Disposable TENS Bandage with Segmented Control Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable TENS devices lack simplicity, intuitiveness, and safety, often requiring complex equipment and ineffective or uncomfortable current levels, and are not designed for discreet use under clothing.
Innovation Solution
A portable, disposable bandage with an elongated strip containing a central module with a dashboard, ergonomic side tabs, circular electrodes, and three buttons for controlling current levels, along with a LED for operational indication, allowing users to easily manage pain intensity without complex setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If portable TENS devices use complex electronic control modules and wires, then functional capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a disposable bandage module containing electrodes and a separate reusable control unit. This segmentation allows the complex electronic control module to be reused while the simple disposable bandage provides portability and ease of operation, resolving the contradiction between functional capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bandage is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex reusable electronics in each bandage unit. This allows the system to maintain high functional capability through the reusable control module while keeping individual bandage units simple and portable.
2Reliability
If portable TENS devices use complex equipment, then functional capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides self-service through automatic current level detection and adjustment. The control unit automatically detects skin impedance and adjusts current levels without requiring user interpretation of complex displays or settings, making operation intuitive while maintaining effective TENS therapy functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates feedback mechanisms including LED indicators that provide visual feedback on operational status and current level. This simple feedback system allows users to understand device status at a glance without needing to interpret complex electronic displays, improving ease of operation while maintaining functional capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If current levels are too low, then safety is improved, but therapeutic effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts current levels based on real-time detection of skin impedance and user response. The control unit automatically increases or decreases current levels within safe ranges to achieve therapeutic effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between safety and effectiveness by making current levels adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes electrical parameters including current amplitude, pulse duration, and frequency based on detected skin impedance and therapeutic requirements. This parameter adjustment capability allows the system to maintain safety by staying within acceptable current ranges while achieving therapeutic effectiveness through optimized parameter combinations.
4Reliability
If current levels are too high, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically monitors and adjusts current levels to prevent discomfort or pain. The control unit continuously adapts current amplitude based on skin impedance measurements and user feedback, ensuring therapeutic effectiveness is achieved without exceeding comfort thresholds that would cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses feedback from skin impedance measurements and user responses to automatically adjust current levels. When impedance changes or discomfort is detected, the system reduces current amplitude to prevent harm while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through optimized parameter adjustment.
5Area of stationary object
If bandage dimensions are large, then electrode contact area is improved, but discretion and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bandage uses local quality optimization by concentrating electrode contact area in specific localized regions rather than distributing it uniformly across a large area. This allows sufficient electrode-skin contact for effective current delivery while keeping the overall bandage dimensions small enough for discreet wear under clothing.
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 solution provides a safe, efficient, and discreet means to deliver effective TENS therapy, ensuring comfortable and controlled electrical stimulation, suitable for use under clothing, with intuitive operation and avoidance of ineffective or painful current levels.
Implementation Method 1
a LED for the purpose of indicating that said device is operational when the light is on
Implementation Method 2
two side tabs on the central module, opposite each other, each of said tabs being associated with one of said electrodes, for the purpose of making contact with the user's body
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
ASSEMBLY ARRANGEMENT FOR BANDAGE HOLDING A TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION DEVICE - the present utility model relates to the assembly arrangement for a bandage holding a portable small-scale transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator device.