Segmented Perineal Probe for Precise Muscle Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing perineal probes lack the ability to precisely select and stimulate specific muscle groups, leading to ineffective treatment of incontinence issues.
Innovation Solution
A perineal probe with a main body and supporting rod, featuring strategically positioned and shaped electrodes that allow for independent control and monitoring of muscle stimulation, enabling precise targeting of the pubococcygeus and puborectalis muscles through selective electrode stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional circularly symmetric probes with metal electrodes are used, then the device structure is simple and economical, but the ability to precisely select and stimulate specific muscle groups is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The probe divides the electrode surface into multiple distinct zones (anodal, cathodal, neutral) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows selective stimulation of different muscle groups by activating specific electrode zones, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity by organizing complexity into functional segments rather than a monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electrode surface are assigned different electrical properties (anodal, cathodal, neutral) to create local quality variations. This enables precise targeting of specific muscle groups by applying appropriate electrical characteristics to specific locations, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional probes with unilateral or flat electrodes are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the treatment effectiveness for specific muscle groups is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The probe incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable electrode configurations that can be dynamically adjusted during treatment. This allows the same simple probe structure to be adapted for different treatment scenarios and muscle groups, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving treatment effectiveness through flexible configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe utilizes variable electrical parameters (polarity, intensity, duration) that can be changed without physical modification to the device. By changing these parameters, the same simple probe structure can effectively treat different muscle groups, achieving high reliability without complex manufacturing requirements.
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
Enables precise and localized treatment of muscle groups, allowing for tailored stimulation programs that improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes by selectively stimulating different muscles.
Implementation Method 1
detect electromyographic activity using EMG (electromyography)
Implementation Method 2
administer electrical stimulation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
A perineal probe (1) comprising a main axis (1 a) coinciding with the direction of insertion of said probe (1) and a main body (2), the main body (2) comprising: a lower surface (3a), an upper surface (3b), opposite said lower surface (3a), a lateral surface (4), extending between the lower surface (3a) and the upper surface (3b) and comprising two opposite main portions (4a) substantially parallel to the main axis (1 a), at least two lower electrodes (5), arranged on the lower surface (3a) and reciprocally separated along said main axis (1 a), at least two lateral electrodes (6) arranged along said main portions (4a) of said lateral surface (4).