Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation via Non-Glabrous Skin Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for bladder, bowel, and sexual disorders often involve invasive procedures or painful non-invasive methods, lacking a safe, effective, and efficient option that can be administered without medical professional assistance.
Innovation Solution
A system for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation using electrodes placed on non-glabrous skin surfaces, specifically targeting the posterior tibial nerve, with an electronic control system delivering controlled electrical pulses to treat and monitor conditions like overactive bladder, urge incontinence, and bowel disorders without causing pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive neuromodulation procedures are used to treat bladder, bowel, and sexual disorders, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but surgical complications and expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the flexor retinaculum as a natural intermediary structure to deliver electrical stimulation to the posterior tibial nerve. By placing the electrode on the skin surface overlying the retinaculum, the system mediates between the external environment and the deep nerve, achieving effective neuromodulation without invasive surgery. The retinaculum acts as a natural conduit that transmits the electrical stimulus from the surface electrode to the underlying nerve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive procedure of directly exposing and stimulating the nerve through surgery with an electrical field-based approach. Electrical stimulation delivered through the skin and retinaculum substitutes for the mechanical dissection and direct nerve contact required in invasive procedures, eliminating surgical trauma while maintaining therapeutic effect.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation is used to treat medical conditions, then safety and comfort are improved, but treatment effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the electrical stimulation at a specific anatomical location where the posterior tibial nerve is superficially positioned under the flexor retinaculum. The electrode is placed precisely at this localized site on the medial ankle, creating a focused stimulus zone that maximizes nerve activation while minimizing spread to surrounding tissues, thereby maintaining effectiveness without causing discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by exploiting the unique electrical properties and anatomical positioning of the posterior tibial nerve at the retinaculum site. By adjusting stimulation parameters (voltage, pulse duration, frequency) and leveraging the natural electrical conductivity of the retinaculum, the system achieves effective non-invasive neuromodulation that would not be possible with standard non-invasive approaches.
3Reliability
If traditional treatment methods such as medication and surgery are used, then severe symptoms can be addressed, but compliance and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by designing a non-invasive electrical stimulation system that can be applied by patients themselves without requiring surgical intervention or ongoing medication management. The external electrode and portable stimulator allow patients to independently administer treatment at home, eliminating the need for frequent hospital visits and improving compliance while maintaining effective symptom management.
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 non-invasive, pain-free monitoring and treatment of urinary, bowel, and sexual disorders, allowing for improved quality of life by reducing symptoms such as urinary frequency and incontinence, and can be used by individuals without medical supervision.
Implementation Method 1
transcutaneously delivering electrical nerve stimulation to the subject to stimulate a first target nerve
Data Source
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AI summary
Various systems and methods for non-invasively monitoring and treating a medical condition of interest via transcutaneous stimulation of a target nerve are described. For instance, a subject can be monitored for improvement of a medical condition, where such improvement corresponds with a decrease in the threshold level at which a sensory or motor response is elicited in a subject upon stimulation as compared to a baseline level. Further, transcutaneous stimulation of the nerve can also treat the condition. Both monitoring and treatment can be carried out in a non-invasive manner substantially free of a painful response via electrical nerve stimulation of a target nerve, where the stimulation is delivered from an electrode placed on a non-glabrous skin surface. The electrode placement sufficiently immobilizes the target nerve such that the stimulation is effective and can be delivered in a controlled manner.