JP2006271689A - Stimulating apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stimulating apparatus capable of eliminating or reducing a "pricking" pain and discomfort when electrically stimulating. <P>SOLUTION: This stimulating apparatus 1 is provided with a plurality of surface electrodes 111-116 and 121-126 disposed on the skin of a living body, an impedance measuring part 210 measuring impedances on the respective surface electrodes 111-116 and 121-126, a stimulus current supply part 220 generating a stimulus current for stimulating the motor nerve, and a control part 230 controlling the distribution of the stimulus current to be supplied to the plurality of surface electrodes 111-116 and 121-126 based on the measurement results of the impedances by the impedance measuring part 210. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stimulation device that electrically stimulates a motor nerve percutaneously to a living body.

  Conventionally, an electromuscular stimulation method (ELECTRIC MUSCLE STIMULATION: EMS) has been used in medical exercise function training apparatuses. For example, medical motor function training equipment using electromuscular stimulation is a rehabilitation to return to society from sequelae caused by cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke, and motor function in the case of diseases such as nerve paralysis and rheumatism Widely used for training.

  In the muscle contraction exercise by the electric muscle stimulation method, the muscle is exercised by the electric stimulation irrespective of the will of the subject. Specifically, in the electrical muscle stimulation method, electrical stimulation (electric current) is applied percutaneously to the motor nerve for moving the muscle to contract the muscle. According to this electromuscular stimulation method, the subject does not have to actually move the body, so that the muscle contraction exercise by the electromuscular stimulation method is also used for the strength-up training of the elderly who have been sick and have weakened muscles for a long time. Is used. It has also been shown that it can be used to prevent back pain because it can train the abdominal and back muscles, and it can also be applied to the prevention of knee pain because it can also train the legs and lower back.

  From the above aspects, the electric muscle stimulation method has attracted attention. In fact, products aimed at electromuscular stimulation have been developed and marketed. However, several problems have been pointed out in the stimulation apparatus using the conventional electric muscle stimulation method. First, the treatment time per treatment is as long as 20 to 30 minutes, and there is a problem that pain or discomfort may occur during stimulation. That is, pain or discomfort may occur during stimulation, as if it were repeatedly pierced with a sharp object.

  Therefore, in recent years, stimulation devices that have been devised in various ways to reduce the above-mentioned pain or discomfort have been disclosed. For example, in Patent Document 1, the pulse frequency used (frequency of the pulse current) is set to around 50 Hz, the pulse waveform is a rectangular wave with a short pulse width (stimulus width), and the pulse intensity (stimulus intensity) is increased instantaneously. Various ideas have been disclosed such as increasing gradually without increasing. However, in the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, it is difficult to efficiently stimulate and excite only motor nerves, and nerves related to pain are also stimulated. It was difficult to disappear or reduce.

On the other hand, in oriental medicine, acupoint stimulation has been attempted, and it is known that many acupoints are related to motor nerves. Patent Document 2 reports the fact that the impedance of the skin surface above the acupoint is lower than other skin surfaces. This Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for evaluating the effect of acupuncture stimulation and the acupuncture point position from the time change of the impedance of the skin surface. However, Patent Document 2 does not disclose the use of the impedance measurement result on the skin surface in order to eliminate or reduce the pain or discomfort caused by “tingling” during stimulation.
JP 2003-126272 A JP 2001-111283 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stimulating device and a control method thereof that can eliminate or reduce the pain or discomfort caused by “sting” when electrical stimulation is performed. In particular, it is an object to eliminate or reduce pain or discomfort by efficiently stimulating motor nerves by controlling the distribution of stimulation current based on the measurement result of the impedance of the skin surface.

  The above object is achieved by the following means.

  The stimulation device of the present invention is a stimulation device that electrically stimulates a motor nerve percutaneously with respect to a living body, and measures a plurality of surface electrodes arranged on the skin of the living body and impedances of the surface electrodes. And a stimulation current supply unit that generates a stimulation current for stimulating the motor nerve, and controls the distribution of the stimulation current to be supplied to the plurality of surface electrodes based on the impedance measurement result by the measurement unit And a control unit.

  The control unit includes a selection unit that selects one or a plurality of pairs of surface electrodes as the stimulation current supply electrode pair from the plurality of surface electrodes based on the measurement result of the impedance by the measurement unit, Control is performed so that the stimulation current is supplied to the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  The plurality of surface electrodes form one or a plurality of surface electrode groups formed by arranging a plurality of surface electrode pairs at regular intervals, and the measurement unit measures impedance between each surface electrode pair. The selection unit selects the surface electrode pair showing the lowest impedance value as the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  The plurality of surface electrodes form one or a plurality of surface electrode groups formed by arranging a plurality of surface electrode pairs at regular intervals, and the measurement unit measures impedance between each surface electrode pair. The selection unit selects, as the stimulation current supply electrode pair, a surface electrode pair showing an impedance value equal to or lower than a predetermined value in the impedance between the plurality of surface electrode pairs.

  The plurality of surface electrodes includes a surface electrode group formed by arranging a plurality of surface electrodes in an array at regular intervals over one or a plurality of groups, and the measurement unit provides impedance between adjacent surface electrodes. Then, the selection unit selects a set of surface electrodes showing the lowest impedance value as the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  The plurality of surface electrodes includes a surface electrode group formed by arranging a plurality of surface electrodes in an array at regular intervals over one or a plurality of groups, and the measurement unit provides impedance between adjacent surface electrodes. Measurement is performed, and the selection unit selects one or a plurality of sets of surface electrodes showing an impedance value equal to or lower than a predetermined value in the impedance between adjacent surface electrodes as the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  The predetermined value is an average value of the impedance.

  Said surface electrode has resistance value higher than skin resistance.

The surface electrode is composed of an electrode having a conductive adhesive gel layer in contact with the skin, and the skin contact area of the adhesive gel layer is 0.5 cm ^{2 to} 10 cm ² . The resistance value between them is 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ when worn on the skin.

  The stimulation current is a pulse current in which the pulse intensity gradually increases or decreases by amplitude modulation.

  The pulse frequency of the above pulse current is 30 Hz to 100 Hz, the pulse current application period per one muscle contraction is 0.5 to 10 seconds, and the pulse intensity gradually increases by amplitude modulation during the pulse current application period. When the predetermined intensity is reached, the pulse intensity maintains a constant value, and when the predetermined time elapses, the pulse intensity gradually decreases.

  The pulse current is a bipolar pulse current having a positive pulse and a negative pulse, and has a predetermined pulse interval between the positive pulse and the negative pulse.

  The waveform of the pulse current is a triangular wave, an acute wave, or a trapezoidal wave with a short tip width, and the maximum pulse width near the bottom of the waveform is 0.1 to 2 ms.

  The stimulation apparatus further includes an output value of the supplied stimulation current, a setting unit for setting a processing time from the start to completion of the stimulation, and the output value and processing of the set stimulation current And a display unit for displaying time.

  The stimulation device further includes a belt portion to be attached to a living body, and the plurality of surface electrodes are arranged on the surface of the belt portion.

  The stimulation device control method of the present invention is a stimulation device control method for electrically stimulating motor nerves percutaneously to a living body, and detects impedances at a plurality of surface electrodes arranged on the skin of the living body. The stimulation current to be supplied to the surface electrode is distributed based on the detected impedance.

  According to the stimulating device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a stimulating device that can eliminate or reduce the pain or discomfort caused by “tingling” and a control method thereof. In particular, the impedance of each of the plurality of surface electrodes arranged on the skin of the living body is measured, and the distribution of the stimulation current supplied to the plurality of surface electrodes is controlled based on the measurement result of the impedance, so that the exercise is performed efficiently. The nerve can be excited and pain or discomfort can be eliminated or reduced.

  If necessary, the surface electrode can be made to have a high resistance to eliminate or reduce pain caused by Joule heat generated by current concentration in sweat glands where sweat is present. Further, if necessary, a pulse current having a maximum pulse width of 0.1 msec to 2 msec near the bottom of 0.1 msec to 2 msec and having a triangular wave, a sharp wave, or a trapezoidal wave having a short tip width. Thus, pain or discomfort can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the content of the stimulation device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view of the stimulation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the stimulation device. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the stimulation apparatus 1 for electrically stimulating the left and right parts of the waist is shown as an example.

  The stimulation device 1 includes a belt portion 2 that is a belt-like (band-like) base material that can be wound around the body of a patient, and fixing portions 3 provided at both ends of the belt portion 2. The belt part 2 is formed of a flexible material. Moreover, as the fixing | fixed part 3, a set of surface fastener is used, for example.

  The stimulation apparatus 1 includes an electrode unit 100 including a plurality of surface electrodes arranged on the skin of a living body, and a stimulation current for stimulating a peripheral motor nerve (hereinafter simply referred to as “motor nerve”). The apparatus main body 200 is provided. The plurality of surface electrodes in the electrode unit 100 are arranged on one surface of the belt unit 2.

  The apparatus main body 200 includes an impedance measurement unit 210 that measures impedance at each surface electrode, a stimulation current supply unit 220 that generates a stimulation current, and a stimulus that is supplied to a plurality of surface electrodes based on the impedance measurement result. And a control unit 230 that controls current distribution.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 230 supplies an electrode pair (hereinafter referred to as “stimulation current supply electrode”) for supplying a stimulation current from the plurality of surface electrodes in the electrode unit 100 based on the measurement result of the impedance. This is a control for supplying a stimulation current to the stimulation current supply electrode pair. The apparatus main body 200 is provided with a display unit 240 and an operation unit 250.

  In the present embodiment, the case where all the components are provided inside or on the surface of the belt unit 2 is shown. However, at least a part of the apparatus main body 200 is provided in a housing separate from the belt unit 2. In addition, each part provided on the belt part 2 and the housing can be electrically connected.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the stimulation apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the configuration of the electrode unit 100 and the configuration of the apparatus main body 200 will be sequentially described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of electrode part)
First, the configuration of the electrode unit 100 will be described. The electrode unit 100 includes one or a plurality of electrode groups. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the electrode unit 100 includes two electrode groups including a first electrode group 110 and a second electrode group 120. The relative positional relationship between the electrode groups 110 and 120 can be arbitrarily determined. Preferably, the positions of the electrode groups 110 and 120 are determined according to the types of parts such as the waist, legs, and arms for which stimulation is desired. Specifically, it is desirable to arrange each electrode group according to the trigger point in pain clinic or the distribution of acupoints in oriental medicine.

  In general, oriental medicine stimulates acupuncture points. Many acupoints are known to be associated with motor nerves. Specifically, the anatomical positions of the acupuncture points include bone holes (such as four whites), fascial holes (such as three foot of foot), gaps between tendons and tendons (such as internals), and bones and bones (such as large vertebrae) Among these anatomical positions, in particular, fascia holes are where blood vessels that feed motor nerves and skeletal muscles enter. The acupoint associated with the fascia is an important acupuncture point because it is rubbed by exercise and easily irritated, and its relevance to the trigger point is known. Since the trigger point has a correlation of about 70% with the acupoint, it is estimated that the number of acupuncture points related to the fascia holes is large. Therefore, the number, area, and arrangement of each electrode group are determined in accordance with the site where stimulation is desired so that the acupuncture points related to fascial holes are included in any of the regions of the electrode groups 110 and 120. It is desirable that

  In the case shown in FIG. 3, a case is shown in which two electrode groups 110 and 120 are arranged so that the left and right sides of the waist can be electrically stimulated. Only the group may be arranged, or three or more electrode groups may be arranged.

  Each of the electrode groups 110 and 120 is configured by arranging a plurality of surface electrode pairs. Specifically, the first electrode group 110 is composed of two or more surface electrode pairs 111 to 116, and similarly, the second electrode group 120 is composed of two or more surface electrode pairs 121. To 126. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode group 110 and the second electrode group 120 each include six surface electrode pairs.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the first electrode group 110. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of pairs (six in this embodiment) of surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 are arranged at regular intervals.

  Each surface electrode pair 111-116 includes two surface electrodes. For example, the surface electrode pair 111 includes a first surface electrode 111a and a second surface electrode 111b arranged at a predetermined distance from the first surface electrode 111a.

The first surface electrode 111a and the second surface electrode 111b are, for example, electrodes having a conductive adhesive gel layer that contacts the skin. The skin contact area of the adhesive gel layer is desirably 0.5 cm ^{2 to} 10 cm ² . The electrical resistance value between the first surface electrode 111a and the second surface electrode 111b is preferably 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ, and more preferably 2 to 3 MΩ when worn on the skin.

  The remaining surface electrode pairs 112 to 116 also have the same configuration as that of the surface electrode pair 111 described above. Each of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 includes an area and a resistance value of the first surface electrodes 111a to 116a, an area and a resistance value of the second surface electrodes 111b to 116b, and an electrode between the first surface electrode and the second surface electrode. The values such as the distance are unified so as to be substantially the same. Therefore, regardless of which surface electrode pair is selected as the stimulation current supply electrode pair, the electrical resistance value between the stimulation current supply electrode pairs is preferably 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ, and more preferably 2 ~ 3 MΩ.

(Configuration of the device body)
Next, returning to FIG. 3, the configuration of the apparatus main body 200 will be described. The apparatus main body 200 includes an impedance measurement unit 210, a stimulation current supply unit 220 for generating a stimulation current, a control unit 230, a display unit 240, and an operation unit 250.

(1) Impedance measurement part The impedance measurement part 210 measures the impedance in each surface electrode which comprises the electrode part 100 mentioned above. Specifically, the impedance measuring unit 210 measures the impedance at each of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126.

  The impedance measurement unit 210 includes, for example, a weak current supply unit 211 and an impedance meter 212. The weak current supply unit 211 generates a current (weak current) that does not cause pain or discomfort, and supplies the weak current to the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126. Taking the surface electrode pair 111 as an example, a weak current flows between the first surface electrode 111a and the second surface electrode 111b. The weak current has a current value smaller than at least the stimulation current, for example, a current of 10 μA or less.

  On the other hand, the impedance meter 212 measures the voltage drop at each of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 when a weak current is supplied, so that each of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 has a voltage drop. Each impedance value is measured. When the voltage drop value is small because the current value of the weak current is small, the impedance value is obtained by measuring the voltage drop after being amplified by an amplifier (not shown) in order to increase the measurement accuracy. May be.

(2) Stimulation Current Supply Unit Next, the stimulation current supply unit 220 will be described. The stimulation current supply unit 220 includes a power source 221, an oscillator 222, and a booster 223. The power source 221 is for supplying power to each unit. Various power supply devices and batteries can be used as the power supply 221.

  The oscillator 222 generates a stimulation current having a predetermined signal waveform, and is preferably a pulse oscillator. For example, the oscillator 222 may include a function generator (not shown). Here, the function generator is capable of generating a voltage that satisfies a given functional relationship with respect to time or an input voltage.

  The booster 223 amplifies the voltage of the signal waveform generated by the oscillator 222, and the stimulation current corresponding to the amplified voltage of the signal waveform is supplied to the stimulation current supply electrode pair. .

  FIG. 5 is an example of the stimulation current supplied by the stimulation current supply unit 220, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stimulation current 10 is a pulse current in which the pulse intensity (stimulation intensity) gradually increases or decreases by amplitude modulation. The pulse current has a pulse frequency of 30 Hz to 100 Hz (that is, a pulse cycle of about 10 msec to 30 msec), has a positive pulse and a negative pulse, and has a positive pulse and a negative pulse. A bipolar pulse with a predetermined pulse interval in between is desirable. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, adjacent waveforms can be adopted for the positive side pulse and the negative side pulse.

Further, the pulse current is formed in a burst shape (group waveform) having a constant width. One group wave duration The T _g corresponds to the pulse current application period per muscle contractions (stimulation time). This pulse current application time _Tg is preferably 0.5 to 10 seconds, and more preferably 5 to 6 seconds. The interval between adjacent group waves (non-stimulus interval) T _i is preferably 0.5 to 10 seconds, and more preferably 2 to 3 seconds.

In the pulse current application period T _g, the falls rise early motor nerve stimulation time domain T _1, the pulse intensity is increased gradually by the amplitude modulation, then the pulse intensity reaches a predetermined intensity, coercive pulse intensity is a constant value Droop (time domain T ₂ ). Further, when the elapsed time from the rise time of the group wave reaches a predetermined time, the pulse intensity gradually decreases in the fall of the motor nerve stimulation (time region T ₃ ).

In the example shown in FIG. 5, T1 = 2 seconds, T2 = 1 second, T3 = 2 seconds, Tg = 5 seconds, and Ti = 3 seconds. Thus, in one group wave corresponding to one pulse current application period per muscle contraction (stimulation time) T _g, for 2 seconds, the pulse intensity is increased gradually, during the one second pulse intensity is a constant value In addition, the pulse intensity gradually decreases for 2 seconds. Then, after the stimulation is stopped for 3 seconds, a group wave corresponding to the next pulse current application period (stimulation time) is generated again. Thereafter, the above processing is repeated until the processing time from the start to the completion of stimulation elapses.

  Further, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 6, the waveform of each pulse current is desirably a triangular wave, a sharp wave, or a trapezoidal wave having a short tip width, and the pulse width ( More specifically, the time constant defined by the time to reach 1 / ε of the maximum peak value of the pulse is 0.1 msec to 2 msec, more preferably 0.2 msec to 0 msec. .5 ms. Here, the pulse width near the bottom of the waveform, that is, the time constant, changes the reactance component (inductance component, capacitance component) in the closed loop circuit composed of the stimulation current supply unit 220, the stimulation current supply electrode pair, and the living body. Adjusted by. Even if the waveform of the pulse current at the time of output from the stimulation current supply unit 220 is not a triangular wave, a sharp wave, and a trapezoid with a short tip width, but a normal rectangular pulse waveform, it depends on the circuit configuration. The waveform may be deformed by the influence of reactance components (inductance component, capacitance component) contained in the living body, and may become a sharp wave or a trapezoidal wave with a short tip width.

(3) Control Unit Next, the control unit 230 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 230 includes a processor 231, a storage unit 232, and selection circuits 233a and 233b.

  The processor 231 is, for example, a microcomputer element, and is used not only to execute processing as the control unit 230 but also to control various units constituting the apparatus main body 200 and execute various calculations.

  The processor 231 performs arithmetic processing and / or comparison processing on the impedance measurement values in the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 measured by the impedance measuring unit 210, and based on the processing results, It also functions as a selection unit that selects the stimulation current supply electrode pair from among the electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126. It is desirable that the processor 231 selects a stimulation current supply electrode pair for each electrode group (the first electrode group 110 and the second electrode group 120). The contents of the process of selecting the stimulation current supply electrode pair will be described later using a flowchart.

  The storage unit 232 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a non-volatile memory, and various types such as impedance measurement values at the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 measured by the impedance measurement unit 210. Temporarily store data and parameters. The storage unit 232 may provide a work area (working area) for the arithmetic processing and comparison processing of the processor 231.

  The selection circuits 233a and 233b are switch circuits that switch the electrical connection relationship between the stimulation current supply unit 220 and the plurality of surface electrode pairs based on an instruction from the processor 231. In the present embodiment, the selection circuit 233a, 233b is configured such that the stimulation current supply unit 220 is electrically connected only to the stimulation current supply electrode pair selected from the plurality of surface electrode pairs by the processor 231. The switching process is performed as follows.

  Note that the selection circuits 233a and 233b are preferably provided for each of the electrode groups 110 and 120. In this case, for example, the first selection circuit 233 a is provided corresponding to the first electrode group 110, and the second selection circuit 233 b is provided corresponding to the second electrode group 120.

  Further, when the impedance measurement unit 210 measures the impedance values of the respective surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 individually by time division processing, the selection circuits 233a and 233b are connected to the impedance measurement unit. The switch circuit 210 can also be used as a switch circuit for switching the electrical connection relationship between 210 and the plurality of surface electrode pairs. In this case, the selection circuits 233a and 233b perform switching processing so that the impedance measuring unit 210 is sequentially connected to the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126, and the impedance measuring unit 210 changes the impedance value each time. Can be measured.

(4) Display Unit and Operation Unit Finally, the display unit 240 and the operation unit 250 will be described. The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information such as a set output value of stimulation current and a processing time. The output value of the stimulation current may be an effective value of the stimulation current. For example, when the stimulation current is a pulse current, it may be a pulse intensity (amplitude).

  The operation unit 250 is a setting unit that sets an output value of stimulation current, a processing time, and other parameters. For example, the operation unit 250 is various switches, buttons, knobs, and a touch panel.

  The stimulation apparatus 1 configured as described above performs processing as follows. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the stimulation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, and shows a control method of the stimulation apparatus 1. The algorithm shown in FIG. 7 is stored as a program in a ROM (read only memory) in the processor 231 and is mainly executed by the processor 231.

  First, initial settings are made (step S101). Specifically, when the user operates the operation unit 250, the output value of the stimulation current, the processing time from the start to the completion of the stimulation, and other parameters are set.

  Then, after waiting for an instruction to start processing (step S102: YES), supply of a weak current to each of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 is instructed (step S103). As a premise for the start of the treatment, the belt portion 2 is placed on the body of the patient so that the first electrode group 110 and the second electrode group 120 are respectively arranged at the stimulation target parts (in this embodiment, the left and right sides of the waist). And is fixed by the fixing portion 3. In this way, an instruction to start processing is given with the belt portion 2 attached.

  The weak current may be supplied to the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 at a time. However, in order to prevent interaction such as crosstalk between the surface electrode pairs, the weak current may be sequentially supplied to each pair by switching the selection circuits 233a and 233b.

  From the viewpoint of measuring impedance including not only the electric resistance component but also reactance (inductance component, capacitance component), it is desirable to use an alternating current or a current having an alternating component as the weak current. Further, since the pulse current also includes an AC component, the pulse current can be used as the weak current.

  Next, by measuring a voltage drop in a state where a weak current is supplied, impedance measurement values at the respective surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 are obtained (step S104). That is, the impedance at each surface electrode pair is detected. Each impedance measurement value is temporarily stored in the storage unit 232 for each of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126.

  Next, the processor 231 selects from among the plurality of pairs of surface electrodes 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 based on the impedance measurement values of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 stored in the storage unit 232. A stimulation current supply electrode pair is selected (step S105).

  FIG. 8 is a subroutine showing an example of the processing content of step S105 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the processor 231 determines the lowest impedance measurement value among the plurality of surface electrode pairs included in each electrode group for each electrode group (first electrode group 110 and second electrode group 120). Is selected as a stimulation current supply electrode (step S201). Specifically, the surface electrode pair that exhibits the lowest impedance measurement value can be selected by executing a comparison process that compares the impedance measurement values of the plurality of surface electrode pairs included in each electrode group. In the following processing, the surface electrode pair 111 is selected as the stimulation electrode supply electrode from the first electrode group 110, and the surface electrode pair 122 is selected as the stimulation electrode supply electrode from the second electrode group 120. An example will be described.

  In each of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126, values such as the area and resistance value of the surface electrode and the inter-electrode distance between the first surface electrode and the second surface electrode are substantially unified. Therefore, the difference in impedance value between the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 is due to the difference in impedance on the skin surface. In other words, the position of the surface electrode pair showing the lowest impedance measurement indicates the position where the skin surface impedance is lowest. Here, according to the fact that the impedance of the skin surface on the acupuncture point is lower than that of other skin surfaces, the surface electrode pair located on or near the acupoint is stimulated by selecting a surface electrode pair having a low impedance. The supply electrode pair 111 and 122 can be selected.

  When the stimulation current supply electrode pair 111, 122 is selected, the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 7 so that the processor 231 supplies the stimulation current only to the stimulation current supply electrode pair 111, 122. The selection circuits 233a and 231b are instructed (step S106). Upon receiving the instruction, the selection circuit 233a electrically connects the stimulation electrode supply electrode pair 111 selected from the first electrode group 110 and the stimulation current supply unit 220, and the other surface electrode pairs 112 to 116 and the stimulation current. The supply unit 220 is electrically insulated. On the other hand, the selection circuit 233b electrically connects the stimulation electrode supply electrode pair 122 selected from the second electrode group 120 and the stimulation current supply unit 220, and stimulates the other surface electrode pairs 121 and 123 to 126 with stimulation. The current supply unit 220 is electrically insulated. As a result, the stimulation current output from the stimulation current supply unit 220 is supplied only to the stimulation current supply electrode pair 111 and 122. That is, the stimulation current can be selectively supplied only to the stimulation current supply electrode pairs 111 and 122 which are the surface electrode pairs positioned on the acupuncture points. In addition, since many acupoints are related to motor nerves, it is possible to efficiently stimulate the target motor nerve with a small amount of electricity.

  As described above, by applying a weak current to find the place with the lowest impedance and supplying current to that place, only the target motor nerve can be stimulated, and other nerves related to pain, touch and pressure are wasted. No need to irritate. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the pain or discomfort caused by “tingling”.

  Next, the supply state of the stimulation current is controlled (step S107). As shown in FIG. 6, the stimulation current has a pulse width in the vicinity of the bottom of the waveform of 0.1 ms to 2 ms, more preferably 0.2 ms to 0.5 ms. Either a wave or a trapezoidal wave with a short tip width. By using the stimulation current having such a waveform, it is possible to effectively stimulate the subcutaneous motor nerve and not directly stimulate the sensory nerve related to pain.

  In general, various sensory nerves run on the skin. For example, Aβ myelinated fibers that are excited by mechanical stimuli such as touch and pressure, and Aδ myelinated fibers and C unmyelinated fibers related to pain are known as sensory nerves. These nerve axons are thicker in Aβ myelinated fibers (diameter 5-12 μm) and tactile fibers (diameter 12-20 μm) with tactile / mechanical receptors, and C unmyelinated fibers (diameter) with nociceptors. 0.4 to 1.2 μm) is thin.

  When a rectangular wave pulse is used for electrical stimulation, an axon having a larger diameter is selectively stimulated as the pulse width is reduced. Specifically, by setting the pulse width to about 0.2 milliseconds, it is possible to prevent stimulation of C unmyelinated fibers having thin nerve axons. However, in addition to C fiber, Aδ fiber is also involved in the pain nerve, and the thickness of this Aδ fiber is 2 to 5 μm in diameter, so this Aδ fiber is also stimulated by a square wave pulse of about 0.2 ms. Resulting in. In this regard, in the stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, instead of the rectangular wave pulse, the pulse waveform is any one of a triangular wave, an acute wave, or a trapezoidal wave having a short tip width, thereby directly applying to the Aδ fiber. This makes it possible to reduce irritation. The lower limit of the pulse width is arbitrary, but when a pulse width of 0.1 msec or less is adopted, it is necessary to increase the stimulation voltage and the manufacturing cost is increased, so the pulse width is 0.1 m. It is desirable to set it to 2 seconds or more, more preferably 0.2 ms or more.

Furthermore, once the pulse current application period per muscle contraction (one group wave duration) T _g and 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds, the interval T _i bland, and 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds In addition, in the pulse current application period, the pulse intensity gradually increases by amplitude modulation, the pulse intensity keeps a constant value when reaching a predetermined intensity, and is controlled so that the pulse intensity gradually decreases after a predetermined time, Pain or discomfort caused by “tingling” can be reduced.

  Further, the pulse current is a bipolar pulse current having a positive side pulse and a negative side pulse, and is formed to have a predetermined pulse interval between the positive side pulse and the negative side pulse. Compared with the case of supplying a current, it is possible to prevent the deterioration due to the polarization of the surface electrode.

  Furthermore, the stimulation device 1 according to the present embodiment can eliminate or reduce pain or discomfort with respect to pain or discomfort due to the influence of sweat glands. Specifically, since sweat glands are distributed in the stratum corneum at the electrode contact portion on the skin surface, when sweat is present in the sweat glands, the sweat glands are in a conductive state in which electricity flows well. The present inventors have found that current concentrates and causes pain due to the generated Joule heat.

In this regard, the stimulation device 1 of the present embodiment prevents the concentration of current on the sweat glands by increasing the resistance of the surface electrode. Specifically, the surface electrode is configured to have a resistance value higher than at least the skin resistance. In particular, the skin contact area of the adhesive gel layer constituting the surface electrode is 0.5 cm ^{2 to} 10 cm ² , and the resistance value between the stimulation current supply electrode pair is 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ when worn on the skin. More preferably, it is desirably 2 to 3 MΩ. Thus, by making the gel layer in contact with the skin high resistance, a high resistance component is connected in series over a relatively wide area. Therefore, even when sweat occurs, the influence due to the conductance change (that is, the electrical resistance change) caused by the sweat can be relieved relatively. As a result, even if a part of the skin under the electrode is wet with sweat, the current does not concentrate on that part, and the current can flow almost uniformly to the skin on the electrode contact surface. From this point as well, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the pain or discomfort caused by “tingling”.

  By various ideas as described above, the stimulation current is supplied while the pain or discomfort caused by “tingling” is eliminated or reduced. When supplying the stimulation current, various parameters such as the output value of the stimulation current and the remaining processing time can be displayed as shown in step S108 of FIG. Further, if there is an instruction to adjust the output value of the stimulation current from the user during the process (step S109: YES), the supply state of the stimulation current is controlled so as to obtain a desired output value (step S107).

  Next, waiting for the processing time to elapse (step S110: YES), an instruction to stop the supply of stimulation current to the stimulation current supply electrode pair 111, 122 is given (step S111), and the processing is completed.

  As described above, the stimulation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment has been described. However, according to the stimulation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the impedance measurement unit 210 measures the impedance at each surface electrode, and based on the measurement result of the impedance by the impedance measurement unit 210, the control unit 230 includes a plurality of surface electrodes. Controls the distribution of the stimulation current supplied to In particular, the control unit 230 selects the processor 231 and the selection circuit 233a as a selection unit that selects the surface electrodes 111 and 121 as the stimulation current supply electrode pair from the plurality of surface electrodes based on the measurement result by the impedance measurement unit 210. 233b.

  More specifically, the plurality of surface electrodes are formed of one or a plurality of surface electrode groups formed by arranging two or more surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 at regular intervals, and impedance measurement is performed. The unit 210 measures the impedance between each surface electrode pair, and the processor 231 and the selection circuits 233a and 233b select the surface electrode pair showing the lowest impedance value as the stimulation current supply electrode pair 111 and 122.

  Therefore, only the target motor nerve can be stimulated, and other nerves related to pain, touch and pressure can be avoided without being wasted. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the pain or discomfort caused by “tingling”.

  Further, since the plurality of surface electrodes are formed over one or a plurality of surface electrode groups formed by arranging two or more surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 at regular intervals. It is not necessary to mechanically move the position to a position with low impedance, and the stimulation current supply electrode pair 111 and 122 may be simply selected from a plurality of surface electrodes.

Furthermore, as described above, the surface electrode has a resistance value higher than the skin resistance, and in particular, the skin contact area of the adhesive gel layer is 0.5 cm ^{2 to} 10 cm ² , and the stimulation current supply electrode pair Since the resistance value is 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ when worn on the skin, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the occurrence of pain due to Joule heat generated by current concentration in sweat glands where sweat is present.

  Furthermore, the stimulation current is a pulse current in which the pulse intensity gradually increases or decreases by amplitude modulation. In particular, the pulse frequency of the pulse current is 30 to 100 Hz, the pulse current application period per one muscle contraction is 0.5 to 10 seconds, and the pulse intensity gradually increases by amplitude modulation during the pulse current application period. When the predetermined intensity is reached, the pulse intensity maintains a constant value, and when the predetermined time elapses, the pulse intensity gradually decreases. The waveform of the pulse current is either a triangular wave, a sharp wave, or a trapezoidal wave with a short tip width, and the maximum pulse width near the bottom of the waveform is 0.1 to 2 ms. By adopting the stimulation current having the above characteristics, pain and discomfort can be reduced.

  The pulse current is a bipolar pulse current having a positive side pulse and a negative side pulse, and has a predetermined pulse interval between the positive side pulse and the negative side pulse. Thus, pain and discomfort can be reduced, and deterioration due to polarization of the surface electrode can be prevented.

  Further, an operation unit 250 for setting an output value of the supplied stimulation current and a processing time from the start to the completion of the stimulation, and a display unit for displaying the set output value and the processing time of the stimulation current 240, the output value of the stimulation current and the remaining time of the processing time can be confirmed during the processing, and the output of the stimulation current can be adjusted as necessary.

  Also, it has a belt part 2 to be attached to a living body, and a plurality of surface electrodes are arranged on the surface of the belt part 2, so that the surface electrode can be easily arranged on a part such as a waist part, a leg part or an arm part. can do.

  According to the stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment as described above, the subject does not actually need to move the body, and efficiently stimulates the motor nerves without causing pain or discomfort to contract the skeletal muscle. be able to. Therefore, not only rehabilitation to return to society from sequelae caused by cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke, and motor function training in the case of diseases such as nerve palsy and rheumatism, elderly people with long-term sickness and weakened muscles It can be applied to prevent back pain and knee pain because the abdominal muscles, back muscles and legs are trained. Furthermore, lack of exercise is also related to lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and obesity, and is useful for improving the pathological conditions of these lifestyle-related diseases.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of each electrode group is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a plurality of surface electrodes are arranged in an array (matrix) at regular intervals, and each electrode group (surface electrode group) is formed.

  In addition, the whole structure of the stimulation apparatus in this Embodiment is the same as that of the whole structure shown by FIGS. 1-3 in 1st Embodiment, The content of the stimulation current in this Embodiment is 1st In the embodiment, the content of the stimulation current shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the same. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals for the sake of simplicity.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing the first electrode group 130 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of surface electrodes 131 to 142 are arranged in an array at regular intervals. The surface electrodes 131 to 142 are the same as those in the first embodiment except that they are not defined as surface electrode pairs from the beginning, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In particular, the area and resistance values of all the surface electrodes 131 to 142 and the values such as the distance between adjacent surface electrodes are unified so as to be substantially the same.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the stimulation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, and shows a control method of the stimulation apparatus 1. The algorithm shown in FIG. 10 is stored as a program in a ROM (read only memory) in the processor 231 and is mainly executed by the processor 231.

  In addition, in the process of step S303 to step S306 in FIG. 10, it replaces with the process with respect to the surface electrode pair which became a pair beforehand, and the point which performs the process with respect to adjacent surface electrodes performs step S301-step in FIG. The process of S311 is the same as the process of step S101 to step S111 of FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. Therefore, repetitive description of the same processing as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  First, after an initialization process (step S301), an instruction to start the process is awaited (step S302: YES), and a weak current supply between adjacent surface electrodes is instructed (step S303). Specifically, not only the pair of the surface electrode 131 and the surface electrode 132 and the pair of the surface electrode 132 and the surface electrode 133 that are adjacent to each other in the row direction, but also the surface electrode 131 and the surface electrode 137. A weak current can also be supplied to a pair of the surface electrode 132 and a pair adjacent to each other in the column direction, such as the surface electrode 132 and the surface electrode 138.

Next, the impedance between the adjacent surface electrodes is detected. In this way, the impedance measurement values are acquired, and these impedance measurement values are temporarily stored in the storage unit 232 (step S304).
Then, a stimulation current supply electrode pair is selected from a set of adjacent surface electrodes in the plurality of surface electrodes (step S305). Specifically, as in the process shown in FIG. 8, a set of surface electrodes showing the lowest impedance value is selected as the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  In addition, the processing content of the following step S306-step S311 is the same as the processing content of step S106-step S111 of FIG. Therefore, repeated description is omitted.

  As described above, the stimulation device 1 according to the present embodiment has been described. However, according to the stimulation device 1 according to the present embodiment, a pair of surface electrodes is not determined in advance, and a combination of adjacent surface electrodes is used. Since the stimulation current supply electrode pair can be freely selected, the stimulation current supply electrode pair not only in the row direction but also in the column direction can be selected. Therefore, the degree of freedom of selection of the stimulation current supply electrode pair is increased, and it becomes possible to efficiently stimulate the acupuncture points related to the motor nerve without increasing the number of surface electrodes 131 to 142.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments, a surface electrode pair or a set of surface electrodes exhibiting the lowest impedance value is selected as the stimulation current supply electrode pair. That is, in the first and second embodiments, one pair of stimulation current supply electrodes is selected in each electrode group.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a plurality of stimulation current supply electrode pairs are selected in each electrode group.

  In addition, the whole structure of the stimulation apparatus in this Embodiment, the structure of an electrode part, and the content of the stimulation current are the same as that of the case shown by FIGS. 1-6 of 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. To do. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals for the sake of simplicity.

  The processing content by the stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is the same as the processing content of the first embodiment except for the content of the selection processing of the stimulation current supply electrode pair. Therefore, repeated description is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the selection process of the stimulation current supply electrode pair in the stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and is a subroutine showing another example of the processing contents of step S105 of FIG.

  First, the average value in the impedance measurement value between each surface electrode pair in each electrode group 110, 120 is calculated (step S401). Specifically, an average value of impedance measurement values in each of the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 included in the first electrode group 110 is calculated. Similarly, the average value of the impedance measurement values in each of the surface electrode pairs 121 to 126 included in the second electrode group 120 is also calculated.

  Subsequently, the processor 231 selects a pair of surface electrodes from each of the electrode groups 110 and 120 (step S402), and calculates the impedance measurement value of the surface electrode pair and the average value of the impedance measurement values of the respective electrode groups. And compare. As a result, if the measured impedance value is equal to or less than the average value of the measured impedance values of the electrode group (step S403: YES), the selected pair of surface electrodes is registered as the stimulation current supply electrode pair (step S404). ). On the other hand, if the measured impedance value is larger than the average value of the measured impedance values of the electrode group, the process proceeds to step S405 without registering the selected pair of surface electrodes as the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  Next, it is determined whether or not all the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 are selected in each of the electrode groups 110 and 120 (step S405). If there is a surface electrode pair that has not yet been selected (step S405: NO), the process returns to step S402, and the next pair of surface electrode pairs is newly selected from the electrode groups 110 and 120. The On the other hand, when selection of all the surface electrode pairs 111 to 116 and 121 to 126 has been completed (step S405: YES), the process is terminated and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

  According to the above processing, the processor 231 functioning as a selection unit selects a surface electrode pair showing an impedance value equal to or lower than an average value among impedances between a plurality of surface electrode pairs as a stimulation current supply electrode pair. Therefore, a plurality of pairs of stimulation current supply electrodes can be selected for each electrode group. As a result, in the main routine of FIG. 7, the stimulation current is supplied to the plurality of surface electrode pairs exhibiting an impedance equal to or lower than the average value.

  In addition, although FIG. 11 demonstrated the case where the surface electrode pair below the average value of the impedance in a plurality of surface electrode pairs was selected as the stimulation current supply electrode pair, the stimulation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to this case. Not limited.

  The processor 231 serving as a selection unit can be configured to select a surface electrode pair showing an impedance value equal to or lower than a predetermined value in the impedance between the plurality of surface electrode pairs as the stimulation current supply electrode pair. For example, a surface electrode pair corresponding to the lower ３ or less of the entire impedance of the plurality of surface electrode pairs may be selected as the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  In addition, the nth (n is a natural number) surface electrode pair from the lowermost impedance measurement values of the plurality of surface electrode pairs can be selected as the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  Further, the processing of this embodiment can be adopted as a subroutine of step S305 in the second embodiment shown in FIG. In this case, one or a plurality of sets of surface electrodes exhibiting an impedance value equal to or lower than a predetermined value (for example, an average value) in the impedance between a plurality of sets of adjacent surface electrodes are selected as the stimulation current supply electrode pair.

  As described above, according to the stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of surface electrode pairs whose impedance measurement values are equal to or less than a predetermined value can be adopted as the stimulation current supply electrode pairs. When there are a plurality of acupuncture points (particularly, acupuncture points related to fascial holes), the location of each acupuncture point can be stimulated.

(Fourth embodiment)
Finally, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the first to third embodiments, one or a plurality of stimulation current electrode pairs are selected, and the stimulation current is supplied only to the selected stimulation current electrode pairs.

  On the other hand, the stimulation apparatus according to the present embodiment classifies the impedance measurement values at the surface electrode into a plurality of numerical ranges, and applies the most stimulation current to the surface electrode belonging to the numerical range with the lowest impedance measurement value. As the impedance measurement value becomes a high numerical range, the stimulation current to be supplied is controlled to decrease.

  In addition, the structure of the electrode part in this Embodiment and the content of the stimulation current are the same as that of the case shown by FIGS. 4-6 of 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals for the sake of simplicity.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the stimulation apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, in the stimulation apparatus 1, the stimulation current supply unit 220 is provided with an intensity adjustment unit 224 for supplying stimulation currents having a plurality of output values. The intensity adjusting unit 224 can be configured by an attenuator having a plurality of resistance values, or can be configured by a booster having different winding ratios.

  In the present embodiment, the intensity adjustment unit 224 includes a stimulation current having a first output value (hereinafter referred to as “first stimulation current”) and a stimulation current having a second output value smaller than the first output value (hereinafter referred to as “first output value”). A second stimulation value), a stimulation current having a third output value smaller than the second output value (hereinafter, referred to as a “third stimulation current”) is supplied.

  The stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above performs processing as follows. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts showing the processing contents of the stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and show the control method of the stimulation apparatus 1. The algorithm shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is stored as a program in a ROM (Read Only Memory) in the processor 231 and is mainly executed by the processor 231.

  The processing of step S501 to step S504 is the same as the processing content of step S101 to step S104 in FIG. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

  Next, a plurality of numerical ranges are set according to the impedance measurement values in the plurality of pairs of surface electrodes (step S505). For example, a numerical range corresponding to the lower third of the measured values from the lowest measured value among the impedance measured values of the plurality of pairs of surface electrodes is set as the first range (impedance low range). In addition, a numerical value range corresponding to the middle 1/3 is set as the second range (impedance middle range) where the impedance measurement value is higher than the first range. Further, a numerical range corresponding to the upper third is set as the third range (impedance high range) where the impedance measurement value is higher than the second range.

  Next, a pair of surface electrodes is selected (step S506). Next, it is determined whether or not the impedance measurement value at the selected surface electrode pair falls within the first range (impedance low range) (step S507). If the impedance measurement value at the selected surface electrode pair falls within the first range (impedance low range) (step S507: YES), the selected first surface current is supplied to the selected surface electrode pair. Is set as a stimulation current supply electrode pair (hereinafter referred to as a “first stimulation current supply electrode pair”) (step S508).

  When the impedance measurement value at the selected surface electrode pair does not fall within the first range (impedance low range) (step S507: NO), the process proceeds to step S509. Next, it is determined whether or not the impedance measurement value at the selected surface electrode pair falls within the second range (medium impedance range) (step S509). If the impedance measurement value at the selected surface electrode pair falls within the second range (medium impedance range) (step S509: YES), the selected second surface current is supplied to the selected surface electrode pair. Is set as a stimulation current supply electrode pair (hereinafter referred to as “second stimulation current supply electrode pair”) (step S510).

  If the measured impedance value at the selected surface electrode pair does not fall within the first range (low impedance range) and the second range (medium impedance range) (step S509: NO), the selected surface electrode pair The measured impedance value corresponds to the third range (impedance high range). Therefore, the selected surface electrode pair is set as a stimulation current supply electrode pair to which the third stimulation current is supplied (hereinafter referred to as “third stimulation current supply electrode pair”) (step S511). .

  Next, the processor 231 performs the first stimulation current, the second stimulation current, and the second stimulation current supply electrode pair, the second stimulation current supply electrode pair, and the third stimulation current supply electrode pair, respectively. The selection circuits 233a and 231b and the intensity adjustment unit 224 are instructed to start supplying the third stimulation current (step S512 in FIG. 14).

  Hereinafter, the processes in steps S513 to S517 are performed for the first stimulation current, the second stimulation current, and the third stimulation current having different output values, and the processes in steps S107 to S111 in FIG. 7 are performed. It is the same. Therefore, repeated description is omitted.

  In the above description, the impedance measurement values at each surface electrode pair are classified into three numerical ranges. However, the stimulation device of the present embodiment is not limited to this case, and the surface electrode pair As the impedance measurement decreases, it can be controlled to supply a high stimulation current.

  As described above, according to the stimulation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the point where the impedance measurement value is smaller is supplied with a higher stimulation current, so that the impedance measurement value on the skin surface becomes closer to the acupoint associated with the motor nerve. As becomes smaller, a high stimulation current is supplied, and the motor nerve can be stimulated effectively.

  As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, the surface electrodes (surface electrode pairs) 111 to 116, 121 to 126, and 131 to 142 to which the stimulation current and the weak current are supplied may be used as the impedance measurement electrodes. The use case was shown (so-called two-terminal method). Certainly, from the standpoint of realizing a simple apparatus configuration, it is desirable to use both the surface electrode for current supply and the measurement electrode. However, when another measurement electrode (not shown) is provided along with each surface electrode (surface electrode pair) 111 to 116, 121 to 126, 131 to 142, and a weak current is passed through the surface electrode for current supply By measuring the voltage drop between the measuring electrodes, the impedance at each surface electrode can also be measured (so-called four-terminal method).

  In this case, the electric resistance of the surface electrode for supplying current is kept high, and disappearance or reduction of causing pain due to Joule heat generated due to concentration of current in the sweat gland where sweat is present is reduced. Therefore, the sensitivity of impedance measurement on the skin surface can be increased.

  That is, as long as the stimulation apparatus has a plurality of surface electrodes arranged on the skin of a living body and controls the distribution of stimulation currents to be supplied to the plurality of surface electrodes based on the measurement result of impedance at each surface electrode Are included in the present invention.

It is a front view of the stimulating device of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the stimulation device shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the irritation | stimulation apparatus shown by FIG. It is the top view which expanded and showed the 1st electrode group shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the waveform of the stimulation current supplied by the stimulation current supply part shown by FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion A of the stimulation current waveform shown in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content by the stimulating device shown by FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing content of step S105 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the 1st electrode group in the stimulating device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing content of the irritation | stimulation apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the selection process of the stimulation current supply electrode pair in the stimulation apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and is a flowchart which shows the other example of the processing content of FIG.7 S105. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the irritation | stimulation apparatus of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content by the stimulating device shown by FIG. It is a flowchart following FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 stimulator,
2 Belt part 100 Electrode part,
110, 130 first electrode group,
120 second electrode group,
111-116, 121-126 Surface electrode pairs,
111a-116a, 121a-126a, 131-142 surface electrode,
200 device body,
210 impedance measurement unit,
220 stimulation current supply unit,
221 power supply,
222 oscillator,
223 booster 224 intensity adjustment unit,
230 control unit,
231 processor,
232 storage unit,
233a, 233b selection circuit,
240 display unit,
250 Operation unit.

Claims (16)

A stimulation device for electrically stimulating motor nerves percutaneously to a living body,
A plurality of surface electrodes arranged on the skin of the living body;
A measurement unit for measuring impedance at each surface electrode;
A stimulation current supply unit that generates a stimulation current for stimulating the motor nerve;
And a control unit that controls distribution of the stimulation current supplied to the plurality of surface electrodes based on an impedance measurement result by the measurement unit. The controller is
Based on the measurement result of the impedance by the measurement unit, a selection unit that selects a pair or a plurality of pairs of surface electrodes as the stimulation current supply electrode pair from the plurality of surface electrodes,
The stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulation apparatus is controlled to supply the stimulation current to the stimulation current supply electrode pair. The plurality of surface electrodes form a surface electrode group formed by arranging a plurality of surface electrode pairs at regular intervals over one or a plurality of groups,
The measurement unit measures impedance between each pair of surface electrodes,
The stimulation device according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit selects a surface electrode pair showing the lowest impedance value as the stimulation current supply electrode pair. The plurality of surface electrodes form a surface electrode group formed by arranging a plurality of surface electrode pairs at regular intervals over one or a plurality of groups,
The measurement unit measures impedance between each pair of surface electrodes,
The stimulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit selects a surface electrode pair that exhibits an impedance value equal to or lower than a predetermined value in the impedance between the plurality of surface electrode pairs as a stimulation current supply electrode pair. The plurality of surface electrodes are formed over one or more groups of surface electrodes formed by arranging a plurality of surface electrodes in an array at regular intervals,
The measurement unit measures impedance between adjacent surface electrodes,
The stimulation device according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit selects a set of surface electrodes showing the lowest impedance value as the stimulation current supply electrode pair. The plurality of surface electrodes are formed over one or more groups of surface electrodes formed by arranging a plurality of surface electrodes in an array at regular intervals,
The measurement unit measures impedance between adjacent surface electrodes,
The selection unit selects one or a plurality of sets of surface electrodes showing an impedance value equal to or lower than a predetermined value in impedance between adjacent surface electrodes as the stimulation current supply electrode pair. Stimulator.   The stimulation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined value is an average value of the impedance.   The stimulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the surface electrode has a resistance value higher than a skin resistance. The surface electrode is composed of an electrode having a conductive adhesive gel layer in contact with the skin, and the skin contact area of the adhesive gel layer is 0.5 cm ^{2 to} 10 cm ² , and the stimulation current supply electrode pair The stimulation device according to claim 8, wherein the resistance value is 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ when worn on the skin.   The stimulation apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the stimulation current is a pulse current whose pulse intensity gradually increases or decreases by amplitude modulation.   The pulse frequency of the pulse current is 30 Hz to 100 Hz, the pulse current application period per one muscle contraction is 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds, and the pulse intensity gradually increases by amplitude modulation during the pulse current application period. The stimulation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pulse intensity maintains a constant value when the predetermined intensity is reached, and the pulse intensity gradually decreases after a predetermined time has elapsed.   11. The pulse current according to claim 10, wherein the pulse current is a bipolar pulse current having a positive pulse and a negative pulse, and has a predetermined pulse interval between the positive pulse and the negative pulse. Stimulator.   The waveform of the pulse current is any one of a triangular wave, a sharp wave, and a trapezoidal wave with a short tip width, and the maximum pulse width near the bottom of the waveform is 0.1 to 2 ms. The stimulation device according to claim 10. Furthermore, an output value of the stimulation current to be supplied, and a setting unit for setting a processing time from the start to the completion of the stimulation,
The stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit configured to display a set output value and processing time of the stimulation current. Furthermore, it has a belt part to be attached to the living body,
The stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of surface electrodes are arranged on a surface of the belt portion. A method of controlling a stimulation device that electrically stimulates a motor nerve percutaneously to a living body,
A method for controlling a stimulation apparatus, comprising: detecting impedances at a plurality of surface electrodes arranged on a skin of a living body; and distributing a stimulation current to be supplied to the surface electrodes based on the detected impedances.

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