JPH04246372A - Low-frequency electric treating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate patient's anxiety with the low-frequency current treating device for sputa, etc., by automatically and gradually increasing a current at the time of increasing the output current for the purpose of energization. CONSTITUTION:The low-frequency current treating device consisting of current generating means 2, 3, a current increase control means 4 for automatically and gradually increasing the output current at least at the time of starting the energization, a treating current setting means 5, a current detecting means 6, a conductor means 7, etc., is provided.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric therapy device using low frequencies. The present invention also relates to a low-frequency electrical therapy device for assisting patients with respiratory diseases who have difficulty coughing up sputum. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric therapy device having at least a soft start function that automatically and gradually increases the output current when the applied current increases.

0002

[Prior Art] For example, in the treatment of respiratory diseases, respiratory failure,
It is very important to remove phlegm, which is likely to cause airborne infections, and drug therapy and physical therapy are available as expectoration methods for this purpose.

[0003] All expectorants used in drug therapy act directly or indirectly on the rheological properties of sputum, such as its adhesive strength, stringiness, and thixotropy.
Due to the nature of drug administration, side effects were inevitable.

[0004] As physical therapy, postural drainage, external tapping on the chest, etc. are known. However, while there is less concern about side effects of the drug therapy, a sufficient sputum expectoration effect cannot be obtained.

[0005] As a new physical expectoration method that solves the problems of these expectoration methods, we have developed an expectoration method that uses interference low-frequency electrical stimulation to induce a sputum expectoration effect, and an expectoration electric therapy device (
JP-A No. 63-292968).

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, when starting treatment with conventional expectorant electric therapy devices, a method was used in which the output current value was set to a certain value and the start switch was turned ON. . Therefore, at the start of treatment, a therapeutic current is suddenly output, often causing discomfort to the patient. In order to avoid this, a situation has arisen in which the user has to manually adjust the output adjustment knob attached to the device to gradually increase the current, which is a complicated task.

[0007]

[Means for solving the problem] In order to solve this problem, the low frequency electric therapy device for expectoration etc. in the present invention has the following features:
This method incorporates means with a so-called soft start function for automatically and gradually increasing the output current to a preset treatment current value within a predetermined time from the start of device treatment.

That is, the present invention has a medium frequency,
Current generating means for generating a current for causing a low frequency current with a frequency in the range of 30 to 150 Hz to act on the treatment area;
conductor means for applying current in order to cause the low frequency current to act on the treatment area; current detection means for detecting the current when the current is applied; treatment current setting means; current increase control means for automatically and gradually increasing the output current up to the treatment current value set;
The present invention provides a low frequency electrotherapy device characterized by comprising current reduction control means for automatically and rapidly reducing the output current when reducing the current during energization.

The present invention also provides a current generating means for generating two types of carrier wave currents having a medium frequency and a frequency difference of 30 to 150 Hz, and a means for energizing each of the two types of carrier wave currents. two pairs of conductor means, a current detection means for detecting the current during energization, a therapeutic current setting means, and an output current that automatically gradually adjusts the output current from at least the start of energization to a preset therapeutic current value. current rise control means for increasing the current rise, the two pairs of conductor means having one of the electrodes forming the ends of each pair of conductor means placed on the chest and the other on the back; A low frequency electrotherapeutic device for expectoration is provided in which each of the electrodes is positioned so that the current from the means crosses each other.

The low frequency electric therapy device of the present invention further comprises current reduction control means for automatically and rapidly reducing the output current when reducing the current during energization; An electrotherapeutic device having an energization time setting means for setting the time during which therapeutic current is applied, and the energization time setting means can set the energization time within a range of 5 to 30 minutes; the current detection means is an electric therapy device equipped with an excessive current prevention means that reduces or stops the applied current when a current exceeding the upper limit of the current when energized is detected; and an electric therapy device in which the preset treatment current value is 2 mA or more.

[0011] Also, the present invention has a medium frequency,
Current generating means for generating an amplitude modulated wave having an amplitude of one value selected from a frequency of 30 to 150 Hz or varying within the frequency range; a pair of electrode means for passing the current; a current detection means for detecting the current, a treatment current setting means, and a current increase control means for automatically and gradually increasing the output current from at least the start of energization to a preset treatment current value. , a low frequency electric therapy device for expectoration is included, in which one of the electrodes forming each end of the pair of guide means is positioned on the chest and the other on the back.

[0012] The low frequency electric therapy device of the present invention may be used for expectoration by installing one or two pairs of conductive means electrodes on the chest and back, for example, in the front of the chest and on the waist. An electrical therapy device for treating constipation, which is used by arranging conductor electrodes on the back side, and an electric therapy device for urinary incontinence, which is used, for example, by arranging conductor electrodes on the front and back sides of the lower abdomen. For example, there is an electric therapy device for sinusitis in which two pairs of conductor electrodes are arranged alternately on the front and back sides of both shoulders.

[0013] The stimulation of electric current that the human body receives differs somewhat depending on the place where the current is applied, and in particular, when the electrode of the conductor means is placed near the heart and the current is applied to it, the stimulation is likely to have an adverse effect. It can be said that the so-called soft start type, in which the rate of rise of the output current for energization is reduced, is extremely important in terms of giving a sense of security to the patient in practice.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The low frequency electric therapy device of the present invention will be explained in more detail below, using the drawings as necessary.

The medium frequency referred to in the present invention is 10
A frequency on the order of 00 Hz is preferable, and a specific example is 2
000-6000Hz, preferably 3000-5000
A range of around Hz is practically used. More specifically, in the vicinity of 4000 Hz, the electrical impedance of the human skin is low, and it is easy to conduct electricity through the body, and the threshold values for electric shock (macroshock) to the living body are lower than that of commercial current (50 to 60 Hz). It is used because it is expensive and safe.

[0016] The treatment frequencies reproduced as interference low frequencies are 3.
It is desirable to oscillate within the range of 0 Hz to 150 Hz, preferably 50 to 100 Hz. In that case, use a phase shifter etc. to oscillate one carrier wave, for example 4000+100=
The frequency shall be 4100Hz. This 4100 Hz carrier wave and another 4000 Hz carrier wave are output from two terminals each through two pairs of conductors, and electrical treatment can be performed from four electrodes on a living body. A specific example of the current generating means in this case is one consisting of a carrier wave oscillator, a therapeutic wave oscillator, and a phase shifter. As another example, two carrier wave oscillators with different frequencies may be used as the current generating means.

[0017] Furthermore, in the current generating means for generating amplitude harmonics when a pair of electrodes are used, the therapeutic wave frequency is 30 to 150 Hz, preferably 5 to 150 Hz, to which the living body is highly sensitive.
0-100Hz is used. The frequency may maintain a constant value or may vary regularly or irregularly within the above-mentioned range.

[0018] The waveform of the treatment wave can be of various shapes such as a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, or a stinging wave, and furthermore, these may be selected and changed periodically or irregularly. .

Generally, if electrical stimulation of a living body is continued under the same conditions and at the same pulse frequency, the effect may be reduced due to so-called "getting used" or the stimulation may cause discomfort. To avoid this, it may be effective to vary the therapeutic wave frequency and/or the therapeutic wave amplitude or waveform regularly or irregularly. Methods for giving regular or irregular changes in frequency, amplitude, or waveform include calling from a ROM in which conditions are input in advance, or regular or irregular changes based on pseudo-random numbers generated by a microprocessor. It is possible to provide current changes with irregular frequency, amplitude, or tooth shape.

[0020] Also, in general, for example, in terms of expectorant therapeutic effect,
An electric therapy device that uses two pairs of electrodes to generate interfering low frequencies is advantageously used in practice.

The electric therapy device of the present invention is equipped with current detection means for detecting the current flowing through two or one pair of electrodes, and may further include current display means for displaying the detected current, if necessary. desirable.

It is preferable that the electric therapy device of the present invention further includes treatment current setting means for setting and adjusting the current as necessary. Specific examples of such therapeutic current setting means include means for changing the amplification degree of an output amplifier, means that also serves as the resistance value of an output resistor, etc., and these are mainly adjusted manually.

Regarding the lower limit of the treatment current value, if it is less than 2 mA, electrical stimulation will not be felt much, and a range of 3 mA or more is usually used. Furthermore, the expectorant effect is easily obtained at 5 mA or more, and the expectorant effect is particularly large at 6 mA or more. Regarding the upper limit of the treatment current value, for example, 20mA is given, but
The effect of electrical stimulation on the human body is more likely to be a problem than the degree of expectorant effect.For example, if it exceeds 50 mA, the electrical stimulation will be felt to be quite strong and there will be a tendency for muscles etc. to twitch, giving patients a sense of anxiety, so this is preferable. do not have. The upper limit cannot be generalized due to individual differences, and it is particularly preferable to set the upper limit depending on the user in terms of safety for those using the therapeutic device of the present invention. Usually 25m
Even if the current is increased by more than A, it is difficult to improve the therapeutic effect even though discomfort increases, so it is desirable to set the upper limit to 25 mA, preferably 20 mA.

[0024] For such safety measures, in the electric therapy device for expectoration, etc. of the present invention, an upper limit of the current during energization is set, and when the energized current becomes higher than the upper limit, the current is automatically reduced. It is desirable to incorporate excessive current prevention means, for example into the setting means, for reducing the current (ie adjusting the current setting means such as an amplifier) or for stopping the current supply. Furthermore, it would be more practically useful if the upper limit of the current could be set according to the suitability of the user.

The energization treatment time is preferably set by providing an energization time setting means such as a timer means, and is desirably selected within the range of 5 to 30 minutes. For example, the expectorant effect is thought to be caused by interference low-frequency electrical stimulation via the parasympathetic nervous system, with mechanisms such as increasing airway fluid secretion, changing rheological properties, and increasing mucociliary transport speed in the trachea. In clinical practice, it has been observed that the symptoms last from several hours to over 10 hours during treatment. Therefore, the treatment time is preferably within a range of 10 to 20 minutes, as long as the living body can sufficiently receive the electrical stimulation.

Further, when the electric therapy device of the present invention uses two pairs of conductor means, for example, for expectoration, one of the electrodes forming each end of each pair of conductor means is connected to the chest. and the other at the back, and are positioned so that the currents of each pair of conductor means cross each other. If a pair of conductor means is used, one of the electrodes forming each end is located on the chest and the other on the back.

As a means for attaching the conductor electrode, a combination of an adhesive conductor, a hydrous sponge conductor fixing band, and a fixture can be used. If the conductor is fixed without relying on the suction force of a vacuum pump, the entire treatment device can be made compact and can be used as a portable device, which is very useful in practice.

[0028] The expectorant electric therapy device of the present invention is one in which the electrode of the conductor means is positioned near the heart in the chest and back, and it is desirable not to shock the patient during treatment. As a safety measure for the reservoir, there is provided current adjustment means at the start of energization, which has a so-called soft start function. That is, a current increase control means is provided as a soft start function section for automatically and gradually increasing the output current to a preset therapeutic current value within a certain period of time from the start of energization. Specific examples of such current increase control means include automatic output adjustment means (circuits) such as analog switches, programmable variable resistors, multipliers, and integrators.

As a specific aspect of the soft start, it is preferable that the average increase rate of the output current is in the range of 0.5 to 50 mA/min, more preferably in the range of 2 to 20 mA/min, particularly 5 to 10 mA/min. It is desirable that the value be within this range because it satisfies both safety and practicality.

[0030] Such a soft start function may be configured to start from 0 mA, but for example, from 0.5 mA.
You may also start from . Further, even when the setting is changed to increase the current value during treatment, it is desirable that the soft start function is activated so that the current value is automatically increased gradually. Furthermore, if the setting value of the treatment current is as low as 5 mA or less, more preferably 3 mA or less, the soft start function may not work.

[0031] As an automatic output current increase control means that easily satisfies such a range of average increase rate of output current and is excellent in terms of practicality including automatic adjustment reproducibility and cost, it is used in combination with a microcomputer. (variable gain amplifier circuit using analog SW). That is, the output current can be automatically and gradually increased by sequentially selecting resistance values from resistance means capable of generating resistance values of various values in accordance with a speed and order determined by the microcomputer.

[0032] Furthermore, when the output current becomes too stimulating for the patient and it becomes necessary to reduce the output current, or when the output current is reduced due to the patient's will or a doctor's prescription, For example, it is desirable to use a current reduction control means to reduce the output current at a rapid speed of 20 mA/min or more, and a specific example of this is a variable control means using an analog SW combined with a microcomputer as described above. An example is a gain amplifier circuit. In this case, the microcomputer sequentially selects the resistance values at a predetermined speed and order so that the output current decreases at a predetermined large speed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of one embodiment of the expectorant electric therapy device of the present invention. Oscillator 2 oscillates a carrier wave of 4 KHz, and oscillator 3 oscillates a carrier wave different from oscillator 2 by 50 to 100 Hz. The two carrier waves are controlled by an automatic output adjustment circuit 4 as a current increase control means to automatically and gradually increase the output current;
It passes through the treatment current setting circuit 5 and the current detection circuit 6 and is output from the conductor 7. As an example of realizing the soft start function, using the central processing unit 1 such as a microcomputer, the output current value is adjusted by differentially controlling the automatic output adjustment circuit while inputting the detected value from the current detection circuit 5. are doing. Any circuit configuration may be used as long as the output current can be gradually increased to a preset treatment current value within a certain period of time. Specifically, an automatic output adjustment circuit such as a variable gain amplifier circuit using analog SW is suitable. Equipped. The treatment current value is preset in the central processing unit 1, and the output current is automatically and gradually increased according to a predetermined method, for example, for 0.1 to 10 minutes, preferably 0.5 to 4 minutes. The therapeutic current value is reached within a predetermined time, particularly preferably in the range from 0.5 to 2 minutes.

Note that the current detection circuit monitors the current actually being supplied to the human body. In addition, the central processing unit
It is desirable that the gain of the amplifier circuit be controlled in order to adjust the output current value while taking in the output of the current detection circuit and comparing it with an output current pattern stored in a storage device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the principle of an embodiment of the electrotherapy device of the present invention in the case of amplitude modulated waves using a pair of conductor means. In the figure, the current generating means 11 has a medium current, preferably 20
00-6000Hz, more preferably 3000-50Hz
Carrier wave oscillators 12 and 30 that generate 00Hz electrical signals
It consists of a therapeutic wave oscillator 13 that generates an electrical signal of ~150 Hz and a multiplier 14, and from the output side of the multiplier, an amplitude modulated low frequency wave having the frequency of a carrier wave and corresponding to the amplitude change of the therapeutic frequency is obtained. The control unit 15 includes a circuit for automatic current adjustment that removes the current at a predetermined rate to increase the current and rapidly decrease the current, an adjustment circuit for setting the treatment duration and treatment current value, or a circuit that periodically changes the treatment wave frequency. It is also possible to include a circuit for intentionally or randomly changing the current value, and to display the current value on the current value display means 17 via the current value detection means 16. The control unit 15 is also equipped with various alarm circuits for indicating abnormalities in the device and a safety circuit that interrupts the circuit when a current exceeding a predetermined value flows. The electrode 18 for passing current through the living body may have an adhesive surface, or may be a combination of an electrode with a water-containing sponge on the side that comes into contact with the living body and a fixing device such as a fixing band to improve conductivity. is preferably used.

[0036]

Effects of the Invention: The low-frequency electric therapy device of the present invention automatically and slowly increases the output current to eliminate anxiety for the patient, and also rapidly decreases the output current as necessary to ensure safety. enables efficient treatment.

According to the low-frequency electric therapy device for expectoration of the present invention, it is possible to reliably perform treatment that reduces anxiety for the patient when the output current increases, and it is easy to perform treatment while ensuring practical safety. You will get the advantage of

Furthermore, by providing an energization time setting means and an excessive current prevention means, it is possible to provide an electric therapy device with further improved practicality and safety.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of a preferred embodiment of an electric therapy device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of another embodiment of the electric therapy device of the present invention.

Claims (8)

[Claims] Claim 1: Has a medium frequency, with a frequency of 30 to 1
current generating means for generating a current for applying a low frequency current in the range of 50 Hz to the treatment area; conductor means for applying current to apply the low frequency current to the treatment area; current detection means for detecting current;
therapeutic current setting means; current increase control means for automatically and gradually increasing the output current from at least the start of energization up to a preset therapeutic current value; 1. A low-frequency electric therapy device comprising: a current reduction control means for reducing an output current. Claim 2: Has a medium frequency and a frequency difference of 30 to 1
Current generating means for generating two types of carrier wave currents of 50 Hz, two pairs of conductor means for passing each of the two types of carrier wave currents, and current detection for detecting the current when energized. means, a therapeutic current setting means, and a current increase control means for automatically and gradually increasing the output current from at least the start of energization to a preset therapeutic current value, the two pairs of conductor means One of the electrodes forming the ends of each pair of conductor means is placed on the chest and the other on the back, and each of the electrodes is positioned so that the currents from each pair of conductor means cross each other. Low frequency electric therapy device for expectoration. 3. The low frequency electrotherapy device according to claim 2, further comprising current reduction control means for automatically and rapidly reducing the output current when reducing the current during energization. 4. Claim 1, further comprising an energization time setting means for setting the time during which the therapeutic current is applied, and the energization time setting means is capable of setting the energization time within a range of 5 to 30 minutes. Or 2 low frequency electric therapy device. 5. The low frequency electricity according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the current detecting means is provided with excessive current prevention means for reducing or stopping the energizing current when the current detecting means detects a current exceeding the upper limit of the energizing current. treatment device. 6. The low frequency electric therapy device according to claim 5, wherein said excessive current prevention means has means for setting an upper limit of current during said energization. 7. The low frequency electric therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the preset therapeutic current value is 2 mA or more. Claim 8: Has a medium frequency and an amplitude of 30 to 15
A current generating means that generates an amplitude modulated wave that fluctuates at one value selected from a frequency of 0 Hz or within the frequency range, a pair of electrode means for passing the current, and detecting the current when the current is applied. a current detection means for controlling the current, a therapeutic current setting means, and a current increase control means for automatically and gradually increasing the output current from at least the start of energization to a preset therapeutic current value; A low-frequency electric therapy device for expectoration, wherein one of the electrodes forming each end of the conductor means is located on the chest and the other on the back.