Wearable Nerve Stimulator with Sensor Feedback for Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive nerve stimulators rely solely on patient perception for positioning and intensity, leading to suboptimal stimulation and decreased patient compliance due to lack of objective progress tracking.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a stimulator with an electrode configured for transcutaneous energy transmission and a positioning device, such as a collar with adhesive electrodes, to maintain optimal electrode placement and ensure sufficient pressure for effective nerve stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patient self-positioning is used for nerve stimulation, then device simplicity and ease of use are improved, but positioning accuracy and stimulation effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors to detect electrode contact quality and provides real-time feedback to the patient through a mobile device. This feedback loop enables patients to self-correct positioning without requiring complex mechanical guidance structures, thus maintaining ease of use while improving positioning accuracy through intelligent feedback rather than mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning guidance systems with an electronic sensing and feedback system. Instead of using complex mechanical aligners or guides, the system uses sensors to detect electrode placement quality and communicates with the patient via electronic feedback, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic intelligence
2Device complexity
If patient self-monitoring is used for therapy progress, then device simplicity is improved, but measurement accuracy and treatment effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors therapy parameters and nerve stimulation effectiveness through sensors, providing objective feedback data to the patient via a mobile device. This feedback mechanism enables accurate progress tracking without requiring complex monitoring infrastructure, as the electronic sensors and communication system provide precise measurements while maintaining device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the stimulation device and the patient. It receives raw data from the stimulation device's sensors, processes this information, and presents it to the patient in an understandable format, thereby enabling accurate measurement and interpretation without adding complexity to the core stimulation system
3Ease of operation
If adhesive electrodes are used for skin contact, then ease of application is improved, but contact pressure and current transmission reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes sensors that detect the quality of electrode-skin contact and provide real-time feedback to the patient. When the patient applies insufficient pressure, the feedback mechanism alerts them to increase pressure, ensuring reliable current transmission while maintaining the simplicity of adhesive electrode application. This feedback loop compensates for the inherent limitation of adhesive electrodes regarding contact pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts electrical parameters such as current amplitude based on detected contact quality. When sensors indicate poor contact, the system increases the current parameter to compensate, ensuring consistent stimulation effectiveness. This parameter adaptation allows the use of simple adhesive electrodes while maintaining reliable current transmission through variable electrical parameters
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 optimizes nerve stimulation by ensuring accurate electrode placement and consistent pressure, improving treatment effectiveness and patient compliance by providing objective feedback on therapy progress.
Implementation Method 1
The energy source is configured to generate at least one electrical impulse and to transmit the electrical impulse transcutaneously from the electrode through the outer skin surface of the user to a selected nerve in the user
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods are provided for delivering electrical impulses to bodily tissues for therapeutic purposes. A system for stimulating a nerve within a patient comprises a stimulator having an electrode configured for contacting the outer skin surface at, or near the target location and an energy source coupled to the stimulator, The energy source is configured to generate at least one electrical impulse and to transmit the electrical impulse transcutaneously from the electrode through the outer skin surface of the patient to a selected nerve in the patient adjacent to, or near, the target location. The system may include a wearable treatment device designed to optimize placement of the electrode at the target site.