JP7485878B2 - Electrolytic hydrogen generating device for carrying out bioimprovement method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bioimprovement method for improving vital functions and/or cognitive functions by regularly orally or nasally inhaling high-concentration hydrogen-containing air using a portable electrolytic hydrogen generator, and to an electrolytic hydrogen generator suitable for carrying out this method.

In recent years, the effectiveness of hydrogen has attracted attention in human clinical trials, and various research projects into its medical applications are being actively conducted. There are a wide variety of methods for administering hydrogen to the human body, including intravenous administration, oral administration of a solution, and gas inhalation (through the nose and mouth).

However, while medical clinical trials have been conducted to date, such as administering aqueous solutions containing hydrogen or applying hydrogen as eye drops, no clear clinical trials have been conducted on gas inhalation. On the other hand, public awareness and the market for gas inhalation-like products, such as pseudo-electronic cigarettes and cigarettes that do not emit sidestream smoke, have expanded in the wake of the recent anti-smoking boom, and as a result, hydrogen inhalation, which is thought to lead to health promotion, has also attracted attention.

On the other hand, there are concerns that the market for the physical and mental effects of hydrogen inhalation is based on speculation and emotion, and there is a need for clinical trials to determine what kind of biological reactions are actually caused by inhaling hydrogen.

In light of these circumstances, the inventor conducted various clinical trials on the biological reactions caused by inhaling hydrogen, and obtained empirical results showing that it reduces brain stress and has a significant effect on physical functions (see Patent Document 3). From this, it was believed that inhaling hydrogen would give dominance to the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and fatigue while improving left and right cognitive function. At the same time, based on these results, the applicant provided a device that allows general users to inhale hydrogen on a daily basis, even at home.

However, the above results merely confirmed a reduction in brain stress and improvement in physical function within a specified period of time after inhaling hydrogen, and did not confirm the effectiveness of continuous inhalation for those whose cognitive and daily living functions are constantly declining, such as dementia patients and middle-aged and elderly people.

On the other hand, in Japan, so-called preventive measures and dementia measures are urgently needed in preparation for the coming aging society, and it is estimated that the prevalence of elderly people with cognitive impairment will reach 20% in 2025. Early diagnosis and early treatment of cognitive impairment are necessary, but preventive care to suppress the decline of cognitive function is still in the experimental stage. In particular, those suspected of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are in a state before being certified as having dementia, and there are a very large number of people who are unaware of the condition, but cognitive function can be maintained and restored through preventive care. If we can improve the cognitive function of these people and improve their physical and mental health, it will become one of the dementia care and health support for the elderly, and it is thought that this will have great social significance.

In this situation, the inventors have gained the knowledge that hydrogen inhalation reduces brain stress and improves physical function as described above, and have further researched and developed a hydrogen inhalation method and an apparatus that can be applied to improving cognitive function and preventive care in people suspected of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

JP 2004-41949 A Patent Application No. 2014-019640 International Publication No. WO2018/151107

The present invention was created in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a bioimprovement method for improving daily living functions and/or cognitive functions in middle-aged and elderly individuals, including those suspected of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI), by regularly orally or nasally inhaling high-concentration hydrogen-containing air, and at the same time to provide an appropriate hydrogen generation device (hydrogen inhalation device) for carrying out the method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a bioimprovement method for improving living functions and/or cognitive functions, and a portable electrolytic hydrogen generation device for use in improving living functions and/or cognitive functions.

First, as a first aspect of the present invention, we provide a bioimprovement method for improving vital functions and/or cognitive functions by regularly orally or nasally inhaling air containing a high concentration of hydrogen using a portable electrolytic hydrogen generator.

When high-concentration hydrogen-containing air is regularly ingested orally or through the nose under natural breathing, as in the first bioimprovement method of the present invention, vital functions and cognitive functions can be improved as described below. Until now, short-term biological reactions have been verified immediately after hydrogen is orally or through the nose, but as described below, it has now been found that regular hydrogen inhalation, such as inhaling it several times a day for a few minutes, consistently improves and maintains vital functions and cognitive functions. In order to achieve this, it can be said that a major advantage of this invention (the second invention described below) is that it provides the desirability of inhaling high-concentration hydrogen using a portable electrolytic hydrogen generator as the best mode for inhaling a predetermined amount or more of hydrogen on a daily basis.

In addition, it is preferable that the inhalation of high-concentration hydrogen-containing air using this bioimprovement method be performed for a specified period of time at least five times a day with intervals of at least approximately 15 minutes, and continued for at least approximately four weeks.

For example, hydrogen can be inhaled at least five times a day for about five minutes each time, and this can be continued for at least four weeks to ensure improvement in daily function and/or cognitive function. The inhalation time is not necessarily limited, and it can be inhaled continuously, but it is desirable to inhale five times a day, with at least 15 minutes between inhalation, such as "upon waking up, after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and before going to bed." In addition, the fact that a definite effect can be expected by inhaling hydrogen continuously for about four weeks, and that the effect is maintained even after hydrogen inhalation is stopped, is also an advantage of the present invention.

The second aspect of the present invention is a portable electrolytic hydrogen generator used to improve vital functions and/or cognitive functions by orally or nasally inhaling high-concentration hydrogen-containing air,
a main body cover member including a battery, a control board for controlling the supply of power from the battery, and a pair of anode and cathode electrodes whose anode and cathode are electrified or cut off by the control board;
a transparent or semi-transparent electrolytic cell attached to the body cover member, into which the pair of positive and negative electrodes are inserted, and capable of storing water;
a mixing unit that fluidly connects a nozzle unit that can be held in one hand and taken orally or nasally with the electrolytic cell and has a flow path that takes in ambient air;
an operating means for operating the electrolytic hydrogen generation device while holding it with one hand;
Equipped with
The control board provides an electrolytic hydrogen generating device that controls the supply and cut-off of power from the battery to the positive and negative electrodes by operating a single operating means.

The electrolytic hydrogen generator of the second invention is a portable hydrogen generator that allows high-concentration hydrogen-containing air to be orally or nasally aspirated as a dedicated item used to improve vital functions and/or cognitive functions. As described above in the first invention, when high-concentration hydrogen-containing air is orally or nasally ingested under natural breathing, improvements in vital functions and/or cognitive functions are observed, and this electrolytic hydrogen generator employs various characteristic configurations as a dedicated device that can appropriately achieve this improvement. First, this electrolytic hydrogen generator is portable, can be operated while holding it in one hand when inhaling hydrogen, and employs an electrolytic method for generating hydrogen. To improve vital functions and/or cognitive functions, it is necessary to regularly inhale high-concentration hydrogen-containing air, for example, for a predetermined period of time at intervals of about 15 minutes or more every day, and to continue for about four weeks or more. It is essential that the device is portable so that it can be easily used anywhere, such as at home. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the amount of hydrogen generated while being small enough to be portable, and an electrolytic method is adopted that makes it easy to control the amount of hydrogen generated even in a small space according to the electromotive force. In addition, since it would be difficult to obtain the proper effect if users with impaired cognitive function were required to use the device regularly and complex operations were required, a configuration is adopted in which at least the operations related to hydrogen generation and stopping can be easily operated with one operating means by the hand that holds the device when inhaling hydrogen. Furthermore, in the case of electrolytic hydrogen generation, hydrogen and oxygen bubbles are generated in the electrolytic cell, and if the electrolytic cell is made transparent or translucent, even users with impaired cognitive function and reduced ability to continue a single task can understand the state of bubble generation and easily recognize that they are inhaling good gas. This is also advantageous in that it is easy for caregivers to understand.

In addition, this electrolytic hydrogen generating device has the following features:
It is preferable that the operating means is a button type that can be operated by pressing, and when pressed multiple times in succession, it sends an ON/OFF signal for the main power supply to the control board, and when pressed with the main power supply ON and the pressed state is maintained, the control board controls the supply of power from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes, and when the pressed state is released, it stops the supply of power from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes.

To allow use by users with impaired cognitive function, it is preferable that this electrolytic hydrogen generator be designed so that the main power supply can be turned on and off and the power supply and cutoff for hydrogen generation can be controlled by a single push button, and hydrogen is generated only when the push button is pressed.

In addition, it is preferable that the operating means of this electrolytic hydrogen generation device is a button type that can be operated by pressing, and when pressed, an ON/OFF signal for the main power supply is sent to the control board, and when pressed to turn the main power supply ON, the control board supplies power from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes, and then, after a preset time has elapsed, controls the supply of power from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes to be stopped .

Even in the case of electrolytic hydrogen generators in which hydrogen is inhaled while the push button is pressed as described above, when a specified time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed, the electricity is automatically cut off and hydrogen generation is stopped, even if the push button is pressed. In order to improve daily life functions and/or cognitive functions, it is preferable to continuously inhale hydrogen-containing air several times a day for a specified period of time, but elderly users and users with reduced cognitive function may find it difficult to keep track of the inhalation time each time or to manage the time themselves. Therefore, even if the operation button is kept pressed, when the recommended inhalation time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed, the electricity to the positive and negative electrodes is cut off, and the inhalation time can be managed naturally without the user having to manage it.

Furthermore, the electrolytic hydrogen generating device includes an LED for irradiating the electrolytic cell,
It is preferable that the control board energizes the LED when power is supplied from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes.

With this electrolytic hydrogen generator, the positive and negative electrodes are energized and the electrolytic cell is irradiated while hydrogen etc. is being generated, making it easy to recognize the state of hydrogen generation and clearly visible the bubbles inside, allowing the user to recognize that they are inhaling hydrogen even when the air contains tasteless and odorless hydrogen. In addition, even if the user is far away from the inhaler, it is possible to tell whether the user is inhaling hydrogen or not, making it easier for caregivers of users with impaired cognitive function to manage.

According to the present invention, a bioimprovement method is provided in which middle-aged and elderly individuals, including those suspected of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI), are routinely given oral or nasal inhalation of high-concentration hydrogen-containing air to improve their daily living and/or cognitive functions, and at the same time, a suitable hydrogen generating device (hydrogen inhalation device) is provided for carrying out the method.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3 showing an example of an electrolytic hydrogen generating device according to the second invention of the present invention, which is suitable for carrying out a bioimprovement method for improving vital functions and/or cognitive functions by routinely orally or nasally inhaling high-concentration hydrogen-containing air according to the first invention of the present invention. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E are views of the electrolytic hydrogen generation device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from each direction, with (a) being a left side view, (b) being a front view, (c) being a right side view, (d) being a bottom view, and (e) being a top view. FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view illustrating each component of the electrolytic hydrogen generation device shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a table showing the results of a demonstration test using the electrolytic hydrogen generation device shown in FIG. 1.

First, an example of the bioimprovement method of the present invention for improving daily living functions and/or cognitive functions (hereinafter also referred to simply as "this bioimprovement method") and its demonstrated results will be described below.

In the verification test using this bioimprovement method, hydrogen generated by a health improvement hydrogen generation device (electrolytic hydrogen gas inhalation device 100 ("Kencos 2" manufactured by Aquabank Co., Ltd. (see Figures 1 to 3) described below) is orally inhaled. Specifically, hydrogen generated by the electrolytic hydrogen gas inhalation device 100 is inhaled five times a day for about four weeks under natural respiration (if inhaling continuously, there should be an interval of at least 15 minutes. Preferably, after waking up, after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and before going to bed) for a few minutes each time (preferably about five minutes). The amount of hydrogen generated per unit time by the electrolytic hydrogen gas inhalation device 100 used in this verification test is 8 cc of hydrogen per minute by electrolysis (4 cc of oxygen is also generated at the same time), so 12 cc of oxygen/hydrogen mixed gas is generated per minute. This mixed gas is inhaled under natural respiration. Normally, when breathing naturally, an adult inhales about 5 liters of air per minute, and assuming that all of the mixed gas produced is inhaled, the exhaled air will contain a maximum of 0.24% mixed gas (0.18% hydrogen, 0.06% oxygen).

The gases generated from the electrolytic hydrogen gas suction device 100 are hydrogen and oxygen, and the hydrogen and oxygen concentrations in the mixed gas are both higher than in the atmosphere, but the increase in each concentration is 0.18% for hydrogen and 0.06% for oxygen, as described above, while the concentrations in the atmosphere are 0.5× ¹⁰⁻⁴ % (=0.5 ppm) for hydrogen and approximately 21% for oxygen. Therefore, the increase in oxygen concentration in the mixed gas is very small, and it can be considered that it mostly contributes to the increase in hydrogen concentration.

The subjects were elderly people aged 60 years or older, selected with the cooperation of the Health Support Division of Nishinoomote City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Before the study started, they were divided into two groups and took questionnaires and tests (see questionnaires (1)-(3) and tests (1)-(7) below) at a venue attached to the city hall (hereinafter referred to as the "test venue"). One group was instructed to take home an electrolytic hydrogen gas inhalation device and inhale hydrogen for 30 days, while the other group was not to inhale hydrogen. After 30 days, both groups took the same tests as at the start. After this, the group that had been inhaling hydrogen stopped inhaling, and conversely, the group that had not been inhaling hydrogen started inhaling hydrogen. After another 30 days, each group took the tests that they had taken at the start again, and differences in the results were evaluated.

The following questionnaires and tests were administered to the subjects before hydrogen inhalation.
Although various tests were conducted for each item, we will mention only those that were found to be clearly significant.
<Survey (in the test venue)>
(1) MOS 8-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8)
It evaluates objective and subjective QOL related to overall health.
(2) The National Institute of Gerontology's Activity Ability Index is used to evaluate the IADL of older adults.
(3) JST Activity Capability Index

<<Each test (in the test venue)>>
(1) MMSE Dementia Confirmation Test This test consists of 11 questions with a maximum score of 30 points, and includes orientation, memory, calculation, verbal ability, graphic ability, etc. A score of 24 or more is considered normal, while a score of less than 10 points indicates severe intellectual disability, and a score of less than 20 points indicates moderate intellectual disability.

(2) Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS)
It consists of 20 questions, all of which are rated on a four-point scale (always, often, sometimes, rarely). Specifically, the depressive state factor is composed of 20 items: "depressed, depressed, sad,""dailyvariation,""crying,""sleep,""appetite,""sexualdesire,""weightloss,""constipation,""palpitations,""fatigue,""confusion,""psychomotordecline,""psychomotoragitation,""hopelessness,""irritability,""indecision,""self-underestimation,""emptiness,""suicidalideation," and "dissatisfaction." Questions 1 and 3 are about emotions, 8 items 2 and 4-10 are about physiological accompanying symptoms, and 10 items 11-20 are about psychological accompanying symptoms. Each question is given a self-evaluation score of 1, 2, 3, or 4, with 40-47 points being judged as mild depression, 48-55 points being judged as moderate depression, and 56 points or more being judged as severe depression.

(3) Mental Health Test (WHO SUBI)
Mental health (subjective sense of well-being) is diagnosed based on three elements: "mental health (positive emotions),""mental fatigue (negative emotions)," and "satisfaction." Specifically, mental health and mental fatigue are assessed from 11 subscales (positive feelings toward life/sense of accomplishment/confidence/sense of bliss/support from close relatives/social support/relationships with family/sense of mental control/sense of physical ill-health/lack of social connections/sense of disappointment toward life) (answer 40 questions on a three-point scale). It includes not only mental health, but also interpersonal relationships and physical health, making it a comprehensive assessment of mental life.

(4) Insomnia test (Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS))
Participants are asked to give themselves a score of 1, 2, 3, or 4 for eight questions about sleep problems they have experienced three or more times a week in the past month, and their insomnia is assessed with a total score. A score of 1 to 3 means there is no need to worry about sleep disorders, a score of 4 to 5 means there is a slight possibility of insomnia, and a score of 6 or more means there is a high possibility of insomnia.

(5) Brain age measurement (A-TMT test)
Participants were asked to press the numbers on the monitor screen from 1 to 25 as quickly as possible without making any mistakes. This measurement was carried out twice, and by analyzing the accuracy rate and reaction time, the difference between real age and brain age (measuring device: "RakuRaku Wellness" manufactured by Well-Up Co., Ltd.) and brain activity were evaluated and analyzed.

(6) Measurement of vascular age Vascular age was measured using an acceleration plethysmograph (measuring device: "Raku-Raku Wellness", manufactured by Well-Up Co., Ltd.), which calculates useful information by second-order differentiation based on fingertip volume pulse waves that observe changes in the content of capillaries in the nail plate of the fingers. The difference between actual age and vascular age was then evaluated and analyzed.

(7) Assessment of brain executive function and measurement of center of gravity sway Analysis of effects on brain executive function (comprehensive analysis of left-right recognition, visual field function, short-term memory, skin sensation, center of gravity balance, etc.) (Measuring device: Brain Executive Function Meter EF-60, manufactured by Anima Co., Ltd.) Specifically, tests were conducted in which participants were asked to determine whether a white circle displayed on a computer was to the left or right of the center line and to press a button as quickly as possible, and whether they were asked to determine whether the left or right diaphragm was vibrating and to press a button as quickly as possible.

In addition, to assess static balance, which is an indicator of the risk of falling in elderly people, the fluctuation of the center of gravity when standing upright was measured, and center of gravity sway measurements were conducted to evaluate balance function from the patterns and data. The distance the center of gravity moved while standing still for 30 seconds was measured on a center of gravity sway meter (measuring device: Brain Executive Function Meter EF-60, manufactured by Anima Co., Ltd.).

<Hydrogen inhalation and hydrogen inhalation device for each subject>
Each subject was loaned an electrolytic hydrogen gas suction device 100 (see Figures 1 to 3) described below, which they inhaled themselves or with a caregiver at home or elsewhere. As described above, the subjects inhaled hydrogen generated by the electrolytic hydrogen gas suction device 100 five times a day (with at least a 15-minute gap between successive inhalations, preferably after waking up, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before bedtime) every day for about four weeks under natural breathing for a few minutes each time (preferably about five minutes), and then returned the device. The subjects inhaled hydrogen by placing the nozzle 5 of the electrolytic hydrogen gas suction device 100 over their mouth or nose.

<Verification and analysis of test results for each test>
The test results mentioned above, particularly those in which the effect of hydrogen inhalation was deemed significant, will be explained below with reference to Figure 4. The test results in Figure 4 are the results of t-tests and effect size (r: correlation coefficient) calculations using a before-and-after comparative test method before starting hydrogen inhalation (before intervention) and after continuous hydrogen inhalation (after intervention), and the results were analyzed for statistical significance in terms of the difference in average values before and after the intervention (IBM SPSS Statistics 25 was used for the analysis).

Figure 4 shows the results before and after the intervention for each of the above tests (1) to (7). Here, the subjects were women living in a community with a large elderly population (Nishinoomote City). The left column shows the total number of people (86 people, n=86), the middle column shows the seven elderly people living in the community who were suspected of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n=7), and the right column shows the p-value and r-value.

In the left and center columns, M indicates the mean value, and SD indicates the standard deviation. Standard deviation is the positive square root of variance, and indicates the degree of variation in each person's test results. The smaller the standard deviation, the smaller the variation, indicating the validity of the data.

The r value (effect size) is a correlation coefficient that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between hydrogen inhalation and each test, with r = ±1 indicating the strongest correlation and ±0 indicating no correlation. Here, using general theory as a standard, r < 0.10 is determined to be a small correlation (Small), 0.10 ≤ r < 0.50 is a medium correlation (Medium), and r ≥ 0.50 is determined to be a large correlation (Large). The p value indicates the probability of significance, that is, the probability (chance) of the result occurring if hydrogen inhalation is unrelated to each test, and it can be said that the lower the p value, the more hydrogen inhalation is related to the effects of each test.

Taking this into consideration, the test results in Figure 4 show that in the MMSE dementia confirmation test, the standard deviation of community-dwelling elderly women before the intervention (SD = 2.2), the average value of community-dwelling elderly people suspected of having MIC before the intervention (SD = 1.2), and the standard deviation of community-dwelling elderly people suspected of having MIC after the intervention (SD = 1.1) are relatively small, the correlation coefficient r value (r = 0.84) is large, and it is clear with a significant probability (p = 0.00) that hydrogen inhalation has had an effect on improvement in the MMSE dementia confirmation test. Therefore, it can be seen that improved cognitive function is an effect of continued hydrogen inhalation.

Next, in the depression scale test (SDS), the standard deviation of the community-dwelling elderly women before the intervention (SD = 2.9), the standard deviation of the community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC before the intervention (SD = 3.8), and the standard deviation of the community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC after the intervention (SD = 1.8) were relatively small, the correlation coefficient r value (r = 0.61) was large, and the significance probability (p = 0.19) was small, indicating that hydrogen inhalation has a significant impact on the improvement of the depression scale test (SDS). Therefore, an improvement in the reduction of depression can be recognized as an effect of continued hydrogen inhalation.

Furthermore, with regard to "confidence," one of the 11 subscales of the Mental Health Test (WHO SUBI), the standard deviation for community-dwelling elderly women before the intervention (SD = 1.3), the standard deviation for community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC before the intervention (SD = 0.9), and the standard deviation for community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC after the intervention (SD = 1.1) were small, the correlation coefficient r value (r = 0.48) was relatively large (near Large), and the significance probability (p = 0.08) was very small, so an improvement in "confidence" can be recognized as an effect of continued hydrogen inhalation.

In addition, in the insomnia test (Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS)), the standard deviation of community-dwelling elderly women before the intervention (SD = 3.9), the standard deviation of community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC before the intervention (SD = 2.1), and the standard deviation of community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC after the intervention (SD = 1.2) were relatively small, the correlation coefficient r value (r = 0.50) was large, and although the significance probability (p = 0.88) was not small, it can be recognized that continuous use of hydrogen inhalation has a certain degree of effect in improving insomnia.

Furthermore, in brain age measurements (A-TMT test (brain age - actual age)), the standard deviation of community-dwelling elderly women before the intervention was (SD = 6.9), the standard deviation of community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC before the intervention (SD = 6.3), and the standard deviation of community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC after the intervention (SD = 8.7), with a certain degree of variability in the data, and although the significance probability was (p = 0.86), the correlation coefficient r value (r = 0.05) was small (Small), so the results of this study could not confirm any improvement in brain age itself as an effect of continued hydrogen inhalation.

Meanwhile, in the vascular age measurements (vascular age - actual age), the standard deviation for community-dwelling elderly women before the intervention was (SD = 5.1), the standard deviation for community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC before the intervention (SD = 6.3), and the standard deviation for community-dwelling elderly women suspected of having MIC after the intervention (SD = 6.4), so although there is a certain degree of variability in the data, the correlation coefficient r value (r = 0.54) is large and the significance probability (p = 0.05) is very small, indicating that hydrogen inhalation has a significant effect on the results of vascular age measurements. Therefore, an improvement in vascular age can be recognized as an effect of continued hydrogen inhalation.

Furthermore, a significant effect of continuous hydrogen inhalation was observed in the assessment of cerebral executive function and in the measurement of center of gravity sway, particularly in the balance in the central (Y) direction (front-to-back balance) and the balance of the front-to-back width (cm) in the center of gravity sway test. Specifically, the standard deviations of the community-dwelling elderly women before the intervention (SD = 1.7, 1.1), the standard deviations of the community-dwelling elderly people suspected of having MIC before the intervention (SD = 1.7, 0.4), and the standard deviations of the community-dwelling elderly people suspected of having MIC after the intervention (SD = 0.9, 0.7) are small, the correlation coefficient r value (r = 0.61, 0.61) is large, and the significance probability (p = 0.02, 0.02) is very small, indicating that hydrogen inhalation has a significant effect on improving center of gravity sway.

These test results show that regular hydrogen inhalation is effective in improving cognitive function, reducing depression, improving insomnia, and improving brain executive functions such as center of gravity balance, and that hydrogen inhalation is expected to be one method of improving the lifestyles of elderly people (preventive care). In particular, if hydrogen inhalation keeps people within the MIC risk zone, it can significantly reduce the risk of dementia, which has great social significance.

≪Electrolytic hydrogen generator≫
Next, a representative embodiment of the electrolytic hydrogen generating device of the second invention (hereinafter, "electrolytic hydrogen gas inhalation device") as a hydrogen generating device recommended for carrying out the bioimprovement method for improving vital functions and/or cognitive functions of the first invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. However, it goes without saying that the electrolytic hydrogen generating device (electrolytic hydrogen gas inhalation device 100) of the present invention is not limited to that shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic hydrogen gas suction device 100 of the present invention taken along line A-A in Figure 3(c). Figure 2 is an exploded view illustrating each component of the electrolytic hydrogen gas suction device 100. Figure 3 shows views of the electrolytic hydrogen gas suction device 100 of Figures 1 and 2 from each direction, with (a) being a left side view, (b) being a front view, (c) being a right side view, (d) being a bottom view, and (e) being a top view. In this specification, the terms "upper-lower direction" and "longitudinal direction" refer to the upper-lower direction and the vertical direction of the paper in (b), and the terms "width direction," "horizontal direction," and "side" refer to the left-right direction, horizontal direction, and left-right side of the paper in (b).

As mentioned above, Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of each component of the electrolytic hydrogen gas suction device 100. The main body cover 1 is a resin case that has an opening at the top and a battery receiving section 43 into which the entire battery 36 is inserted and built in vertically from the opening, and an electrolytic cell receiving section 44 that is vertically parallel to the battery receiving section 43 and has a shape that allows the reduced diameter section 45 at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 10 to be inserted from above and fitted into it. The battery 36 used here is preferably a rechargeable lithium battery.

The main body cover 1 is long on the battery receiving section 43 side, and has a shape in which the upper part on the electrolytic cell receiving section 44 side is cut off so as to incline to the side. The bottom of the main body cover 1 including the battery 36 can open and close the bottom of the battery receiving section 43 using the main body bottom cover 6 as a lid member, and during assembly, the battery 36 is inserted from the bottom and then the bottom of the battery receiving section 43 is closed with the main body bottom cover 6. The main body bottom cover 6 is closed with a cross-recessed screw 38. In addition, the main body cover 1 is provided with a space for arranging two control boards (electronic boards) 33, 42 on both sides of the battery receiving section 43 so as to sandwich the battery 36 in the vertical direction, and the control board 33 on the side of the main body cover 1 is the main control board, and controls the power supply from the battery 36 to the control board 42 on the electrolytic cell 10 side that supplies power to the suction section 32 (aroma generating device) and the mesh electrode 17 (electrode plate).

A decorative panel 9 is attached to the side of the main body cover 1 along the longitudinal side, and the decorative panel 9 is provided with, from the top, a button hole 9a through which the operation button 35 to the control board 33 can be seen, an LED hole 9b for emitting light from the LED board 30, and a charging connector hole 9c for connecting a connector for charging the battery 36 from an external power source.

When the operation button 35 is pressed three times, the main power supply is turned on, and the control board 33 sends a power supply signal to the control board 42, which then supplies the power of the battery 36 to the pair of mesh electrodes (electrode plates) 17 via the crimped board 28. At this time, the control board 33 sends a power supply signal to the power supply LED 30, causing the LED 30 to emit light (white light when the battery 36 is charged at 80% or more, blue light when the battery is charged at 20% to 80%, and red or flashing light when the battery is charged at less than 20%). This allows the user to visually confirm that hydrogen gas is being generated and the remaining charge of the battery 36 through the LED hole 9b. In addition, pressing the operation button 35 three times again turns the main power supply off. The reason why the main power supply is turned on/off when the operation button 35 is pressed three times is a safety condition to avoid unintentional button operation and hydrogen generation when the user puts this electrolysis type hydrogen gas suction device 100 in a pocket or the like and moves around.

When the main power is ON, pressing the operation button 35 and keeping it pressed (kept pressed) causes the control board 33 to send a power supply signal to the control board 42, which supplies power from the battery 36 to the pair of mesh electrodes (anode and cathode plates) 17 via the pressure-bonded board 28. When the user removes his or her fingers from the operation button 35 and releases the pressed state, the power supply stops. While power is being supplied to the mesh electrode 17, the control board 42 supplies power to the electrolytic cell LED 31, which emits blue light to illuminate the electrolytic cell 10. This causes the user to enter a hydrogen gas generating state, and the user can visually confirm that hydrogen and other bubbles are being generated from the mesh electrode in the electrolytic cell 10.

The mesh electrodes 17 are arranged in pairs, one for each electrode, in parallel and extending lengthwise upward, forming an anode and a cathode, and correspond to the power from the anode and cathode of the battery 36. The upper end of the mesh electrode 17 is cut obliquely to correspond to the boundary between the reduced diameter portion 45 and the water storage body portion 46 of the electrolytic cell 10. The lower end of the mesh electrode 17 is connected to a rod-shaped titanium electrode 16 so that it can be erected and electrically connected to the terminal board 28. In order to waterproof the mesh electrode 17 and the terminal board 28 when the mesh electrode 17 is erected, a packing 13 (made of resin such as silicone) is attached to the terminal board 28, and an O-ring (made of resin such as silicone: hereinafter, the same applies to the O-ring) is attached around the titanium electrode 16.

The electrolytic cell 10 is a water storage container, and from the bottom up, the reduced diameter section 45 and the water storage main body section 46 are formed integrally and are fluidly connected to each other internally. The water storage main body section 46 is open upward to allow water to be poured into it, and is semi-closed by attaching the electrolytic cell lid 12. The electrolytic cell lid 12 is penetrated vertically and has a through opening 12a for receiving an umbrella valve 23, a screw cap 14, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer part 46a of the water storage main body section 46 forms a substantially flat side wall in the horizontal direction from the upper end to the lower end and is directly connected to the upper end of the reduced diameter section 45, and the inner part 46b on the main body cover 1 side is formed parallel to the outer part 46a from the upper end to the lower central position, and has a bottom part 46c that is bent and inclined from the lower central position. The bottom part 46c extends to the horizontal middle position and is connected to the upper end of the reduced diameter section 45.

As described above, the reduced diameter portion 45 is narrower than the water storage main body portion 46, and as shown in FIG. 1, the upper end of the outer portion 46a on the side wall side is directly connected to the lower end of the outer portion 46a of the water storage main body portion 46 and extends to the lower end, while the upper end of the inner portion 45b of the reduced diameter portion 45 on the main body cover 1 side is bent downward at the tip (edge) of the bottom portion 46c of the water storage main body portion 46, connected to it and extending parallel to the inner portion 45b to the lower end.

Furthermore, at the connection position between the lower end of the outer part 46a of the water storage main body 46 and the upper end of the outer part 46a of the reduced diameter part 45, a partition plate 45d is provided that is inclined approximately the same as the bottom part 46c of the water storage main body 46 and extends to the opening 45c. This partition plate 45d extends throughout the entire interior in the vertical direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1. Therefore, even if the aqueous solution stored in the electrolytic cell 10 is electrolyzed and the amount of stored water decreases, water is always stored in approximately the entire interior of the reduced diameter part 45. Specifically, when the amount of stored water decreases and an air layer is formed in the electrolytic cell 10, first, since the reduced diameter part 45 is narrower than the water storage main body 46, in the normal upright state, the reduced diameter part 45 is filled with water and no air layer is generated unless the amount of stored water decreases significantly.

Even if the amount of water stored in the device 100 is reduced to a certain extent, it is possible that an air layer will be generated in the narrowed portion 45 when the device 100 is tilted or placed horizontally. However, in the case of the electrolytic cell 10, the narrowed portion 45 is filled with water even in such a case. Specifically, for example, when the device 100 is tilted to the left of the paper in FIG. 1, the bottom portion 46c becomes a baffle and an air layer is formed on the inner portion 46b side of the water storage body 46. Conversely, when the device 100 is tilted to the right of the paper in FIG. 1, the partition plate 45d becomes a baffle and an air layer is formed only on the outer portion 46a side of the water storage body 46. Therefore, the mesh electrode 17 disposed in the narrowed portion 45 is always in contact with water in its entirety, and the amount of hydrogen generated can always be ensured even when the user is inhaling sideways.

The upper edge of the mesh electrode 17 is cut at an angle to conform to the shape of the reduced diameter portion 45 and the opening 45c so that the entire electrode is immersed in the water in the reduced diameter portion 45. Returning to FIG. 3 again, the lower end of the electrolytic cell 10 is closed by the electrolytic cell bottom 11, which has a pair of through holes through which the mesh electrode 17 is inserted. When the reduced diameter portion 45 of the electrolytic cell 10 is inserted into the electrolytic cell receiving portion 44 of the cover body 1, the mesh electrode 17 passes through the through holes in the electrolytic cell bottom 11 and is positioned within the reduced diameter portion 45.

The following describes the umbrella valve 23 and other parts that are attached to the through opening 12a of the electrolytic cell lid 12 at the top of the electrolytic cell 10. A screw cap 14 that has an opening at the top and penetrates vertically is attached to the through opening 12a, and a vent filter 18 is interposed between the hole at the bottom of the screw cap 14 and the bottom of the through opening 12a, and an O-ring 21 is inserted around the lower periphery of the screw cap 14. The vent filter 18 has a function of waterproofing and dustproofing while adjusting the internal pressure in the opening of the screw cap 14 with tiny holes. In addition, the O-ring 21 provides a watertight seal between the outer wall of the opening of the screw cap 14 and the inner wall of the through opening 12a.

In addition, an umbrella valve 23 (made of a flexible material such as silicone) that moves up and down is attached inside the opening of the screw cap 14. When the user inhales the nozzle 5 (described below) and negative pressure acts upward, the umbrella valve 23 rises and fluidly connects to the inside of the electrolytic cell 10 via the through hole at the bottom of the screw cap 14 and the through opening 12a of the electrolytic cell lid 12. Therefore, when the nozzle 5 is inhaled, the hydrogen gas that has risen and accumulated inside the electrolytic cell 10 is released to the outside. Conversely, when the user stops inhaling and negative pressure is no longer acting, the umbrella valve 23 descends, closing the through hole at the bottom of the screw cap 14 and closing the release of hydrogen gas inside the electrolytic cell 10.

The mixer 2 is attached from above to the electrolytic cell lid 12, which is fitted with the screw cap 14 and umbrella valve 20. The mixer 2 has a cylindrical member 2a that extends downward as shown in Figure 1, and by inserting the lower end of the cylindrical member 2a into the opening of the screw cap 14, the cylindrical member 2a forms a flow path that guides hydrogen gas from the umbrella valve 23 upward. An O-ring 20 is provided around the outer peripheral wall of this cylindrical member 2a to seal the gap between the inner wall of the opening of the screw cap 14 and the cylindrical member 2a of the umbrella valve 23.

The mixer 2 and the electrolytic cell lid 12 are fixed together by attaching lock buttons 3 and 4. The lock buttons 3 and 4 are each snapped into the gap between the mixer 2 and the electrolytic cell lid 12 in the vertical direction (vertical to the paper surface of FIG. 9) and are sandwiched between them. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the mixer 2 has a flow path 2b at its upper part toward the nozzle 5. This flow path 2b is connected to the flow path formed by the cylindrical member 2a, and guides hydrogen gas as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1.

Next, although it is not desirable for the electrolytic hydrogen gas inhalation device 100 to be a hydrogen generation device that performs the bioactivation method of the present invention that promotes neural activity and/or blood circulation activity of a living organism, a fragrant heater section 32 that generates fragrant air may be provided to satisfy the preferences of users when using it on a daily basis.

First, the contact terminal 37 of the battery 36 is inserted into the upper opening of the battery receiving section 43 of the main body cover 1. The contact terminal 37 is formed by connecting the bottom of a large diameter cylinder with the top of a small diameter cylinder, and the bottom is inserted into the opening at the upper end of the battery receiving section 43 to supply power from the battery 36 to the aromatic heater section 32. The contact terminal 37 is fastened to the joint 7 from above with a cross-recessed screw 38. The joint 8 is formed by connecting the bottom of a small diameter cylinder with a large diameter, roughly disc-shaped upper section, and the top of the contact terminal 37 is nested into the bottom of the joint 38.

The aromatic heater member 32 is placed on the upper surface of the joint 8, and when the mixer 2 described above is attached, it is sandwiched between the joint 8 and the mixer 2 and fixed to the main body cover 1. The aromatic heater member 32 is a general-purpose device, and when power is supplied, aromatic air is generated inside and released upward. In addition, the mixer 2 is provided with a cylindrical member 2c that extends downward in parallel with the cylindrical member 2a described above, and the upper end of the aromatic heater section 32 is connected to this cylindrical member 2c. Therefore, the aromatic air released from the aromatic heater section 32 passes through the cylindrical member 2c as shown by the arrow in Figure 9, merges with the hydrogen gas that has flowed through the flow path 2b via the cylindrical member 2a, flows into the nozzle 5, and is released into the user's mouth.

Nozzle 5 has a structure in which a large-diameter, roughly circular plate member at the bottom is integrally connected to a cylindrical member at the top, and its bottom is attached to an opening on the top surface that is fluidly connected to cylindrical member 2c of heater section 32 of mixer 2. This allows hydrogen gas from flow path 2b and/or scented air from cylindrical member 2c to be released from inside nozzle 5 to the outside at the top end. An O-ring 22 is provided at the connection between the bottom of nozzle 5 and mixer 2 to seal it.

The power supply from the battery 36 to the aromatic heater unit 32 is controlled by the control board 33. As described above, power is supplied to the mesh substrate 17 for a predetermined time when the button 35 attached to the main body cover 1 is pressed three times. On the other hand, when the button is pressed and held down, the contact terminals 37 are connected and power from the battery 36 is supplied to the aromatic heater unit 32 for a predetermined time, provided that a power supply signal to the mesh electrode 17 is not being sent from the control board 33.

Therefore, when the user presses button 35 three times and inhales into nozzle 5, hydrogen gas is released from nozzle 5, and the user can enjoy inhaling hydrogen gas for a predetermined period of time (while the LED board 30 is emitting light), and by pressing and holding button 35 while hydrogen gas is being released, the user can enjoy aromatic hydrogen gas.

The above describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention's bioimprovement method for improving vital functions and/or cognitive functions, and an electrolytic hydrogen generation device (electrolytic hydrogen gas inhalation device) suitable for carrying out this method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and those skilled in the art will understand that other modifications and improvements can be obtained without departing from the spirit and teachings of the claims and the description in the specification, etc.

The bioimprovement method of the present invention for improving vital functions and/or cognitive functions, and an electrolytic hydrogen generator appropriate for carrying out this method, can improve vital functions and/or cognitive functions of middle-aged and elderly people, including those with reduced brain and physical functions such as those suspected of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI), through regular inhalation of hydrogen, thereby contributing to reducing the burden on nursing care insurance programs through preventive care for dementia, etc., and to the expansion of the medical market by providing devices that contribute to preventive care.

100 Electrolysis type hydrogen gas suction device 1 Body cover
2 Mixer (Mixer)
5 Nozzle 10 Electrolytic cell 12 Electrolytic cell lid 14 Screw cap 17 Mesh electrode (cathode) Container body 22 O-ring 23 Mesh electrode (anode)
32 Aromatic heater part (aromatic heater member)
33 Battery 42 Control board 45 Reduced diameter portion 45c Partition plate 46 Water storage body portion

Claims (4)

A portable electrolytic hydrogen generator used to improve vital functions and/or cognitive functions by orally or nasally inhaling high-concentration hydrogen-containing air,
a main body cover member including a battery, a control board for controlling the supply of power from the battery, and a pair of anode and cathode electrodes whose anode and cathode are electrified or cut off by the control board;
a transparent or semi-transparent electrolytic cell attached to the body cover member, into which the pair of positive and negative electrodes are inserted, and capable of storing water;
a mixing unit that fluidly connects a nozzle unit that can be held in one hand and taken orally or nasally with the electrolytic cell and has a flow path that takes in ambient air;
an operating means for operating the electrolytic hydrogen generation device while holding it with one hand;
Equipped with
the control board controls the supply and stop of power from the battery to the positive and negative electrodes by operating a single operating means;
The operating means is a button type that can be operated by pressing, and when pressed consecutively multiple times, it sends an ON/OFF signal for the main power supply to the control board, and when pressed while the main power supply is ON and the pressed state is maintained, the control board controls the supply of power from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes, and when the pressed state is released, it stops the supply of power from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes. A portable electrolytic hydrogen generator used to improve vital functions and/or cognitive functions by orally or nasally inhaling high-concentration hydrogen-containing air,
a main body cover member including a battery, a control board for controlling the supply of power from the battery, and a pair of anode and cathode electrodes whose anode and cathode are electrified or cut off by the control board;
a transparent or semi-transparent electrolytic cell attached to the body cover member, into which the pair of positive and negative electrodes are inserted, and capable of storing water;
a mixing unit that fluidly connects a nozzle unit that can be held in one hand and taken orally or nasally with the electrolytic cell and has a flow path that takes in ambient air;
an operating means for operating the electrolytic hydrogen generation device while holding it with one hand;
Equipped with
the control board controls the supply and stop of power from the battery to the positive and negative electrodes by operating a single operating means ;
The operating means is a button that can be operated by pressing, and when pressed, it sends an ON/OFF signal for the main power supply to the control board. When pressed to turn the main power supply ON, the control board supplies power from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes, and then, after a preset time has elapsed, controls the supply of power from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes to be stopped. This is an electrolytic hydrogen generation device. 3. The electrolytic hydrogen generator according to claim 1, wherein the high-concentration hydrogen-containing air is orally or nasally inhaled for a predetermined period of time at least five times a day with an interval of at least 15 minutes, and is continued for at least four weeks . and an LED for illuminating the electrolytic cell;
4. The electrolytic hydrogen generating device according to claim 1, wherein the control board energizes the LED when power is supplied from the battery to the anode and cathode electrodes.