DE102016122224B3 - Electrode for TENS and / or EMS treatment and related procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

A pair of electrodes (7a, 7b) for the TENS and / or EMS treatment of a region of the human body each comprise at least one layer of flexible material, the surface of each electrode (7a, 7b) being electrically conductive or by means of an electrically conductive, viscous contact means is conductively feasible, so that by the electrodes (7a, 7b) in one of these covered area of the skin of the human body current into the skin is introduced, and wherein each electrode (7a, 7b) with a Connection (8) for the electrical line or is provided with an electrical line, via which the electrode (7a, 7b) to a TENS or EMS device can be connected and supplied with power. In order to be able to easily and effectively train the neck musculature, which is part of the facial muscles, of brass and woodwinds, it is proposed that the electrode (7a, 7b) has an angle, arc or sickle shape. In the method according to the invention, an electrode pair as described above is arranged in two areas, both above the upper lip (3) and adjacent to the corner of the mouth (6) of the human body to be treated, against the entire surface of the skin.

Description

introduction

The invention relates to a pair of electrodes comprising two electrodes for the TENS and / or the EMS treatment of a region of a human body, each electrode consisting of at least one layer of a flexible material, wherein a surface of each electrode is electrically conductive or by means of an electrically conductive viscous contact agent is conductively feasible, so that through the electrodes of the pair of electrodes in or out of one of these covered area of the skin of the human body current can be introduced or diverted into the skin and wherein each electrode with a connection for an electrical line or with an electrical line is provided, via which the respective electrode can be connected to a TENS and / or EMS device and supplied with power.

State of the art

TENS treatment is a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in which electrical stimuli are introduced through the skin into the skin and through it into the underlying tissue. In the TENS treatment, the fight against pain by means of electricity is in the foreground. According to the theory, the current should stimulate the nerves in the tissue, which then send out electrical signals to the spinal cord, where according to the so-called "control cabinet theory" should develop a pain-reducing effect. When stimulating with comparatively high frequencies in the range between 80 Hz and 150 Hz, the signal is transmitted to the brain and therefore the perception of pain is interrupted. By contrast, lower TENS frequencies between about 2 Hz and 4 Hz in the brain should release chemical substances that dampen pain perception.

In comparison, the focus of EMS treatment is on activating and building up the targeted musculature, as well as increasing the body's energy expenditure, such as fitness programs and weight-loss programs. While during physical exertion, nerves normally deliver electrical impulses to the involved muscles, which then contract, the command to the muscles during EMS training does not come from the brain. Rather, it is passed over the electrodes from the outside by a low stimulation current to the muscles, which then contract as well, thus mimicking the activity of the muscles under effort. With adequate treatment intensity and duration, strengthening of the stimulated muscle as well as its growth can be achieved.

From the WO 2005/110531 A1 Electrodes are known for the simultaneous electrical stimulation of all facial, cervical, arm, leg and trunk muscles of the human body. The known electrodes have a width between 5 mm and 80 mm and a length corresponding to the circumference of the respective body part whose muscles are to be addressed by the electrode. The electrodes are in the form of strips and are flexible, so that they can adapt to the respective body shape. Electrodes that do not completely surround the body part in question are self-adhesive. The enclosing electrodes can be fastened, for example, with Velcro tape. With the known electrodes should also be able to achieve a treatment of the facial and neck muscles, in particular, wrinkles in the forehead and between the eyebrows and around the eyes and mouth should also be made to disappear, such as a double chin and neck wrinkles.

However, it has been found that training or treatment of the so-called approach muscles, which is particularly important for making music in brass and woodwind, can only be done inadequately with the known electrodes. The approach muscles are the parts of the so-called mimic muscles around the mouth. In particular, the following muscles are involved in the playing of brass and woodwind instruments: orbicular muscle (orbicularis oris muscle), oral contraceptor (depressor anguli oris muscle), underlip remover (depressor labii inferioris muscle), pelvic muscle (mentalis muscle) and laughing muscle (musculus risorius).

task

The invention has for its object to provide an electrode for TENS and / or EMS treatment, with the stimulate the neck muscles easily and efficiently and train or can also regenerate after an effort.

solution

Based on a pair of electrodes of the type described above, this object is achieved in that the electrodes have an angular shape, an arc shape or a sickle shape.

The three aforementioned forms allow a particularly good coverage of those skin areas adjacent to each half of the mouth ( Right and left half of the mouth), through which the muscles of the approach muscles mentioned above can be reached and stimulated. The angle, arc or sickle shape simultaneously covers both the (half) area above the upper lip and below the nose, as well as areas laterally adjacent to the associated corner of the mouth. On the other hand, it has been found that covering skin areas located below the lower lip is not required as it does not provide additional muscle excitation that would be more important to brass and woodwind players. Rather, the muscles below the lower lip are sufficiently stimulated already when using the electrodes according to the invention.

Due to the angled, arched or sickle shape of the electrodes, the areas relevant for training the anus musculature are covered and excited, so that the application is particularly simple and efficient for the user. In particular, it is not necessary to combine a plurality of smaller-sized, strip-shaped electrodes in such a way that d. H. to arrange next to each other so that the relevant area is covered around the mouth of the person to be treated.

Due to the comparatively small size of the muscles of the neck muscles, the pulse width of the electrical pulses in the EMS treatment should be between 50 μs and 150 μs, preferably between 80 μs and 120 μs, more preferably in the range of about 100 μs. While pulse widths greater than 200 μs are not uncommon for "larger" muscles to achieve sufficient depth, the above smaller pulse widths are optimal for the muscles to be stimulated in the present case. The excitation frequency of the electrical impulses should be in the range between 25 Hz and 100 Hz, with the lower frequencies leading in particular to an improvement in the endurance of the muscles, whereas in higher frequency ranges of said interval the achievable maximum force is trained.

In addition to an application in EMS treatment, the electrode according to the invention is also suitable for the TENS treatment. This is especially important for painful conditions of the approach muscles.

By experiments with the pair of electrodes according to the invention it was possible to confirm that, when used in the context of an EMS treatment, a particularly effective strengthening of the attachment muscles could be achieved. The stamina with which brass and woodwinds can use the neck muscles during music making was also significantly increased. Due to the shape of the electrodes according to the invention, the danger of not covering and addressing the correct areas is reduced, as would be the case with the use of several small-sized electrodes and joining to the desired more complex shape. Nevertheless, the electrodes according to the invention are finely divided enough to prevent inadvertent detachment of the electrodes during use even during movements of the facial muscles.

It goes without saying that an electrode can in principle also be used individually in the TENS and / or EMS treatment. In particular, for a training of the approach muscles, however, it makes sense, always two of the electrododes of the invention mirror image to a vertical axis of the head or mid-plane of the head to place. Nevertheless, in exceptional cases, it may also make sense to cause only one-sided muscle stimulation, be it with an EMS treatment or with a TENS treatment for pain reduction.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the electrode has on its outer contour at least one concave portion and / or at least one inner corner. With such a shape, the electrode is particularly well adapted to the cornering situation as it results from the corner of the mouth.

It is further proposed according to the invention that a rectangle enclosing the electrode in a plan view has edge lengths of between 20 mm and 60 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 30 mm and 45 mm. The enclosing rectangle should be the smallest possible, in which the electrode can be inscribed.

For an electrode having an angular shape, a first, shorter leg should have a width between 10 mm and 15 mm and a second, longer leg should have a width between 15 mm and 25 mm. The first, shorter limb is placed in the area above the upper lip during the treatment, whereas the two, longer limb is placed in the area to the side of the corner of the mouth. The width of the respective leg is measured perpendicular to its respective longitudinal axis.

The invention further ausgestaltend is provided that at least one corner, preferably all corners of the electrode are rounded or bevelled. Chamfering means that when an abutting linear portions of the edge of the electrode of the included between the abutting portions angle greater than 120 °, preferably greater than 135 °. For a rounding, the radius of curvature should be a curve forming the edge, if possible not less than 5 mm, more preferably not less than 8 mm, even more preferably not less than 10 mm. In this way, unintentional detachment of the electrode in the region of a corner is prevented, which would be very to be feared especially in the case of pointed, not bevelled or not rounded corners. It is particularly advantageous if an elongated length of the angular or crescent-shaped electrode is between 35 m and 90 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 80 mm. The extended length of the electrode is defined as the extended length of a center line of a crescent-shaped electrode extending in the longitudinal direction of the electrode or as an extended length of the central axes of the two legs extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective legs.

Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if a connection for an electrical line, with which the electrode can be connected to an EMS or TENS device, is designed in the form of a push button. In this case, the electrode itself has no electrical cable, so that the handling is very simple and also an exchange can be made quickly and easily.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the connection for an electrical line or the electrical line itself leads to a region of the electrode which is arranged laterally next to the corner of the mouth. This is preferably the longer and wider of the two legs in an angular shape of the electrode. The placement of the terminal or the end of the electrical line is preferably approximately in the middle of this larger leg.

embodiments

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to several embodiments of electrodes for the EMS treatment. It shows:

1 : a schematic view of a human mouth,

2 and 3 : each a plan view of the in 1 left-hand electrode,

4 FIG. 2: a plan view of an electrode in an alternative embodiment, FIG.

5 : A top view of an electrode in sickle shape and

6 : A plan view of an electrode in an arc shape.

In 1 a mouth part of a human is sketchily depicted in a view. Visible are a nose 1 , a mouth 2 with upper lip 3 and lower lip 4 as well as a chin 5 , Each in an area to the left and right adjacent to a corner of the mouth 6 there is an electrode 7a . 7b which is mirror-inverted to a vertical plane of symmetry S, which is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The following can therefore be used to characterize the properties of the electrodes 7a . 7b only one of these two electrodes 7a . 7b to be discribed.

Of the 1 is removable, that is the electrode 7a extends on both sides of a line M, which is parallel to the plane of symmetry S through the corner of the mouth 6 runs. This means that the electrode 7a in an area between the nose and the upper edge of the upper lip 3 extends. In addition, the electrode extends 7a both below a line U, which is a tangent plane at the bottom of the lower lip 4 is, which tangential plane is oriented perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S. Also, the electrode extends above a line O, which in a tangential plane to the upper edge of the upper lip 3 is located, wherein the tangent plane is again aligned perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S. During the treatment is the electrode 7a with a line L as close to the corner of the mouth as possible 6 as well as with a position P as close to the upper lip as possible 3 , A touch of the nose 1 should be avoided. The electrode 7a has an electrical connection 8th in the form of a push button to which a clamped mating counterpart is connected to an electrical line to an EMS device is connected. The structure of the electrode 7a is in this respect state of the art as the electrode 7a of three layers, one of the skin of the person to be treated facing away from upper layer of a nonwoven material, a middle, elastic and electrically conductive layer, to which also the connection 8th is connected in the form of a push button, as well as a contacting during the treatment of the human skin in contact bottom layer of an electrically conductive adhesive.

Out 2 can be seen that the electrode 7a in this figure, for the sake of simplicity, without the connector 8th is represented in a rectangle R can be written, which has an edge length K ₁ of 35 mm and an edge length K ₂ of 45 mm. The rectangle R is the smallest possible, in which the electrode 7a is writable. The edges of the rectangle R fall either with the edges of the electrode 7a in sections together or else affect the edge contour of the electrode 7a ,

Out 3 can be seen that the electrode 7a has an angular shape and two legs 9 . 10 is composed, with the leg 9 the longer (and wider) and the thigh 10 the shorter (and narrower) is. The thigh 9 has a longitudinal axis A ₁ and the leg 10 a longitudinal axis A ₂ , which intersect at an intersection F. A length L _{1 of} the leg 9 measured from the point of intersection F to an edge at a free end of the leg 9 , is 38 mm. A width B _{1 of} the leg 9 , which is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A ₁ , is 20 mm. Analogously, a length L ₂ and a width B _{2 are} each of the shorter leg 10 about 25 mm and 15 mm.

Five "outer corners" of the electrode 7a are executed obtuse-angled and each have an inner opening angle W of 135 °. This is caused by chamfering or "breaking" the original 90 ° outer corners. The shorter leg 10 has at its upper end a curved outer contour, which has a radius of curvature KR of 12 mm. The bevelled outer corners or comparatively large radii of curvature on the outer contour prevent the electrode 7a unintentionally detaches during use by movement of the user's facial muscles. In addition, the electrode owns 7a an inner corner I of the outer contour.

The electrode 7a according to 4 differs in this respect from the electrode according to the 2 and 3 , as instead of the curved outer contour at the end of the leg 10 There are again bevelled outside corners. An inner corner 12 is also bevelled. The dimensions K ₁ , K ₂ , B ₁ and B ₂ are the same as those of the electrode 7a according to 3 essentially coincide.

In addition, shows 5 another alternative electrode 7a which has a sickle shape. Crescent shape in the sense of the present invention does not mean that the opposite ends of the electrode 7a have to be pointed. Rather, small radii of curvature may also be present there to avoid detachment. A curved longitudinal center line A has a smallest radius of curvature of about 20 mm to 25 mm. A rectangle R into which the crescent-shaped electrode 7a is inscribed, has a shorter edge length K ₁ of 38 mm and a longer edge length K ₂ of 43 mm. A maximum width in the middle area is about 14 mm. A section KA of the outer contour of the electrode 7a is concave.

Finally, the 6 take another form of the electrode. This electrode has an arc shape and extends to a first end 13 into an area between the upper lip 3 and nose 1 and with an opposite end 14 into an area below the lower lip 4 , A height H of the electrode 7a is approximately between 40 mm and 60 mm, preferably between 45 mm and 55 mm. An average width B _{3 of} the electrode 7a is about 10 mm to 15 mm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

nose

2

mouth

3

upper lip

4

bottom lip

5

chin

6

mouth

7a, 7b

electrode

8th

connection

9

leg

10

leg

11

width

12

inside corner

13

The End

14

The End

A

Longitudinal center line

A ₁ , A ₂

longitudinal axis

B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃

width

F

intersection

H

height

I

inside corner

K ₁ , K ₂

edge length

KA

concave section

KR

radius of curvature

L

line

L ₁ , L ₂

length

M

line

O

tangent

S

plane of symmetry

U

line

W

angle

Claims (7)

Electrode pair comprising two electrodes ( 7a . 7b ) for the TENS and / or EMS treatment of a region of a human body, each electrode consisting of at least one layer of a flexible material, wherein a surface of each electrode ( 7a . 7b ) is electrically conductive or electrically conductive feasible by means of an electrically conductive, viscous contact means, so that through the electrodes ( 7a . 7b ) of the electrode pair into or out of one of these covered areas of the skin of the human body, current can be introduced into the skin, whereby each electrode ( 7a . 7b ) with a connection ( 8th ) is provided for an electrical line or with an electrical line through which the respective electrode ( 7a . 7b ) of the electrode pair can be connected to a TENS and / or EMS device and supplied with power, characterized in that each electrode ( 7a . 7b ) of Pair of electrodes has an angular shape, arc shape or sickle shape. An electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that it has on its outer contour at least one concave portion (KA) and / or at least one inner corner (I). Electrode according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrode ( 7a . 7b ) in a plan view enclosing rectangle (R), edge lengths (K ₁ , K ₂ ) each between 20 mm and 60 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 30 mm and 45 mm. Electrode according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first, shorter leg ( 10 ) has a width (B ₂ ) between 10 mm and 15 mm and a second, longer leg ( 9 ) have a width (B ₁ ) between 15 mm and 25 mm. Electrode according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one corner, preferably all corners of the electrode ( 7a . 7b ) are rounded or beveled, wherein in the case of a chamfer in a juxtaposition of rectilinear portions of the edge of the electrode ( 7a . 7b ) an included between the abutting portions angle (W) is greater than at least 120 °, preferably greater than at least 135 °, and / or in the case of a rounding a radius of curvature (KR) of the edge forming curve greater than 5 mm, preferably larger than 8 mm, more preferably greater than 10 mm. Electrode according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a connection ( 8th ) for connecting the electrode ( 7a . 7b ) is formed with a TENS and / or EMS device in the form of a metallic push button. Electrode according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a connection ( 8th ) for connection to a TENS and / or EMS device in a region of the electrode ( 7a . 7b ) is arranged in the application of the electrode ( 7a . 7b ) at the side of the corner of the mouth ( 6 ) is arranged.

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