JP6351250B2 - Electrical stimulation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation system to stimulate the use to assist movement to the user.

  It is known that applying electrical surface stimulation to the skin surface of a paralyzed person with a sensorimotor system and promoting muscle contraction of a muscle group is useful for assisting exercise of a paralyzed limb or for neurorehabilitation.

  Specifically, surface electrical stimulation promotes muscle contraction by applying electrodes (cathode side and anode side) to two places on the skin surface and applying a current difference between the two electrodes to flow a current into the living body. Is. In order to generate desired muscle contraction by electrical stimulation, it is necessary to appropriately stimulate the point (motor point: motor point) at which muscle contraction occurs most in response to electrical stimulation.

  However, there are skin and fat between the two electrodes attached to the body surface and the motor point inside the muscle, and the position of the motor point cannot be observed externally. Also, there are individual differences in the position of the motor point. Therefore, it is difficult to determine a uniform electrode application position. Furthermore, muscle contraction by electrical stimulation may change the relative distance between the electrode and the motor point inside the contracted muscle. For this reason, it is difficult to find a motor point and stimulate it directly.

  Conventionally, in the case of surface electrical stimulation, an occupational therapist or the like determines a position where an electrode is applied by trial and error based on anatomical knowledge. It takes a long time to search for the pasting position. Moreover, even if the sticking position is determined, it is difficult to properly stimulate the motor point, and the stimulation may be applied with more energy than necessary.

  On the other hand, it has been studied to search for an electrode arrangement for attaching a large number of electrodes and expressing a desired finger movement from the electrodes (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the conventional method described in Patent Document 1, although there are a plurality of electrodes, only one kind of stimulus is given to all the electrodes. That is, all the electrodes are simultaneously applied with the same intensity and the same stimulation waveform, and the strength of muscle contraction cannot be adjusted.

  In addition, there is a method for measuring myoelectric potential as a method for examining the presence or absence of diseases relating to nerves and muscles. Even in such a case, it is preferable to simultaneously measure myoelectric potentials at a plurality of positions, but it is difficult to simultaneously determine an appropriate measurement position and range (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-129699 A JP 2011-206398 A

Emi Tamaki, Takashi Miyaki, Jun Rekimoto: PossessedHand: Techniques for Controlling Human Hands using Electrical Muscles Stimuli, ACM CHI2011, pp.543-552, (2011)

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an electrical stimulation system that can be irritating to the appropriate location and range.

The electrical stimulation system according to the present invention generates a plurality of stimulation signals, outputs the generated stimulation signals from different output units, and a predetermined search program in a predetermined order by a predetermined search program. An operation signal output device that outputs an operation signal for selecting a signal, a plurality of electrode parts that are affixed to the skin of a human body and that output a stimulus according to a stimulus signal to be input, and fixed contacts on the respective electrode part sides And providing a movable contact on the side of the signal generation device, selecting an output unit of the signal generation device to be connected to each electrode unit via the fixed contact and the movable contact at a timing for stimulating a user, A selection device that connects each of the electrode units to a selected output unit, and the selection device is connected to the plurality of electrode units based on an operation signal output from the operation signal output device. The stimulus signal is selectively applied to the, and selects the stimulus signal and the combination of the electrode portion Te.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to give a stimulus to an appropriate position and range, or to measure an electric potential at an appropriate position and range.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the electrical stimulation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the calculating part which the selection apparatus of an electrical stimulation system has. It is a waveform of the stimulation signal which the signal generation device of an electrical stimulation system generates. It is a figure explaining the signal output from the operation signal output device and demultiplexer of an electrical stimulation system. It is a figure explaining the relay circuit which an electrical stimulation system utilizes. It is a figure explaining an electrode pad and a motor point. It is a figure explaining the stimulation part selected by the selection apparatus of an electrical stimulation system. It is a figure explaining the stimulation part selected by the selection apparatus of the electrical stimulation system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the stimulus given by the stimulus part of the electrical stimulus system concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the measurement system which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the calculating part which the selection apparatus of a measurement system has.

  Below, the electrical stimulation system and measurement system which concern on embodiment of this invention are demonstrated using drawing. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

<First Embodiment>
The electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a specific part of the brain that is activated in order to operate a joint of a human body (user) (somatosensory cortex, parietal association around somatosensory cortex It is a device that generates a stimulation signal to be applied to a nerve (an afferent nerve and an efferent nerve) corresponding to a field or a prefrontal cortex and activates the specific site and stimulates the nerve of the user.

  For example, it is assumed that the user has upper motor neuron disorder due to damage to the central nervous system, such as paralysis of cranial nerves or paralysis due to sensorimotor system diseases, and it is difficult to perform operations necessary in daily life. In such a case, the electrical stimulation system 10A can assist the user's exercise by applying stimulation from the user's nerve to the brain and from the brain to the muscle.

  The electrical stimulation system 10A can give a stimulus to a position selected from a plurality of stimulus positions, and can give a stimulus selected from a plurality of stimulus signals to a selected position. Therefore, the electrical stimulation system 10A can be used to search which position is effective when stimulating and at what intensity the stimulation is effective when assisting user movement. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment generates a plurality of stimulation signals and outputs each stimulation signal from different output units T1 to T4, and the human skin. A plurality of electrode pads 2a to 2d that are attached to the user and give a stimulus corresponding to the input stimulus signal to the user, and a selection device that selects the output units T1 to T4 of the signal generation device 1 to be connected to the electrode pads 2a to 2d 3 is provided. Each of the electrode pads 2a to 2d becomes both an anode and a cathode depending on a stimulus signal to be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the selection device 3 includes calculation units 3 a to 3 d corresponding to the electrode pads 2 a to 2 d, and the calculation units 3 a to 3 d are outputs connected to the corresponding electrode pads 2 a to 2 d. An operation for selecting the parts T1 to T4 is executed. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the calculation unit 3a of FIG. Moreover, 10 A of electrical stimulation systems may have the biometric sensor 5 which measures the state of a human body's movement.

(Signal generator)
The signal generation device 1 generates a plurality of stimulation signals having different intensities and waveforms, and outputs the generated stimulation signals from the output units T1 to T4. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the signal generation device 1 is configured to generate four types of stimulation signals and include four output units T1 to T4.

  Specifically, the signal generation device 1 outputs a signal (S1, a) from the first output unit T1, outputs a signal (S1, b) from the second output unit T2, and outputs a third signal The output unit T3 outputs a signal (S2, a), and the fourth output unit T4 outputs a signal (S2, b). For example, when a stimulus is given by the stimulus signal S1, the output unit T1 selects and connects the electrode pad serving as the anode by the signal a, and the output unit T2 selects and connects the electrode pad serving as the cathode by the signal b. . Further, when a stimulus is given by the stimulus signal S2, the output unit T3 selects and connects the electrode pad that becomes the anode by the signal a, and the output unit T4 selects and connects the electrode pad that becomes the cathode by the signal b. .

  1 and 2 show an example in which the signal generation device 1 includes four output units T1 to T4, but the number of output units included in the signal generation device 1 is not limited.

  The stimulation signal generated by the signal generator 1 is a high-frequency rectangular biphasic waveform (hereinafter referred to as a biphasic rectangular wave) (carrier frequency = 1 / tc) (carrier frequency = 1 / tc) as shown in FIG. / tb) is a signal having a waveform (voltage V and duty ratio (= tp / tb) can also be changed). In this way, the surface layer muscle and the deep muscle can be stimulated by using the stimulation signal modulated at a low frequency to a high frequency.

  High-frequency signals tend to enter the muscles from the skin, but the muscles do not respond. In addition, with a low-frequency signal, muscles contract but are difficult to penetrate the skin. Therefore, by using a signal obtained by modulating a high-frequency biphasic rectangular wave as shown in FIG. 3 at a low frequency, stimulation can be given to the surface muscle and the deep muscle.

(Electrode pad)
The electrode pads 2a to 2d are affixed to the skin of a user who assists exercise and give stimulation. When each of the electrode pads 2 a to 2 d is connected to any one of the output units T <b> 1 to T <b> 4 of the signal generation device 1, the electrode pads 2 a to 2 d give a stimulus to the user according to the stimulation signal generated by the signal generation device 1. Further, when each of the electrode pads 2a to 2d is not connected to any of the output units T1 to T4, the stimulation signal is not input, so that the user is not stimulated.

  The selection device 3 selects the connection between the electrode pads 2a to 2d and the output units T1 to T4. Accordingly, when each electrode pad 2a to 2d is connected to any one of the output units T1 to T4, each of the electrode pads 2a to 2d gives a stimulus to the user by using a plurality of different stimulation signals generated by the signal generation device 1, respectively. Here, the electrode pads 2a to 2d serve as anodes or cathodes according to the stimulation signals of the output units T1 to T4, the electrode pads serving as anodes are connected to the output unit on the anode side, and the electrode pads serving as cathodes are connected to the output unit on the cathode side. Connected.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, an example in which the electrical stimulation system 10A includes four electrode pads 2a to 2d is illustrated, but the number of electrode pads included in the electrical stimulation system 10A is not limited.

  The plurality of electrode pads 2a to 2d are affixed immediately above the muscle group that governs the joint that is desired to assist in exercise, and stimulate the nerves in the vicinity of the joint. For example, when assisting the walking motion, it is affixed near the joint such as the waist, knee or ankle, and when assisting the hand motion, it is affixed near the joint such as the shoulder, elbow or wrist.

  Here, the electrode pads 2a to 2d are affixed to positions where stimulation is applied to both the afferent nerve and the efferent nerve, so that the stimulation given to the user by the signal generated by the signal generation device 1 is Is transmitted to the brain via At this time, the stimulation signals given by the electrode pads 2a to 2d are not directly transmitted to the muscle, but are transmitted from the skin to the nerve, transmitted from the nerve to the brain, and transmitted from the brain to the muscle to exercise the muscle. It is.

  In other words, the stimulation signal generated by the signal generation device 1 is not from the nerve to the brain and from the brain to the muscle, instead of directly stimulating the muscle and exercising the muscle by reverse reclination as in a general assisting device. The muscles can be exercised with forward reclination. At this time, when stimulation is applied using a high voltage (for example, about 50 to 200 V), the muscle is directly stimulated, but stimulation is performed using a relatively low voltage (for example, about 9 to 100 V). By giving, stimulation can be given to nerves through the skin. In the upper motor neuron disorder caused by damage to the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system and muscles are functioning. Therefore, by applying a stimulation signal that substitutes for commands from the spinal cord or brain by the electrical stimulation system 10A, exercise the muscles. Can be made.

  The electrode pads 2a to 2d are configured, for example, by connecting electrodes to conductive gels, and can be given as stimulation to the user's nerve via the skin in accordance with the stimulation signal generated by the signal generation device 1. it can. However, the electrode pads 2a to 2d are not limited to the configuration in which the electrode is connected to the conductive gel, but may be a signal that is input to the user's nerve as a stimulus by electromagnetic induction or vibration. .

  A plurality of electrode pads 2a-2d may be fixed on one sheet (not shown). When the plurality of electrode pads 2a to 2d are fixed on one sheet, it is not necessary to separately attach the plurality of electrode pads 2a to 2d when the electrode pads 2a to 2d are attached to the user. Moreover, it can affix without paying attention to the positional relationship of each electrode pad 2a-2d. Therefore, it is possible to easily apply the electrode pads in a short time by attaching one sheet rather than attaching the electrode pads 2a to 2d separately, and the positional relationship between the electrode pads 2a to 2d. It is also possible to prevent a decrease in accuracy due to the deviation. Furthermore, by appropriately selecting an electrode pad to be stimulated, a position (area) that can be stimulated, such as a triangle, a quadrangle, and a ring shape, can be selected.

(Operation signal output device)
The operation signal output device 4 generates an operation signal used for processing in the selection device 3. For example, the operation signal output device 4 provides the operation signals including the selection signals A1 and A2, the switching signal EL, and the reset signal R for creating a non-output state to each of the arithmetic units 3a to 3d in accordance with a predetermined operation signal output program. Is output.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation signal output device 4 and the calculation units 3a to 3d are respectively a reset signal R line, a selection signal A1 line, a selection signal A2 line, and a switching signal EL. These four lines are connected, but in FIG. 1, illustration is omitted as one line.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the operation signal output device 4 is connected to the biological measurement sensor 5 and the measurement result is input from the biological measurement sensor 5, the operation signal output device 4 uses the measurement result input from the biological measurement sensor 5. Thus, an operation signal can be generated. For example, when assisting joint motion, if the angle of the joint is known from the measurement result input from the biometric sensor 5, it is possible to predict what strength stimulation signal should be given to which position next. Therefore, the operation signal is generated using the angle.

(Selection device)
The selection device 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the same number of calculation units 3a to 3d as the number of electrode pads 2a to 2d, and the corresponding calculation units 3a to 3d have corresponding electrode pads 2a to 2d. ing. The selection device 3 selects and selects the output units T1 to T4 to be connected for the electrode pads 2a to 2d according to the operation signal of the operation signal output device 4 from the plurality of stimulation signals generated by the signal generation device 1. The respective electrode pads 2a to 2d are connected to the selected output portions T1 to T4. Further, the selection device 3 may determine that the electrode pads 2a to 2d are not connected, and the electrode pads 2a to 2d determined to be not connected are not connected to any of the output units T1 to T4.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each calculation unit 3 a to 3 d is a relay circuit that is a current control unit that switches for connection between the corresponding electrode pads 2 a to 2 d and the output units T <b> 1 to T <b> 4 of the signal generation device 1. 33, a demultiplexer 31 that decodes the operation signal of the operation signal output device 4 into a control signal, and a relay driver 32 that switches the relay circuit 33 according to the control signal output from the demultiplexer 31.

  Specifically, the demultiplexer 31 converts the 2-bit selection signals A1 and A2 input from the operation signal output device 4 into 4-bit on / off signals O1 to O4, and outputs them to the relay elements. At this time, from the function of the demultiplexer 31, only one of the on / off signals O1 to O4 is 1 (for example, 5V) and the other is 0 (for example, 0V).

  The relay driver 32 branches the signals O2 to O4 of the on / off signals O1 to O4 decoded by the demultiplexer 31 into two lines. The relay driver 32 outputs on / off signals O2 to O4 to the relay circuit 33 from one branched line, and relays a signal obtained by inverting the on / off signals O2 to O4 by a NOT element on the other branched line. Output to the circuit 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the signal generator 1 is connected to the relay circuit 33, and the output of the relay circuit 33 is connected to the electrode pad 2a. Therefore, the electrode pad 2a is switched according to the on / off signal input from the relay driver 32, and is brought into conduction or no connection with any one of the output units T1 to T4.

  As described above, the calculation unit 3a is connected to any of the output units T1 to T4 to be connected or not connected (not connected to any of the output units T1 to T4) according to the operation signal from the operation signal output device 4. Select (Result).

  The operation in the calculation unit 3a is shown in FIG. In the demultiplexer 31, the reset signal R is first input and initialized. After initialization, the input of the clock signal is used as a trigger for switching timing (switching signal EL), and the on / off signals O1 to O4 are output according to the input of the switching signal EL. An electrode that does not give a stimulus must be set, but by continuing to input the reset signal R, the electrode pad 2a can be disconnected.

  Although FIG. 2 is a figure explaining only the calculating part 3a among the selection apparatuses 3, as for the calculating parts 3b-3d, a stimulus signal is selected similarly to the calculating part 3a. The example shown in FIG. 2 is an example in the case of having four electrode pads 2a to 2d. When the number of electrode pads included in the electrical stimulation system 10A is different, the configurations of the calculation units 3a to 3d are also different.

  Here, in the case of a general method of using a relay, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), it is set to a side (T1 to T4 of the signal generator 1 in FIG. 5) through which a current flows to the fixed point side of the contact. However, when set in this way, as shown in FIG. 5A, a voltage may be applied to one electrode pad 2d from two or more output portions T3 and T4. That is, when a current is supplied to the fixed point side of the contact, there is a possibility of short-circuiting without passing through the electrode pad.

  On the other hand, in the method of using the relay of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5B, the possibility of a short circuit is physically excluded by providing a fixing point on the electrode pads 2a to 2d side. Moreover, since the electrode pads 2a to 2d are independent of each other, it is possible to apply the same voltage to the plurality of electrode pads 2a to 2d at the same time. Specifically, the electrode pads 2a and 2b can be simultaneously connected to the output unit T4, and the electrode pads 2c and 2d can be simultaneously connected to the output unit T3 to apply a voltage.

(Biometric sensor)
The biometric sensor 5 is a device that measures the state of user movement. For example, an angle sensor that measures the angle of the user's joint, a myoelectric sensor that measures the user's myoelectric potential, an acceleration sensor that measures acceleration during the user's exercise, a speed sensor that measures the user's exercise speed, and the like.

[Usage example: Search for motor points]
Here, the state of paralysis or damage differs for each user. In addition, the amount (thickness) of subcutaneous fat differs for each user, and the stimuli (frequency and voltage) that are easily felt also differ depending on the thickness of the subcutaneous fat. Therefore, it is preferable that the electrical stimulation system 10A provides stimulation according to the user. Therefore, the electrical stimulation system 10A searches for the application positions and stimulation signals of the electrode pads 2a to 2d suitable for generating desired muscle contraction for each user from the user's reaction.

Specifically, the electrical stimulation system 10A uses the operation signal output from the operation signal output device 4 to select the stimulation signal of the signal generation device 1 for the multiple electrode pads 2a to 2d by the selection device 3. It can be used for effective combinations of electrode pads 2a to 2d and selection of stimulation signals.

  For example, in the operation signal output device 4, a search program is determined in advance, and an operation signal that selects a stimulus signal (output units T1 to T4) in a predetermined order is output. An effective combination of electrode pads 2a to 2d and a stimulation signal can be searched by applying a stimulus with this search program and observing the user's muscle contraction.

[Usage example: Exercise support]
In addition, when assisting exercise, the operation signal output device 4 outputs an operation signal in a predetermined order according to a program determined for exercise and gives a stimulus to the user.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the electrode pads 2a to 2d are applied to the skin of the user's arm, and the motor point MP of the muscle 200a is stimulated by the electrode pad 2b (−) and the electrode pad 2c (+). Suppose you give. Further, it is assumed that the muscles 200a to 200c contract by the stimulus as shown in FIG. 6B.

  In such a case, the position of the electrode pads 2a to 2d attached to the skin does not change, but the position of the motor point MP with respect to the electrode pads 2a to 2d changes according to the contraction of the muscle 200a. Therefore, when the stimulus is subsequently given to continue the exercise, the stimulus is not given by the same electrode pads 2b and 2c, but is adjusted to the position of the changed motor point MP as shown in FIG. 6 (b). Stimulation needs to be provided by the electrode pads 2a (+) and 2b (-).

  Here, when used for exercise assistance, as described above, when the state of the user's movement is measured by the biometric sensor 5, the operation signal output device 4 takes the operation signal into consideration. Can be output. That is, when muscle contraction is caused by applying stimulation to the electrode pads 2a and 2b, it is possible to follow the movement of the MP and give the stimulation to the moved MP. At that time, there is no need to replace the electrode pad.

  In addition to attaching electrode pads in one row, as shown in FIG. 7, electrode pads may be attached in a plurality of rows. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, one electrode pad is used as an anode side, and one electrode pad is used as a cathode side to apply a voltage for stimulation, and then, as shown in FIG. 7B. In this way, stimulation can be applied by applying a voltage with another electrode pad as the anode side and two electrode pads as the cathode side. When the electrode pad to which stimulation is applied is changed as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the applied voltage may be different. That is, even when a voltage of 1 kHz is applied in FIG. 7A, a voltage of 2 kHz may be applied in FIG.

[Usage example: muscle maintenance and muscle strengthening]
In addition, when maintaining muscles and strengthening muscles, the operation signal output device 4 is a program determined for muscle maintenance and muscle augmentation, and outputs operation signals in a predetermined order to give a stimulus to the user.

  For example, when moving the arm, the position of the motor point MP is the position corresponding to the electrode pads 2b and 2c as shown in FIG. 6A, and the electrode pads 2a and 2b as shown in FIG. 6B. It is assumed that the biological measurement sensor 5 measures the movement of the position corresponding to the position alternately. In such a case, the program is programmed to alternately stimulate the electrode pads 2b and 2c and the electrode pads 2a and 2b so as to alternately stimulate the positions of the motor points MP. As a result, the user's muscles can be maintained and muscles can be strengthened.

  It is preferable to measure the user's own motor point MP, but by measuring the change in the position of the athlete's motor point MP and using this measurement result to stimulate the user, muscle strength maintenance and muscle enhancement As well as the realization of, you can realize the same muscle movement method as the athlete.

  As described above, in the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment, when applying stimulation to the human body, the positions (electrode pads 2a to 2d) to which stimulation is applied using the plurality of electrode pads 2a to 2d and the selection device 3 are described. And the area, stimulation intensity and waveform can be selected.

  Thereby, in the electrical stimulation system 10A, different signals can be given to a plurality of different positions and areas at the same time. Further, in the electrical stimulation system 10A, the strength of muscle contraction can be freely adjusted by adjusting the application positions of the electrode pads 2a to 2d, the intensity of stimulation, and the like. Furthermore, in the electrical stimulation system 10A, muscle contraction can be performed by adjusting the intensity of stimulation without applying extra energy to the living body.

  In addition, in the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment, a plurality of different stimulation signals can be selected and transmitted simultaneously from one signal generation device 1 to the plurality of electrode pads 2a to 2d. Conventionally, when a plurality of different stimulation signals are simultaneously output to a plurality of electrode pads, a signal generation device is required for each electrode pad. However, according to the present invention, a plurality of signal generation devices 1 are required. However, the system can be downsized.

  Furthermore, in the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment, the signal generation device 1 uses a stimulation signal having a waveform obtained by modulating a high-frequency biphasic rectangular wave at a low frequency, so that not only the surface muscle but also the deep muscle. Can also irritate.

Second Embodiment
Next, an electrical stimulation system according to the second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the electrical stimulation system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1 and will be described with reference to FIG.

  The electrical stimulation system 10B according to the second embodiment is different from the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment in that a plurality of electrode pads are used as one anode or cathode electrode group. For example, in the electrical stimulation system 10B, as shown in FIG. 8A, stimulation is applied by applying a voltage with the electrode pads of the first group G11 as the anode side and the electrode pads of the second group G12 as the cathode side. Thereafter, in the electrical stimulation system 10B, as shown in FIG. 8B, stimulation is applied by applying a voltage with the electrode pads of the third group G21 on the anode side and the electrode pads of the fourth group G22 on the cathode side.

  In addition, when setting a group, it is not necessary that electrode pads arranged in succession be made into one group. For example, as shown in FIG. 8C, a plurality of electrode pads separated on the anode side can be used as the fifth group G31, and the electrode pads of the sixth group G32 can be used as the cathode side to apply a voltage to give stimulation. . In this case, stimulation can be given by applying a small voltage over a wide range.

  As described above, in the electrical stimulation system 10B according to the second embodiment, a plurality of electrode pads can be used as anode or cathode electrode groups, and stimulation can be applied over a wide range. That is, the stimulation range can be freely expanded and reduced according to the situation, and at the same time, stimulation can be given.

  Also, in the electrical stimulation system 10B according to the second embodiment, similarly to the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment, by applying a plurality of different stimulation signals to a plurality of different electrode groups at the same time, the strength of muscle contraction is increased. It is possible to freely adjust the thickness, reduce the burden on the living body, downsize the system, and apply stimulation to the surface layer muscle and the deep muscle.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, an electrical stimulation system according to the third embodiment will be described. The configuration of the electrical stimulation system according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1 and will be described with reference to FIG.

  The electrical stimulation system 10C according to the third embodiment is different from the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment and the electrical stimulation system 10B according to the second embodiment in that stimulation is performed with a plurality of voltages at the same time. For example, when a stimulus is applied with one voltage, as described above with reference to FIG. 6, the stimulus cannot be applied only within a certain range (a certain depth).

  On the other hand, when a plurality of different voltages are applied at the same time to give a stimulus, an electric stimulus can be given to motor points at a plurality of different depths at the same time. FIG. 9 shows that the first motor point MP1 is stimulated by applying a voltage of 1 kHz by the electrode pad (+) of the first group G11 and the electrode pad (−) of the second group G12, and the electrodes of the third group G21. An example in which a voltage of 8 kHz is applied by the pad (+) and the electrode pad (−) of the fourth group G22 to stimulate the second motor point MP2 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 9, even when motor points exist at a plurality of different depths, it is possible to apply a stimulus to each motor point by applying a plurality of voltages. Further, FIG. 9 shows an example in which two types of voltages are applied, but two or more types may be used, and the electrode pads and voltages used may be changed according to the number and position of motor points to be stimulated. .

  As described above, in the electrical stimulation system 10 </ b> C according to the third embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously apply stimulation to a wide range by simultaneously applying signals of different strengths (voltages). That is, the stimulation range can be freely expanded and reduced according to the situation, and at the same time, stimulation can be given.

  Also, in the electrical stimulation system 10C according to the third embodiment, similarly to the electrical stimulation system 10A according to the first embodiment, by applying different stimulation signals to a plurality of different electrode groups at the same time, the strength of muscle contraction can be increased. Free adjustment, reduction of the burden on the living body, downsizing of the system, and application of stimulation to the surface layer muscle and the deep muscle can be realized.

<Fourth embodiment>
A measurement system 20 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is a device that measures myoelectric potential generated during a user's exercise. As shown in FIG. 10, the measurement system 20 has an electromyograph 6 instead of the signal generation device 1 as compared with the electrical stimulation system 10 </ b> A described above with reference to FIG. 1, and each of the electrode pads 2 a to 2 d. This is used as an electrode of the electromyograph 6. In the measurement system 20, the potentials measured by the electrode pads 2 a to 2 d are input to the calculation units 3 a to 3 d of the selection device 3 and then input to the electromyograph 6. In addition, FIG. 11 is a figure explaining the calculating part 3a of FIG.

  The electromyograph 6 obtains a user's myoelectric potential from the electric potentials measured by the electrode pads 2a to 2d. Specifically, the electromyograph 6 selects 2a to 2d as the electrode pad pairs of the anode and the cathode, and selects the potential difference. At this time, one or more anode electrical pads and cathode electrical pads may be provided, and a plurality of electrode pads may be used as one electrode group as in the electrical stimulation system 10B according to the second embodiment.

  Here, the selection device 3 selects the electrode pads 2 a to 2 d to be measured for potential according to the operation signal input from the operation signal output device 4, and outputs the potential measurement result to the electromyograph 6.

  The selection device 3 includes a plurality of calculation units 3a to 3d corresponding to the electrode pads 2a to 2d, and selects the electrode pads 2a to 2d to be connected to the electromyograph 6 in the calculation units 3a to 3d. . At this time, not all the electrode pads 2 a to 2 d are connected to the electromyograph 6, but there are also the electrode pads 2 a to 2 d not connected to the electromyograph 6.

  Here, when the electrode pad (or group thereof) of the anode and the cathode is selected in the measurement system 20, the range needs to be appropriate. For example, when the range of the electrode pad (or group thereof) is large, the potential measured from the electrode pad is superimposed with the potential of many muscles located immediately below, so that the muscle cannot be limited and what is measured Disappear. On the other hand, when the range of the electrode pad (or group thereof) is small, the potential becomes small, and the potential is buried in noise and cannot be measured. The size of the appropriate range in this case depends on muscle size and body fat, and varies depending on the individual or body part. Therefore, by making it possible to freely set the measurement range, it is possible to measure an appropriate potential while limiting the muscle.

  Moreover, although description using illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the electromyograph 6 can also be combined with the electrical stimulation systems 10A-10C mentioned above using FIG. In this case, two selection devices, that is, a selection device (first selection device) connected to the signal generation device 1 and a selection device (second selection device) connected to the electromyograph 6 are required. This makes it possible to simultaneously perform stimulation and measurement of physical movement, and to exhaustively search for effective electrode pad arrangements that allow greater movement.

10A to 10C: Electrical stimulation system 1 ... Signal generator 2a-2d ... Electrode pad (electrode part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Selection apparatus 3a-3d ... Operation part 31 ... Demultiplexer 32 ... Relay driver 33 ... Relay circuit 4 ... Operation signal output device T1-T4 ... Output part 6 ... Electromyograph 20 ... Measurement system

Claims (5)

A signal generation device that generates a plurality of stimulation signals and outputs the generated stimulation signals from different output units, and
An operation signal output device for outputting an operation signal for selecting the stimulation signals in a predetermined order by a predetermined search program;
A plurality of electrode parts that are affixed to the skin of a human body and output a stimulus according to a stimulus signal to be input;
A fixed contact is provided on each electrode part side, a movable contact is provided on the signal generation apparatus side, and the signal generation is made to connect to each electrode part via the fixed contact and the movable contact at a timing for stimulating a user. A selection device for selecting an output unit of the device and connecting each of the electrode units with the selected output unit;
With
The selection device selectively gives the stimulation signal to the plurality of electrode units based on the operation signal output from the operation signal output device, thereby providing the combination of the electrode units and the stimulation signal. An electrical stimulation system characterized by selecting. The electrical stimulation system according to claim 1, wherein the electrode sections are arranged and affixed at substantially equal intervals within a predetermined area of the skin of the human body, and each outputs a stimulus corresponding to an input stimulus signal.   The electricity according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selection device is connected to a biological measurement sensor that measures data relating to movement of a human body, and selects an output unit using a measurement result of the biological measurement sensor. Stimulation system.   4. The electrical stimulation system according to claim 1, wherein the signal generation device generates a stimulation signal having a waveform obtained by modulating a high-frequency biphasic rectangular wave at a low frequency. 5. The electrode part is affixed to the skin of the human body, and can acquire the electric potential generated in the human body by the movement of the joints of the human body,
An electromyograph that has a plurality of input units and measures the potential acquired at the electrode unit;
A second selection device for selecting an electrode part connected to the input part of the electromyograph and connecting each electrode part to the selected input part;
The electrical stimulation system according to claim 1, further comprising:

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