Tactile Stimulation Apparatus with Skin-Adaptive Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for interoceptive tactile stimulation are unable to automatically regulate the stimulation based on the user's skin characteristics, requiring specialized personnel and are not portable for use in different locations or on multiple body parts, limiting their effectiveness and versatility.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an electronic control unit and pressure sensors that adjust the tactile stimulation element's position and force to match optimal parameters for C-Tactile afferents, ensuring consistent stimulation across varying skin conditions, and a portable design allowing use in various locations and on multiple body parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing apparatuses for interoceptive tactile stimulation are used, then tactile stimulation can be provided, but automatic regulation based on skin characteristics is not achieved and specialized personnel are required
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus automatically detects skin characteristics (such as skin thickness and mechanical properties) and adjusts stimulation parameters (force, velocity, frequency) without requiring specialized personnel. The system serves itself by using sensors to monitor skin properties and control algorithms to maintain optimal stimulation parameters throughout the treatment session.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor skin characteristics and provide feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the apparatus dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters to maintain optimal conditions for activating C-Tactile afferents, ensuring automatic regulation adapts to individual user variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing apparatuses are used, then tactile stimulation is provided, but portability for use in different locations and on multiple body parts is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed as a portable, handheld device that can be easily moved to different body parts. The stimulation mechanism is segmented into modular components that allow the device to be applied to various locations on the body while maintaining consistent stimulation quality across different sites.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual regulation of stimulation parameters is used, then specialized control is achieved, but consistency of stimulation parameters across varying skin conditions is not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary detection of skin characteristics before initiating stimulation. By measuring skin thickness, mechanical properties, and other relevant parameters in advance, the system pre-configures optimal stimulation parameters specific to each user's skin conditions, ensuring consistent and precise stimulation throughout the treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes stimulation parameters (force, velocity, frequency) based on detected skin characteristics. The control unit adjusts these parameters in real-time to maintain optimal activation of C-Tactile afferents across varying skin conditions, achieving precision through automated parameter adaptation rather than manual regulation.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is disclosed an apparatus (100) for tactile stimulation of C-Tactile afferents comprising a casing (10) configured to be positioned onto a user's skin and at least one tactile stimulation element (21) carried by the casing (10) and operated by a motor (30) at a controlled velocity for generating at least one tactile stimulation. The apparatus (100) further comprises an electronic control unit (40) and at least one pressure sensor (50) in electrical communication with the electronic control unit (40) to control the pressure force exerted by the tactile stimulation element (21) onto the user's skin by adjusting the position of the tactile stimulation element (21) with respect to the user's skin, based on a feedback signal transmitted by said at least one pressure sensor (50). A method of generating at least one tactile stimulation of C-Tactile afferents carried out by using the aforesaid apparatus (100) is also disclosed.