Removable Electrode Portions for Adjustable Respiratory Stimulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals with neuromuscular or respiratory disorders experience muscular fatigue and difficulty breathing, particularly during extended periods of inactivity or mechanical ventilation, necessitating innovative methods to stimulate respiratory function.

Innovation Solution

A neuromuscular electrical stimulation system comprising electrodes with removable portions and a controller, which applies electrical signals to abdominal muscles in synchrony with the breathing cycle, adjusting electrode size and position to fit individual subjects, and utilizing a power supply and memory device for customizable treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-size electrode is used, then the electrode structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different subject sizes and respiratory capacity changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode size adaptabilityVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into a main body portion and one or more removable portions that can be separated along perforated sections. This segmentation allows the electrode to be customized in size by removing unnecessary portions, enabling adaptation to different subject sizes and respiratory capacity changes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electrode activation area is reduced for better fit, then the adaptability improves, but the stimulation effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode fit to subjectVSAvoidstimulation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode design maintains a border area surrounding the activation area that remains intact even when removable portions are removed. This border provides consistent electrical contact and stimulation effectiveness at the edges, ensuring reliable stimulation while allowing the activation area to be customized to fit different subjects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances respiratory function by stimulating expiratory muscles effectively, reducing dependence on mechanical ventilation, and providing adaptable treatment options as respiratory capacity changes.

Implementation Method 1

an electrode layer, and a hydrogel layer, and an electrode cable configured to provide an electrical signal to the electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4041371B1Devices for adjusting and tracking respiration-stimulating electrodes

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 LIBERATE MEDICAL LLC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

An electrode for stimulating a neuromuscular response includes a backing layer, an electrode layer, and a hydrogel layer, and an electrode cable configured to provide an electrical signal to the electrode. The electrode is divided into a first removable portion including a first removable activation area, a second removable portion including a second removable activation area, and a main body including a main activation area, the first removable portion is configured to separate from the second removable portion and the main body by a first perforation, and the second removable portion is configured to separate from the main body by a second perforation.