Neuromuscular stimulation cuff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neuromuscular stimulation cuffs are unable to receive thought signals directly, lack flexible positioning over multiple stimulation points, and fail to accommodate a wide range of patient appendage geometries while maintaining adherence to the skin, limiting their ability to restore complex muscular movements.
Innovation Solution
A neuromuscular stimulation cuff with a flexible design, including a plurality of electrodes on flexible fingers and an array of electrogel discs, capable of receiving thought signals and delivering targeted neuromuscular stimulation to accommodate varying patient geometries and enhance electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid structure is used for the stimulation cuff, then the electrode positioning is precise, but the cuff cannot accommodate varying patient appendage geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff is divided into multiple flexible segments or fingers that can independently bend and conform to the patient's appendage shape. Each segment contains electrodes that maintain precise positioning relative to the underlying muscle tissue while the overall structure adapts to varying geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff employs a flexible substrate material that allows the structure to bend and conform to curved surfaces of patient appendages. This flexibility enables accommodation of varying geometries while maintaining electrode contact with the skin and underlying muscles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cuff is made flexible to accommodate varying geometries, then adaptability improves, but electrode positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cuff is segmented into multiple independent elements that can be precisely positioned on specific muscle groups. Each segment maintains controlled electrode spacing and orientation while allowing overall flexibility to wrap around different appendage shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff design allows dynamic adjustment of electrode positioning through flexible elements that can be configured or repositioned based on the specific patient anatomy and target muscle groups, maintaining precision while adapting to varying geometries.
3Reliability
If standard adhesive is used to attach the cuff, then the manufacturing is simple, but the cuff cannot maintain adherence during stimulation-induced movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff utilizes a flexible adhesive layer integrated into the substrate that conforms to the skin surface and maintains contact during movement. The flexible nature of the adhesive allows it to accommodate skin tension and movement without losing adherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism employs composite materials combining flexible adhesive with elastic or粘性 elements that provide both initial adhesion and continuous contact pressure during movement, ensuring reliable adherence without complex mechanical fastening systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fewer electrodes are used in the cuff, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to selectively stimulate individual muscles or muscle groups is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is segmented into multiple independent groups or columns that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows targeted stimulation of specific muscle groups by activating only the relevant electrode segments, reducing the need for a complete array of individually controlled electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff design allows selective activation of subsets of electrodes based on the specific therapeutic need. Not all electrodes need to be active simultaneously; partial activation of electrode groups provides sufficient selectivity for individual muscle or muscle group stimulation while reducing overall system complexity.
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 cuff allows for precise neuromuscular stimulation by decoding thought signals to effectuate intended actions, providing enhanced adherence and flexibility for complex muscle movements, even on damaged or degenerative regions.
Implementation Method 1
an array of electrogel discs which provide enhanced electrical contact
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure describes systems, methods, devices for performing thought-controlled neuromuscular stimulation. Also described are methods for producing a neuromuscular stimulation cuff. The systems and methods generally relate to receiving and processing thought signals indicative of an intended action, and then delivering stimulation to effectuate the intended action through a neuromuscular stimulation cuff. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff includes a flexible printed circuit board having at least one finger and a plurality of electrogel discs disposed on the at least one finger. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff may be produced by providing a layer of polyimide, etching a conductive copper circuit including a plurality of electrodes into the layer of polyimide to form an etched circuit layer, adhering a cover layer onto the etched circuit layer to form a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), and cutting at least one finger from the flexible PCB. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff employs a flexible multi-electrode design which allows for reanimation of complex muscle movements in a patient, including individual finger movement.