JP2012010778A - Electrode device in electric stimulation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform work to hold an electrode member and a conductive member with respect to a cover member, and also to easily perform cleaning.SOLUTION: A sheet-like electrode member 20 is integrated on one surface side 11a of a body 11 in the cover member 10. The conductive member 30 is removably attached onto the electrode member 20. The cover member 10 includes a covering portion 12 extended from the outer peripheral edge of the body 11. The covering portion 12 can take, by elastic deformation, a use position where the covering portion is placed on the outer peripheral edge of the conductive member 30 positioned on the electrode member 20, and an open position where the one surface side 11a of the body 11 and the inner surface side of a PPIbU 12 are exposed by turn-over by about 180° from the use position. The conductive member 30 is attached/detached with the covering portion 12 at the use position. Besides, the cover member 10 is cleaned.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode device in an electrical stimulation device.

  In an electrical stimulation device such as a low-frequency treatment device, a pair of electrode devices are attached to the patient's body surface, and voltage is applied between the pair of electrode devices to give electrical stimulation to the patient. It is like that. Patent Document 1 also proposes a sheet-like electric heater (PTC layer) mounted on the electrode member so as to obtain a heating function in order to enhance the stimulation effect.

  For a relatively large electrode device, a conductive member comprising a cover member, a sheet-like electrode member to which a lead wire for applying an electrical signal for stimulation is connected, and an elastic member is provided. Some of them are formed separately from each other. This is used in such a manner that an electrode member is laminated on one surface side of a cover member, and a conductive member is laminated on the electrode member so that the conductive member contacts the patient body surface. At this time, the electrode member and the conductive member are held by the cover member, the cover member has an annular cover portion extending along one surface side of the cover member over the entire outer peripheral edge portion thereof, and the electrode member And the conductive member are positioned on one surface side of the cover member so that the outer peripheral edge of the laminate is covered with the cover.

Japanese Patent No. 3620206

  As described above, in the case where the cover member, the electrode member, and the conductive member are separately formed, the work of holding the electrode member and the conductive member on the cover member is troublesome. That is, since the cover part formed in the cover member is hard and is formed so as not to be greatly elastically deformed, even if it is deformed so as to increase the gap with the one surface side of the cover member, it is slightly deformed. Is. Therefore, considerable effort is required to pass the entire outer peripheral edge of the laminate of electrode members and conductive members laminated together in advance under the cover. In particular, since the conductive member is formed so as to be in contact with the surface of the patient body, it is troublesome to make the outer peripheral edge of the conductive member go below the covering portion.

  In addition, depending on the use, moisture and sweat do not invade between the cover member and the electrode member. For this reason, it is necessary to remove the electrode member and the conductive member from the cover member for cleaning, but cleaning of the concave portion covered by the cover portion is particularly troublesome, and it is not hygienicly preferable to neglect cleaning. It will be a thing. In particular, as described above, the work of holding the electrode member and the conductive member on the cover member becomes cumbersome, so that the electrode member or the conductive member is used for a long time without removing it from the cover member. It was easy to cause.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and the object thereof is to easily perform an operation of holding the electrode member and the conductive member with respect to the cover member, and it can be easily cleaned. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrode device in an electrical stimulation device.

In order to achieve the above object, the following first solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 1 in the claims,
In an electrode device in an electrical stimulator,
A flat main body formed from an elastic member, and a short rise from the outer peripheral edge of the main body toward the one surface of the main body, and then toward the inner side of the main body along the one surface. A cover member having a generally annular cover extending therethrough,
A sheet-like electrode member that is integrated on one side of the main body and to which an electrical signal for stimulation is applied;
A sheet-like conductive member that is used to cover the electrode member and has elasticity to be in contact with the patient's body surface;
Have
The annular cover portion is turned over by the elastic deformation so that the use position located on the one surface side of the cover member and the other surface side of the cover member from the use position are entirely turned over. And an open position that is exposed
In the state where the conductive member is stacked on the electrode member, the cover portion at the use position is positioned on the outer peripheral edge of the conductive member, so that the conductive member is the cover member. Held in
By holding the cover portion in the open position, the holding action on the conductive member is released.
It is like that.

  According to the above solution, since the electrode member is integrated with the cover member, in use, only the conductive member need be held by the cover member integrated with the electrode member. In this case, the conductive member can be easily placed on the electrode member by setting the cover portion to the open position where the cover portion is turned over to the other surface side of the cover member. Since it only needs to be returned, the operation of holding the electrode member and the conductive member with respect to the cover member as a whole becomes easy. Further, the cleaning can be easily performed in a state where the cover portion is in the open position and the entire surface on the electrode member side is exposed, and the interior of the cover portion can be easily cleaned.

A preferred mode based on the above solution is as described in claim 2 and the following claims. That is,
A plurality of protrusions protruding toward the outer side are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the main body part at intervals in the circumferential direction.
When the cover portion in the use position is elastically deformed partially toward the open position in a range including the protrusion, the cover portion is elastic toward the use position by being locked to the protrusion. Return is regulated,
(Corresponding to claim 2). In this case, when the cover portion is set to the open position, it is only necessary to partially turn it over using the protrusions, which is preferable in facilitating the operation of setting the cover portion to the open position.

A pair of front and rear curved portions that are gently curved so that the outer peripheral shape of the main body is convex outward, and left and right ends that slightly connect the inner side positions from the left and right ends of the pair of front and rear curved portions. A pair of straight portions, and
The protrusions are formed at a total of four positions serving as boundary portions between the linear portion and the curved portion,
(Corresponding to claim 3). In this case, the overall outer peripheral shape of the electrode device can be set to a shape that is preferable as an electrode device that is substantially square, while being a relatively simple shape composed of a combination of a curved portion and a straight portion. In addition, the protrusion can be configured by effectively utilizing the boundary portion between the curved portion and the straight portion. Further, when the electrode device is mounted on the surface of a patient body such as a thigh using a fixing band having a width within the range of the length of the straight portion, the positional deviation between the fixing band and the electrode device. It is also preferable for preventing the above.

  The cover portion is extended from the main body portion from a position offset from the one surface side to the other surface side of the main body portion, becomes substantially arc-shaped and extends to a position higher than the one surface side, and then It extends so as to be parallel to the one surface side (corresponding to claim 4). In this case, it is preferable to easily change the cover portion between the use position using the elastic deformation and the open position. Also, it is preferable for reliably maintaining the open position.

The cover member is formed by molding silicon rubber,
The electrode member is integrated with the cover member when the cover member is molded.
(Corresponding to claim 5). In this case, a cover member having a complicated shape having a cover part can be easily formed by molding. In addition, since the electrode member is integrated during the molding, it is preferable for reducing the manufacturing process and the manufacturing cost as compared with the case where the electrode member is separately integrated with the cover member after the cover member is formed. It will be a thing. Of course, since it is silicon rubber, it is gentle to the human body, and is also preferable for sufficiently securing the large elastic deformation required for the cover.

The cover member is formed by compression molding;
On the other side of the electrode member, a PTC layer for heating is integrated,
A lead wire for electrical signal transmission for stimulation connected to the electrode member and a lead wire for heating energization connected to the PTC layer are led out from the other surface side of the main body, respectively,
A predetermined area range in which the tip portions of the lead wires gather is preliminarily hardened with a synthetic resin before compression molding the cover member.
(Corresponding to claim 6). In this case, the cover member can be formed with high precision by compression molding, and it is preferable for firmly integrating the electrode member with the cover member. Furthermore, using the PTC layer, the temperature can be quickly raised to a temperature suitable for electrical stimulation. In addition, the lead wires are hardened together with synthetic resin in advance to prevent misalignment before compression molding, so that the lead wires are inadvertently brought into contact with each other by the pressure applied during compression molding. This is also preferable in preventing the situation.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily hold the conductive member as well as the electrode member with respect to the cover member. Moreover, the cleaning work can be easily performed.

The perspective view which isolate | separates an electroconductive member and shows the electrode apparatus to which this invention was applied. The top view of the electrode apparatus shown in FIG. The rear view of the electrode apparatus shown in FIG. The bottom view of the electrode apparatus shown in FIG. The side view of the electrode apparatus shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the cross section which follows the X6-X6 line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the X7-X7 line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the X8-X8 line | wire of FIG. The principal part sectional drawing which shows a mode that a conductive member is hold | maintained by a cover part, and a mode that a cover part is changed between a use position and an open position. Sectional drawing which shows the connection state of a lead wire while showing the lamination | stacking state of a sheet-like electrode member and a sheet-like heating member. The top view which shows the example of a shape of the electrode part comprised by the electrode member. The top view which shows the connection example of a lead wire while showing the example of a shape of the electrode part comprised by the heating member.

  FIG. 1 shows an electrode device D for an electrical stimulation device. In the embodiment, the electrode device D is used for a low frequency treatment device. The electrode device D includes a cover member 10, an electrode member 20, and a conductive member 30. The electrode member 20 is integrated on one surface side of the cover member 10 as will be described later. The conductive member 30 is detachably attached to the cover member 10 so as to cover the electrode member 20 as described later.

  The cover member 10 is formed of an elastic member, particularly a synthetic resin having flexibility. In the embodiment, the cover member 10 is formed by molding silicon rubber. The electrode member 20 is formed into a sheet shape, and an electrical signal for stimulation is applied through a cord 40 connected to a low-frequency treatment device body (not shown). The conductive member 30 has a sheet shape, and is formed of, for example, a sponge. The conductive member 30 is used in a state where a conductive liquid such as water is immersed. That is, for example, in a state where the conductive member 30 immersed in water is placed on the electrode member 20, the electrode device D is mounted on the patient so that the conductive member 30 is in contact with the patient body surface. The electrode device D to be attached to the patient is a pair, and in this state, an electrical stimulus is applied to the paired electrode member 20 to apply electrical stimulation to the patient. It will be. On the back side of the electrode member 20 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the conductive member 30 is placed), as will be described later, an electric heating sheet member is positioned to electrically stimulate the patient. During the treatment, the surface of the patient body is heated to a temperature suitable for treatment by the heating action of the heating sheet member.

  Next, details of the cover member 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the cover member 10 has a flat body 11. A cover 12 extends from the outer peripheral edge of the main body 11. The cover 12 is formed in an annular shape as a whole by extending from the entire outer peripheral edge of the main body 11. The cover portion 12 includes a vertical wall portion 12a extending upward from the outer peripheral edge portion of the main body portion 11 (the direction in which the conductive member 30 is positioned), and one surface side 11a of the main body portion 11 from the upper end portion of the vertical wall portion 12a. It is comprised from the flange part 12b extended along (the side in which the electrode member 20 is located). In the embodiment, the cover member 10 has a length of about 13 cm and a width of about 10 cm, and is relatively large.

  As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the said vertical wall part 12a is extended from the position close | similar to the other surface side 11b rather than the one surface side 11a among the main-body parts 11, so that it may protrude outward. It is curved in a substantially arc shape. The flange portion 12 b is shortened so as to exist only at a position close to the outer peripheral edge portion of the main body portion 11, and a tip portion thereof is a thick portion 12 c that protrudes toward the main body portion 11. ing. The conductive member 30 has a slightly larger area than the electrode member 20, and the flange portion 12 b overlaps with the outer peripheral edge portion of the conductive member 30 when the conductive member 30 is placed on the electrode member 20. To be done. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 9 in which the conductive member 30 is placed on the electrode member 20 and the outer peripheral edge portion of the conductive member 30 is positioned below the flange portion 12b. The portion 12b is in a state where the conductive member 30 is restricted from being detached from the electrode member 30, that is, the cover member 10 (attached state or holding state of the conductive member 30 to the cover member 10).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the outer peripheral shape of the main body portion 11 of the cover member 10 is a pair of front and rear curved portions 11 c that are substantially arcuate so as to protrude outward, and the pair of curved portions. The shape has a pair of left and right straight portions 11d that connect the vicinity of the left and right end portions of the portion 11c. That is, the outer peripheral shape of the main body portion 11 is a shape that is almost a square (it can be said that the shape is almost a oval shape). A total of four positions serving as boundaries between the curved portion 11c and the straight portion 11d are formed as protrusions 11e that are curved so as to protrude outward. The outer peripheral shape of the covering portion 12 (planar shape of the vertical wall portion 12a) is also a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the main body portion 11. In addition, the inner peripheral shape of the flange part 12b is made into the shape which does not have a protrusion in the boundary part of the curved part 11c and the linear part 11d.

  The outer peripheral shape of the cover member 10 is set so as not to have sharp corners as much as possible. As shown in FIG. 2, a moderately bent portion is formed at a portion corresponding to the protrusion 11e, but the outer angle θ1 and the inner angle θ2 are large angles so as not to be less than 90 degrees, respectively. Yes. The angles θ1 and θ2 are preferably set to 120 degrees or more, for example, so as to be as large as possible.

  The cover part 12 of the cover member 10 can be largely elastically deformed, and can selectively take the use position and the open position. That is, the state in which the flange portion 12b of the cover portion 12 extends along the one surface side 10a of the cover member 10 is the use position, which is the state shown in FIGS. Further, the open position is a state in which the cover portion 12 (the flange portion 12b) is turned over approximately 180 degrees from the use position toward the other surface side 10b of the cover member 10 over its entire circumference, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. It will be in the state shown. The cover 12 continues to maintain the use position or the open position unless an external force is applied.

  In a state where the cover portion 12 is in the open position, the conductive member 30 dipped in a conductive liquid such as water is placed on the electrode member 20. In this state, by setting the cover portion 12 to the use position, the outer peripheral edge portion of the conductive member 30 is covered with the cover portion 12 (the flange portion 12b), and the cover member 10 is held in use. Then, as is known, the pair of electrode members D are attached to the patient so that the conductive member 30 is in contact with the patient body surface, and electrical stimulation is applied to the patient.

  In order to remove the conductive member 30 from the cover member 10, the cover 12 may be placed in the open position. In this open position, the one surface side 10a of the cover member 10 and the inner surface side of the cover portion 12 are largely exposed to the outside, so that the conductive member 30 can be easily removed, and the cover member after the conductive member 30 is removed. The cleaning of the one surface side 10a of 10 and the inner surface side of the cover portion 12 can be easily performed. The electrode member 20 (and the heating sheet member located on the back side thereof) is integrated with the cover member 10 over the entire area of the area facing the cover member 10 (since there is no gap). The cleaning between the cover member 10 and the electrode member 20 (and the heating sheet member 50) becomes unnecessary.

  Here, since the tip end portion of the flange portion 12b is thickened, it is preferable for improving the durability and the like while firmly holding the conductive member 30 at the use position. Further, since the vertical wall portion 12a of the cover portion 12 is curved in an arc shape so as to protrude outward, the bendability and flexibility are more sufficiently secured, and the cover portion 12 is set to the use position. When the posture is changed between the open position, the function as a hinge is sufficiently exhibited. Moreover, since the extended position from the main body part 11 of the vertical wall part 12a is a position offset from the one surface side 11a of the main body part 11 to the other surface side 11b, the cover part 12 is directed from the use position to the open position. When it is turned over approximately 180 degrees, it is preferable for maintaining this open position.

  When the cover portion 12 in the use position is set to the open position, the cover portion 12 is turned over approximately 180 degrees by a short length range including only one protrusion 11e, and such work is performed for each protrusion 11e. (In the embodiment, since there are four protrusions 11e, it is performed four times), the cover 12 can be finally turned to a use position that is turned over by 180 degrees over the entire circumference. That is, a portion of the cover portion 12 that is turned over by about 180 degrees from the use position within the range including the protrusion 11e is locked (hooked) by the protrusion 11e and can be elastically returned toward the use position. It will be regulated. In addition, it is preferable to provide the number of the protrusions 11e at 3 to 4 locations at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cover member 11. Note that by setting the angles θ1 and θ2 to be large, the bent portion having the angles θ1 and θ2 is prevented from becoming a large resistance when the cover portion 12 is turned over from the use position toward the open position.

  Next, the electrode member 20 and the heating sheet member will be described with reference to FIG. A heating sheet member 50 is laminated on the electrode member 20. The heating sheet member 50 includes a base film 51 made of, for example, a PET resin, a PTC element (resin having a positive temperature characteristic, also called a PTC layer) 52 laminated on the base film 51, and a heater electrode 53. And have. The heater electrode 53 is located between the base film 51 and the PTC element 52. Such a heating sheet member 50 is configured as an extremely thin sheet having a film shape as a whole.

  The electrode member 20 includes, for example, a cover film 21 made of PET resin, a stimulation electrode 22, and a sheet-like conductor 23 having relatively thick elasticity. The conductor 23 can be formed of, for example, conductive rubber. The stimulation electrode 22 is positioned between the electrode member 20 and the conductor 23 and applies an electrical signal for stimulation to the conductor 23. An example of the arrangement shape of the stimulation electrode 22 with respect to the conductor 23 is shown in FIG. In the embodiment, the stimulation electrode 22 is set so as to be located over a wide area range of the conductor 23. The cover film 21 and the heating sheet member 50 are integrated with each other by a binder 60 (silicon rubber adhesive in the embodiment). In FIG. 10, the thick conductor 23 is indicated by a one-dot chain line, but the electrode member 20 (each component) and the heating sheet member 50 (each component) are stacked as shown in FIG. In the state, they are integrated with each other, and the thickness including the conductor 23 is reduced to about 2 to 3 mm.

  FIG. 12 shows an arrangement example of the heater electrode 53 with respect to the PTC element 52. The heater electrode 53 includes a positive electrode 53a and a negative electrode 53b, and is formed so as to be located over a wide area range of the PTC element 52 in a state of being close to each other. Lead wires 40a and 40b in the cord 40 are connected to the plus side electrode 53a and the minus side electrode 53b. In addition, an electrical signal for stimulation is applied to the stimulation electrode 22 by a lead wire 40 c in the cord 40.

  Next, an example of an electrical connection relationship with the electrode member 20 and the heating sheet member 50 and integration with the cover member 10 will be described. First, terminals 55, 56 or 57 using eyelets are attached to the electrodes 22, 53a, 53b at the connection positions with respect to the lead wires 40a, 40b, 40c. Then, on the surface of the heating sheet member 50 opposite to the electrode member 20, the lead wire 40 a is connected to the terminal 55 by soldering, the lead wire 40 b is connected to the terminal 56 by soldering, and the terminal 57 is connected to the terminal 57. The lead wire 40c is connected by soldering. Each of the soldered connection parts is covered and fixed by a heat-resistant covering member 70 as an insulating member to prevent a short circuit between the connection parts. Specifically, for example, RTV rubber (a paste-like silicon rubber that cures with time or heat) is used as a material constituting the covering member 70, and this RTV rubber is applied to the connecting portion and cured. The member 70 is used. The portion where the covering member 70 is present is formed as a generally hemispherically raised shape (the bulge formed on the cover member 10 corresponding to this bulge is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG. 8). It is shown). In place of the soldering, connection and fixing by caulking can be performed.

  The laminated body in which the electrode member 20 and the heating sheet member 50 described above are integrated is installed in the mold with the cord 40 connected thereto, and the resin constituting the cover member 10 is filled in the mold. By doing so, the cover member 10 is integrated. In the embodiment, the cover member 10 is accurately formed by compression molding, and strong integration with respect to the laminate of the electrode member 20 and the heating sheet member 50 is obtained. And even if it receives the big pressure in the case of compression molding by the presence of the covering member 70, the short circuit between lead wires 40a-40c is prevented.

  The cord 40 having the lead wires 40a to 40c is connected to the electrode member 20, the heating sheet member 50, and a predetermined length range therefrom (at least a portion located in the mold when the cover member 10 is molded, Further, a heat-shrinkable tube 71 having heat resistance made of silicon or the like is wound in advance on the outside of the mold and in the vicinity of the mold before the cover member 10 is molded (see FIG. 12). As a result, it is not necessary to use an expensive cord 40 having high heat resistance as the cord 40, and an inexpensive ordinary product can be used.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the scope described in the scope of claims. For example, the invention includes the following cases. . The outer peripheral shape of the electrode device D can be variously set, and can be, for example, a circle or an ellipse. The number of the protrusions 11e can be set as appropriate. For example, it is preferable to provide two or more, preferably 3 to 4, at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cover member 11. Moreover, the case where it does not have the protrusion 11e may be sufficient (especially when the electrode device D is small). As long as the heating sheet member 50 is an electric type, heating may be performed using something other than the PTC element, or the heating sheet member 50 may not exist. The electrode device D can be used for an appropriate electrical stimulation device such as an interference low-frequency treatment device. The present invention can also be specified as a method for manufacturing the electrode device D. Of course, the object of the present invention is not limited to what is explicitly stated, but also implicitly includes providing what is substantially preferred or expressed as an advantage.

  It can be used as an electrode device such as a low frequency treatment device.

D: Electrode device 10: Cover member 11: Main body part 11a: One side 11b: Other side 11c: Curved part 11d: Straight line part 11e: Protruding part 12: Cover part 12a: Vertical wall part 12b: Flange part 12c: Thickness Part 20: Electrode member 30: Conductive member 40: Code 50: Sheet member for heating 70: Cover member

Claims (6)

In an electrode device in an electrical stimulator,
A flat main body formed from an elastic member, and a short rise from the outer peripheral edge of the main body toward the one surface of the main body, and then toward the inner side of the main body along the one surface. A cover member having a generally annular cover extending therethrough,
A sheet-like electrode member that is integrated on one side of the main body and to which an electrical signal for stimulation is applied;
A sheet-like conductive member that is used to cover the electrode member and has elasticity to be in contact with the patient's body surface;
Have
The annular cover portion is turned over by the elastic deformation so that the use position located on the one surface side of the cover member and the other surface side of the cover member from the use position are entirely turned over. And an open position that is exposed
In the state where the conductive member is stacked on the electrode member, the cover portion at the use position is positioned on the outer peripheral edge of the conductive member, so that the conductive member is the cover member. Held in
By holding the cover portion in the open position, the holding action on the conductive member is released.
An electrode device in an electrical stimulation device. In claim 1,
A plurality of protrusions protruding toward the outer side are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the main body part at intervals in the circumferential direction.
When the cover portion in the use position is elastically deformed partially toward the open position in a range including the protrusion, the cover portion is elastic toward the use position by being locked to the protrusion. Return is regulated,
An electrode device in an electrical stimulation device. In claim 2,
A pair of front and rear curved portions that are gently curved so that the outer peripheral shape of the main body is convex outward, and left and right ends that slightly connect the inner side positions from the left and right ends of the pair of front and rear curved portions. A pair of straight portions, and
The protrusions are formed at a total of four positions serving as boundary portions between the linear portion and the curved portion,
An electrode device in an electrical stimulation device. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The cover portion is extended from the main body portion from a position offset from the one surface side to the other surface side of the main body portion, becomes substantially arc-shaped and extends to a position higher than the one surface side, and then An electrode device in an electrical stimulation device, wherein the electrode device extends in parallel with the one surface side. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The cover member is formed by molding silicon rubber,
The electrode member is integrated with the cover member when the cover member is molded.
An electrode device in an electrical stimulation device. In claim 5,
The cover member is formed by compression molding;
On the other side of the electrode member, a PTC layer for heating is integrated,
A lead wire for electrical signal transmission for stimulation connected to the electrode member and a lead wire for heating energization connected to the PTC layer are led out from the other surface side of the main body, respectively,
A predetermined area range in which the tip portions of the lead wires gather is preliminarily hardened with a synthetic resin before compression molding the cover member.
An electrode device.

Images