JP2022090022A - Current stimulation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device that allows a user to easily know the normal operation by using two types of electrical stimuli of a non-sensing output and a sensual output.

SOLUTION: A current stimulation device of the present invention includes an output unit for outputting a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction and a control unit for controlling the output unit. In a case where the electric signal by a second output is output which is an output a person to whom the electric signal is given cannot feel the electric signal, when the current stimulation device is operating normally, the output unit temporarily outputs the electric signal by a first output which is an output a person to whom the electric signal is given can feel, instead of the second output.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a current stimulator that generates a weak current that cannot be perceived by humans, and more particularly to a current stimulator that improves or decreases muscle output by stimulating the percutaneous current with an electric current.

As a device that restores physical function by electric current stimulation, EMS that improves muscle output by causing muscle contraction is known. EMS is Electrical Muscle Simulation, which is a device that contracts and relaxes the muscles connected to the nerves by electrically stimulating the motor nerves from the outside to perform efficient strength training. be.

It is a device that applies a strong load to muscle tissue, destroys muscle fibers and then repairs them to enlarge the muscles, and improves muscle output to recover from motor dysfunction of the body. Therefore, EMS gives a strong current stimulus that causes muscle contraction. However, when a strong current stimulus is suddenly applied to a muscle, the stimulus is too strong, so various measures have been taken to "apply a current" to gradually increase the current to the set current (for example, Reference 1).

EMS contracts and relaxes muscles by strong current stimulation to perform efficient strength training and enlarges muscles. As a result, the muscle output is improved, and the muscle output cannot be improved until the muscle is hypertrophied. That is, there is a problem that the muscle output cannot be improved immediately.

On the other hand, there is a technique capable of immediately improving or reducing muscle output, or easily relaxing excessive muscle contraction without suffering from a medical institution (for example, Reference 2). In this technology, when supplying a current pulse group composed of a plurality of rectangular pulses to the human body, the lamp up time that gradually increases the current and the lamp down time that gradually decreases the current from the set current are controlled, especially the lamp. By increasing the uptime and ramp downtime to more than 1 second, the muscle output can be improved, and conversely, by making it smaller than 1 second, the muscle output can be decreased. The output of the pulse used here is, for example, 450 μA, and an output that a human cannot detect an electrical stimulus (hereinafter referred to as an insensitive output) is used. With this insensitive output, one does not feel the pain caused by the pulse, the contraction of the muscles, or the supply of the pulse.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-225810 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-20445

When the insensitive output is used as described above, the user cannot detect the output, so that even if the user intends to supply the pulse, the pulse may not be supplied normally. For example, if you fail to press the switch, if you make a mistake in operating the device, if the device is out of order, if the battery is low and the operation becomes unstable such as stopping halfway, or if the cable is disconnected. This is the case when the cable is broken, or when the conductor used cannot normally supply the pulse to the human body due to deterioration or the like. In these cases, the user rarely notices it, even when the pulse is virtually unsupplied to the human body, and in most cases the user cannot notice it, and many uses. The person continued to use the device in a state where the pulse was not substantially supplied, and there was a problem that the effect could not be obtained at all.

(1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the following measures have been taken in the present invention. That is, the current stimulator of the present invention is a current stimulator including an output unit that outputs a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction and a control unit that controls the output unit, and the electric signal is the electricity. In the case where the person to whom the signal is given outputs the electric signal by the second output, which is the output at which the electric signal cannot be sensed, and the current stimulator is operating normally, the output unit is the said. Instead of the second output, the electric signal is temporarily output by the first output, which is the output to which the person to whom the electric signal is applied feels the electric signal.

(2) Further, the current stimulator of the present invention is characterized in that the output of the electric signal is gradually changed from the second output to the first output.

(3) Further, the current stimulator of the present invention is characterized in that the output of the electric signal is gradually changed from the first output to the second output.

Since the present invention uses both an insensitive output and an output that allows a human to sense an electrical stimulus (hereinafter referred to as a felt output), the user can easily know the normal operation of the device, and the user can know the normal operation of the device. Can provide an easy-to-use device that can be used with peace of mind.

It is a front view of the current stimulator 100 which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of the current stimulator which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the output of the current stimulator 100 which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control of the output of the current stimulating apparatus 100 which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control of the output of the current stimulating apparatus 100 which concerns on this invention.

Normally, muscle contraction occurs when the brain commands a muscle that it wants to move through a nerve, and the muscle receives the command. Normally, it is thought that even the maximum command exerts only about 60% to 70% of the muscle strength of the muscle. This is because if 100% of the muscle strength is exerted, the tendons, bones, joints, and even the muscles themselves will be overloaded, so it is controlled so that 100% of the commands are not given as a kind of defense measure. It is considered that the muscle output is improved by increasing the command amount transmitted to this muscle by about 60% to 70%, and the muscle output is lowered by reducing the command amount. In the present specification, increasing the command amount transmitted to this source by about 60% to 70% is defined as facilitation, and reducing the command amount is defined as suppression. That is, facilitation improves muscle output, and suppression reduces muscle output.

FIG. 1 shows a current stimulator 100 to which the present invention has been applied. The current stimulator 100 generates a weak current (microcurrent) that does not cause muscle contraction, and by percutaneously stimulating the current, the muscle output of the muscle associated with the nerve can be improved or decreased. As shown in the above, the current stimulator 100 is composed of a main body 10 that generates a weak current, a conductor 14 that applies the current, and a cable that electrically connects the main body 10 and the conductor.

Various switches (operation switches) are provided on the front surface of the current stimulator 100. Reference numeral 11 is a power switch. Reference numeral 12 is a start / stop switch. Further, an output port for connecting the conductor 14 is provided on the lower surface of the current stimulator 100.

As the output mode, there are a first output mode for improving the muscle output and a second output mode for decreasing the muscle output. This output mode may be a fixed mode for each device, or both modes may be selected by the user.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the main body 10. The main body 10 is composed of a control unit 202, a waveform generation unit 204 which is an output unit for generating a pulse group described later, a timer 207, a user IF unit 201, a power supply unit 206, a battery 203, and the like. In addition to the CPU and memory, the control unit 202 has a built-in interface unit for connecting to each unit, a waveform generation unit 204 that generates an electric signal that gives a current stimulus, a timer 207 that measures the output for a certain period of time, a power switch 11, and so on. It is connected to the user IF unit 201 connected to the start / stop switch 12 to control them. The electric power supplied from the battery 203 is controlled by the power supply unit 206 to a predetermined constant voltage value, for example, 5V, and is supplied to each unit via the control unit 202.

The pulse generated by the waveform generation unit 204 is a current pulse at a level that does not cause muscle contraction, specifically, a current of 20 mA or less. In this embodiment, the output is 20 mA or less, so that muscle contraction is caused. There is no.

Next, the control unit 202 will be described. The control unit 202 also controls the lamp up time, hold time, ramp down time, and off time, which will be described later. The memory built in the control unit 202 stores pulse parameters and other parameters in addition to the control program ROM and work RAM.

The current stimulator 100 is used as follows. The user attaches the guide 14 on or near the muscle where the effect of facilitation or suppression is desired (hereinafter referred to as a predetermined site). After the conductor 14 is attached to a predetermined part, the power switch 11 is pressed to turn on the power to start the apparatus main body, and when the start / stop switch 12 is pressed, the information is transmitted to the control unit 202 via the user IF unit 201. It is sent, and the control unit 202 issues an instruction to the waveform generation unit 204 to output an electric signal described later, and controls the amplitude and the like. The electric signal output by the waveform generation unit 204 based on the information or instruction from the control unit 202 is supplied to the conductor 14 connected to the cable. In synchronization with the instruction of the output to the waveform generation unit 204, the timer 207 is instructed to measure the time, and the timer 207 starts the measurement for a predetermined time, for example, 5 minutes. Information related to the measurement of the timer 207, for example, information on the lapse of a predetermined time is fed back to the control unit 202, and the control unit 202 outputs an electric signal by stopping the power supply to the waveform generation unit 204 by the feedback. Stop.

Here, the first output mode (described later) is started by first pressing the start / stop switch 12. When the start / stop switch 12 is subsequently pressed, the second output mode (described later) is started, and when the start / stop switch 12 is further pressed, the pulse output is stopped. In the present specification, applying a pulse to a human body or a predetermined site is referred to as a treatment.

The main body 10 is configured to use one channel, that is, one set of conductors 14 having two electrode pads as a set, but the number of channels is two or more, and a mode selection switch is provided for each channel to select a mode for each channel. It may be configured so that it can be used.

The conductor 14 may be a conductor of a known technique, and may be a conductor using, for example, an adhesive pad. Alternatively, the conductor may be attracted to a predetermined portion by a suction force using a suction cup, or may be fixed by being wrapped around the predetermined portion by a belt or the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pulse output by the current stimulator 100. In this figure, the pulse output by the current stimulator 100 is schematically shown, and the horizontal axis shows time and the vertical axis shows the current value. As described above, in the current stimulator 100, for example, as in (a), the first pulse group in which the output gradually increases, the second pulse group in which the constant output is maintained, and the third pulse group in which the output gradually decreases. A fourth pulse group composed of pulse groups is output. In other words, the first pulse group is a pulse group in which the amplitude of each pulse constituting the pulse group gradually increases, or the first pulse has a first output and an output larger than the first output. It can be said that it is a pulse group including at least a pulse output after the first pulse, or a pulse group including at least a first pulse having a first amplitude and a pulse output after the first pulse due to an amplitude larger than the first amplitude. The second pulse group is a pulse group in which the amplitude of the plurality of pulse groups is constant in the second pulse group, a pulse group composed of a plurality of pulses of the second output, or a plurality of pulses of the second amplitude. It can be said that it is a pulse group composed of. The third pulse group is a pulse group in which the amplitude of each pulse constituting the pulse group gradually decreases, or is output after the third pulse by the third pulse of the third output and an output smaller than the third output. It can be said that it is a pulse group including at least a pulse group to be generated, or a pulse group including at least a third pulse having a third amplitude and a pulse output after the third pulse due to an amplitude smaller than the third amplitude. In each pulse group, a rectangular pulse having a frequency of 50 Hz and a pulse width of 200 μsec is used as an example. The amplitude changes as shown in the figure depending on each pulse group, but for example, 450 μA is used as the amplitude of the second pulse group. Here, T1 is the duration of the first pulse group, that is, the ramp up time, T2 is the duration of the second pulse group, that is, the hold time, and T3 is the duration of the third pulse group, that is, the ramp down time. T4 indicates the rest time, that is, the off time of the fourth pulse group. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing (a) more schematically, in which the first pulse group and the third pulse group are shown by triangles, and the second pulse group is shown by a quadrangle.

The first output mode will be described. The first output mode is a mode for improving the muscle output, and is an output mode in which the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are longer than 1 second. That is, it is a control in which the voltage is gradually increased to the set current over a time longer than 1 second, the voltage is output for several seconds at the set current, and then the voltage is gradually decreased over a time longer than 1 second. Such control is performed by the control unit 202.

The second output mode is a mode for suppressing muscle output, and is an output mode in which the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are smaller than 1 second. That is, the control is such that the output is increased in a time shorter than 1 second up to the set current, the output is output for several seconds at that current, and then the current is decreased in a time shorter than 1 second. Such control is performed by the control unit 202.

When the first output mode is used, the effect of facilitation is obtained, and when the second output mode is used, the effect of suppression is obtained. It is possible to decide whether to use the first output mode or the second output mode depending on which effect the user needs. Here, it is assumed that the first output mode is used. However, even when the second output mode is used, the following description for the present invention is similarly applied.

The ramp-up time and ramp-down time are preferably in the range of 1.1 seconds to 4.0 seconds, and the effect of facilitation is particularly effective in the range of 1.1 seconds to 3.0 seconds. It is a range. On the other hand, the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are preferably suppressed in the range of 0.1 to 0.9 seconds.

FIG. 4 shows the control of the output of the fourth pulse group according to the present invention. The horizontal axis shows time and the vertical axis shows current value. Here, the amplitude of the second pulse group will be used as the output of the fourth pulse group. By controlling the amplitude of the second pulse group, the maximum amplitude value of the first pulse group and the maximum amplitude of the third pulse group are also controlled in conjunction with each other. This situation is shown in FIG. 3 (b). In this figure, the fourth pulse group X on the left side shows the case where the amplitude of the second pulse group is small, and the fourth pulse group Y on the right side shows the case where the amplitude of the second pulse group is large. That is, even if the amplitude of the second pulse group is changed, T1 and T3 are not changed only by controlling the rate of change in the amplitude in the first pulse group and the rate of change in the amplitude in the third pulse group. Controlled, the waveform generator 204 outputs these fourth pulse groups as electrical signals.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first output is temporarily used when the output of the electric signal is disclosed, and then the second output is used. That is, immediately after the start of the treatment, the output is output at the first output, the output 1, but the output is changed to the second output, the output 2, after the lapse of a predetermined time T41 from the start of the output. In other words, the waveform generator 204 uses the second output after the first output as the output of the second pulse group to generate an electrical signal, or temporarily uses the first output instead of the second output. To generate an electrical signal. That is, in the present invention, the insensitive output is performed after the sensible output, and the insensitive pulse is supplied to the predetermined portion after the sensible pulse.

The output 2 is 450 μA as described above, but the output 1 is 3 mA as an example. This output 1 can be noticed by a human being being supplied with a pulse, but it may be an output within a range that does not cause muscle contraction. After that, it is possible for humans to notice that a pulse is being supplied, but a pulse with an output that does not cause muscle contraction is called a felt pulse, and conversely, a pulse with an output that does not even notice that a pulse is being supplied. Is called a dead pulse. It should be noted that the felt pulse is more desirable if it is a pulse that not only does not cause muscle contraction but also does not feel pain due to pulse supply, that is, it is desirable that the output is such that the user does not feel uncomfortable. Should be several mA or less. If the predetermined portion is a relatively sensitive portion, the output may be set to about 950 μA, for example. Even if a felt electric pulse such as an electric signal using the fourth pulse group using the 950 μA or 3 mA is used in combination with the insensitive pulse, the output is relatively small like the felt pulse. Alternatively, when the pulse supply is relatively short, the same effect as that of the insensitive pulse is obtained, and the treatment by the insensitive pulse is not hindered. For example, the use of the felt pulse reduces the effect of the insensitive pulse, the treatment time is lengthened according to the time in which the felt pulse is used, and there are no problems or harmful effects due to the use of the felt pulse. Therefore, the temporary use of the felt pulse leads to more effective treatment with the insensitive pulse.

As the time T41, 20 seconds is used as an example. The T41 may be long enough to make the user aware that the pulse supply has started, that is, the procedure has started. However, if it is too long, even if the felt pulse does not cause pain or muscle contraction, it may be unpleasant for some users, and it is not desirable if it is too long.

Since the output 1 is an output that does not make the user feel uncomfortable, the T41 may be too short, for example, if the felt pulse is used only for one fourth pulse group, the user may not notice the output. Yes and not desirable. From the above, it is desirable that T41 is about 10 to 40 seconds.

If only the insensitive output is used, the user cannot detect the output, and the start / stop switch 12 is not pressed properly or the battery level is low, so the output is not appropriate. There is a problem that the user cannot notice it without knowing it. However, by using the sensational output after the start of the output as described above, the user can easily know that the pulse is supplied to the predetermined part, and conversely, the sensational electrical stimulation immediately after the start of the output. If the above is not obtained, the user can easily know that the appropriate output is not output, and the problem can be easily avoided. For example, it is possible to immediately notice that the switch operation has been mistaken or that the conductor 14 has deteriorated, and to perform the operation again, or to reattach or replace the conductor 14 and the like, and the like can be immediately improved. Furthermore, since the user cannot feel the electrical stimulus with the insensitive output, it may be wondered whether the electric signal is really output, that is, whether the device is operating normally. However, since the felt pulse at the start of the treatment, which is a temporary felt electrical stimulus, is used, the user can easily know the normal operation of the device, and by experiencing the output, the effect can be realized. Can be improved.

FIG. 4B shows another example in the present invention. In the figure (a), the output of the pulse is directly changed from the output 1 to the output 2 after the lapse of T41. On the other hand, FIG. 3B schematically shows the control in which the pulse output gradually or gradually changes from the output 1 to the output 2, that is, the output of the fourth pulse group is gradually reduced. For example, the output of the pulse was 3 mA at the output 1, but after the lapse of time T41, it may be controlled stepwise to 2.5 mA, 2 mA, 1.5 mA, 1 mA, and finally to 450 μA, which is the output 2. .. In the control as shown in FIG. 6A, the user suddenly does not feel the electrical stimulation by the felt pulse after the lapse of T41, but when the control in FIG. It is more desirable because the user feels less stress because he / she does not feel it.

Other examples according to the present invention are shown. The sensational output is used at the start of the treatment in the above, but is not limited to this, and the sensational output can be used at the end of the treatment, that is, before the output is stopped (at the time of the output stop). For example, it is possible to notify the user that the output will end soon by switching from the insensitive output to the sensible output 30 seconds before the output ends. When the insensitive output is used, there is a problem that the user cannot know when the output is finished, but the user can easily use the felt output just before the end of the output. You can know the end.

FIG. 5 shows the output control in this case. First, (a) shows a control in which the output of the pulse is changed from the output 2 to the output 1 before the T51 when the treatment is completed. In the figure (b), the output of the pulse changes gradually or stepwise from the output 2 to the output 1. In other words, the waveform generator 204 uses the second output before the first output as the output of the second pulse group to generate an electrical signal, or temporarily uses the first output instead of the second output. To generate an electrical signal.

In the control of FIG. 3B, for example, the pulse output was 450 μA at the output 2, but it was controlled stepwise to 1 mA, 1.5 mA, 2 mA, 2.5 mA, and 3 mA from before the output end time T51. The control may be performed so that the final output is 3 mA. With the control shown in Fig. (A), the user suddenly feels a felt pulse before T51 at the end of the treatment, but when the control shown in Fig. (B) is used, the user gradually feels a felt pulse. It is more desirable because the user feels less stress.

In the above control, the electric signal by the second output is mainly used, but it can be said that the first output is temporarily used. Such a temporary sensational output can be used not only at the start or end of the output, but also at the start and end of the output. That is, the controls of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be used together.

Further, the temporary sensible output as described above is not only at the start and end of the output of the electrical signal, but also by using the sensible output on a regular basis, i.e., instead of the second output. By temporarily using the first output to generate an electrical signal, the user can be informed that the device is operating normally and that time has passed. For example, every time the output is continued for 1 minute, the felt output may be performed by the 2nd pulse group in 2 times of the 4th pulse group. Further, by changing the duration of the felt output when the output is subsequently performed to the duration of the felt output used when the output ends, a felt pulse is used, for example, for 15 seconds. This is more desirable because when the user feels a sensational stimulus, it can be easily determined whether the output ends or simply indicates the passage of time.

Further, the output of the facilitation mode and the suppression mode may be arbitrarily changed by the user. For example, a five-step output level adjustment switch may be provided to obtain the output desired by the user. It should be noted that the described parameters are merely examples, and are not limited to these parameters, but cover an even range. For example, the pulse is not limited to having a positive / negative component or a positive / negative pulse, and may be only a positive pulse or a negative pulse, and even when a positive / negative pulse is used, the positive and negative components are offset. The pulses may be different. Alternatively, the pulse is not limited to a rectangular pulse, and may be a pulse having another shape such as a triangular wave.

The other current stimulator according to the present invention includes an output unit that outputs a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction, and the electric signal includes at least a first pulse group, a second pulse group, and a third pulse group. The former first pulse group includes at least a first pulse of the first output and a pulse output after the first pulse by an output larger than the first output, and the second pulse group includes the first pulse. It is composed of a plurality of pulses of two outputs, and the third pulse group includes at least a third pulse of the third output and a pulse output after the third pulse by an output smaller than the third output. The output unit is characterized in that, as the second output, a person to whom the electric signal is applied uses a second output in which the electric signal cannot be sensed after the first output in which the electric signal is felt.

Further, the other current stimulator of the present invention includes an output unit that outputs a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction, and the electric signal includes at least a first pulse group, a second pulse group, and a third pulse group. The former first pulse group includes at least a first pulse of the first output and a pulse output after the first pulse by an output larger than the first output, and the second pulse group includes the first pulse. It is composed of a plurality of pulses of two outputs, and the third pulse group includes at least a third pulse of the third output and a pulse output after the third pulse by an output smaller than the third output. The output unit is characterized in that, as the second output, a person to whom the electric signal is applied uses a second output that cannot detect the electric signal before the first output that can detect the electric signal.

Further, another current stimulator of the present invention has an output unit that outputs a second output electric signal that is a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction and that the person to whom the electric signal is given cannot detect the electric signal. The electric signal includes at least a first pulse group, a second pulse group, and a third pulse group, and the former first pulse group is larger than the first output and the first output. The output includes at least a pulse output after the first pulse, the second pulse group is composed of a plurality of second output pulses, and the third pulse group includes a third output third pulse. A second output that includes at least a pulse output after the third pulse with an output smaller than the third output, and the output unit can sense the electric signal as the second output instead of the second output. It is characterized in that the electric signal with one output is temporarily used.

10 Main unit 11 Power switch 12 Start / stop switch 14 Conductor 100 Current stimulator 201 User IF unit 202 Control unit 203 Battery 204 Waveform generator 206 Power supply unit 207 Timer

Claims (3)

A current stimulator having an output unit that outputs a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction and a control unit that controls the output unit.
The electric signal is a case where the person to whom the electric signal is applied outputs the electric signal by the second output, which is an output at which the electric signal cannot be sensed, and the current stimulator is operating normally. The output unit is a current stimulator that temporarily outputs the electric signal by the first output, which is an output to which the person to whom the electric signal is applied feels the electric signal, instead of the second output. The current stimulator according to claim 1, wherein the output of the electric signal is gradually changed from the second output to the first output. The current stimulator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output of the electric signal is gradually changed from the first output to the second output.

Images