JP2895279B2 - Low frequency electric therapy equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrotherapy device using a low frequency. In addition, the present invention relates to a low-frequency electrotherapy device for improving symptoms of a patient with dysuria in urological diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electrotherapy device having at least a soft start function for automatically and gradually increasing an output current when an energizing current is increased.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is very important to treat urinary disorders such as urinary frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence and the like, for example, in the treatment of urological diseases, and there are drug therapy and physical therapy as methods for that. Drugs for dysuria such as urinary frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence and the like in drug therapy mainly have an anticholinergic action and a sympathetic nerve stimulating action, and their side effects are inevitable due to the nature of drug administration.

[0003] Vaginal or anal insertion type electric stimulation therapy devices are known as physical therapy, but they have a strong resistance to use by patients, and have not been practically used particularly in Japan.

[0004]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Conventionally, at the time of starting treatment of an electrotherapy device, a method of setting an output current value to a certain value and operating a start switch to ON has been used. Therefore, the treatment current is suddenly output at the start of treatment,
Patients also often had discomfort. In order to avoid this, the user has to manually adjust the output adjustment knob attached to the device and gradually increase the current, which requires a complicated operation.

[0005]

In order to solve this problem, a low-frequency electric therapy device for treating dysuria according to the present invention is provided with a treatment current set in advance within a predetermined time from the start of device treatment. This adopts a system incorporating means having a so-called soft start function for automatically gradually increasing the output current up to the value.

[0006] That is, the present invention relates to 2000-6000 Hz
Has a carrier frequency of a current generating means for generating a current for applying the low frequency current in the frequency range of 5~150Hz the bladder and / or urethra near, for applying a low-frequency current to the treatment site Conductor means for applying a current to the current, current detection means for detecting the current at the time of energization, treatment current setting means, automatically gradually at least from the start of energization to a preset treatment current value Urination disorder treatment, comprising: a current increase control means for increasing an output current; and a current decrease control means for automatically and rapidly decreasing an output current when decreasing a current when energized. The present invention provides a low frequency electric therapy device for medical use.

Further, the present invention provides a current generating means for generating two types of carrier currents having a medium frequency and a frequency difference of 5 to 150 Hz, and a current generating means for supplying each of the two types of carrier currents. Two pairs of conductor means, a current detection means for detecting a current at the time of energization, a treatment current setting means, and an output current that is automatically gradually increased from at least the start of energization to a preset treatment current value. Means for increasing the current, wherein said two pairs of conductor means allow the electrodes forming the ends of each pair of conductor means to be placed on the skin on the body surface and from each pair of conductor means. A low frequency electrotherapy device for treating dysuria, wherein each of the electrodes is positioned so that the currents cross each other substantially near the bladder and / or urethra.

[0008] The low-frequency electrotherapy device of the present invention further comprises a current reduction control means for automatically and rapidly reducing the output current when the current during energization is reduced; An electric therapy device having an energization time setting means for setting an energization time for applying a treatment current, wherein the energization time setting means can set the energization time within a range of 5 to 30 minutes; Is an electrotherapy device provided with an excess current prevention means for reducing or stopping the conduction current when detecting a current exceeding the upper limit of the current during conduction; And a treatment device having the preset treatment current value of 2 mA or more.

The present invention also provides a medium having a medium frequency,
Current generating means for generating an amplitude-modulated wave whose amplitude fluctuates within one range or a value selected from a frequency of 5 to 150 Hz; a pair of electrode means for supplying the current; Current detection means for detecting the current of the current, treatment current setting means, and current increase control means for automatically gradually increasing the output current from at least the time of energization to a preset treatment current value The electrodes forming each end of the pair of conductor means are placed on the skin on the body surface so that the current from the conductor means can pass substantially near the bladder and / or urethra. Includes a low frequency electrotherapy device for treating dysuria.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The low-frequency electric therapy apparatus of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings as necessary.

As the medium frequency in the present invention, 10
The one on the order of 00 Hz is preferable, and a specific example is 20 Hz.
A region of about 00 to 6000 Hz, preferably about 3000 to 5000 Hz is substantially used. More specifically, 40
In the vicinity of 00 Hz, the electrical impedance of human skin is low,
The commercial current (50 to 60) is used to easily supply electricity to the body and to electrically shock (macroshock) to the living body.
Hz) is used because it is safe because each stage has a higher threshold.

The treatment frequency reproduced as an interference low frequency is 5
It is desirable to oscillate in the range of Hz to 150 Hz, preferably 5 Hz to 50 Hz, particularly preferably 10 to 30 Hz. In this case, one carrier is set to, for example, 4000 + 30 = 4030 Hz by a phase shifter or the like. This 4030Hz
, And another 4000 Hz carrier are output from two terminals through two pairs of conductors, respectively, so that electric treatment can be performed from four electrodes in a living body. In this case, a specific example of the current generating means includes a carrier oscillator, a therapeutic wave oscillator, and a phase shifter. As another example,
The current generating means may use two carrier oscillators having different frequencies.

In the current generating means for generating amplitude harmonics when a pair of electrodes are used, the treatment wave frequency is 5 to 150 Hz, which is highly sensitive to a living body, preferably 5 to 5 Hz.
0 Hz, particularly preferably 10 to 30 Hz, is used. The frequency may either maintain a constant value or vary regularly or irregularly within the above-mentioned range.

As the waveform of the treatment wave, various shapes such as a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, and a stab wave can be used, and these may be changed periodically or irregularly. .

In general, if the electrical stimulation of the living body is continued under the same conditions and the same pulse frequency, the effect may be reduced due to the so-called "accustomed" or, on the contrary, discomfort may be felt. To avoid this, it may be useful to vary the treatment wave frequency and / or the amplitude or waveform of the treatment wave regularly or irregularly. As a method of giving such a regular or irregular change of the frequency, amplitude or waveform, a method is called from a ROM in which conditions are input in advance, or a regular or substantial change is made based on a pseudo random number generated by a microprocessor. It is possible to give an irregular frequency, amplitude or tooth-like current change.

In general, an electrotherapy device in which two pairs of electrodes are used to generate an interference low frequency is used practically advantageously, for example, in terms of the therapeutic effect of urination disorder.

The electrotherapy device of the present invention includes current detection means for detecting a current flowing through two or one pair of electrodes, and may further include current display means for displaying the detected current as necessary. desirable.

It is preferable that the electrotherapy device of the present invention further includes a therapy current setting means for setting a current and adjusting the current as needed. Specific examples of the treatment current setting means include a means for changing the amplification degree of the output amplifier and a means also serving as the resistance value of the output resistor, and these are mainly adjusted manually.

Regarding the lower limit of the treatment current value, if the current value is less than 2 mA, the electric stimulation is not so much felt, and the range of 3 mA or more is usually used. Further, a therapeutic effect of dysuria is easily obtained at 5 mA or more, and the effect is particularly large at 6 mA or more. The upper limit of the treatment current value is, for example, 20 mA, but the effect of electrical stimulation on the human body is more likely to be a problem than the degree of the expectorant effect. There is also a tendency to cramp, which is not preferred because it gives patients anxiety. The upper limit cannot be said unconditionally because of individual differences, and it is particularly preferable to set the value according to the user in view of safety measures for the user using the therapeutic device of the present invention. Usually 2
Even if the current is increased by 5 mA or more, the therapeutic effect is hardly improved despite the increase in discomfort, so that the current is increased to 25 mA, preferably 20 mA.
It is desirable that the condition is satisfied.

For such safety measures, in the electrotherapy apparatus for treating urinary disorders according to the present invention, an upper limit of the current at the time of energization is set, and when the energization current becomes higher than the upper limit, the upper limit is automatically set. It is desirable to reduce the current (that is, adjust the current setting means such as an amplifier) or incorporate an excessive current prevention means for stopping the current supply, for example, in the setting means. Furthermore, it is practically useful that the upper limit of the current can be set according to the suitability of the user.

The energization treatment time is preferably set by providing an energization time setting means such as a timer means, and is desirably selected within a range of 5 to 30 minutes. The dysuria-improving effect is thought to be due to the interfering low-frequency electrical stimulation acting on the mechanism of action, such as suppressing the reflex activity of the bladder and improving the urethral sphincter function. I was identified. Therefore, the treatment time is preferably 10 to 3 as a time during which the living body can sufficiently receive the electrical stimulation.
Within the range of 0 minutes.

In the case where the electrotherapy device of the present invention uses two pairs of conductor means, for example, one of the electrodes forming each end of each pair of conductor means may be connected to the lower abdomen and the other to the lower abdomen. Are placed on the buttocks and are positioned so that the currents of each pair of conductor means intersect each other. The location of the electrodes may be such that the crossing of the current occurs substantially near the bladder and / or urethra, such as the other being the lower abdomen and the other being the inner thigh. In the case of using a pair of conductor means,
For example, one of the electrodes forming each end is positioned on the lower abdomen and the other is positioned on the buttocks. In this case, the positions of the electrodes may be, for example, two points in the lower abdomen so that the stimulation current substantially passes through the vicinity of the bladder and / or the urethra.

As the means for mounting the conductor electrode, a combination of an adhesive conductive conductor, a hydrous sponge conductor fixing band and a fixing tool can be used. As described above, if the guide is fixed without relying on the suction force of the vacuum pump, the entire treatment device can be made compact and can be used as a portable device, which is very useful in practice.

In the electrotherapy device for treating urinary dysfunction according to the present invention, it is desirable that a shock is not applied to the patient during treatment, and as a safety measure therefor, a current adjusting means having a so-called soft start function at the start of energization is provided. Provided. That is, a current increase control means for automatically gradually increasing the output current to a preset treatment current value within a certain period of time from the start of energization is provided as a soft start function unit. Specific examples of such current rise control means include automatic output adjustment means (circuits) such as analog switches, programmable variable resistors, multipliers, and integrators.

As a specific mode of the soft start, the average increase rate of the output current is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 50 mA / min, more preferably in the range of 2 to 20 mA / min, especially 5 to 10 mA / min. Safety that is in the range of
This is desirable because it can satisfy both practicalities.

The soft start function may be started from 0 mA, for example, 0.5 mA
You may be made to start from. It is also desirable that the soft start function be activated so that the current value is automatically gradually increased even when the setting value for increasing the current value is changed during the treatment. Furthermore, when the set value of the treatment current is as low as 5 mA or less, more preferably 3 mA or less, the soft start function may not be operated.

It is used in combination with a microcomputer as an automatic output current increase control means which easily satisfies the range of the average increase speed of the output current and is excellent in practicality including reproducibility of automatic adjustment and cost. (A variable gain amplifier circuit using an analog switch). That is, by sequentially selecting the resistance values from the resistance means capable of generating various resistance values in accordance with the speed and order determined by the microcomputer, the output current can be automatically gradually increased.

Further, when it is necessary to reduce the output current due to an output current that causes a current that is too stimulating to act on the patient, or when the output current is reduced according to the patient's intention or a doctor's prescription. For example, it is desirable to use a current reduction control means for reducing the output current at a steep speed of, for example, 20 mA / min or more. As a specific example, a variable control using an analog SW combined with a microcomputer as described above is preferable. Gain amplifier circuits. In this case, the microcomputer sequentially selects the resistance values in a predetermined speed and order so that the output current decreases at a predetermined large speed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an embodiment of the electrotherapy device for treating dysuria of the present invention. Oscillator 2 oscillates a 4 KHz carrier,
The oscillator 3 oscillates a carrier different from the oscillator 2 by 10 to 30 Hz. The two carrier waves automatically increase the output current automatically.
It is output from the conductor 7 through the treatment current setting circuit 5 and the current detection circuit 6. As one example of realizing the soft start function, the output current value is adjusted by using the central processing unit 1 such as a microcomputer and inputting the detection value from the current detection circuit 5 to the automatic output adjustment circuit to make a difference. doing. Any circuit configuration can be used as long as the output current can gradually increase to a preset treatment current value within a certain time. Specifically, an automatic output adjustment circuit such as a variable gain amplifier circuit using an analog SW is used. Provided. In the central processing unit 1, a treatment current value is set in advance, and the output current is automatically and gradually increased by a predetermined method, for example, 0.1 to 10 minutes, preferably 0.5 to 4 minutes. Minutes, particularly preferably within a predetermined time in the range of 0.5 to 2 minutes, to reach the therapeutic current value.

The current actually supplied to the human body is monitored by the current detection circuit. The central processing unit is
It is desirable to be able to control the gain of the amplifier circuit in order to adjust the output current value while taking in the output of the current detection circuit and comparing it with the output current pattern stored in the storage device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the principle of an embodiment of the electrotherapy apparatus according to the present invention in the case of using an amplitude-modulated wave using a pair of conductors. In the figure, the current generating means 11 is medium, preferably 20
00 to 6000 Hz, more preferably 3000 to 500
Carrier oscillators 12 and 5 to 50 for generating 0 Hz electric signals
Therapeutic wave oscillator 13 that generates an electrical signal of 1 Hz and the multiplier 1
4 from the output side of the multiplier, an amplitude-modulated low frequency having the carrier frequency and corresponding to the amplitude change of the treatment frequency is obtained. The control unit 15 removes the current at a predetermined speed to increase the current, and also decreases the current rapidly, a circuit for automatic current adjustment, an adjustment circuit for setting a treatment duration, a treatment current value, or a cycle of the treatment wave frequency. And a current value detecting means 1
It is also possible to display the current value on the current value display means 17 through 6. Further, the control unit 15 is provided with various alarm circuits for displaying an abnormality of the apparatus and a safety circuit for shutting off the circuit when a current of a predetermined value or more flows. The electrode 18 for passing an electric current through a living body is a combination of an electrode having a surface with tackiness or an electrode having a water-containing sponge on a side in contact with the living body to improve conductivity and a fixing device such as a fixing band. Is preferably used.

[0032]

The low-frequency electrotherapy device of the present invention can automatically increase the output current slowly to eliminate anxiety to the patient and, at the same time, rapidly reduce the output current as needed, thereby ensuring safety. Enables efficient treatment.

According to the low-frequency electric therapy device for treating urinary disorders according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably perform a therapy in which the anxiety of the patient at the time of an increase in output current is reduced, and the therapy is practically safe. Has the advantage of being easier.

In addition, by providing the power-on time setting means and the excessive current preventing means, it is possible to provide an electrotherapy device with further improved practicality and safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of a preferred embodiment of an electrotherapy device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of another embodiment of the electrotherapy device of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A61N 1/32-1/36

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A low frequency current having a carrier frequency of 2000 to 6000 Hz and a frequency in a range of 5 to 150 Hz is applied to the bladder and the bladder.
Current generating means for generating a current for applying the current to the vicinity of the urethra and / or urethra ; conducting means for applying a current for applying the low-frequency current to the treatment site; and detecting a current when the current is applied. Current detection means, treatment current setting means,
Current increase control means for automatically gradually increasing the output current from at least the time of energization to a preset treatment current value; and automatically and rapidly decreasing the output current when decreasing the current during energization A low-frequency electric treatment device for treating urinary disorders, comprising a current reduction control means for controlling the decrease in current. 2. A medium frequency having a frequency difference of 5 to 15
Current generating means for generating two types of carrier currents at 0 Hz, and two current generating means for supplying each of the two types of carrier currents.
A pair of conductor means, a current detecting means for detecting a current at the time of energization, a treatment current setting means, and automatically gradually increasing the output current from at least the start of energization to a preset treatment current value. Having current rise control means for
The two pairs of conductor means place electrodes forming the ends of each pair of conductor means on the skin on the body surface and current from each pair of conductor means is substantially near the bladder and / or urethra. A low-frequency electric therapy device for treating dysuria, wherein each of the electrodes is positioned so as to cross each other. 3. The low-frequency electrotherapy device according to claim 2, further comprising current reduction control means for automatically and rapidly reducing the output current when the current during energization is reduced. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an energization time setting means for setting a time for energizing the treatment current, wherein the energization time setting means can set the energization time within a range of 5 to 30 minutes. Or 2 low frequency electrotherapy devices. 5. The low-frequency electric device according to claim 1, wherein said current detecting means includes an excessive current preventing means for reducing or stopping the flowing current when detecting a current exceeding an upper limit of the flowing current. Therapeutic device. 6. The low-frequency electrotherapy device according to claim 5, wherein said excess current preventing means has means for setting an upper limit of the current when energized. 7. The low-frequency electrotherapy device according to claim 1, wherein the preset treatment current value is 2 mA or more. 8. A medium having a medium frequency and an amplitude of 5-150.
Current generating means for generating one value selected from a frequency of Hz or an amplitude modulation wave fluctuating within the range of the frequency, a pair of electrode means for supplying the current, and detecting the current when the current is supplied Current detecting means for performing treatment current setting means,
And current increasing control means for automatically gradually increasing the output current from at least the start of energization to a preset treatment current value, wherein an electrode forming each end of the pair of conductor means is provided. A low frequency electrotherapy device for treatment of dysuria, which is placed on the skin on the body surface so that the current from the guide means passes substantially near the bladder and / or urethra.