Phase-Adjusted Coil Excitation for Comfortable Muscle Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing muscle stimulation technologies, such as electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and magnetic muscle stimulation (MMS), face challenges in delivering effective muscle toning and strengthening while minimizing nerve stimulation and user discomfort, and often require multiple electrodes that are cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic muscle stimulation device using phase adjusted coil excitation with multiple applicators, where the pulsed waveforms are in-phase or near in-phase to minimize overstimulation and discomfort by inducing opposing electric charges in overlapping treatment areas, thereby providing targeted muscle stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electrical current is increased to stimulate muscle tissues with EMS devices, then muscle stimulation effectiveness is improved, but nerve endings are unduly stimulated causing unwanted side effects and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical current delivery (EMS) with magnetic field delivery (MMS). The magnetic muscle stimulation device uses time-varying magnetic fields to induce electric currents in muscle tissues through electromagnetic induction, avoiding direct electrical contact with nerve endings while still achieving effective muscle stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the power source and muscle tissues. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that can penetrate skin and tissue without directly stimulating nerves, while still inducing the necessary electric currents in muscle fibers for effective stimulation.
2Power
If multiple electrodes are used to deliver sufficient electrical current to muscle tissues, then muscle stimulation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome electrode attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrode attachment system with a magnetic field delivery system. Instead of requiring multiple electrodes to be attached to the skin, the device uses a magnetic applicator that generates time-varying magnetic fields capable of penetrating through skin and tissue to stimulate muscles without direct contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful interface (electrodes contacting skin and nerves) from the system while retaining the essential function (current delivery to muscle). The magnetic field delivery method removes the need for skin contact entirely, eliminating the cumbersome electrode attachment process.
3Volume of stationary object
If multiple applicators are used to treat larger muscle volume, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but electric charge product in overlapping areas increases causing overstimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic phase adjustment to the alternating currents driving multiple coils. By dynamically adjusting the phase relationship between coils based on their spatial arrangement, the system can create constructive interference in target areas and destructive interference in overlapping areas, preventing overstimulation while treating larger muscle volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the alternating currents supplied to different coils. By adjusting the phase offset between coils, the system optimizes the magnetic field distribution to achieve uniform stimulation across the treatment area while minimizing excessive charge accumulation in overlapping regions.
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 device effectively delivers electromagnetic charge to muscle tissues, reducing unwanted side effects and enhancing muscle toning and strengthening with fewer therapy sessions and improved user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a first alternating current having a first phase to flow through the first coil and generate a first time-varying magnetic field that induces a first electric charge in a first portion of muscle tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods can be implemented in which an electromagnetic charge is used to strengthen, tone, and firm muscle tissues. For example, the method may include receiving parameters for operation of a magnetic muscle stimulation device. The method may also include causing, based on the received parameters, a first alternating current having a first phase to flow through a first coil and generate a first time-varying magnetic field that induces a first electric charge in muscle tissue under a skin surface of a patient when the first applicator surface is positioned substantially on and parallel to the skin surface of the patient. The method may also include causing a second alternating current having a second phase to flow through a second coil in a similar manner. Optionally, a phase offset between the first and second phases may be adjusted to limit to a predetermined maximum electric charge.