Transcranial Stimulation Electrode Array for Uniform Current Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) systems face issues with uneven current distribution across electrodes due to improper placement or uneven conducting gel distribution, leading to ineffective treatment and patient discomfort, which can go unnoticed without patient feedback.
Innovation Solution
A system with a control arrangement and electrode drive arrangement that includes a plurality of electrodes in a two-dimensional or one-dimensional array configuration, capable of individually controlling and monitoring each electrode element to ensure even current distribution, using conductivity and impedance tests to verify and adjust current densities before stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional tDCS electrodes are used without individual element control, then the device complexity is low, but the current distribution uniformity deteriorates leading to ineffective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode elements arranged in arrays. Each element can be individually addressed and controlled by the electrode drive arrangement, allowing selective activation and independent current density control to achieve uniform current distribution across the electrode surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electrode surface are treated differently through individual element control. The system can adjust current density locally at each electrode element based on measured conductivity and impedance, ensuring optimal current distribution in each region rather than treating the entire electrode uniformly.
2Reliability
If electrode placement and gel distribution are not monitored, then the ease of operation is high, but the treatment reliability deteriorates due to uneven current distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The control arrangement performs conductivity and impedance tests of the electrode elements before commencing transcranial stimulation. This preliminary measurement and verification step ensures proper electrode placement and adequate gel distribution is achieved before actual treatment begins, preventing ineffective treatment without adding complex real-time monitoring during stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode drive arrangement individually monitors each electrode element during operation, providing feedback on current distribution. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and correct uneven current distribution by adjusting individual element activation, ensuring treatment reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If patient discomfort is relied upon for detection, then the measurement system is simple, but the detection precision deteriorates as discomfort may not be reported
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode elements perform self-verification through automated conductivity and impedance testing by the control arrangement. Each electrode element is individually tested to verify proper function and current distribution before and during treatment, eliminating reliance on patient subjective feedback while avoiding complex external monitoring equipment.
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 ensures even current distribution across electrodes to within 10% variation, providing effective and comfortable tDCS treatment by indicating and allowing adjustment of current densities, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the control arrangement is configured to perform conductivity and/or impedance tests of the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of electrode elements when in contact with skin of the subject
Implementation Method 2
The constant current output flows from the anode through a skull and brain of the person and thereafter to the cathode, creating an electrical circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a system for transcranial stimulation of a subject, wherein the system includes an electrode arrangement including a plurality of electrodes coupled to at least one electrode drive arrangement, wherein the plurality of electrodes are operable to contact onto skin of the subject, for example a head region of the subject, wherein at least one electrode includes a plurality of electrode elements which are operable in combination to deliver a current of their corresponding at least one electrode to the subject, and wherein the at least one electrode drive arrangement is arranged to excite and/or monitor in operation the electrode elements in an individually controlled and/or monitored manner, and the at least one electrode drive arrangement is operable substantially to even out current distribution between the plurality of electrode elements of the at least one electrode when in contact onto skin of the head region of the subject.