JP6846207B2 - Muscle electrical stimulator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a muscle electrical stimulator.

Conventionally, it is widely known that when an electric current is passed through muscle fibers, muscle contraction occurs. Especially in the fields of medicine and sports, it is used for the purpose of muscle building. Specifically, a muscle stimulation method is used in which electricity is applied through electrodes attached to the human body to tension and relax muscles based on electrical signals.

In Patent Document 1, as a muscle electrical stimulator that stimulates muscles by using an electric signal, it is formed on a main body portion having a built-in power supply and an operation portion and a sheet-shaped base material extending from the main body portion. A plurality of electrodes are provided, and the electrodes are attached to a human body to allow an electric pulse to flow through the human body to give muscle stimulation. Each electrode is connected to a power source via a lead portion, and a gel-like pad having adhesiveness and conductivity is attached. Then, the electrode and the main body are attached to the human body by utilizing the adhesiveness of the pad, and the electrode and the human body can be energized by utilizing the conductivity of the pad.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-202796

In the muscle electrical stimulator disclosed in Patent Document 1, an insulating portion is formed on the lead portion by a coating made of an insulating material, and the lead portion is insulated from the outside. As a result, no current flows directly between the lead portion and the skin surface. However, if the insulating portion deteriorates due to long-term use, or if the insulating portion deteriorates due to an external impact, the insulating property of the lead portion deteriorates and the insulation is deteriorated. There is a possibility that a current may flow directly between the lead portion and the skin surface through the portion where the property is deteriorated. In such a case, excessive irritation may occur on the skin surface in contact with the portion where the insulating property is deteriorated, which may cause discomfort to the user, or the electrodes may not give the desired electrical stimulation to the muscles. It may reduce the sensation. In order to avoid such a situation, it is desired to detect that the insulating property of the insulating portion has deteriorated. However, the configuration of Patent Document 1 does not have a special configuration for detecting a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion.

The present invention has been made in view of this background, and in a muscular electrical stimulator that outputs electrical stimulus from an electrode, it senses a decrease in the insulating property of an insulating portion that insulates the lead connected to the electrode from the outside. It seeks to provide a muscle electrical stimulator that can.

One aspect of the present invention is a muscle electrical stimulation device for applying electrical stimulation to muscles.
With the main body
The control unit housed in the main body and
The stimulation electrode for applying the above electrical stimulation and
A lead unit that electrically connects the stimulating electrode and the control unit,
With the sensing electrode electrically connected to the control unit,
An insulating portion that covers the lead portion and the sensing electrode and insulates the lead portion and the sensing electrode from the outside.
With
The control unit is configured to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion via the sensing electrode .
The sensing electrode is in a muscle electrical stimulator provided at a position closer to the outer surface of the insulating portion than the lead portion.

In the above-mentioned muscle electrical stimulator, a sensing electrode provided separately from the stimulating electrode for applying electrical stimulation is covered with an insulating portion together with a lead portion. Then, the control unit can detect that the insulating property of the insulating portion has deteriorated through the sensing electrode. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the insulating property of the insulating portion that insulates the lead portion deteriorates, the control unit can detect this, and it is possible to take measures to prevent the deterioration of the user's experience.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the muscle electrical stimulator in which the electrical stimulus is output from the electrode, the muscle capable of detecting a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion that insulates the lead connected to the electrode from the outside. An electrical stimulator can be provided.

The front view of the muscle electrical stimulator in Example 1. The rear view of the muscle electrical stimulator in Example 1. FIG. 5 is a side view of the muscle electrical stimulator according to the first embodiment. (A) is a partially enlarged view of the IVa-IVa line position cross section in FIG. 1, and (b) is a partially enlarged view of the IVb-IVb line position cross section in FIG. Partially disassembled perspective view of Example 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the position of the IVa-IVa line in FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a normal energized state of the muscle electrical stimulator according to the first embodiment. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are both conceptual diagrams illustrating a state of energization when the insulation of the insulating portion of the muscle electrical stimulator according to the first embodiment is reduced. The conceptual diagram explaining the energization state at the time of the insulation deterioration of the insulating part in the muscle electric stimulator of the comparative example. The back view of the base material in Example 1. The front view of the insulating sheet in Example 1. The rear view of the first embodiment in the state where the second case is removed. The schematic diagram explaining the usage mode of the muscle electrical stimulator in Example 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the muscle electrical stimulator in Example 1. FIG. The front view of the muscle electrical stimulator in Example 2. The rear view of the muscle electrical stimulator in Example 2. The front view of the muscle electrical stimulator in Example 3. The rear view of the muscle electrical stimulator in Example 3. FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX.

It is preferable that the sensing electrode is provided at a position closer to the outer surface of the insulating portion than the lead portion. In this case, if the outer surface of the insulating part is damaged due to an external impact or the like, a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating part is detected through the sensing electrode before the insulating property of the lead part is impaired. can do.

The sensing electrode is preferably formed along the extending direction of the lead portion. In this case, it becomes easy to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion before the insulating property of the lead portion is impaired.

It has a sheet-like base material extending from the main body portion, the stimulation electrode and the lead portion are formed on the surface of the base material, and the insulating portion covers the lead portion. It has a first insulating layer laminated on the material and a second insulating layer laminated on the first insulating layer, and the sensing electrode is located between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. It is preferable that it is provided in. In this case, since the stimulation electrode and the lead portion are formed on the surface of the sheet-like base material and the insulating portion has the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, the muscle electrical stimulator can be made thin. At the same time, in such a thin muscle electrical stimulator, it becomes easy to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion by the sensing electrode before the insulating property of the lead portion is impaired. Further, while the muscle electrical stimulator is made thin, the insulating portion has two layers, a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, so that it is easy to improve the insulating property of the lead portion.

The sensing electrode is preferably formed at a position overlapping the lead portion in the stacking direction. In this case, the sensing electrode becomes more likely to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion before the insulating property of the lead portion is impaired.

It is preferable that the control unit is configured to stop or reduce the power supply to the stimulation electrode when it senses the decrease in the insulating property. In this case, when the insulating property of the insulating portion is lowered, it is possible to prevent excessive electrical stimulation from being applied to the human body from the portion where the insulating property is lowered, so that the deterioration of the user's experience can be prevented. Can be done.

(Example 1)
Examples of the above-mentioned muscle electrical stimulator will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14.
The muscle electrical stimulator 1 of this example is for applying electrical stimulation to muscles. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 includes a main body portion 10, a stimulating electrode 30, and lead portions 38 and 39, and is controlled as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). A portion 40 is provided, and as shown in FIG. 5, an insulating portion 70 and a sensing electrode 80 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the control unit 40 is housed in the main body 10. The stimulation electrode 30 is for applying electrical stimulation to the muscle. The lead units 38 and 39 electrically connect the stimulation electrode 30 and the control unit 40. The sensing electrode 80 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The insulating portion 70 covers the lead portions 38, 39 and the sensing electrode 80 to insulate the lead portions 38, 39 and the sensing electrode 80 from the outside. The control unit 40 is configured to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating unit 70 via the sensing electrode 80.

Hereinafter, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 13, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 of this example is used by being attached to the abdomen 3 of the human body 2. In this example, the height direction of the human body 2 is the height direction Y. Further, the direction from the central axis 2a of the human body 2 that faces the front surface of the human body 2 and passes through the navel 3a in parallel with the height direction Y toward the right hand 5a side of the human body 2 is the right direction X1, and the direction from the central axis 2a to the human body 2 The direction toward the left hand 5b side is the left direction X2. Then, the right direction X1 and the left direction X2 are collectively referred to as a left-right direction X.

As shown in FIG. 1, a main body 10 is provided in the center of the muscle electrical stimulator 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the main body 10 has a substantially disk shape. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the main body 10 is a case 11 for accommodating a power supply unit 20 and a control unit 40, which will be described later, and a case 11 attached to the case 11 outside the muscle electrical stimulator 1. It is composed of an outer shell forming body 12 that forms a shell.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outer shell forming body 12 has a back side surface 12b on the side where the base material 33 described later is provided, and a front side surface 12a on the opposite side. The outer shell forming body 12 is made of an elastomer, and in this example, it is made of black silicon. An electrode support portion 121 extending outward is provided on the outer edge of the outer shell forming body 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the base material 33 is attached to the back side surface 121a of the electrode support portion 121 via the first double-sided adhesive tape 75. Each stimulation electrode 30 (311 to 313, 321 to 223) described later is formed on the back surface 33a of the base material 33. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a colored region 122 forming a line substantially along the outer edges of the respective stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323, which will be described later, is formed on the front side surface 121b of the electrode support portion 121. .. In this example, the colored portion 122 is colored orange.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the case 11 is attached to the concave first case 111 and the first case 111, and houses the control unit 40 between the first case 111. It is composed of a second case 112 that forms a storage portion 13. Both the first case 111 and the second case 112 are made of ABS. Then, the rib 112a erected along the outer edge of the second case 112 is fitted inside the outer edge portion 111a of the first case 111, and the second case 112 is joined to the first case 111.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4B, the first case 111 is formed with a first cantilever 51a and a second cantilever 51b that form a part of an operation unit 50 described later. The first cantilever 51a and the second cantilever 51b are formed in a cantilever state by hollowing out a part of the wall of the first case 111. The first cantilever 51a and the second cantilever 51b are arranged in this order from the upper side to the lower side in the height direction Y.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4B, both the cantilever 51a and 51b are covered with the outer shell forming body 12. Then, in the outer shell forming body 12, the symbol “+” is formed so as to project directly above the first cantilever 51a, and the symbol “−” is formed so as to protrude directly above the second cantilever 51b. An operation surface 54 forming a part of the portion 50 is formed. Due to the arrangement of both cantilever 51a and 51b, "+" is on the upper side in the height direction Y and "-" is on the lower side in the height direction Y, which makes it easy for the user to operate ergonomically.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a control unit 40 (see FIG. 15) is formed in the storage unit 13 formed between the first case 111 and the second case 112. The board 41 is housed in it. The control board 41 is a printed circuit board, and the control board 41 is provided with a wiring pattern (not shown), an electronic component 42, or the like to form a control circuit. The control board 41 is fixed to the first case 111 via four bosses 116 and screws 115 protruding from the inner surface of the first case 111. Further, a small surface mount type speaker 43 is electrically connected to the control board 41. The drive voltage of the electronic component 42 and the speaker 43 is 3.0 V. Further, although not shown, the control board 41 is equipped with a booster circuit that boosts the output voltage of the battery 21. As a result, the electric power of the battery 21 is boosted to a predetermined voltage (for example, 40 V) and supplied to the stimulation electrode 30. In this example, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 40 is provided with a capacitor 46 that forms a part of the booster circuit.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the control board 41 as the control unit 40 is provided with a first terminal 451 and a second terminal 452, a third terminal 453, and a fourth terminal 454. As shown in FIG. 4B, the first terminal 451 is formed on the control board 41 at a position facing the boss 116. Similarly, the second terminal 452, the third terminal 453, and the fourth terminal 454 are also formed at positions facing the boss 116. Then, the second control unit side connection portion 382 of the first lead portion 38, which will be described later, is sandwiched between the boss 116 and the control board 41 and is integrally fastened with them. As a result, on the control board 41, the second terminal 452 formed at the position where the boss 116 faces is connected to the second control unit side connection unit 382. Similarly, the first terminal 451 described later and the first control unit side connection unit 381 of the first lead unit 38 are connected, and the third terminal 453 and the third control unit side connection unit 391 of the second lead unit 39 are connected. It is connected, and the fourth terminal 454 and the fourth control unit side connection unit 392 of the second lead unit 39 are connected.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the storage unit 13 also houses the switch mechanism 52 that forms the operation unit 50. The switch mechanism 52 is a tact switch and includes a switch unit 53 that can be pressed. The switch mechanism 52 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The switch mechanism 52 is arranged directly below the first cantilever 51a and the second cantilever 51b (see FIG. 1) formed in the first case 111, respectively. As a result, when the first cantilever 51a is pressed from the outside through the operation surface 54 of the outer shell forming body 12 that covers the first case 111, the first cantilever 51a in the cantilever state bends, so that the switch mechanism 52 The switch unit 53 is pressed. Then, when the pressure on the operation surface 54 is released, the first cantilever 51a returns to its original position due to the restoring force of the first cantilever 51a in the cantilever state. The second cantilever 51b is also configured to press and release the press in the same manner.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second case 112 is formed with a battery holding unit 14 for holding the battery 21 constituting the power supply unit 20. As a result, the power supply unit 20 is built in the main body unit 10. The battery 21 is replaceable and can be, for example, a coin battery or a button battery. In this example, a small and thin coin battery (lithium ion battery CR2032, nominal voltage 3.0V) is used as the battery 21. Instead of the battery 21, a battery having a nominal voltage of 3.0 to 5.0 V can be used.

A lid 15 for preventing the battery 21 from falling off is detachably attached to the battery holding portion 14 in which the battery 21 is held. The lid 15 has a disk shape that is one size larger than the battery 21, and an О ring 16 that seals between the lid 15 and the second case 112 is fitted on the outer periphery thereof. The battery 21 is electrically connected to the control unit 40 via a lead (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, in the second case 112, a plurality of linear grooves 113 extending radially from the outer circumference of the lid 15 are formed at equal intervals. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second case 112 is formed with a collar portion 112b protruding outward from the rib 112a. A sheet-like composite 7 (see FIG. 5) containing the base material 33 is sandwiched between the collar portion 112b and the outer edge portion 111a of the first case 111. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet-like composite 7 extends from the main body portion 10 in a sheet shape.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sheet-like composite 7 is composed of a first double-sided adhesive tape 75, a base material 33, a second double-sided adhesive tape 71, and an insulating sheet 72, and the outer shell forming body is formed in this order. It is laminated on the electrode support portion 121 extending from 12. The base material 33 is attached to the electrode support portion 121 by the first double-sided adhesive tape 75. The insulating sheet 72 is attached to the base material 33 by the second double-sided adhesive tape 71. The outer shapes of the first double-sided adhesive tape 75, the base material 33, the second double-sided adhesive tape 71, and the insulating sheet 72 all match the outer shape of the electrode support portion 121, and the outer shape of the main body 10 is in the center. A circular hole is formed substantially along the line. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front side surface 33b of the base material 33, which is the surface on which the operation surface 54 is exposed, is covered with the electrode support portion 121.

As shown in FIG. 10, a stimulation electrode 30 and lead portions 38 and 39 are provided on the back surface 33a of the base material 33. As described above, the stimulation electrode 30 and the lead portions 38, 39 are integrally formed with the main body portion 10 by attaching the base material 33 to the main body portion 10. The stimulation electrode 30 and the lead portions 38 and 39 may be formed so as to be embedded in the base material 33. In this example, the stimulation electrode 30 and the lead portions 38, 39 are formed by printing conductive ink containing silver paste on the back surface 33a of the base material 33.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the stimulation electrode 30 includes a first stimulation electrode group 31 and a second stimulation electrode group 32. The first stimulation electrode group 31 extends from the main body 10 to the G1 region in the right direction X1, and the second stimulation electrode group 32 extends from the main body 10 to the G2 region in the left direction X2. The number of stimulation electrodes 30 included in the first stimulation electrode group 31 and the second stimulation electrode group 32 is not particularly limited, but in this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first stimulation electrode group 31 and the second stimulation electrode group 32 Includes three stimulating electrodes 31-1313 and 321-23, respectively. That is, the first stimulation electrode group 31 is provided with the first right side stimulation electrode 311, the second right side stimulation electrode 312, and the third right side stimulation electrode 313, and the second stimulation electrode group 32 is provided with the first left side stimulation electrode 321. , A second left side stimulation electrode 322 and a third left side stimulation electrode 323 are provided. Then, in the base material 33, the portions where the first right side stimulation electrode 311 and the second right side stimulation electrode 312 and the third right side stimulation electrode 313 are formed are formed on the first right side base portion 331, the second right side base portion 332, and the third right side, respectively. The base portion is 333, and the portions where the first left side stimulation electrode 321 and the second left side stimulation electrode 322 and the third left side stimulation electrode 323 are formed are the first left side base portion 341, the second left side base portion 342, and the third left side base portion 343, respectively. To do. A cut portion 17 cut toward the main body portion 10 is provided between each of the first to third right base portions 331 to 333 and the first to third left base portions 341 to 343, and the most of the cut portion 17 is provided. The cut portion is the deepest portion 17a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first stimulation electrode group 31 and the second stimulation electrode group 32 are line-symmetrical with respect to the center line 10a when the muscle electrical stimulation device 1 is attached to the abdomen 3 (see FIG. 13). It is configured to be located. That is, when attached to the abdomen 3, the first right side stimulation electrode 311 and the first left side stimulation electrode 321 are axisymmetric with respect to the center line 10a, and the second right side stimulation electrode 312 and the second left side stimulation electrode 322 are located. Is axisymmetrically located, and the third right stimulating electrode 313 and the third left stimulating electrode 323 are arranged axisymmetrically.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. The longitudinal directions of the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323 (for example, the direction indicated by the reference numeral w in the third right side stimulation electrode 313 shown in FIG. 2) are substantially along the left-right direction X. In this example, the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323 all have the same shape. The shapes of the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321-23 are, for example, h / w 0.40 to 0.95, preferably 0.40 to 0.95, where w is the length in the longitudinal direction and h is the length in the lateral direction. It can be 0.50 to 0.80, and in this example, h / w is 0.55.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, a plurality of hexagonal electrode non-forming portions 34 having a predetermined size are formed inside the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323 at predetermined intervals. Further, a first lead portion 38 as a lead portion is connected to the first right side stimulation electrode 311 and the second right side stimulation electrode 312 and the third right side stimulation electrode 313, and the first left side stimulation electrode 321 and the second left side are connected. A second lead portion 39 as a lead portion is connected to the stimulation electrode 322 and the third left side stimulation electrode 323.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first lead unit 38 has a first control unit connection unit 380, a first terminal connection unit 383, and a first electrode connection unit group 384. The first control unit connecting portion 380 projects inside the central hole of the base material 33 (that is, the main body portion 10 side). The first electrode connecting portion group 384 includes a plurality of electrode connecting portions (first electrode connecting portion 385, second electrode connecting portion 386, third electrode connecting portion 387) connected to the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313. In this example, the first electrode connecting portion 385, the second electrode connecting portion 386, and the third electrode connecting portion 387 are all formed in a linear shape. The first terminal connection portion 383 connects the first control unit connection portion 380 and the first electrode connection portion group 384, and is formed in a semicircular shape along the outer edge of the central hole of the base material 33. ..

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the second lead unit 39 has the second control unit side connection unit 390, the second terminal connection unit 393, and the second electrode connection unit group 394, similarly to the first lead unit 38. And have. The second control unit side connection unit 390 projects inward of the central hole of the base material 33 (that is, the main body unit 10 side). The second electrode connecting portion group 394 includes a plurality of electrode connecting portions (fourth electrode connecting portion 395, fifth electrode connecting portion 396, and sixth electrode connecting portion 397) connected to the stimulation electrodes 321 to 323. In this example, the fourth electrode connecting portion 395, the fifth electrode connecting portion 396, and the sixth electrode connecting portion 397 are all formed linearly. The second terminal connection portion 393 connects the second control unit side connection portion 390 and the second electrode connection portion group 394, and is formed in a semicircular shape along the outer edge of the central hole of the base material 33. There is.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the insulating sheet 72 is formed with a cutout portion 721 at a position overlapping with the stimulation electrode 30 and a sensing electrode 80. Further, similarly to the base material 33, a circular hole along the outer edge 10c of the main body 10 is formed in the center of the insulating sheet 72. The insulating sheet 72 is made of PET.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the sensing electrode 80 is formed by printing a conductive silver paste on the front side surface 72b of the insulating sheet 72. The sensing electrode 80 has a lead covering portion 81, a third control unit connecting portion 82, and a fourth control unit connecting portion 83. The lead covering portion 81 overlaps with the first terminal connecting portion 383 and the first electrode connecting portion group 384 of the first lead portion 38 in the stacking direction (that is, the thickness direction Z) of the sheet composite 7, and the second It is formed at a position overlapping the second terminal connecting portion 393 and the second electrode connecting portion group 394 of the lead portion 39. The lead covering portion 81 is formed along the extending direction of the lead portions 38 and 39.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 12, the width of the lead covering portion 81 is larger than the width of the lead portions 38 and 39, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the end portion 811 of the reed covering portion 81 facing the cutout portion 721 (that is, the vicinity of the portion connected to the stimulation electrode 30 in the lead portions 38 and 39) is connected to the cutout portion 721. The end portion 811 and the cutout portion 721 are separated from each other by about 2 mm. On the other hand, the inner edge portion 812 of the lead covering portion 81 is formed up to the inner edge portion (that is, the main body portion 10 side) of the central hole of the insulating sheet 72. The third control unit connecting portion 82 and the fourth control unit connecting portion 83 project toward the inside of the central hole of the base material 33 (that is, the main body portion 10 side).

As shown in FIG. 5, the stimulation electrode 30 is formed on the back surface side 33a of the base material 33, and the sensing electrode 80 is formed on the front side surface 72b of the insulating sheet 72. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stimulation electrode 30 and the sensing electrode 80 are overlapped with each other via the second double-sided adhesive sheet 72 in a state of facing each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the first control unit side connection unit 380, the second control unit side connection unit 390, the third control unit connection unit 82, and the third control unit connection unit 82 protruding into the central hole of the base material 33 and the sensing electrode 80. 4 The control unit connection unit 83 projects inward of the central hole of the base material 33 and the insulating sheet 72, and is the first terminal 451 and the second terminal 452, the third terminal 453, and the fourth terminal of the control board 41. Each is connected to 454.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first control unit connection unit 380, the second control unit connection unit 390, and the fourth control unit connection unit 83 are each thick along the inner wall of the first case 111. It is bent in the longitudinal direction, and its tip is bent in parallel with the control board 41. Then, the tips of the first control unit connection unit 380, the second control unit connection unit 390, and the fourth control unit connection unit 83 are sandwiched between the boss 116 and the control board 41, so that the first terminal 451 and the first terminal 451 It is connected to the 2nd terminal 452 and the 4th terminal 454. Further, although not shown, the tip of the third control unit connecting portion 82 is similarly sandwiched between the boss 116 and the control board 41 to be connected to the third terminal 453.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lead portions 38 and 39 are formed on the back side surface 33a of the base material 33 and are covered with the sheet-shaped second double-sided adhesive tape 71 to be insulated from the outside. A sheet-shaped insulating sheet 72 is laminated on the second double-sided adhesive tape 71, and the lead portions 38 and 39 are also insulated from the outside by the insulating sheet 72. The insulating sheet 72 has a front side surface 72b (see FIG. 11) provided with a sensing electrode 80 attached to the second double-sided adhesive tape 71. As a result, the insulating portion 70 has a second double-sided adhesive tape 71 as a first insulating layer covering the lead portions 38 and 39, and an insulating sheet as a second insulating layer covering the first insulating layer (second double-sided adhesive tape 71). It has 72 and. The sensing electrode 80 is provided between the first insulating layer 71 and the second insulating layer 72, and is located at a position closer to the outer surface 72a of the second insulating layer 72 than the lead portions 38 and 39. are doing. Then, the sensing electrode 80 is not exposed to the outside in a normal state and is insulated from the outside. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, a direct current is prevented from flowing directly between the lead portions 38 and 39 and the sensing electrode 80 and the skin surface 60.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the stimulation electrode 30 is covered with the second double-sided adhesive tape 71 and the insulating sheet 72 because the cutout portions 711 and 721 are provided. Absent. A gel pad 35 (“Technogel (registered trademark)” manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., model number SR-RA240 / 100) is attached to each of the stimulation electrodes 31-1313 and 3213-23. The gel pad 35 has conductivity, and the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323 can energize the abdomen 3 (see FIG. 13) via the gel pad 35. Further, the gel pad 35 has high adhesiveness, and the muscle electrical stimulator 1 is attached to the abdomen 3 via the gel pad 35.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gel pad 35 has a shape one size larger than the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323, and individually covers the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323. Since the gel pad 35 is replaceable, the gel pad 35 can be replaced as appropriate when the adhesive strength of the gel pad 35 decreases, is damaged, or stains become conspicuous with use. Further, the used gel pad 35 may be replaced with a new one every predetermined period (for example, one month, two months, etc.).

Next, the configuration of the muscle electrical stimulator 1 of this example will be described with reference to a block diagram.
As shown in FIG. 14, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 includes a power supply unit 20, a control unit 40, and an operation unit 50 inside the main body unit 10, and also includes a discharge circuit unit 85, a skin detection unit 402, and a battery voltage detection unit. Equipped with 406.

The skin detection unit 402 detects whether or not the stimulation electrode 30 is in contact with the skin. Specifically, the skin detection unit 402 is electrically connected to the stimulation electrode 30 and detects a resistance value between the first stimulation electrode group 31 and the second stimulation electrode group 32. Then, the detected value is compared with the preset threshold value, and when the detected value is smaller than the threshold value, it is detected that the first stimulation electrode group 31 and the second stimulation electrode group 32 are in contact with the skin. To do.

The battery voltage detection unit 406 detects the voltage of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20 and determines whether or not the battery voltage V of the battery 21 in the detected power supply unit 20 is lower than a predetermined threshold value Vm. In this example, the nominal voltage V of the battery 21 is 3.0 V, and the threshold value Vm is 2.1 V.

When the control unit 40 senses a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating unit 70 via the sensing electrode 80, the control unit 40 adjusts the power supplied to the stimulating electrode 30 so as to stop or reduce the power supply to the stimulating electrode 30. It is configured to control the output adjusting unit 401. When the power supply to the stimulation electrode 30 is stopped, the muscle electrical stimulation device 1 is automatically stopped.

In this example, a discharge circuit unit 85 that releases the electric power accumulated in the capacitor 86 that forms a part of a booster circuit (not shown) to the outside is provided. Then, the control unit 40 stops or reduces the power supply to the stimulation electrode 30 based on the detection of the decrease in the insulating property of the insulating unit 70 via the sensing electrode 80, and then connects to the capacitor 86 via the discharge circuit unit 85. Release the accumulated power to the outside. Specifically, the electric power stored in the capacitor 86 is discharged by a resistor (not shown) included in the discharge circuit unit 85. As a result, even when the muscle electrical stimulator 1 is restarted, an unexpected high voltage current is prevented from flowing to the stimulating electrode 30 due to the electric power stored in the capacitor 86.

The above-mentioned control by the control unit 40 when the decrease in the insulation property of the insulation unit 70 is detected means that the decrease in the insulation property of the insulation unit 70 is detected from the speaker 43 in place of or together with the stop or decrease of the power supply. A voice such as a buzzer sound for notifying may be output. Further, in place of or in combination with these, a predetermined display unit may be provided on the main body 10 to notify the display unit that a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating unit 70 has been detected. Good. Further, a light emitting device such as an LED may be provided in the main body portion 10, and the light emitting device may be made to emit light in a predetermined light emitting mode in order to notify that the deterioration of the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 is detected. Further, even if a predetermined vibration generator such as a vibrator is provided in the main body 10, the vibration generator may generate vibration of a predetermined mode in order to notify that the deterioration of the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 is detected. Good. Further, the control unit may include a fuse configured to cut the closed circuit L1 when a current equal to or higher than a predetermined value flows when the control unit senses a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating unit 70. Further, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 is provided with a communication unit for performing wireless communication or wired communication with a portable terminal such as a smartphone, and the above-mentioned predetermined display can be displayed on the terminal screen via the communication unit. The voice for the above notification may be output from the device, or the vibration generator of the terminal may generate the vibration of the above-mentioned predetermined mode.

Next, a mode of use of the muscle electrical stimulator 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 13, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 is attached to the abdomen 3 of the human body 2. The attachment position is a position where each stimulation electrode 30 overlaps each section 4a of the rectus abdominis muscle 4 when the muscle electrical stimulator 1 is viewed from the front side, and the muscle electrical stimulator 1 is abdominal straight in the abdomen 3. The position is such that the muscle 4 is wrapped in the left-right direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the stimulation electrode 30 and the skin surface 60 of the abdomen 3 can be energized via the gel pad 35. As a result, the stimulation electrode 30, the human body 2, the control unit 40, and the power supply unit 20 are electrically connected, and the closed circuit L1 in the normal state is formed. Then, a predetermined electrical stimulus stored in the output mode storage unit 405a shown in FIG. 14 is output from the stimulation electrode 30. The electrical stimulation output from the stimulation electrode 30 can be appropriately changed by the output mode switching unit 405 based on a predetermined timing based on the count by the timer 404 and the operation input to the operation unit 50.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, by any chance, a crack B1 reaching the sensing electrode 80 is formed at a position overlapping the first lead portion 38 of the insulating sheet 72, and the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 deteriorates. In this case, a conductive substance such as sweat enters the crack B1 which is a portion where the insulating property is deteriorated, so that the sensing electrode 80 and the skin surface 60 can be energized through the crack B1. Become. As a result, the sensing electrode 80, the crack B1, the human body 2, the stimulation electrode group 30, the control unit 40, and the power supply unit 20 are electrically connected, and the closed circuit L2 is formed. Then, the control unit 40 detects that a current has flowed to the control unit 40 via the sensing electrode 80, and the control unit 40 stops or reduces the power supply to the stimulation electrode 30 and the capacitor 86 (as described above). Control is performed so that the electric power stored in (see FIG. 14) is released to the outside.
Although not shown, the control unit 40 also performs the above control when the crack B1 is formed at a position overlapping the second lead portion 39 of the insulating sheet 72.

On the other hand, as a comparative example, as shown in FIG. 9, instead of the insulating layer 70 in this embodiment, a silicone resin coating layer 901 that covers only the lead portions 38 and 39 and insulates the lead portions 38 and 39 from the outside is provided. The case of the provided configuration will be described. In the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 9, when a crack B3 is generated in the coating layer 901 and the insulating property of the coating layer 901 is lowered, the stimulation electrode 30 and the skin surface 60 can be energized through the crack B3. A current flows directly between the lead portions 38 and 39 and the skin surface 60 through the crack B3. Then, excessive stimulation is generated on the skin surface 60 in contact with the crack B3, which causes discomfort to the user, or the muscles cannot be given a desired electrical stimulation from the stimulation electrode 30, thereby lowering the user's experience. There is a risk.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 8B, a crack B2 leading to the first stimulation electrode group 31 is formed at a position overlapping the second lead portion 38 in the first insulating layer 71 to insulate the first insulating layer 71. Even when the insulating property of the unit 70 is deteriorated, the control unit 40 performs the above control. That is, the sensing electrode 80, the crack B2 which is the portion where the insulating property is deteriorated, the stimulation electrode group 30, the control unit 40, and the power supply unit 20 are electrically connected, and a closed circuit (not shown) is formed. Then, the control unit 40 detects that a direct current has flowed between the sensing electrode 80 and the control unit 40, and the control unit 40 stops or reduces the power supply to the stimulation electrode 30 and the capacitor as described above. Control is performed so that the electric power stored in 86 (see FIG. 14) is released to the outside. Although not shown, when the crack B2 is formed at a position overlapping the second lead portion 39 in the first insulating layer 71, the control unit 40 similarly performs the above control.

The action and effect of the muscle electrical stimulator 1 of this example will be described in detail below.
In the muscle electrical stimulator 1 of this example, a sensing electrode 80 provided separately from the stimulating electrode 30 for applying electrical stimulation is covered with an insulating portion together with the lead portions 38 and 39. Then, the control unit 40 can detect that the insulating property of the insulating unit 70 has deteriorated via the sensing electrode 80. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 that insulates the lead portions 38 and 39 deteriorates, the control unit 40 can detect this, so that measures for preventing the deterioration of the user's experience and the like can be taken. Can be taken.

Further, in this example, the sensing electrode 80 is formed along the extending direction of the lead portions 38 and 39. As a result, the sensing electrode 80 can easily detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 before the insulating property of the lead portions 38 and 39 is impaired.

Further, in this example, the sensing electrode 80 is provided at a position closer to the outer surface 72a of the insulating portion 70 than the lead portions 38 and 39. As a result, when the outer surface 72a of the insulating portion 70 is damaged due to an external impact or the like, the control unit 40 is insulated via the sensing electrode 80 before the insulating properties of the lead portions 38 and 39 are impaired. It is possible to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the portion 70 (second insulating layer 72).

Further, in this example, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 has a sheet-shaped base material 33 extending from the main body portion 10, and the stimulation electrode 30 and the lead portions 38, 39 are the surfaces (back side surface 33b) of the base material 33. The insulating portion 70 is formed in a sheet-like first insulating layer 71 laminated on the base material 33 so as to cover the lead portions 38 and 39, and a sheet-shaped first insulating layer 71 laminated on the first insulating layer 71. It has two insulating layers 72, and the sensing electrode 80 is formed between the first insulating layer 71 and the second insulating layer 72. As a result, both the base material 33 on which the stimulation electrode 30 and the lead portions 38 and 39 are formed, and the first insulating layer 71 and the second insulating layer 72 of the insulating portion 70 are in the form of a sheet, so that the muscle electrical stimulation device 1 can be made thin, and in such a thin muscle electrical stimulator 1, it is easy for the sensing electrode 80 to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 before the insulating properties of the lead portions 38 and 39 are impaired. Become. In this example, the sensing electrode 80 is formed on the front side surface 72b of the second insulating layer 72, but instead of or together with this, the sensing electrode 80 faces the second insulating layer 72 in the first insulating layer 71. It may be formed on a surface. Further, while the muscle electrical stimulator 1 is made thin, the insulating portion 70 has two layers, the first insulating layer 71 and the second insulating layer 72, so that the insulating properties of the lead portions 38 and 39 can be easily improved. There is.

Further, in this example, the sensing electrode 80 is formed at a position overlapping the lead portions 38 and 39 in the stacking direction Z. As a result, the sensing electrode 80 is more likely to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 (second insulating layer 72) before the insulating properties of the lead portions 38 and 39 are impaired. Further, in this example, the sensing electrode 80 is formed wider than the lead portions 38 and 39 when viewed from the stacking direction Z. As a result, it becomes easier to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the sensing electrode 80 insulating portion 70 (second insulating layer 72) before the insulating properties of the lead portions 38 and 39 are impaired.

Further, in this example, the control unit 40 is configured to stop or reduce the power supply to the stimulation electrode 30 when the sensing electrode 80 senses a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion 70. As a result, when the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 is lowered, it is possible to prevent excessive electrical stimulation from being applied to the human body 2 from the portion (crack B1) where the insulating property is lowered, so that the user's experience is lowered. Can be prevented.

Further, in this example, the control unit 40 is configured to release the electric power accumulated in the capacitor 86 to the outside after stopping or reducing the electric power supply to the stimulation electrode 30. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electric power stored in the capacitor 86 from being inadvertently applied to the human body 2 from the stimulation electrode 30 after detecting the decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion 70, so that the user feels it. Can be prevented from decreasing.

Further, in this example, when the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 deteriorates, the sensing electrode 80 forms a closed circuit L2 together with the human body 2 in which the stimulating electrode 30 and the stimulating electrode 30 are in contact with each other, thereby forming the insulating portion 70. It is configured to detect that the insulation has deteriorated. As a result, it is possible to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 with a simple configuration.

In this example, the lead portions 38 and 39 are formed by printing on the sheet-shaped base material 33, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as a modification, the lead portions 38 and 39 may be made of a conductive wire. .. The wire shape of the lead portions 38 and 39 may be a single wire or a stranded wire. In this case, the first insulating portion 71 has a tubular shape that covers the wire, and a sensing electrode 80 made of a conductive wire is provided along the outer surface of the first insulating portion 71, and the tubular first insulating portion 71 is further provided. 2 It can be covered by the insulating portion 72. Even when such a configuration is adopted, the same action and effect as those of the present application can be obtained.

As described above, according to this example, in the muscle electrical stimulation device 1 in which the electrical stimulation is output from the stimulation electrode 30, the insulation of the insulating portion 70 that insulates the lead portions 38 and 39 connected to the stimulation electrode 30 from the outside. It is possible to detect a decrease in sex.

Further, the battery 21 provided in the power supply unit 20 can be a button battery or a coin battery, and in this example, it is a coin battery. As a result, the battery 21 becomes smaller, which contributes to the miniaturization of the muscle electrical stimulator 1. Since the weight of the muscle electrical stimulator 1 can be reduced as the size of the muscular electrical stimulator 1 is reduced, the stimulating electrode 30 is less likely to be peeled off or dropped from the user's body, improving usability and portability. Further, since the battery 21 is also thin, it also contributes to the thinning of the muscle electrical stimulator 1. Then, since the muscle electric stimulator 1 becomes thin, the user can wear clothes from above the muscle electric stimulator 1 with the muscle electric stimulator 1 attached. Therefore, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 can be used in various situations such as commuting to work or school, work such as housework or work. Further, since the button battery and the coin battery have stable discharge characteristics at a high operating voltage as compared with other dry batteries and the like, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 can be operated stably for a relatively long time.

Further, as the battery 21, a battery having a nominal voltage of 3.0 to 5.0 V can be adopted, and in this example, a battery 21 having a nominal voltage of 3.0 V is adopted. Since the driving voltages of the electronic components 42 and the speaker 43 provided in the muscle electrical stimulator 1 are the same, it is not necessary to separately provide a step-down circuit and a boosting circuit for driving these electronic components 42 and 43. This can contribute to miniaturization.

Further, the power supply unit 20 may include a rechargeable battery in place of the above-mentioned replaceable battery 21. As a charging means for such a battery, a power supply terminal that can be connected to an external power source may be provided, or a non-contact type power supply unit that uses electromagnetic induction may be provided. In this case, since the battery can be used repeatedly, consumables can be reduced as compared with the case of using a non-rechargeable battery.

In this example, the base material 33 on which the stimulation electrode 30 is formed is extended from the main body 10 and adhered to the electrode support 121 extending from the outer shell forming body 12 to stimulate the substrate 33. It was decided that the electrode 30 and the main body 10 are integrally formed. Instead of this, the base material 33 and the main body 10 are separated, and the electrode support 121 and the outer shell forming body 12 are formed as separate bodies, so that the main body 10 and the stimulation electrode 30 are not separated. It may be configured so that it can be separated from each other at the time of use. In this case, the stimulation electrode 30 can be separated from the main body 10 and replaced with another form of stimulation electrode. Further, since the stimulation electrode 30 does not have an electronic component, the stimulation electrode 30 can be easily cleaned by separating the stimulation electrode 30.

Further, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 may have a wireless communication unit. For example, the operation of the muscle electrical stimulator 1 may be controlled by operating the control unit 40 from the outside via the wireless communication unit. In this case, the power supply to the stimulation electrodes 31 to 313 and 321 to 323 may be individually controllable. Further, the usage history of the muscle electrical stimulator 1, the current operating state, the remaining battery level, and the like may be transmitted to the outside via the wireless communication unit so that these can be confirmed. The external receiving device is not particularly limited, and a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a personal computer can be used.

(Example 2)
In the muscle electrical stimulator 1 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, G3, so as to be able to apply electrical stimulation to the muscles of the flank in addition to the rectus abdominis muscle 4 (see FIG. 13). A third stimulation electrode group 314 and a fourth stimulation electrode group 324 are provided in the G4 region. In this example, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the electrode support portion 121 further extends from the second right side base portion 332 in the right direction X1 to form the fourth right side base portion 334. A belt attachment portion 125 for attaching a belt (not shown) is provided at the end of the fourth right base portion 334 in the right direction X1. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, a third stimulation electrode group 314 is formed on the back surface of the fourth right base portion 334. The third stimulation electrode group 314 has a fourth right side stimulation electrode 315 and a fifth right side stimulation electrode 316. The fourth right side stimulation electrode 315 is connected to the control unit 40 via the third lead unit 380. On the other hand, the fifth right side stimulation electrode 316 is connected to the control unit 40 via the fourth reed unit 390. Then, the same gel pad 35 as in the case of Example 1 is attached to the fourth right side stimulation electrode 315 and the fifth right side stimulation electrode 316, respectively.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 15, the electrode support portion 121 further extends from the second left side base portion 342 in the left direction X2 to form the fourth left side base portion 344. At the end of the fourth left base portion 344 in the left direction X2, a belt attachment portion 125 for attaching a belt (not shown) is provided. Then, on the back side surface of the fourth left base 3 4 4, as shown in FIG. 16, the fourth stimulation electrode group 324 is formed. The fourth stimulation electrode group 324 has a fourth left side stimulation electrode 325 and a fifth left side stimulation electrode 326. The fourth left side stimulation electrode 325 is connected to the control unit 40 via the third lead unit 380. On the other hand, the fifth left side stimulation electrode 326 is connected to the control unit 40 via the fourth reed unit 390. Then, the same gel pad 35 as in Example 1, respectively are bonded to the fourth left stimulating electrode 325 and the fifth left-side stimulation electrode 326.

As shown in FIG. 16, in this example as in the case of the first embodiment, the first lead portion 38 and the second lead portion 39 are formed and covered with the sensing electrode 80 in the stacking direction Z (see FIG. 6). There is. Further, in this example, the third lead portion 380 and the fourth lead portion 390 are also covered with the sensing electrode 80 in the stacking direction Z. Both the first stimulation electrode group 31 and the second stimulation electrode group 32 are collectively covered with a large gel pad 350.

Then, when using the muscle electrical stimulator 1 of this example, the first stimulating electrode group 31 and the second stimulating electrode group 32 are attached to the abdomen 3 (see FIG. 13) as in the case of Example 1. At the same time, the third stimulation electrode group 314 is attached to the right flank, and the fourth stimulation electrode group 324 is attached to the left flank. Then, it can be used in a state of being wound around the human body 2 (see FIG. 13) via a belt (not shown). As a result, the muscle electrical stimulator 1 can apply electrical stimulation to the abdomen 3 as in the case of the first embodiment. Further, a closed circuit can be formed via the fourth right side stimulation electrode 315, the fifth right side stimulation electrode 316, and the human body 2, and electrical stimulation can be applied to the right flank, and the fourth left side stimulation electrode 325 and the fifth left side stimulation can be applied. A closed circuit can be formed via the electrode 326 and the human body 2 to apply electrical stimulation to the left flank.

The muscle electrical stimulator 1 of this example also has the same effect as that of Example 1. In this example, the third lead portion 380 and the fourth lead portion 390 are formed longer than the first lead portion 38 and the second lead portion 39, and are formed at positions close to the outer edge of the electrode support portion 121. ing. Therefore, the third lead portion 380 and the fourth lead portion 390 are susceptible to an impact from the outside, and the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 that insulates the third lead portion 380 and the fourth lead portion 390 may be easily deteriorated. However, since the sensing electrode 80 is formed as described above, even if the insulating property of the insulating portion 70 that insulates the third lead portion 380 and the fourth lead portion 390 deteriorates, it can be reliably detected. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the user's experience.

(Example 3)
In the muscle electrical stimulator 1 of the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the stimulating electrode 30 has the same configuration as the stimulating electrodes 311 and 321 of the first embodiment, but is slightly larger than the stimulating electrode 311. Two 321 are provided. As shown in FIG. 17, the notch portion 175 cut along the main body portion 10 toward the notch portion 17 at the boundary portion between the first right side base portion 331 and the first left side base portion 341 with the main body portion 10. Is formed. The deepest cut portion of the cut portion 175 is the deepest portion 17a.

As shown in FIG. 18, when viewed from the back surface side of the muscle electrical stimulator 1, the sensing electrodes 801, 802, 803 do not overlap the reed portions 38, 39, but the reed portions 38, in the vicinity of the reed portions 38, 39, It extends along the extension direction of 39. Then, as shown in FIG. 19, the sensing electrodes 801 and 802 are formed on the back surface 33a of the base material 33, similarly to the lead portions 38 and 39 and the stimulating electrode 30 (see FIG. 18). Then, the insulating portion 700, which is a coating made of silicon resin , collectively covers the sensing electrodes 801, 802, the lead portions 38, 39, and the stimulating electrode 30.

As shown in FIG. 19, in a cross section perpendicular to the base material 33 and intersecting in the extending direction of the lead portion 38, the sensing electrode 801 has the lead portion 38 and one outer edge 701 of the insulating portion 700. It is located in between. Further, the sensing electrode 802 is located between the lead portion 38 and the other outer edge 702 of the insulating portion 700.

According to the muscle electrical stimulator 1 of this example, for example, in the cut portion 170 shown in FIG. 18, the outer edge 701 of the sheet-shaped insulating portion 700 (in this example, the deepest portion 17a of the cut portion 17) or the outer edge 702 (in this example). that is, in this example, toward the lead portion 38, 39 from the deepest 175a) of the cut portion 175, when cracked the insulating portion 700 and the substrate 33, the crack reaches the lead portions 3 8, 39 Before this, the sensing electrodes 801 and 802 are reached, and the sensing electrodes 801 and 802 are exposed due to the cracks, so that the insulating property of the insulating portion 700 is lowered. Therefore, the control unit 40 can detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating unit 700 via the sensing electrodes 801 and 802 before the insulating property of the lead units 38 and 39 is impaired.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 19, the lead portion 38 is located between the two sensing electrodes 801 and 802 in a cross section perpendicular to the base material 33 and intersecting the lead portion 38. As a result, cracks are formed from either the outer edges 701 or 702 (the deepest portions 17a and 175a in this example) of the insulating portion 700 in the direction parallel to the substrate 33 in the cross section perpendicular to the base material 33 toward the lead portion 38. Even if it enters, the control unit 40 can detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating unit 700 via the sensing electrode 80 before the insulating property of the lead unit 38 is impaired. The two sensing electrodes 801 and 802 may be formed by branching two sensing electrodes having the same potential.
In addition, with respect to the configuration common to Examples 1 and 2, the same action and effect are obtained in this example as well.

In this example, the lead portions 38 and 39 and the sensing electrodes 801 and 802 are formed by printing on the sheet-shaped base material 33, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as a modification, the lead portions 38 and 39 are conductive wires. The sensing electrode 800 may be provided in the insulating portion that collectively holds the lead portions 38 and 39. In this case as well, when a crack or the like occurs from the end or edge of the insulating portion as in this example, the lead portions 38 and 39 are insulated via the sensing electrodes 801 and 802 before the insulating property is impaired. It is possible to detect a decrease in the insulation of the part. The configuration of the insulating portion is not particularly limited, and for example, a belt-shaped member that can be wound around the body portion, limbs, or the like of the human body 2 in order to bring the stimulation electrode 30 into contact with the human body 2 can be used. Further, as the material of the insulating portion, a known material having an insulating property can be appropriately adopted. For example, a strip-shaped cloth having an insulating property is used as the insulating portion, and a wire-shaped lead portion is attached to the cloth and sensed. The electrodes may be assembled and the lead portion and the sensing electrode may be covered with the cloth.

The present invention is not limited to each of the above embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the gist thereof.

1 Muscle electrical stimulator 10 Main body 30 Stimulation electrode 33 Base material 38, 39, 380, 390 Lead part 40 Control part 70, 700 Insulation part 71 First insulation layer 72 Second insulation layer 80, 801, 802 Sensing electrode

Claims (5)

A muscle electrical stimulator for applying electrical stimulation to muscles.
With the main body
The control unit housed in the main body and
The stimulation electrode for applying the above electrical stimulation and
A lead unit that electrically connects the stimulating electrode and the control unit,
With the sensing electrode electrically connected to the control unit,
An insulating portion that covers the lead portion and the sensing electrode and insulates the lead portion and the sensing electrode from the outside.
With
The control unit is configured to detect a decrease in the insulating property of the insulating portion via the sensing electrode .
The sensing electrode is a muscle electrical stimulator provided at a position closer to the outer surface of the insulating portion than the lead portion. The muscle electrical stimulator according to claim 1 , wherein the sensing electrode is formed along the extending direction of the lead portion. It has a sheet-like base material extending from the main body, and has
The stimulation electrode and the lead portion are formed on the surface of the base material.
The insulating portion has a first insulating layer laminated on the base material so as to cover the lead portion, and a second insulating layer laminated on the first insulating layer.
The sensing electrode is provided between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer.
The muscle electrical stimulator according to claim 1 or 2. The muscle electrical stimulator according to claim 3 , wherein the sensing electrode is formed at a position overlapping the lead portion in the stacking direction. The muscle electrical stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the control unit is configured to stop or reduce the power supply to the stimulating electrode when it senses the decrease in insulation. ..

Images