Multi-channel Physiotherapy Device with Time-multiplexed Photo-coupler Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-channel muscle stimulation devices consume excessive energy, expose the body to unnecessary electrical stimuli, and lack efficient power distribution, leading to inefficient muscle stimulation and high energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel physiotherapy device with a single power supply unit, microprocessor, and photo-couplers, where each channel is regulated separately, and output impulses are delayed to ensure only one channel is active at a time, reducing energy consumption and focusing the electrical load on specific muscle groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power supply units are used for each photo-coupler in multi-channel devices, then each channel can operate independently, but energy consumption increases significantly and electric load on the body is multiplied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power supply units into a single shared power supply that serves all photo-couplers and channels. The power supply unit is connected to the electrical source and distributes power to multiple photo-couplers through channels, eliminating the need for separate power supplies for each channel while maintaining independent operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements time-multiplexed channel activation where output impulses are sent through channels with time delays so that only one channel is active at any given time. This periodic activation sequence allows single power supply to serve multiple channels sequentially, reducing total energy consumption while preserving the ability to stimulate multiple muscle groups.
2Productivity
If multiple channels are activated simultaneously, then multiple muscle groups can be stimulated at once, but the electric load on the entire body is multiplied and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses time-multiplexed activation where channels are activated in sequence with time delays rather than simultaneously. The microprocessor controls the photo-couplers to activate channels one after another, creating the perception of simultaneous stimulation while actually limiting the electric load to single-channel levels at any moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces photo-couplers as intermediary devices between the power supply and electrodes. These photo-couplers act as isolators that allow electrical signals to be transmitted to multiple channels while preventing electrical interference and load multiplication between channels, enabling safe sequential activation.
3Reliability
If separate power supply units are used for each photo-coupler, then channel independence is maintained, but device complexity and energy wastage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate power supply units into a single shared power supply unit that serves all photo-couplers. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant power supply components while maintaining channel independence through the photo-coupler isolation mechanism and microprocessor control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses photo-couplers as intermediary isolation devices that maintain channel independence without requiring separate power supplies. The photo-couplers optically isolate each channel's electrical circuit while allowing signal transmission, enabling a single power supply to safely serve multiple independent channels.
4Area of stationary object
If total output performance is increased to stimulate multiple muscles, then stimulation coverage improves, but energy consumption and electric load on the body increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-multiplexed channel activation where the microprocessor controls sequential activation of multiple channels with time delays. This allows the device to cover multiple muscle groups by activating them in sequence rather than simultaneously, maintaining effective stimulation coverage while limiting power consumption to single-channel levels at any given moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic channel activation where the timing and sequencing of channel activation can be adjusted. The microprocessor controls the photo-couplers to activate different channels at different times, allowing flexible adaptation of stimulation patterns to cover various muscle groups efficiently without requiring all channels to operate at full power simultaneously.
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 solution significantly reduces energy consumption, maintains muscle stimulation efficiency, and allows for simultaneous muscle contractions across the body, achieving comparable results to traditional devices with much lower power usage, making it suitable for treating multiple patients and improving circulation and metabolism.
Implementation Method 1
a photo-coupler, where the electrical source is connected to a single power supply unit, the power supply unit is connected to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor is connected to the photo-couplers and, through the photo-couplers and the channels, to the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a multi-channel physiotherapy device, which is fitted with an electrical source, a power supply unit, a photo-coupler, a microprocessor, and an electrode. It is characterized in that the electrical source is connected to a single power supply unit, the power supply unit is connected to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor is connected to the photo-couplers and, through the photo-couplers and the channels, to the electrodes, the number of which is at least approximately equal to the number of photo-couplers and channels.