Wireless Electrode Pad Control for Multi-Site Electrical Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical stimulation systems are inconvenient due to their tethered control units, allowing only one treatment at a time and lacking user feedback, and struggle with treating spaced-apart body parts effectively.
Innovation Solution
A wireless electrical stimulation system with remotely controlled electrode pads using fasteners and a transmitter to deliver electrical pulses to multiple areas of the body, featuring a controller that wirelessly manages channels, modes, intensities, and durations, and includes cables for extended reach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional electrical stimulation systems use tethered control units, then the system structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenience and limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tethered connection with a wireless communication system. The control unit communicates with the electrical stimulation unit through wireless signals (RF, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), eliminating the physical cable constraint while maintaining control functionality. This substitution improves ease of operation by allowing free movement while only moderately increasing device complexity through addition of wireless communication modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems allow only one treatment at a time, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability deteriorates due to inability to treat multiple areas simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical stimulation system into multiple independent stimulation units, each capable of delivering treatment to different body areas. The control unit can selectively activate and independently control multiple stimulation units simultaneously through wireless communication, enabling multi-site treatment. This segmentation approach increases adaptability while managing device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed with universal functionality to manage multiple stimulation units through a single wireless interface. It can select different channels, adjust parameters, and control multiple electrodes simultaneously, making the system adaptable to various treatment scenarios without requiring separate dedicated devices for each treatment site.
3Ease of operation
If conventional systems lack user feedback, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of information to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a bidirectional wireless communication system between the control unit and stimulation unit. The stimulation unit transmits status information, treatment parameters, and operational feedback to the control unit, which then presents this information to the user through a display interface. This feedback mechanism improves ease of operation by keeping users informed while using moderate device complexity through wireless data transmission.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrodes are connected directly to stimulation units, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability deteriorates due to difficulty in treating spaced-apart body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical connection between electrodes and stimulation units with wireless communication. The control unit wirelessly transmits control signals to stimulation units that are attached to electrodes at various body locations, enabling treatment of spaced-apart body parts without requiring physical connection between all components. This increases adaptability while adding only moderate device complexity through wireless communication infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical stimulation system and a method for controlling the electrical stimulation system are provided. The electrical stimulation system includes an electrical stimulation unit including at least one first fastener and an electrode pad configured to attach to the at least one first fastener via at least one second fastener located within the electrode pad, where the electrode pad includes at least one electrode. Further, the electrical stimulation system includes a controller remotely controlling the electrical stimulation unit to deliver electrical pulses to the electrode pad connected to the electrical stimulation unit.