Thermo-Electro-Stimulation Probe Head Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional TENS equipment lacks the ability to provide simultaneous heating, cooling, and manual massage, limiting its effectiveness in treating patients as it is not configured to offer various types of stimulation beyond electrical nerve stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held thermo-electro-stimulation probe device that combines electro-stimulation and thermo-stimulation capabilities, using a probe head made of thermally and electrically conductive materials, connected to a temperature control mechanism such as a Peltier circuit or thermally-conductive fluid to apply heating and cooling, and an electro-stimulation unit for comprehensive treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional TENS electrodes are strapped or adhered to patients and fixed to devices, then electrical stimulation can be applied, but the electrodes cannot be effectively used to manually massage the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines manual massage functionality with electrical stimulation by integrating a massage mechanism directly into the TENS device. This allows the same device to perform both massage and electrical nerve stimulation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation for massage and adaptability for multiple treatment modalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The TENS device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both electrical stimulation and manual massage. The device can switch between different treatment modes, making it a universal tool that addresses both electrical nerve stimulation needs and manual massage requirements, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If TENS electrodes are fixed to stimulate a patient, then electrical current can be applied, but other useful types of stimulation cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The device is configured to provide multiple types of stimulation including electrical current, heat, and cold through a single integrated system. This multi-functionality allows the device to offer various therapeutic options without requiring separate devices, thereby improving adaptability while managing device complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges electrical stimulation, heating, and cooling capabilities into a single TENS device. By combining these functions, the device can provide diverse stimulation types without requiring multiple separate devices, thus improving versatility while controlling overall system complexity through integration.
3Reliability
If a probe device combines electro-stimulation and thermo-stimulation capabilities, then treatment efficacy is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electro-stimulation and thermo-stimulation components into a single probe device. This merging of functions enhances treatment efficacy by allowing simultaneous electrical and thermal therapies, while the integrated design manages device complexity through unified structural planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can perform both electrical and thermal stimulation. This universality improves reliability and treatment efficacy by providing comprehensive therapeutic options in one device, while the design approach controls complexity through functional integration rather than separate components.
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 simultaneous heating, cooling, and electro-stimulation, enhancing treatment efficacy by allowing for manual massage and providing a range of therapeutic options, including pain relief, increased blood flow, and reduced swelling, while being easy to use and portable.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature control mechanism includes a thermoelectric device, such as a Peltier circuit that is able to heat and cool the probe head, or vice versa, as current passes through the chip
Implementation Method 2
the temperature control mechanism comprises a mechanism that uses a thermally-conductive fluid to heat and/or cool the probe head
Implementation Method 3
a probe head made with an electrically and thermally conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held probe device capable of providing electro-stimulation and thermo-stimulation to a patient is described herein. While the probe device can include any suitable component, in some instances, it includes a probe head made with an electrically and thermally-conductive material. In some instances, the probe device also includes a temperature control mechanism that is configured to raise and lower a temperature of the probe head. The probe head is also connectable to an electro-stimulation unit (such as a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit) such that the probe head is able to provide electro-stimulation simultaneously with thermo-stimulation. Although the temperature control mechanism can include any suitable component, in some instances, it includes a thermoelectric device, such as a Peltier circuit. Other implementations are also described.