Vibrating Tip for Skin Piercing Pain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing pain during skin piercing, such as injections or fluid removal, are cumbersome and time-consuming, and often fail to effectively eliminate pain, especially in medical and dental procedures.
Innovation Solution
A handheld tool with a disposable vibrating tip that applies vibration to the skin or tissue area at the injection site, using a motor-driven mechanism to transmit vibrations through a polycarbonate light rod, which can be configured in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different body parts, and includes features to prevent reuse and ensure hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration is applied to reduce pain during skin piercing, then pain reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration directly to the skin or tissue at the injection site using a handheld tool with a vibrating tip. The vibration frequency and amplitude are controlled to interfere with pain signal transmission while remaining comfortable for the patient, thereby reducing pain during skin piercing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibration as an intermediary mechanism between the piercing procedure and the patient's pain perception. The vibrating tip acts as a mediator that modulates nerve conduction and gate control pain signals, creating a buffer between the noxious stimulus and the patient's pain experience.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a handheld vibrating tool is used, then pain reduction effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrating tip is designed to be self-contained and automatically activated when engaged with the patient's skin. The device self-regulates vibration delivery without requiring complex manual controls from the operator, simplifying the operation while maintaining pain reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld tool is designed with a universal application approach, where the vibrating tip can be used across various skin piercing procedures (injections, venipuncture, etc.) without requiring different devices or complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration frequency is increased to improve pain relief, then pain reduction is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration is delivered in periodic cycles rather than continuous operation. The device alternates between vibration phases and rest phases, allowing energy recovery and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective pain relief during the active vibration periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adjusts vibration frequency and amplitude parameters based on the procedure requirements and patient response. By optimizing these parameters rather than operating at maximum frequency continuously, the device achieves effective pain relief with reduced energy consumption.
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 tool significantly reduces pain during injections and other skin-piercing procedures by stimulating nerve conduction, making the process more comfortable and efficient, with the ability to be used in various medical, veterinary, and dental applications.
Implementation Method 1
A handheld tool with a disposable vibrating tip that applies vibration to the skin or tissue area at the injection site, using a motor-driven mechanism to transmit vibrations through a polycarbonate light rod
Data Source
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AI summary
An instrument is applied to body tissue of a body part to produce vibration to thereby reduce pain of injection or other pain producing stimulus. The device has a frame, and a source of vibration connected to the frame. A removable tip is connectable to the frame which has a distal end that is connected to the source of vibration when the tip is connected to the frame, to thereby vibrate the distal end when the source of vibration is activated. At the distal end of the tip are mutually facing arms which define an opening between them. Each arm forms a projection which extends at an angle from the arm. The projections are shaped to fit the body part so that the arms and projections are sized and dimensioned to position, retain, and transmit vibration to the body part in a position proximate the opening.