JP4409230B2 - Suction electrode connection structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection structure for a suction electrode used in a low-frequency treatment device or the like.

  An example of an electrical stimulation device that performs massage or the like on an affected part of a patient using an electrical signal is a low-frequency treatment device. This low-frequency treatment device basically applies a low-frequency electrical signal for treatment by bringing an electrode into direct or indirect contact with the vicinity of an affected part of the body surface of a patient. In order to reliably energize the patient body surface with the electrode at a predetermined position, as shown in Patent Document 1, an electrode is disposed in the suction cup, and the suction cup is suctioned using negative pressure. Thus, the suction cup is crimped to the patient body surface. By changing the magnitude of the suction negative pressure in the suction cup, it is also possible to prevent or reduce congestion at the site where the suction cup is crimped while obtaining a massage effect.

  In order to apply a therapeutic electrical signal to the electrode in the suction cup and to supply a negative suction pressure to the suction cup, the suction cup is provided with a cup-side connection terminal. The cup side connection terminal is formed in a cylindrical shape by a conductive member such as metal, and one end thereof is electrically connected to the electrode in the suction cup, and the cup side negative pressure passage in the cup side connection terminal is a suction cup. It communicates with the inside. The other end of the cup-side connection terminal extends outside the suction cup.

  The distal end portion of the external connector connected to the distal end portion of the connection cord extending from the low frequency treatment device body is fitted to the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal as described above. That is, an electrical signal for treatment is applied to the cup side connection terminal via the external connector, and the external negative pressure passage in the external connector is communicated with the cup side negative pressure passage in the cup side connection terminal. Become.

In general, the cup side connection terminal is disposed outside the suction cup so as to extend in the radial direction of the suction cup. The external connector is detachably fitted to the cup-side connection terminal from the axial direction. Thereby, the connection cord extending from the base end portion of the external connector extends in the radial direction of the suction cup. It is possible to set the connection cord so as to extend upward of the suction cup with the external connector connected to the cup side connection terminal. However, the space height required above the suction cup is not limited. From the viewpoint of making the thickness as low as possible, it is common to set the connecting cord so as to extend in the radial direction of the suction cup.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-55966

  By the way, with the suction cup attached to the patient, he wants to change the direction of the connection cord extending from the suction cup in the circumferential direction of the suction cup from the positional relationship with other suction cups, the positional relationship of the caregiver, etc. Requests often arise. That is, since the connection cord extending from the suction cup interferes with care and wearing of other suction cups, it is, for example, 90 ° or 180 ° shifted in the circumferential direction of the suction cup with respect to the current extending direction. There may be demands to change.

  Conventionally, since the extension direction of the connection cord with respect to the suction cup is a fixed fixed direction, in order to change the extension direction of the connection cord, once the suction cup is removed from the patient's body surface, the connection cord is desired. The suction cup was mounted on the patient's body surface again in a state where the position of the suction cup was changed in the circumferential direction so as to be in the direction.

  However, it is troublesome to reattach the suction cups one by one to change the extension direction of the connection cord, and this requires a lot of time and labor, especially when the number of suction cups is large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and its purpose is to allow the extension direction of the connection cord to be changed in the circumferential direction of the suction cup while the suction cup is mounted on the patient's body surface. Another object is to provide a suction electrode connection structure.

In order to achieve the above object, the following first solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 1 in the claims,
By fitting the tip of the external connector to the outer periphery of the cylindrical cup side connection terminal provided in the suction cup, the cup side connection terminal and the external connector are electrically connected, and the cup side connection terminal A suction-type electrode connection structure for use in an electrical stimulation device in which an internal cup-side negative pressure passage and an external negative-pressure passage in the external connector communicate with each other;
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup-side connection terminal, a base end portion connected to a connection cord among the external connectors is extended in a radial direction of the suction cup,
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup side connection terminal, the external connector is set so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the suction cup, and the extending direction of the connection cord extending from the external connector is the suction cup. in the circumferential direction is changeable,
The cup side connection terminal extends in the radial direction of the suction cup and is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the suction cup,
With the external connector connected to the cup side connection terminal, by applying an external force that rotates the external connector in the circumferential direction of the suction cup, the external connector and the cup side connection terminal of the suction cup Rotated in the circumferential direction,
It is like that.
According to the above solution, even when the suction cup is mounted on the patient's body surface, the extension direction of the connection cord can be changed in the circumferential direction of the suction cup by rotating the external connector in the circumferential direction of the suction cup. Is possible. In addition, while the cup-side connection terminal extends in the radial direction of the suction cup, the extension direction of the connection cord is changed in the circumferential direction of the suction cup while the suction cup is mounted on the patient body surface. can do. In the present invention, the meaning of changing the extension direction of the connection cord in the circumferential direction of the suction cup is that the extension direction can be changed along the peripheral edge of the suction cup. For example, the suction cup center position is the center. This includes not only the change in the extension direction, but also the change in the extension direction centered on the eccentric position of the suction cup.

Preferred embodiments based on the above solution are as described in claims 2 to 5 in the claims . That is,

An intermediate shaft portion extending upward from the electrode member disposed in the suction cup and extending to the outside of the suction cup is provided, and the electrode member is located with respect to the suction cup around the intermediate shaft portion. Relative rotation is possible,
The cup side connection terminal is integrated with a portion of the intermediate shaft-like portion extending to the outside of the suction cup, and extends in a substantially radial direction of the suction cup.
(Claim 2 ). In this case, by making the electrode member itself rotatable relative to the suction cup, the connection cord can be used while using a unitary integrated structure from the electrode member portion to the cup-side connection terminal as before. Can be changed in the circumferential direction of the suction cup.

A portion of the intermediate shaft-like portion extending outside the suction cup is covered with a cap member made of an insulating member,
The cup side connection terminal passes through the cap member, and a base end portion thereof is integrated with the intermediate shaft-shaped portion, and a tip end portion thereof is positioned outside the cap member, so that the cup side The external connector is connected to the tip of the connection terminal.
(Claim 3 ). In this case, the cap member covers the electricity flow path, which is preferable for preventing leakage of electricity to the outside.

A washer for reducing rotational resistance when the cap member rotates relative to the suction cup is interposed between the bottom surface of the cap member and the upper wall portion of the suction cup. Yes (corresponding to claim 4 ). In this case, it is preferable to reduce the sliding resistance between the cap member and the suction cup and smoothly change the extension direction of the connection cord.

An intermediate shaft portion extending upward from the electrode member disposed in the suction cup and extending to the outside of the suction cup is provided,
The intermediate shaft-shaped portion is configured to be divided into upper and lower parts, and the members divided vertically are connected to each other so as to be capable of relative rotation around the axis of the shaft-shaped portion,
The cup side connection terminal is connected to the upper member among the members divided into the upper and lower sides, and the electrode member is connected to the lower member,
(Corresponding to claim 5 ). In this case, the resistance for rotation can be made significantly smaller than when the electrode member is rotated relative to the suction cup as a whole.

In order to achieve the above object, the following second solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 6 in the claims,
By fitting the tip of the external connector to the outer periphery of the cylindrical cup side connection terminal provided in the suction cup, the cup side connection terminal and the external connector are electrically connected, and the cup side connection terminal A suction-type electrode connection structure for use in an electrical stimulation device in which an internal cup-side negative pressure passage and an external negative-pressure passage in the external connector communicate with each other;
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup-side connection terminal, a base end portion connected to a connection cord among the external connectors is extended in a radial direction of the suction cup,
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup side connection terminal, the external connector is set so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the suction cup, and the extending direction of the connection cord extending from the external connector is the suction cup. Can be changed in the circumferential direction of
A plurality of electrode members are disposed for one suction cup,
Each of the electrode members is provided with the cup side connection terminal,
The external connector is connected to each cup-side connection terminal,
In a state where the external connector is connected to each cup-side connection terminal, the external connectors can be rotated relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the suction cup.
Among the plurality of external connectors, the height of some of the external connectors is set to be higher than the height of the other external connectors, and the suction cups of the some external connectors and the other external connectors Interference in the circumferential direction is prevented,
It is like that. According to the above solution, in the case where a plurality of electrode members are arranged for one suction cup and have a plurality of cup side connection terminals, that is, a plurality of external connectors, the extension direction of each connection cord is determined by the suction cup. It can be changed in the circumferential direction. In addition, some external connectors can be largely rotated in the circumferential direction of the suction cup without being obstructed by other external connectors.

In order to achieve the above object, the following third solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 7 in the claims,
By fitting the tip of the external connector to the outer periphery of the cylindrical cup side connection terminal provided in the suction cup, the cup side connection terminal and the external connector are electrically connected, and the cup side connection terminal A suction-type electrode connection structure for use in an electrical stimulation device in which an internal cup-side negative pressure passage and an external negative-pressure passage in the external connector communicate with each other;
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup-side connection terminal, a base end portion connected to a connection cord among the external connectors is extended in a radial direction of the suction cup,
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup side connection terminal, the external connector is set so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the suction cup, and the extending direction of the connection cord extending from the external connector is the suction cup. Can be changed in the circumferential direction of
An engagement portion is formed on the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal,
A ring-shaped seal member is held on the inner periphery of the main body cylinder portion of the external connector, and a locking member that also serves as an electrical contact is held on the tip side of the seal member,
The main body cylinder portion has an operation portion that protrudes from the front end of the main body cylinder portion to the outside, and a lock release member that has a pressing portion that faces the locking member is slidable on the front end side of the locking member. Retained,
When the external connector is fitted to the cup-side connection terminal, the locking member is locked to the engaging portion so as to be relatively rotatable, thereby preventing disengagement. It is in an electrical connection state in contact with the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal, and seal leakage between the negative pressure passages is prevented by fitting the seal member to the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal,
By performing an operation of pushing the unlocking member toward the base end side of the external connector, the engaging member is forcedly released from the engaging recess by receiving a pressing force from the unlocking member. To be
It is like that. According to the above solution, even when the suction cup is mounted on the patient's body surface, the extension direction of the connection cord can be changed in the circumferential direction of the suction cup by rotating the external connector in the circumferential direction of the suction cup. Is possible. Further, when the external connector is fitted to the cup side connection terminal, the locking member is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal, and the electrical connection relationship is ensured. Since the negative pressure passage and the locking member that constitutes the electrical contact are sealed by the sealing member, sweat, waste, etc. generated on the patient body surface reach the locking member through the negative pressure passage. Is prevented, and corrosion and contact failure of the locking member are prevented.
Further, when the external connector is fitted to the cup-side connection terminal, the locking member is locked to the engaging portion, so that it is possible to reliably prevent disengagement. The moderation at the time of locking between the locking member and the engaging part gives an appropriate click feeling and obtains confirmation that the external connector is securely fitted to the cup side connection terminal. You can also. Of course, the cup-side connection terminal and the external connector can be dimensioned so that they can be smoothly fitted, so that the fitting itself can be done very lightly until the locking member is locked to the engaging part. At the last time of proceeding, it is only necessary to apply a force for the locking member to lock the engaging portion, and the fitting work itself becomes easy.
Further, in a state where the external connector is fitted to the cup side connection terminal (a state where the locking member is locked to the engaging portion), the locking member is pressed by pressing the lock release member. The external connector can be smoothly removed from the cup side connection terminal by forcibly releasing the engagement from the engaging portion. Furthermore, since the locking member also serves as an electrical contact member for the cup side connection terminal, it is preferable in terms of reducing the number of parts.

A preferred mode based on the third solution is as described in claim 10 and subsequent claims. That is,

The engaging portion is formed as an annular recess extending over the entire circumferential length of the cup-side connecting terminal,
The locking member is formed in a ring shape by a leaf spring material, and its inner peripheral edge is locked to the engaging portion.
(Claim 8 ). In this case, a more specific structure of the locking member and a more specific structure of the engaging portion related thereto are provided. In particular, since the locking member only needs to be formed in a ring shape by a leaf spring material, an extremely simple structure is required. In addition, when the external connector can be rotated relative to the cup side connection terminal, especially when the external connector is linearly connected to the cup side connection terminal, the twist of the connection cord extending from the external connector is relatively rotated. Therefore, it is preferable for compensation, that is, absorption.

The ring-shaped locking member has a plurality of locking claw portions formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral portion thereof, and each locking claw portion is locked to the engagement portion,
The pressing portion of the unlocking member is cylindrical.
(Corresponding to claim 9 ). In this case, by making the portion engaged with the engaging portion a locking claw portion, making full use of the elastic deformation and facilitating engagement of the locking claw portion with the engaging portion, This is preferable when the engaging claw portion is easily disengaged from the engaging portion by the pressing action of the unlocking member. Of course, since there are a plurality of locking claws, a reliable locking action can be obtained. Further, since the pressing portion of the unlocking member is cylindrical, all the locking claws can be reliably pressed by the unlocking member regardless of the relative rotational position of the unlocking member with respect to the main body cylindrical portion. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to change the connection cord in a direction that does not interfere with the circumferential direction of the suction cup while the suction cup is mounted on the patient body surface.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the suction type electrode D includes a suction cup 1 and an electric member electrode 10 which are constituted by an elastic member. The suction cup 1 includes an upper wall portion 2 that is substantially flat and a skirt-like leg portion 3 that extends downward from the peripheral edge portion of the upper wall portion 2. In the embodiment, the shape of the tip opening edge (the tip opening edge of the leg 3) 4 of the suction cup 1 is a circle.

  Of the inner surface of the suction cup 1, on the lower surface of the upper wall portion 2, a cylindrical seal tube portion (air stopper tube portion) 5 projects downward. Two electrode cylinders 10 are provided for each seal cylinder portion 5 provided in two in series in the radial direction of the suction cup 1. Since the relationship between the two seal tube portions 5 and the two electrode members 10 is the same, the following description will be made with a focus on one seal tube portion 5 and one electrode member 10. First, the electrode member 10 has a disk-shaped electrode part 11 and a shaft part 12 extending upward from the center of the electrode part 11. The electrode part 11 is closely fitted in the seal cylinder part 5. The shaft portion 12 extends upward through the upper wall portion 2, and a portion extending to the outside of the suction cup 1 has a cylindrical shape. Such an electrode member 10 is entirely formed of a conductive material such as metal (for example, copper or stainless steel).

  A portion of each shaft portion 12 that extends to the outside of the suction cup 1 sits on the upper surface of the upper wall portion of the suction cup 1 and is made of an insulating member, for example, a ring-shaped reaction made of a hard synthetic resin. The force receiving member 25 is screwed. The reaction force receiving member 25 has a function of receiving a reaction force from a removal jig when an external connector, which will be described later, is removed. In the embodiment, the electrode member 10 is lower than the suction cup 1 by a predetermined amount or more. It also has the function of restricting movement.

  A communication passage 13 for transmitting suction negative pressure is formed in the shaft portion 12. The communication path 13 becomes the cup-side negative pressure path 21, and therefore, the communication path 13 may be expressed as the cup-side negative pressure path 20 in the following description. Combined communication path. In a state where the electrode portion 11 of the electrode member 10 is fitted in the seal tube portion 5, a space 8 is formed in the seal tube portion 5 above the electrode portion 11. The passage 13 is always in communication. A portion of the shaft portion 12 that extends to the outside of the suction cup 1 also constitutes (also serves as) a cup side connection terminal. Therefore, in the following description, the shaft portion 12 is connected to the cup side connection terminal 20. Sometimes expressed.

  An external connector 30 is connected to the distal end portion of the connection cord C extending from the electrical stimulation device such as a low frequency treatment device, and the shaft portion 12 as the cup side connection terminal 20 is treated via the external connector 30. The electrical signal and suction negative pressure are transmitted. Details of the external connector 30 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. The external connector 30 is also provided for each electrode member 10, that is, each shaft portion 12, so that two external connectors 30 are connected to one suction cup 1 (see FIG. 1).

  First, the external connector 30 is formed in a substantially L shape as a whole, and has a distal end portion 30A and a proximal end portion 30B substantially orthogonal to the distal end portion 30A. The distal end portion 30A is detachably connected to the shaft portion 12 as a cup-side connection terminal, and the connection cord C continues to the base end portion 30B so as to extend in the axial direction of the base end portion 30B.

  The external connector 30 has a main body cylinder portion 31. The main body cylinder portion 30 is configured by integrating a plurality of cylindrical members 32, 33 and the like by an appropriate method such as screwing, bonding, press-fitting, and the like. The cylindrical members 32, 33, and the like constituting the main body cylindrical portion 31 are each made of a conductive member such as a metal (for example, stainless steel), and an electrical connection relationship is ensured. The main body cylinder portion 31 is provided from the distal end portion 30A of the external connector 30 to the proximal end portion 30B.

  The inside of the main body cylinder portion 31 is an external negative pressure passage 36 connected to the negative pressure passage in the connection cord C. A lead wire for electric signal transmission in the connection cord C is connected to the base end portion of the main body cylindrical portion 31. The outer periphery of the main body cylinder portion 31 is entirely covered with a cover member 38 made of an insulating member such as synthetic resin or rubber.

  In the distal end portion 30A, a first locking step portion 41 is formed on the inner surface near the distal end portion of the main body cylinder portion 31, and slightly closer to the base end portion than the first locking step portion 41. A second locking step 42 is formed at the position. Between the first locking step portion 41 and the second locking step portion 42, a locking member 44, a positioning member 45, and a seal member 46 are sequentially arranged from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the external connector 31. ing. Each of the locking member 44, the positioning member 45, and the seal member 46 has a ring shape.

  The outer peripheral edge portion of the locking member 44 abuts against the first locking step portion 41 from the proximal end side of the main body cylinder portion 31 and is further prevented from being displaced toward the distal end side of the main body cylinder portion 31. ing. Further, the seal member 46 is an O-ring, and comes into contact with the second locking step portion 42 from the distal end side of the main body cylinder portion 31 and is further displaced toward the proximal end portion side of the main body cylinder portion 31. Is regulated. The positioning member 45 receives the elastic force from the seal member 46 and slightly presses the locking member 44 from the base end side of the main body cylindrical portion 31. Thus, the state in which the outer peripheral edge of the locking member 44 abuts on the first locking step 41 is maintained by utilizing the elasticity of the seal member 46, and the sealing member 46 is in contact with the second locking step 42. The state of abutting on is maintained.

  The locking member 44 constitutes an electrical contact, and is therefore formed of a conductive member such as metal (for example, stainless steel). The locking member 44 has a dish shape in which the outer peripheral edge portion is offset to the distal end side of the main body cylinder portion 31 with respect to the inner peripheral edge portion. A plurality of locking claws 44a are formed on the inner peripheral edge of the locking member 44 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 5). Of the diameter of the locking member 44, the diameter at the base end of the locking claw 44a is set slightly larger than the outer shape of the cup-side connection terminal 20, and the diameter at the distal end of the locking claw 44a is the cup. It is set slightly smaller than the outer shape of the side connection terminal 20.

  An unlocking member 50 is attached to the distal end portion of the main body cylinder portion 31. The lock release member 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and is held in the main body cylinder portion 31 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. That is, the small diameter portion 50a of the unlocking member 50 is slidably fitted in the axial direction with respect to the inside of the main body cylindrical portion 31, while the large diameter portion 50b as an operation portion configured at the tip portion thereof is It is positioned so as to protrude outward from the tip of the cylindrical portion 31. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 50b is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the main body cylinder portion 31, and when the lock release member 50 is pushed into the main body cylinder portion 31, the large diameter portion 50b becomes a main body cylinder portion at a predetermined position. Further contact with the front end surface of 31 is restricted.

  A locking claw portion 50 c is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion (base end portion side of the main body cylinder portion 31) of the small diameter portion 50 a of the unlocking member 50, and this locking claw portion 50 c is formed inside the main body cylinder portion 31. The third locking step 43 formed on the peripheral surface is brought into contact with the main cylinder portion 31 from the base end side, thereby preventing it from coming off. The distal end surface of such a small diameter portion 50a constitutes a pressing portion that faces the locking member 44 (the locking claw portion 44a) from the distal end side of the main body cylinder portion 31.

  Next, a procedure for connecting / disconnecting the external connector 30 to / from the cup-side connection terminal 20 will be described. First, the main body cylinder portion 31 of the external connector 30 is fitted to the outer periphery of the shaft portion 12 as the cup side connection terminal 20. As the fitting progresses, the inner peripheral edge of the locking member 44, that is, the locking claw 44a is rotatably locked (engaged and fitted) to the engaging recess 23, and at the same time the sealing member 46 is fitted to the outer periphery of the cup-side connection terminal 20. Thereby, the connection with respect to the cup side connection terminal 20 of the external connector 30 is completed (refer FIG. 4). In this connection completed state, the tip end surface of the cup side connection terminal 20 is lightly abutted or positioned closest to the fourth locking step portion 47 formed in the main body cylinder portion 31, and the cup side connection terminal 20 is As described above, insertion into the external connector 30 is restricted deeply. In this state, a predetermined gap is formed between the reaction force receiving member 25 and the large-diameter portion 50b of the unlocking member 50.

  In the connection completion state, the external connector 30 can rotate relative to the shaft portion 12 serving as the cup-side connection terminal 20 around its axis. Thereby, the connection cord C extending from each external connector 30 extends in the radial direction of the suction cup 1, but each connection cord C extends to the right of the suction cup 1 in the solid line state of FIG. 1. In the state where the suction cup 1 is mounted on the patient body surface, when the connection cord C extending to the right side in FIG. 1 is in the way, for example, the one external connector 30 on the upper side in FIG. In addition, the external connector 30 at the lower part of FIG. 1 may be rotated by approximately 180 degrees in the clockwise direction so as to be in a state indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. As described above, the extending direction of the connection cord C can be changed in the circumferential direction of the suction cup 1 by appropriately rotating the external connector 30 around the shaft portion 12.

  By setting the outer diameter of the cup-side connection terminal 20 to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the external connector 30 (the main body cylindrical portion 31), the locking member 44 is locked to the engaging recess 23. Up to this point, the fitting proceeds lightly, and the connection is completed only by applying a slightly large external force at the timing when the locking member 44 is locked to the engagement recess 23. A moderation feeling when the locking member 44 is locked in the engaging recess 23, that is, a click feeling, informs the operator who performs the connection that the connection is complete.

  In a state where the connection of the external connector 30 to the cup-side connection terminal 20 is completed, the cup-side negative pressure passage 21 in the cup-side connection terminal 20 and the external-side negative pressure passage 36 in the external connector 30 are communicated. The connection part of both the negative pressure passages 21 and 36 is sealed from the outside by the seal member 46, and airtightness is ensured. As a result, the negative suction pressure from the electrical stimulator is always applied in the space 8 of the suction cup 1. When the suction cup 1 is pressed against the surface of the patient body and deformed, the diameter of the seal cylinder 5 is deformed, the space 8 and the suction cup 1 are connected, and the suction cup 1 itself is sucked negative. The pressure continues to be adsorbed on the patient body surface.

  The negative pressure passages 21 and 36 are sealed with the locking member 44 by the seal member 46. That is, when the inside of the suction cup 1 is sucked through the negative pressure passages 21 and 36, there are many cases in which sweat and waste from the patient body surface reach the negative pressure passages 21 and 36. The member 46 prevents sweat and waste from reaching the locking member 44, thereby preventing the locking member 44 from corroding and causing poor contact.

  When the locking member 44 is locked to the first engagement recess 23, that is, contacts the outer peripheral surface of the cup-side connection terminal 20, the treatment-use electricity is applied to the cup-side connection terminal 20 (that is, the electrode member 11 in the suction cup 1). A signal will be transmitted. That is, the electrical signal for stimulation is transmitted from the main body cylinder portion 31 made of a conductive member to the cup side connection terminal 20 through the inner peripheral edge portion from the outer peripheral edge portion of the locking member 44.

  To release the connection from the connection state between the cup-side connection terminal 20 and the external connector 30, first, the lock release member 50 is pressed. That is, the large-diameter portion 50 b serving as the operation portion of the lock release member 50 is pressed toward the proximal end portion side of the external connector 30. As a result, the pressing portion that is the distal end surface of the small diameter portion 50a of the unlocking member 50 presses the locking claw portion 44a on the inner peripheral edge of the locking member 44 toward the proximal end portion of the external connector 30, thereby The pawl portion 44a is disengaged from the engaging recess 23. In this state, the external connector 30 is removed from the cup-side connection terminal 20 by applying an external force to pull out the external connector 30 from the cup-side connection terminal 20. The unlocking member 50 pushed into the main body cylinder portion 31 by a predetermined amount is returned to the original position by the elastic restoring force from the locking member 44 when the pushing external force is released. Note that the return of the lock release member 50 to the original position can use the elastic restoring force of the seal member 46.

  Since the gap between the large-diameter portion 50b serving as the operation portion of the unlocking member 50 and the reaction force receiving member 25 is small, the pressing operation of the large-diameter portion 50b is performed with the fingertip. At this time, by effectively using the reaction force receiving member 25 as a reaction force receiver, the large diameter portion 50b can be effectively pressed with the fingertip.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a connection releasing jig 60 suitable for pressing the large-diameter portion 50b of the unlocking member 50. In the embodiment, the jig 60 is formed by bending a thin metal plate such as an iron plate. That is, the jig 60 includes an elongated intermediate portion 61, a working portion 62 configured on one end portion side of the intermediate portion 61, and an operation portion 63 configured on the other end portion side of the intermediate portion 61.

  The working portion 61 is bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the intermediate portion 61, and a notch recess 64 is formed so as to open the front end surface. The opening width of the notch recess 64 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cup side connection terminal 20. Further, the operation part 63 extends slightly inclined in the direction opposite to the bending direction of the working part 62. The operation unit 63 has a length and a width suitable for gripping with fingers.

  The jig 60 is used as follows. That is, in the connection state between the cup side connection terminal 20 and the external connector 30 shown in FIG. 4, the working portion 62 of the jig 60 has a gap between the large diameter portion 50 b of the unlocking member 50 and the reaction force receiving member 25. The notch recess 64 is fitted to the outer periphery of the cup-side connection terminal 20. In this state, the intermediate portion 61 of the jig 60 extends substantially along the outer peripheral surface of the external connector 30, and the operation portion 63 extends in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the external connector 30 (the intermediate portion 61 in FIG. 4). The operation unit 63 is not shown in the middle of FIG.

  From this state, by operating the gripped operation portion 63 toward the radially outward side of the external connector 30 (see the dashed line arrow in FIG. 4), the base end side of the working portion 62 becomes the reaction force receiving member 25. The tip end side of the working part 62 presses the large-diameter part 50b of the unlocking member 50 while abutting. Thus, by using the jig 60, the operation of the unlocking member 50 becomes extremely easy. Of course, since the notch recess 64 is fitted to the cup-side connection terminal 20, the working unit 62 is prevented from being displaced during operation.

  The reaction force receiving member 25 can effectively transmit the operation force from the jig 60 to the unlocking member 50, and the working portion 62 carelessly forms the outer peripheral surface of the suction cup 1 made of an elastic member. The situation of rubbing will be prevented.

  Note that the jig 60 performs the function in which the working portion 62 having the notch recess 64 has the most important function, and the intermediate portion 61 can have an appropriate shape in the positional relationship with the operation portion 63. For example, the intermediate part 61 and the operation part 63 can be made to exist in the extending direction of the working part 62 (the bending between the intermediate part 61 and the working part 62 is almost none). In other words, with the notch recess 64 fitted to the outer periphery of the cup-side connection terminal 20, the jig 60 is set to a shape that extends substantially straight outward in the radial direction of the external connector 30. It is possible to set the shape.

  FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the duplicated explanation is omitted. In the present embodiment, the cup-side connection terminal 20 extends in the radial direction of the suction cup 1. That is, in the electric electrode member 10, the electrode portion 11 and the shaft portion 12 have substantially the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, but the cup side connection terminal 20 is separately provided. That is, the base end portion of the cylindrical cup-side connection terminal 20 is integrated with the portion of the shaft portion 12 that extends to the outside of the suction cup 1 by screwing or the like. The external connector 30 is detachably connected to the tip of the cup side connection terminal 20. The external connector 30 in the present embodiment is generally linear as a whole, and the external connector 30 and the connection cord C connected to the external connector 30 are connected in the radial direction of the suction cup 1 when connected to the cup side connection terminal 20. It is designed to stretch. As the external connector 30 rotates about the axis of the cup-side connection terminal 20, the twist of the connection cord C is absorbed.

  A portion of the shaft portion 12 existing outside the suction cup 1 and a portion of the cup-side connection terminal 20 connected to the shaft portion 12 are covered with a cap member 80 as an insulating member made of, for example, a hard or soft synthetic resin. ing. The reaction force receiving member 25 is screwed onto the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal 20 so as to be seated on the outer surface of the cap member 80.

  The electrode member 10 is generally rotatable relative to the suction cup 1 around the axis of the shaft portion 12. That is, with the external connector 30 connected to the cup side connection terminal 20, the electrode member 10 rotates relative to the suction cup 1 by applying a turning force around the shaft portion 12 to the external connector 30. Thus, the extending direction of the connection cord C is changed in the circumferential direction of the suction cup 1. A washer 81 is interposed between the cap member 80 and the upper surface of the upper wall portion 2 of the suction cup 1. The washer 81 is for reducing sliding resistance. When the electrode member 10 is rotated relative to the suction cup 1, the sliding resistance between the cap member 80 and the suction cup 1 is reduced by the washer 81. Reduced. For this reason, the washer 81 is preferably formed of a material having a low sliding resistance, such as Teflon (registered trademark). In addition, it is desirable to form the washer 81 with an insulating member.

  When the electrode member 10 is rotated relative to the suction cup 1, the seal tube portion 5 becomes a sliding resistance for relative rotation. For this reason, the seal cylinder part 5 can be abolished by providing an on-off valve that is manually operated from the shaft part 12 to the upstream side, for example, the external connector 30. That is, when the suction cup 1 is mounted on the patient body surface, the suction cup 1 is mounted on the patient body surface using the suction negative pressure with the on-off valve opened by manual operation. Further, when removing the suction cup 1 from the surface of the patient body, the opening / closing valve may be closed. Of course, when the suction cup 1 is not used, the on-off valve may be closed.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes the following cases, for example. The number of electrode members 10 (cup-side connection terminals 20) disposed in one suction cup 1 may be one or a plurality of three or more. For example, when three or more electrode members are provided for one suction cup 1, they may be provided in series in the radial direction of the suction cup 1, or may be provided in a widely distributed manner. It may be present (for example, a total of three electrode members are arranged for each vertex of a triangle, or a total of four electrode members are arranged for each vertex of a square). The shape of the opening edge of the suction cup 1 may be an appropriate shape other than a circle, such as a substantially elliptical shape.

  When providing a plurality of, particularly three or more external connectors, for example, the height of the base end portion 30B of some external connectors existing on the center side is set to the height of the base end portion 30B of other external connectors 30 existing outside. By setting the height higher than this, the center-side external connector can be largely rotated in the circumferential direction of the suction cup 1 without interfering with the outer external connector. Of course, when there are two external connectors, for example, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heights of the two external connectors 30 are made different from each other, so that any one of the external connectors 30 is another external connector 30. For example, it is possible to rotate the suction cup 1 in the circumferential direction such as 360 degrees without being obstructed. If there are a plurality of central-side external connectors, the heights of the central-side external connectors may be different from each other.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the shaft portion 12 can be rotated relative to each other at the connecting portion of the shaft portion that is divided as an upper and lower divided configuration in the middle of the shaft portion 12, particularly at a portion extending outside the suction cup 1. Can be linked to. As an example, the cup-side connection terminal 20 may be connected to the upper divided member among the upper and lower divided members, and the electrode portion 11 may be connected to the lower divided member. Accordingly, the external connector 30 can be rotated in the circumferential direction of the suction cup 1 by utilizing the rotation of the connecting portion between the upper and lower members. In addition, the connection part of the divided | segmented axial part 12 is sealed so that a suction negative pressure may not leak. As described above, by configuring the shaft portion 12 so as to be rotatable in the middle thereof, the sliding resistance for rotation can be made as compared with the case where the electrode member 10 can be rotated with respect to the suction cup 1 as a whole. Can be significantly smaller.

  The engaging portion to which the locking member 44 is locked is configured as a concave portion like the engaging concave portion 23, or may be configured as, for example, an annular protrusion that protrudes in an annular shape on the outer peripheral surface of the cup side connection terminal 20. it can. The locking member 44 can be formed in a flat plate shape instead of a dish shape. The external connector 30 may have a conventional general structure in which the locking member 44 does not constitute a contact for applying an electric signal. As the electrical connection method of the lead wire for applying the electrical signal to the locking member 44, any appropriate one can be adopted. For example, the sealing member 46 is bypassed in the main body cylindrical portion 31 and the locking member 44 is It is also possible to form a disposition passage that reaches the outer peripheral edge portion, dispose a lead wire in the disposition passage, and electrically connect the leading end portion of the lead wire to the locking member 44. . The electrode member 10 may be in direct contact with the patient body surface.

  The low-frequency treatment device is not limited to a device in which a low-frequency current (including a superposition of a high-frequency current as a carrier wave on a low-frequency current) is passed between the pair of electrodes. This is an interference-type low-frequency treatment device in which a plurality of sets of electrodes are provided, the high-frequency frequencies between the plurality of sets of electrodes are slightly different, and treatment is performed using low-frequency components obtained by mutual interference. May be. In particular, in an interference-type low-frequency treatment device, the suction negative pressure in the suction cup is actively changed so as to obtain a massage effect, so that the present invention is preferably applied. Of course, the type of the electrical stimulation device is not particularly limited, such as one that mainly uses high frequency. The object of the present invention is not limited to what is explicitly stated, but also implicitly includes providing what is substantially preferred or expressed as an advantage.

The figure when showing the one embodiment of the present invention when the suction cup to which the external connector is connected is viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line X2-X2 in FIG. 1. The principal part expanded sectional view which shows an example of an external connector. The principal part expanded sectional view which shows the connection completion state of a cup side connection terminal and an external connector. The front view which shows the detail of a locking member. The perspective view which shows an example of the jig | tool for lock release. Sectional drawing which shows another embodiment of this invention and respond | corresponds to FIG.

D: Suction-type electrode C: Connection cord 1: Suction cup 10: Electrode member 11: Electrode portion 12: Shaft portion (also used as the cup-side connection terminal 20 in FIGS. 1 to 5)
13: Communication path 20: Cup side connection terminal 21: Cup side negative pressure path 23: Engagement recess (engagement part for locking member)
25: Reaction force receiving member 30: External connector 31: Main body cylinder portion 36: External negative pressure passage 41: First locking step portion 42: Second locking step portion 44: Locking member 44a: Locking claw portion 45 : Positioning member 46: Sealing member 50: Unlocking member 50a: Small diameter part (pressing part)
50b: Large diameter part (operation part)
60: Jig for unlocking

Claims (9)

By fitting the tip of the external connector to the outer periphery of the cylindrical cup side connection terminal provided in the suction cup, the cup side connection terminal and the external connector are electrically connected, and the cup side connection terminal A suction-type electrode connection structure for use in an electrical stimulation device in which an internal cup-side negative pressure passage and an external negative-pressure passage in the external connector communicate with each other;
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup-side connection terminal, a base end portion connected to a connection cord among the external connectors is extended in a radial direction of the suction cup,
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup side connection terminal, the external connector is set so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the suction cup, and the extending direction of the connection cord extending from the external connector is the suction cup. in the circumferential direction is changeable,
The cup side connection terminal extends in the radial direction of the suction cup and is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the suction cup,
With the external connector connected to the cup side connection terminal, by applying an external force that rotates the external connector in the circumferential direction of the suction cup, the external connector and the cup side connection terminal of the suction cup Rotated in the circumferential direction,
A suction electrode connection structure characterized by that. In claim 1 ,
An intermediate shaft portion extending upward from the electrode member disposed in the suction cup and extending to the outside of the suction cup is provided, and the electrode member is located with respect to the suction cup around the intermediate shaft portion. Relative rotation is possible,
The cup side connection terminal is integrated with a portion of the intermediate shaft-like portion extending to the outside of the suction cup, and extends in a substantially radial direction of the suction cup.
A suction electrode connection structure characterized by that. In claim 2 ,
A portion of the intermediate shaft-like portion extending outside the suction cup is covered with a cap member made of an insulating member,
The cup side connection terminal passes through the cap member, and a base end portion thereof is integrated with the intermediate shaft-shaped portion, and a tip end portion thereof is positioned outside the cap member, so that the cup side The external connector is connected to the tip of the connection terminal.
A suction electrode connection structure characterized by that. In claim 3 ,
A washer for reducing rotational resistance when the cap member rotates relative to the suction cup is interposed between the bottom surface of the cap member and the upper wall portion of the suction cup. Suction type electrode connection structure. In Claim 1 , an intermediate shaft-like portion extending upward from the electrode member disposed in the suction cup and extending to the outside of the suction cup is provided,
The intermediate shaft portion is divided into upper and lower parts, and the members divided vertically are connected to each other so as to be capable of relative rotation around the axis of the intermediate shaft portion,
The cup-side connection terminal is connected to the upper member among the members divided into the upper and lower parts, and the electrode portion in the electrode member is connected to the lower member.
A suction electrode connection structure characterized by that. By fitting the tip of the external connector to the outer periphery of the cylindrical cup side connection terminal provided in the suction cup, the cup side connection terminal and the external connector are electrically connected, and the cup side connection terminal A suction-type electrode connection structure for use in an electrical stimulation device in which an internal cup-side negative pressure passage and an external negative-pressure passage in the external connector communicate with each other;
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup-side connection terminal, a base end portion connected to a connection cord among the external connectors is extended in a radial direction of the suction cup,
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup side connection terminal, the external connector is set so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the suction cup, and the extending direction of the connection cord extending from the external connector is the suction cup. Can be changed in the circumferential direction of
A plurality of electrode members are disposed for one suction cup,
Each of the electrode members is provided with the cup side connection terminal,
The external connector is connected to each cup-side connection terminal,
In a state where the external connector is connected to each cup-side connection terminal, the external connectors can be rotated relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the suction cup.
Among the plurality of external connectors, the height of some of the external connectors is set to be higher than the height of the other external connectors, and the suction cups of the some external connectors and the other external connectors Interference in the circumferential direction is prevented,
A suction electrode connection structure characterized by that. By fitting the tip of the external connector to the outer periphery of the cylindrical cup side connection terminal provided in the suction cup, the cup side connection terminal and the external connector are electrically connected, and the cup side connection terminal A suction-type electrode connection structure for use in an electrical stimulation device in which an internal cup-side negative pressure passage and an external negative-pressure passage in the external connector communicate with each other;
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup-side connection terminal, a base end portion connected to a connection cord among the external connectors is extended in a radial direction of the suction cup,
In a state where the external connector is connected to the cup side connection terminal, the external connector is set so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the suction cup, and the extending direction of the connection cord extending from the external connector is the suction cup. Can be changed in the circumferential direction of
An engagement portion is formed on the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal,
A ring-shaped seal member is held on the inner periphery of the main body cylinder portion of the external connector, and a locking member that also serves as an electrical contact is held on the tip side of the seal member,
The main body cylinder portion has an operation portion that protrudes from the front end of the main body cylinder portion to the outside, and a lock release member that has a pressing portion that faces the locking member is slidable on the front end side of the locking member. Retained,
When the external connector is fitted to the cup-side connection terminal, the locking member is locked to the engaging portion so as to be relatively rotatable, thereby preventing disengagement. It is in an electrical connection state in contact with the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal, and seal leakage between the negative pressure passages is prevented by fitting the seal member to the outer periphery of the cup side connection terminal,
By performing an operation of pushing the unlocking member toward the base end side of the external connector, the engaging member is forcedly released from the engaging recess by receiving a pressing force from the unlocking member. To be
A suction electrode connection structure characterized by that. In claim 7 ,
The engaging portion is formed as an annular recess extending over the entire circumferential length of the cup-side connecting terminal,
The locking member is formed in a ring shape by a leaf spring material, and its inner peripheral edge is locked to the engaging portion.
A suction electrode connection structure characterized by that. In claim 8 ,
The ring-shaped locking member has a plurality of locking claw portions formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral portion thereof, and each locking claw portion is locked to the engagement portion,
The pressing portion of the unlocking member is cylindrical.
A suction electrode connection structure characterized by that.

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