Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation via Posture and EMG Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical stimulation systems for pelvic floor muscles are ineffective due to the need for fixed postures, lack of adaptability to body position changes, subjective parameter settings, and limited flexibility, leading to reduced compliance and treatment effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An Electrical Stimulation System (ESS) that receives real-time inputs on muscle activity, orientation, and body posture to adjust electrical stimulation, using EMG signals and orientation sensors for closed-loop control, enabling ambulatory use and simultaneous management of urinary incontinence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing electrical stimulation systems are used with fixed posture requirements, then treatment can be administered, but compliance decreases and treatment effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed-posture requirements to dynamic posture adaptation. Orientation sensors continuously monitor body position and the control unit automatically adjusts stimulation parameters to maintain effectiveness regardless of whether the subject is sitting, standing, or lying down, enabling compliance during daily activities
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback using orientation sensors to detect body posture changes and EMG sensors to monitor muscle activity. This feedback is processed by the control unit to real-time adjust stimulation parameters, ensuring treatment effectiveness is maintained while allowing subjects to move freely
2Measurement precision
If manual setting of stimulation parameters is performed, then system complexity is reduced, but accuracy and treatment effectiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of stimulation parameters through automated detection of body posture via orientation sensors and muscle activity via EMG sensors. The control unit independently processes this data to modify stimulation parameters without requiring manual input from the subject or clinician
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of stimulation parameters with electronic automated control. Sensors and processing algorithms substitute for human expertise in parameter selection, enabling precise, objective adjustment based on real-time physiological data
3Reliability
If existing systems are used without adaptability to body posture changes, then system simplicity is maintained, but treatment effectiveness is reduced due to gravitational force variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes stimulation parameters such as current intensity, pulse width, and frequency based on detected body posture. When the subject changes from sitting to standing or lying down, the control unit modifies electrical stimulation parameters to compensate for gravitational force variations and maintain optimal muscle activation
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 system provides accurate and adaptable electrical stimulation, improving treatment efficacy and compliance by allowing ambulatory use and real-time adjustment of stimulation parameters based on muscle activity and body position, while managing urinary incontinence discreetly.
Implementation Method 1
determine an activity level of the plurality of muscles based on electromyography (EMG) signals associated with the plurality of muscles acquired by one or more EMG electrodes
Implementation Method 2
an electrical current is applied to the weak pelvic floor muscles to trigger contractive, and other types of movement and response in the pelvic floor muscles
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein a method, tin Electrical Stimulation System (ESS) 101, and an electronic wearable unit 301 for controlling an electrical stimulation 113 to a pelvic region of a subject 103. The electronic wearable unit 301 comprises a non-skin contacting outer surface 307, a skin contacting inner surface 305 with a crotch part for removably attaching a urine collecting device 309, and the ESS 101 removably placed within a space bounded by the outer surface 307 and the inner surface 305. An input 105 for initiating a session is received. Further, at least one of, an activity level 107 of muscles in and around the pelvic region, an orientation 109 of one or more of the muscles, and a body posture 111 of the subject 103 is received, throughout the session. Based on the determination, the electrical stimulation 113 to the pelvic region of the subject 103 is controlled. Thus, the present disclosure enables portable administration of treatment, and further enables extending the electrical stimulation 113 from portable use in a fixed, body posture to ambulatory use, in multiple body postures.