JP3625898B2 - Electric field activated sleep aid - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an electric field-operated sleep assist device that automatically switches the type of electric field so as to adapt to the state of each stage of changing sleep and creates a physiological environment that assists the sleep process. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Sleep is an important physiological mechanism for the brain to rest itself and to develop or maintain the body's functions. Sleep is based on (1) activity and rest by the body's biological clock. Circadian (circadian) sleep that is incorporated into the life rhythm of
(2) It is roughly divided into two types of homeostasis (homeostasis) sleep for resting the brain regardless of the biological clock.
[0003]
The impact of the evolution of modern society on these two sleeps is
For the circadian sleep of (1), as a result of the ambiguity of the distinction between day and night, which is a characteristic of modern society, it affects the life rhythm of the biological clock with a cycle of one day, and the life of activity and rest Disturbs the most important circadian sleep in the rhythm,
The homeostasis sleep of (2) is affected as a result of a loss of homeostasis caused by many stresses.
[0004]
On the other hand, the electroencephalogram shows an extremely characteristic waveform in the process of natural sleep from sleep onset to deep sleep. And since the brain waves that show tremendous individual differences during arousal show that all people have similar brain waveforms during sleep, if a specific brain waveform always corresponds to a certain sleep depth, sleep processes and sleep Can be estimated.
[0005]
As a result of analysis by many researchers, it has been reported that overnight sleep has 3 to 5 sleep cycles, and one sleep cycle is 1.5 to 2 hours.
[0006]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a sleep cycle, and shows a sleep stage at each time. In this figure, 0 in the sleep stage indicates awakening, and the deeper the sleep, the greater the number of sleep stages. FIG. 6 replaces the tendency of the sleep state obtained from FIG. 5 with a curve, and shows the depth of sleep that changes as time elapses from falling asleep to awakening.
[0007]
In other words, overnight sleep is a REM with eye movement that approaches the awakening after passing through the non-REM Eye Movement (NON REM) sleep in the deepest sleep state shown in the sleep period. It becomes a state of sleep, and this non-REM and REM sleep are paired to make a unit of about 1.5 hours and repeated toward waking up in the morning. And in order to match the brain activity level required at morning wakefulness, non-REM sleep that creates a deep sleep state becomes shallow due to cerebral function decline, and the appearance time of REM sleep approaching wakefulness becomes longer gradually, sleep The process is regulated.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, there is a problem that circadian sleep is disturbed by affecting the rhythm of the day by the evolution of modern society, and homeostasis sleep is impaired by many stresses.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and automatically switches the type of electric field suitable for the sleep state to a sleep process to assist the sleep process. The purpose of this study is to obtain a field-operated sleep aid that creates a healthy environment.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An electric field actuated sleep aid according to the present invention is:
A DC voltage generator for generating a pulsating voltage or a DC voltage;
An AC voltage generator for generating AC voltage;
An AC / DC superimposed voltage generator for generating an AC / DC superimposed voltage;
In the sleep period, the negative side of the DC voltage of the DC voltage generator is output to the output terminal, and in the middle of sleep, the positive side of the AC / DC superimposed voltage of the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator is output to the output terminal on the ground side. In a later stage, a sequencer for outputting the AC voltage of the AC voltage generator to the output terminal is provided.
[0011]
Moreover, in order to correct individual differences among users, each output voltage may be freely changed,
Further, the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator may be configured by applying the negative DC voltage of the DC voltage generator as a negative bias voltage to the AC voltage of the AC voltage generator,
Furthermore, in order to make the AC voltage higher, an AC voltage adding means for applying the AC portion of the DC voltage generating unit to the output voltage of the AC voltage generating unit may be provided.
[0012]
[Action]
Sleep becomes deeper when the parasympathetic nerve becomes stronger, and becomes awakened when the sympathetic nerve becomes stronger. By the way, the relationship between the living body and the electric field is that an electric field in which a positive DC potential is applied to the living body (the negative potential side is usually grounded) stimulates the sympathetic nerve to become an accelerated physiological environment, and a negative DC potential is applied to the living body. The electric field (the positive potential side is usually grounded) stimulates the parasympathetic nerve and becomes an inhibitory physiological environment. In addition, the alternating electric field stimulates the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve alternately, thereby balancing the two, leading to the function of regulating the living body by the autonomic nerve, and assisting the homeostasis function of the living body. This can also be seen from the fact that the measured blood pressure values before and after electric field application from a clinical standpoint tend to increase in low blood pressure and decrease in high blood pressure.
[0013]
The present invention provides a sequencer with a negative DC voltage in the sleep period and a negative DC voltage in the middle sleep period according to a sequence predetermined according to the sleep awakening time of the user and the sleep depth at each sleep stage. Is applied as a bias voltage, and AC voltage is output in the late stage of sleep to assist sleep.
[0014]
Further, if each output voltage can be freely changed, individual differences among users can be corrected.
[0015]
Moreover, a higher AC voltage can be obtained by adding the AC voltage of the DC generator to the AC voltage in the late stage of sleep.
[0016]
Furthermore, if the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator uses the negative DC voltage generated by the DC voltage generator and applies this as a negative bias voltage to the AC voltage of the AC voltage generator, the circuit can be simplified.
[0017]
In other words, in the early stages of sleep, an electric field that applies a negative potential to the living body is generated, the function of the parasympathetic nerve is strengthened, and the transition to the deepest sleep state in the sleep period is promoted. Applying it promotes the balance of both autonomic nerves and assists in preparing for a pleasant awakening. Also, in the intermediate period, by superimposing an electric field that applies a negative potential to the living body that strengthens the function of the parasympathetic nerve and an alternating electric field that assists the balance of the autonomic nerve, it leads to awakening from deep sleep in the sleep period Support a smooth transition between.
[0018]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention. In this figure, A is a DC voltage generator, B is an AC voltage generator, C is an AC / DC superimposed voltage generator, 1 is a power source, and a commercial power source is usually used. Reference numeral 6 denotes an output terminal on the ground side, and reference numeral 7 denotes an output terminal. The selector switch S selects an output from the DC voltage generator A, the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator B, and the AC voltage generator C. A relay control circuit 8 controls the changeover switch S. Reference numeral 9 denotes a sequencer in which a program is incorporated in advance and controls the relay control circuit 8 according to the sequence. D is a bed, and the electrodes d1 and d2 are provided so as to be insulated from each other, and are arranged so as to be located on the leg side and the head side of the human body M, respectively. The electrode d2 may be conductively connected to the human body M.
[0019]
Next, an outline of the operation will be described.
[0020]
In the sequencer 9, a sequence is determined in advance according to the user's sleep awakening time and the sleep depth in each sleep stage, and the relay control circuit 8 is controlled according to this sequence. The relay control circuit 8 switches the changeover switch S according to the control of the sequencer 9 and selects the output of the DC voltage generator A as the output terminal 7 in the sleep period. This voltage is a negative voltage with respect to the ground potential, and is applied to the leg side of the human body M via the electrode d2. On the other hand, the output terminal 6 is at ground potential, and this is applied to the head side of the human body M via the electrode d1. As a result, the human body M enters a negative electric field with the head side as a reference (this means that a negative voltage is applied to the human body M), and in the middle of sleep, the changeover switch S selects the output of the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator C, Apply negative voltage and AC voltage to the human body. Further, in the late sleep period, the changeover switch S selects the output of the AC voltage generator B and applies an AC electric field to the human body M.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same parts. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator C is not provided separately, but the DC voltage generator A and the AC voltage generator B are used in combination. 1 is a power source, 2 is a transformer, and has a primary winding 3, a secondary winding 4, and a tertiary winding 5, and a diode Di is connected in series between the secondary winding 4 and the output terminal 7. In addition, a contact piece S1 which is also a superimposed voltage adding means for performing switching operation by the relay control circuit 8 is connected between the secondary winding 4 and the output terminal 7 in series. Further, a contact piece S2 which is an AC voltage adding means is connected in parallel with the diode Di, and the contact piece S2 is also controlled to be turned on / off by the relay control circuit 8. A sequencer 9 controls the relay control circuit 8 according to a predetermined order. The contact piece S3 inserts or separates the smoothing capacitor Co into the circuit by the relay control circuit 8.
[0022]
Further, when the contact piece S1 is switched in the opposite direction to that shown in the figure and the contact pieces S2 and S3 are in the state as shown in the figure, the AC superimposed voltage generator C is obtained.
[0023]
Sleep deepens when the parasympathetic nerves become stronger, and becomes awakened when the sympathetic nerves become stronger, but the action of the electric field on both autonomic nerves varies depending on the type of electric field as described above. Therefore, in order to obtain deep sleep and comfortable awakening, it is effective not to simply apply a constant voltage but to change the type of electric field according to each stage of the sleep process.
[0024]
Next, the operation of the circuit diagram of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the equivalent circuit diagrams shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C and the waveform diagrams shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. 3 and 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same parts.
[0025]
The types of electric fields used in the present invention include a DC electric field, an AC / DC superposed electric field, and an AC electric field.
[0026]
First, the direct current electric field is formed by bringing the contact pieces S1, S2, S3 of FIG. 2 into the illustrated state, thereby forming the direct current circuit of FIG. 3A, and the waveform of FIG. On the other hand, a negative DC voltage −V _B is obtained between the output terminals 6 and 7. Without the capacitor Co, when the contact piece S1 is operated to make it an AC / DC superposed type, it becomes a mere direct current.
[0027]
Next, the AC / DC superimposed electric field is obtained by connecting the DC generator A in series to the AC voltage generator B of FIG. 2 as shown in FIG. 3B by reversing the contact piece S1 of FIG. As shown in the waveform of FIG. 4B, the output terminals 6 and 7 are obtained by generating an AC / DC superimposed voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a negative potential bias voltage −V _B.
[0028]
Further, in the AC type electric field, the contact piece S1 of FIG. 2 is reversed from the illustration, the contact piece S2 is turned on, and the contact piece S3 is turned off, so that the secondary winding 4 and the tertiary winding 5 are connected in series. This is obtained by generating an AC voltage at the output terminals 6 and 7 as shown by the waveform in FIG. In this case, only the tertiary winding 5 may be used, but a higher AC voltage can be obtained by connecting the AC voltage of the secondary winding 4 in series.
[0029]
Each of these electric fields is performed by operating the relay control circuit 8 according to the order determined in advance by the output signal from the sequencer 9 to control the contact pieces S1, S2 and S3 as described above.
[0030]
Next, the physiological effect by the electric field will be described.
[0031]
In the early stage of sleep, an electric field that applies a negative potential to the living body is generated by the negative DC voltage shown in the waveform of FIG. 4A generated by the circuit shown in FIG. Strengthen and assist in the transition to the deepest sleep state during sleep.
[0032]
In the late stage of sleep, by applying an AC electric field generated by the AC voltage of FIG. 4C generated by the circuit shown in FIG. 3C, the balance of both autonomic nerves is promoted, and preparation for pleasant awakening is promoted.
[0033]
In the mid-sleep period, an electric field in which a negative potential is applied to the living body where the function of the parasympathetic nerve is strengthened by the AC-DC superimposed voltage shown in the waveform of FIG. 4B generated by the circuit shown in FIG. By superimposing an alternating electric field that helps balance the nerves, it helps to make a smooth transition from deep sleep during sleep onset to awakening.
[0034]
In the embodiment described above, individual differences among users can be corrected by making the output voltages of the secondary winding 4 and the tertiary winding 5 variable. As a means for making it variable, for example, an appropriate number of taps are provided in the secondary winding 4 and the tertiary winding 5 and can be realized by selecting them with a changeover switch.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention
A DC voltage generator that generates a negative pulsating voltage or a negative DC voltage;
An AC voltage generator for generating AC voltage;
An AC / DC superimposed voltage generator for generating an AC / DC superimposed voltage;
In the early stages of sleep, the DC voltage of the DC voltage generator generates an electric field that is negative to the ground potential. In the middle of sleep, the AC voltage is negatively applied to the human body by the AC / DC superimposed voltage of the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator. A sequencer that generates an AC / DC superimposed electric field that applies a potential and controls the AC voltage of the AC voltage generation unit to be applied to the human body in the late stage of sleep, so that a negative DC voltage is applied to the human body during the sleep period. In the middle of sleep, an electric field due to AC-DC superimposed voltage is given, and an electric field due to AC voltage is given in the late sleep, so deep sleep can be obtained by strengthening the function of the parasympathetic nerve in the early stage of sleep, Smooth transition from deep sleep to awakening during mid-sleep, and a natural arousal state that balances sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves during late sleep, providing deep sleep and pleasant awakening It has the advantage to be.
[0036]
In addition, since each output voltage can be freely changed, individual differences among users can be corrected.
[0037]
Moreover, since it was set as the structure which adds the alternating voltage of a direct-current generation part to the alternating voltage of late sleep, a higher alternating voltage is obtained.
[0038]
Furthermore, the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator uses the negative DC voltage generated by the DC voltage generator and uses this as the negative bias voltage for the AC voltage of the AC voltage generator. Do not need.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration for explaining the technical idea of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to each sleep stage of the embodiment of FIG. 2;
4 is a waveform diagram generated corresponding to the equivalent circuit of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sleep stage at each time.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between sleep stages and sleep times set according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply 2 Transformer 3 Primary winding 4 Secondary winding 5 Tertiary winding 6 Output terminal 7 Output terminal 8 Relay control circuit 9 Sequencer A DC voltage generation part B AC voltage generation part C AC / DC superimposition voltage generation part D Bed d1 Electrode d2 Electrode Di Diode Co Capacitor S Changeover switch S1 Contact piece S2 Contact piece S3 Contact piece M Human body

Claims (4)

A DC voltage generator for generating a pulsating voltage or a DC voltage;
An AC voltage generator for generating AC voltage;
An AC / DC superimposed voltage generator for generating an AC / DC superimposed voltage;
In the sleep period, the DC voltage of the DC voltage generator generates an electric field that is negative to the ground potential, and in the middle of sleep, the AC voltage is negative. An electric field-operated sleep assist device, comprising: a sequencer for generating an AC / DC superimposed electric field to which an electric potential is applied and generating an AC electric field by an AC voltage of the AC voltage generating unit in the late stage of sleep. 2. The electric field operated sleep assist device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the output voltages of the DC voltage generator, the AC voltage generator, and the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator is variable. 2. The electric field actuated sleep assist device according to claim 1, further comprising AC voltage adding means for applying an AC voltage of the DC voltage generator to the AC voltage of the AC voltage generator. 2. The electric field actuated type according to claim 1, wherein the AC / DC superimposed voltage generator comprises bias voltage adding means for applying the negative DC voltage of the DC voltage generator to the AC voltage generator as a negative bias voltage. Sleep aids.

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