JP2018038514A - Electric therapeutic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric therapeutic apparatus that generates a variety of electric stimuli by a plurality of electrodes capable of achieving functions of both reference electrodes and output electrodes by executing simple control.SOLUTION: Each of a plurality of switching circuits of an electric therapeutic apparatus includes: a first transistor having a first upstream side terminal connected to an electrode, a first downstream side terminal connected to a reference potential, and a first switching terminal; a second transistor with characteristics reverse to the characteristics of the first transistor having a second upstream side terminal connected to an output terminal, a second downstream side terminal connected to the electrode and the first upstream side terminal, and a second switching terminal; a first resistor, one end of which is connected to the output terminal, and other end of which is connected to the second switching terminal; and a second resistor, one end of which is connected to the second switching terminal, and other end of which is connected to the first upstream side terminal of another switching circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrotherapy device, and more particularly to an electrotherapy device for electrically stimulating muscles inside the body.

  In general, an electrotherapy device in which a plurality of electrodes are attached to the body surface such as the abdomen and back, and a low frequency pulse is output to muscles inside the body via the electrodes to electrically stimulate the device. Are known. Such an electrotherapeutic device is used for treatment to relieve muscle stiffness. In addition, since the electrotherapy device can repeatedly contract muscles by electrical stimulation, it can be used for training for strengthening muscle strength or slimming.

  As a conventionally known electrotherapy device, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, two electrodes that come into contact with the body are provided, a voltage is generated between the electrodes to cause a current to flow, and electrical stimulation is applied to the muscle. There was an electrical stimulator that gave. However, since such an electrical stimulation device has only two electrodes, there is a problem that the stimulation by the current is monotonous and the therapeutic effect and the training effect may be insufficient.

  In light of these problems, an electrotherapy device having a plurality of electrodes has been newly developed. For example, in Patent Document 2, the body training effect is improved by sequentially applying a pulse voltage using a plurality of pads (electrodes). Further, in Patent Document 3, a therapeutic effect is provided by providing a plurality of electrodes, controlling on / off switches for each electrode, periodically changing an electrode for generating a current, and applying various stimuli to the body. Is increasing.

JP-A-2005-245585 JP2010-131253A JP2015-16041A

  However, in Patent Document 2, the pad for determining the reference potential is fixed to the one-pole pad, and a pulse voltage cannot be applied to the one-pole pad. Therefore, the current always flows toward the one-pole pad, and the current cannot flow from the one-pole pad, so that there is a problem that the current stimulation becomes monotonous.

  In Patent Document 3, for each electrode, a first switch that controls electrical connection with an output potential of a pulse and a second switch that controls electrical connection with a reference potential are used. That is, by controlling two switches provided for each electrode, each electrode is designed to be either a potential for outputting a pulse or a reference potential (ground). However, if two switches are provided for each electrode, it is necessary to send a control signal to each of the two switches, which complicates the control and increases the memory capacity. There was a problem that would become high.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrotherapy device in which each electrode can be set to either an electrode for generating an output or an electrode for determining a reference potential by simple control.

Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.
That is, an electrotherapy device that electrically stimulates muscles inside the body according to the present invention includes a plurality of electrodes that contact the body, a control unit, and an output intensity adjustment unit that outputs a predetermined voltage to an output terminal. A plurality of switching circuits corresponding to each of the plurality of electrodes, each of the plurality of switching circuits being electrically connected to a reference potential and a first upstream terminal electrically connected to the corresponding electrode A first transistor comprising: a first downstream terminal that is electrically connected to the control unit; and a first switching terminal that is determined in a conductive state and a disconnected state in accordance with a voltage set by the control unit; A second upstream terminal connected to the output terminal, a second downstream terminal connected to the corresponding electrode and the first upstream terminal, and a second switching terminal whose conduction state and disconnection state are determined according to voltage A second transistor having characteristics opposite to those of the first transistor, a first resistor having one end connected to the output terminal and the other end connected to the second switching terminal, and other switching At least one second resistor arranged corresponding to each of the circuits, one end connected to the second switching terminal and the other end connected to the first upstream terminal of the corresponding another switching circuit. A second resistor connected to the switching circuit, wherein the control unit is configured to bring one first transistor of the plurality of switching circuits into a conductive state and to turn off the remaining first transistors of the plurality of switching circuits. The resistance value of the first resistor and the resistance value of the second resistor are the values of the second transistor when one of the first transistors of the other switching circuit is conductive. Star is determined to be the conduction state, it is electrotherapeutic device according to claim.

  In the electrotherapy device, the first transistor is preferably an FET. In addition, the number of the plurality of electrodes may be three, and at that time, it is preferable that the three electrodes are fixed to the outer surface of the electrotherapy device so as to be positioned at the apex of a substantially equilateral triangle. . Further, the number of the plurality of electrodes is preferably four, but may be two or five or more. Furthermore, it is also preferable that the control unit sequentially switches the first transistor to be turned on at a constant time interval.

  According to the present invention, the control unit can set only the electrode at the reference potential and the electrode at the output potential by controlling only the first transistor. That is, in the electrotherapy device, each electrode can perform both functions of the reference electrode and the output electrode while being simple control, and can generate various electrical stimuli. There is a special effect that high electrical stimulation can be given.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the electrotherapy device 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit contained in the output switching part 14 of the electrotherapy device 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. In the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 2A, the second transistor 22b is in a conductive state, and is a diagram illustrating a circuit operation in which an output potential is output to the second electrode 12b. In the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 2A, the second transistor 22b is turned on and the second transistor 22a is turned off to explain a circuit operation. It is the schematic which shows the electrical stimulation of the electrotherapy device 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the effect | action of the electrical stimulation in the alternating output mode of the electrotherapy apparatus 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the effect | action of the electrical stimulation in the rotation output mode of the electrotherapy device 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing the action of electrical stimulation applied in a different direction from that in FIG. 5A in the rotation output mode of the electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B in the rotation output mode of the electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention are schematic views illustrating the action of electrical stimulation applied in different directions. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit contained in the output switching part 34 of the electrotherapy device 30 which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an electrotherapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an electrotherapy device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit included in the output switching unit 14 of the electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a circuit operation in which the second transistor 22b is turned on in the circuit diagram illustrated in FIG. 2A and the output potential is output to the second electrode 12b. FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a circuit operation in which the second transistor 22b is turned on and the second transistor 22a is turned off in the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing electrical stimulation of the electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the action of electrical stimulation in the alternating output mode of the electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating the action of electrical stimulation in the rotation output mode of the electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing the action of electrical stimulation applied in a different direction from FIG. 5A in the rotation output mode of the electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram illustrating the action of electrical stimulation applied in a direction different from that in FIGS. 5A and 5B in the rotation output mode of the electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit included in the output switching unit 34 of the electrotherapy device 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an electrotherapy device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 11 and first to third electrodes 12 a and 12 b attached to the outside of the housing 11. , 12c.

  Although the shape of the housing | casing 11 is not illustrated and is not specifically limited, For example, it has a shape which can be carried with a circular flatness. Inside the housing 11, a control unit 13 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for controlling the whole and an output switching unit 14 connected to the first to third electrodes 12a, 12b, 12c are provided. Yes. The control unit 13 and the output switching unit 14 are directly connected and connected via the output adjustment unit 15. The control unit 13 converts the power obtained from the battery 17 and sends the power to the control unit 13, and is connected to the power supply control unit 16 serving as a power source suitable for the control unit 13 and the input device 18. ing. In this embodiment, the battery 17 is used as a power supply source. However, a commercial power source may be used as the power supply source using an AC adapter, or power may be supplied by other means. Also good. In the present application, “connection” means electrical connection.

  The input device 18 includes a power switch 18a for turning on / off the power, a mode selection switch 18b for switching operation modes such as an alternate output mode and a rotation output mode, and output strength switches 18c and 18d for increasing / decreasing the output voltage. The four push button switches. The input device 18 is located on the outer surface of the housing 11 so that the user can operate it. The electrotherapy device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured by four push button switches. When the electrotherapy device 10 includes an additional function, the electrotherapy device 10 includes an input unit for controlling the additional function. Also good. For example, in addition to the application of electrical stimulation, in the case where a thermal means for warming the body in contact with the body is provided, a thermal selection switch for turning on / off the thermal drive circuit that controls the thermal means is provided. You may do it.

  The control unit 13 is electrically connected to a power display LED 19 provided on the outer surface of the housing 11 that is turned on / off in response to power on / off. Moreover, you may make it provide the liquid crystal display device which shows the present states of the electrotherapy device, such as the remaining amount of electricity, the mode, and the strength of the output.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the output switching unit 14 includes first to third switching circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c that are provided corresponding to the three electrodes 12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively. Each of the three switching circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c includes two transistors and three resistors. That is, the output switching unit 14 as a whole includes six transistors 21a, 21b, 21c, 22a, 22b, and 22c, and nine resistors 23a, 23b, 23c, 24ab, 24ac, 24ba, 24bc, 24ca, and 24cb. In the present embodiment, the switching circuit refers to a circuit element group surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 2A, but the switching circuit corresponds to an output potential and a reference potential output from the output adjustment unit 15 according to a signal from the control unit 13. And the function of switching the potential of the corresponding electrode. In this application, for convenience, each resistor is described as if it were one element, but the resistors are configured to be connected in series and / or in parallel in order to adjust the resistance value. It may be a plurality of resistance elements or a variable resistance. In this embodiment, the switching circuit is mounted by a printed board, but may be mounted by other methods. Further, for example, other electronic components such as a capacitor and a resistor may be added according to the necessity for mounting such as reducing signal noise.

  In the present embodiment, bipolar transistors are used as the transistors, but other types of transistors such as FETs (field effect transistors) may be used. That is, when an FET is used instead of a bipolar transistor, the term described as the collector of the bipolar transistor corresponds to the drain of the FET. Similarly, the emitter of the bipolar transistor corresponds to the source of the FET and the base of the bipolar transistor corresponds to the gate of the FET. Also, in the present application, the terminal that corresponds to the upstream side when current flows through the transistor, such as the collector of the NPN type bipolar transistor, the drain of the n-type FET, the emitter of the PNP type bipolar transistor, and the source of the p-type FET, Collectively called terminals. Similarly, terminals that fall downstream when current flows through the transistor, such as the emitter of an NPN bipolar transistor, the source of an n-type FET, the collector of a PNP-type bipolar transistor, and the drain of a p-type FET, are collectively referred to as downstream terminals. To do. In addition, a terminal that controls a transistor such as a base or a gate that controls the amount of current flowing from the upstream terminal to the downstream terminal or switching between the conduction state and the disconnection state depending on the flowing current or the applied potential is collectively referred to as a switching terminal. Here, the reason why it is referred to as a switching terminal is that a transistor is mainly used as a switching element that switches between a conductive state and a disconnected state.

  Each switching circuit is configured as follows. Hereinafter, the first switching circuit 20a will be described, but the same applies to the second and third switching circuits 20b and 20c. The collector of the first transistor 21a of the NPN type is connected to the electrode 12a, and the emitter is connected to the (frame) ground. In the present embodiment, the ground is used as a reference potential, but other potentials may be used as a reference. The base of the first transistor 21a is connected to one of the terminals provided for each switching circuit in the control unit 13. The control unit 13 can switch between the conductive state and the disconnected state of the first transistor 21a by changing the potential of the base of the transistor 21a and changing the current flowing between the base and the emitter. In the present embodiment, in the conductive state, the potential applied to the base is designed so that the collector-emitter potential of the transistor 21a takes a sufficiently approximate value in accordance with the type of transistor. Therefore, strictly speaking, the reference potential of the electrode 12a is different from the reference potential (frame ground) of the entire circuit. However, as an explanation of the operation of the circuit of the output switching unit 14 of this embodiment, both potentials are treated as the same potential. it can.

  The switching circuit 20a includes a PNP-type second transistor 22a having characteristics opposite to those of the first transistor 21a. The collector of the second transistor 22a is connected to the electrode 12a. The emitter of the second transistor 22 a is connected to the terminal of the output intensity adjustment unit 15. Further, the base of the second transistor 22a is connected to the terminal of the output intensity adjusting unit and the emitter of the second transistor 22a via the first resistor 23a. The base of the second transistor 22a is connected to the collector of the first transistor 21b of the second switching circuit 20b via a second resistor 24ab disposed corresponding to the second switching circuit 20b. . Further, the base of the second transistor 22a is connected to the collector of the first transistor 21c of the third switching circuit 20c via another second resistor 24ac arranged corresponding to the third switching circuit 20c. Connecting. That is, there are a plurality of second resistors corresponding to other switching circuits. The base of the second transistor 22a is connected to the collector of the first transistor of another switching circuit via the second resistors 24ab and 24ac.

  As described above, the first switching circuit 20a and the second and third switching circuits 20b and 20c have the same configuration. As a result, for example, the emitter of the second transistor 22 of each switching circuit 20 is commonly connected to the terminal of the output intensity adjusting unit 15, and the base of the second transistor 22 of each switching circuit is Then, they are connected to the collector of the first transistor 21 of another switching circuit through the second resistor 24.

  The output intensity adjustment unit 15 defines an output to be output to the electrode 12. The output intensity adjustment unit 15 outputs, for example, a pulse wave from the viewpoint of the therapeutic effect. Typically, the voltage is a minimum of 30 V and a maximum of 60 V, the frequency is 2 Hz to 120 Hz, and the pulse width is , 100 μs to 250 μs. The voltage of the output intensity adjusting unit 15 can be changed every 10V in accordance with a signal from the CPU 13 controlled based on the input switches 18c and 18d. In the present embodiment, it is possible to change only the voltage, but an input switch may be added to change the frequency and pulse width.

  When one electrode is set to the reference potential by the output switching unit 14, the other electrode can be set to a potential (output potential) corresponding to the output from the output adjustment unit 15. Hereinafter, the case where the first electrode 12a is set to the reference potential and the second electrode 12b and the third electrode 12c are set to the output potential will be described. However, the second or third electrode 12b, 12c is set to the reference potential, The same circuit operation is performed when other electrodes are set to the output potential. The control unit 13 controls the potential of the base of the first transistor 21a of the first switching circuit 20a to a high potential, the first transistor 21a is turned on, and the first electrode 12a is set to the reference potential. On the other hand, the bases of the first transistors 21b and 21c of the second and third switching circuits 20b and 20c are controlled to control the first transistors in a disconnected state.

A potential difference occurs between the collector of the first transistor 21a of the first switching circuit 20a and the output intensity adjustment unit 15 via the first resistor 23b and the second resistor 24ba of the second switching circuit 20b. As shown by an arrow A in FIG. 2B, a current flows. As a result, the base potential of the second transistor 22b of the second switching circuit 20b becomes lower than the potential of the output intensity adjusting unit 15, and a potential difference (V _EB between the output adjusting unit and the emitter at the same potential is set. ) Occurs, and the transistor 22b becomes conductive. In other words, when the transistor 21a is at the reference potential, the first transistor 22b of the second switching circuit 20b is turned on by the potential difference generated between the base and the emitter of the transistor 22b. The resistance values of the resistor 23b and the second resistor 24ba need to be determined. In addition, the potential difference generated between the base and the emitter depends not only on the first resistor and the second resistor but also on the output potential of the output intensity adjusting unit 15, so that the output potential can be set within any range of potentials that can be set. Even if the value is reached, the transistor must be selected so that the second transistor becomes conductive, and the resistance values of the first and second resistors must be determined. And when the 2nd transistor 22b of the 2nd switching transistor 20b will be in a conduction | electrical_connection state, the electrode 12b will become the output potential according to the output of the output intensity adjustment part 15 (refer arrow B of FIG. 2B). Strictly speaking, the potential obtained by subtracting the voltage drop between the emitter and the collector of the second transistor 22b from the potential of the output intensity adjusting unit 15 becomes the potential of the electrode 12b, but the resistance of the first and second resistors. By adjusting the value, the amount of current flowing between the emitter and base of the second transistor 22b can be adjusted, and the potential difference between the emitter and collector in the conductive state can be reduced, so that the output switching unit in this embodiment In the circuit operation of 14, the potential at the electrode 12b can be handled as the output potential. Since the third switching circuit 20c also performs the same operation as the second switching circuit 20b, the electrode 12c has an output potential corresponding to the output of the output intensity adjusting unit 15.

  On the other hand, in the second transistor 22a of the first switching circuit 20a, no potential difference is generated between the emitter and the base, and the second transistor 22a is in a disconnected state. This is because the emitter of the second transistor 22a is at the output potential of the output intensity adjusting unit, and the electrodes 12b and 12c are also at the output potential of the output intensity adjusting unit, so that the base of the transistor 22a between them is also output. This is because the output potential of the intensity adjusting unit is set (see arrow C in FIG. 2C). For this reason, even when the first transistor 21a is set to a conductive state, the second transistor 22a is in a disconnected state, so that the output intensity adjusting unit 15 and the ground are not short-circuited. Therefore, the control unit 13 can automatically bring the second transistor 22 into a state suitable for the output of the electrode by controlling only the conduction / disconnection state of the first transistor 21. It is not necessary to control the transistor 22 by the control unit. Therefore, the instruction to be incorporated into the control unit is simplified, the amount of memory can be reduced, and the number of electronic components can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 2, by setting two electrodes to output potential and one electrode to reference potential, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to apply electrical stimulation over a wide range to the body 1 become. That is, by arranging the three electrodes substantially at the positions of the vertices of the equilateral triangle, the current output from the two electrodes flows toward the remaining one electrode, so that the user can use the triangle formed by the electrodes. It is possible to receive electrical stimulation in and around the surface of the, thereby improving the therapeutic effect. Therefore, the configuration in which two electrodes are used as output potentials and one electrode is used as a reference potential using three electrodes as shown in FIG. 3 can provide electrical stimulation to a wide range of the body. Suitable for electrical therapy equipment. Further, in the present embodiment, the three electrodes 12a, 12b, and 12c are fixed to the housing 11. However, while being positioned on the outer surface of the housing 11, the three electrodes 12a, 12b, and 12c In addition, the position of the electrode may be designed to be variable, or the electrode may be connected to the housing via a harness extending from the housing, so that the user can adjust the position to the body's own preference. You may make it contact an electrode.

  In the electrotherapy device 10, a bipolar transistor is adopted as the first transistor 21, but it is also preferable to use an FET. By using an FET, current does not flow from the CPU to the first transistor, so that power consumption can be reduced and output of current from the CPU becomes unnecessary, and an inexpensive CPU can be selected. Additional circuitry for supplying current can be eliminated.

  In the electrotherapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 13 can apply various electrical stimuli by switching the first transistor to be in a conductive state at a certain time interval. That is, after a certain period of time has elapsed after using the electrotherapy device, the control unit 13 causes the first transistor that is in a conductive state to be disconnected and causes another first transistor to be in a conductive state. Can change the electrode serving as the reference potential and change the direction of the current passing through the body.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the action of electrical stimulation in the alternating output mode of the electrotherapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The alternate output mode refers to a mode in which electrical stimulation is applied to the body by alternately using two of the plurality of electrodes as reference electrodes. In the alternate output mode, first, the control unit 13 sets the potential of the second electrode 12b to the reference potential (that is, the first transistor 21b of the second switching circuit 20b is turned on), and the first and third By setting the potentials of the electrodes 12a and 12c to the output potential, a current is passed through the body 1 from the first and third electrodes 12a and 12c toward the second electrode 12b. Next, for example, when a certain time of 2 seconds elapses, the potential of the second electrode 12b is set as the output potential, and the third electrode 12c is set as the reference potential and the third and second electrodes 12a and 12b to the third potential. A current is allowed to flow to the electrode 12c. When a predetermined time further elapses, a current is caused to flow from the first and third electrodes 12a and 12c toward the second electrode 12b with the second electrode as the reference potential and the third electrode as the output potential again. By repeating such an operation, the user can feel electrical stimulation alternately. For example, the left and right muscles can be treated or trained in a well-balanced manner by receiving electrical stimulation that is equal to the left and right.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the action of electrical stimulation in the rotation output mode of the electrotherapy device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The rotation output mode is one of the modes in which the electrode that becomes the reference potential is changed with the passage of time. When the direction of the current flowing through the body is represented by an arrow, the rotation output mode is changed so that the arrow rotates ( FIG. 5A, B and C). In one embodiment of the rotation output mode, the control unit 13 sets the potential of the first electrode 12a as a reference potential, and sets the second and third electrodes 12b and 12c as output potentials. An electric current is passed from the electrodes 12b and 12c to the first electrode 12a to apply electrical stimulation to the body (see FIG. 5A). When a certain time has elapsed, the control unit 13 sets the potential of the second electrode 12b as a reference potential, and sets the potentials of the first and third electrodes 12a and 12c as output potentials, and then outputs the first and third electrodes 12a and 12c. A current is passed through the second electrode to apply electrical stimulation to the body (see FIG. 5B). Further, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 13 applies electrical stimulation to the body using the third electrode 12c as a reference potential and the potentials of the first and second electrodes 12a and 12b as output potentials (see FIG. 5C). ). Thereafter, the same control is performed, and the electrode serving as the reference potential is repeatedly changed to the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and so on. The reference electrodes may be the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, the first electrode, the third electrode, the second electrode, and the first electrode so that the rotation directions are alternated. These electrodes, the second electrode, etc. may be repeatedly changed. When the direction of the electric current applied to the body is changed in three directions in this way, it feels as if the electrical stimulus has been rotated inside the user's abdomen. Thereby, a motion of a user's intestine becomes active and the effect which eliminates constipation, coldness, etc. can be anticipated. This also makes it possible to expect an improvement effect such as urinary incontinence, an effect such as lower back pain improvement and muscle training.

  The user can switch the mode by pressing the mode selection switch 18b. However, each parameter of the output pulse wave output from the output intensity adjusting unit 15 is automatically output according to the mode switching. A value suitable for the mode may be set.

  FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the output switching unit 34 according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment includes four electrodes 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d. The output switching unit 34 includes four switching circuits 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d corresponding to these electrodes, but the other parts are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the first switching circuit 40a will be described, but each switching circuit has a similar configuration including two transistors and four resistors. The first transistor 41a is an NPN type, and has a collector connected to the electrode 32a and an emitter electrically connected to a reference potential (frame ground). Further, one of the terminals of the control unit 33 is connected to the base and the potential of the base is controlled, so that the conduction state and the connection state of the first transistor 41a are switched. The second transistor 42a is a PNP type having a polarity different from that of the first transistor 41a, and the collector is connected to the electrode 32a. The emitter of the second transistor 42 a is connected to the output of the output intensity adjustment unit 35. Further, the base and the emitter are connected via the first resistor 44a. Further, three second resistors 44ab, 44ac, 44ad are arranged corresponding to the other switching circuits 40b, 40c, 40d. Each of the second resistors 44ab, 44ac, and 44ad includes the base of the second transistor 42a of the first switching circuit 40a and the first transistors 41b, 41c, and other corresponding switching circuits 40b, 40c, and 40d, respectively. 41d is connected to the collector.

  As described above, the first switching circuit 40a and the second, third, and fourth switching circuits 40b, 40c, and 40d have the same configuration. For example, the emitter of the second transistor 42 of each switching circuit 40 is commonly connected to the terminal of the output intensity adjusting unit 35. Further, the base of the second transistor 42 is also connected to the terminal of the output intensity adjusting unit 15 through the first resistor 43 in common. In addition, the base of the second transistor 42 is connected to the collector of the first transistor 41 of the switching circuit 40 that is different from each other via the second resistor 44.

  The operation of the output switching unit 34 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. The control unit 33 makes one of the four first transistors 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d connected to each electrode and the collector conductive, and the potential of the electrode connected to the first transistor in the conductive state. To the reference potential. At this time, since the collector side of the first transistor in the conductive state becomes the reference potential, the output voltage of the output adjustment unit 35 is applied to the first resistor and the second resistor of the other switching circuit. It will be. Then, a current flows from the output adjustment unit 35 to the collector of the first transistor in the conductive state via the first resistor and the second resistor of the other switching circuit. Such a current finally flows between the collector and the emitter of the first transistor that is in the conducting state, and flows to the reference potential (frame ground). When a current flows as described above, a voltage drop occurs in the first resistor of the other switching circuit, so that a potential difference is generated between the base and the emitter of the second transistor of the other switching circuit. Becomes conductive. On the other hand, in the switching circuit in which the first transistor is in a conductive state, the second transistor is in a disconnected state. This is because both ends of the first resistor and the second resistor are at the output potential, and there is no potential difference between the base and the emitter of the second transistor that makes the transistor conductive. Therefore, the control unit 33 determines one first transistor to be in a conductive state and disconnects the remaining three first transistors so that the second transistor is in a conductive state without performing any other control. A state and a cutting state are determined. Then, the electrode connected to the collector of the first transistor in the conductive state becomes the reference potential, and the remaining electrodes become the output potential.

  In both the embodiment including the circuit shown in FIG. 2 and the embodiment including the circuit shown in FIG. 6, one of the plurality of electrodes has a reference potential and the other electrode has an output potential. It is common in. And the switching circuit contained in the output switching part by the number of electrodes also has the same configuration in both embodiments. That is, the switching circuit includes two transistors, a first resistor disposed between the base and emitter of the second transistor, a base of the second transistor of one switching circuit, and a first transistor of another switching circuit. The second resistor is connected to each other. Therefore, although the embodiment including three or four electrodes has been shown, if an output switching unit including the same number of switching circuits as the number of electrodes is employed, the present invention may include two or five or more electrodes. It becomes possible to apply also to the electrotherapy device provided. At this time, each switching circuit includes two transistors, one first resistor, and a second resistor that is one less than the number of electrodes. The configuration of the switching circuit is shown in FIG. This is the same as the switching circuit shown in FIG. As for the relationship between the switching circuits, the second resistor is connected to the base of the second transistor of one switching circuit and the collector of the first transistor of another switching circuit. 6 is common to the switching circuit shown in FIG. While changing the number of electrodes can provide more complex electrical stimulation, the present invention simplifies the control of output switching and enables mounting with inexpensive electronic components and components. The score can be reduced.

  Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims of the claims. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electrotherapy device 11 Case 12 Electrode 13 Control part 14 Output switching part 15 Output adjustment part 16 Power supply control part 17 Battery 18 Input device 18a Power switch 18b Mode selection switch 18c, 18d Output strength switch 19 Power supply LED
20 switching circuit 21 first transistor 22 second transistor 23 first resistor 24 second resistor 32 electrode 33 control unit 34 output switching unit 35 output adjustment unit 40 switching circuit 41 first transistor 42 second transistor 43 First resistor 44 Second resistor

Claims (6)

An electrotherapy device that electrically stimulates muscles inside the body,
A plurality of electrodes in contact with the body, a control unit,
An output intensity adjusting unit that outputs a predetermined voltage to the output terminal;
A plurality of switching circuits corresponding to each of the plurality of electrodes,
Each of the plurality of switching circuits is
A first upstream terminal electrically connected to a corresponding electrode, a first downstream terminal electrically connected to a reference potential, and a voltage set by the control unit by being electrically connected to the control unit. A first transistor comprising a first switching terminal, the conduction state and the disconnection state of which are determined accordingly;
A second upstream terminal connected to the output terminal; a second downstream terminal connected to the corresponding electrode and the first upstream terminal; and a second switching terminal in which a conductive state and a disconnected state are determined according to voltage. A second transistor having characteristics opposite to those of the first transistor;
A first resistor having one end connected to the output terminal and the other end connected to the second switching terminal;
At least one second resistor arranged corresponding to each of the other switching circuits, one end of which is connected to the second switching terminal and the other end of which is the first of the corresponding other switching circuit. A second resistor connected to the upstream terminal,
The control unit is configured to bring one first transistor of the plurality of switching circuits into a conductive state and to turn off the remaining first transistors of the plurality of switching circuits,
The resistance value of the first resistor and the resistance value of the second resistor are determined so that the second transistor becomes conductive when one of the first transistors of the other switching circuit is conductive. Be
An electrotherapy device characterized by that. The first transistor is a FET;
The electrotherapy device according to claim 1. The number of the plurality of electrodes is three;
The electrotherapy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The three electrodes are fixed to the outer surface of the electrotherapy device so as to be positioned at the apex of a substantially equilateral triangle.
The electrotherapy device according to claim 3. The number of the plurality of electrodes is four.
The electrotherapy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The control unit sequentially switches the first transistor to be turned on at a constant time interval.
The electrotherapy device according to claim 1, wherein

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