JP7493703B2 - Electric current stimulator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a current stimulation device that generates a weak current that cannot be sensed by humans, and more specifically, to a current stimulation device that improves or decreases muscle output by stimulating the skin with a current.

EMS is known as a device that uses electrical stimulation to restore bodily functions, improving muscle output by causing muscle contraction. EMS stands for Electrical Muscle Simulation, and is a device that electrically stimulates motor nerves from the outside, contracting and relaxing the muscles connected to those nerves, allowing for efficient muscle training.

This device applies a strong load to muscle tissue, destroying and repairing muscle fibers to enlarge the muscles and improve muscle output, thereby recovering motor dysfunction. Therefore, EMS applies a strong electrical current stimulus that induces muscle contraction. However, since suddenly applying a strong electrical current stimulus to muscles is too strong, various methods have been devised for "applying the current" by gradually increasing the current to a set current (for example, Reference 1).

EMS uses strong electrical current stimulation to contract and relax muscles, allowing for efficient muscle training and muscle enlargement. As a result, muscle output improves, but muscle output cannot be improved until the muscles have enlarged. In other words, there was an issue that muscle output could not be improved instantly.

On the other hand, there is a technology that can instantly increase or decrease muscle output, or can easily relax excessive muscle contraction without visiting a medical institution (for example, Reference 2). In this technology, when a group of current pulses consisting of multiple rectangular pulses is supplied to the human body, the ramp-up time, which gradually increases the current, and the ramp-down time, which gradually decreases the current from the set current, are controlled, and in particular, the muscle output can be increased by making the ramp-up time and ramp-down time longer than one second, and conversely, the muscle output can be decreased by making them shorter than one second. The pulse output used here is, for example, 450 μA, and an output that humans cannot sense electrical stimulation (hereinafter, imperceptible output) is used. With this imperceptible output, the person does not feel any pain from the pulse, nor does he or she feel that muscle contraction is occurring or that the pulse is being supplied.

JP 2009-225810 A JP 2016-202445 A

When an imperceptible output is used as described above, the user cannot sense the output, and so even if the user thinks that a pulse has been supplied, there are cases where the pulse is not actually supplied normally. For example, if the switch is pressed incorrectly, the device is operated incorrectly, the device is broken, the battery is low and operation becomes unstable, such as stopping midway, the cable is disconnected, the cable is broken, the conductor used is deteriorated and is no longer able to supply pulses normally to the human body, etc. In these cases, even if a pulse is not actually being supplied to the human body, it is rare for the user to notice this, and in most cases the user will not notice it, and many users will continue to use the device in a state where no pulse is actually being supplied, resulting in problems such as never getting any effect.

(1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides the following means: That is, the electric current stimulation device of the present invention is a current stimulation device including an output unit that outputs a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction, and a control unit that controls the output unit, and when the electric signal is output by a second output that is an output that the person to whom the electric signal is applied cannot sense the electric signal and the electric current stimulation device is operating normally, the output unit temporarily outputs the electric signal by a first output that is an output that the person to whom the electric signal is applied can sense the electric signal, instead of the second output, at least at the start or end of output, or periodically.

(2) The current stimulation device of the present invention is further characterized in that the output of the electrical signal is changed stepwise from the second output to the first output.

(3) The current stimulation device of the present invention is further characterized in that the output of the electrical signal is changed stepwise from the first output to the second output. (4) The current stimulation device of the present invention is further characterized in that, in the case where the first output is periodically output, the duration of the first output when the output of the electrical signal is subsequently performed is different from the duration of the first output used when the output of the electrical signal is terminated.

The present invention combines an imperceptible output with an output that humans can sense as an electrical stimulus (hereafter referred to as a perceptible output), allowing the user to easily know that the device is working properly and providing a user-friendly device that the user can use with confidence.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a current stimulation device 100 according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a current stimulation device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the output of the current stimulation device 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the control of the output of the current stimulation device 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the control of the output of the current stimulation device 100 according to the present invention.

Normally, muscle contraction occurs when the brain issues a command to the muscle it wants to move through nerves, and the muscle receives that command. Normally, it is thought that even with maximum command, the muscle can only exert about 60% to 70% of its strength. This is because exerting 100% of the muscle's strength would place too much strain on the tendons, bones, joints, and even the muscle itself, so as a kind of defense measure, it is controlled so that 100% commands are not issued. It is thought that increasing the amount of commands transmitted to this muscle by about 60% to 70% improves muscle output, and decreasing the amount of commands reduces muscle output. In this specification, increasing the amount of commands transmitted to this muscle by about 60% to 70% is defined as facilitation, and decreasing the amount of commands is defined as inhibition. In other words, facilitation improves muscle output, and inhibition reduces muscle output.

Figure 1 shows an electric current stimulation device 100 embodying the present invention. The electric current stimulation device 100 generates a weak current (microcurrent) that does not cause muscle contraction, and by applying stimulation percutaneously, it is possible to improve or decrease the muscle output of the muscle associated with the nerve. As shown in the figure, the electric current stimulation device 100 is composed of a main body 10 that generates a weak current, a conductor 14 that applies the current, and a cable that electrically connects the main body 10 and the conductor.

Various switches (operation switches) are provided on the front of the electric current stimulation device 100. 11 is a power switch. 12 is a start/stop switch. In addition, an output port for connecting the conductor 14 is provided on the underside of the electric current stimulation device 100.

There are two output modes: a first output mode that improves muscle output, and a second output mode that reduces muscle output. This output mode may be fixed for each device, or the user may select either mode.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the main body 10. The main body 10 is composed of a control unit 202, a waveform generating unit 204 which is an output unit that generates a pulse group described below, a timer 207, a user IF unit 201, a power supply unit 206, a battery 203, etc. The control unit 202 has a built-in interface unit for connecting to each unit in addition to a CPU and memory, and is connected to and controls the waveform generating unit 204 which generates an electrical signal that provides a current stimulus, the timer 207 which times the output for a certain period of time, and the user IF unit 201 which is connected to the power switch 11 and the start/stop switch 12. The power supplied from the battery 203 is controlled by the power supply unit 206 to a predetermined constant voltage value, for example 5V, and is supplied to each unit via the control unit 202.

The pulse generated by the waveform generating unit 204 is a current pulse at a level that does not cause muscle contraction, specifically a current of 20 mA or less. In this embodiment, the output is set to 20 mA or less, so muscle contraction is not caused.

Next, the control unit 202 will be described. The control unit 202 also controls the ramp-up time, hold time, ramp-down time, and off time, which will be described later. The memory built into the control unit 202 stores pulse parameters and other parameters, in addition to a ROM for the control program and a working RAM.

The electric current stimulation device 100 is used as follows. The user attaches the conductor 14 on or near the muscle (hereinafter referred to as the specified site) on which the user wishes to obtain the effect of facilitation or inhibition. After attaching the conductor 14 to the specified site, the user presses the power switch 11 to turn on the power and start the device body, and then presses the start/stop switch 12. When the user presses the power switch 11, the information is sent to the control unit 202 via the user IF unit 201, and the control unit 202 instructs the waveform generation unit 204 to output an electric signal described later, and performs amplitude and other control. The electric signal output by the waveform generation unit 204 based on the information and instructions from the control unit 202 is supplied to the conductor 14 connected to the cable. In synchronization with the instruction to output to the waveform generation unit 204, the timer 207 is instructed to count, and the timer 207 starts measuring a specified time, for example, 5 minutes. Information regarding the measurement by the timer 207, for example, information that a specified time has elapsed, is fed back to the control unit 202, and the control unit 202 stops the output of the electric signal by stopping the power supply to the waveform generation unit 204 based on the feedback.

The first output mode (described below) is initiated by first pressing the start/stop switch 12. The second output mode (described below) is initiated by pressing the start/stop switch 12 again, and the output of pulses is stopped by pressing the start/stop switch 12 again. In this specification, the application of pulses to the human body or a specified area is referred to as treatment.

The main body 10 is configured to use one channel, i.e. one set of conductors 14 each consisting of two electrode pads, but it may be configured to use two or more channels, with a mode selection switch provided for each channel so that a mode can be selected for each channel.

The conductor 14 may be a conductor of known technology, for example, a conductor made of an adhesive pad. Alternatively, the conductor may be attached to a predetermined location by suction using a suction cup, or may be fixed by wrapping a belt or the like around the predetermined location.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pulse output by the current stimulation device 100. This diagram shows a schematic of the pulses output by the current stimulation device 100, with the horizontal axis indicating time and the vertical axis indicating the current value. In this way, the current stimulation device 100 outputs a fourth pulse group consisting of a first pulse group whose output gradually increases, a second pulse group whose output is maintained at a constant level, and a third pulse group whose output gradually decreases, as in (a), for example. In other words, the first pulse group can be said to be a pulse group in which the amplitude of each pulse constituting the pulse group gradually increases, or a pulse group including at least a first pulse of the first output and a pulse output after the first pulse with an output larger than the first output, or a pulse group including at least a first pulse of the first amplitude and a pulse output after the first pulse with an amplitude larger than the first amplitude. The second pulse group can be said to be a pulse group in which the amplitude of the multiple pulse groups is constant in the second pulse group, or a pulse group consisting of multiple pulses of the second output, or a pulse group consisting of multiple pulses of the second amplitude. The third pulse group can be said to be a pulse group in which the amplitude of each pulse constituting the pulse group gradually decreases, or a pulse group including at least a third pulse of the third output and a pulse output after the third pulse with an output smaller than the third output, or a pulse group including at least a third pulse of the third amplitude and a pulse output after the third pulse with an amplitude smaller than the third amplitude. In each pulse group, as an example, a rectangular pulse with a frequency of 50 Hz and a pulse width of 200 μsec is used. The amplitude varies depending on each pulse group as shown in the figure, but for example, 450 μA is used as the amplitude of the second pulse group. Here, T1 indicates the duration of the first pulse group, i.e., the ramp-up time, T2 indicates the duration of the second pulse group, i.e., the hold time, T3 indicates the duration of the third pulse group, i.e., the ramp-down time, and T4 indicates the rest time of the fourth pulse group, i.e., the off time. FIG. 1(b) is a diagram further schematic showing FIG. 1(a), in which the first pulse group and the third pulse group are shown by triangles, and the second pulse group is shown by a square.

The first output mode will be described. The first output mode is a mode for improving muscle output, and is an output mode in which the ramp-up time and ramp-down time are longer than 1 second. In other words, the current is gradually increased to a set current over a period longer than 1 second, and after outputting at that set current for several seconds, the voltage is gradually decreased over a period longer than 1 second. This type of control is performed by the control unit 202.

The second output mode is a mode that suppresses muscle output, and is an output mode in which the ramp-up time and ramp-down time are shorter than 1 second. In other words, the output is increased to the set current in a time shorter than 1 second, and after outputting at that current for several seconds, the current is reduced in a time shorter than 1 second. This type of control is performed by the control unit 202.

Using the first output mode provides a facilitative effect, while using the second output mode provides a suppressive effect. Depending on which effect the user requires, the user can decide whether to use the first output mode or the second output mode. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that the first output mode is used. However, even if the second output mode is used, the following explanation of the present invention will be applied in the same way.

The ramp-up time and ramp-down time preferably have a stimulating effect in the range of 1.1 to 4.0 seconds, and are particularly effective in the range of 1.1 to 3.0 seconds. On the other hand, the ramp-up time and ramp-down time preferably have a suppressing effect in the range of 0.1 to 0.9 seconds.

Figure 4 shows the control of the output of the fourth pulse group according to the present invention. The horizontal axis shows time, and the vertical axis shows the current value. Here, the amplitude of the second pulse group is used as the output of the fourth pulse group for explanation. By controlling the amplitude of the second pulse group, the maximum amplitude value of the first pulse group and the maximum amplitude of the third pulse group are also controlled in conjunction. This is shown in Figure 3 (b). The fourth pulse group X on the left side of this figure shows a case where the amplitude of the second pulse group is small, and the fourth pulse group Y on the right side shows a case where the amplitude of the second pulse group is large. In other words, even if the amplitude of the second pulse group is changed, only the rate of change in the amplitude of the first pulse group and the rate of change in the amplitude of the third pulse group are controlled, and T1 and T3 are controlled so as not to change, and the waveform generating unit 204 outputs these fourth pulse groups as electrical signals.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the first output is temporarily used when the output of the electrical signal begins, and then the second output is used. That is, immediately after the start of treatment, the first output, output 1, is output, but after a predetermined time T41 has elapsed from the start of output, the output is changed to the second output, output 2. In other words, the waveform generating unit 204 generates an electrical signal using the first output and then the second output as the output of the second pulse group, or generates an electrical signal by temporarily using the first output instead of the second output. That is, in the present invention, an insensible output is output after a sensible output, and an insensible pulse is supplied to a specified area after a sensible pulse.

As mentioned above, output 2 is 450 μA, but output 1 is set to 3 mA as an example. This output 1 may be in a range where a person can notice that a pulse is being supplied but does not cause muscle contraction. Hereinafter, a pulse with an output that a person can notice that a pulse is being supplied but does not cause muscle contraction is called a sensible pulse, and a pulse with an output that does not cause even a person to notice that a pulse is being supplied is called an insensible pulse. In addition, it is more preferable that the sensible pulse is not only a pulse that does not cause muscle contraction, but also a pulse that does not cause pain due to the pulse supply, that is, it is preferable that the output is such that the user does not feel uncomfortable, and specifically, it is preferable that it is a few mA or less. If the specified area is a relatively sensitive area, for example, output 1 may be about 950 μA. Even if a sensible electric pulse such as an electric signal using the fourth pulse group using 950 μA or 3 mA is used in combination with an insensible pulse, if the output is relatively small like the sensible pulse or the pulse supply is relatively short, the same effect as the insensible pulse can be obtained and the treatment by the insensible pulse will not be hindered. For example, the use of sensible pulses does not reduce the effect of insensible pulses, nor does it lengthen the treatment time depending on the time the sensible pulses are used. There are no problems or drawbacks with using sensible pulses. Therefore, the temporary use of sensible pulses leads to more effective treatment with insensible pulses.

As an example, 20 seconds is used as the time T41. This T41 should be long enough to make the user aware that the pulse supply has started, i.e., that treatment has begun. However, if it is too long, some users may feel uncomfortable even if the sensible pulse does not cause pain or cause muscle contraction, so it is not desirable to make it too long.

Since output 1 is an output that the user does not feel uncomfortable with, it is undesirable to have T41 that is too short, for example if a sensible pulse is used only in one fourth pulse group, as the user may not notice the output. For these reasons, it is desirable to have T41 between 10 and 40 seconds.

When only the non-sensible output is used, the user cannot sense the output, and cannot know that the appropriate output is not being made due to a mistake in pressing the start/stop switch 12 or a low battery level, and the user does not notice this. However, by using the sensible output after the start of output as described above, the user can easily know that the pulse is being supplied to the specified area, and conversely, if a sensible electrical stimulation is not obtained immediately after the start of output, the user can easily know that the appropriate output is not being made, and the user can easily avoid this defect. For example, the user can easily notice that the switch has been operated incorrectly or that the conductor 14 has deteriorated, and can immediately make improvements such as redoing the operation or reattaching or replacing the conductor 14. Furthermore, since the user cannot feel the electrical stimulation with the non-sensible output, there are cases where the user has doubts about whether an electrical signal is really being output, i.e., whether the device is operating normally. However, since the sensible pulse at the start of treatment, which is a temporary sensible electrical stimulation, is used, the user can easily know that the device is operating normally, and by feeling the output, the effect can be improved.

Figure 4(b) shows another example of the present invention. In Figure 4(a), the pulse output is changed directly from output 1 to output 2 after T41 has elapsed. On the other hand, Figure 4(b) shows a schematic diagram of a control in which the pulse output changes gradually or stepwise from output 1 to output 2, that is, the output of the fourth pulse group is gradually reduced. For example, the pulse output is 3 mA at output 1, but after time T41 has elapsed, it may be controlled stepwise to 2.5 mA, 2 mA, 1.5 mA, and 1 mA, and finally to output 2, 450 μA. With control such as Figure 4(a), the user suddenly stops feeling the electrical stimulation due to the sensible pulse after T41 has elapsed, but when the control of Figure 4(b) is used, the electrical stimulation due to the sensible pulse gradually stops being felt, so the user does not feel more stress, which is more desirable.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown below. In the above, the sensory output is used at the start of treatment, but this is not limited to this, and the sensory output can also be used at the end of treatment, i.e., before the output is stopped (when the output is stopped). For example, by switching to sensory output instead of non-sensory output 30 seconds before the output ends, the user can be informed that the output will soon end. When non-sensory output is used, there is a problem in that the user cannot know when the output has ended, but since sensory output is used just before the output ends, the user can easily know that it has ended.

Figure 5 shows the output control in this case. First, (a) shows the control in which the pulse output is changed from output 2 to output 1 before T51 when the treatment ends. In the same figure (b), the pulse output changes gradually or in stages from output 2 to output 1. In other words, the waveform generating unit 204 generates an electrical signal using the second output before the first output as the output of the second pulse group, or generates an electrical signal by temporarily using the first output instead of the second output.

In the control of FIG. 2(b), for example, the pulse output is 450 μA at output 2, but it may be controlled in stages to 1 mA, 1.5 mA, 2 mA, 2.5 mA, and 3 mA from the time T51 before the end of the output, finally reaching 3 mA, which is output 1. In the control of FIG. 2(a), the user will suddenly feel a sensible pulse before T51 when the treatment ends, but when the control of FIG. 2(b) is used, the user will feel the sensible pulse gradually, which is more desirable as the user will feel less stress.

In the above control, the electrical signal from the second output is mainly used, but the first output is also used temporarily. Such a temporary sensory output can be used not only at the start or end of the output, but also at both the start and end of the output. In other words, the controls in Figures 4 and 5 can be used together.

Furthermore, by using the above-mentioned temporary sensory output not only at the start and end of the output of the electrical signal, but periodically, i.e., by temporarily using the first output instead of the second output to generate an electrical signal, the user can be informed that the device is operating normally and that time has passed. For example, the sensory output may be the second pulse group in two of the fourth pulse groups every time the output continues for one minute. Furthermore, by changing the duration of the sensory output when the output is subsequently performed to the duration of the sensory output used when the output ends, it is possible to easily determine whether the output is ending or simply indicates the passage of time when the sensory pulse is used for, for example, 15 seconds, when the user feels a sensory stimulus.

The output of the promotion mode and the inhibition mode may be changed by the user at will. For example, a five-stage output level adjustment switch may be provided to allow the user to select the output as desired. Note that the parameters described are merely examples, and are not limited to these parameters, but rather cover a uniform range. For example, the pulse is not limited to having positive and negative components or positive and negative pulses, but may be only positive or negative pulses, or even if positive and negative pulses are used, the pulse may be offset so that the positive and negative components are different. Alternatively, the pulse is not limited to a rectangular pulse, and may be of another shape, such as a triangular wave.

Another current stimulation device according to the present invention is characterized in that it has an output unit that outputs a weak electrical signal that does not cause muscle contraction, the electrical signal including at least a first pulse group, a second pulse group, and a third pulse group, the first pulse group including at least a first pulse of a first output and a pulse output after the first pulse with an output greater than the first output, the second pulse group being composed of a plurality of pulses of a second output, the third pulse group including at least a third pulse of a third output and a pulse output after the third pulse with an output smaller than the third output, and the output unit uses as the second output a second output in which the electrical signal cannot be sensed by a person to whom the electrical signal is applied after the first output in which the electrical signal is sensed.

Furthermore, another current stimulation device of the present invention is characterized in that it has an output unit that outputs a weak electrical signal that does not cause muscle contraction, the electrical signal including at least a first pulse group, a second pulse group, and a third pulse group, the first pulse group including at least a first pulse of a first output and a pulse output after the first pulse with an output greater than the first output, the second pulse group being composed of a plurality of pulses of a second output, the third pulse group including at least a third pulse of a third output and a pulse output after the third pulse with an output smaller than the third output, and the output unit uses as the second output a second output in which the electrical signal cannot be sensed by a person to whom the electrical signal is applied before a first output in which the electrical signal can be sensed.

Further, another current stimulation device of the present invention includes an output unit that outputs a second output electrical signal that is a weak electrical signal that does not cause muscle contraction and cannot be detected by a person receiving the electrical signal, the electrical signal including at least a first pulse group, a second pulse group, and a third pulse group, the first pulse group including at least a first pulse of the first output and a pulse output after the first pulse with an output greater than the first output, the second pulse group being composed of a plurality of pulses of the second output, the third pulse group including at least a third pulse of the third output and a pulse output after the third pulse with an output smaller than the third output, and the output unit temporarily uses, as the second output, the electrical signal from the first output that allows the electrical signal to be detected instead of the second output.
Further, another electric current stimulation device of the present invention is a current stimulation device comprising an output unit that outputs a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction, and a control unit that controls the output unit, wherein when the electric signal is output as an electric signal by a second output, which is an output that the person to whom the electric signal is applied cannot sense the electric signal, and the electric current stimulation device is operating normally, the output unit temporarily outputs, instead of the second output, the electric signal by a first output, which is an output that the person to whom the electric signal is applied can sense the electric signal.
Further, the output of the electrical signal is changed stepwise from the first output to the second output .

10 Main body 11 Power switch 12 Start/stop switch 14 Conductor 100 Current stimulation device 201 User IF section 202 Control section 203 Battery 204 Waveform generating section 206 Power supply section 207 Timer

Claims (4)

A current stimulation device comprising an output unit that outputs a weak electrical signal that does not cause muscle contraction, and a control unit that controls the output unit,
When the electrical stimulation device outputs an electrical signal through a second output, which is an output that prevents the person to whom the electrical signal is applied from sensing the electrical signal, and the electrical stimulation device is operating normally, the output unit temporarily outputs the electrical signal through a first output, which is an output that allows the person to whom the electrical signal is applied to sense the electrical signal, instead of the second output, at least at the start or end of output, or periodically. The current stimulation device according to claim 1, in which the output of the electrical signal is changed stepwise from the second output to the first output. The current stimulation device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the output of the electrical signal is changed stepwise from the first output to the second output. 4. The current stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the first output is periodically output, a duration of the first output when the output of the electrical signal is subsequently performed is different from a duration of the first output used when the output of the electrical signal is terminated..