JP3622157B2 - Biological magnetic stimulator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a living body magnetic stimulation apparatus for measuring a reaction caused by stimulation by mounting a magnetic stimulation coil in a matrix on a living body surface.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, it is known that nerves can be stimulated by a pulsed magnetic field. That is, a large pulsed current is instantaneously passed through a ring-shaped coil to induce eddy current in the living body by electromagnetic induction, and nerve excitation is caused by this eddy current. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of such a conventional biomagnetic stimulation apparatus. Reference numeral 30 denotes a magnetic stimulation coil in which a ring-shaped coil is embedded in an insulator such as a resin at the tip, and is connected to the stimulation pulse generator 31. Reference numeral 32 denotes an amplifier, which amplifies and outputs reaction signals detected from, for example, electrodes Ea and Eb worn on the hand when the magnetic stimulation coil 30 stimulates. Reference numeral 33 denotes a control unit that controls stimulation pulse generation with respect to the magnetic stimulation pulse generation unit 31 and inputs a reaction signal from the amplifier 32 to display a reaction result on the display device 34.
[0003]
In use, for example, the magnetic stimulation coil 30 is brought close to or in contact with a predetermined portion of the head of the living body M to be measured, and a stimulation pulse is generated from the stimulation pulse generation unit 31, thereby Gives stimulation by eddy current generated by induction. After applying the stimulus, if there is a reaction, a reaction signal is detected from the electrodes Ea and Eb attached to the hand, amplified by the amplifier 32, and sent to the control unit 33. The control unit 33 sends a reaction signal to the display device 34 to blink the reaction position of the head model displayed on the screen, for example. When a response signal due to stimulation is not detected, the magnetic stimulation coil 30 is moved to the next predetermined position and the same stimulation operation as described above is repeated. Therefore, by confirming the displayed reaction position, the nerve reaction path can be understood, and clinical judgments such as diseases can be made.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional magnetic stimulation apparatus for living body performs stimulation using one magnetic stimulation coil, and detects a reaction while moving a predetermined position for each place. Therefore, a large number of predetermined positions are inspected. In this case, a great amount of time and labor are required, which is extremely inefficient and inconveniently restrains the subject for a long time. In addition, since the magnetic stimulation coil is held by hand, the stability is poor, the measurement site is limited, and it is difficult to perform measurement with high accuracy for stimulating many sites.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a living body magnetic stimulation device that can efficiently give a stimulus to the surface of a living body, and can provide a highly accurate and stable stimulus for measurement.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a living body magnetic stimulation apparatus in which a reaction is detected by applying a stimulus by an eddy current from a magnetic stimulation coil to a living body, and the reaction result is displayed. The magnetic stimulation coil group 1, the switch means Sx, Sy for selecting the designated magnetic stimulation coil C from the magnetic stimulation coil group 1, and the switch control means 3 for controlling switching of the switch means Sx, Sy , Stimulation pulse generating means 4 for transmitting a stimulation pulse to the selected magnetic stimulation coil C, and an operation of selecting either manual stimulation or automatic stimulation and designating each magnetic stimulation coil C when manual stimulation is selected Means 7; storage means 5b for storing response data by stimulation of the magnetic stimulation coil C; position signal and stab of the magnetic stimulation coil C for the switch control means 3; Those comprising a control unit 5 for output according to the specification of each magnetic stimulation coils from the operating means 7 a timing signal stimulation pulse generator for the pulse generating means 4.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the magnetic stimulation device for living body according to the first aspect, when each magnetic stimulation coil is designated from the operation means, it is designated in an arbitrary stimulation order.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the biological magnetic stimulation apparatus according to the first aspect, when each magnetic stimulation coil is designated from the operation means, a table describing a predetermined stimulation order is prepared, and the stimulation order described Specify with.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 4 is a living body magnetic stimulation apparatus in which a reaction is detected by applying a stimulus by an eddy current from a magnetic stimulation coil to a living body, and the reaction result is displayed. The magnetic stimulation coil group 1, the switch means Sx, Sy for selecting the designated magnetic stimulation coil C from the magnetic stimulation coil group 1, and the switch control means 3 for controlling switching of the switch means Sx, Sy , Stimulation pulse generating means 4 for sending a stimulation pulse to the selected magnetic stimulation coil C, operating means 7 for selecting either manual stimulation or automatic stimulation, and memory for storing reaction data by stimulation of the magnetic stimulation coil C When the automatic stimulus is selected by the means 5b and the operation means 7, the switch control means 3 is connected to the switch control means 3 based on the stimulus order predetermined in the automatic stimulus program. That those comprising automatically and control means 5 for outputting a position signal and a timing signal of stimulation pulse generator for stimulating pulse generating means 4 of the magnetic stimulation coils C.
[0009]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the magnetic stimulation device for living body according to the first or fourth aspect, the holding member 2 is configured in the shape of a cap 20 for the head.
[0010]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the magnetic stimulation device for living body according to the fifth aspect, each magnetic stimulation coil C is attached to the holding member 2 in the shape of the cap 20 so as to substantially correspond to a plurality of functional regions of the brain. is there.
[0011]
[Action]
In the invention according to claim 1, the magnetic stimulation coil group is arranged in a matrix on the holding member. When manual stimulation is selected from the operation unit for selecting manual stimulation or automatic stimulation, a magnetic stimulation coil is designated from the group of magnetic stimulation coils by the operation unit, and the control unit controls the switch via the switch control unit and the switch unit. And switching to the designated magnetic stimulation coil, generating a stimulation pulse from the stimulation pulse generating means, and storing response data by stimulation of each magnetic stimulation coil.
[0012]
In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, when designating each magnetic stimulation coil from an operation means, it can designate in arbitrary stimulation orders.
[0013]
In the invention which concerns on Claim 3, when designating each magnetic stimulation coil from an operation means, the table which described the predetermined stimulation order is prepared and it can specify with the described stimulation order.
[0014]
In the invention according to claim 4, the magnetic stimulation coil group is arranged in a matrix on the holding member. When automatic stimulation is selected from the operation unit for selecting manual stimulation or automatic stimulation, the control unit designates the magnetic stimulation coil from the group of magnetic stimulation coils based on the automatic stimulation program, via the switch control unit and the switch unit. And switching to the designated magnetic stimulation coil, generating a stimulation pulse from the stimulation pulse generating means, and storing response data by stimulation of each magnetic stimulation coil.
[0015]
In the invention which concerns on Claim 5, it was set as the cap shape which mounts a holding member on a head.
[0016]
In the invention according to claim 6, the magnetic stimulation coil is attached to the cap-shaped holding member so as to correspond to a plurality of functional regions of the brain.
[0017]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a biological magnetic stimulation device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view showing a configuration example of a cap for the head to which the magnetic stimulation coil group is attached used in the embodiment of FIG.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, 1 is a group of magnetic stimulation coils arranged in a matrix, and is composed of m magnetic stimulation coils C in the X direction and n magnetic stimulation coils C in the Y direction. It is fixed. The holding member 2 can have a shape matched to a required part of the living body to which the stimulus is applied, for example, a cap-like cap shape described later when worn on the head. In addition, each magnetic stimulation coil C is given a number or a code, and the magnetic stimulation coil C is selected in an arbitrary or predetermined stimulation order by designating a corresponding number or code from the operation unit 7 described later. Can do.
[0019]
Sx and Sy are changeover switches in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, and each magnetic stimulation coil C of the magnetic stimulation coil group 1 connected to each fixed contact is switched by a switching signal output from the switch control unit 3. A stimulation pulse generator 4 is connected to the movable contacts of the changeover switches Sx and Sy, generates an instantaneous high-current stimulation pulse, and outputs it to the selected magnetic stimulation coil C.
[0020]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a control unit composed of, for example, a CPU 5a, a RAM 5b, and a ROM 5c, and a position signal and a stimulation pulse generation unit for instructing switching to the switch control unit 3 according to the input of the number or code of the selected magnetic stimulation coil C 4 generates a timing signal for generating a stimulation pulse. Further, the RAM 5b temporarily stores reaction data or various setting data by stimulation of each magnetic stimulation coil C of the magnetic stimulation coil group 1. The ROM 5c stores, for example, a model program in which display points corresponding to the magnetic stimulation coils C of the magnetic stimulation coil group 1 are displayed in a head-shaped biological model, and an automatic stimulation program that automatically performs stimulation. ing. Further, in the model program stored in the ROM 5c, when a response by stimulation is detected in either manual stimulation or automatic stimulation, a display point corresponding to each magnetic stimulation coil C is displayed, for example, by blinking or a surrounding screen. It is configured to display different colors.
[0021]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a biological amplifier, which amplifies a reaction signal detected by, for example, electrodes Ea and Eb attached to the hand when applying a stimulus and outputs the amplified signal to the A / D converter 9. The electrode mounting part can be a required part such as a face or a lower limb.
[0022]
Reference numeral 7 denotes an operation unit composed of, for example, a keyboard or the like, which performs an input operation such as selection of manual stimulation or automatic stimulation or setting of various data by key operation. When manual stimulation is selected, a corresponding number or code is designated arbitrarily or in a predetermined stimulation order from the number or code assigned to each magnetic stimulation coil of the magnetic stimulation coil group 1. Further, when each magnetic stimulation coil C is designated in a predetermined stimulation order, for example, a table describing the stimulation order is created and designated according to the stimulation order with reference to this table.
[0023]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, which displays a biological model based on the model program stored in the ROM 5c described above and various data.
[0024]
SW is pressed when the subject recognizes the stimulus instead of deriving the reaction signal by the electrodes Ea and Eb with a reaction switch. In this case, as a recognition target, a somatic interval such as a sensory change or auditory conversion by stimulation can be used.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a top view in which a magnetic stimulation coil group is arranged on a holding member for a head, for example, used in the above-described embodiment. Parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a cap-shaped holding member (hereinafter referred to as a cap) in which the magnetic stimulation coil group 1 is mounted in a matrix, which can be mounted on the head. The cap 20 is composed of a net-like fiber, a cloth, an insulating flexible resin, or the like. Each magnetic stimulation coil C is attached so as to correspond to various functional regions of the brain, for example, functional regions that have been elucidated as visual cortex, motor cortex, language cortex, etc. of the cerebral cortex, and in the vicinity of each magnetic stimulation coil C. Each is numbered or numbered. A lead wire (not shown) of each magnetic stimulation coil C is pulled out along the outer surface of the cap 20, for example, and bundled as a wire W at the lead wire pulling portion 21, and is connected to the biological magnetic stimulation device shown in FIG. (Not shown).
[0026]
Thus, by attaching the magnetic stimulation coil group 1 to the cap 20 in advance, the wearing time and labor can be greatly reduced. In addition, each magnetic stimulation coil C can be stably fixed at a predetermined position for stimulation.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the biological stimulation device having the above-described configuration will be described. First, the case of manual stimulation will be described. In this case, the cap 20 shown in FIG. 2 is used.
[0028]
The cap 20 is attached to the head, the electrodes Ea and Eb are attached to the hand, and manual stimulation is selected from the operation unit 7 to start measurement. When an arbitrary or predetermined number or code of the magnetic stimulation coil C is designated and inputted from the operation unit 7, the control unit 5 sends a position signal to the switch control unit 3. The switch control unit 3 switches the changeover switches Sx and Sy to the designated magnetic stimulation coil C according to the position signal. When the switches Sx and Sy are switched to the designated magnetic stimulation coil C, the control unit 5 outputs a timing signal to the stimulation pulse generation unit 4 to generate stimulation pulses.
[0029]
When, for example, the nerve is stimulated by the stimulation of the designated magnetic stimulation coil C and a response appears, a response signal is detected from the electrodes Ea and Eb, amplified by the biological amplifier 6 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 9. The converted data is sent to the control unit 5, and the reaction data is stored in the RAM 5 a and also sent to the display device 8. In the biological model (in this case, the head model) displayed on the display device 8, the display point corresponding to the magnetic stimulation coil C is displayed in a blinking color or a color different from that of the surrounding screen. When the measurement by the stimulation of one part is completed, the number or code corresponding to the magnetic stimulation coil C of the next part is input and stimulation is performed in the same manner as described above, and when the response signal is detected, the magnetic stimulation coil C is applied. Corresponding display points are displayed by blinking or a different color from the surrounding screen.
[0030]
When the reaction signal is not detected from the electrodes Ea and Eb, the control unit 5 stores the reaction data indicating that there is no reaction in the RAM 5b, and further sends this reaction data to the display device 8. Therefore, the display point on the screen corresponding to the designated magnetic stimulation coil C of the display device 8 is not blinked or displayed in a different color from the surrounding screen.
[0031]
Next, in the case of the automatic stimulation, the electrodes Ea and Eb are attached to the hand, the cap (FIG. 2) is attached to the head, and the automatic stimulation is selected from the operation unit 7. In this case, based on the automatic stimulation program stored in the ROM 5c of the control unit 5, a switching signal is output from the switch control unit 3 to the switches Sx and Sy by a position signal output from the control unit 5 to the switch control unit 3. The magnetic stimulation coil C is automatically switched in a predetermined order. Further, a stimulation pulse is generated by a timing signal output from the control unit 5 to the stimulation pulse generation unit 4 and is output to the designated magnetic stimulation coil C via the changeover switches Sx and Sy.
[0032]
Similar to the manual stimulation, the response data is stored in the RAM 5b, and when a response is detected, the display point corresponding to each magnetic stimulation coil C of the head model displayed on the display device 8 blinks or is surrounded. Displayed in a different color from the screen. Even when the reaction signal is not detected, the reaction data is stored in the RAM 5b and sent to the display device 8, but the display state of the display points in the displayed head model does not change.
[0033]
In this way, in either case of manual stimulation or automatic stimulation, stimulation pulses are successively applied to the magnetic stimulation coil C to detect the reaction, and display points corresponding to the magnetic stimulation coils are displayed on the screen of the display device 8. By displaying the information, the reaction route of the nerve can be determined, and the cranial nerve transmission route or the diagnosis of the brain disease can be quickly and easily performed.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the biological stimulation device for living body of the present invention according to claims 1 and 4, by arranging a plurality of magnetic stimulation coils in a matrix and performing stimulation, the transmission pathway of cranial nerves can be clarified, Examination of cranial nerve transmission pathways or diagnosis of brain diseases can be performed effectively. Moreover, after the transmission path of the cranial nerve is found, the efficiency of diagnosis can be improved by repeating stimulation along this path. Furthermore, since the reaction can be detected by automatically switching the magnetic stimulation coils in a predetermined order and applying a stimulus (claim 4), there is an advantage that the measurement is quicker and easier.
[0035]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since each magnetic stimulation coil can be arbitrarily specified, there is an advantage that the measurement can be easily performed in a short time only for a portion estimated to be related.
[0036]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the stimulation can be performed accurately without error by referring to the table describing the predetermined stimulation order.
[0037]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by attaching the magnetic stimulation coil to the cap for the head, there is an advantage that the magnetic stimulation coil can be easily fixed and stably fixed.
[0038]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by arranging each magnetic stimulation coil in the head cap so as to correspond to the functional area of the brain, it is possible to effectively stimulate each functional area and measure the response signal.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a biological magnetic stimulation apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the magnetic stimulation coil group used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 attached to a cap-shaped holding member.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional magnetic stimulation apparatus using one magnetic stimulation coil.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic stimulation coil group 2 Holding member 3 Switch control part 4 Stimulation pulse generation part 5 Control part 5a CPU
5b RAM
5c ROM
6 Biological Amplifier 7 Operation Unit 8 Display Device C Magnetic Stimulation Coil Sx, Sy Changeover Switch SW Reaction Switch 20 Cap 21 Lead Wire Lead-Out Unit

Claims (6)

In a biological magnetic stimulation apparatus that applies a stimulus by an eddy current to a living body from a magnetic stimulation coil to detect a reaction, and displays the reaction result,
A group of magnetic stimulation coils arranged in a matrix on the holding member;
Switch means for selecting the designated magnetic stimulation coil from the magnetic stimulation coil group;
Switch control means for controlling switching of the switch means;
Stimulation pulse generating means for transmitting a stimulation pulse to the selected magnetic stimulation coil;
Operating means for selecting either manual stimulation or automatic stimulation and designating each magnetic stimulation coil when manual stimulation is selected;
Storage means for storing response data by stimulation of the magnetic stimulation coil;
Control means for outputting a position signal of the magnetic stimulation coil for the switch control means and a timing signal for generating a stimulation pulse for the stimulation pulse generation means in response to designation of each magnetic stimulation coil from the operation means. A magnetic stimulation apparatus for living bodies characterized by the above. The biological stimulation device for living body according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic stimulation coil is designated in an arbitrary stimulation order when the magnetic stimulation coils are designated from the operation means. The biological magnetic stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a table describing a predetermined stimulation order when each magnetic stimulation coil is designated from the operation means. In a biological magnetic stimulation apparatus that applies a stimulus by an eddy current to a living body from a magnetic stimulation coil to detect a reaction, and displays the reaction result,
A group of magnetic stimulation coils arranged in a matrix on the holding member;
Switch means for selecting the designated magnetic stimulation coil from the magnetic stimulation coil group;
Switch control means for controlling switching of the switch means;
Stimulation pulse generating means for transmitting a stimulation pulse to the selected magnetic stimulation coil;
Operation means for selecting either manual stimulation or automatic stimulation;
Storage means for storing response data by stimulation of the magnetic stimulation coil;
When automatic stimulation is selected by the operation means, the position signal of the magnetic stimulation coil with respect to the switch control means and the timing of generation of the stimulation pulse with respect to the stimulation pulse generation means based on the stimulation order predetermined in the automatic stimulation program A biological magnetic stimulation apparatus comprising: control means for outputting a signal. The living body magnetic stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is a cap for the head. 6. The biological magnetic stimulation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the magnetic stimulation coils is attached to the cap-shaped holding member so as to substantially correspond to a plurality of functional regions of the brain.

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