Pulsed Electrical Stimulation for Hemorrhage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing and controlling hemorrhages, especially in non-compressible wounds and surgical settings, face challenges such as thermal damage and inefficiency in reducing blood loss, necessitating a quick and effective method to modulate blood flow without causing tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

The use of electrical stimulation through electrodes connected to a pulse generator, applied to arteries and veins to induce vasoconstriction, with adjustable pulse duration, amplitude, and frequency, to prevent or control hemorrhages by reducing blood flow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct electric current is applied to induce thrombosis in a clamped blood vessel, then hemorrhage control is achieved, but thermal damage occurs that precludes clinical use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemorrhage control effectivenessVSAvoidthermal damage to tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of electrical stimulation from continuous direct current to pulsed electrical stimulation with specific pulse durations (10-500 milliseconds), frequencies (1-100 Hz), and voltages (10-100 Volts). This parameter modification enables thrombosis induction without excessive thermal damage, making the technique clinically viable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic pulsed electrical stimulation instead of continuous current application. The pulsed nature with inter-pulse intervals allows tissue cooling between pulses, reducing cumulative thermal damage while maintaining effective thrombosis induction through repeated stimulation cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If tourniquets are applied to compressible hemorrhages, then limb exsanguination is reduced, but non-compressible hemorrhages remain untreated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemorrhage control effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to different hemorrhage types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops an electrical stimulation system that can treat both compressible and non-compressible hemorrhages through a single mechanism. By applying electrical stimulation upstream of the hemorrhage site regardless of location or compressibility, the system provides universal hemorrhage control applicable to various wound types and anatomical regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses electrical stimulation as an intermediary mechanism to achieve hemorrhage control without direct mechanical compression. The electrical stimulus acts as a mediator that induces vasoconstriction and thrombosis upstream of the hemorrhage, indirectly controlling bleeding without requiring direct contact with or compression of the wounded area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If electrical stimulation is used to induce vasoconstriction, then blood flow is reduced effectively, but pulse parameters must be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow reduction efficiencyVSAvoidpulse parameter control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the electrical stimulation system with self-regulating characteristics where the biological tissue itself provides feedback. The vasoconstriction response and subsequent electrical impedance changes in the tissue automatically modulate the stimulation effect, reducing the need for complex external control systems while maintaining effective blood flow reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach allows for rapid and reversible modulation of blood flow, effectively reducing blood loss in hemorrhages without causing thermal damage, and can be applied in both traumatic and surgical contexts.

Implementation Method 1

the electrical stimulus is effective to cause vasoconstriction in said artery or said vein and thereby prevent said anticipated hemorrhage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVasoconstriction:

Data Source

PatentUS11517749B2Methods and apparatuses for stimulating blood vessels in order to control, treat, and/or prevent a hemorrhage

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 SHARMA VIRENDER K

AI summary

Methods of preventing, treating, and/or controlling a hemorrhage in an organ of a patient include providing electrical stimulation to the arteries, veins, nerves innervating the arteries or veins, or walls of the organ. The apparatus has at least one electrode operably connected to a stimulus generator and placed in electrical communication with an artery, vein, nerve, or organ wall. An electrical stimulus generator causes an electrical stimulus to be administered to the artery, vein, nerve, or wall through the at least one electrode, where the electrical stimulus is effective for preventing, treating, and/or controlling a hemorrhage.