Abstract

This paper presents an experimental chronic pain rehabilitation therapy utilizing vibration-based stimulation of the hand, wrist and lower arm, which has shown promise in reducing pain ratings in chronic pain patients (n=5) over a six-week treatment period. Based on the clinical need and practical use discoveries of that first trial, this paper outlines the development of a second-generation device that activates specific nerves through vibrotactile stimulation applied to the skin. Several major steps in this process were the iterative design process, physical prototyping, conceptual modeling, and benchtop testing. Furthermore, this next generation device was tested with epilepsy patients undergoing invasive monitoring (stereotactic electroencephalography, sEEG) to collect electrophysiological measurements via implanted electrodes in the brain. Early findings showed differential modulation of delta power in response to 2 Hz median nerve stimulation, but not during 12 Hz median nerve stimulation or 2 Hz ulnar nerve stimulation, hence indicating differential encoding of vibration features depending on frequency and spatial parameters. These patient trials also served to collect feedback for the continued development of the device to improve aspects such as ease of use, patient comfort, and ideal application of the vibration stimulus. Testing and development are ongoing with the enhancement of vibration isolating structures, more comfortable contact points, more durable additively manufactured structures, and embedded force sensors in the device.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2023 Design of Medical Devices Conference, DMD 2023
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
ISBN (Electronic)9780791886731
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Event2023 Design of Medical Devices Conference, DMD 2023 - Minneapolis, United States
Duration: Apr 17 2023Apr 21 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 2023 Design of Medical Devices Conference, DMD 2023

Conference

Conference2023 Design of Medical Devices Conference, DMD 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMinneapolis
Period04/17/2304/21/23

Keywords

  • 3d printing
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Brain-computer interface
  • Chronic pain therapy
  • Iterative device design
  • Vibrotactile nerve stimulation
  • Wearable device
  • sEEG

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