Polymer Electrode Substrate for Residual Limb Nerve Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Amputees suffer from phantom limb pain, phantom limb syndrome, residual limb pain, and muscular atrophy, which are often debilitating and difficult to manage with existing treatments that have negative side effects and limited effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A polymer substrate with embedded electrodes and conductive ink is used to stimulate nerve fibers in the residual limb, modulating nerve activation through electrical current transmission, mimicking natural sensory inputs to alleviate symptoms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pain medications (NSAIDs, opioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, muscle relaxants) are used to manage phantom limb pain and related symptoms, then temporary relief is achieved, but negative side effects and decreased effectiveness over time occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of pain managementVSAvoidnegative side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pharmacological interventions with electrical stimulation therapy. The system uses an array of electrodes to deliver controlled electrical currents that directly modulate nerve activity, substituting chemical medication mechanisms with physical electrical fields to achieve pain relief without drug-related side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts electrical stimulation parameters including amplitude, pulse width, frequency, and electrode selection based on real-time feedback from sensory receptors. This adaptive parameter modification allows the therapy to maintain effectiveness over time and prevent tolerance development that plagues traditional medications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If complementary therapies (acupuncture, massage, mirror box therapy, biofeedback, psychological therapy) are used to improve functional outcome and well-being, then quality of life is enhanced, but the underlying neural mechanisms driving the pain are not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of life and functional outcomeVSAvoidaddressing underlying neural mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates real-time feedback from sensory receptors in the residual limb to dynamically adjust electrical stimulation patterns. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to directly modulate neural activity based on actual physiological responses, thereby addressing the underlying neural mechanisms while improving functional outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the residual limb itself to provide diagnostic and therapeutic information through its sensory receptors. The neural tissue actively participates in the therapy by generating feedback signals that guide the stimulation, making the treatment adaptive to the patient's specific neural condition without requiring external interpretation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If an array of electrodes with conductive ink is embedded in a polymer substrate to stimulate nerve fibers, then effective pain relief is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of nerve stimulationVSAvoidcomplexity of electrode substrate system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functional components into a single unified substrate structure. The polymer substrate simultaneously provides mechanical support, electrical insulation, and houses the electrode array with conductive ink traces, eliminating the need for separate structural and electrical components that would increase complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effective relief for phantom limb pain and related symptoms by stimulating nerve fibers, reducing pain signals and promoting a perception of a functional limb, potentially eliminating or decreasing these conditions.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting electrical current through the residual limb, with a controller in electrical communication with each electrode via the conductive ink, stimulates nerve fibers in the residual limb

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260054067A1System for modulating nerve activation

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 JSG IP VENTURES LLC

AI summary

Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a layered polymer substrate with electrodes and conductive ink embedded in the substrate. In some embodiments, a prosthetic liner may be bonded onto the polymer substrate. The substrate may include an interconnect coupled to the electrodes via the conductive ink. The system may include a controller (e.g., an electrode controller) in communication with the electrodes via the conductive ink. The electrodes may be activated such that they may stimulate nerve fibers in a user's residual limb.