JP2022096517A - Electrode for electrostimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a disposable sheet type electrode which has a simple manufacturing process.SOLUTION: An electrode in the current invention is (1) for supplying an electric signal for electric stimulation. The electrode has a conductive member and a conductive gel. The member has an electrode body having a first surface and a second surface, and a protrusion formed by extending from the electrode body. On the first surface, the gel is arranged. The protrusion is folded and fixed on the second surface and has an electric connector formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention is an electrode for an electrical stimulator used for health promotion and treatment such as muscle stimulation by muscle stimulation, pain relief, range of motion improvement, muscle pain reduction, wound healing, and beauty by passing an electric current through a living body. Regarding.

The electrical stimulator is equipped with various operation modes or a dedicated machine type that supplies electrical stimulus signals according to known electrical stimulus methods such as transcutaneous electrical stimulus, interference current, high voltage stimulus, and weak current (microcurrent). The technology relating to the low frequency treatment device is disclosed. In many cases, the electrical stimulation signal is supplied to the living body by a sheet-type electrode provided with a gel sheet on the contact surface with the living body, for example, a sheet-type electrode as in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet-type electrode using conductive rubber. The connection between the sheet type electrode and the electrical stimulator is made by a cable, and the connection is realized by adhering the electrode and the cable. The electrode and the electrical stimulator may be directly connected by a cable, and in many cases, a connector is provided in the middle of the cable so that the electrode can be replaced so that the electrode can be removed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-327520

However, in the case of a conventional sheet-type electrode, at the connection part with the cable, the electrode and the cable with the coating removed are bonded by soldering, the connection part is covered with an insulating cover, and the connection part is crimped with a jig to form a complicated process. You will need it. Further, the electrode sheet of Patent Document 1 is made of conductive rubber, and when molding, the electrode sheet and the cable are connected by inserting one end of the cable with the coating removed in the same manner. A process is required. In terms of hygiene, it is desirable that the electrodes be disposable for one-time use, which requires the cost to be as low as possible, and electrodes that require complicated processes are disadvantageous, and a simple manufacturing process is desirable.

Further, in Patent Document 1, since the impedance is higher than that of the metal foil by using the conductive rubber, a high voltage is required for the electric stimulator in which the constant current control is performed, and the power consumption and the safety are also improved. It is disadvantageous.

In order to solve the above problems, the following measures have been taken in the present invention. That is, the electrode in the present invention is (1) an electrode for supplying an electric signal for electrical stimulation, and the electrode has a conductive member and a conductive gel, and the member is the first. It has an electrode body having a surface and a second surface and a convex portion formed by extending from the electrode body, the gel is arranged on the first surface, and the convex portion is folded back to form the second surface. It is characterized in that it is fixed to a surface and an electric connector is formed.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, the following measures have been taken in the present invention. That is, the electrode in the present invention is characterized in that (2) the convex portion is integrally formed with the electrode body.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, the following measures have been taken in the present invention. That is, the electrode in the present invention is characterized in that (3) the electric connector has a durability adjusting portion, and the electric connector has the durability adjusted by the durability adjusting portion.

In the present invention, for an electrode that applies an electrical signal, which is an electrical stimulus output from an electrical stimulator, to a human body, for example, a metal foil provided with a coupling portion is provided with a conductive gel, and a cable from the electrical stimulator can be used in a simple process. The connection structure can be configured to reduce the manufacturing cost. Since the manufacturing cost is reduced, the unit price of the electrode is also reduced, and the user can easily use it as a disposable item, which can improve the safety in terms of hygiene. Alternatively, an electrode that is advantageous in terms of power consumption and safety can be realized.

It is explanatory drawing of the sheet type electrode in this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the electrode sheet part of the sheet type electrode in this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacturing process of the coupling part of the sheet type electrode in this invention. This is the second embodiment of the coupling portion of the sheet type electrode in the present invention. It is a 3rd Example of the coupling part of the sheet type electrode in this invention.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 shows a sheet-type electrode 1 in the present invention. 1 (a) is a rear view, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view. The electrode 1 has an electrode portion 11 which is an electrode body that supplies an electrical stimulation signal to a living body, and a conductive gel 12 on a contact surface with the living body. The electrode portion 11 may be made of, for example, a conductive metal foil, or a conductive material such as copper, silver, aluminum, nickel, or stainless steel may be used as a member. In addition to this, the material may be a plate-like material that can be bent by plating the surface, for example, a thin plate member, or a conductive material produced by mixing conductive powder or conductive fibers. It may also be a mesh-like or cloth-like material made of silver fibers or conductive fibers. In the present embodiment, the electrode portion 11 will be described as being formed of a bendable plate-shaped metal such as stainless steel foil. The electrode portion 11 is provided with an electrode sheet portion 111 that comes into contact with a living body and supplies an electrical stimulation signal, and a coupling portion 112 that is an electrical connector into which a cable 13 that transmits an electrical stimulation signal from the electrical stimulation device is inserted. .. The cable 13 is connected to the electrical stimulator.

The electrode portion 11 includes an electrode sheet portion 111 and a coupling portion 112 that come into contact with a living body and supply an electrical stimulation signal. The coupling portion 112 includes a coupling portion 112 into which a cable 13 capable of transmitting an electrical stimulation signal from the electrical stimulator by being connected to the electrical stimulator can be inserted. The cable 13 is connected to the electrical stimulator. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a cable 13 is connected to the electrode 1 of the present invention in order to explain how to use the electrode 1.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a form of the electrode portion 11 before processing. The electrode sheet portion 111 that comes into contact with the surface of the living body may have a rectangular shape or a round shape, and the shape is not particularly limited. The connecting portion 112 is formed by extending from the electrode sheet portion 111 and passing through the bent portion 113. The connecting portion 112 is processed so as to be rolled into a cylindrical shape for inserting the cable 13. Although the joint portion 112 has a rectangular shape in FIG. 2, it may have a size and shape that can be processed into a cylindrical shape.

The bent portion 113 between the electrode sheet portion 111 and the coupling portion 112 may be processed to be narrower in width than the coupling portion 112 in order to round the coupling portion 112 into a cylindrical shape. In FIG. 2, the bent portion 113 is configured so that the sides of the bent portion 113 are parallel lines in the direction extending from the electrode sheet 111, but the coupling portion 112 side is not limited to this, and the coupling portion 112 is connected to the cable. The width may be large enough to insert the 13 and can be rolled up, and the electrode sheet portion 111 side may have a wide tapered shape. Alternatively, the bent portion 113 may be formed equal to or wider than the width of the joint portion 112. In this case, the coupling portion 112 may be formed by providing a slit in the bent portion 113. Such a form is integrally manufactured by die cutting.

FIG. 3 shows a processing process of the joint portion. 3 (a-1) to 3 (a-4) are views in the direction seen from the back surface of the electrode, and FIGS. 3 (b-1) to 3 (b-4) are views viewed from the side surface of the electrode. be. Although the electrode sheet portion 111, the coupling portion 112, and the bent portion 113 are designated by FIGS. 3 (a-1) and 3 (b-1), FIGS. 3 (a-1) and 3 (b-1) are designated. Other than b-1), these codes may be omitted. First, the joint portion 112 is formed into a cylinder as shown in FIG. 3 (a-2) or FIG. 3 (b-2) by rolling from both the upward and downward ends of the joint portion 112 orthogonal to the bent portion 113. Mold into a shape. Both ends may be fixed with an adhesive or the like to keep the cylindrical shape closed, or may be fixed by welding or welding. Alternatively, the cylindrical shape may be formed without fixing, with a gap held, or with an overlap. Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (a-3) or FIG. 3 (b-3), the bent portion 113 is bent 180 ° so as to be in contact with the electrode sheet portion 111 with the electrode sheet portion 111 side of the bent portion 113 as a base point. After being processed, it will be processed. The bent portion 113 is fixed to the electrode sheet portion 111. Folding may be fixed with a curable fluid such as an adhesive or a plastic resin, or may be fixed by welding or welding.

Finally, the electrode portion 11 is formed by attaching the sheet-shaped conductive gel 12 to the surface of the electrode sheet portion 111 on the side opposite to the surface on which the coupling portion 112 is fixed. The conductive gel 12 may be attached and fixed by its own adhesive force, or may be attached and fixed by a conductive adhesive, an adhesive, or double-sided tape. The conductive gel 12 contains a moisturizer and an electrolyte in the gel, and examples thereof include technogel (registered trademark No. 3080965 Sekisui Plastics Industry Co., Ltd.). Due to the adhesive force of the conductive gel 12, the electrode 1 can be attached to and fixed to the skin of a living body.

The output from the electrical stimulator is done via the cable 13. For example, the proximal end of the cable 13 is connected to the electrical stimulator, a connector is provided at the distal end of the cable 13 and inserted into the coupling portion 112 of the sheet type electrode 1, and the electrical stimulus signal from the electrical stimulator is sent to the living body. Supply.

Here, the electrode portion 11 including the coupling portion 112 of the sheet type electrode 1 is made of an inexpensive stainless steel foil as described above, and has an extremely simple structure, so that the cost is very low, that is, the entire electrode 1 is used. The cost can be greatly reduced. On the other hand, due to its simple structure, it is not possible to have great durability against repeated insertion and removal and use of the cable 13. However, it can be provided with durability enough to withstand a small number of uses such as once or twice or a short use for several hours. By not giving durability in this way, it is possible to improve safety by making the electrode 1 disposable by reducing the cost extremely at the same time.

For example, since the electrode of the present invention is not suitable for repeated use as described above, one electrode 1 is not reused by a plurality of people, and therefore a hygienic risk related to an infectious disease caused by a virus or a fungus can be avoided.

According to the electrodes of the present invention, safety risks can be avoided. When the conductive gel 12 is used for a long time, the conductive gel 12 deteriorates and the resistance value of the conductive gel 12 increases. When the resistance value rises, the resistance value of the conductive gel 12 rises when the electric stimulator is controlled by a constant current, so that the output voltage increases and the current concentrates on a part of the conductive gel 12 and the current is concerned. Not only do patients and users feel the pain and discomfort caused by concentration, but they are also more likely to get burned. However, according to the electrode of the present invention, the coupling portion 112 cannot be used before the electrical characteristics of the conductive gel 12 deteriorate, and safety such as discomfort such as burns and pain due to electric current induced by the deterioration of the electrical characteristics becomes safe. Avoid sexual risks.

According to the electrode of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the risk of functional deterioration as a treatment device or a beauty device such as reduction of the effect of treatment or treatment. When the electric stimulator is controlled by a constant voltage, the resistance value of the conductive gel 12 increases, so that the supplied current decreases, and it is possible to avoid the risk that sufficient treatment or treatment effect by the electric stimulus cannot be obtained.

As described above, the electrode to which the present invention has been applied cannot be expected to have high durability particularly at the joint portion 112 thereof, but it does not have durability or can withstand low frequency of use and short-term use. It has a durability adjustment unit that adjusts durability. That is, the joint portion 112 has durability adjusted by the durability processing portion. As a durability adjusting part, for example, the cylindrical shape of the connecting part 112 is opened or expanded in the diametrical direction due to the attachment / detachment of the connector, and even if the connector is repeatedly inserted next time, it is not fixed and easily falls off. It can be realized by forming with the size and durability of.

The thickness of the electrode sheet portion 111 is preferably 0.1 mm, and the thickness of the conductive gel 12 is preferably 0.6 mm or less. Therefore, since it is extremely thin and can withstand bending, it can be easily attached to various parts of the living body including joints such as elbows and knees. On the other hand, since the thickness of the conductive gel 12 is as thin as 0.6 mm or less, the durability is low and the conductive gel 12 is peeled off after multiple uses, so that it is suitable for disposable purposes.
(Second embodiment)

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the coupling portion 112, and shows another embodiment of the durability adjusting portion. FIG. 4A is a side view of the coupling portion 112, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the coupling portion 112 from the insertion direction of the cable 13. A slit 114 is provided in a cylindrical shape so that the connector of the cable 13 can be inserted and fixed. Each of these slits 114 corresponds to a durability adjusting unit. In this case, the slit 114 expands due to the attachment / detachment of the connector, and even if the connector is repeatedly inserted next time, it is not fixed and easily falls off, so that it is similarly difficult to reuse it repeatedly.

In this embodiment, the number of slits 114 is 4, but it is not fixed to this, and if it is not suitable for repeated use and durability for disposable use can be guaranteed, it may be 3 or less or 5 or more. You may. That is, the durability may be adjusted according to the number of slits. Further, although each slit 114 has the same length in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the present invention is not limited to this, and one slit is made shorter than the other slits, or one. Durability may be adjusted by a structure that makes the slit of the book longer than other slits, that is, by the length of the slit. Alternatively, in FIGS. 4A and 4B, each slit has the same width, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the width of one slit is wider than that of the other slit, or one slit. Durability may be adjusted by a structure in which the width of the slit is narrower than that of other slits, that is, by the width of the slit. That is, the durability may be adjusted by using at least one of the number, width, or length of the slits.
(Third embodiment)

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the coupling portion 112, showing another embodiment of the durability adjusting portion. FIG. 5A is a side view of the coupling portion 112, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the coupling portion 112 from the insertion direction of the cable 13. A recess 115 is provided in a cylindrical shape so that the connector of the cable 13 can be inserted and fixed. Each of these convex portions corresponds to a durability adjusting portion. In this case, the recess 115 expands due to the attachment / detachment of the connector, and even if the connector is repeatedly inserted next time, it is not fixed and easily falls off, so that it is similarly difficult to reuse it repeatedly.

In this embodiment, the number of recesses 115 is four, but they are not fixed to them, and if they are not suitable for repeated use and durability for disposable use can be ensured, the number of recesses 115 may be three or less or five or more. There may be. That is, the durability may be adjusted by the number of convex portions. Further, although each convex portion has the same length in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the present invention is not limited to this, and one convex portion is made shorter than the other convex portions, or Durability may be adjusted by a configuration in which one convex portion is made longer than another convex portion, that is, by the length of the convex portion. Alternatively, in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), each convex portion has the same width, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the width of one convex portion is made wider than that of the other convex portions, or Durability may be adjusted by a configuration in which the width of one convex portion is narrower than that of another convex portion, that is, by the width of the convex portion. Alternatively, in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the convex portions have the same height, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the height of one convex portion is made higher than that of the other convex portions. Alternatively, the durability may be adjusted by a configuration in which the height of one convex portion is lower than that of the other convex portion, that is, by the height of the convex portion. That is, the durability may be adjusted using at least one of the number, width, length or height of the protrusions.

In the above, a slit or a convex portion is shown as a durability adjusting portion, but the durability adjusting portion of the present invention is not limited to this, and a slit or a convex portion may be combined, or instead of providing the slit or the convex portion. The durability may be adjusted by thinning a part of the thickness or filling the slit with resin to serve as the durability adjusting portion.

1 Sheet type electrode 11 Electrode part 12 Conductive gel 13 Cable 111 Electrode sheet part 112 Bonding part 113 Bending part 114 Slit 115 Recess

Claims (3)

An electrode for supplying an electrical signal for electrical stimulation,
The electrode has a conductive member and a conductive gel.
The member has an electrode body having a first surface and a second surface, and a convex portion formed by extending from the electrode body.
An electrode in which the gel is arranged on the first surface, the convex portion is folded back and fixed to the second surface, and an electric connector is formed. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is integrally formed with the electrode body. The electrode according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric connector has a durability adjusting portion, and the electric connector has the durability adjusted by the durability adjusting portion. ..

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