JPH0351192B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a method for generating a low frequency electrical stimulation signal for applying electrical stimulation to a living body.

(Prior art) Traditionally, when a living body is given auditory stimulation by listening to classical music or favorite music, it feels pleasure or displeasure based on experiential ideas, or focuses consciousness on other things. It is known that it has the effect of alleviating or curing pain, stiff shoulders, and other discomforts. On the other hand, it is known that when electrical stimulation (transcutaneous stimulation (also referred to as skin stimulation)) is applied to a living body through the skin, pain, stiff shoulders, and other discomforts can be alleviated or cured.

It is also known that multiple stimulations are more refreshing than regular stimulations, and irregular stimulations are more refreshing and therapeutically effective than regular stimulations.

Based on these facts, research is being conducted on methods to reduce or treat pain sensation, stiffness, etc. using these stimuli.

Conventionally, as electrical stimulation signal generation techniques for applying this type of electrical stimulation to a living body, especially its sympathetic/parasympathetic nerves, there have been methods for generating electrical stimulation signals in which the pulse frequency does not vary over time, for example; Special Publication No. 56-5543 (Literature) and Actual Publication No. 1983
There is a device disclosed in Publication No. -22921 (Bunken).

The technique disclosed in the literature analyzes the frequency of a music signal and adjusts the frequency of the electrical stimulation signal from 10 to 100 according to the so-called 1/fluctuation law, which states that the power spectral density of the signal is inversely proportional to the frequency.
It is a technique that generates electrical stimulation signals while varying frequencies within the Hz range in relatively long duration units, such as 0.5 to 4 seconds.

The technique disclosed in the literature involves recording in advance on a recording medium an irregular pulse pattern in which the pulse generation frequency and the generation duration of the same pulse frequency vary as electrical stimulation signals, and then reproducing from the recording medium. 1/This is a technique that follows the fluctuation law.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, if you listen to your favorite music, your nerves will synchronize with the tempo, and your tissues and cells will also synchronize with the same tempo, so you can enhance the effects of pain relief and the like. Therefore, this effect can be achieved by using the volume level (sound pressure level) as sound information to provide skin stimulation to the living body in accordance with the tempo of the music.

However, the above-mentioned conventional technology
Since this technique provides skin stimulation based on frequencies that follow the fluctuation law, there was a problem in that it was difficult to match the stimulation to the tempo of music.

Furthermore, the combination of auditory stimulation from music and sounds and skin stimulation (electrical stimulation) that reflects these sound information is far more effective in relieving psychogenic pain than using either stimulation alone. is known to be high. Furthermore, the effects of the treatment, etc. will be even greater if the auditory stimulation and the electrical stimulation are made so that there is no substantial time delay and the living body feels that both stimulations are received in almost real time (real time).

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional techniques, it is not possible to apply both types of stimulation to a living body as real-time stimulation. This causes the music or sound to pause (such as rests or when the sound pressure (volume) is low).
Since electrical stimulation is given to the living body even when the body is in a state of stress, it cannot be matched with the living body's experiential psychological relaxation, and therefore, from the living body's perspective, such electrical stimulation is nothing more than a constant change in the stimulation pattern. There was a problem in that the patient did not feel any pain, and the relief of pain and other therapeutic effects could not be expected to be that great.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the first object of the present invention is to provide a low-frequency electrical stimulation signal generator that applies electrical stimulation (skin stimulation) to a living body in accordance with the tempo of auditory stimulation. be.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a low frequency electrical stimulation signal generating device that provides auditory stimulation and skin stimulation to a living body substantially in real time.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve this objective, the low frequency electrical stimulation signal generator of the present invention samples the volume level from the sound source at a speed that the living body perceives as substantially real time. and converting each volume level obtained by the sampling into corresponding pulse number control information and outputting it,
The stimulation signal generation section includes a control section that outputs necessary control information, and a current and voltage control section that performs frequency modulation of the current and voltage stimulation signals based on the pulse number control information.

It is characterized by

In carrying out this invention, the stimulation signal generating section includes:
It is preferable to include a control method selection section that can be switched to output only either the current or the voltage stimulation signal as the electrical stimulation signal in accordance with the control information from the aforementioned control section.

Furthermore, in carrying out the present invention, the stimulation signal generation section is provided with a pulse number generator that converts the pulse number control information into a corresponding pulse number control value, and the aforementioned current control section is provided with a pulse number generator that converts the pulse number control information into a corresponding pulse number control value. It is preferable to include a waveform generator that outputs a voltage waveform signal with a pulse number corresponding to the volume level based on the volume level, and a current stimulation generation circuit that outputs a current stimulation signal with the same waveform as the input voltage waveform signal. It is.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the stimulation signal generating section is provided with a pulse number generator that converts the pulse number control information into a corresponding pulse number control value, and the voltage control section is provided with a pulse number generator that converts the pulse number control information into a corresponding pulse number control value. It is preferable to include a waveform generation section that outputs a voltage waveform signal with a pulse number corresponding to the volume level based on the sound volume level, and a voltage stimulation generation circuit that outputs the input voltage waveform signal as a voltage stimulation signal. In this case, it is preferable to share this waveform generating section with the waveform generating section of the current control section.

Further, it is preferable that the number of pulses is 0 to 30 per second.

Furthermore, it is preferable to perform sampling at a period within the range of 0.01 to 0.5 seconds.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit preferably includes means for dividing the volume level into a plurality of stages, and means for converting into pulse number control information corresponding to the volume level of each stage. .

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pulse number control value from the pulse number generator is preferably set to "0" when the volume level is at the "0" level and when the volume level is at a low level.

(Function) As described above, according to the present invention, current or voltage control is performed based on the volume level of sound information to irregularly modulate the electrical stimulation signal. Therefore, it is possible to electrically stimulate the living body (transcutaneous stimulation) in time with the sound information such as music, or create a non-stimulation period with auditory stimulation when the music is paused or the volume level is low. I can do it. Therefore, it is possible to apply transcutaneous stimulation at a timing that the living body perceives as substantially real time, so that pain relief and therapeutic effects can be further enhanced in music therapy compared to conventional methods.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the volume level is sampled in a short cycle that the living body perceives as real time, it is possible to modulate the electrical stimulation with the auditory stimulation in substantially real time. Therefore, it is possible to reliably eliminate discomfort, alleviate pain effects, improve therapeutic effects, etc.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the frequency of the electrical stimulation signal is set to be a low frequency, for example, a frequency within the low frequency range of 0 to 60 Hz, so that The ``hair raising'' and ``trembling'' are around 15Hz), which can relax both body and mind.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration for explaining this invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of a low frequency electrical stimulation signal generating device for explaining this invention. be.

In FIG. 1, the low frequency electrical stimulation signal generation device basically includes a stimulation signal generation section 10 for generating a low frequency electrical stimulation signal, and this stimulation signal generation section 1.
The device includes a host unit 12 for selectively supplying data necessary for operating the 0, and an electrode unit 14 for applying generated stimulation signals to the living body.

Description of Basic Configuration In this embodiment, the host unit 12 includes necessary conditions for the stimulation signal generation unit 10, such as amplitude (intensity), waveform, frequency, stimulation pattern, control method such as current control or voltage control, electrode It mainly includes an input section 20 for inputting various signals for initial setting of selection and other conditions, adjustment of appropriate conditions, start of stimulation signal generation, etc. Furthermore, this host unit 12 includes a suitable sound source device for generating music, etc., a speaker for reproducing sound information from the sound source device, an electroacoustic transducer such as earphones, or a device for visually displaying the generated electrical stimulation signal. It is also possible to provide a display section 21, etc., or to prepare these sound source devices as an external device (the sound source device is indicated by 16) without providing them in the host section 12, and configure it so that it can be connected to the stimulation signal generating section 10. It's okay.

In this embodiment, the stimulation signal generator 10
The current and/or voltage method detects the volume level from the sound source device 16 and controls the physical quantity of the current and/or voltage stimulation signal, such as the frequency, amplitude (intensity), or number of pulses, in accordance with the detected volume level. Using a control method, while constantly modulating the electrical stimulation signal,
The configuration is such that the electrical stimulation signal is output. In this case, the frequency of the electrical stimulation signal can be selectively set to a certain low frequency within the preset frequency range of approximately 0 to 50 Hz that is comfortable for the person using the device. It is preferable to configure the following. Therefore, the stimulation signal generating section 10 mainly includes a control section including a CPU (central processing unit) for converting the volume level into a required control amount for controlling physical quantities and controlling other necessary controls. 30, a current control section 40 that controls the current according to this control amount, a voltage control section 50 that controls the voltage according to this control amount, and a voltage stimulation signal and a voltage stimulation signal generated from the current control section 40 and the voltage control section 50. It includes a control method selection section 60 for selecting a current stimulation signal and an output section 70.

Furthermore, the stimulation signal generating section 10 controls current and voltage waveforms using a sound waveform of approximately 200 Hz or less when there is sound and a pseudo-generated sound waveform when there is no sound, regardless of the volume level. The apparatus may also include a waveform control section 80 for performing rhythm stimulation (also referred to as rhythm modulation) by controlling the rhythm of the electrical stimulation signal.

Furthermore, since the control unit 30 randomly switches between the current control method and the voltage control method regardless of music or sound information, the control unit 30 is equipped with waveform, pulse width, frequency, intensity ( It may also include means for generating control signals such as amplitude), switching, etc. With this control means, as will be described later, the pattern of the electrical stimulation signal of current or voltage can be set to any suitable stimulation pattern for each living body.

Description of Specific Configuration The specific configuration and control method shown in FIG. 2 will be explained below. In the figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 will be described with the same reference numerals. Further, since the specific configuration and control method described in this embodiment are merely preferred examples, the present invention is not limited only to this embodiment.

<Description of Block Circuit> In FIG.
0 to a volume to DC level converter 91, and the resulting volume level signal is sent to an A/D converter 92. On the other hand, the output from the amplifier 90 is sent through an electronic volume 93 whose volume can be adjusted by an external switch SW and an amplifier 94 to an electroacoustic transducer 95 such as a speaker or earphone for reproduction, thereby providing auditory stimulation. Note that these reproduction systems do not necessarily need to be provided in this electrical stimulation device, and those provided in the external sound source device 16 may be used.

Further, if necessary, the output of the amplifier 94 can be configured to pass through the DC converter 22 of the display section 21 and display changes in the sound information on the light emitting display section 23 such as an LED, for example. Further, this light emitting display section 23 may be provided in the host section 12.

In this embodiment, the control unit 30 controls the host unit 12
A serial interface 31 that receives signals from the input section 20 wirelessly or by wire, and a CPU that performs various processes in accordance with the signals from this interface 31.
32. RAM where data necessary for processing by this CPU 32 is written and read as required
(Random Access Memory) 33, ROM (Read Only Memory) 3 that stores data necessary for processing etc. in the CPU 32 in advance and reads it when necessary.
4. Automatically outputs an arbitrary frequency as an internal clock for the data set by the CPU 32
A PTM (programmable time unit) 35, an output port 36 for outputting outputs including various control signals from the control unit 30 to other components, an input to the control unit 30, for example, a frequency 1 from the PTM 35.
It primarily comprises an input port 37 for receiving a signal for detecting the end of a cycle.

A portion of the output from the output port 36 is sent to the pulse number generator 96, the PTM 35 and the pulse number generator 96.
The signal is sent to the changeover switch 97 as a control signal.

In this embodiment, the current control section 40 and the voltage control section 50 each commonly include a waveform generation section 41 and a waveform selection section 42 composed of, for example, an electronic switch for selectively extracting the generated voltage waveform. The frequency clock section 4 of this waveform generating section 41
3, a frequency or pulse number control signal is sent through the changeover switch 97, and a frequency control signal is sent from the output port 36. Furthermore, data for changing the pulse width of the voltage waveform to be generated is sent from the output port to the pulse width data section 4 of this circuit 41.
Send to 4.

This waveform generating section 41 is provided with a waveform generating circuit 45 . This waveform generating circuit 45 is, for example, shown in FIG.
It is equipped with a large number of circuits that can individually output signals of various voltage waveforms as shown in . The configuration is such that each can be changed depending on data from the section 44. Such a waveform generation circuit 4
5. The frequency clock section 43 and the pulse width data section 44 can be easily formed using conventional electronic circuit technology, and there is no need for any special circuit configuration. A control signal from the output port 36 is used as a waveform select signal to determine whether at least one or two or more of these waveform generation circuits 45 are to be operated to output one or more required voltage waveform patterns. It is structured so that you can choose according to your preferences. Further, one or more types of voltage waveform patterns outputted from the waveform generation section 41 are selected by the waveform selection section 4.
2, it is configured so that it can be selected and taken out based on the waveform select signal from the output port 36 in the same way. The circuit configuration of this waveform selection section 42 can also be easily configured using conventional electronic circuit technology, and there is no need for this circuit to have any special circuit configuration.

One of the voltage waveform signals selected by the waveform selection section 42 is supplied to the current stimulation generation circuit 47 via the intensity (amplitude) and setting circuit 46 of the current control section 40 .
Further, the other voltage waveform signal is supplied to the voltage stimulus generation circuit 51 of the voltage control section 50.

In the current control section 40, an intensity setting circuit 46
The input voltage waveform signal is set to an arbitrary suitable amplitude by the control signal from the output port 36, and the input voltage waveform pattern is maintained in the current stimulation generating circuit 47. In other words, the voltage waveform pattern is the same as that of the voltage waveform. It converts the patterned current waveform into an electrical stimulation signal and outputs it.

On the other hand, in the voltage control section 50, the voltage waveform signal inputted to the supply voltage stimulus generation circuit 51 via the waveform selection section 42 is arbitrarily controlled as needed by the intensity (amplitude) and frequency control signal from the output port 36. The signal is changed to an appropriate intensity and/or frequency and output as an electrical stimulation signal in the form of a voltage waveform.

Further, in this embodiment, a control method selection section 60 is provided for selecting which method, current control or voltage control, should be used to apply the electrical stimulation signal to the living body as skin stimulation. This selection can be made by a selection method control signal from the output port 36, and depending on the need, only one of the current control method or voltage control method is selected, or both control methods are randomly selected. The configuration is such that it can be selected alternately.

The electrical stimulation signal obtained through the control method selection section 60 is sent to the output section 70 of the low frequency electrical stimulation signal generator. This output unit 70 is connected to electrodes for applying skin stimulation to one or more required locations on the living body, and which electrode is selected can be controlled by an electrode selection control signal from the output port 36. Configure.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the waveform control section 8
0, for example, a comparator 81 that detects the sound information from the amplifier 90, a low-pass filter 82 that passes sound information of approximately 200 Hz or less, and a rhythm generator 83 that generates a pseudo sound wave during the pause period of the sound information.
When the comparator 81 detects sound information, it selects sound information of approximately 200 Hz or less from the low-pass filter 82, and when it does not detect sound information, it selects the pseudo sound information of the rhythm generator and sends the waveform selection unit 42 to rhythm modulation (stimulation). ) Selection switch 8 for sending as a waveform
It has 4. On the other hand, this sound information is sent as a rhythm stimulation display signal to the control section via the A/D converter 92, and the rhythm display section 21 is configured to display the rhythm based on the control signal from the output port.

Control Method for Generating Electrical Stimulation Signal In the present invention, the frequency of the electrical stimulation signal for stimulating the skin is set to a low frequency. In this case, the frequency range is approximately 0 to 60 Hz, which the living body feels comfortable with. In this method, the electrical stimulation signal is modulated by one or both of current control and voltage control corresponding to the volume level from the sound source.

In the case of this electrical control method, the cells of the living body sense electric charges as energy, and in the case of the voltage control method, voltage is oscillated, so less current is needed to provide the same physical sensation that is good for the nerves. It is known that both control methods give a unique sense of pleasure to living organisms.

The method of modulating this electrical stimulation signal is to modulate the electrical stimulation signal by controlling the frequency, amplitude, and number of pulses of current and voltage in relation to the volume level. When performing rhythm modulation of electrical stimulation signals by controlling current and voltage using sound waveforms and pseudo-soundwaveforms at appropriate times, various control information ( There may be cases in which stimulation pattern modulation of electrical stimulation signals is performed by controlling current and voltage patterns based on a combination of waveforms, frequencies, and amplitudes. However, since the present invention relates to a device that performs pulse number modulation according to the volume level, other modulation methods will be described for reference.

In the following description, further reference will be made to FIGS. 4 to 16. Figure 4 is a diagram explaining table conversion, Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of the CPU 32, and Figure 6 is a diagram explaining table conversion.
1 to 14 are flowcharts of the operation, and each processing step is indicated by S.

[] Using volume level <Frequency modulation> First, turn on the power switch and operate the sound source device 16 to generate sound information such as music to provide auditory stimulation.

Sound information from the sound source device 16 is processed in real time by a volume to DC level converter 91 and an A/D converter 92, for example, as shown in the upper column of FIG.
Convert to 6-bit volume level.

On the other hand, the input unit 20 (for example, an input key) of the host unit 12 inputs necessary initial information such as modulation, waveform, frequency, electrode selection, control method, etc. as treatment data to the control unit 30 of the stimulation signal generation unit 10. Enter. Processing is performed by the setting means 102 of the CPU 32 based on this initial information (S1), and the corresponding control information is read out from the ROM 34 or converted into required control information, and each of these control information is sent to the output port 36. to each corresponding component (S2) to set initial conditions.

For example, a waveform select signal is sent to the waveform generation section 41 to activate the waveform generation circuit 45, and a control signal is sent to the pulse width data section 44 to initialize an appropriate pulse width.

In addition, the initial frequency information is transmitted to the frequency clock section 4.
3, and the frequency of the voltage waveform signal from the waveform generation circuit 45 is initially set to a frequency at which the living body feels maximum stimulation when the waveforms of the electrical stimulation signals are the same, for example, 30 Hz. The initial setting of this frequency is set regardless of the presence or absence of sound information from the sound source device 16.

At the same time, a control signal is sent to the voltage control and current control method selection section 60 to select an electrical stimulation signal based on one of the control methods.

Furthermore, the intensities of these electrical stimulation signals are set each time by sending a control signal read from the ROM 34 to the intensity setting circuit 46 and the voltage stimulation generation circuit 51 in accordance with the selection at the input section 20. This intensity can be adjusted and set until the user feels comfortable.

When this stimulation intensity is appropriate, the host unit 12
The start key of the input unit 20 is turned on and a start input is sent to the control unit 30, and treatment start data is sent to the stimulation signal generation unit 10 through the processing of the CPU 32 (S3), and the control unit 30 outputs the A/D converter 92. Start capturing the volume level from (S4). This acquisition is performed by sampling by the CPU 32, and each volume level obtained at each sampling is
Write to RAM33 once (S5), and then write as required.
Sequential reading from RAM32 to CPU32 (S6),
The CPU 32 converts the 256-bit volume level into 16 levels (S7). During this level conversion, not only when the volume is "0", but also when the volume is low, the electrical stimulation signal intensity is forced to the "0" level. Each of these 16 volume levels is converted to a corresponding frequency in the low frequency range (S8). This conversion can be done, for example, in ROM
34 stores conversion frequencies corresponding to each volume level in advance in the form of a table, and compares each volume level with the frequency conversion table to read out the corresponding frequency (S8). This frequency information is sent to the corresponding component via the output port 36 (S9). In this case, sampling is preferably performed at a rate that the living body perceives as substantially real time, for example, approximately 0.01~
It is preferable to perform this at a period within the range of 0.5 seconds. In addition, the frequency conversion table is, for example, as shown in Figure 4, for each of the 16 volume levels.
An individual frequency is assigned within the range of 0 to 60 Hz, preferably within the range of 0 to 30 Hz, which is the stimulation frequency that the living body feels most comfortable with. For example, as can be understood from Figure 4, the volume level "0" is 1.5Hz,
"1" is 2Hz, ... "5" is 5Hz, ... "10" is
The settings are 10Hz, "11" is 15Hz, ... "15" is 30Hz, and so on. In this way, the CPU 32 has
It is provided with conversion means 102 (FIG. 5) that performs such sampling and converts the frequency.

When the volume level is frequency-converted for each sample and sequentially output from the output port 36, this frequency is supplied to the frequency clock section 43 of the waveform generation section 41 and the voltage stimulus generation circuit 51, and the frequency is sequentially converted from the initially set frequency. The current or voltage frequency is thus updated to a new frequency that corresponds immediately to the volume level sent to the electrical stimulation signal, and thus the frequency of the current or voltage is controlled in an analog manner, and frequency modulation of the electrical stimulation signal is automatically achieved in an analog manner.

In this way, music and sounds are used as auditory stimulation,
The volume level from the sound source device 16 is sampled in substantially real time with the auditory stimulation, and the frequency of the electrical stimulation signal is constantly modulated to a frequency corresponding to the volume level at the same time as this sampling time to provide transcutaneous stimulation. ing.

The greatest feature of this frequency modulation is the near real-time sampling and the setting of electrical stimulation (corresponding to transcutaneous stimulation) that responds immediately to this sampling. In this embodiment, when the volume (sound pressure) level is "0" or an extremely low level (one-sixteenth of the maximum level or less), the frequency is set to, for example, 1.5 Hz or less. In this way, when the music is paused or the volume is low, the waiting time until the next stimulation is, for example, 1 second at 1 Hz, 2 seconds at 0.5 Hz, and 4 seconds at 0.25 Hz. Therefore, in terms of actual music, transcutaneous stimulation is not performed when the music is at rest or when the volume is low. Since this no-stimulation time of transcutaneous stimulation is substantially synchronized with the no-stimulation time of auditory stimulation, the cerebral cortex is innervated by the world of music based on experiential ideas due to the music you like, and pain can be felt. It makes you feel less and the therapeutic effect increases.

By the way, if the waiting time until the next transcutaneous stimulation becomes long, there may actually be cases where the patient does not immediately respond to the auditory stimulation. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control section 30 of the stimulation signal generation section 10 constantly observes this waiting time in terms of the conversion frequency and the volume level, and if the waiting time becomes longer, the control section 30 of the stimulation signal generating section 10 changes the newly sampled volume level. The frequency compulsory conversion means 103 is provided to forcibly convert the frequency to a frequency corresponding to the frequency.

An example of the flow of operation of this frequency forced conversion means 103 will be explained using FIG. 8.

First, a determination process is performed to determine whether the sampled volume level is 1/16 or less of the maximum level (S10). If yes (Y), set the treatment intensity level of the volume level to "0" level28
(S11). If no (N), a determination process is performed as to whether the current frequency is, for example, 5 Hz or less (S12). Next, if the frequency is higher than 5Hz,
A determination process is performed to determine whether one cycle of this frequency has ended (S13). If one cycle has not been completed, the treatment intensity is set to the set intensity (initial setting intensity) (S16). If one cycle has been completed, the volume level is converted to a frequency corresponding to the volume level obtained in the next sampling (S15), and outputted via step S16.

If the current frequency is 5 Hz or less in the determination process in step S13 above, it is compared with the volume level at the previous sampling (S14), and if the current volume level is higher, the process in step S15 is performed. In the process, the frequency is forcibly set to correspond to the current volume level, and then the process in S16 is performed and output.
Furthermore, if the current volume level is low, the process of step S16 is performed. This series of processing is always performed while the electrical stimulation signal generator is in operation. Incidentally, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a case has been described in which the conversion means 102 and the frequency forced conversion means 103 are provided as separate functional blocks, but a configuration in which the frequency forced conversion means 103 is incorporated in the conversion means 102 may also be adopted. I can do it. Further, the operation flow is not limited to the above-described flow, and a different flow may be used.

<Amplitude Modulation> First, similar to the case of frequency modulation, initial settings are performed (FIGS. 5 and 6). In this case, the initially set intensity is the maximum intensity that provides maximum stimulation to the living body, and this is the set intensity. This setting strength is written in the RAM 33 and read out at any time.

Next, when the volume level of the 8-bit data is sequentially captured through sampling, the set intensity is set to the intensity (amplitude) corresponding to this newly captured volume level within the range of 0 to 100%. It is updated sequentially in real time, thus achieving amplitude modulation of the electrical stimulation signal and thus achieving modulation of the transcutaneous stimulation intensity. This amplitude (intensity) conversion is constantly performed.

This amplitude modulation is performed by the CPU 32 in this embodiment.
This can be mainly performed using the treatment intensity setting means 104.

This amplitude modulation process (see Figure 9) first involves
Read the setting strength from RAM33 (S20), then
The volume level of 8-bit data is read from this RAM 33 (S21). Next, in order to calculate the following equation (), this 8-bit volume level data is divided by 256, and the resulting quotient is multiplied by the set intensity to calculate the treatment intensity, that is, the amplitude control value (S22 ). Note that this calculation process is not limited to this.

Treatment intensity = Setting intensity × {(8-bit data of volume level) / 256} ... () In this case, preferably, the amplitude control value is 24 levels of electrical stimulation signal intensity within the range of 0 to 100% of the setting intensity. It is best to set it so that you get Further, when the volume level of music/sound is "0" or extremely low, the electrical stimulation signal intensity is forcibly set to "0". However, even if this intensity is not set to "0", the intensity will also decrease when the volume level is low, so it will not be felt as a living body, and the bodily sensation will match the music/sound.

In addition, although an example has been described in which arithmetic processing is performed by the functional block of the treatment intensity setting means 104, the ROM3
Treatment intensity (amplitude control value) as a conversion table to 4
may be stored and read out from this conversion table to convert into treatment intensity.

The amplitude control value thus obtained is outputted from the output port 36 and sent to the intensity setting circuit 46 and the voltage stimulation generation circuit 51 to modulate the amplitude of the current and voltage stimulation signals. In this case, as in the case of frequency modulation, either the current or voltage control method is selected by the control method selection section 60.

In the case of this amplitude modulation, as in the case of frequency modulation, the volume level from the sound source device is sampled in substantially real time with the auditory stimulation, and the amplitude is converted at the same time as the sampling time to convert the amplitude of the electrical stimulation signal. It is set in real time within the range of 0 to 100% of the set intensity.

The feature of this amplitude modulation is that no output stimulation is performed when the music is paused or the volume is low.As with frequency modulation, the non-stimulation time of transcutaneous stimulation is
It can be created in conjunction with music, and is highly effective in music therapy.

<Pulse number modulation> In this case as well, initial settings are performed in the same way as in the case of frequency modulation described above, but instead of the frequency, the pulse number generator 96 generates, for example, 16 pulses/second (corresponding to 30Hz). Initial settings are made to generate pulses at a pulse rate (FIGS. 5 and 6).

Next, when the volume level of the 8-bit data is sequentially captured by sampling, the number of pulses corresponding to this newly captured volume level is sequentially set within the range from the initial setting pulse number to the maximum pulse number. is updated in real time, thus achieving control of the electrical stimulation signal and thus achieving pulse number control of transcutaneous stimulation. This pulse number modulation is always performed.

This pulse number modulation, in this example,
This can be mainly performed using the pulse number setting means 105 of 32.

In the pulse number modulation process (see Figure 10), first,
The volume level divided into 16 levels is read from the RAM 33 (S23), then the corresponding pulse number conversion value is obtained by table conversion in the ROM 34 (S24), and then the calculation according to the following formula () is performed ( S25).

Pulse number control value = (16-step conversion value - 1) ... () According to this embodiment, the pulse number control value is calculated according to the formula (), and this is used to generate the pulse number from the output port 36. The signal is sent to the frequency clock section 43 of the waveform generation section 41 via the changeover switch 97, which generates a pulse at a corresponding pulse rate in immediate response to the sampled volume level. Therefore, the pulse rate at which the current and voltage stimulation signals are generated as pulses can be controlled. In this case, the number of pulses is preferably within the range of 0 to 30 pulses/second that the living body feels comfortable with.

According to this formula, the number of pulses becomes "0" when the music is at rest or when the volume is low.

Note that the calculation of the pulse number control value is not limited to equation (), and other calculation methods may be used. Further, instead of these calculations, the pulse number control values corresponding to the volume levels may be stored in a table in the ROM 34, and the values may be obtained by converting the table.

Even when pulse number modulation is performed in this manner, percutaneous stimulation can be applied substantially in real time with auditory stimulation, as in the case of frequency modulation described above.

[] Non-use of volume level <Rhythm modulation> This process will be explained (FIG. 11). In this case, modulation, waveform, stimulation pattern, control method,
Setting conditions such as electrode selection are input to the control unit 30. This process will be explained. As in the case of frequency modulation and the like described above, initial settings are performed based on these setting conditions. During this initial setting, a waveform with a large wave height is used to make it easier to feel the intensity. Then, for example, the treatment is started when a stimulation pattern that the living body feels is optimal stimulation is reached. First, the modulation method setting means 106 of the CPU 32 sends rhythm modulation command information from the output port to the waveform control section 80, and the waveform control section 80 is activated (S30). The presence or absence of sound information from the sound source device 16 is determined (S31), and if it is outputting, this is detected by the comparator 81, for example, by level comparison, and the switch 84 is set to the low-pass filter 82.
and sends sound information of approximately 200 Hz or less to the waveform selection section 42 as a rhythm modulation waveform (S32). on the other hand,
If there is no sound information, the comparator 82 sends the pseudo sound waveform from the rhythm generator 83 to the waveform selection section 42 as a rhythm modulation waveform (S33).
Next, in response to a command from the modulation method setting means 106, the waveform selection section 42 is switched to select only the rhythm modulation waveform and set to send it to the subsequent stage (S34).

From this waveform selection section 42, the voltage stimulation generation circuit 51
At the same time, it is sent to the current stimulation generation circuit 47 via the intensity setting circuit 46 (S32). Control the rhythm and/or intensity of the current and voltage stimulation signals using both rhythm modulation waveforms (S33), and output them as electrical stimulation signals using either current or voltage control as in the case of the other modulation methods described above. . Therefore, rhythmic and intense stimulation can be given to the living body.

In this embodiment, the low-pass filter 81 with a frequency of approximately 200 Hz or less is used because the stimulation obtained by a stimulation pattern with a frequency in that range is a stimulation that matches the bass and drums.

This rhythmic stimulation can also alleviate or treat the discomfort of the living body.

[] Stimulation pattern modulation without using a sound source device <Alternate switching of current and voltage control methods> In this case, the control unit 30 is configured to automatically change the selected parameters of the stimulation pattern regardless of the music. It is. Typical stimulation parameters include waveform, pulse width, frequency, and intensity.

In this embodiment, stimulation pattern modulation processing will be explained using two examples in which frequency and intensity are variable parameters (FIGS. 2, 5, and 12).

First, the initial setting values of each parameter and the variable parameter values of frequency and intensity are stored in the ROM 34 in advance.

This stimulation pattern modulation process will be explained.

Frequency variable As in the case of each modulation method described above, the input section 2
Based on the command from 0, the modulation method setting means 106 commands stimulation parameter modulation (S40), and the setting means 101 initializes the waveform, pulse width, and intensity (S41). Next, based on this command, the stimulation parameter setting means 107 is activated.
The frequency is read from the ROM 34 and outputted from the output port 36 to the waveform generation section 41 and voltage stimulation generation circuit 51 (S42). This frequency may be fixed or may vary randomly. Next, the electrical stimulation signal is controlled in the same manner as in the case of frequency modulation described above (S43). Next, the above-mentioned modulation method setting means 1
Based on the selection of this modulation method in step 06, this means 106 gives a command to the control method selection unit 60 to output current and voltage stimulation signals alternately at a constant or random switching speed, and these stimulation signals are alternately output. (S44). Therefore, alternating stimulation can be applied to the living body. This alternating switching is performed by reading data from the ROM 34 and outputting it in accordance with commands from the input section 20. Setting means 10 for this process
You can also do it with 1.

Variable intensity In this case, the processing is basically performed in the same manner as in the case of variable frequency described above, so it is sufficient to perform the processing in which frequency is replaced with intensity (amplitude) in FIG. 12. However, the initial setting of the frequency is performed by sending a control signal from the setting means 101 to the PTM 35.
The frequency is automatically locked by PTM35.
This intensity variation modulates the stimulation pattern,
It is possible to give alternating stimulation to living organisms.

In this way, in any type of stimulation pattern modulation, the stimulation pattern is controlled by a program stored in the CPU 32 in advance.

By the way, in the case of this stimulation pattern modulation, the current and voltage stimulation signals are alternately switched, and the switching time is several seconds to several minutes, but preferably about 2 seconds to 1 minute. .

The reason why such alternating stimulation is provided by alternating switching is as follows. For example, if biological stimulation is performed using current control with a sine wave or exponential waveform and voltage control with a square wave or needle waveform, no stimulation will occur under current control even if the current value is the same as during voltage control. Even if the living body feels unstimulated, electric current control imparts an electric charge to the living body, so current stimulation is effective during anesthesia, children, or people who dislike electricity. However, since current stimulation alone does not produce any sensation, a sensitive stimulation is provided by alternately switching between voltage and current stimulation.

Flow of main control operations of this device FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of main operations of this device.

First, it is determined whether a signal is being received from the input section 20 (S50), and if it is being received, the data for that determination and each data are set, or if it is not being received, it is directly transmitted to the next step. Proceed to frequency modulation processing.

Next, it is determined whether it is frequency modulation or not (S52)
If there is such a command, frequency modulation processing is performed (S53), or if there is no such command, the process directly proceeds to the next process.

Next, it is determined whether or not amplitude modulation is to be performed (S54). If there is such a command, amplitude modulation processing is performed (S55), or if there is no such command, the process directly proceeds to the next process.

Next, it is determined whether or not there is rhythm modulation (S56).
If there is such a command, the rhythm modulation process is performed (S57), or if there is no such command, the process directly proceeds to the next process.

Next, it is determined whether or not pulse number modulation is required (S58), and if there is a command, the frequency modulation process is performed (S59), or if there is no command, the process goes directly to the next process. move on.

Next, it is determined whether there is no modulation (S60),
If there is no modulation command, a process without modulation is performed (S61), or if there is a modulation command, the process directly proceeds to the next process.

Next, other necessary processing, including stimulation pattern processing, etc., is controlled.

Note that this process is repeatedly performed during the operation of this device. Further, the type of each modulation method and the determination process of its presence or absence are performed by the modulation method setting means 10 of the CPU 32.
6, and the results are sent to the frequency forced conversion means O103, the treatment intensity setting means 104, the pulse number setting means and the stimulation parameter setting means 107, respectively, and the respective processes are started.

Processing of volume level data by the CPU In Fig. 5, from the A/D converter 92
The volume level data input to the CPU 32 is first converted into 8-bit data from the A/D converter 92 by the converting means 102, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, and stored in the RAM.
33 (S63). The set data is converted into 16 levels and set in another area of the RAM 33 (S64).

Current stimulation generation circuit and voltage stimulation generation circuit Next, the current stimulation generation circuit 47 explained in FIG.
The voltage stimulation generating circuit 51 will be briefly explained with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

Both of these circuits 47 and 51 can be easily assembled in a hardware configuration using conventionally known electronic circuit technology.

Current Stimulation Generating Circuit FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of an example of this circuit. As already explained, this circuit is a circuit that outputs a current having the same waveform as the input voltage waveform.

This circuit is a circuit mainly using, for example, an operational amplifier, a photocoupler, a Darlington circuit, etc., and includes a first stage 110, a second stage 120, and a third stage 13.
Configure from 0.

In order to convert a voltage waveform into a current waveform at a constant voltage level, the first stage 110 is configured by combining an operational amplifier 111 and a light emitting element 112 of a photocoupler, and converts an input voltage into an optical output.

The second stage 120 is a photocoupler light receiving element 121
, a current-to-voltage conversion circuit 122 that converts the current from the light receiving element into voltage, and an operational amplifier 123 that amplifies the voltage, and outputs the voltage.

The third stage 130 further converts the voltage to an operational amplifier 131
After amplifying the current, it is converted into a current that is sent to the Darlington circuit, which generates an output current. At this time, by feeding back the output of the Darlington circuit 132 to the operational amplifier 131 side, it is possible to output a current with a waveform that always matches the input voltage waveform even if the impedance of the biological body to which this output current is applied changes. It has been done.

The circuit configuration of this current stimulation generating circuit 46 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment, and may have other configurations.

Voltage Stimulation Generating Circuit This circuit is a circuit that simply amplifies the input voltage, and an example of its configuration is shown in a block diagram in FIG. 16, for example. This circuit 51 includes an operational amplifier 141 and a push-pull amplifier 1 for amplifying its amplified voltage output.
42, and outputs a voltage with the amplitude and/or frequency of the input voltage changed as required.

This circuit 51 is also not limited to the circuit configuration of the embodiment described above, and may have another configuration.

The configuration of the control and/or device for achieving the present invention is not limited to the method and configuration described in the above-described embodiments, and it is clear that various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, the configuration of the device shown in FIG. 2 and the like may be other configurations, and its operating method is not limited to the operating procedure described above.

The above-mentioned frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, pulse modulation,
It is also possible to generate electrical stimulation signals by arbitrarily combining rhythm modulation and stimulation pattern modulation (alternating stimulation).

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, low-frequency electrical stimulation corresponding to the volume (sound pressure) level of music/sound can be applied to a living body using either current or voltage control method. Since the structure is such that the medicine is applied to the living body substantially in real time by alternating between the two, the pain relief and therapeutic effects are more reliable and greater than in the case of the conventional method based on the 1/fluctuation law.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a low frequency electrical stimulation generator used to explain the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the low frequency electrical stimulation generator used to explain the invention. FIG. 3 is a voltage waveform diagram for explaining this invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a frequency conversion table for explaining this invention,
FIG. 5 mainly serves to explain this invention.
Block diagram for explaining the functions of the CPU, Part 6
14 are flowcharts of operations to explain the present invention, FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a current stimulation generation circuit to explain the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a voltage stimulation generating circuit for explaining the present invention. 10... Stimulus signal generation section, 12... Host section,
20... Input section, 30... Control section, 40... Current control section, 50... Voltage control section, 60... Control method selection section, 70... Output section, 80... Waveform control section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an electrical stimulation signal generation device for applying electrical stimulation to a living body, the volume level from a sound source is sampled at a speed that the living body perceives as substantially real time, and each volume level obtained by the sampling is In addition to converting the volume level into corresponding pulse number control information and outputting it,
The stimulation signal generation section includes a control section that outputs required control information, and a current and voltage control section that modulates the number of pulses of the current and voltage stimulation signals based on the pulse number control information. A low frequency electrical stimulation signal generator characterized by: 2. The stimulation signal generation section is characterized in that it includes a control method selection section that can be switched to output only either the current or voltage stimulation signal as an electrical stimulation signal based on control information from the control section. A low frequency electrical stimulation signal generating device according to claim 1. 3. The stimulation signal generation section includes a pulse number generator that converts the pulse number control information into a corresponding pulse number control value, and the current control section generates pulses corresponding to the volume level based on the pulse number control value. Claim 1 comprising: a waveform generating section that outputs a voltage waveform signal of a number of times, and a current stimulation generation circuit that outputs a current stimulation signal having the same waveform as the input voltage waveform signal. The low-frequency electrical stimulation signal generating device described in 2. 4. The stimulation signal generation section includes a pulse number generator that converts the pulse number control information into a corresponding pulse number control value, and the voltage control section generates pulses corresponding to the volume level based on the pulse number control value. The low-frequency electricity according to claim 1, characterized in that the low-frequency electricity generator includes a waveform generating section that outputs several voltage waveform signals, and a voltage stimulation generation circuit that outputs the input voltage waveform signal as a voltage stimulation signal. Stimulus signal generator. 5. The low frequency electrical stimulation signal generating device according to claim 1, wherein the number of pulses is 0 to 30 per unit time. 6. Claim 1, wherein the sampling is performed at a period within a range of 0.01 to 0.5 seconds.
The low-frequency electrical stimulation signal generating device described in 2. 7. The control unit comprises means for dividing the volume level into a plurality of stages, and means for converting the volume level of each stage into corresponding pulse number control information. The low frequency electrical stimulation signal generator according to item 1. 8. Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the pulse number control value from the pulse number generator is set to "0" when the volume level is "0" level and when it is a low level. The low frequency electrical stimulation signal generator according to any one of the items.