Forehead Trigeminal Stimulator With Pulse Intensity Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices lack systems for monitoring stimulation intensity, leading to potential dysfunction without user notification and lack of awareness of treatment efficiency and compliance.
Innovation Solution
A device with integrated measurement means to monitor and adjust electric pulse intensity, featuring an elongated symmetrical support with electrode pairs, self-adhesive conductive gel, and an electric circuit that stops operation if intensity deviates, providing auditory feedback and recording treatment parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TENS devices are used for pain relief, then pain reduction is achieved, but there is no monitoring of stimulation intensity leading to potential dysfunction without user notification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a measurement means that continuously monitors the intensity of electric pulses supplied to the electrodes and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the device to detect deviations from predefined intensity ranges and automatically stop operation or alert the user, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable pain relief and lack of intensity monitoring.
2Ease of operation
If TENS devices apply electric pulses to trigger nerves, then pain relief is achieved, but there is no measurement of pulse intensity allowing undetected dysfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates measurement means that preliminarily measures the intensity of electric pulses before they are applied to the electrodes. This preliminary measurement ensures that the pulses will be within the effective range for pain relief while preventing potential harm from excessive intensity, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
3Duration of action of moving object
If continuous TENS stimulation is applied, then pain management is maintained, but energy consumption increases without monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement means provides continuous feedback on pulse intensity during TENS stimulation, enabling the control unit to monitor energy consumption in real-time. This allows for optimized continuous pain management by adjusting or stopping stimulation when intensity deviations occur, preventing unnecessary energy waste while maintaining effective pain relief.
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
Ensures continuous monitoring and energy efficiency, alerts users to device issues, and allows health professionals to adapt treatment parameters based on recorded data, enhancing treatment effectiveness and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the electrodes being in contact with a self-adhesive conductive gel applied to the surface of the support
Implementation Method 2
at least one measurement means for measuring the intensity of the supplied pulses, said measurement means being connected to the electric circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve is provided. The device has an elongated symmetrical support with at least one electrode pair, and the support can be applied on a person's forehead in the supraorbital region to cover the afferent paths of the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Each electrode pair contacts a self-adhesive conductive gel that at least partially covers one surface of the support for attaching the support to the forehead to be applied to two lateral zones with the exception of an insulating central zone. Each lateral zone has one electrode of the electrode pair, an electric circuit for supplying to the electrode pair electric pulses that have a predefined intensity, and a measurement means for measuring the intensity of the supplied pulses that is connected to the electric circuit.