Personal-Use Extracorporeal Shock Wave Tip Force Detection With Color Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acoustic wave treatment devices are difficult for untrained users to operate effectively due to the challenge of maintaining optimal tip pressure, which can lead to inefficient energy transfer or tissue injury, lacking a simple, inexpensive, and robust solution for self-administered treatments.
Innovation Solution
A device with a force detector, such as a piezoelectric load cell, measures tip pressure and communicates it through color-coded annunciators (e.g., LEDs) to ensure proper pressure application, allowing untrained users to maintain optimal tip pressure during treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional acoustic wave treatment devices are used without force detection, then the device structure remains simple, but untrained users cannot maintain optimal tip pressure leading to inefficient treatment or tissue injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a force detector continuously monitors tip pressure and provides real-time visual feedback through color-coded LEDs (green for optimal, yellow for approaching limit, red for excessive pressure). This allows untrained users to self-regulate pressure and maintain treatment effectiveness without requiring professional training or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service operation by providing intuitive visual feedback that allows users to independently monitor and adjust their own application pressure. The force detector and LED annunciator system empowers users to self-correct their technique in real-time, eliminating the need for external supervision or complex manual calibration procedures.
2Ease of operation
If force detection and annunciation systems are added to provide pressure feedback, then tip pressure control improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force detector coupled with color-coded LED annunciators provides immediate visual feedback about tip pressure status. The system transitions through color states (green→yellow→red) as pressure increases, giving users intuitive real-time guidance without requiring complex displays or user interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color-coded LEDs (green, yellow, red) to communicate pressure status visually. This color-change system provides immediate, intuitive feedback that is easily perceived by users without requiring interpretation of numerical data or complex signals, significantly simplifying the user interface while improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If higher tip pressure is applied to increase energy transfer, then treatment effectiveness improves, but risk of tissue injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force detector provides continuous monitoring of tip pressure with real-time visual feedback through color-coded LEDs. The system alerts users when pressure approaches unsafe levels (yellow) and when excessive pressure is applied (red), enabling immediate correction before tissue injury occurs while maintaining effective treatment pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary protective action by providing early warning signals (yellow LED) when pressure approaches dangerous levels, and immediate warning (red LED) when excessive pressure is applied. This preliminary anti-action prevents tissue injury before it occurs by alerting users to adjust their pressure application.
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
Enables untrained users to consistently apply the correct amount of tip pressure, ensuring effective energy transfer and preventing tissue injury through simple, intuitive feedback.
Implementation Method 1
A device with a force detector, such as a piezoelectric load cell, measures tip pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A tip force monitoring and annunciation means which permits maintaining proper tip pressure during treatment of self-applied acoustic wave treatment for various parts of the user's body by an untrained user. The several embodiments of the disclosure employ designs, materials, and manufacturing methods which are inexpensive and consistent with current manufacturing practices. The functionality, size, cost, simplicity, ease of use, reliability and robustness of the proposed designs are all advantageous.