Electrical Stimulation Therapy Device with Indifferent Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical stimulation therapy devices for treating urination disorders face inefficiencies in outputting stimulation voltage and require easy attachment of electrodes to achieve effective treatment.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a configuration with body-surface electrode pads and an indifferent electrode pad, using magnetic connections and alternating pulse voltage patterns to efficiently distribute stimulation voltage and facilitate easy attachment, ensuring effective nerve stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the indifferent electrode is disposed at the anterior lower abdomen to ensure reliable current flow, then the electrical current can flow reliably from posterior sacral foramen to anterior sacral foramen, but the stimulation voltage output efficiency is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary component between the voltage source and the electrodes. This capacitor enables efficient voltage output by storing and releasing electrical energy in synchronization with the stimulation pulses, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable current flow and efficient voltage output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pulsing of the voltage source synchronized with the capacitor's charging and discharging cycles. This periodic action allows the capacitor to efficiently transfer energy to the electrodes during each pulse, improving stimulation voltage output efficiency while maintaining reliable current flow through the indifferent electrode configuration.
2Reliability
If the stimulation electrode is attached at an appropriate position to achieve treatment effects, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the attachment process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrodes (stimulation electrode and indifferent electrode) into a single integrated electrode assembly that is applied to the skin as one unit. This merging eliminates the need for precise separate positioning of multiple electrodes, making the attachment process easier while maintaining treatment efficacy through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both the stimulation electrode and indifferent electrode in a single attachment, accommodates different electrode configurations, and simplifies the application process. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between achieving appropriate positioning for treatment effects and ease of attachment.
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 configuration enhances the efficiency of stimulation voltage output and simplifies electrode attachment, leading to improved treatment efficacy for urination disorders by balancing nerve stimulation and reducing electrode deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
an output portion having a D/A converter and a capacitor
Implementation Method 2
using magnetic connections
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Provided is an electric stimulation treatment device which is capable of outputting a stimulation voltage more efficiently than a conventional device. A urination disorder treatment device includes a pair of body-surface electrode pads 37, an indifferent electrode pad 39 which is larger in area than a body-surface electrode pad 37 with a relatively larger area, of the pair of body-surface electrode pads 37, and disposed in the vicinity of the pair of body-surface electrode pads 37, and a control portion 48 which supplies an electric signal to the pair of body-surface electrode pads 37 and the indifferent electrode pad 39. The control portion 48 executes any one of the following processing, that is, (1) a stimulation signal is output from one of the pair of body-surface electrode pads 37 with respect to a reference potential set to an average potential of the other of the pair of body-surface electrode pads 37 and the indifferent electrode pad 39, (2) a stimulation signal is output from both of the pair of body-surface electrode pads 37 with respect to a reference potential set to the indifferent electrode pad 39, or (3) a stimulation signal is output from one of the pair of body-surface electrode pads 37 with respect to a reference potential set to the indifferent electrode pad 39.