Wearable Therapy Device With Sensor-Triggered Acupressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices lack the capability to provide effective therapy in response to changes in physiological parameters such as stress and anxiety, and there is a need for alternative devices that can measure and respond to these changes.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with inflatable bladders, vibration motors, and thermal elements that apply pressure and provide haptic therapy, coupled with sensors to measure physiological parameters, and a controller to activate these components in response to user input or triggers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wearable device only measures physiological parameters, then the device complexity is low, but the device cannot provide therapy to treat stress, anxiety, nausea, etc.
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple therapy delivery mechanisms (inflatable bladders for pressure therapy, vibration motors for vibration therapy, thermal elements for thermal therapy) into a single wearable device platform that also includes physiological sensors. This merging approach enables the device to provide comprehensive therapy capabilities while sharing common infrastructure components like the controller, power supply, and wearable support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both physiological parameter measurement and multiple types of therapy delivery. The controller can operate in different modes (measurement mode and therapy mode) and the same hardware platform supports various therapy modalities, making the device universally applicable for both monitoring and treatment purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wearable device includes multiple therapy components (inflatable bladders, vibration motors, thermal elements), then the therapy capability is comprehensive, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The therapy delivery system is segmented into distinct functional modules: inflatable bladders for pressure therapy, vibration motors for vibration therapy, and thermal elements for thermal therapy. Each module can be independently controlled by the controller, allowing selective activation of specific therapy modalities as needed. This segmentation enables comprehensive therapy capability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the controller can adjust therapy parameters in real-time based on physiological feedback. The inflatable bladders can be inflated/deflated dynamically, vibration motors can vary vibration intensity and frequency, and thermal elements can adjust temperature levels. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to provide personalized therapy while efficiently managing complexity through software control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device provides both measurement and therapy functions, then the device versatility is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to multiple modes and controls
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses physiological sensors to continuously monitor the user's physiological parameters and provides feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of therapy parameters and can trigger therapy delivery based on detected physiological states. The system can operate in automatic mode where the controller makes decisions based on sensor input, reducing the operational burden on the user while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device is designed to autonomously perform measurement and therapy delivery functions without requiring constant user intervention. The controller automatically switches between measurement mode and therapy mode based on programmed conditions, and the therapy components self-regulate based on physiological feedback. This self-service capability simplifies operation while preserving advanced functionality.
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 device effectively provides therapy by applying pressure, vibration, and heat to acupressure points, while simultaneously measuring physiological parameters like heart rate and blood pressure, offering a comprehensive response to stress and anxiety.
Implementation Method 1
An air inflator moves air into the plurality of inflatable bladders to inflate the plurality of inflatable bladders and apply pressure to one or more acupressure points of the user during pressure therapy
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of vibration motors are coupled to the wearable support to generate vibrations to be felt by the user during vibration therapy
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of thermal elements are coupled to the wearable support to provide heat to the user during thermal therapy
Data Source
AI summary
Wearable devices can be used to provide therapy to users and/or to monitor various physiological parameters of the user. In some cases, therapy can be triggered automatically based on the monitored physiological parameters reaching or exceeding predefined thresholds.