JP2015033565A - Blood-flow restricting electrostimulation system and control method thereof, medical apparatus, and muscle-building method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method allowing a user to build up the muscle without taking exercise by oneself, a blood-flow restricting electrostimulation system used when performing the method, and control method thereof, and a medical apparatus including the blood-flow restricting electrostimulation system.SOLUTION: A blood-flow restricting electrostimulation system 1 includes: a belt that is wound around at least one of the four limbs of the user for applying pressure; an electrostimulation generator 300 for generating an electrostimulation signal; electrode pads 200 that are placed on specific sites of the user and receive the supply of the electrostimulation signal generated by the electrostimulation generator 300; and a control device 400 that controls the pressure applied by the belt to control the blood flow of the muscle of the user, and controls the electrostimulation signal generated by the electrostimulation generator 300 to electrically stimulate the muscle of the user.

Description

  The present invention relates to a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system and a control method thereof, a medical device, and a muscle augmentation method.

  Conventionally, a pressure muscular strength training method that can efficiently reinforce muscles by applying a load due to blood flow restriction to the muscles has been proposed and put into practical use (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a strength training method, a muscle strengthening device is used in which a predetermined portion of a user's limb (arm or leg) is tightened with a tightening tool to apply pressure to the muscle.

Japanese Patent No. 2670421

  By the way, in recent years, with the aging of society, elderly people who are bedridden are increasing. Bedridden elderly people do not remain light exercise, so their muscles gradually weaken, and it may be difficult to get up on their own as they get older. The inventor of the present application has developed a new method that can easily strengthen muscles even by bedridden elderly people by developing a conventional pressurized muscle strength training method as described in Patent Document 1 described above. I found it. Furthermore, the present inventor, while pursuing research on the conventional pressurized muscle strength training method, secretes more growth hormone from the pituitary gland than usual by performing appropriate pressurization (blood flow restriction). It has been discovered that this growth hormone has a positive effect on the body in addition to muscle strengthening. By further developing this mechanism, a medical device capable of preventing and treating various diseases is provided. I got the knowledge that I can do it.

  The present invention provides a method by which a user can easily strengthen muscles without performing exercise on his own, a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system used when performing this method, and a control method thereof. An object of the present invention is to provide a medical device provided with the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to the present invention includes a belt wound around at least one of the user's limbs to apply pressure, and an electrical stimulation that generates an electrical stimulation signal. Blood flow in the user's muscles by controlling the applied pressure applied by the generator, an electrode pad that is attached to a specific part of the user and that is supplied with the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator And a control device for electrically stimulating a user's muscles by controlling an electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator.

  When such a configuration is adopted, the pressure applied by a belt wound around at least one of the user's limbs (arms and legs) is controlled to restrict the blood flow of the user's muscles, and the user's A user's muscle can be electrically stimulated by controlling an electrical stimulation signal supplied to an electrode pad attached to a specific site. In other words, in addition to being able to promote the secretion of growth hormone of the user by restricting the blood flow of the user's muscle, the same effect as a light exercise is obtained by electrically stimulating the user's muscle. These synergistic effects make it possible to strengthen muscles very easily. At this time, since the user does not need to exercise by himself, even a bedridden elderly person can easily strengthen muscles.

  In the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to the present invention, a shape maintaining member for maintaining a loop shape of the belt in a state wound around at least one of the limbs, a gas bag provided on the belt, and a predetermined tube And a pressure adjusting means for supplying gas to the gas bag and removing gas from the gas bag. In such a case, it is possible to employ a control device that controls the applied pressure by controlling the pressure adjusting means.

  In the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to the present invention, the belt is configured to alternately repeat a pressurizing operation for applying a predetermined pressurizing force and a depressurizing operation for completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing operation. It is possible to employ a control device that controls the pressurizing force applied. At this time, when realizing a plurality of pressurizing operations, it is preferable to set the pressurizing force in each pressurizing operation higher than the pressurizing force in the immediately preceding pressurizing operation.

  When such a configuration is adopted, a pressurizing operation for applying a predetermined pressurizing force to at least one of the user's limbs, and a depressurizing operation for completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing operation. The pressing force applied by the belt can be controlled so as to repeat alternately. Thereby, the nitric oxide produced | generated from the vascular endothelial cell of a user's blood vessel can be increased, and a blood vessel can be strengthened.

  The medical device according to the present invention includes the above-described blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system.

  When such a configuration is adopted, the muscles are moderately fatigued by “blood flow restriction” and “electrical stimulation” to increase blood lactic acid concentration efficiently, thereby stimulating the exchange nerves efficiently, and from the pituitary gland. It can efficiently secrete growth hormone. Therefore, prevention and treatment of various diseases (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.) can be realized.

  In addition, the control method according to the present invention includes a belt wound around at least one of the user's limbs to apply pressure, an electrical stimulation generator that generates an electrical stimulation signal, and a specific part of the user And an electrode pad that is supplied with an electrical stimulation signal generated by an electrical stimulation generator, and controls a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system that controls a pressure applied by a belt. It includes a control step of restricting the blood flow of the user's muscle and controlling the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator to electrically stimulate the user's muscle.

  When such a method is adopted, the pressure applied by a belt wound around at least one of the user's limbs is controlled to restrict the blood flow of the user's muscles, and the user's specific part is worn. A user's muscle can be electrically stimulated by controlling an electrical stimulation signal supplied to the electrode pad. In other words, in addition to being able to promote the secretion of growth hormone of the user by restricting the blood flow of the user's muscle, the same effect as a light exercise is obtained by electrically stimulating the user's muscle. These synergistic effects make it possible to strengthen muscles very easily. At this time, since the user does not need to exercise by himself, even a bedridden elderly person can easily strengthen muscles.

  In the control method according to the present invention, a shape maintaining member that maintains the loop shape of the belt in a state wound around at least one of the limbs, a gas bag provided on the belt, and a gas bag via a predetermined tube It is possible to employ a blood flow limiting electrical stimulation system further comprising pressure adjusting means for supplying gas to the gas and removing gas from the gas bag. In such a case, it is possible to employ a control process for controlling the applied pressure by controlling the pressure adjusting means.

  In the control method according to the present invention, the control step includes a belt so as to alternately repeat a pressurizing operation for applying a predetermined pressurizing force and a depressurizing operation for completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing operation. It is possible to have a pressurizing / depressurizing control step for controlling the pressurizing force applied by. In this pressurizing / depressurizing control step, it is preferable to set the pressurizing force in each pressurizing operation higher than the pressurizing force in the immediately preceding pressurizing operation when realizing a plurality of pressurizing operations.

  When such a method is adopted, a pressurizing operation for applying a predetermined pressurizing force to at least one of the user's limbs, and a depressurizing operation for completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing operation. The pressing force applied by the belt can be controlled so as to repeat alternately. Thereby, the nitric oxide produced | generated from the vascular endothelial cell of a user's blood vessel can be increased, and a blood vessel can be strengthened.

  Further, the muscle strengthening method according to the present invention includes a blood flow restricting step of restricting the blood flow of the user's muscle by winding a belt around at least one of the user's limbs and applying a predetermined pressure. And an electrical stimulation step of electrically stimulating the muscles of the user by supplying an electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator to an electrode pad attached to a specific site of the user.

  When such a method is adopted, a predetermined pressure is applied by a belt wound around at least one of the user's limbs to restrict the blood flow of the user's muscles, and the electrode is attached to a specific part of the user An electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator can be supplied to the pad to electrically stimulate the user's muscles. In other words, in addition to being able to promote the secretion of growth hormone of the user by restricting the blood flow of the user's muscle, the same effect as a light exercise is obtained by electrically stimulating the user's muscle. These synergistic effects make it possible to strengthen muscles very easily. At this time, since the user does not need to exercise by himself, even a bedridden elderly person can easily strengthen muscles.

  In the muscle strengthening method according to the present invention, a shape maintaining member that maintains the loop shape of the belt in a state wound around at least one of the limbs, a gas bag provided on the belt, and gas through a predetermined tube The blood flow restriction step can be carried out by controlling the pressure adjusting means using pressure adjusting means for supplying gas to the bag and removing gas from the gas bag.

  In the muscle strengthening method according to the present invention, the blood flow restriction step includes a pressurization control step for controlling the pressure applied by the belt, and the electrical stimulation step controls an electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator. An electrical stimulation control step can be included. Further, the pressurization control process includes alternately repeating a pressurization process for applying a predetermined pressurizing force and a depressurization process for completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing operation. Is carried out several times, it is preferable to set the applied pressure in each pressurizing step higher than the applied pressure in the immediately preceding pressurizing step.

  When such a method is employed, a pressurizing step for applying a predetermined pressurizing force to at least one of the user's limbs, and a depressurizing step for completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing step. By repeating alternately, the nitric oxide produced from the vascular endothelial cells of the user's blood vessel can be increased, thereby strengthening the blood vessel.

  According to the present invention, a method by which a user can easily strengthen muscles without performing exercise by himself, a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system used when implementing this method, and a control method therefor, In addition, it is possible to provide a medical device provided with the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the fastener contained in the blood flow restriction | limiting electric stimulation system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the fastener for arms contained in the blood flow restriction | limiting electric stimulation system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the fastener for legs contained in the blood flow restriction | limiting electric stimulation system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows schematically the internal structure of the blood flow restriction | limiting electric stimulation control apparatus contained in the blood flow restriction | limiting electric stimulation system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the control apparatus contained in the blood flow restriction | limiting electric stimulation control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional block produced | generated inside the control apparatus contained in the blood flow restriction | limiting electric stimulation control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the muscle strengthening method which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows an example of a time-dependent change of the applied pressure given to the base part of an arm in the muscle strengthening method which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows an example of a time-dependent change of the applied pressure given to the base part of a leg in the muscle reinforcement | strengthening method which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the other example of a time-dependent change of the applied pressure given to the base part of an arm in the muscle strengthening method which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, a specific example of a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system (hereinafter referred to as “the present system”) 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following embodiments, an example will be described in which muscle training (muscle enhancement method) for realizing muscle enhancement by applying a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system is performed.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a fastener 100, an electrode pad 200, an electrical stimulation generator 300, and a central controller 400.

  The tightening tool 100 in this embodiment is configured as shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the fastener 100, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing how the fastener 100 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the number of the fasteners 100 in this embodiment is plural (more specifically, four). The reason why the number of the fasteners 100 is four is to enable pressurization to both hands and both feet of a person (user) who performs muscle training. Of the tightening tool 100 in this embodiment, the tightening tool 100A is for the arm (for wrapping around the arm and pressurizing the arm), and the tightening tool 100B is for the leg (wound around the leg to add the leg). For pressure). Note that the number of the fasteners 100 is not necessarily four, but may be any number as long as it is one or more. The arm fastener 100A and the leg fastener 100B do not necessarily have to be the same number. When muscle training is performed on a plurality of people at once, the number of fasteners 100 may exceed four.

  The tightening tool 100 in the present embodiment surrounds the outer periphery of a specific region of at least one muscle of the limbs, and applies a predetermined pressure to the specific region by tightening the specific region of the muscle. In addition, the pressure applied to the specific region of the arm or leg can be changed as described later. In the present embodiment, the fastening tool 100 basically includes a belt 110, a gas bag 120, and a shape maintaining member 130.

  The belt 110 is wound around a specific region (for example, a portion of the vicinity of the base of the arm or the base of the leg that is suitable for realizing blood flow restriction by tightening from the outside). The details are not limited as long as they can. The belt 110 in this embodiment is not necessarily required, but is made of a stretchable material. More specifically, it is made of neoprene rubber.

  The length of the belt 110 in the present embodiment may be determined according to the length of the outer periphery of the specific area around which the user's fastener 100 is wound. The length of the belt 110 may be longer than the length of the outer periphery of the specific region, but the length of the belt 110 in this embodiment is set to be twice or more the length of the outer periphery of the specific region. The length of the belt 110 of the arm fastener 100A according to the present embodiment is determined in consideration of the outer circumference length of a specific region of the user's arm being 26 cm, specifically 90 cm. Has been. The length of the belt 110 of the leg fastener 100B is determined in consideration of the fact that the length of the outer periphery of the specific region of the user's leg is 45 cm, specifically 145 cm. Yes.

  The width dimension of the belt 110 in the present embodiment may be appropriately determined according to the specific region around which the fastener 100 is wound. For example, the width of the belt 110 of the arm fastener 100A can be set in a range of 2.5 to 3 cm, and the width of the belt 110 of the leg fastener 100B can be set to 5 to 6 cm. Can be set within the range.

  The gas bag 120 is attached to the belt 110. The gas bag 120 in this embodiment is attached to one surface of the belt 110. However, the method of attaching the gas bag 120 to the belt 110 is not limited to this, and the gas bag 120 may be provided inside the belt 110 having a hollow inside.

  The gas bag 120 is attached to the belt 110 so that one end thereof coincides with the vicinity of one end of the belt 110 (in FIG. 2, the lower end of the belt 110), though not necessarily so. . The gas bag 120 is an airtight bag formed of a material having airtightness. The gas bag 120 in this embodiment is comprised from the rubber | gum provided with the elasticity similar to the rubber bag used for a manchette, for example. The material of the gas bag 120 is not limited to this, and a material that can maintain airtightness may be selected as appropriate.

  The length of the gas bag 120 is not necessarily required, but in this embodiment, the length of the gas bag 120 is substantially the same as the length of the outer periphery of the specific region around which the fastener 100 is wound. In the present embodiment, the length of the gas bag 120 of the arm fastener 100A is 25 cm, and the length of the gas bag 120 of the leg fastener 100B is 44 cm.

  Further, the width dimension of the gas bag 120 may be appropriately determined according to the specific region around which the fastener 100 is wound. In this embodiment, it is not always necessary to do so, but the width dimension of the gas bag 120 in the arm fastener 100A is set within a range of 2.5 to 3 cm, and the gas bag 120 of the leg fastener 100B The width dimension is set within a range of 5 to 6 cm.

  The gas bag 120 is provided with a connection port 121 that communicates with the inside of the gas bag 120. For example, the gas bag 120 is connected to the central controller 400 via a connection pipe 140 formed of an appropriate pipe such as a rubber tube. It can be done. As will be described later, gas (air in this embodiment) is sent into the gas bag 120 through the connection port 121, or the gas in the gas bag 120 is extracted to the outside.

  The shape maintaining member 130 fixes the belt 110 so as to maintain the state in which the belt 110 is wound around a specific portion. The shape maintaining member 130 in the present embodiment is a surface fastener provided at the other end of the belt 110 on the surface of the belt 110 where the gas bag 120 is provided (the upper end of the belt 110 in FIG. 2). The shape maintaining member 130 can be freely fixed anywhere on the entire surface of the belt 110 on the side where the gas bag 120 is not provided.

  When the belt 110 is wound around a specific region and the air is fed into the gas bag 120 with the belt 110 being fixed by the shape maintaining member 130, the tightening tool 100 tightens the muscle and applies pressure. On the contrary, if the air in the gas bag 120 is extracted in this state, the pressure applied to the muscle by the fastener 100 becomes small.

  The electrode pad 200 is attached to a specific part of the user (for example, a shoulder, an upper arm, a forearm, a thigh, and a shin). In the present embodiment, a plurality of electrode pads 200 are provided as shown in FIG. Has been. Each electrode pad 200 is supplied with the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator 300 via the electric wire 210. The electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator 300 is supplied to each electrode pad 200 attached to the specific site of the user, whereby electrical stimulation can be applied to the user. The area and shape of the electrode pad 200 can be appropriately set according to the user's physique and specific site. In the present embodiment, an example in which a plurality of electrode pads 200 are employed has been described. However, the number of electrode pads is not limited as long as it is one or more.

  The electrical stimulation generator 300 generates a pulsed electrical stimulation signal for applying a stimulus to the human body. The electrical stimulation generator 300 changes the speed of stimulation by changing the output frequency of the electrical stimulation signal, changes the intensity of stimulation by changing the output voltage of the electrical stimulation signal, The stimulation pattern can be changed by changing the basic waveform of the signal. For example, the electrical stimulus generator 300 applies a stimulus that strikes the human body by making the frequency of the electrical stimulus signal relatively low, or a stimulus that stings the human body by making the frequency of the electrical stimulus signal relatively high. Can be added. The electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator 300 is controlled by a control signal sent from the controller 420 of the central controller 400.

  The central control device 400 functions to automatically supply gas to the gas bag 120 or remove the gas and to send a specific control signal to the electrical stimulation generator 300. is there. As long as such control can be performed, the central controller 400 may have any configuration.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows the configuration of the central controller 400 as an example. As shown in FIG. 5, the central control device 400 includes four pumps 410 and a control device 420. The four pumps 410 are associated with the four fasteners 100, respectively. In this embodiment, the pump 410 corresponds to the pressure adjusting means in the present invention.

  The pump 410 has a function of taking in the surrounding gas (air in the present embodiment) and sending it to the outside via a pump connection port 411 described later. The pump 410 is also provided with a valve 412. By opening the valve 412, the gas inside the pump 410 can be discharged to the outside. Each of the four pumps 410 includes a pump connection port 411, and is connected to the gas bag 120 through a connection pipe 140 and a connection port 121 connected to the pump connection port 411. If the pump 410 sends gas, the gas is supplied to the gas bag 120, and if the pump 410 opens the valve 412, the gas can be removed from the gas bag 120. Note that the valve 412 is not necessarily provided in the pump 410, and may be provided in any of the paths from the pump 410 to the gas bag 120.

  The pump 410 also includes a pressure gauge (not shown) so that the atmospheric pressure in the pump 410 can be measured. The pressure in the pump 410 is naturally equal to the pressure in the gas bag 120.

  The control device 420 has a function of controlling the pump 410. The control device 420 drives the pump 410 with the valve 412 closed to send air to the gas bag 120 of the fastener 100, or opens the valve 412 provided in the pump 410 to release the air in the gas bag 120. Take control. That is, the control device 420 controls the pump 410 including opening and closing of the valve 412. In addition, the control device 420 sends out a control signal for controlling the magnitude and frequency of the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator 300.

  An internal configuration diagram of the control device 420 is schematically shown in FIG. The control device 420 includes a computer and is configured by connecting a CPU 421, a ROM 422, a RAM 423, and an interface 424 via a bus 425.

  The CPU 421 is a central processing unit and controls the entire control device 420. The ROM 422 records programs and data necessary for performing the later-described processing executed by the control device 420, and the CPU 421 executes processing based on this program. The ROM 422 can be configured by a flash ROM. In addition to the ROM 422 or together with the ROM 422, the control device 420 may include another recording medium such as a hard disk for recording the above-described programs and data. The RAM 423 provides a work area for executing the above-described program. The interface 424 has a function of receiving an input from the input device and sending an instruction from the control device 420 to each of the four pumps 410.

  When the CPU 421 executes the above-described program, functional blocks as shown in FIG. 7 are generated inside the control device 420. The control device 420 includes an input information analysis unit 431, a control data generation unit 432, a control data recording unit 433, an output control unit 434, and a control unit 435.

  The input information analysis unit 431 receives an input from an input device (not shown) from the interface 424 and analyzes the contents. Data about the contents analyzed by the input information analysis unit 431 is sent to the control data generation unit 432 or the control unit 435.

  The control data generation unit 432 generates control data for controlling the pump 410 including opening / closing of the valve 412 based on the data received from the input information analysis unit 431. The control data generation unit 432 records the generated control data in the control data recording unit 433.

  The control data recording unit 433 records the control data received from the control data generation unit 432. In the control data recording unit 433 according to the present embodiment, blood flow restriction control data associated with each of the four pumps 410 is recorded as a set. In the control data recording unit 433 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of sets of blood flow restriction control data for the four pumps 410 can be recorded. This set of data is data for controlling the pressurization of both arms and both legs when performing muscle training. The plurality of sets of data can be data for a plurality of people. In this case, the data of the person who performs the muscle training is called according to who performs the muscle training. The multiple sets of data can also be data for a particular person performing muscle training. In this case, the one person can call different data depending on the physical condition. Alternatively, a plurality of sets of data can be used in both ways described above.

  In addition, the control data recording unit 433 records the electrical stimulation control data associated with each of the plurality of electrode pads 200 as a set. In the present embodiment, the electrical stimulation control data associated with each electrode pad 200 is associated with the blood flow restriction control data associated with each pump 410.

  The control unit 435 performs overall control of the input information analysis unit 431, the control data generation unit 432, and the output control unit 434. In addition, it has a function of controlling modes described later. The control unit 435 also reads a set of control data (blood flow restriction control data and electrical stimulation control data) from the control data recording unit 433 and sends it to the output control unit 434 when performing muscle training. have.

  The output control unit 434 has a function of controlling the pump 410 based on the blood flow restriction control data and controlling the electrical stimulation generator 300 based on the electrical stimulation control data. Muscle training is performed while the output controller 434 controls the pump 410 and the electrical stimulation generator 300.

  Next, muscle training (muscle enhancement method) performed using the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, control data for muscle enhancement is created (control data creation step: S1). The central control device 400 in the present embodiment is configured to execute two modes: a setting mode and a training mode. The control data is created in the setting mode. Input about whether to select the setting mode or the training mode is performed by an input device (not shown). When information indicating whether to select the setting mode or the training mode is input from the input device, the input information analysis unit 431 that has received the information via the interface 424 sends the information to the control unit 435. Thereby, the control unit 435 starts the setting mode or the training mode.

  The central control device 400 can input information necessary for generating control data by operating the input device when the setting mode is being executed. The input information is sent to the control data generation unit 432 through the interface 424 and the input information analysis unit 431. The control data generation unit 432 generates control data based on the input information and sends it to the control data recording unit 433. The control data recording unit 433 records the data. The “blood flow restriction control data” in the control data is data indicating how the atmospheric pressure in the pump 410 is changed over time. “Electric stimulation control data” in the control data is data indicating how the electrical stimulation signal supplied to each electrode pad 200 is changed over time. How to change the atmospheric pressure in the pump 410 over time will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, a set of four blood flow restriction control data is recorded in the control data recording unit 433, and electrical stimulation control data associated with each blood flow restriction control data is recorded in the control data recording unit 433. The above process is repeated as many times as necessary until recording. As described above, in this embodiment, control data suitable for each individual who performs so-called made-to-order muscle training is generated. Note that typical or general-purpose control data may be recorded in the control data recording unit 433 in advance when the central control device 400 is shipped. One or a plurality of control data may be recorded in advance in the control data recording unit 433.

  When the control data is generated, the central control device 400 and the fastener 100 are connected via the connection pipe 140, and the central control device 400, the electrical stimulation generator 300, and the electrode pad 200 are connected via the electric wire 210. (Device connection step: S2). Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fastener 100 is wound around a specific region of the user's limb and fixed to the specific region with the shape maintaining member 130, and the electrode pad 200 is attached to the specific region of the user. Perform tightening tool winding and electrode mounting process (S3). In this state, almost no pressure is applied to the specific region. In the present embodiment, the specific areas are the base areas of both arms and the base areas of both legs.

  In this state, the central controller 400 is set to the training mode to perform muscle training. When the training mode is started, the user operates the input device to select his / her own control data (control data selection step: S4). When there are a plurality of control data for one's own use, appropriate control data is selected in consideration of one's physical condition and the like. This control data is also selected using the input device.

  When information indicating which control data to select is input by the input device, this information is sent to the control unit 435 via the interface 424 and the input information analysis unit 431. The control unit 435 reads the control data selected based on this information from the control data recording unit 433 and sends it to the output control unit 434. The output control unit 434 controls the pump 410 and the electrical stimulation generator 300 based on the control data (control process: S5). The pump 410 automatically maintains the atmospheric pressure in the pump 410 as indicated by the control data while measuring the atmospheric pressure in the pump 410 with a pressure gauge. The control step S5 in the present embodiment includes the blood flow restriction step, the electrical stimulation step, the pressure control step, the pressurization control step, and the electrical stimulation control step in the present invention.

  Here, how to limit blood flow in the control step S5 will be described with reference to the time charts of FIGS. In the present embodiment, the applied pressure (appropriate pressure) to be applied to the user's arm is 150 to 160 mmHg, and the appropriate leg pressure is 250 to 260 mmHg.

  FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the change over time of the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm by the belt 110 of the fastener 100. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the controller 420 controls the pump 410 to increase the pressure applied to the base of the arm from 0 mmHg to an appropriate pressure (about 150 mmHg) over about 5 seconds. Is maintained for about 10 seconds (arm pressurization step; S51). Thereafter, the control device 420 controls the pump 410 to reduce the pressure applied to the base of the arm from the appropriate pressure (about 150 mmHg) to 0 mmHg over about 5 seconds (that is, completely remove the pressure). And the state is maintained for about 10 seconds (arm decompression step: S52). And the control apparatus 420 repeats these arm pressurization process S51 and arm decompression process S52 several times (for example, both processes are performed 3 times each).

  FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the change over time of the pressure applied to the base of the user's leg by the belt 110 of the fastener 100. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the controller 420 controls the pump 410 to increase the pressure applied to the base of the leg from 0 mmHg to an appropriate pressure (about 250 mmHg) over about 5 seconds. Is maintained for about 15 seconds (leg pressing step: S53). Thereafter, the control device 420 controls the pump 410 to reduce the applied pressure applied to the base of the leg from the appropriate pressure (about 250 mmHg) to 0 mmHg over about 5 seconds (that is, completely remove the applied pressure). And maintain that state for about 15 seconds (leg decompression step: S54). And the control apparatus 420 repeats these leg pressurization process S53 and leg decompression process S54 several times (for example, both processes 5 times each).

  In the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system 1 according to the embodiment described above, the pressure applied by the belt 110 wound around at least one of the user's four limbs (arms and legs) is controlled, and the user's While restricting the blood flow of the muscle, the user's muscle can be stimulated electrically by controlling the electrical stimulation signal supplied to the electrode pad 200 attached to the specific site of the user. In other words, in addition to being able to promote the secretion of growth hormone of the user by restricting the blood flow of the user's muscle, the same effect as a light exercise is obtained by electrically stimulating the user's muscle. These synergistic effects make it possible to strengthen muscles very easily. At this time, since the user does not need to exercise by himself, even a bedridden elderly person can easily strengthen muscles.

  In addition, in the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system 1 according to the embodiment described above, a pressurizing operation for applying a predetermined pressurizing force to at least one of the user's limbs and the pressurizing operation are applied. The pressure applied by the belt 110 can be controlled so as to alternately repeat the pressure removal operation for completely removing the pressure. Thereby, the nitric oxide produced | generated from the vascular endothelial cell of a user's blood vessel can be increased, and a blood vessel can be strengthened. Further, since the pressure applied to the specific region of the user's limb can be controlled by the belt 110 so as to alternately repeat the pressurizing operation and the depressurizing operation multiple times, the stability of the user's autonomic nerve Can be achieved. That is, while the user's sympathetic nerve can be activated by the pressurizing operation, the user's parasympathetic nerve can be activated by the depressurizing operation. By repeating, the user's autonomic nerve can be stabilized.

  In the above embodiment, the duration of the pressurizing operation and the depressurizing operation in the pressurizing step and the depressurizing step of muscle training is about 10 seconds for the arm and about 15 seconds for the leg. However, the duration of the pressurizing operation and the depressurizing operation is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed in consideration of the physique of the person who performs muscle training, the physical condition at the time of training, etc. . For example, each duration of the pressurizing operation and the depressurizing operation can be set to about 20 to 30 seconds. Further, the duration of the pressurizing operation may be different from the duration of the depressurizing operation.

  Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the pressure applied in the pressurizing step of muscle training is set to an appropriate pressure (about 150 mmHg for the arm and about 250 mmHg for the leg) has been shown. The pressure applied in the pressurizing step of training is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed in consideration of the physical condition at the time of training of a person who performs muscle training. For example, a pressure slightly lower than the appropriate pressure (approx. 100 mmHg in the case of the arm, approximately 200 mmHg in the case of the leg) or a pressure slightly higher than the appropriate pressure (approx. 200 mmHg in the case of the arm, approximately 300 mmHg in the case of the leg) ).

  Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the number of times of performing the pressurizing step and the depressurizing step of the muscle training is 3 times in the case of the arm and 5 times in the case of the leg is shown. The number of times the decompression step is performed is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed in consideration of the physique of the person who performs muscle training, the physical condition at the time of training, and the like. For example, the number of times of performing the pressurizing step and the depressurizing step can be set to about 10 for both the arm and the leg.

  In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the pressure applied in the pressurization step of muscle training is fixed (about 150 mmHg for the arm and about 250 mmHg for the leg). It can also be increased gradually.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm is increased from 0 mmHg to about 280 mmHg over about 5 seconds, and the pressure is maintained for about 15 seconds, and then about 5 seconds. The applied pressure applied to the base of the user's arm is reduced from about 280 mmHg to 0 mmHg, and this state is maintained for about 10 seconds. Next, the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm over about 5 seconds is increased from 0 mmHg to about 300 mmHg and maintained for about 15 seconds, and then applied to the base of the user's arm over about 5 seconds. The applied pressure is reduced from about 300 mmHg to 0 mmHg, and the state is maintained for about 10 seconds. Subsequently, the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm over about 5 seconds is increased from 0 mmHg to about 320 mmHg and maintained for about 15 seconds, and then the base of the user's arm over about 5 seconds. The applied pressure is reduced from about 320 mmHg to 0 mmHg, and the state is maintained for about 10 seconds. Subsequently, the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm over about 5 seconds is increased from 0 mmHg to about 340 mmHg and maintained for about 15 seconds, and then the base of the user's arm over about 5 seconds. The pressing force applied to the part is reduced from about 340 mmHg to 0 mmHg, and this state is maintained for about 10 seconds.

  As described above, when a plurality of pressurizing operations are realized, the pressurizing force in each pressurizing operation is set higher than the pressurizing force in the immediately preceding pressurizing operation, thereby generating the blood vessel endothelial cells of the user's blood vessel. Increased nitric oxide can increase the elasticity of the blood vessel and increase the user's critical pressure (pressurizing force that causes a hemostatic condition).

  In recent years, research on pressurization (restriction of blood flow) training methods has been carried out, and more growth hormone is secreted from the pituitary gland than usual by performing appropriate pressurization (restriction of blood flow). It has been shown that this growth hormone has a positive effect on the body besides muscle strengthening. For this reason, the pressurization (blood flow restriction) training method is being applied to the fields of medicine and rehabilitation. The blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to the present invention is a combination of this “pressurization (blood flow restriction)” and “electric stimulation”, and can promote further secretion of growth hormone. And can be applied to the field of rehabilitation. For example, by using a medical device provided with the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system 1 according to the present embodiment, the muscles are moderately fatigued by “pressurization (blood flow restriction)” and “electric stimulation”, and blood Prevents various diseases (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.) by efficiently increasing the concentration of lactic acid, thereby stimulating the exchange nerves efficiently and secreting growth hormone from the pituitary gland And treatment can be realized.

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, although the example which implemented the muscle training (muscle enhancement method) using the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system 1 was shown, without using such a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system 1, You can also perform muscle training. For example, the instructor restricts the blood flow of the user's muscles by wrapping the belt 110 around a specific region of the limb of the person who performs muscle training (user) and applying a predetermined pressure to the specific region (blood flow) At the same time, the electrode pad 200 is attached to a specific part of the user, and the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator 300 is supplied to the electrode pad 200 to electrically stimulate the user's muscle. (Electric stimulation process) can also be performed.

  Thus, even when the muscle strengthening method according to the present invention is implemented through an instructor, in addition to being able to promote the secretion of growth hormone of the user by restricting the blood flow of the user's muscle, the user By electrically stimulating the muscles, it is possible to obtain an effect similar to that of light exercise, and the synergistic action of these muscles makes it possible to strengthen the muscles very easily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and those in which those skilled in the art appropriately modify the design are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. . In other words, each element included in the embodiment and its arrangement, material, condition, shape, size, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be appropriately changed. Moreover, each element with which the said embodiment is provided can be combined as much as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Blood flow restriction | limiting electric stimulation system 110 ... Belt 120 ... Gas bag 130 ... Shape maintenance member 200 ... Electrode pad 300 ... Electrical stimulation generator 410 ... Pump (pressure adjustment means)
420 ... Control device

Claims (11)

A belt wound around at least one of the user's limbs to apply pressure;
An electrical stimulation generator for generating electrical stimulation signals;
An electrode pad that is attached to a specific part of the user and receives supply of an electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator;
Control that restricts the blood flow of the user's muscle by controlling the pressure applied by the belt, and controls the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator to electrically stimulate the user's muscle An apparatus,
Blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system. A shape maintaining member that maintains the loop shape of the belt in a state of being wound around at least one of the limbs, a gas bag provided on the belt, and a gas to the gas bag via a predetermined tube; Pressure adjusting means for performing supply and removal of gas from the gas bag, and
The control device controls the pressure by controlling the pressure adjusting means.
The blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to claim 1. The control device applies pressure applied by the belt so as to alternately repeat a pressurizing operation for applying a predetermined pressurizing force and a depressurizing operation for completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing operation. The pressure is controlled, and when the pressurizing operation is performed a plurality of times, the pressurizing force in each pressurizing operation is set higher than the pressurizing force in the immediately preceding pressurizing operation.
The blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to claim 1 or 2.   A medical device comprising the blood flow limiting electrical stimulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A belt that is wound around at least one of the user's limbs to apply pressure, an electrical stimulation generator that generates an electrical stimulation signal, and the electrical stimulation generator that is mounted on a specific part of the user An electrode pad that is supplied with the electrical stimulation signal generated by the method, and a control method for a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system comprising:
Control that restricts the blood flow of the user's muscle by controlling the pressure applied by the belt, and controls the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator to electrically stimulate the user's muscle Including steps,
Control method of blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system. The blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system includes a shape maintaining member that maintains a loop shape of the belt in a state wound around at least one of the limbs, a gas bag provided on the belt, and a predetermined tube. A pressure adjusting means for performing supply of gas to the gas bag and removal of gas from the gas bag via,
In the control step, the pressure is controlled by controlling the pressure adjusting means.
The control method of the blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to claim 5. In the control step, a pressurizing operation for applying a predetermined pressurizing force and a pressurizing operation for completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing operation are alternately applied by the belt. It has a pressure control process that controls pressure,
In the pressurizing / depressurizing control step, when a plurality of pressurizing operations are realized, the pressurizing force in each pressurizing operation is set higher than the pressurizing force in the immediately preceding pressurizing operation.
The method for controlling a blood flow restriction electrical stimulation system according to claim 5 or 6. A method for strengthening a user's muscle,
A blood flow restricting step for restricting the blood flow of the user's muscles by winding a belt around at least one of the limbs of the user and applying a predetermined pressure;
An electrical stimulation step of electrically stimulating a user's muscle by attaching an electrode pad to a specific part of the user and supplying an electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator to the electrode pad. ,
Muscle strengthening method. A shape maintaining member that maintains the loop shape of the belt in a state of being wound around at least one of the limbs, a gas bag provided on the belt, and a gas to the gas bag via a predetermined tube; Pressure regulation means for performing supply and removal of gas from the gas bag, and implementing the blood flow restriction step by controlling the pressure regulation means,
The blood vessel strengthening method according to claim 8. The blood flow restriction step includes a pressurization control step for controlling the pressure applied by the belt,
The electrical stimulation step includes an electrical stimulation control step of controlling an electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation generator.
The method for strengthening muscles according to claim 8 or 9. The pressurizing control step includes alternately repeating a pressurizing step of applying a predetermined pressurizing force and a depressurizing step of completely removing the pressurizing force applied by the pressurizing operation. When performing the process a plurality of times, set the pressurizing force in each pressurizing step higher than the pressurizing force in the immediately preceding pressurizing step,
The muscle strengthening method according to claim 10.

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