JP2532165B2 - Low frequency therapy device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to a low frequency for treating a shoulder stiffness etc. by stimulating a human body by applying an electric pulse at a low frequency. The present invention relates to a therapeutic device, and more particularly to an operating means and a controlling means for selecting a pulse output form and intensity.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-80060, a low frequency is applied to a human body by applying an electric pulse at a low frequency to treat a shoulder stiffness and the like. A treatment device is known.

Many low-frequency therapeutic devices of this type allow the user to select the output form such as the frequency of the pulse and the intensity thereof by operating the operation unit, as described in the above publication. The control on the operation unit is performed by, for example, a microcomputer. Here, although not publicly known, an example of conventional control will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIG. 8, the input ports In1 and In2 of the microcomputer IC are respectively mode changeover switch SW11,
Power of the battery positive electrode (Vd
connected to d). On the other hand, microcomputer I
The reset terminal RESET of C is connected to the positive electrode of the battery via the OFF switch SW13. In addition, switch SW
11, SW12, SW13 are all normally open push button switches. Also, the output port Out of the microcomputer IC
1, Out2, Out3, Out4 are connected to the positive electrode of the battery via the mode display light emitting diodes LED11, LED12, LED13, LED14 and the common resistor R, respectively.

Then, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the microcomputer IC is initially in the stop mode (stopped state) in terms of software (step 1).
1). In the stop mode, the output operation of the therapeutic pulse is not performed (Vout = 0 at all times), and the light emitting diode
LED11, LED12, LED13, LED14 are also off. In addition, Vout
Is a voltage between a pair of positive and negative output electrodes attached to a human body and outputting a therapeutic pulse.

Therefore, the user needs to select the appropriate mode switch SW
By turning on 11, the desired course is selected from "Tataki", "Momi", "Shiatsu", and "Pro" (step 12). That is, the microcomputer IC sets the software mode to "Tataki", "Momi", "Shiatsu", each time the mode switch SW11 is turned on.
Switch in order of "Pro". At this time, one of the four light emitting diodes LED11, LED12, LED13, LED14 corresponding to the selected course is turned on, and thus the user can clearly know the selected course.

Then, the microcomputer IC is a changeover switch
It is determined whether or not the strength switch SW12 is turned on within 3 minutes after the last turn-on of SW11 (step 13). If not turned on, the mode is returned to the stop mode. On the other hand, if it is turned on, it is determined within 2 seconds whether or not the output electrode is attached to the human body as a load (step 14). If the output electrode is not attached to the human body, the step is performed. Return to 12 and start the timer if it is attached (step 15). After 15 minutes, the process automatically returns to step 12.

Step after strength switch SW12 is turned on for the first time
In 14,15, the operation of outputting the therapeutic pulse is performed, but the therapeutic pulse is output in the output form of the selected course and at the voltage according to the number of times the strength switch SW12 is turned on. It That is, the user selects the strength switch SW12.
By turning on for an appropriate number of times, the intensity of the stimulus can be set to, for example, 10 levels according to preference. Note that the pulse voltage gradually increases from the minimum value each time the strength switch SW12 is turned on, but is set to the maximum value when turned on 10 times or more.

Also, in steps 12 and 13, the light emitting diodes LED11, LED12, LED13 and LED14 corresponding to the selected course are constantly turned on, but in steps 14 and 15, the same light emitting diode LED
11, LED12, LED13, LED14 blink in synchronization with pulse output.

In addition, if you turn off the switch SW13 at any time,
The microcomputer IC is reset and enters stop mode.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the conventional low frequency treatment device, the off switch is used.
When SW13 is turned on, the microcomputer IC goes into the stop mode.Therefore, if you want to start the output operation of the treatment pulse again, operate the mode selector switch SW11 again to select the course, then The switch SW12 had to be operated, and there was the problem of poor operability. That is, when the strength switch SW12 is turned on several times to increase the strength of the stimulus, the strength switch SW12
If is turned on too much, it is necessary to turn off the switch SW13 and turn the pulse output to 0 once.
The operation in that case was troublesome.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve operability after performing an operation of stopping the therapeutic pulse during the output operation of the therapeutic pulse.

[Structure of Invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a power supply, an electronic circuit for generating a treatment pulse, an output electrode for outputting the treatment pulse, and a mode switching button for selecting the output form of the treatment pulse. , A strength button for setting the strength of the therapeutic pulse, an off button for stopping the output operation of the therapeutic pulse, and a display element for displaying the selected output form, each time the strength button is pressed In the low-frequency treatment device in which the strength of the treatment pulse increases from the minimum to the maximum, even if the output operation of the treatment pulse is stopped by pressing the OFF button, the output form before this stop is maintained, The electronic circuit has a control means for displaying the output form selected by the display element and pressing the intensity button to restart the output operation of the therapeutic pulse from the minimum intensity in the selected output form. Doing Things.

(Operation) In the low-frequency therapeutic device of the present invention, the therapeutic pulse generated by the electronic circuit is output from the output electrode to the human body, so that the human body is stimulated to treat the stiff shoulder and the like. However, the user can first select the output form of the therapeutic pulse by pressing the mode switching button. Further, the intensity of the therapeutic pulse can be set by pressing the intensity button, but the intensity of the therapeutic pulse increases from the minimum to the maximum each time the intensity button is pressed. At that time, if you press the strength button too much and the therapeutic pulse becomes too strong, by pressing the off button,
The output operation of the therapeutic pulse is stopped. In this way, even if you press the cut button to stop the output operation of the therapeutic pulse,
The output form before the stop is held, the output form selected by the display element is displayed, and when the strength button is pressed again, the output intensity of the therapeutic pulse is the minimum strength in the selected output form. Starts again from. That is, it is not necessary to press the mode switching button again.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the low frequency treatment device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

First, the mechanical structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the treatment device main body of this embodiment, a pair of positive and negative output electrodes 12 and 13 are integrally provided on a small treatment device main body 11 of the order of several cm. The outer shell of the medical treatment device main body 11 constituted by the lower housing 14 and the upper housing 15 has a flat elliptical shape, and the lower surface is made of a pair of slopes intersecting in a V shape with an obtuse angle. , Output electrodes 12,13 on these slopes
Are provided so as to be exposed. A conductive adhesive pad is attached to each of the output electrodes 12 and 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, a mode switch SW1 (not shown in FIG. 2), a strength switch SW2, an off switch SW3, and a mode display switch 4 are provided in the housings 14 and 15.
Light-emitting diode LED1, LED2, LED3, LED which is one display element
A circuit board 16 on which various electric components forming an electronic circuit, which will be described later, are mounted is included. Each of the three switches SW1, SW2, SW3 is a normally open tact switch, and a vertically movable mode switching button 17, a strength button 18 and a cut button 19 for operating these switches are provided on the upper housing 15. Is exposed on the upper surface of. That is, the mode switch SW1 is turned on only when the mode switching button 17 is pressed, the strength switch SW2 is turned on only when the strength button 18 is pressed, and is switched off only when the off button 19 is pressed. The switch SW3 is turned on. Further, the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 are also exposed on the upper surface of the upper housing 15.

In addition, a battery holder 20 is supported between the housings 14 and 15 so as to be able to be drawn out, and a battery 21, which is a power source, is detachably held in the battery holder 20.

Next, the configuration of the electronic circuit will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

This electronic circuit is basically a peripheral circuit of a microcomputer IC1 (for example, NEC's μPD7554) which is a control means, a reset circuit 22, a step-up converter 23,
Pulse output circuit 24, discharge circuit 25 and human body detection circuit 26
It is divided into

The positive electrode (Vdd) of the battery 21 to which the electrolytic capacitor C1 is connected in parallel is connected to the positive power source terminal P10 of the microcomputer IC1. On the other hand, the negative electrode power supply terminal P20 of the microcomputer IC is connected to the negative electrode of the battery 21 (hereinafter referred to as ground). Further, a variable resistor VR is connected between the clock terminals P8 and P9 of the microcomputer IC.

The positive electrode of the battery 21 is connected to the mode switch SW1.
Is connected to the input port P1 of the microcomputer IC1 via the switch SW2, is connected to the input port P2 of the microcomputer IC1 via the strength switch SW2, and is connected to the input port P3 of the microcomputer IC1 via the switch SW3. . Further, the cathodes of the four light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 are connected to the output ports P12, P13, P14, P15 of the microcomputer IC1, respectively, and the anodes of these light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 are connected to the resistor R1. It is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 21 via.

In the reset circuit 22, the reset terminal P11 of the microcomputer IC1 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 21 via the capacitor C2 and the diode D1.
Grounded through. Further, both electrodes of the battery 21 are respectively connected to the input terminals of the voltage detector IC2,
The output terminal of this voltage detector IC2 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 21 with resistors R2 and R3.
Are connected via a series circuit. A pnp-type transistor Q1 having a base connected to the connection point of the resistors R2 and R3 is connected in parallel to the capacitor C2.

In the step-up converter 23, the battery
One end of the coil L is connected to the positive electrode of 21, and the other end of the coil L is connected to the collector of the npn-type transistor Q2. The emitter of this transistor Q2 is grounded. The base of the transistor Q2 is connected to the output port P5 of the microcomputer IC1 via the resistor R4. Further, a series circuit of a capacitor C3 and a resistor R5 is connected in parallel to the resistor R4. The connection point between the coil L and the transistor Q2 is connected to one end of the capacitor C4 via the diode D2, and the other end of the capacitor C4 is grounded.

In the pulse output circuit 24, the diode D2
And the connection point of capacitor C4 is pnp type transistor Q
This transistor Q is connected to the emitter of 3.
Three collectors are connected to one of the output electrodes 12. A resistor R6 is connected between the emitter and base of the transistor Q4. Also, the transistor
The base of Q4 is connected to the collector of an npn-type transistor Q4 via a resistor R7, and the emitter of this transistor Q4 is grounded. The base of the transistor Q4 is connected to the output port P7 of the microcomputer IC1 via the resistor R8.

In the discharging circuit 25, the connection point of the diode D2 and the capacitor C4 is grounded via the resistor R9 and the npn-type transistor Q5. The base of the transistor Q5 is connected to the output port P6 of the microcomputer IC1 via the resistor R10.

In the human body detection circuit 26, the other output electrode
13 is connected to the base of the npn-type transistor Q6 via the resistor R11, and is also grounded via the Zener diode ZD. A resistor R12 is connected between the emitter and base of the transistor Q6. Further, the collector of the transistor Q6 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 21 via the resistor R13, and is also connected to the output port P4 of the microcomputer IC1. On the other hand, the emitter of the transistor Q6 is grounded.
Furthermore, the collector of the transistor Q6 is grounded via the capacitor C5.

Next, an outline of a method of using the low frequency treatment device of the above embodiment will be described.

The user first presses the mode switching button 17 a suitable number of times to "tap" the output form of the therapeutic pulse,
Select a desired course from the four courses of "Momi", "Shiatsu", and "Professional". At this time, one of the four mode display light-emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 corresponding to the selected course is lit up, which allows the user to
You can clearly know the selected course.

Then, apply both output electrodes 12 and 13 to the skin, and the treatment device main body 11
After mounting on the affected part of the human body, the strength of the stimulus is adjusted by pressing the strength button 18 an appropriate number of times. Ie strength button 18
Each time you press, the voltage of the therapeutic pulse output to the human body from the output electrodes 12 and 13 gradually increases from the minimum value, so press the strength button until you get the sensation of your desired strength.
Press 18. The voltage of the therapeutic pulse can be switched to, for example, 10 steps, but even if the strength button 18 is pressed 10 times or more, the pulse voltage remains at the maximum value.

Therefore, when the strength button 18 is pushed too much and the stimulating feeling becomes too strong, the output operation of the therapeutic pulse can be temporarily stopped by pushing the off button 19. Thus, when the OFF button 19 is pressed, the standby mode is entered, the previously selected course is retained, and the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED corresponding to the selected course are held.
3, LED4 is lit, indicating that it is in standby mode. Then, when the strength button 18 is pressed again in the standby mode, the output operation of the therapeutic pulse is restarted from the lowest voltage in the output form of the selected course.

Next, the outline of the software operation of the microcomputer IC1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Initially, the microcomputer IC1 is in the stop mode (step 1). In stop mode, the operation of outputting the therapeutic pulse is not performed (always
ut = 0), all the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 are also turned off.

Therefore, the microcomputer IC1 switches the mode in the order of, for example, "Tataki", "Momi", "Shiatsu", and "Pro" each time the mode switch SW1 is turned on and the input port P1 becomes high level (step. 2).

Then, the microcomputer IC1 is the off switch S
It is determined whether W3 is turned on, that is, whether the input port P3 is at high level (step 3),
When it becomes high level, it returns to the stop mode. On the other hand, if it does not become high level, it is determined whether or not the strength switch SW2 is turned on within 3 minutes after the last time the mode switch SW1 is turned on, that is, whether the input port P2 is high level. (Step 4) If the high level is not reached, the mode returns to the stop mode.

On the other hand, if the output level becomes high, it is determined within 2 seconds whether or not the output electrodes 12 and 13 are attached to the human body as a load (step 5), and the output electrodes 12 and 13 are attached to the human body. If not, return to step 4. On the other hand, if it is attached, it is determined whether or not the input port P3 is at the high level (step 6). If it is at the high level, the process returns to step 4, and if it is not at the high level, the timer is set. Start (step 7). After 15 minutes, the process automatically returns to step 4.

Here, in steps 2 to 4, the output operation of the therapeutic pulse is not performed, but the mode display light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 corresponding to the selected course are constantly turned on (standby mode). On the other hand, after the strength switch SW2 is turned on for the first time, in steps 5 to 7, the output operation of the treatment pulse is performed. At the same time, the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 corresponding to the selected course blink in synchronization with the pulse output.

 Next, the operation of the electronic circuit will be described in detail.

During the output operation of the therapeutic pulse, a high frequency pulse is output from the output port P5 of the microcomputer IC1.
As shown in FIG. 6, the high-frequency pulse has a pulse width of 71.4 μs and an interval between pulses of 14.3 μs, for example. Due to this high frequency pulse, the transistor Q2 intermittently switches the current flowing through the coil L to generate an electromotive force in the coil L. The charge generated here is the capacitor
It is stored in C4.

The electric charge stored in the capacitor C4 is given to the human body by the pulse output circuit 24 from the output electrodes 12 and 13 at a fixed cycle. That is, after the charging voltage of the capacitor C4 has risen sufficiently, the output port P7 goes high,
The transistors Q4 and Q3 are turned on, and the therapeutic pulse is output to the human body from the capacitor C4 via both the positive and negative output electrodes 15 and 16. As a result, the human body is stimulated to treat shoulder stiffness, muscle pain, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the output from the output port P7, the pulse width is 0.2 ms, the cycle t is 333.3 ms, 33.3
ms or 1s. That is, t = 333.3 ms in the "battering" mode. Also, in the “fir” mode, as shown in FIG. 7, while the output port P6 is 0.5s.
It oscillates at 30Hz (hatching part), then pauses for 0.5s, and this is repeated. Further, in the "shiatsu" mode, the output port P6 oscillates at 30 Hz for about 3 s, and then pauses for 1 s, which is repeated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the “fir” mode, the output port P6 rises at the end of the output period of 0.5 s, and then the output port P6 rises as short as possible. In this way, the output port P6 goes high for 1ms, turning on the transistor Q5 and the capacitor C4.
The electric charge remaining in is discharged. Similarly, in "shiatsu" mode, output port P7
After falling, the output port P6 becomes high level for 1ms. On the other hand, in "Tataki" mode, output port P6
Is always at low level.

When a pulse is output to the output electrodes 12 and 13, if the output electrodes 12 and 13 are not attached to the human body that is the load, the base current does not flow to the transistor Q6.
This transistor Q6 is off. Therefore, although the input port P4 of the microcomputer IC1 is at the high level, the microcomputer IC1 determines that the output electrodes 12 and 13 are not attached to the human body. On the other hand, if the output electrodes 12 and 13 are attached to the human body, the base current flows in the transistor Q6,
This transistor Q6 is turned on. Therefore, although the input port P4 becomes low level, the microcomputer IC1 determines that the output electrodes 12 and 13 are attached to the human body. In this way, the load determination in step 5 is performed.

The light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 are turned on when the corresponding output ports P12, P13, P14, P15 are at low level, and are turned off when they are at high level.

Furthermore, when replacing the battery 21, the condenser is momentarily
When a current flows through C2 and the reset terminal P11 goes high, the microcomputer IC1 is reset. After resetting the microcomputer IC1,
The software enters stop mode. When the voltage of the battery 21 drops below a predetermined value, the transistor Q1 is turned on by the operation of the voltage detector IC2, and the microcomputer IC1 is constantly reset.

One DC pulse in the high-level section 30 ms is output from the output port P6 immediately before the shift to the stop mode, immediately after the power-on reset, when the stop mode is released, and when the mode is switched. Further, in the load discrimination of step 5, if the high level section of the input port P4 continues for 2 seconds during detection, one pulse of the high level section 30 ms is immediately output from the output port P6 and the standby mode is entered. Further, in all modes and before 2 seconds without load, a pulse of 1 ms is output from the output port P6 for each output from the output port P7.

According to the above configuration, when the strength button 18 is pushed too much and the stimulating feeling becomes too strong, even if the off button 19 is pushed to temporarily stop the output operation of the therapeutic pulse,
When the strength button 18 is pressed again, the output operation of the treatment pulse is restarted in the output form of the previously selected course, and it is not necessary to press the mode switching button 17 again, and the operation is simplified.

In the above embodiment, the course is selected by the mode switching button 17, and the corresponding mode display light emitting diode LE
When D1, LED2, LED3, LED4 is lit and then the intensity button 18 is pressed and the therapeutic pulse is output, the same light emitting diode LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 blinks in synchronization with the therapeutic pulse. However, the course is selected with the mode switch button 17, and the corresponding mode display LED
After the LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 lights up, when the intensity pulse 18 is pressed and the treatment pulse is output, the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 that were lighted up to that point
May be turned off. That is, in FIG. 5, all the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, and LED4 are extinguished at steps 5 to 7.

Further, as in the previous embodiment, when the mode switch button 17 is pressed and then the off button 19 is pressed, or
If you do not press the strength button 18 within 3 minutes, it will be in the stop mode, so the light emitting diode LED1, LED2, LED
3, LED4 goes off. On the other hand, even if the strength button 18 is pressed within 3 minutes, as described above, the light emitting diode LED1, LED
2, LED3, LED4 are turned off. In addition, when the human body is not detected within 2 seconds when the load is determined after the strength button 18 is pressed, the off button 19 is pressed before the 15 minute timer expires, and the 15 minute timer When it is cut by, the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 corresponding to the course selected again are lit. After all, press the strength button 18 and then the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED
While 4 is off, there is a therapeutic pulse.

The light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 consume current at the time of output, but during the output operation of the therapeutic pulse, the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 are turned off, so this light emitting diode LED1, LED2, LED3 Therefore, the LED 4 does not consume current, so that the battery 21 has a long life in a power saving type. In addition, the fact that the operation of outputting the therapeutic pulse from the idling state has started is indicated by the light emitting diodes LED1, LED2, LED3, L
It is clearly displayed when the ED4 is turned off.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, when the strength button is pushed too much and the feeling of stimulation becomes too strong, the strength button is pushed again even when the output operation of the therapeutic pulse is once stopped by pushing the off button. Then, the output operation of the treatment pulse is restarted in the previously selected output form, and it is not necessary to press the mode switching button again, and the operability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 7 show an embodiment of the low-frequency therapeutic device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view, FIG. 2 is a sectional view, and FIG.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are circuit diagrams, FIG. 5 is a flow chart, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are timing diagrams. Further, FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example of a conventional low frequency treatment device, FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram, and FIG. 9 is a flow chart. 12, 13 …… Output electrode, 17 …… Mode switching button, 18 ……
Strength button, 19 ... Off button, 21 ... Battery that is the power source,
LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4 ... Light emitting diode as display element, IC1 ... Microcomputer as control means.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A power supply, an electronic circuit for generating a therapeutic pulse, an output electrode for outputting the therapeutic pulse, a mode switching button for selecting an output form of the therapeutic pulse, and a strength of the therapeutic pulse. Equipped with a strength button for setting, an off button for stopping the output operation of the treatment pulse, and a display element for displaying the selected output form, and the strength of the treatment pulse is changed each time the strength button is pressed. In the low-frequency treatment device that increases from the minimum to the maximum, even if the output operation of the treatment pulse is stopped by pressing the OFF button, the output form before this stop is maintained and the output selected by the display element It is characterized in that the electronic circuit has a control means for displaying the form and pressing the intensity button to restart the output operation of the therapeutic pulse from the minimum intensity in the selected output form. Low frequency cure Medical device.