KR101396285B1 - Low-intensity Ultrasonic Medical Treatment Equipment for Arthritis - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a low intensity ultrasound arthritic therapeutic apparatus for use with a human body in close contact with a probe, which is a low intensity ultrasound transducer, for therapeutic purposes, comprising: a temperature sensor incorporated in the probe for detecting temperature; A heating member inserted in the probe and generating heat by a power source applied from the body of the low-intensity ultrasound arthroscopy apparatus; A fixing band composed of a resilient member fixed to both ends of the probe to maintain the contact state between the human body and the probe; And a controller which is electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the heating member and controls the probe through an electric signal, wherein the frequency band of the ultrasonic wave is 1 to 3 MHz, and the ultrasonic waves projected on the cartilage of the human body 0.1 to 3 W / cm < 2 >, thereby improving user convenience and providing an additional therapeutic function other than the ultrasound therapeutic function, thereby maximizing therapeutic effects such as arthritis.

Description

{Low-intensity Ultrasonic Medical Treatment Equipment for Arthritis}

The present invention relates to a low-intensity ultrasound arthritis treatment apparatus, and more particularly, to a low-intensity ultrasound arthritis treatment apparatus which stores a setting mode and a use history according to a user's age, body shape, body application site, kind of arthritis, The pulse rate, the duty cycle, and the pulse width ratio are automatically changed to improve the convenience of use, and the low intensity that can efficiently manage a large number of users To an ultrasonic arthritis treatment apparatus.

Ultrasound means a periodic sound pressure with a frequency exceeding the maximum audible range that humans can hear, and this limit varies from person to person, but is about 25kHz for the average person. Ultrasonic waves are commonly used in a variety of fields, such as penetrating the medium (or medium), measuring echoes, or supplying concentrated energy.

As is well known, since the adoption of ultrasound therapy as an official physical therapy tool by the American Council of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 1952, ultrasound has been widely used as a tool for the therapeutic purposes of patients with musculoskeletal disorders Such therapeutic ultrasound can generally be divided into high energy high intensity ultrasound and low intensity ultrasound.

Here, the low-intensity ultrasound increases the Ca ^{2 +} concentration in the cell thereby to change the membrane permeability of the adjacent cell yuim the Ca ^{2 +} ions into the cells and changes in these cells increase in cell movement and growth factor synthesis wound healing Is known to have a beneficial effect on.

1, an ultrasonic device for treating arthritis is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-537343. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic device includes an external main control unit 300, and an ultrasonic generator And an ultrasonic oscillator. The main control unit includes a power supply level controller 110, a time setting unit 120, and an ultrasonic oscillation controller 130.

However, since the conventional ultrasound therapy apparatus provides only a simple ultrasound treatment function, not only the user's convenience is degraded, but also the patient or the general consumer who desires various functions other than the ultrasound therapy function can not be satisfied.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a low-intensity ultrasound arthritis treatment device capable of maximizing therapeutic effects such as arthritis by providing an additional therapeutic function other than ultrasound treatment function, The purpose is to provide.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a low-intensity ultrasound arthritic therapy apparatus for use in a therapeutic use in which a probe, which is a low-strength ultrasound transducer, is closely contacted with a human body and includes a temperature sensor installed in the probe for detecting temperature; A heating member inserted in the probe and generating heat by a power source applied from the body of the low-intensity ultrasound arthroscopy apparatus; A fixing band composed of a resilient member fixed to both ends of the probe to maintain the contact state between the human body and the probe; And a controller which is electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the heating member and controls the probe through an electric signal, wherein the frequency band of the ultrasonic wave is 1 to 3 MHz, and the ultrasonic waves projected on the cartilage of the human body 0.1 to 3 W / cm < 2 >.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a low-intensity ultrasound arthritic apparatus further comprising a percutaneous nerve electrical stimulation device for delivering electrical stimulation to the skin of the human body through the probe according to a signal from the control unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for treating low-intensity ultrasound arthritides, the apparatus comprising: an interference wave generator for transmitting an interference wave current to the human body through the probe according to a signal of the controller;

Further, the probe of the low-intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus according to the present invention may further include an operation display unit operable in synchronization with the periodic signal of the pulsating ultrasonic wave to visually check the operation state of the probe.

In addition, the operation display unit of the low intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus according to the present invention is formed of a light emitting diode (LED).

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to maximize the therapeutic effect of arthritis and the like by providing an additional therapeutic function other than the ultrasonic treatment function as well as the user convenience.

In addition, the ultrasonic wave of the low-intensity ultrasound arthritis treatment device according to the present invention is projected on the human tissue, and the human tissue absorbs the energy and the primary tissue temperature is elevated. As a result, the blood flow enhancement, the increase in metabolism, Such as an increase in blood pressure, an increase in pain threshold, an increase in muscle activity, an increase in enzyme activity, and a change in contractility of skeletal muscle.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus according to the prior art,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a low-intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus according to the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of a low-intensity ultrasound arthritic apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a low-intensity ultrasound arthritic apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a low-intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a low-intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the low-intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a probe 20, which is a low-intensity ultrasonic transducer, A sensor 21 is provided.

The heat-generating member 22 is installed in the probe 20 and is heated by a power source applied from a main body of the low-intensity ultrasound arthroather treatment apparatus 10. The heat-generating member 22 may be a heat source, Material.

The probe 20 is provided with a fixing band 23 for maintaining the contact state between the human body and the probe 20. The fixing band 23 may be fixed to both ends of the probe 20 , And an elastic member having an elastic force.

The control unit 11 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 21 and the heating member 22 and controls the probe 20 through an electric signal.

Here, the frequency band of the ultrasonic wave is 1 to 3 MHz, and the ultrasonic wave projected onto the cartilage of the human body is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 3 W / cm 2.

2, both ends of the fixing band 23 are attached to the probe 20. However, if necessary, one end or both ends of the fixing band 23 may be attached to the probe 20 using a Velcro member or the like. The probe 20 can be firmly and firmly attached to the lesion portion by using the fixing band 23.

2, "Main Power" means a low frequency circuit and all other main power supply devices, "Display LCD" means a status display device such as a device status and a menu, and "RS232C" means a low intensity ultrasonic arthritis Refers to data communication between the therapy device 10 and a computer, and " Memory " refers to a user's treatment and other management data storage device.

'RTC' means a real time clock, 'Timer' means a control timer used for controlling a peripheral control device of a control unit, 'Key' means a power switch, mode switching, setting value selection And the 'connection detection' means a safety device such as stopping the output when the probe 20 is disconnected during the output.

The 'Sonic Generator' generates a low frequency according to an output signal and transmits a signal to the ultrasonic oscillator. The 'temperature measurement' converts a temperature value measured by the temperature sensor 21 into a voltage, 11) to detect the overheating and abnormal state of the ultrasonic oscillator in direct contact with the therapist so that the treatment can be stably performed.

The 'ultrasonic oscillator' receives a signal from the 'Sonic Generator', and contacts with the healing area of the therapist. The 'ultrasonic oscillator' transmits the infrared signal to the controller 11 And the 'temperature sensor' is connected to the temperature measuring device to measure the overheating state of the ultrasonic oscillator.

The 'Boot Setting' shown in FIG. 3 means system initialization, the 'current time' means that the current time is loaded from the RTC, the 'screen output' means that the user can easily use the current state and other settings To be displayed on the screen.

The 'mode selection' means that the user waits until the user uses the KEY, the remote control, and the RxD (computer communication connection) in the standby state, and the 'KEY input' Means to transmit commands to the system by pushing the remote control for the purpose of control setting, treatment, power on / off, etc. do.

The 'RxD' means that the administrator connects the data for management purpose in the treatment with a dedicated application program and receives the data through the communication. The 'control branch for each mode' means that each control setting, low frequency treatment, TxD And the control branching is performed according to the condition of the data transmission.

In addition, the 'treatment environment detection and judgment control' judges whether the treatment is to be continued or stopped by judging the current state according to the surrounding environment (stop of treatment, overheat abnormality, probe connection detection by the user) during treatment, 'Overheat' means that the user senses the temperature of the probe 20 when the user depresses the key and stops the output when the temperature of the probe 20 is overheated.

The 'pad connection detection' stops the output of the low-intensity ultrasound arthroscopy treating apparatus 10 in the event of disconnection of the probe 20 during the treatment or disconnection of the probe 20 by the user, When the patient is reconnected and a normal judgment is made, the patient continues the treatment again.

The term 'treatment stop' means that the treatment is stopped when an abnormality occurs due to the stoppage of treatment, overheat, probe connection, or the user stops the treatment. 'RETURN' means performing all control conditions and returning to the initial condition, and when the condition is maintained (treatment, setting, data transmission ) To continue execution of the command.

According to the present invention, the temperature sensor 21 serves to measure the temperature generated by the ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic oscillator. When the temperature rises excessively, the temperature sensor 21 is used to prevent skin damage or malfunction do. Here, the temperature sensor 21 can be any temperature sensor such as a resistance temperature sensor, a thermistor, a thermocouple, and a bimetal.

When the temperature sensor 21 reaches the set temperature, the control unit 11 controls the ultrasonic output to be reduced or stopped. For example, when the temperature reaches 39 ° C, the ultrasonic output is decreased. When the temperature reaches 40 ° C, the ultrasonic output is set to be cut off. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 21 is lower than 39 ° C, When the measured temperature reaches 39 DEG C, the control unit 11 controls to reduce the ultrasonic output. If the measured temperature reaches 40 占 폚, the ultrasound output may be controlled to be stopped so as to prevent skin damage due to overheating and device malfunction.

When a signal is input to the low intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus 10 in order to utilize the warming function of the probe 30 according to the user's needs, So that the temperature of the heating member 22 is increased, so that the probe 30 can perform the hot pad function.

The probe 20 of the low-intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus 10 according to the present invention may further include an operation display unit 23 that operates in synchronization with the periodic signal of the pulsating ultrasonic wave and visually confirms the operation state of the probe 20, As shown in FIG.

Here, it is preferable that the operation display unit 23 is formed of a light emitting diode (LED), but it is needless to say that the operation display unit 23 may be any electrical luminous body as long as it is visually recognizable.

Accordingly, the user of the low-intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus 10 according to the present invention can directly visually confirm the operation state of the probe 20 through the operation display unit 23, thereby enabling more stable treatment.

The low intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus 10 according to the present invention further includes a transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation apparatus 12 for delivering electrical stimulation to the skin of the human body through the probe 20 according to a signal of the control unit 11 And the like.

Here, the percutaneous nerve electrical stimulation device 12 is an apparatus for promoting contraction of muscles by applying electrical stimulation to the transcutaneous nerve and muscles, and uses a well-known technique used for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) The detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus 12 according to the present invention uses a high pulse-to-pulse frequency of 75 to 125 pps (pulse per second) or 80 to 120 pps, Using low-frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation that uses neural electrical stimulation or stimulation with a low intensity of 10 to 20 pps, typically 1 to 4 pps, or using a high pulse rate of 150 pps or more, High-intensity transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation can be utilized.

The low intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus 10 according to the present invention further includes an interference wave generator 13 for transmitting an interference wave current to the human body through the probe 20 according to a signal of the controller 11 .

Here, the interference wave generator 13 will be described in more detail. When two or more different middle-frequency currents are cross-energized at the same point or a series of points in the human body, a new low- This is called amplitude modulation (AC).

Such an amplitude-modulated alternating current is often called an interferential current (IC / IFC), and the electric therapy using the interference current is called an interferential current therapy (ICT) The device 13 is a device using a well-known technique used in the above-described interference current therapy (ICT), and thus a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

Generally, the interference wave generator 13 cross-energizes the mid-frequency waves of 4000 to 4100 Hz to penetrate the deep portion without skin resistance, thereby reducing muscle spasm and controlling pain.

According to the present invention, in order to investigate the effect of low-intensity ultrasound on osteoarthritic cartilage and chondrocytes of human, three different conditions were applied in vitro: tissue culture, alginate three-dimensional culture, The effects of ultrasound on the cartilage tissue of osteoarthritic humans were different from each other depending on the culturing conditions. The proliferation of chondrocytes was not affected by tissue culture or three-dimensional culture The effect was excellent in monolayer culture, and the intensity was about 100mW / ㎠.

As described above, when the microvibration due to the low-intensity ultrasound according to the present invention is increased, it is possible to obtain a thermal effect by inducing the generation of fricational heat to increase the tissue temperature. This can increase blood flow, increase tissue regeneration, , Improvement of tissue circulation, effect on peripheral nerve, muscle relaxation and pain relief.

In addition, changes in local pressure caused by low-intensity ultrasound induces expansion of air bubbles present in blood vessels and tissue fluids, and fluctuation and dispersion of deep tissue cells occurs, resulting in accelerated tissue movement. The effect of changing the flow of the liquid on the boundary of the cell membrane induces the permeability of the cell membrane, the protein synthesis ability, and the microcirculation enhancement depending on the direction of the stimulus. The application of pulsatile ultrasonography results in the promotion of bone union and the increase in mechanical strength (bone strength).

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It can be understood that.

10: Low-intensity ultrasound arthritis treatment device 11:
12: Percutaneous nerve electrical stimulation generator 13: Interference wave generator
20: probe 21: temperature sensor
22: heating member 23: operation indicator
24: Fixed band

Claims (5)

A low-intensity ultrasound transducer, a low intensity ultrasound arthritis treatment device,
A temperature sensor installed in the probe for detecting a temperature;
A heating member inserted in the probe and generating heat by a power source applied from the body of the low-intensity ultrasound arthroscopy apparatus;
A fixing band composed of a resilient member fixed to both ends of the probe to maintain the contact state between the human body and the probe;
And a control unit electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the heating member and controlling the probe through an electric signal,
The frequency band of the ultrasonic wave is 1 to 3 MHz, the ultrasonic wave projected on the cartilage of the human body is 0.1 to 3 W /
And a transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation device that transmits an electrical stimulus to the skin of the human body through the probe according to a signal of the controller. The pulse wave generator uses a pulsation frequency of 75 to 125 pps (pulse per second) Using a transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation device that is shortened,
And an interference wave generator for transmitting an interference wave current to the human body through the probe according to a signal of the controller,
And a 'pad connection detection' function for stopping the output of ultrasonic waves in the event of disconnection of the probe or separation of the probe.
delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the probe further comprises an operation display unit operable in synchronization with the periodic signal of the pulsating ultrasonic wave to visually check the operation state of the probe. 5. The low-intensity ultrasound arthritic treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation display unit comprises a light emitting diode.

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