StimTooth

Bluetooth TENS/EMS Electrode Device

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Inspiration

Arthritis has affected multiple family members of one of our team members, Sam Jin, and he personally knows the implications that the daily pain and joint tremors can have on his family's life. We began this idea on constructing a cost-effective, wireless TENS in order to help make such devices not only cheaper, but also more efficient to use. We hope that our device can help everyone suffering from joint pain or arthritis related conditions. There are over 20% of adults in the US who are diagnosed and we know that with more affordable and easier-to-use devices, people struggling with these conditions can live more comfortably.

What it does

Our TENS/EMS device provides the best of both worlds. Not only do our Bluetooth wireless electrodes eliminate the bulky secondary TENS controller that comes with nearly all TENS devices today, but it gets rid of the need for wiring between the electrodes. Now with this innovation, people no longer need to buy such expensive and inconvenient machines, but rather purchase separate smart electrodes that can be controlled directly from their cell phones. Each of our electrodes are to be reusable, as adhesive conductive gels are used between use to keep the electrode pads adhesive. TENS is used to help block the signals of pain receptors by providing the specific and adjustable doses of current in specific and adjustable pulse patterns based on the needs of the patient. For those not experiencing pain, users can utilize our devices for EMS and gain a better workout. By attaching the electrodes to major muscle groups while working out, users can achieve a better workout as the electrical stimulation results in further contraction of the muscle fibers. Thus, StimTooth not only offers medical applications regarding pain mitigation for those suffering from joint conditions such as arthritis, but also serves as a lifestyle product that can help enhance a workout as well as increase muscle recovery.

How we built it

The design of the pad was made using OnShape, an online CAD software. This design included the electrode array, polymer pad, rechargeable coin cell battery. We also developed a circuitry diagram mirroring existing circuits that involving electrodes. The smartphone application was made using Java on Android Studio, and the Bluetooth protocols were built based on the provided Bluetooth APIs on Android's developer website.

Challenges we ran into

The main challenges were coming up with an efficient power source since nomral batteries would prove difficult and wasteful the the environment. Furthermore, costs were a big issue regarding scalability as one of our main goals was to come up with a device that would cut the costs from current TENS designs. The coding was and still is a work in progress as we strive to provide a more fluid user experience.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • The design and idea
  • Team-building while working together
  • Application
  • Research we put together
  • The amount of electrical engineering, and computer programming we learned during this event
  • Presentation
  • Pitching

What we learned

  • How to pitch ideas
  • Research regarding Arthritis, TENS, and EMS devices
  • Price research
  • How to scale businesses
  • Difficulties regarding time constraints
  • Difficulties regarding team-based projects
  • Planning and collaboration

What's next for STIMTOOTH

Whether we win or not, we plan to push StimTooth's development into the prototype stage. We plan to engineer prototypes to test and ultimately push our product into the market. Our future plans are to bring in people with greater experience regarding application programming on Android and iOS to build an app that is more intuitive and better designed (compared to the basic skeleton we created within 32 hours). We also plan to create a professional website to help outreach our product once we have developed a final design.

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