JP2020195517A - Electrostimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electrostimulator capable of notifying of information on a motor function of a paralyzed site and predetermined information during treatment, and checking a correlation between them during the treatment, or to provide the electrostimulator capable of notifying of information on a motor function of a paralyzed site detected before the treatment and after the treatment, and checking a degree of improvement in the motor function by the treatment.SOLUTION: An electrostimulator includes: motor function detection means (myoelectric potential detection means 20 and 21) for detecting a motor function of a paralyzed site of a person to be treated; electric stimulation means 17 for applying electric current to the paralyzed site of the person to be treated; and notification means 7 for notifying of information on the motor function and predetermined information so that a treating person or the person to be treated can check a correlation between the information on the motor function of the paralyzed site and the predetermined information during the treatment. Or, the electrostimulator includes motor function detection means, electric stimulation means, and notification means for notifying of information on a motor function of a paralyzed site detected by the motor function detection means before treatment and after treatment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical stimulator.

Conventionally, an electric stimulator for improving pain relief and muscular atrophy by applying an electric stimulus to nerves and muscle groups has been known. The electric stimulator described in Patent Document 1 detects the myoelectric signal of the paralyzed part or the part other than the paralyzed part, and applies the electric stimulus to the paralyzed part based on the detected myoelectric signal. And perform motor function training in the paralyzed area. In addition, the treatment history (treatment time, number of outputs, stimulation time) by each of the master unit and the slave unit can be displayed and confirmed on the master unit.

Japanese Patent No. 5920910

However, the electrical stimulator described in Patent Document 1 cannot deliver information on the motor function of the paralyzed site (for example, myoelectric potential) and predetermined information (for example, target myoelectric potential) during treatment, and these The correlation could not be confirmed during treatment. In addition, information on the motor function of the paralyzed site (for example, myoelectric level) detected before and after the treatment could not be notified, and the degree of improvement of the motor function by the treatment could not be confirmed.
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and is an electrical stimulator that can notify information on the motor function of a paralyzed site and predetermined information during treatment and confirm the correlation between them during treatment. The purpose is to provide. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulator capable of transmitting information on the motor function of the paralyzed site detected before and after the treatment and confirming the degree of improvement of the motor function by the treatment.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a motor function detecting means for detecting the motor function of the paralyzed part of the treated person, an electrical stimulating means for applying an electric current to the paralyzed part of the treated person, and a therapist or the therapist. It is provided with information on the motor function and a notification means for notifying the predetermined information so that the person to be treated can confirm the correlation between the information on the motor function of the paralyzed site and the predetermined information during treatment. It is an electric stimulator characterized by. According to this, it is possible to confirm the correlation between the information on the motor function of the paralyzed site under treatment and the predetermined information during the treatment.

Further, it is preferable that the motor function detecting means is a myoelectric potential detecting means for detecting the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part, and the information regarding the motor function is the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part. According to this, it is possible to confirm the correlation between the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site during treatment and the predetermined information during treatment.

Moreover, it is preferable that the predetermined information is a preset target myoelectric potential. According to this, the treated person can confirm the correlation between the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site under treatment and the myoelectric potential of a preset target. Therefore, it is possible to perform training to move the paralyzed part so that the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part under treatment approaches the target myoelectric potential with the assistance of electrical stimulation.

Further, as the motor function detecting means, another myoelectric potential detecting means for detecting the myoelectric potential of the part other than the paralyzed part of the person to be treated is provided, and the current corresponds to the myoelectric potential of the part other than the paralyzed part. It is preferable that the predetermined information is the myoelectric potential of a site other than the paralyzed site being treated. According to this, the treated person can confirm the correlation between the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part under treatment and the myoelectric potential of the part other than the paralyzed part. Therefore, it is possible to perform training to move the paralyzed part so that the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part under treatment approaches the myoelectric potential of the part other than the paralyzed part with the assistance of electrical stimulation.

Moreover, it is preferable that the predetermined information is the current. According to this, it is possible to confirm the correlation between the information on the motor function during the treatment and the electric current, so that the therapist such as a doctor or a physiotherapist changes the treatment conditions during the treatment (for example, myoelectric sensitivity). It is possible to take measures according to the confirmation result, such as adjusting).

In addition, it is preferable that the notification means notifies the total number of times that the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site exceeds a predetermined level during treatment. According to this, when the total number of times the myoelectric potential exceeds a predetermined level in the past treatment is recognized, the treatment can be received while comparing with the past treatment result.

Further, it is preferable that the notification means notifies by at least one of a sound having a different scale, a sound having a different volume, a light having a different color, or a vibration having a different pattern, depending on the intensity of the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part. According to this, when the subject is relaxed, it is effective to reduce the muscle tone as much as possible, so it is possible to encourage the subject to make an effort to relax so that the scale is low. Become. When the scale is lowered, it is known that the muscles are relaxed, and the subject can learn how to relax the muscles by using the change in the scale as a clue. Similarly, the subject can learn how to relax muscles by using changes in volume, changes in light color, and changes in vibration patterns as clues.

The present invention presents the motor function detecting means for detecting the motor function of the paralyzed part of the treated person, the electrical stimulating means for applying an electric current to the paralyzed part of the treated person, and the motor function detecting means before and after the treatment. The electrical stimulator is provided with a notification means for notifying information on the detected motor function of the paralyzed site. According to this, it is possible to confirm the degree of improvement of motor function by treatment.

Further, the motor function detecting means is a myoelectric potential detecting means for detecting the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part, and it is preferable that the information on the motor function is the myoelectric level obtained from the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part. According to this, it is possible to confirm the degree of improvement of motor function by treatment.

Further, the motor function detecting means is a means for detecting the movement amount of the joint related to the paralyzed part or the muscle strength value of the paralyzed part, and the information on the motor function may be the movement amount or the muscle strength value. preferable. According to this, it is possible to confirm the degree of improvement of motor function by treatment.

Further, the electrical stimulator includes a storage unit, and a plurality of level values relating to the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed portion are set, and the storage unit stores the number of achievements of the myoelectric potential for each level value during treatment. It is preferable that the notification means displays the number of achievements for each level value of the past myoelectric potential stored in the storage unit. According to this, since the past treatment results can be viewed and compared, the treatment history in the past treatment can be confirmed.

Further, it is preferable that the electric stimulator is provided with a device main body, and the notification means is provided in the device main body or is provided separately from the device main body. When the notification means is provided in the main body of the device, it is possible to confirm information about the motor function during treatment and predetermined information by using only the main body of the device. When the notification means is provided separately from the main body of the device, it is possible to use the notification means whose display is easy to see.

Further, it is preferable that a plurality of the device main bodies are provided and the notification means displays information on the plurality of the device main bodies. According to this, information and the like during treatment by a plurality of device main bodies can be confirmed by one notification means.

Further, it is preferable that the main body of the device can be attached to the person to be treated. According to this, it is possible to provide a wearable electric stimulator.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrical stimulator that can notify information on the motor function of a paralyzed site and predetermined information during treatment and confirm the correlation between them during treatment. Alternatively, it is possible to provide an electrical stimulator capable of transmitting information on the motor function of the paralyzed site detected before and after the treatment and confirming the degree of improvement of the motor function by the treatment.

It is a top view of the electric stimulator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the electric stimulator. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of a treatment condition. It is a figure which shows the screen which sets the myoelectric sensitivity using the electric stimulator. (A) is a diagram showing a selection screen for displaying an average value of myoelectric potential before and after treatment, and (b) is a screen for setting a measurement time of myoelectric potential before and after treatment. It is a figure which shows an example which displays the myoelectric potential, the electric current, etc. during treatment in the electric stimulator. It is a figure which shows the screen which sets the myoelectric sensitivity during treatment. (A) and (b) are diagrams showing screens when detecting myoelectric potentials before and after treatment, respectively. It is a figure which shows an example which displays the average value of the myoelectric potential before and after treatment. It is a figure which shows an example which displays the treatment history in the electric stimulator. It is a figure which shows an example which displays the myoelectric potential, the target myoelectric potential, and the current of the paralyzed part under treatment in the electric stimulator according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example which displays the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part, the myoelectric potential of a healthy part, and the electric current in the electric stimulating apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Hereinafter, the electrical stimulator according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, in the electrical stimulator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the device main body 2 provided with an electric circuit for outputting the electrical stimulus and the skin surface of the paralyzed portion of the person to be treated A dual-purpose electrode 3 that detects myoelectric potential and applies electrical stimulation, an electrode cable 4 that connects the dual-purpose electrode 3 to the device body 2, and the skin of a healthy part (a part other than the paralyzed part) of the person to be treated. A tablet (notifying means) capable of transmitting and receiving information between the myoelectric electrode 5 arranged on the surface and detecting the myoelectric potential, the electrode cable 6 for connecting the myoelectric electrode 5 to the device main body 2, and the device main body 2. 7 is the main configuration, and a wireless dongle 8 is externally attached to the device main body 2.

The dual-purpose electrode 3 is composed of a bipolar electrode 9 in which two electrodes 9a and 9b are integrally formed, and one electrode 10, and the back surface of each electrode is attached to the skin surface of the subject to be treated. It is a hook type gel electrode that is used as a surface. The hooks of the electrode 9a, the electrode 9b, and the electrode 10 are engaged to each tip side of the electrode cable 4 branched into three at the intermediate position, and the connection plug 4a on the base end side of the electrode cable 4 is the upper side surface of the device main body 2. It is detachably inserted into the first output connector 11 provided in the above. The myoelectric electrode 5 is a bipolar electrode in which two electrodes 5a and 5b are integrally formed. The hooks of the electrodes 5a and 5b are engaged to the tip side of the electrode cable 6 branched into two at the middle position, and the connection plug 6a on the base end side of the electrode cable 6 is provided on the upper side surface of the apparatus main body 2. It is detachably inserted into the two-out cable connector 12.

The electrodes 9a and 9b are arranged on the skin surface of the muscle belly of the target muscle, and a weak myoelectric potential generated from the muscle activity of the subject is detected between the electrodes 9a and 9b, and electrical stimulation is applied. Functions as an electrode for electrical stimulation. The electrode 10 is arranged on the skin surface of the muscle belly of the muscle to which the electrical stimulation is to be applied, and functions as an electrode for electrical stimulation for applying the electrical stimulation to the muscle. The electrodes 5a and 5b are arranged on the skin surface of the muscle belly of the target muscle, and a weak myoelectric potential generated from the muscle activity of the subject is detected between the electrodes of the electrodes 5a and 5b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 2 is a storage unit 16 including an operation switch unit 13, a liquid crystal display unit 14, an LED display unit 15, and a non-volatile memory (EEPROM) that readablely stores treatment conditions and treatment results. , A control unit 18 composed of a microcomputer, a communication circuit 19 for transmitting and receiving treatment conditions and treatment history information to and from the tablet 7, a myoelectric potential detecting circuit (myoelectric potential detecting means) 20, 21 and the like. ..

The LED display unit 15 is provided with five LEDs arranged in the horizontal direction at equal intervals near the upper side of the liquid crystal display unit 14, and the LEDs are lit according to the detected myoelectric potential intensity, and at what level the myoelectric potential intensity is. It is a myoelectric potential level LED for visually informing the therapist or the person to be treated of the presence. The myoelectric potential intensity is divided into 6 sections in the range from zero to the maximum value, and when the myoelectric potential intensity belongs to the lowest intensity category, the 5 LEDs do not light at all and the myoelectric potential intensity increases. When belonging to the next section, only one leftmost LED is lit (level 1), and when belonging to the next section, a total of two LEDs from the leftmost to the second are lit (level 2). Hereinafter, a total of 3 to 5 LEDs are lit (levels 3 to 5) according to the section to which the myoelectric potential intensity belongs.

For example, when the myoelectric potential intensity is divided into 6 in the range of 0 to 100%, the myoelectric potential is 16.6% or more and less than 33.3% as level 1, and 33.3% or more and less than 50% is level 2. 50% or more and less than 66.6% is level 3, 66.6% or more and less than 83.3% is level 4, and 83.3% or more is level 5. In this way, a plurality of level values related to myoelectric potential (5 in this example) are set.

The electrical stimulation means 17 detects the battery power supply 22, the output control circuit 23 that controls the voltage input from the battery power supply 22, the output current that boosts the output voltage from the output control circuit 23, and the output current from the output current. It is composed of a current detection circuit 25. The output current signal detected by the current detection circuit 25 is input to the control unit 18, and the control unit 18 controls the output control circuit 23. The output current from the output transformer 24 is output to the dual-purpose electrode 3 via the first output connector 11.

The battery power supply 22 can be configured by using an alkaline dry battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or the like. Further, a battery voltage detection circuit 26 for detecting the voltage value of the battery power supply 22 and a power supply circuit 27 for supplying a control power supply to the control unit 18 are provided. When the battery voltage detection circuit 26 detects that the voltage value of the battery power supply 22 has dropped to the first threshold value, the control unit 18 displays the drop in the voltage value on the liquid crystal display unit 14 as an image to the therapist or the like. Notify. Further, when the voltage value of the battery power supply 22 reaches the second threshold value, which is a voltage value lower than the first threshold value, the control unit 18 turns off the power supply of the device main body 2.

Wireless communication is possible between the device main body 2 and the tablet 7 via Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), wireless LAN, or the like. A communication circuit 19 as an information communication means is provided in the device main body 2, and the communication circuit 19 is connected to a signal input / output unit 28 formed in the center of the right side surface of the device main body 2. The device main body 2 can send and receive information to and from the tablet 7 via the wireless dongle 8 connected to the signal input / output unit 28, and receives treatment conditions from the tablet 7 and stores them in the storage unit 16. It is possible to transmit the treatment history information stored in the storage unit 16 to the tablet 7.

Next, a case where the dual-purpose electrode 3 is used will be described for the configuration of myoelectric potential detection. A bidirectional square wave with a predetermined pulse width (50 μs in the specific example) at a predetermined frequency (20 Hz in the specific example) is repeatedly output from the output cable transformer 24 in units of three times between the bipolar electrode 9 and the electrode 10. , The myoelectric potential during this repetition (8 ms in a specific example) is detected between the electrodes of the electrodes 9a and 9b. The myoelectric potential detected between the electrodes 9a and 9b is input to the myoelectric potential detection circuit 20, amplified to the extent that the control unit 18 can be recognized by an amplifier (not shown) or the like, and taken into the control unit 18. The control unit 18 performs signal processing to calculate the myoelectric potential, and controls the output control circuit 23 so that, for example, the output intensity of the next electrical stimulation becomes an output corresponding to the calculated intensity of the myoelectric potential. As a result, an output current flows between the bipolar electrode 9 and the electrode 10, and electrical stimulation is applied to the paralyzed site. The output of the electrical stimulus according to the intensity of the myoelectric potential is limited by the maximum output set by the evening bullet 7, no more output is applied, and the myoelectric potential is detected by the myoelectric potential detection circuit 20. Even if this is not done, the minimum output electrical stimulation set in the tablet 7 is always applied. Further, the myoelectric potential detection sensitivity (myoelectric sensitivity) can be set by the tablet 7.

As the treatment mode of the electric stimulator 1, it has a first treatment mode and a second treatment mode. In the first treatment mode, as described above, an output current (electrical stimulation) having a strength corresponding to the myoelectric potential detected from the paralyzed part of the subject is applied from the electric stimulating means 17 to the paralyzed part for treatment. The mode. The second treatment mode is a mode in which an output current having an intensity corresponding to the myoelectric potential detected from the healthy part of the subject is applied from the electrical stimulation means 17 to the paralyzed part. When the treatment is performed in the first treatment mode, since only the amphoteric electrode 3 is used and the myoelectric electrode 5 does not need to be used, the myoelectric electrode 5 is not connected to the apparatus main body 2. When the treatment is performed by the second treatment mode, the amphoteric electrode 3 and the myoelectric electrode 5 are used.

Next, an example of treating a subject who has a disorder in the dorsiflexion motion of the wrist joint and the extension motion of the fingers in the first treatment mode by using the electric stimulator 1 will be described. The therapist puts the electrodes 9a and 9b (bipolar electrode 9) of the amphoteric electrode 3 on the muscle belly of the wrist dorsiflexor muscle group and the finger extension muscle group of the forearm, which is the paralyzed part of the subject to be treated. The electrode 10 is attached to each of the wrist dorsiflexor muscle group and the finger extension muscle group of the subject's forearm near one end (wrist side) of the muscle belly. The therapist sets treatment conditions such as treatment time, minimum and maximum output of electrical stimulation, and myoelectric sensitivity. When the treatment condition is stored in the storage unit 16 in advance, the treatment condition may be read from the storage unit 16 and the stored treatment condition may be changed and set as necessary.

The method in which the therapist sets the treatment conditions will be described. FIG. 3 shows the screen of the tablet 7 when setting the treatment conditions, and is a screen displayed when the target person to be treated is selected on the stored list screen (not shown) of the person to be treated. If you touch "Back" at the bottom left of the screen, a list screen of the saved patients will be displayed. As shown in FIG. 3, the treatment conditions of the patient to be treated stored in the storage unit 16 are read out and displayed, and when the patient is a new patient and the treatment conditions are not stored in the storage unit 16. , The treatment condition is not displayed and is blank. When the treatment condition is modified or newly set, the treatment condition can be set by touching the portion of the area 61 corresponding to the treatment condition to be set. After setting the treatment conditions, by touching "Send" at the lower right of the screen in FIG. 3, the set treatment conditions are transmitted from the tablet 7 to the device main body 2.

Here, a method of setting the myoelectric sensitivity using the device main body 2 will be described. When the area 62 of the screen shown in FIG. 3 is touched, the screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the tablet 7. Therefore, touch "+" or [-] on the screen so that all five myoelectric potential level LEDs on the LED display 15 turn on when the force is applied to the forearm and all the myoelectric potential level LEDs turn off when the force is weakened. Then, the myoelectric sensitivity is increased or decreased to adjust. If all the myoelectric potential level LEDs do not turn on even if the force is applied strongly, the myoelectric sensitivity is adjusted to be high, while if all the myoelectric potential level LEDs are not turned off even if the force is weakened, the myoelectric sensitivity is low. You just have to make adjustments. When the adjustment of the myoelectric sensitivity is completed and "OK" on the screen is touched, the myoelectric sensitivity is set and the screen returns to the screen of FIG. The reason why the myoelectric sensitivity is adjusted so that all the myoelectric potential level LEDs are turned off when the power is weakened is that when noise enters the myoelectric potential detection circuit 20, even though the myoelectric potential is not emitted from the muscle, the muscle This is because there is a possibility that an unexpected electrical stimulus may be output due to erroneous recognition that the electric potential has been detected.

Further, when the portion of the area 61 of FIG. 3 corresponding to the item of the treatment condition "remember the myoelectricity before and after the treatment" is touched, the screen of FIG. 5A is displayed. When the "Yes" part is touched on the screen of FIG. 5 (a), the screen of FIG. 5 (b) is displayed. Touch the "+" or [-] on the screen to measure the time before and after the treatment. Is adjusted by increasing or decreasing. When the adjustment is completed and "OK" is touched, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 3, and the set measurement time is displayed in parentheses on the right side of the item "Remember myoelectricity before and after treatment". When "No" is touched on the screen of FIG. 5A, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 3 and "No" is displayed on the right side of the item "Remember myoelectricity before and after treatment". The operation of the electrical stimulator 1 when the “do” portion is touched on the screen of FIG. 5 (a) will be described later.

When the treatment is started after the treatment conditions are set and the force is applied to the forearm, the myoelectric potential detected between the electrodes 9a and 9b is input to the myoelectric potential detection circuit 20, and the control unit 18 calculates the myoelectric potential. Then, an output potential corresponding to the intensity flows between the electrodes of the bipolar electrode 9 and the electrode 10, and electrical stimulation is applied to the dorsiflexor muscles of the wrist joint and the extensor muscles of the fingers. The application of this electrical stimulation promotes muscle contraction of the dorsiflexor muscles of the wrist joint and the extensor muscles of the fingers, and as a result, the dorsiflexion motion of the wrist joint and the extension motion of the fingers are forced. Can perform motor function training of joints. When the set treatment time elapses, the output of the electrical stimulus is automatically stopped, so the treatment is terminated.

As for the myoelectric potential detected during the treatment, the myoelectric potential intensity is divided into 6 sections as described above, and 5 levels 1 to 5 are set according to the myoelectric potential intensity. The number of times the myoelectric potential detected during the treatment reaches each of levels 1 to 5 (the number of achievements) is counted, and the number of achievements for each level is stored in the storage unit 16.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the tablet 7 during treatment. The waveform 71 displayed in the waveform display area 70 represents the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site during treatment, and the waveform 72 represents the current for giving an electrical stimulus to the person to be treated. The myoelectric potential and current scales are shown on the left and right sides of the waveform display area 70, respectively. The horizontal axis is time, and the right end of the horizontal axis represents the current time at the time of treatment. The label on the horizontal axis indicates the time from the start of treatment in minutes and seconds. For example, "0:20" indicates the time when 0 minutes and 20 seconds have passed from the start of treatment.

In the area on the left edge of the screen, the minimum output (%), maximum output (%), and myoelectric sensitivity set as treatment conditions are displayed, and the myoelectric potential and current at the time of treatment are myoelectric detection (%) and It is displayed as a current value (mA). The minimum output and the maximum output are the minimum output and the maximum output that limit the output of the electrical stimulation as described above. Further, in the area 73 on the left side of the waveform display area 70, the myoelectric potential at the time of treatment is displayed in a bar graph every 10%. In the bar graph, the current myoelectric potential at the time of treatment is displayed by changing the color of the 0 to 20% region indicated by the diagonal line corresponding to the display of 14% of myoelectric detection. In this way, the transition of the treatment course of the myoelectric potential and the current can be confirmed by the waveform 71 and the waveform 72. In addition, the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site at the time of treatment can be confirmed numerically with a bar graph, and the current at the time of treatment can be confirmed numerically.

As shown in FIG. 6, the tablet 7 displays the myoelectric potential and the current during the treatment, and the correlation between the current during the treatment and the myoelectric potential can be confirmed. Therefore, the therapist such as a doctor or a physiotherapist can take measures according to the confirmation result, such as changing the treatment conditions during the treatment. For example, as a result of confirming the correlation between current and myoelectric potential, if it is determined that the output of electrical stimulation is weak during treatment, adjustments are made so that the output and myoelectric sensitivity are high, and the output of electrical stimulation during treatment. If it is judged that is strong, adjustment should be made so that the output and myoelectric sensitivity become low. The myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part is an example of information on the motor function of the paralyzed part, and the electric current is an example of predetermined information. Further, the myoelectric potential detecting means is an example of the motor function detecting means for detecting the motor function of the paralyzed part.

For example, by touching "Back" displayed at the lower left of FIG. 6, the screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and by touching the portion of the area 61 corresponding to the myoelectric sensitivity, the screen of FIG. 7 is displayed. Will be done. Touch "+" or [-] on the screen to increase or decrease myoelectric sensitivity. For example, the myoelectric sensitivity can be changed at 0.1 intervals. In the screen of FIG. 7, the myoelectric sensitivity is surrounded by a square so that the treatment condition during the change operation can be understood, but even if the character can be recognized by other methods such as changing the color of the character or thickening the character. Good. When the adjustment is completed and touch "OK" on the screen, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 3, and by touching "Send" at the bottom right of the screen, the changed myoelectric sensitivity is transmitted to the device body 2 and the muscle is treated during treatment. The electrical sensitivity can be adjusted.

Here, the movement amount of the joint related to the paralyzed part may be detected by using an acceleration sensor or the like, and the detected movement amount may be displayed instead of the myoelectric potential. That is, the movement amount and the current of the joint under treatment may be displayed on the tablet 7. In addition, the myoelectric potential, joint movement amount, and current during treatment may be displayed on the tablet 7. Alternatively, a muscular strength meter may be used to detect the muscular strength value at the paralyzed site, and the detected muscular strength value may be displayed instead of the myoelectric potential. That is, the muscle strength value and the current during treatment may be displayed on the tablet 7. In addition, the myoelectric potential, muscle strength value, and current during treatment may be displayed on the tablet 7. The amount of movement of joints related to the paralyzed site and the muscle strength value of the paralyzed site are examples of information on the motor function of the paralyzed site, and the accelerometer and the muscular force meter are examples of the motor function detecting means.

8 (a) and 8 (b) are examples of screens displayed on the tablet 7 before the start of treatment and after the end of treatment when "Yes" is selected on the screen of FIG. 5 (a) when the treatment conditions are set, respectively. Is shown. In this case, the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part when the subject voluntarily moves the paralyzed part for a predetermined time (time set on the screen of FIG. 5B) before the start of treatment is detected and the average value. (Myoelectric level before treatment) is calculated. Even after the end of the treatment, the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part when the subject voluntarily moves the paralyzed part is detected and the average value (myoelectric level after the treatment) is calculated in the same manner as before the start of the treatment. Then, after the treatment is completed and the myoelectric level after the treatment is obtained, the myoelectric level before the treatment and the myoelectric level after the treatment are displayed as shown in FIG. The effect of whether or not it has improved can be confirmed. The myoelectric level is an example of information on the motor function of the paralyzed site.

In addition, a predetermined level (%) regarding the myoelectric potential is set, the number of times the myoelectric potential detected by the myoelectric potential detection circuit 20 exceeds the predetermined level during the treatment is counted, and the total number of times since the start of the treatment is counted. Is displayed on the tablet 7 during treatment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a predetermined level can be displayed on the bar graph of the area 73 with a horizontal line 74, and the total number of times can be displayed in the upper portion 75 of the waveform display area 70. If the therapist or the person to be treated recognizes the total number of times the myoelectric potential exceeds a predetermined level in the past treatment, the treatment can be received while comparing with the past treatment results. Further, the above-mentioned total number of times in the past treatment may be stored in the storage unit 16, and for example, the total number of times in the previous treatment may be displayed side by side with the total number of times in the current treatment. The total number of times is an example of information obtained based on the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site.

Here, instead of confirming the degree of improvement in motor function by treatment by comparing the myoelectric level before and after treatment, other indexes may be compared. For example, it is possible to confirm the degree of improvement in motor function by treatment by detecting the amount of movement of joints related to the paralyzed site before and after treatment using an acceleration sensor or the like, and displaying and comparing the detected values. .. In addition, the degree of improvement in motor function by treatment can be confirmed by detecting the muscle strength value of the paralyzed site before and after the treatment using a muscular strength meter and displaying and comparing the detected values.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the past treatment history is displayed, and is displayed based on the treatment condition and treatment result data stored in the storage unit 16. This treatment history can be confirmed by displaying it on the tablet 7 or by importing the data into a personal computer and displaying or printing it on the monitor. Table 81 of the treatment conditions for each treatment day, table 82 of the treatment results, and graph 83 are displayed, and the display of data in the middle of the treatment day is omitted. Table 81 shows the treatment time (minutes), minimum output (%), maximum output (%), and myoelectric sensitivity as treatment conditions. Table 82 shows the number of times (the number of achievements) the myoelectric potential detected during the treatment reached each of levels 1 to 5 as the treatment result, and an index based on the number of achievements. The rightmost bar graph (bar graph a on March 1) is the number of achievements of level 1 and the leftmost bar graph (bar graph b on March 1) is the number of achievements of level 5 on each treatment day of graph 83. A bar graph of the number of achievements of levels 2 to 4 is displayed between. In addition, an index based on the number of achievements is displayed as a line graph c. Here, as an example of an index based on the number of achievements, (n) × (the number of achievements of level n) is obtained for each of n = 1 to 5, and is the total of them. According to this index, the level goes up and it becomes bigger as the number of achievements increases.

According to FIG. 10, it is possible to confirm how much the number of achievements of each level changes as the treatment progresses. In addition, it is possible to confirm whether or not the myoelectric potential during treatment is improved by observing the change in the index. According to the treatment history of FIG. 10, the number of achievements of each level increased in the treatment results from March 13 to March 15 as compared with the treatment results from March 1 to March 3, and the number of achievements was increased. Based indicators are also increasing, indicating that the myoelectric potential during treatment is improving.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment is another embodiment in which the electric stimulator 1 described in the first embodiment is used to perform the treatment in the first treatment mode. On the tablet 7, the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part being treated is displayed, and the myoelectric potential of a preset target is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the myoelectric potential waveform 91 of the paralyzed part under treatment and the target myoelectric potential waveform (sine wave as an example) 92 are superimposed on one display area of the screen of the tablet 7. .. Waveform 93 is a current waveform. In this case, the subject can confirm the correlation between the myoelectric potential waveform of the paralyzed part being treated and the target myoelectric potential waveform on the screen, so that the myoelectric potential waveform of the paralyzed part approaches the target myoelectric potential waveform. You can train to move the paralyzed area. In addition, it is possible to confirm how close the actual myoelectric potential is to the target myoelectric potential during the treatment. Here, the target myoelectric potential is an example of predetermined information. The myoelectric potential waveform 91 of the paralyzed part and the target myoelectric potential waveform 92 may be displayed side by side at the top and bottom of the screen. Further, for the target myoelectric potential, for example, data of a basic waveform (sine wave, square wave, etc.) may be stored in the storage unit 16 and the data may be displayed. Further, the amplitude, frequency and the like may be input to the basic waveform, and the waveform may be generated and displayed based on the input data. Further, the tablet 7 may be used so that the therapist or the like can create a waveform by handwriting input.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment is a case where the treatment is performed in the second treatment mode by using the electric stimulator 1 described in the first embodiment. In addition to arranging the amphoteric electrode 3 at the paralyzed site of the subject as in the first treatment mode, in the second treatment mode, the myoelectric electrode 5 is placed at the healthy site of the subject and the myoelectric electrode 5 To set the myoelectric sensitivity using the method described above. The myoelectric potential detected between the electrodes 5a and 5b is input to the myoelectric potential detection circuit 21 and taken into the control unit 18. The control unit 18 performs signal processing to calculate the myoelectric potential, and outputs the output intensity of the next electrical stimulus applied to the paralyzed site via the amphoteric electrode 3 so as to be an output corresponding to the calculated myoelectric potential intensity. The output control circuit 23 is controlled.

On the tablet 7, the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part under treatment detected by the amphoteric electrode 3 and the myoelectric potential of the healthy part under treatment detected by the myoelectric electrode 5 are displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the myoelectric potential waveform 94 of the paralyzed part under treatment and the myoelectric potential waveform 95 of the healthy part under treatment are displayed superimposed on one display area on the screen of the tablet 7. Waveform 96 is a current waveform. Since the subject can confirm the correlation between the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part under treatment and the myoelectric potential of the healthy part on the screen, the paralyzed part is set so that the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part approaches the myoelectric potential of the healthy part. Can be trained to move. In addition, it is possible to confirm during treatment how close the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part is to the myoelectric potential of the healthy part. Here, the myoelectric potential of the healthy part is an example of predetermined information. The myoelectric potential waveform 94 of the paralyzed part and the myoelectric potential waveform 95 of the healthy part may be displayed side by side on the upper and lower sides of the screen.

(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment has a function of informing the electric stimulator 1 described in the first embodiment by sounds having different scales according to the intensity of the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site under treatment. The sound is emitted from the speaker provided in the tablet 7. As an example, as described in the first embodiment, the myoelectric potential intensity is divided into 6 sections, and 5 levels 1 to 5 are set according to the myoelectric potential intensity. The speaker emits a scale sound when the myoelectric potential reaches level 1, a scale sound when the myoelectric power reaches level 2, a scale mi sound when the myoelectric power reaches level 3, and a myoelectric power level 4 When it becomes, the scale fa sound is emitted, and when the myoelectric potential reaches level 5, the scale so sound is emitted.

The volume of each scale can be set by the therapist or the person to be treated by the tablet 7. For example, the volume of the scale corresponding to the target myoelectric potential level can be set higher than the volume of the scale corresponding to other levels.

In this way, depending on the level of the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site detected during the treatment, the sound is notified by the scale do-so. For example, when the treated person is relaxed, it is effective to reduce the muscle tone as much as possible, so that it is possible to encourage the treated person to make an effort to relax the scale. When the scale is lowered, it is known that the muscles are relaxed, and the subject can learn how to relax the muscles by using the change in the scale as a clue. Although the example of notifying with the sound of the scales Do-So has been described, the notification is not limited to the sounds of the scales Do-So, and the notification may be performed using the sounds of other scales.

In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the tablet 7 is used as the notification means has been described, but a stationary display, a monitor, a portable smartphone, or the like can be used as the notification means. The liquid crystal display unit 14 of the apparatus main body 2 may be used as a notification means. The liquid crystal display unit 14 may be enlarged so that the myoelectric potential and the current during treatment can be easily confirmed on the device main body 2. Further, although the example of setting the treatment condition using the tablet 7 has been described, the treatment condition may be set using the operation switch unit 13 of the apparatus main body 2. The present invention also relates to an electrical stimulator that can be worn by a subject, such as by reducing the size of the device body 2 and fixing the device body 2 to the arm or the like of the person to be treated by using a wearing means such as a fixing band. Can be applied.

In each of the above embodiments, the electric stimulator including one device main body 2 has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to an electric stimulator having a plurality of device main bodies 2. In that case, the tablet 7 can wirelessly communicate with each device main body 2, and the tablet 7 may display information on a plurality of device main bodies 2. For example, a plurality of displays such as the myoelectric potential during treatment as shown in FIG. 6 on each device main body 2 may be displayed side by side on the screen of the tablet 7. Here, the information of the device main body 2 includes information such as minimum output (%), maximum output (%), treatment mode, and treatment time set as treatment conditions, in addition to information on motor function and predetermined information. Is done. Further, although an example of wirelessly communicating with the tablet 7 via the wireless dongle 8 attached to the device main body 2 has been described, the tablet 7 has a built-in circuit for wireless communication in the device main body 2 without using the wireless dongle 8. It may be configured to perform wireless communication with.

In the above embodiment, an example of treating a subject who has a disorder in the dorsiflexion motion of the wrist joint and the extension motion of the fingers has been described, but the electrode area is increased to increase the size of the amphoteric electrode 3 and the myoelectric electrode 5. The present invention can also be applied to an electrical stimulator that treats a subject with a disability in the lower limbs by increasing the maximum output current of the electrical stimulator 1.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, an example of notifying by a sound having a different scale according to the intensity of the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part under treatment has been described, but the sound may be notified by a sound having a different volume. Further, it may be notified by light, and for example, light having a different color may be used depending on the intensity of the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site under treatment. Further, it may be notified by vibration, and the vibration pattern may be different, for example, the interval and magnitude of vibration may be changed according to the intensity of the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part under treatment. Further, at least two of the above-mentioned sounds having different scales, sounds having different volumes, lights having different colors, and vibrations having different patterns may be used in combination.

It can be applied to an electrical stimulator used when a person to be treated with paralysis of the upper limbs or lower limbs performs functional recovery training of the paralyzed part.

1 Electrical stimulator 2 Device body 3 Dual-purpose electrode 4, 6 Electrode cable 5 Myoelectric electrode 7 Tablet 8 Wireless dongle 9 Bipolar electrode 10 Electrode 13 Operation switch unit 14 Liquid crystal display unit 15 LED display unit 16 Storage unit 17 Electrical stimulation means 18 Control unit 19 Communication circuit 20, 21 Myoelectric potential detection circuit 22 Battery power supply 23 Output control circuit 24 Output transformer 25 Current detection circuit 26 Battery voltage detection circuit 27 Power supply circuit 28 Signal input / output unit

Claims (14)

Motor function detection means for detecting the motor function of the paralyzed part of the subject,
An electrical stimulating means that applies an electric current to the paralyzed site of the subject,
A notification means for notifying the information on the motor function and the predetermined information so that the therapist or the person to be treated can confirm the correlation between the information on the motor function of the paralyzed site and the predetermined information during the treatment.
An electrical stimulator characterized by being equipped with. The motor function detecting means is a myoelectric potential detecting means for detecting the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part.
The information regarding the motor function is the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site.
The electrical stimulator according to claim 1. The predetermined information is a preset target myoelectric potential.
The electrical stimulator according to claim 2. As the motor function detecting means, another myoelectric potential detecting means for detecting the myoelectric potential of a part other than the paralyzed part of the treated person is provided.
The current is a current corresponding to the myoelectric potential of a site other than the paralyzed site.
The predetermined information is the myoelectric potential of a site other than the paralyzed site being treated.
The electrical stimulator according to claim 2. The predetermined information is the current.
The electrical stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The notification means notifies the total number of times that the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site exceeds a predetermined level during treatment.
The electrical stimulator according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The notification means notifies by at least one of a sound having a different scale, a sound having a different volume, a light having a different color, or a vibration having a different pattern, depending on the intensity of the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part.
The electrical stimulator according to any one of claims 2 to 6. Motor function detection means for detecting the motor function of the paralyzed part of the subject,
An electrical stimulating means that applies an electric current to the paralyzed site of the subject,
A notification means for notifying information on the motor function of the paralyzed site detected before and after the treatment by the motor function detecting means.
An electrical stimulator characterized by being equipped with. The motor function detecting means is a myoelectric potential detecting means for detecting the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed part.
The electrical stimulator according to claim 8, wherein the information regarding the motor function is an electromyographic level obtained from the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site. The motor function detecting means is a means for detecting the amount of movement of a joint related to the paralyzed part or the muscle strength value of the paralyzed part.
The information regarding the motor function is the movement amount or the muscle strength value.
The electrical stimulator according to claim 8. The electrical stimulator includes a storage unit.
A plurality of level values relating to the myoelectric potential of the paralyzed site are set, and the number of achievements of the myoelectric potential for each level value during treatment is stored in the storage unit.
The notification means displays the number of achievements for each level value of the past myoelectric potential stored in the storage unit.
The electrical stimulator according to any one of claims 2 to 4, 6, 7, 9 or claim 5 which cites claims 2 to 4. The electrical stimulator includes a device body, and the notification means is provided in the device body or is provided separately from the device body.
The electrical stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A plurality of the device main bodies are provided, and the notification means displays information on the plurality of the device main bodies.
The electrical stimulator according to claim 12. The device body can be attached to the person to be treated.
The electrical stimulator according to claim 12 or 13.

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