Pyramidal Protuberance Garment for Neuropathy Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack effective means to stimulate mechanoreception in the hands and feet, which is crucial for maintaining balance, posture, and overall sensory perception, particularly in individuals with peripheral neuropathy.
Innovation Solution
A mechanoreception stimulation garment featuring an interior surface with a plurality of pyramidal, polymeric protuberances that are designed to maintain pressured contact with the wearer's skin, thereby stimulating targeted receptive fields and increasing mechanoreception, blood flow, and skin perfusion pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If textured socks with large nodules are used, then balance control is improved, but the stimulation effectiveness is reduced due to large nodule diameter and wide spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameters of the stimulation elements: reducing nodule diameter from 5-12mm to approximately 2mm, reducing height from not specified to approximately 3mm, and reducing spacing from approximately 200mm apart to approximately 10-20mm apart. These parameter changes transform the ineffective large nodules into effective small nodules that properly stimulate mechanoreceptors while maintaining balance control benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the nodule properties dynamic by using elastomeric material that deforms under pressure. The nodules are designed to be compressible and responsive to applied forces, allowing them to adapt their stimulation characteristics based on the magnitude and distribution of pressure applied to the foot, thereby optimizing mechanoreceptor stimulation across different activity levels
2Reliability
If protuberances are made hard and acuate, then mechanoreception stimulation is improved, but comfort and skin safety may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the protuberances by creating acuate (sharp-pointed) nodules with specific dimensions: approximately 2mm diameter and 3mm height. This geometry concentrates force onto a small area to effectively stimulate mechanoreceptors while the small size prevents excessive pressure concentration that could harm the skin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by embedding the elastomeric nodules within a fabric matrix. The nodules are made of elastomeric material that provides the necessary hardness for stimulation while the fabric surrounding them distributes the contact pressure and prevents direct concentrated force on the skin, thereby maintaining both stimulation effectiveness and skin safety
3Ease of manufacture
If nodule spacing is increased, then manufacturing is simplified, but mechanoreception coverage and stimulation effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the foot surface into multiple small stimulation zones by placing numerous small nodules (approximately 2mm diameter) at close intervals (10-20mm apart). This segmentation approach creates many small receptive field targets rather than relying on few large nodules, ensuring comprehensive coverage of mechanoreceptors across the entire plantar surface while remaining manufacturable through conventional textile techniques
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 garment effectively enhances mechanoreception, balance, and posture by increasing afferent signaling and skin perfusion pressure, which can aid in rehabilitation and reduce fatigue and discomfort in the extremities.
Implementation Method 1
cutaneous receptors in the sole of the foot are sensitive to contact pressures and may be sensitive to potential changes in distribution of pressures across receptive fields
Implementation Method 2
Elastomeric properties of the garment may increase or force contact of the plurality of protuberances with the user's skin
Implementation Method 3
Afferent signals from the small nerves in the plantar surface of the foot, therefore, are known to assist in balance and posture
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanoreception stimulation garment has a plurality of protuberances disposed as pyramidal nodes upon an interior surface of the fabric. The plurality of protuberances are sized, spaced apart, and arranged to target receptive fields in the glabrous innervate skin when the garment is worn. The plurality of protuberances is forced in contact with the wearer's skin when the garment is worn. The mechanoreception stimulation garment therefore increases mechanoreception, perfusion pressure, blood flow, and perception and awareness of the limb or extremity upon which the garment is worn to aid in relief of symptomology of neuropathy and, in some embodiments, assist in maintaining balance when walking or manual prehensility and dexterity in wielding objects by hand.