JP3293390B2 - EMG feedback device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a myoelectric potential feedback device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of medicine and the like, techniques for measuring various electric phenomena in the human body are widely used, and a typical measuring instrument is an electrocardiograph or a myoelectric potential generated by the activity of voluntary muscles. There are electromyogram measuring devices for measuring.

Further, as a device utilizing myoelectric potential, a plurality of myoelectric potential detecting electrodes (surface electrodes) are arranged along muscle fibers, and a specific movement is detected based on myoelectric potential signals detected by these electrodes. Using a device for measuring the position and distribution of the neuromuscular junction in the human body (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-32057) and two signal data of an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal and an electromyogram (EMG). A device for analyzing whether the examiner is in any of various stages of the sleep state or in the awake state (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-1232) has been proposed.

[0004]

A number of researches and presentations have been made on devices for measuring cardiac potentials and myoelectric potentials, including the devices proposed above. It is a device configuration that displays a detection signal waveform in response to computerization, so that a general person such as a subject knows the magnitude of the potential by looking at the electrocardiogram / EMG. There is no better.

[0005] On the other hand, in various facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, rehabilitation is performed to recover muscular strength of physically handicapped persons and elderly people whose limbs are paralyzed due to neuropathy, but the training is simple and not interesting. For this reason, continuing training may be painful for some subjects. As a method of solving this, a method of devising so that rehabilitation can be performed in a play-like manner can be considered, but such an instrument or device has not been realized at present.

Here, there is a game machine represented by a video game machine or the like as one of the game machines utilizing the motor function of a person for play. It is possible to intuitively know the motor abilities such as nervous system and reflexes.

[0007] However, this type of game machine is intended for enjoying healthy people, and is not suitable for the elderly or physically handicapped, and the controller serving as a man-machine interface has push buttons or buttons. Since it is a joystick, it can be operated with only a small force of a fingertip, and cannot be used for restoring muscle strength of each part of the body.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a means for transmitting myoelectric potential information to a person who detects myoelectric potential.
An object of the present invention is to provide a myoelectric potential feedback device that can be widely used in various fields such as muscle rehabilitation and muscle strength measurement.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a myoelectric potential detecting means for detecting a potential generated by muscle activity of a human body, and a signal for converting the detected output into a predetermined electric signal. A myoelectric potential feedback device comprising: processing means; and output means for transmitting myoelectric potential information based on the processed detection signal to a person to whom the myoelectric potential detecting means is attached.
A signal processing device, wherein the signal processing means comprises:
The output of the output means is compared with a predetermined threshold to generate a binary electric signal.
A circuit for converting, wherein the signal processing means comprises:
A predetermined time from when the output of the detection means exceeds the threshold
Until elapse, the output of the myoelectric potential detecting means is
Regardless, the signal supply to the output means is prohibited.
It is characterized by being done .

Here, in the apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable to use a surface electrode which can be easily attached to and detached from a human body and has no problem in hygiene as the myoelectric potential detecting means. Further, the myoelectric potential detecting means detects a myoelectric potential of a plurality of parts of one user, or connects a plurality of myoelectric potentials to one apparatus so as to detect myoelectric potentials of a plurality of persons at one time. You may keep it. Further, when a surface electrode is used as the myoelectric potential detecting means, the surface electrode may be arranged on the inner surface of the band or the jacket and brought into contact with the skin of a human body.

Means for transmitting the myoelectric potential information based on the myoelectric potential detection signal to the user include a display device for displaying numbers, graphs, moving images, and the like, a lamp, a sound generator, a vibrator, and the like.

Further, in the device of the present invention, the output of the myoelectric potential detecting means may be supplied to the output means in the state of an analog signal after amplification, or the output may be compared with a predetermined threshold value. It may be converted to a value signal. In this case, the threshold value for binarization may be fixed or may be arbitrarily changed. Further, the output of the myoelectric potential detection means may be compared with a plurality of thresholds having different levels from each other to discriminate the myoelectric potential detection signal into a signal having several levels, for example.

Here, in the present invention, it is also possible to construct a game machine in which the binarized myoelectric potential detection signal is guided to, for example, a computer and the myoelectric potential detection signal is used as a control input. Further, in the present invention, it is possible to construct a muscular strength measuring device that displays the strength of muscular strength in the form of a numeral, a graph, or the like according to the magnitude of the myoelectric potential detection signal.

The output of the myoelectric potential detecting means may be guided to the signal processing means by wiring such as a cable, or may be transmitted to the signal processing means by wireless communication.

[0015]

The person wearing the myoelectric potential detecting means can know the myoelectric potential detection information by himself / herself. For example, when the sick or elderly person performs rehabilitation, the device of the present invention can be used to detect the myoelectric potential. The detection information can be used as a measure for training the muscle, which is more enthusiasm than the conventional silent training without any goal.

Further, if a game machine using the myoelectric potential detection signal as a control input is configured, rehabilitation can be performed at the same time while enjoying the game. In this case, it can also be used to prevent dementia of the elderly.

Here, consider a case where relatively severe rehabilitation is required. For example, when performing rehabilitation for a patient whose hands are completely paralyzed as a sequela, such as cerebral hemorrhage, one method is to move the paralyzed hand with the help of another person or the one with the freedom of one's own. However, it is necessary to find out the feeling of moving the paralyzed hand during the exercise halfway by chance, and in this case, the device of the present invention can be used effectively.

That is, if the apparatus according to the present invention is used to measure the myoelectric potential in a state where the hand for performing rehabilitation and the hand for assisting are completely insulated, it is possible to detect the case where the paralyzed hand is moved by an external force. Does not generate a myoelectric potential, but generates a myoelectric potential if the hand moves as the patient intends. Therefore, even if the paralyzed hand is moved in the same way, it is possible to distinguish whether it is one's own intention or that of another person by using the electromyogram information. You can get a feel.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, it is possible to feed back the myoelectric potential detection signal to the user as information on the strength of the muscular strength. To know if there is a shortage. This will help you gain strength during weight training.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

A pair of surface electrodes 1a and 1b for detecting myoelectric potential
Is attached to the skin at the measurement site such as the back of the hand. Also,
In the vicinity of the measurement site, a ground electrode 1c for placing the periphery of the myoelectric potential detection position at the ground potential is attached as necessary.

The pair of surface electrodes 1a and 1b detect a myoelectric potential generated when the muscle between the two electrodes is activated (contracted).
After being amplified to about 00 times, it is guided to the signal processing circuit 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the signal processing circuit 3 includes a comparator 3a and a zener diode 3b connected to the output of the comparator 3a, and a myoelectric potential detection signal is input to the comparator 3a. The comparison voltage (threshold) Vr of the comparator 3a is given by the DC power supply voltage (15V) and the variable resistor 3c. And this signal processing circuit 3
In the above, when the myoelectric potential detection signal, which is the input voltage, exceeds the comparison voltage Vr, a voltage signal is output at the reverse voltage (about 5 V) of the zener diode 3b. Forward voltage (about -0.6V)
Is held. Therefore, control can be performed by connecting an arbitrary TTL circuit to the output unit, and the computer 4 is connected as a control device thereof.

The computer 4 incorporates a program that uses a myoelectric potential detection signal from the signal processing circuit 3 as a control signal. By executing the program, myoelectric potential information is displayed on a display device (for example, a CRT) 5.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific application example. In this example, the computer 4 is a known video game computer, and the controller 30 incorporates the above-described differential amplifier 2, signal processing circuit 3, TTL, and the like.

In this example, game software for enjoying table tennis by one or two persons is incorporated, and the surface electrodes 1a and 1a are respectively attached to the left and right hands of each player.
b are prepared two by two. Also, the way to enjoy the game, for example, if you grip your right hand, you can shoot a ping-pong ball with a racket on the display screen, and you can move the video on the screen by repeating the operation of holding and opening the left hand Be programmed.

Further, in this example, the controller 30 is provided with a volume 30a.
By the operation a, the threshold value of the control signal to the computer 4, that is, the comparison voltage Vr of the comparator 3 a of the signal processing circuit 3 shown in FIG. 2 can be arbitrarily changed.

Therefore, in the game machine of this example, for example,
When performing rehabilitation for sick or elderly people with weak muscular strength, first set the threshold to a low level, let the game machine operate with the fingers bent slightly, and in this state rehabilitation for a certain period of time When the muscular strength of the subject increases continuously, a usage method of sequentially increasing the threshold level in accordance with the improvement of the muscular strength is also possible.

The game machine of this example is used for rehabilitation of sick and elderly people and for prevention of dementia of elderly people.
It can also be used as a game machine for healthy young people. In this case, in the conventional video game machine, since the operation is performed only at the fingertip, there is a problem in health such as lack of exercise.
Since the game machine of this example operates by exercising muscles, it is expected that the more enjoyable the game, the healthier it becomes.

Further, in this example, the surface electrodes 1a,
Since 1b can be worn on any part of the body in addition to the hands, the operator can naturally train a place where the operator wants to train muscles, for example, muscles such as legs and arms while enjoying the game.

Further, in addition to the configuration of the above embodiment, a surface electrode for detecting a cardiac potential is provided, and a function means for obtaining a heart rate based on the cardiac potential detection signal is provided, and the heart rate is displayed. If it is configured to be displayed on the screen of the device 5, it is possible to know how much the operator is excited during the game, and to use the heart rate information of the RPG (roll playing game). A new element is added to the game play, such as utilizing the main character's heart rate in the game, and the way of enjoying the game is expanded. In addition, the cardiac potential can be easily measured by using a pair of surface electrodes equivalent to those for detecting a myoelectric potential, and attaching one (plus side) to the left hand and the other (minus side) to the right hand. .

Next, a method for preventing a malfunction when the myoelectric potential detection signal is used for a control input of a game machine or the like will be described.

First, the myoelectric potential of the hand muscle was actually measured using the surface electrodes 1a and 1b shown in FIG. 1, and an electromyogram waveform as shown in FIG. 4 was obtained. In FIG. 4, (A) shows a state in which the hand is relaxed, (B) shows a state in which the hand grip operation is interrupted, and (C) shows a state in which the hand is kept tight. The waveform diagram is shown.

As is apparent from the measurement results, even when a single squeezing operation is performed, the myoelectric potential does not become a single pulse-like signal, and a waveform appears in the waveform due to characteristics of the human body, noise, and the like. Therefore, when the myoelectric potential detection signal is used as a control input to a computer, it is necessary to remove unnecessary signal components.

As a specific method, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when a myoelectric potential waveform rises and a threshold value (comparison voltage Vr of the comparator 3a in FIG. 2) is first exceeded, one pulse is applied. If a circuit that generates a signal (H level) and prohibits signal output for a certain time (for example, 0.05 seconds) from this point is incorporated in the signal processing circuit 3, malfunction due to noise or the like can be avoided. Controllability is improved.

To prevent malfunction due to chattering, a hysteresis level comparator may be used as the comparator 3a.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, if the gel G containing an electrolyte substance is applied to the surface electrodes 1a and 1b to improve the adhesion to the skin, the myoelectric potential can be detected. The sensitivity is improved, and malfunction due to noise can be suppressed.

Further, in the above embodiment, if the surface electrodes 1a and 1b are provided on the inner surface of the stretchable band 6 which can be worn on the hand as shown in FIG. Becomes easier.

As another method for binarizing a myoelectric potential detection signal and using it as a control input, for example, a single user can simultaneously detect a total of four myoelectric potentials of both hands and both feet. Then, there is also a method of logically combining the two values of the four-channel myoelectric potential detection signals to obtain a nine-channel signal.

Here, in the above embodiment, an example in which the myoelectric potential detection signal is binarized and used for control input of a game machine or the like has been described. Can be displayed. In this case, the amplified myoelectric potential detection signal may be used as it is and displayed in an analog manner, or the amplified myoelectric potential detection may be compared with a plurality of thresholds having different levels to detect the myoelectric potential. The signal may be discriminated into a plurality of levels, and the stepped signal may be used.

In the case of displaying the muscle strength in this way, although not shown, a material processed into a shape like a jacket of clothes and provided with a large number of surface electrodes on the inner surface may be used. . In this case, for example, the myoelectric potential of each part such as the shoulder, the chest, and the abdominal muscle can be detected at the same time.

Furthermore, if surface electrodes are attached to each part of the human body so that signals from the respective surface electrodes can be displayed in time series, muscles of each part during exercise of a golf swing or tennis serve can be provided. How to use, that is, in the swing, etc., you can grasp the order of the muscles of each part and at what interval with each other, for example, to correct the form from the difference with the ideal swing etc. Can be used. In this case, the method using the jacket as described above is adopted, and furthermore, if the magnitude of the myoelectric potential level of each part is displayed together, it is possible to determine which part has excessive force. You can know.

When displaying the muscle strength based on the myoelectric potential detection signal, the display is performed, for example, in a pie chart or a bar graph, and the full scale is set as a target value for muscle strength recovery or reinforcement. This makes it possible to visually grasp the progress of rehabilitation, weight training, and the like, which is helpful when considering a schedule thereafter.

In this case, Mt. Fuji or the like is displayed on the display screen, and the degree of recovery of muscular strength or the like is indicated by using the summit as a target value and the character of the character such as an animal or a manga who has climbed to the top of the mountain. By doing so, an interesting display with a sense of play is obtained.

In the above embodiment, an example in which various functions are added to the device of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the myoelectric potential detection signal exceeds a threshold value, Even with a very simple configuration such as turning on or generating a sound, it is possible to transmit the myoelectric potential information to the users.

Further, when the EMG information is conveyed to the user in the form of an image or a voice as described above, depending on the magnitude of the EMG detection signal, for example, "Let's work a little harder" or "Well worked hard" is displayed. If voice is generated, rehabilitation can be encouraged and further effects can be expected.

When the purpose is to be used by a visually impaired person or a hearing-impaired person, the vibrator is driven when the myoelectric potential detection signal exceeds a threshold value. It can be transmitted directly to the body of the person and is effective. In this case, the vibrator may be arranged on the seat surface or the backrest of the chair.

Here, in all of the above embodiments, the transmission of the myoelectric potential detection signal from the surface electrode to the signal processing circuit may be performed by using a wire such as a cable, or by detecting the myoelectric potential by wireless communication. If the signal is transmitted to the signal processing circuit, for example, when the myoelectric potential is measured during the exercise such as a golf swing, the wiring is not in the way and the usability is improved. When wireless communication is adopted, the noise surface becomes a problem. However, if amplifiers such as a differential amplifier are arranged on the myoelectric potential detection side (near the surface electrode), the influence of noise can be reduced.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since a person wearing the myoelectric potential detecting means can know the myoelectric potential information by display, voice, or the like, for example, when the sick or elderly person uses the device of the present invention when performing rehabilitation, the myoelectric potential information becomes muscular strength. Can be a goal of up, this will make the strength recovery training sharp,
An improvement in this effect can be expected. Further, if a game machine is constructed using the myoelectric potential detection signal in the present invention, rehabilitation can be performed simultaneously with enjoying the game, and further effects can be expected.

Further, in the present invention, a game machine or the like is provided in which the health is enhanced as the operation is performed by using the muscles of the whole body instead of the conventional operation of the computer or the video game machine using only the fingertip. be able to.

Here, when the present invention is used to perform rehabilitation on a patient whose hands are completely paralyzed as a sequela such as cerebral hemorrhage, when the hands are moved during the training, it is a patient's own intention. It is possible to distinguish whether the patient is assisted by a caretaker or the like, and as a result, the patient can feel the feeling of moving the paralyzed hand.

On the other hand, the device of the present invention can also be used as a muscle strength measuring device. In this case, for example, when correcting a form such as a golf swing or tennis serve, or performing weight training, the whole body muscles are balanced. It can be used as an effective device when training.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a signal processing circuit 3 of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific application example of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a waveform chart showing a measurement result of a myoelectric potential.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a method for removing unnecessary signal components of a myoelectric potential detection signal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of mounting surface electrodes 1a and 1b on a human body.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of mounting the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b Surface electrode (for detecting myoelectric potential) 2 Differential amplifier 3 Signal processing circuit 3a Comparator 3b Zener diode 3c Variable resistor 4 Computer 5 Display device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tokuo Saeki 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Kuniichi Ozawa 1006 Kazama Kadoma Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. In-company (72) Inventor Junichi Onoe 1006 Kazuma, Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-6-70899 (JP, A) JP-A-4-226628 (JP, A Japanese Utility Model Application No. Sho 58-30406 (JP, U) Japanese Translation of PCT International Publication No. 5-500461 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 5/0488-5/0496

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] An electric potential generated by a muscle activity of a human body is detected.
Potential detecting means for performing
Signal processing means for converting the
Information on the myoelectric potential, and
Potential feedback device with output means for communicating to
A signal processing device, wherein the signal processing means comprises:
The output of the output means is compared with a predetermined threshold to generate a binary electric signal.
A circuit for converting said signal processing means, during the period from the time when the output of the previous SL muscle potential detecting means exceeds a pre-Symbol threshold until a predetermined time elapses, regardless of the output of the muscle potential detecting means , before Symbol electromyogram feedback device you characterized in that it is configured to prohibit the signal supplied to the output means. 2. A means for comparing the output with the previous SL threshold before Symbol muscle potential detection means in the signal processing means hysteresis
The myoelectric potential feedback device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is a level comparator. 3. A signal processing myoelectric potential feedback device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the TTL circuit is connected to the output of the unit. 4. Detecting a potential generated by a muscle activity of a human body.
Potential detecting means for performing
Signal processing means for converting the
Information on the myoelectric potential, and
Potential feedback device with output means for communicating to
A click system, said signal processing means, the output of the previous SL muscle potential detection means compares each level with each other and have a plurality of threshold values, discriminating the EMG detection signals into a plurality of levels of signals myoelectric potential feedback device characterized by. Wherein the output means is a video game machine capable of mounting any software, and wherein the output of the previous SL signal processing means is supplied as a control input to the <br/> video game machine The myoelectric potential feedback device according to claim 4 . 6. The myoelectric potential feedback device according to claim 4 , wherein the output means is a vibrator that generates vibration. 7. The myoelectric potential feedback device according to claim 6 , wherein the vibrator is provided on the chair. 8. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the myoelectric potential detecting means is attached to the skin of a human body.
Surface electrode, wherein the surface electrode is along the skin of a human body.
Shape is attached to the processed holder, the host <br/> holder is equivalent shape and clothing of the jacket, and being attached previous Symbol surface electrodes at multiple sites of its inner surface The myoelectric potential feedback device according to claim 4 .