of current direction through the Peltier devices, creating alternating heating and cooling cycles. The microcontroller controls the timing and duration of each phase, enabling flexible treatment protocols that can switch between thermal modalities as needed for different therapeutic objectives.
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 thermal stimulation effectively alleviates OAB symptoms by stimulating the saphenous or tibial nerves without invasive procedures, providing a non-invasive and potentially safer treatment option.
Implementation Method 1
The heating elements may be hot Peltier devices, and the cooling elements may be cold Peltier devices
Implementation Method 2
The heating elements may be resistive heating elements
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a patient suffering from over-active bladder (OAB) or other urinary or bowel movement disorder includes placing at least one thermal device on an exterior portion of the patient's body proximate to the patient's saphenous nerve or the patient's tibial nerve. The thermal device includes a number of heating elements and a number of cooling elements arranged in a thermal array. The method also includes activating the heating elements and the cooling elements to stimulate the saphenous nerve and/or the tibial nerve to alleviate symptoms of the over-active bladder or the other urinary or bowel movement disorder.