Toroidal Induction System for Nerve Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for inducing an electric field in a conducting medium, particularly for medical applications, face challenges in efficiently affecting complex or changing shapes and achieving high electric field intensity with low voltage, while minimizing losses and ensuring safety for the patient.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a complex core with multiple magnetic cores enclosed by an electrically non-conductive encasement capable of reversible shape change, which shapes the induced current flow to maximize entry into the object, using a torus-shaped encasement with independently controlled windings and a low voltage power source to achieve a high electric field intensity for nerve blockage and analgesia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large currents are generated continuously to achieve nerve blockage, then the nerve impulse block effect is achieved, but electrochemical reactions on the electrode surface occur that are harmful to the human body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct electrical contact system (electrodes generating current through tissue) with an electromagnetic induction system (magnetic core inducing electric field in conducting medium). This substitution eliminates the need for direct electrical contact, thereby preventing electrochemical reactions at electrode surfaces while maintaining the nerve blockage effect through induced electric fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conducting medium as an intermediary between the magnetic core and the nerve tissue. The magnetic core induces an electric field in the conducting medium, which then interacts with the nerve tissue. This intermediary approach allows current generation without direct electrode-tissue contact, eliminating harmful electrochemical reactions.
2Power
If magnetic cores are used to induce electric field, then high electric field intensity is obtained with smaller current, but the cores require stiff epoxy paste coating that does not allow tight contact with moving nerve fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the stiff epoxy paste coating with a flexible silicone rubber coating on the magnetic core. This flexible coating can adapt to the movement and changing shape of nerve fibers, maintaining tight contact and effective electromagnetic coupling while allowing the nerve to move freely relative to the core.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the coating from stiff epoxy paste to flexible silicone rubber. This parameter change in material flexibility allows the coating to deform and adapt to moving nerve fibers, maintaining effective contact without restricting nerve movement.
3Power
If multiple magnetic cores are surrounded by conducting medium, then current can be induced, but multiple paths exist for current flow around cores causing unwanted losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible silicone rubber coating on the magnetic cores that acts as an electrical insulator. This coating forces the induced current to flow through the intended path (through the nerve tissue) rather than allowing leakage paths around the cores, thereby reducing unwanted energy losses.
4Device complexity
If the encasement outer surface has small radius of curvature and lacks tangent continuity, then the structure is simple, but the strength of affection on the nerve varies significantly as the nerve moves relative to the core
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the encasement outer surface to have smooth curvature and tangent continuity, eliminating sharp edges and discontinuities. This smooth surface design ensures uniform electromagnetic field distribution and consistent affection strength on the nerve even when the nerve moves relative to the core.
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 system effectively induces a high electric field intensity with low voltage, minimizing losses and ensuring safety by directing the current tangentially around the encasement, allowing for efficient nerve blockage and analgesia with reduced risk of electrochemical reactions.
Implementation Method 1
Systems that generate electric field utilizing the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction described by Faraday's law
Implementation Method 2
a small changing current, which flows through windings that surround them, allows to obtain a high changing magnetization of the core, thus creating a large electromotive force by the means of a high changing magnetic flux
Data Source
AI summary
The subject of the invention is a system for inducing an electric field in a conducting medium, especially for medical applications. The system induces flow of electric current through objects located in the conducting medium, and has a medical application consisting in a nerve impulse block. In one embodiment the system, which may be implantable, comprises a torus-shaped encasement having an electrically non-conductive outer surface and one or more cores, which are optionally locally joined together by a joining material, situated inside the encasement. One or more windings are configured to pass electric current to change magnetic flux, which is substantially confined within the one or more cores and the joining material, if present. In some embodiments the outer surface has geometric continuity of order 1 or higher.