Self-Regulating Iontophoresis Patch Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostimulation and iontophoresis devices risk causing thermal or chemical burns due to high current densities, despite initial skin parameter measurements and voltage adjustments, as they fail to adapt in real time to changes in skin resistivity and temperature.
Innovation Solution
A self-regulating device with a patch and voltage generator system that continuously monitors skin resistivity and temperature, adjusting the voltage in real time to prevent burns by using a microprocessor-controlled system with multiple electrodes and contact points to distribute current and limit density, ensuring safety without compromising effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If voltage is increased to improve treatment effectiveness, then electrostimulation and iontophoresis efficacy is improved, but risk of thermal or chemical burns increases due to high current densities
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts voltage in real-time based on measured skin resistivity changes. The voltage generator is controlled to vary output voltage according to the relationship between applied voltage, current, and skin resistivity, ensuring treatment effectiveness while preventing burn conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements a feedback control system where skin resistivity is continuously measured and used to adjust the applied voltage. The microprocessor monitors the relationship between voltage, current, and resistivity, and automatically adjusts parameters to maintain safe operating conditions while achieving treatment goals.
2Reliability
If initial skin parameters are measured and voltage is adjusted, then safety is improved, but real-time adaptation to skin changes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device continuously measures skin resistivity throughout the treatment period rather than only at the start. This continuous monitoring enables real-time detection of skin condition changes and allows the control system to adjust voltage parameters accordingly, maintaining both safety and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously monitors its own operating conditions by measuring skin resistivity and automatically adjusts voltage parameters without external intervention. The microprocessor-controlled system self-regulates to maintain optimal and safe treatment conditions throughout the application period.
3Productivity
If current density is increased to improve treatment efficacy, then iontophoresis efficiency is improved, but skin lesion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes operating parameters dynamically by adjusting voltage based on measured skin resistivity. By maintaining the relationship between voltage, current, and resistivity within safe boundaries, the system optimizes iontophoresis efficiency while preventing current densities that would cause skin lesions.
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 device ensures increased safety by continuously adapting current density and depth of penetration, preventing burns while maintaining treatment efficacy through real-time monitoring and control of skin resistivity and temperature, ensuring reliable and efficient application.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage generator adapted to apply a low-intensity current through the skin of the user via a system of electrodes located in the patch
Implementation Method 2
an element for measuring the resistance of the skin the value of the resistance allowing said self-regulator to calculate in real time the value of the resistivity of the skin
Implementation Method 3
a self-regulator which varies the voltage supplied by the voltage generator as a function of the resistivity of the user's skin under the patch
Data Source
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AI summary
The application relates to an electrical stimulation and/or iontophoresis device including a patch (10) suitable for being applied onto the skin (12) of a user, and a voltage generator (22) suitable for applying a low-power current through the skin of the user via a system of electrodes located in said patch. Said device is characterized in that it includes a self-regulator (16) that varies the voltage provided by the voltage generator on the basis of the continuous measurement of the resistivity of the skin of the user under said patch. The resistivity measurement results from the skin resistance value provided by an element (24) for measuring skin resistance.