FR3051110B1 - EVOLUTIVE ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an autonomous scalable electro-acupuncture system using an electrotherapy bracelet comprising an electrical pulse generator for a stud housing comprising protruding or flush studs, and a bracelet for holding the assembly on the wrist or any other part of the body of the user, characterized in that the holding strap comprises a conductive sheet transferring the pulses emitted by the electrical pulse generator from a control box containing the electrical pulse generator to at least a protruding stud or flush stud housing, each stud in turn transferring pulse signals to the skin of a user, the control box, separate from the stud box, also comprises a data display screen or messages and / or control buttons, wired or wireless connection means for pairing with a device l connected and an electronic programming module of the control box receiving instructions from the connected device having a display screen and / or control and control buttons, and / or a server, to implement implementation of programs and algorithms for changing the operation of the control box and the effects produced by the pads.

Description

Evolutionary electro-acupuncture system

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of electrotherapy, more particularly the invention relates to a system of electro-acupuncture evolutionary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The human body is the seat of natural electrical phenomena arising in intercellular exchanges and ensuring the proper functioning of the body. An imbalance in these exchanges often caused by trauma or poor nutrition, for example, often causes pain. One way to remedy the rebalancing of exchanges and thus to ensure the proper functioning of the body is to conduct electrotherapy. The latter consists of the use of electric currents of very low intensity, comparable to the currents normally generated by the body, for a therapeutic purpose. Electrotherapy thus makes it possible to restore certain cellular imbalances that can cause various pains related, for example, to osteoarthritis or arthritis. There are many devices based on the principle of electrotherapy.

Thus, the document FR2513514-A1 describes, for example, a device comprising a module that has a surface intended to be applied against a wall of the wearer's body and conductors whose end portions project from the surface applied against the body. in areas that correspond to acupuncture points of the specific carrier body of a given therapy. The conductors are intended to transmit electrical pulses.

The document FR2662076-B1 describes an autonomous acupuncture device comprising a housing having on its lower surface a metal pad, the pad constituting an output terminal of a pulse generator mounted in the housing and means being provided to allow a removable attachment of the housing to a portion of the patient's body. The amplitudes of the pulses and their frequencies are adjustable by means arranged for this purpose and a diode, mounted at the output of the generator and in parallel on the pads to flash at the frequency emitted by the generator.

Finally, the document FR2775592-A1 describes an autonomous acupuncture device comprising a housing having on its lower surface a plurality of metal pads, each pad constituting the output terminal of a pulse generator mounted in the housing and means being provided to allow a removable attachment of the housing to a part of the patient's body, characterized in that each pad is connected with at least one pad, via an electronic program which comprises seven functions, the connections between the pads being chosen according to the affection to be treated. The disadvantage of the devices described in the above documents is that a user may proceed with an inappropriate triggering of fixed or fixed functions and / or insufficient or excessive triggering of the appropriate or inappropriate functions. Moreover, none of the devices mentioned in the above documents are integrated in a system allowing easy and progressive control or an easy and progressive application of the electrotherapy processes. In addition, none of the devices is provided with means allowing an evolution of the functions or processes by receiving other functions or additional programs thus making it possible to widen their fields of application.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome certain disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a scalable electrotherapy system that can be configured according to the application of electrotherapy.

This goal is achieved by an autonomous scalable electro-acupuncture system using an electrotherapy bracelet comprising an electrical pulse generator for a stud housing comprising protruding or flush studs, and a bracelet for holding the assembly on the wrist or any other part of the body of the user, characterized in that the holding strap comprises a conductive sheet transferring the pulses emitted by the electrical pulse generator from a control box containing the electrical pulse generator to the less a protruding stud or flush of the stud box, each stud in turn transferring pulse signals to the skin of a user, the control box, separate from the stud box, also comprises a data display screen or messages and / or control buttons, wired or wireless connection means for pairing with a connected apparatus and an electronic programming module of the control box receiving instructions from the connected apparatus having a display screen and / or control and control buttons, and / or a server, for implement programs and algorithms to change the operation of the control box and the effects produced by the pads.

According to another feature, the evolution of the operation of the control box and the effects produced by the pads consists in triggering: • a selection of the pads of the box of pads to be activated with pulses; A different or different nature of the pulses or commands delivered to each pad according to the application of electrotherapy, to make the pad vibrating or heating or magnetized or a combination of these qualities or properties; A duration of the pulses applied to each pad and / or activation sequences of the pads according to determined intervals and / or the application of sequences defined on the different pads.

According to another feature, the electrotherapy bracelet comprises an arrangement of connections between the control box and the box of pads, this arrangement being extensible according to the adjustment of the length of the bracelet necessary to surround the wrist, so as to that the stud box is in the middle position of the place where the studs are to be applied and that the control box is placed in the middle position of the face opposite to where the studs are to be applied.

According to another feature, the connected device comprises wired and / or wireless connection means for sending instructions to the electrotherapy bracelet and / or to connect to a server or other device provided with connection means to select and order the sending of another type of electrotherapy application not yet installed in the control box and to control or not erase the applications already installed or incompatible with the new application.

According to another particularity, the connected device comprises means for starting the electrotherapy bracelet, controlling the output power of the generator current included in the control box of the electrotherapy bracelet, programming the functions and algorithms specific to a given electrotherapy application and to receive data from the electrotherapy bracelet and transmit them to the servers.

According to another feature, the electrotherapy bracelet comprises at least eight basic functions F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7 and F8 associating the signals transmitted by the pads and corresponding to the points C5, C6, C7, CS6 (or CM6), CS7 (or CM7), P6 or (PC6), P7 or (PC7) and P9 (or PC9) placed on acupuncture meridians inside the wrist, the F1 function being defined by the combination C5, C7, P7 and P9, the function F2, by the combination C5, C6, C7, CS7 and P9, the function F3, by the combination C5, C6, C7, CS6 and P9, the function F4, by the combination C7 and P9, the function F5, by the combination C7, CS6 and P9, the function F6, by the combination C7 and CS6, the function F7, by the combination CS6 and P7, and the function F8 defined by the signal corresponding to the specific point P6. Said functions are activated from the bracelet and / or the connected device, each of the functions being specific to a particular application of electrotherapy.

According to another feature, the basic functions, each specific to a given electrotherapy application, are combined following specific algorithms, in order to optimize the therapeutic effect of a particular electrotherapy application among the other applications of electrotherapy. .

In another feature, the electro-acupuncture system includes at least one protocol for activating functions and combinations of functions appropriate for a given electrotherapy application.

According to another feature, each function or a combination of basic functions is applied in a fixed or variable sequence and duration defined and specific to a given user, the sequence and duration being dependent on the application of electrotherapy.

According to another feature, the electro-acupuncture system is configurable so as to add at least one additional pad to the pad package and at least one new function specific to a specific electrotherapy application, from a server and / or device connected, in the programming module included in the control box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE FIGURES Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description below, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents the diagram of the evolutive electrotherapy system; comprising a bracelet, according to one embodiment; - Figure 2 shows a diagram of the bracelet, according to one embodiment; FIG. 3A represents a diagram of the control box, according to one embodiment; - Figure 3B shows a diagram of the stud housing, according to one embodiment; - Figure 3C shows a diagram of the holding strap and the conductive sheet, according to one embodiment; - Figure 3D shows a diagram of the locking system of the holding strap, according to one embodiment; - Figure 4A shows a diagram of a sectional view of the control box, according to one embodiment; - Figure 4B shows a schematic of a sectional view of the stud housing, according to one embodiment; - Figure 5 shows a diagram of a connected device and its components, according to one embodiment; Table 1A represents the activation protocol of the appropriate functions for different electrotherapy applications; Table 1B represents the number of pulses to be applied for each period of the day, for a given electrotherapy application; Table 1C represents the total number of pulses to be applied per day, for a given electrotherapy application; Table 1D represents the combination protocol of the functions associated with different applications of electrotherapy; Table 1E represents the coefficients relative to the BMI to be used for the function relating to the application of electrotherapy relating to the diet and / or various functions in combination with the function relating to the application of electrotherapy relating to the diet;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an evolutive system for electroacupuncture as shown in FIG.

In certain embodiments, the autonomic autonomic electro-acupuncture system using an electrotherapy bracelet (1) comprising a generator (20) of electrical pulses for a housing (3) of studs comprising studs (30) projecting or flush, and a bracelet (4) for holding the assembly on the wrist or any other part of the user's body, characterized in that the strap (4) for holding comprises a conductive sheet (N) transferring the pulses emitted by the generator (20) of electrical pulses of a housing (2) control containing the generator (20) of electrical pulses to at least one stud (30) protruding or flush from the housing (3) of pads, each stud (3) transferring pulse signals to a user's skin in turn, the control box (2), separate from the pin box (3), also includes a data display screen (220); messages and / or buttons (221), wired or wireless connection means for mating with a connected apparatus (7a) and an electronic programming module (23) of the control box (2) receiving instructions from the connected apparatus (7a) having a display screen (70a) and / or control and control buttons (71a), and / or a server (7b) for implementing programs and algorithms for performing to evolve the operation of the control box (2) and the effects produced by the pads (30).

The projecting or flush portions of the pads (30) are arranged, on the upper surface (32) of the casing (3) of studs, along three columns equidistant from each other so as to correspond to the specific points C5, C6, CS6 (or MC6), CS7 (or MC7), P6 (or PC6), P7 (or PC7) and P9 (or PC9) placed on acupuncture meridians inside the wrist, the first column having three protruding or flush portions according to a specific implantation corresponding respectively to the specific points C6, C5 and C7, the second column comprising a mass and two protruding or flush portions respectively corresponding to the specific points CS6 and CS7 and the third column comprising three protruding or flush portions respectively corresponding to the specific points P6, P7 and P9, the projecting or flushing portion at the specific point P7 being aligned with that at the specific point CS6. The electronic programming module (23), said module comprising basic functions and algorithms relating to a given electrotherapy application. Upon receipt of a program or an executable file relating to a given electrotherapy application and from the connected device (7a), a programmable chip, contained in the electronic programming module, then performs the functions programmed and the associated combination algorithms by sending instructions to the electrical generator to transmit the signals (electrical pulses), via the conductive wires, to outputs corresponding to the pads (30) of the housing (3) of the pads. The protruding or flush portions of the pads (30) are located on the upper surface (32) of the housing (3) of pads and in contact with the inside of the wrist of a user. The housing (3) pads also includes sensors (33, Figure 3B) to detect the heartbeat of the user and possibly analyze its stress state. The housing body (2) control may be PVC, ABS, metal, silicone or graphite plastic.

In some embodiments, the evolution of the operation of the control box (2) and the effects produced by the pads (30) consists of triggering: • a selection of the pads (30) of the box (3) of pads to be activated with pulses; A different nature or not the pulses or commands delivered to each pad (30) depending on the application of electrotherapy, to make the pad (30) vibrating or heating or magnetized or a combination of these qualities or properties; A duration of the pulses applied to each pad (30) and / or activation sequences of the pads (30) according to determined intervals and / or the application of sequences defined on the different pads (30).

In some embodiments, the electrotherapy bracelet includes a connection arrangement between the control housing (2) and the housing (3) of studs, this arrangement being extensible according to the adjustment of the length of the bracelet (4). ) necessary to surround the wrist, so that the casing (3) of studs is in the middle position of the place where the studs (30) are to be applied and the casing (2) of control is placed in the middle position from the opposite side to where the studs are to be applied. For example and in a nonlimiting manner, the bracelet (4), surrounding a body part, comprises a first section connecting the control housing (2) and the housing (3) of pads and a second section connecting the housing (2) control device and a closure head (F) by clipping having two buttons (1F) for fixing on the sides, a sheet (N) containing at least one conductive wire (45) in the section connecting the control box (2) to the housing (3) of pads and passing respectively through slots (6a) and (6b) of the housing (2) control and the housing (3) of pads, said housing (3) of pads also comprising at least one slot (34). ) configured to receive the clipping closure head (F) and / or the fastening buttons so that the section of the wristband comprising the closure head (F) slides, for example from a position P1 to a position P2 (FIG. 3D), so as to adjust the position of the control box (2) on a party e of the body of a user.

In some embodiments, the connected apparatus (7a) comprises wired and / or wireless connection means (72a) (FIG. 5) for sending instructions or data to the electrotherapy bracelet (1) and / or to connect to a server (7b) or any other apparatus provided with connection means for selecting and ordering the sending of another type of electrotherapy application not yet installed in the control housing (2) and to control or not erase applications already installed or incompatible with the new application. For example and without limitation, the device (7a) connected is either a smartphone, a tablet or a computer. Using the connection means, for example Bluetooth or NFC technology (Near Field

Communication), the bracelet (1) of electrotherapy is previously paired or associated device (7a) connected (Figure 1). Said bracelet (1) electrotherapy can thus receive instructions or data either directly from the device (7a) connected to which it is paired, or indirectly from the server (7b) via the device (7a) connected to which it is paired. The data may, for example and without limitation, relate to weight, height, BMI (body mass index), time, date or programs related to an application of electrotherapy.

In some embodiments, the apparatus (7a) connected comprises means for starting the electrotherapy bracelet (1), controlling the power output of the generator (20) included in the housing (2). controlling the electrotherapy bracelet (1), programming the functions and algorithms specific to a given electrotherapy application, receiving data from the electrotherapy bracelet (1), analyzing them or transmitting them to the electrotherapy bracelet (1). the servers (7b) for analysis. For example and without limitation, the data from the bracelet (1) of electrotherapy may relate to the autonomy of the generator (20), the heartbeat and non-operation of the bracelet (1) of electrotherapy.

In some embodiments, the electrotherapy bracelet (1) comprises at least eight basic functions F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7 and F8 associating the signals transmitted by the pads and corresponding to the points C5, C6 , C7, CS6 (or MC6), CS7 (or MC7), P6 (or PC6), P7 (or PC7) and P9 (or PC9) placed on acupuncture meridians within the wrist (Table 1A), the function F1 being defined by the combination C5, C7, P7 and P9, the function F2, by the combination C5, C6, C7, CS7 and P9, the function F3, by the combination C5, C6, C7, CS6 and P9, the function F4, by the combination C7 and P9, the function F5, by the combination C7, CS6 and P9, the function F6, by the combination C7 and CS6, the function F7, by the combination CS6 and P7 and the function F8 defined by the signal corresponding to the specific point P6. Said functions are activated from the electrotherapy bracelet (1) and / or the connected device (7a), each of the functions being specific to a particular application of electrotherapy. Preferably, the function F1 is used in an application of electrotherapy relating to the diet, the function F2 is used in a stress-related electrotherapy application, the function F3 is used in an electrotherapy application relating to insomnia, function F4 is used in an electrotherapy application relating to memory disorders, function F5 is used in an application of electrotherapy relating to smoking, function F6 is used in an application of electrotherapy relative to libido, the function F7 is used in an electrotherapy application related to nausea and the F8 function is used for electrotherapy application related to dysmenorrhea menstrual cramps, vertigo or back pain. For each electrotherapy application, a pulse frequency (Tables 1B, 1C) is established taking into account the previously calculated BMI.

In some embodiments, the basic functions, each specific to a given electrotherapy application, are combined following specific algorithms, in order to optimize the therapeutic effect of a main electrotherapy application among the other applications of electrotherapy. For example and without limitation, when the application of main electrotherapy focuses on the speed, the F1 function is performed by the programming module (23) of the housing (2) control and the generator (20) sends pulses in a given sequence so as to produce a TH1 therapeutic effect. The diet can, however, cause stress and / or insomnia. An algorithm for optimizing the initial therapeutic effect that one wishes to produce and relating to the main therapeutic application on the diet, consists in activating, in addition to the function F1, the functions F2 and F3, related to the applications of electrotherapy dealing respectively with stress and insomnia and producing the therapeutic effects TH2 and TH3. The new therapeutic effect THC1 then responds to the algorithm THC1 = TH1 + TH2 + TH3. The electroacupuncture system includes, at least, a protocol for activating functions and combinations of functions appropriate for a given electrotherapy application. The protocol (Table 1D) also provides the number of daily pulses to be applied to optimize a therapeutic effect. In the case presented above, it is necessary, for example, 12 daily pulses for a regime-related electrotherapy application, 6 pulses for a stress-related electrotherapy application and 3 pulses for an electrotherapy application relative to the treatment. 'insomnia.

In some embodiments, each function or combination of basic functions is applied in a fixed or variable sequence and duration defined and specific to a given user, the sequence and duration being dependent in part on the electrotherapy application. . For example and without limitation, when the electrotherapy application relates to stress, the function F2 is activated and the generator delivers 12 pulses per day (Table 1C), the total number of pulses is obtained by multiplying the BMI (body mass index) by 12. On the contrary, when the application of electrotherapy is on the diet, the function F1 is activated and the generator (20) delivers 12 pulses per day. The total number in the case of the diet is obtained by multiplying the BMI by the number of pulses per day and by a coefficient dependent on the BMI (Table 1 E). For example, for an overweight user the BMI is between 25 and 30, and the coefficient is 1.2, for a moderate obese user the BMI is between 30 and 35, and the coefficient is 1.4 and for a user in severe obesity, with a BMI between 35 and 40, the coefficient is 1.6.

In some embodiments, the scalable electro-acupuncture system is configurable to add at least one additional pad (30) to the pad casing (3) and at least one new feature specific to a specific electrotherapy application, from a server (7b) and / or a device (7a) connected, in the programming module (23) included in the control box (2).

The present application describes various technical features and advantages with reference to the figures and / or various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical features of a given embodiment may in fact be combined with features of another embodiment unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned or it is evident that these characteristics are incompatible or that the combination does not provide a solution to at least one of the technical problems mentioned in this application. In addition, the technical features described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other features of this mode unless the opposite is explicitly mentioned.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, but may be modified within the scope defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (10)

An autonomous scalable electro-acupuncture system comprising: a connected apparatus (7a) having a display screen (70a) and / or control and control buttons (71a); A bracelet (1) for electrotherapy comprising a generator (20) of electrical pulses for a housing (3) studs including studs (30) protruding or flush, and a bracelet (4) for holding the assembly on the wrist or any other part of the body of the user, a control box (2) comprising a screen (220) for displaying data or messages and / or buttons (221) for controlling, wired connection means or wirelessly to pair with the connected device (7a); said system being characterized in that the bracelet (4) for holding the electrotherapy bracelet (1) comprises a conductive layer (N) transferring the pulses emitted by the generator (20) of electrical pulses contained in the housing (2) for controlling at least one stud (30) protruding or flush with the casing (3) of studs, each stud (3) transferring in turn pulse signals to the skin of a user, said casing (2) control , separate from the housing (3) pads, comprising an electronic programming module (23) receiving instructions from the connected device (7a) and / or a server (7b), to implement programs and algorithms for changing the operation of the control box (2) and the effects produced by the pads (30). 2. Electro-acupuncture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the evolution of the operation of the housing (2) control and the effects produced by the pads (30) consists of triggering: • a selection of the pads (30 ) of the housing (3) of pads to be activated with pulses; A different nature or not the pulses or commands delivered to each pad (30) depending on the application of electrotherapy, to make the pad (30) vibrating or heating or magnetized or a combination of these qualities or properties; A duration of the pulses applied to each pad (30) and / or activation sequences of the pads (30) according to determined intervals and / or the application of sequences defined on the different pads (30). 3. Electro-acupuncture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the bracelet (1) of electrotherapy comprises an arrangement of connections between the control housing (2) and the housing (3) of studs, this arrangement being expandable according to the adjustment of the length of the bracelet (4) necessary to surround the wrist, so that the housing (3) of studs is in the middle position of the place where the studs (30) are to be applied and that the control box (2) is placed in the middle position of the face opposite to where the studs are to be applied. 4. electro-acupuncture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (7a) connected comprises means (72a) of wired and / or wireless connection for sending instructions to the bracelet (1) electrotherapy and / or to connect to a server or any other apparatus provided with connection means for selecting and ordering the sending of another type of electrotherapy application not yet installed in the control box and to order or not erase applications already installed or incompatible with the new application. 5. Electro-acupuncture system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (7a) connected comprises means for starting the bracelet (1) of electrotherapy, to control the power output of the generator current included in the casing (2) for controlling the electrotherapy bracelet (1), programming the functions and algorithms specific to a given electrotherapy application and receiving data from the bracelet (1) electrotherapy and transmit them to the server (7b). 6. Electro-acupuncture system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bracelet (1) of electrotherapy comprises at least eight basic functions F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7 and F8 associating the signals transmitted by the pads and corresponding to the points C5, C6, C7, CS6 (or CM6), CS7 (or CM7), P6 or (PC6), P7 or (PC7) and P9 (or PC9) placed on acupuncture meridians inside the wrist, the function F1 being defined by the combination C5, C7, P7 and P9, the function F2, by the combination C5, C6, C7, CS7 and P9, the function F3, by the combination C5, C6, C7, CS6 and P9, the function F4, by the combination C7 and P9, the function F5, by the combination C7, CS6 and P9, the function F6, by the combination C7 and CS6, the function F7 by the combination CS6 and P7, and the function F8 defined by the signal corresponding to the specific point P6, said functions being activated from the electrotherapy bracelet and / or the device (7a) connect , Each function being specific to a particular application of electrotherapy. 7. Electro-acupuncture system according to claim 6, characterized in that the basic functions, each specific to a given electrotherapy application, are combined following specific algorithms, in order to optimize the therapeutic effect of a particular application of electrotherapy among other applications of electrotherapy. 8. Electro-acupuncture system according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one protocol for activating the functions and / or combinations of functions appropriate for a given electrotherapy application. 9. electro-acupuncture system according to claims 6 to 8, characterized in that each function or a combination of basic functions, activated from the electrotherapy bracelet and / or the device (7a) connected, is applied according to a fixed or variable sequence and duration defined and specific to a given user, the sequence and the duration being dependent on the application of electrotherapy. 10. Electro-acupuncture system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is configurable so as to add at least one pad (30) additional to the housing (3) of pads and at least one new particular function to a specific electrotherapy application, said application being added from a server (7b) and / or a device (7a) connected, in the programming module (23) included in the housing (2) control.