Wearable Electrotherapy Garment with Segmented Electrodes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrotherapy devices for pain treatment often fail to provide effective, non-invasive, and comfortable relief due to limitations in delivering therapeutic electric currents to specific pain sites, leading to inadequate pain management and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A wearable garment system with differently applied frequency-separated electrotherapy, utilizing at least two electrodes to deliver individually generated and amplified oscillating currents, creating a therapeutic electric field that interferes with nerve impulse transmission, thereby reducing pain through hyperpolarization, gate control, increased blood flow, and release of endorphins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional electrotherapy devices are used to deliver therapeutic current, then pain treatment function is provided, but device portability and user comfort are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain treatment effectivenessVSAvoiduser comfort and portability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by incorporating electrodes directly into a flexible garment that can be worn on the body. The garment includes conductive elements integrated into the fabric, allowing the electrotherapy device to be portable and comfortable while maintaining treatment effectiveness. The flexible nature of the garment enables it to conform to body contours, improving both comfort and electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Measurement precision

If multiple electrodes are used to target specific pain sites, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain site targeting accuracyVSAvoidelectrode configuration and connection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by designing a garment that can serve multiple functions: it acts as both clothing and an electrotherapy device. The garment includes multiple electrodes that can be activated selectively to target different pain sites, but the same garment structure is used regardless of which electrodes are active. This reduces complexity by using a universal platform for different treatment configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies this principle by dividing the garment into multiple electrode zones or segments that can be independently controlled. Each electrode or electrode pair can be activated separately to target specific pain sites, allowing precise treatment while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. The segmented approach enables selective activation of only the necessary electrodes for each treatment scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If high frequency alternating current is used for electrotherapy, then therapeutic effect is enhanced, but energy consumption and potential discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption of electrotherapy device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using alternating current at specific frequencies that produce therapeutic effects through periodic stimulation of nerve and muscle tissue. The alternating current reverses direction periodically, creating a rhythmic stimulation pattern that can be optimized for pain relief while controlling energy consumption. The frequency can be selected to match physiological rhythms for enhanced therapeutic effect with minimal energy use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 provides effective pain relief by blocking pain signals, increasing blood flow, and promoting healing, with comfortable treatment sensations and improved patient compliance, offering relief for both acute and chronic pain.

Implementation Method 1

The at least two electrodes may be configured to deliver a therapeutic signal from an electrotherapeutic device via the electrode connectors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

creating a therapeutic electric field that interferes with nerve impulse transmission, thereby reducing pain through hyperpolarization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHyperpolarization:

Data Source

PatentUS20240066287A1Wearable systems for an electrotherapy device

Publication Date: 2024.02.29 BIOWAVE CORP

AI summary

In some embodiments, a wearable garment includes a flexible material configured to wrap around a portion of a user's body. The flexible material may include an interior surface configured to contact the user's body. The flexible material may also include an opposite exterior surface. The wearable garment may also include at least two electrodes positioned at the interior surface and may be configured to contact a targeted part of the user's body. The wearable garment may also include an electrode connector for each of the at least two electrodes positioned at the exterior surface. The electrode connectors may be operably connected to a respective electrode of the at least two electrodes. The at least two electrodes may be configured to deliver a therapeutic signal from an electrotherapeutic device via the electrode connectors for each of the at least two electrodes. Other wearable garments and methods are also provided.