Wireless Adhesive Patch for Pain and Wound Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical stimulation devices for wound and pain treatment are cumbersome, costly, and require technological expertise, limiting their use in home settings and failing to provide customizable treatments for various wound types and pain modalities.
Innovation Solution
A wearable, flexible, wireless adhesive patch with a miniaturized ASIC-based stimulation system, integrated power source, and customizable electrodes, designed for self-contained, user-friendly pain and wound management, capable of sustained or intermittent electrical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stationary electrical stimulation devices are used for wound and pain treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device portability and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/cable-based power and control system with a wireless inductive coupling system. The external base station wirelessly transmits power and control signals to the wearable stimulator through electromagnetic induction, eliminating physical cables and improving portability while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functional components into a nested structure where the battery, control circuitry, and stimulation electrodes are housed within the wearable stimulator body. This compact nested design enables portability while maintaining all necessary treatment functions
2Stability of the object's composition
If external wires and cables are used for powering and controlling stimulation devices, then power supply stability is improved, but patient mobility and device reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with wireless inductive coupling for power transmission and control. This substitution eliminates cable-related failure points while maintaining stable power delivery through the base station's electromagnetic field
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable stimulator incorporates an internal rechargeable battery that autonomously powers the device without requiring continuous external cable connections. The battery enables the device to function independently, improving reliability by eliminating cable-related failures
3Adaptability or versatility
If customizable treatment protocols are implemented for different wound types and pain modalities, then treatment adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the wearable stimulator with a universal control system that can deliver multiple stimulation modalities (TENS, NMES, rTMS) through a single device interface. The base station software provides customizable protocols for different wound types and pain conditions, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (base station) that handles the complexity of treatment protocol customization and control. The base station communicates stimulation parameters wirelessly to the wearable device, isolating the complexity from the patient-facing wearable component
4Volume of moving object
If miniaturized components are used to reduce device size, then portability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (battery, control circuitry, stimulation electrodes, wireless communication module) into a single integrated wearable stimulator unit. This merging reduces the overall device volume and eliminates the need for precise alignment of separate external components, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements
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 solution provides effective pain management and enhanced wound healing in a portable, low-cost, user-friendly format, suitable for various care settings, including home use, with customizable treatment protocols and reduced need for technological expertise.
Implementation Method 1
a power source 50 in electrical connectivity with the stimulation controller 20 and the electrodes 10
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive means 30 for attaching the substrate layer 15 to a treatment surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a thin and flexible device and method of use thereof for pain and wound treatment of a subject. The integrated surface stimulation device may comprise a complete wireless stimulation system in a disposable and/or reusable flexible device for widespread use in multiple therapeutic applications. The invention would be situated on the skin surface of a patient and would be activated so as to reduce the overall occurrence of pain and/or increase wound healing rates. As provided, the device will comprise an integrated power supply and pre-programmable stimulator/control system mounted on the upper face of a flexible polymeric substrate layer. The lower face of the substrate layer will comprise areas of stimulating electrodes, applied using thin film coating techniques. The device can then be applied to the user with a medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive coating provided on the lower face of the substrate layer.