System for modulating nerve activation
Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a layered polymer substrate with electrodes and conductive ink embedded in the substrate. In some embodiments, a prosthetic liner may be bonded onto the polymer substrate. The substrate may include an interconnect coupled to the electrodes via the conductive ink. The system may include a controller (e.g., an electrode controller) in communication with the electrodes via the conductive ink. The electrodes may be activated such that they may stimulate nerve fibers in a user's residual limb.
1 . A system for modulating nerve activation in an external portion of an amputee's skin on an extremity, comprising:
a substrate comprising:
a first polymer layer including a plurality of electrodes configured to be in electrical communication with the external portion of the amputee's skin;
a plurality of conductive traces coupled with the plurality of electrodes, each electrode associated with a respective conductive trace; and
a second polymer layer overlying the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of conductive traces, wherein the plurality of electrodes are embedded relative to an upper surface of the second polymer layer;
an electrode controller configured to:
selectively activate one or more of the plurality of electrodes at one or more select locations with a switching matrix according to one or more inputs;
transmit electrical current through the amputee's skin; and
stimulate nerve fibers in the amputee's skin responsive to transmitting electrical current;
a user device with a user interface and in communication with the electrode controller, the user interface configured to receive the one or more inputs from the amputee, wherein a first input corresponds to sending electrical current to the selectively activated electrode at the one or more select locations and a second input corresponds to a type of electrical stimulation to be effectuated by the selectively activated electrode at the one or more select locations, the type of electrical stimulation comprising at least one of a tapping sensation, a kneading sensation, a rolling sensation, a cupping sensation, and a scraping sensation; and
an interconnect configured for the amputee to interchangeably connect the controller and the substrate when coupled with the plurality of conductive traces.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the substrate is less than 26 mm.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to adapt directly to the plurality of conductive traces.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductive traces are configured to communicate signaling to each electrode from the interconnect, communicate signaling to the interconnect from each electrode, or both.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductive traces are configured to communicate signaling to each electrode from the interconnect and communicate the signaling to the interconnect from each electrode when the substrate is stretched in any direction.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductive traces comprise silver infused nanoparticles, gold infused nanoparticles, a silver coated material, a conductive carbon material, or a combination thereof.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a cooling material, a moisture wicking material, an antimicrobial material, or a combination thereof.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the interconnect is integrated at least partially into the substrate.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises one or more sensors in communication with the external portion of the amputee's skin and configured to receive one or more parameters associated with the substrate, the amputee's skin, or both.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a stretch sensor, a temperature sensor, a movement sensor, a motion sensor, a moisture sensor, an oxygen sensor, a pressure sensor, a bacterial sensor, a vibrational sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a pulse oxygen sensor, a magnetic flux sensor, or a combination thereof.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:
the stretch sensor comprises a piezo resistive sensor;
the movement sensor comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an optical sensor, a hall effect sensor, or a resistive flexion sensor;
the oxygen sensor comprises an optical oximeter;
the pressure sensor comprises a capacitive sensor, a force sensing resistor, an optical sensor, a pneumatic sensor, a strain-gauge sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a piezo chromic sensor; and
the vibrational sensor comprises an accelerometer or a gyroscope.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises one or more sensors in communication with the external portion of the amputee's skin and is configured to receive one or more parameters associated with the substrate, the amputee's skin, or both; and wherein the electrode controller is configured to transmit, to the user device signaling associated with feedback from the one or more sensors.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductive traces terminate at an end of the substrate and wherein the interconnect is configured to connect with the conductive traces with one or more crimps or pins.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductive traces terminate at respective openings in the substrate, wherein the interconnect is configured to connect with the plurality of conductive traces using the openings.
15 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a power source coupled with the interconnect and configured to power the plurality of electrodes.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is configured to be trimmable to a desired length during use by the amputee.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the interconnect is configured to connect with the substrate with one or more crimps or pins after the substrate has been trimmed by the amputee.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the activated electrodes pulse electrical current with an amplitude up to 150 milliamperes.
19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductive traces are screen-printed on the first layer and the second layer is screen-printed on the plurality of conductive traces and the plurality of electrodes.
20 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is configured to overlap an outer surface of a residual limb of an amputee and the system is for modulating nerve activation in the residual limb.
21 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is configured for attachment to a prosthetic liner.
22 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the interconnect comprises one or more controller connections for connecting with the electrode controller and one or more substrate connections for connecting with the substrate.
23 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an algorithm activates one or more of the plurality of electrodes with the switching matrix according to a user feedback from the amputee on the user interface.
24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the user feedback is pain feedback, mental health feedback, or preferred setting feedback.
25 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a first subset of the plurality of electrodes at a first select location effectuates a first sensation and a second subset of the plurality of electrodes at a second select location effectuates a second sensation.