JPH07284515A - Effective spot retrieving and stimulating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an effective spot retrieving and stimulating device capable of accurately retrieving an effective spot without receiving the influence of an individual difference and a sweating state on a skin surface, etc. CONSTITUTION:This device is equipped with a first electrode 12 formed on the surface of a cabinet 11, a bar shape second electrode 13 insulated electrically from the first electrode 12, an effective spot retrieval means which retrieves the effective spot provided in the inside of the cabinet 11, and an effective spot stimulating means which outputs a voltage pulse to stimulate the effective spot from the second electrode 13. The effective spot retrieving means is provided with a measuring means which measures a skin resistance value between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13, an arithmetic means which calculates the rough mean value of plural measured skin resistance values, and a judging means which judges whether or not the second electrode 13 approaches the effective spot by comparing the latest measured skin resistance value with the rough mean value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an acupoint searching and stimulating device provided with an acupoint searching circuit for searching an acupoint and an acupoint stimulation circuit for locally performing treatment by stimulating the acupuncture point.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional acupuncture point search stimulator, for example, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-10741, is a fountain pen-shaped tubular body in which a search circuit and a stimulus circuit are provided and which can be held by hand. Some include a center electrode provided at the tip of a tubular body so as to contact the skin surface, and an annular electrode provided around the center electrode via an insulator region. This device measures the resistance value between the center electrode and the ring-shaped electrode by contacting the center electrode and the ring-shaped electrode with the surface of the skin, and compares the resistance value with the reference resistance value to search for the acupuncture points and A voltage pulse is output from the central electrode by switching a switch provided on the body, and local treatment is performed by electrically stimulating the acupuncture point.

[0003]

However, in the device and the like shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-10741, since the pot is searched by measuring the resistance between the center electrode and the annular electrode, the pot is not the center electrode. Even if they are not in contact with each other, if they are located inside the annular electrode, the resistance value between the center electrode and the annular electrode becomes low, so that it is judged as a pot. In this state, when a switch provided on the tubular body is switched and a voltage pulse is output from the center electrode, there is a problem that a portion other than the acupuncture point is stimulated. Also, the resistance value of the pot is
There is also a problem in that an accurate acupoint search may not be performed in some cases by comparison with a fixed reference resistance value, because it may vary considerably depending on individual differences and the sweating state of the skin surface. For this reason, there is also an acupuncture point stimulating device which is provided with a changeover switch for sensitivity adjustment so that the reference resistance value can be changed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an acupoint searching and stimulating device capable of accurately searching for acupoints without being affected by individual differences, sweating conditions on the skin surface, and the like. It is intended.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an acupuncture point search stimulator according to the invention of claim 1 is a first electrode formed on a surface of a casing, the first electrode and an electric element. Second electrode provided in a state of being electrically insulated and protruding from the casing, an acupoint searching means for searching an acupoint provided in the casing, and a second electrode provided in the casing. An acupoint stimulating means for outputting a voltage pulse for stimulating an acupuncture point of the electrode, the acupoint searching means, a measuring means for measuring a skin resistance value between the first electrode and the second electrode, and The calculating means for calculating an approximate average value of the plurality of skin resistance values measured by the measuring means, and the second by comparing the skin resistance value most recently measured by the measuring means and the approximate average value To determine if the electrode of is approaching the acupuncture point It is characterized in further comprising a determining means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the acupuncture point search stimulating device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the approximate average value is a weighting coefficient based on a measurement time for each of the plurality of skin resistance values measured by the measuring means. It is a weighted average value obtained by multiplying by and taking the sum.

In the acupuncture point search stimulating device according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, an average value calculating means for outputting an average value of the value previously output by the calculating means and the value input this time is provided. It is characterized in that a plurality of them are connected in series.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the acupuncture point stimulating device according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the blinking cycle is changed stepwise based on the result of the judging means. It is characterized in that the notifying means is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the acupuncture point search stimulating device according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the buzzer is caused to ring by stepwise changing the ringing cycle based on the result of the judging means. The second notification means is provided.

The acupuncture point search stimulating device according to the invention of claim 6 is the acupuncture point stimulating device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
The acupoint searching means and the acupuncture stimulating means are configured by a single-chip microprocessor.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the acupuncture point stimulating device according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the first electrode is formed of plastic on the surface of the casing. It is characterized in that it is formed by applying a plating treatment to.

[0012]

According to the acupoint search stimulator of the invention described in claim 1, when the user holds the first electrode by hand and moves the second electrode in contact with the skin surface, the first electrode and the second electrode are moved. The skin resistance value between the electrodes is measured, and an approximate average value of the measured skin resistance values is calculated. Then, it is determined whether or not the second electrode is close to the acupuncture point by comparing the most recently measured skin resistance value with the estimated average value.
Thereby, the search for the acupuncture point is not a comparison of the skin resistance value between the first electrode and the second electrode with a fixed reference resistance value, but an approximate average value of the measured skin resistance values. Therefore, it is possible to accurately search for the acupuncture points without being affected by individual differences or the sweating state of the skin surface. In addition, by forming the first electrode on the surface of the housing, it is possible to hold the housing with one hand at the same time, so that the first electrode can be held with one hand at the same time, and thus can be easily operated with one hand. You can Furthermore, since the acupuncture point is electrically stimulated for treatment by outputting a voltage pulse from the second electrode after searching for the acupoint, the acupuncture point is not damaged or destroyed unlike the heat treatment. In addition, since the acupoint search circuit and the acupuncture stimulus circuit are provided inside the housing, they are convenient to carry and easy to operate.

In the acupuncture point stimulating device according to the present invention, a weighted average obtained by multiplying a plurality of skin resistance values measured by the measuring means by a weighting coefficient based on each measurement time as an approximate average value and taking the sum. By using the value, for example, the peak value of the weighting coefficient is 200 to 30.
It is possible to calculate a value close to the resistance value around the acupuncture point even if the skin resistance value suddenly changes due to sweating, etc., by making it multiply by the skin resistance value measured 0 ms before. Becomes

In the acupuncture point stimulating device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the arithmetic means is constituted by connecting in series a plurality of average value calculating means for outputting the average value of the value output last time and the value input this time. This eliminates the need for a memory for storing the skin resistance value measured by the measuring means.

According to the acupuncture point stimulating device of the present invention as defined in claim 4, the user is provided with the first notifying means for blinking the light emitting diode by changing the blinking cycle stepwise based on the result of the judging means. It is possible to visually confirm whether or not the second electrode is approaching the acupuncture point.

According to the acupuncture point stimulating device of the present invention as defined in claim 5, by providing the second notifying means for sounding the buzzer by changing the sounding cycle stepwise based on the result of the judging means,
The user can auditorily know whether the second electrode is approaching the acupuncture point.

In the acupoint searching and stimulating device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the acupoint searching means and the acupuncture stimulating means are composed of a single-chip microprocessor, so that the device can be further downsized.

According to the acupuncture point stimulating device of the present invention, the first electrode is formed by plating the surface of the housing made of plastic.
The first electrode can be easily formed on the entire surface of the housing.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is a front view of the acupoint search stimulator which is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a right side view of the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG. 4 is a left side view of the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG.
6 is a schematic diagram of an acupoint search circuit and an acupuncture stimulus circuit used in the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS.
6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the acupuncture point stimulating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a casing 11 sized so that the whole body can be held by hand, and a surface of the casing 11. A first electrode 12 formed on the entire surface and a rod-shaped second electrode 13 provided substantially vertically to the side surface on the upper left side surface of the housing 11 are provided. It should be noted that the casing 11 has therein the acupoint search circuit and the acupuncture stimulating circuit shown in FIG. 6 formed on an integrated circuit board.

The display unit 14 for displaying the strength of the pulse output voltage by numbers, the red light emitting diode 15, and the green light emitting diode 16 are provided on the upper front of the casing 11 for adjusting the pulse output voltage which also functions as a power switch. Dial 17 is case 1
The push switch 18 for switching the operation from the acupoint search to the acupoint stimulus or from the acupoint stimulus to the shoulder of No. 1 has a central portion on the left side surface of the housing 11, and a lid 11a for inserting the battery 37 is shown in FIG. Thus, they are provided on the lower right side surface of the housing 11, respectively. The first electrode 12 is formed by plating the surface of the housing 11 made of plastic with gold, chromium, or the like. Second electrode 13
Is provided on the housing 11 via an insulating member 19 and is electrically insulated from the first electrode 12.

The circuit shown in FIG. 6 supplies a voltage to the single-chip microprocessor 31, the microprocessor 31, the light emitting diodes 15 and 16 and the buzzer 36, and measures the skin resistance between the electrodes 12 and 13. To supply a voltage for measuring the skin resistance value between the electrodes 12 and 13, and a high-voltage power supply for supplying a high voltage for acupoint stimulation between the electrodes 12 and 13 32, which is a switch of the electrode, the electrode 12 and the electrode 1
3 has a transistor 41, which is a switch for applying a high voltage for acupoint stimulation, and a transistor 35, which is a switch for applying a voltage to the buzzer 36.

The microprocessor 31 includes a control unit for an acupoint search circuit and an acupuncture stimulus circuit, and includes a measuring unit, a computing unit and a judging unit which will be described later. The power source is a coil 52
A diode 53, an electrolytic capacitor 54, and a step-up switching regulator 51. The high-voltage power supply unit has a coil 43, a diode 44, an electrolytic capacitor 42, and a transistor 45.

Next, the operation of the acupoint search stimulating device 1, that is, the operations of the acupoint searching circuit and the acupuncture stimulating circuit shown in FIG. 6 will be described. When the power is turned on by the pulse output voltage adjusting dial 17 that also serves as a power switch, the single-chip microprocessor 31 is initialized, and the processing is started according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

In steps S1 to S41, an acupoint search is performed by the acupoint search circuit. In step S1,
The microprocessor 31 sets the output of the terminal 31a to low and sets the output of the terminal 31b to high. This allows
The light emitting diode 15 is turned on and the light emitting diode 16 is turned off. In step S2, the microprocessor 31 sets the number N of times the skin resistance value is measured to 0.

In step S3, the microprocessor 3
1 makes the terminal 31c low. As a result, the transistor 32 becomes conductive. On the other hand, the step-up switching regulator 51 performs switching operation by alternately connecting and disconnecting the terminals 51a and 51b. For this reason,
The voltage output from the battery 37 is boosted by the coil 52 and then rectified and smoothed by the rectifying diode 53 and the electrolytic capacitor 54 to have a constant voltage value. This constant voltage value is applied between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 via the reference resistor 33 and the diode 34 when the transistor 32 becomes conductive. In this embodiment, a voltage of 5 V is applied between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 when the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 are open.

In step S4, the microprocessor 3
1 detects whether the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 are in contact with the skin by detecting the voltage V _d input to the analog input unit 31 _d . When the voltage V _d is 5 V, the space between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 is open, so it is determined that the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 are not in contact with the skin, and the process proceeds to step S5. To do. On the other hand, when the voltage V _d is lower than 5 V, the resistance is connected between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13, so that the first electrode 1
2 and the second electrode 13 are judged to be in contact with the skin, and the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the microprocessor 3
The measurement unit built in 1 measures the skin resistance value between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13. When a voltage of 5V is applied between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13, when the first electrode 12 is held by hand and the second electrode 13 is brought into contact with the skin surface, a voltage of 5V is used as a reference resistance. 33 and the voltage V divided by the skin resistance between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13
_d is an analog input section 31d of the microprocessor 31
Entered in. The microprocessor 31 converts the voltage V _d input to the analog input unit 31 _d into a resistance value R _t between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13. The conversion formula is
When the reference resistance 33 is R _s , R _t = (V _d / (5-V _d )) · R _s . Here, the unit of R _t and R _s is ohm, and the unit of V _d is volt. In this embodiment, the acupuncture point search operation shown in steps S1 to S41 completes in about 100 ms. Therefore, step S
The measurement of the skin resistance value shown in 6 is performed about every 100 msec.

In step S7, the microprocessor 3
1 adds 1 to the number of times N of skin resistance measurement (N = N +
1). In step S8, the arithmetic unit incorporated in the microprocessor 31 calculates an approximate average value of the plurality of skin resistance values measured every approximately 100 msec in step S6. Here, the approximate average value is about 100 in step S6.
It is a weighted average value obtained by multiplying a plurality of skin resistance values measured every m seconds by a weighting coefficient based on the measurement time and taking the sum. The plurality of skin resistance values measured in step S6 are set to R _{(1) to} R _(n) (n represents the number of times N of measurement of the skin resistance value _{) in the} order of oldest measurement time, and the skin resistance values R _{(1) to} R ₍ R _)
When the approximate average value of _(n) is H, the approximate average value of H is H = a ₍₁₎ R ₍₁₎ + a ₍₂₎ R ₍₂₎ + a ₍₃₎ R ₍₃₎ ... ...
+ a _(n) R _(n) However, it can be represented by a ₍₁₎ + a ₍₂₎ + a _{(3) .....} + a _(n) = 1. The method of calculating the approximate average value will be described later.

In step S9, the microprocessor 3
1 determines whether or not the number N of times the skin resistance value is measured is 6 or more. In the method of calculating an approximate average value described below, when the skin resistance values measured in step S6 are less than 6, the sum of the weighting factors by which the respective skin resistance values are multiplied is smaller than 1, and the number of skin resistance values Since the degree of change with respect to increase is large, it is not appropriate to treat the estimated average value as a weighted average value. On the other hand, when the skin resistance value measured in step S6 is 6 or more, the sum of the weighting factors by which the skin resistance values are multiplied is close to 1,
Further, even if the number of skin resistance values increases, it stabilizes at a substantially constant value, so that the approximate average value can be treated as a weighted average value. When the skin resistance value measurement number N is 6 or more, the process proceeds to step S10, and when the skin resistance value measurement number N is less than 6, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S10, the microprocessor 31 fixes the estimated average value calculated in step S8 as a comparison value. In step S11, the microprocessor 31 determines whether or not the skin resistance value most recently measured in step S6 is larger than the comparison value fixed in step S10. The electric resistance value of the portion of the human body where the acupuncture points are scattered is significantly lower than the electric resistance values of the other portions. Therefore, the acupoint can be searched by measuring the skin resistance value. The second electrode 13 has the function of a sensor for measuring the skin resistance value, and the user finds the acupuncture point by sliding the second electrode 13 on the skin surface. At this time, when the most recently measured skin resistance value is larger than the comparison value, it is considered that the second electrode 13 is moving away from the acupoint position. On the other hand, when the most recently measured skin resistance value is smaller than the comparison value, it is considered that the second electrode 13 is approaching the position of the acupuncture point. If the most recently measured skin resistance value is larger than the comparison value, the microprocessor 31 newly fixes this skin resistance value as a comparison value in order to continue searching for the acupuncture point (step S12), and then moves to step S13. To do. On the other hand, when the most recently measured skin resistance value is smaller than the comparison value, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the microprocessor 31 determines whether or not the comparison value is fixed. When the comparison value is fixed, the process proceeds to step S14.
On the other hand, when the comparison value is not fixed, specifically, 600 msec or more has not elapsed since the first measurement of the skin resistance value in step S6, and therefore, the number of times the skin resistance value is measured When N is less than 6, step S5
Move to.

In step S14, the microprocessor 31 determines whether the comparison value is 20 MΩ or more.
This is for accurately performing the later-described ranking.
When the comparison value is 20 MΩ or more, the process proceeds to step S16, and when the comparison value is less than 20 MΩ, step S1.
Go to 5.

In step S15, the determination unit incorporated in the microprocessor 31 performs a normal ranking of how close the second electrode 13 is to the position of the pot. The resistance value of the acupuncture point varies depending on the position of the acupuncture point, individual difference, perspiration state of the skin surface, and the like. However, it is empirically known that the ratio between the resistance value of the acupuncture point and the resistance value around the acupoint is not affected by the position of the acupuncture point, individual difference, sweating state on the skin surface, or the like. Therefore, the most recently measured skin resistance value in step S6 and step S10 or step S12
By observing the ratio with the comparison value fixed at, it is possible to determine how close the second electrode 13 is to the position of the pot. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the present inventors say that the ratio of the resistance value of the acupuncture point to the resistance value around the acupuncture point is less than 20 MΩ (normal resistance value around the acupoint point). It was confirmed that it was clearly different from the case of 20 MΩ or more (the resistance value around the acupoints scattered around the sole of the foot, the resistance value around the acupoints of an elderly person, etc.).
For example, when the resistance value around the pot is about 3 MΩ, the resistance value of the pot is about 300 kΩ, whereas when the resistance value around the pot is about 24 MΩ, the resistance value of the pot is about 7 MΩ.
It was MΩ. Therefore, in this embodiment, the comparison value is 20.
The ranking method is changed depending on whether it is smaller than MΩ or larger than 20 MΩ.

Normal ranking means that the comparison value is 20 MΩ.
It is the ranking when it is smaller. _Let R _(n) be the most recently measured skin resistance value in step S6 _(n represents the number of times N the skin resistance value has been measured), and T be the comparison value fixed in step S10 or step S12. Follow the procedure below. If R _(n) ≧ T, there is no rank. If T> R _(n) ≧ T · (7/8), rank D. If T · (7/8)> R _(n) ≧ T · (3/4), rank C. If T · (3/4)> R _(n) ≧ T · (1/2), the rank is B. If T · (1/2)> R _(n) , rank A.
Here, “no rank” indicates a state in which the second electrode 13 is considerably separated from the position of the pot. Rank D is the second electrode 1
No. 3 is closer to the acupuncture point than it was when there was no rank, but is still far away. Rank C indicates a state in which the second electrode 13 is closer to the pot position than in the case of rank D. Rank B shows a state in which the second electrode 13 is closer to the acupuncture point than in the case of the rank C and is in contact with the acupuncture point at a position almost close to the acupoint. Rank A is the second electrode 1
3 shows a state in which the point 3 is in contact with the acupuncture point. After the ranking in step S15 is completed, the process proceeds to step S17.

On the other hand, in step S16, the determination unit incorporated in the microprocessor 31 ranks how close the second electrode 13 is to the position of the acupuncture point, corresponding to a minute change. The ranking corresponding to the minute change is the ranking when the comparison value is 20 MΩ or more. The ranking according to small changes is performed as follows. If R _(n) ≥ T · (3/4), there is no rank. T
If (3/4)> R _(n) ≧ T · (9/16), rank D.
If T · (9/16)> R _(n) ≧ T · (27/64), the rank is C. If T · (27/64)> R _(n) ≧ T · (81/256), the rank is B. If T · (81/256)> R _(n) , rank A. The meanings of no rank, rank D, rank C, rank B, and rank A are the same as those described in step S15. After the ranking in step S16 is completed, the process proceeds to step S17.

When it is determined that the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 are not in contact with the skin (step S4) or the comparison value is not fixed (step S1).
In 3), it is not possible to search for pots. For this reason,
The determination unit built in the microprocessor 31 determines that the second electrode 13 is close to the position of the acupuncture point, that there is no rank (step S5), and then proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, the microprocessor 31 determines whether or not the rank determined this time (measurement count N) has changed from the rank determined last time (measurement count N-1). If the rank has changed, the process proceeds to step S19, and if the rank has not changed, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S19, the microprocessor 31 determines whether or not the rank determined this time is no rank. When there is no rank, the process proceeds to step S20, and when there is no rank, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S20, the microprocessor 31 sets the terminal 31a to low and the terminal 31b to high. As a result, the light emitting diode 15 is turned on and the light emitting diode 16 is turned off. In step S21, the microprocessor 31 instructs the display waiting time (500 msec) for maintaining the display state performed in step S20, that is, the state in which the light emitting diode 15 is turned on and the light emitting diode 16 is turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S22, the microprocessor 31 determines whether or not the rank determined this time is the rank D. If it is rank D, the process proceeds to step S23, and if it is not rank D, the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S23, the microprocessor 31 sets the terminal 31a to high and the terminal 31b to low. As a result, the light emitting diode 15 is turned off and the light emitting diode 16 is turned on. At the same time, the microprocessor 31 causes the output of the terminal 31e to go high to bring the transistor 35 into a conductive state, thereby causing the buzzer 36 to ring. In step S24, the microprocessor 31
Determines whether 50 msec has elapsed since the processing in step S23 was started. When 50 msec has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S25, and when 50 msec has not elapsed, 5
Wait for 0 ms. In step S25, the microprocessor 31 makes the terminal 31b high and the output of the terminal 31e low. As a result, the light emitting diode 16 is turned off and the buzzer 36 stops ringing. In step S26, the microprocessor 31 operates in step S2.
5, the display state, that is, the light emitting diode 15
And the display waiting time (80) for maintaining the state in which the light emitting diode 16 is turned off and the buzzer 36 stops ringing.
0 ms). Then, the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S27, the microprocessor 31 determines whether or not the rank determined this time is the rank C. If it is rank C, the process proceeds to step S28, and if it is not rank C, the process proceeds to step S32.
In step S32, the microprocessor 31 determines whether or not the rank determined this time is rank B. If it is rank B, the process proceeds to step S33, and rank B
If not, that is, if the rank is A, step S3
Move to 7.

The processing performed in steps S28 to S31, the processing performed in steps S33 to S36, and the processing performed in steps S37 to S40 are the same as the processing performed in steps S23 to S26. However, steps S31 and S3
6, and the display waiting time instructed in step S40 is
They are 400 msec, 200 msec, and 100 msec, respectively.

When it is determined in step S17 that the currently determined rank and the previously determined rank are the same, the microprocessor 31 determines in step S21,
It is determined whether or not the display waiting time instructed in step S26, step S31, step S36 or step S40 has elapsed (step S18). When the display waiting time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S41, and when the display waiting time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S19.

Therefore, the light emitting diode 16 has a cycle of 850 msec for rank D and 45 for rank C.
0 msec cycle, 250 msec cycle for rank B, 150 msec cycle for rank A, 50 msec each
Repeated lighting for m seconds. Further, the buzzer 36 sounds in response to the lighting of the light emitting diode 16. In the case of no rank, the light emitting diode 15 is turned on. The light emitting diode 16 does not light up, and the buzzer 36 does not ring.

In step S41, the microprocessor 31 determines whether or not the push switch 18 has been pressed. When the terminal 31f of the microprocessor 31 is connected to the-side of the battery 37, that is, when the push switch 18 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S42, and the terminal 31f is not connected to the-side of the power source 37. At this time, that is, when the push switch 18 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the acupoint search shown in steps S4 to S41 is repeated until the push switch 18 is pressed.

In step S42, the operation of the pot search circuit is stopped. First, the microprocessor 31 uses the terminal 31
By setting the output of c to be high and opening the transistor 32, the voltage application between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 is stopped. Next, the outputs of the terminals 31a and 31b are set to high to turn off the light emitting diodes 15 and 16 and the output of the terminal 31e is set to low to open the transistor 35, thereby stopping the buzzer 36.

In steps S43 to S46, the acupoint stimulation circuit electrically stimulates the acupuncture points. Step S
At 43, the voltage boosted by the coil 43 is supplied to the electrolytic capacitor 42. Coil 43, rectifier diode 4
4, the electrolytic capacitor 42 and the transistor 45 constitute a step-up switching circuit, and the microprocessor 31 alternately outputs high and low to the terminal 31g, thereby causing the transistor 45 to perform a switching operation and to apply a voltage to the electrolytic capacitor 42. To supply. The voltage supplied to the electrolytic capacitor 42 is about 100V. In step S44, the microprocessor 31 alternately outputs high and low to the terminal 31a to blink the light emitting diode 16 and sets the output of the terminal 31e to high to bring the transistor 35 into a conductive state, thereby causing the buzzer 36 to operate. Sound.

In step S45, the microprocessor 31 alternately outputs high and low to the terminal 31h to cause the transistor 41 to perform a switching operation so that the voltage supplied to the electrolytic capacitor 42 is applied to the first electrode 12 and the second electrode. It outputs as a low frequency voltage pulse during 13. Since the first electrode 12 is connected to the-side of the power source 37,
The low frequency voltage pulse is output from the second electrode 13. As a result, electrical stimulation is given to the acupuncture points to perform treatment. The intensity of electrical stimulation can be adjusted by operating the pulse output voltage adjusting dial 17 to change the amplitude of the voltage pulse.

In step S46, the push switch 1
It is determined whether 8 is pressed again. When the terminal 31f of the microprocessor 31 is not connected to the-side, that is, when the push switch 18 is pressed again, the process proceeds to step S12, and when the terminal 31f is connected to the-side of the power source 37, that is, , Push switch 18
If is not pressed again, the process proceeds to step S43,
From step S43 until the push switch 18 is pressed
The acupoint stimulation shown in step S46 is repeated.

In step S47, the operation of the acupuncture stimulation circuit is stopped. First, the microprocessor 31 uses the terminal 31
By setting the output of h to be low and opening the transistor 41, the output of the low frequency voltage pulse between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 is stopped, and the output of the terminal 31g is set to low to turn on the transistor 45. By setting the open state, the voltage supply to the electrolytic capacitor 42 is stopped. The voltage charged in the electrolytic capacitor 42 is discharged through the discharging resistor Rd. Next, the output of the terminal 31b is set to high to turn off the light emitting diode 16, and the output of the terminal 31e is set to low to open the transistor 35 to stop the ringing of the buzzer 36.

In step S48, it is determined by the pulse output voltage adjusting dial 17 whether or not the power is on. When the power is on, the process returns to step S1 of the flow shown in FIG. 7, and when the power is off, the process according to this flowchart ends.

Next, the method of calculating the approximate average value performed in step S8 will be described. Microprocessor 31
As shown in FIG. 11, the arithmetic unit built in is composed of average value calculating means 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d connected in series. Average value calculation means 62a to 62d
Is a value obtained by adding the previously output value stored in the storage means and the newly input value this time, and then adding 1 /
Multiply by 2. As a result, the average value of the value output last time and the value input this time is calculated.

The skin resistance value measured by the measuring unit about every 100 msec is defined as R _{(1) to} R _(n) (n represents the number of times of measurement N _{) in the} order of oldest measurement time, and the skin resistance value R ₍₁₎ When the approximate average value of ~ R _(n) is H _(n) , the operation of the operation unit is expressed by an equation: H _(n) = (H _{3 (n)} + H _(n-1) ) / 2 H _{3 (n)} = (H _{2 (n)} + H _{3 (n-1)} ) / 2 H _{2 (n)} = (H _{1 (n)} + H _{2 (n-1)} ) / 2 H _{1 (n)} = (R _(n) + H1 _(n-1) ) / 2 However, H ₍₀₎ = H3 ₍₀₎ = H2 ₍₀₎ = H1 ₍₀₎ = 0. Here, H _{3 (n)} is the value output from the average value calculating means 62 c, H _{2 (n)} is the value output from the average value calculating means 62 b, and H _{1 (n)} is the output value from the average value calculating means 62 a. This is the value that was set.

Approximate average value H _(n) is used as skin resistance values R _{(1) to} R
Expressed in _{(n), H (n)} = (1/16) · R (n) + (4/32) · R (n-1) + (10/64) · R
_(n-2) + (20/128) ・ R _(n-3) + (35/256) ・ R _(n-4) + (56/512)
・ R _(n-5) ... This formula is a formula expressing a weighted average value obtained by multiplying the skin resistance values R _{(1) to} R _(n) by weighting coefficients based on the measurement time, and H _(n) = a _(n) R _{( n)} + a _(n-1) R _(n-1) + a _(n-2) R
_{(n-2) ...} + a ₍₂₎ R ₍₂₎ + a ₍₁₎ R ₍₁₎ where a _(n) + a _(n-1) + a _{(n-2 ) ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・} + A ₍₂₎ +
It has the same form as a ₍₁₎ = 1. Therefore, the skin resistance values R _{(1) to} R
The sum of the weighting factors to be multiplied by _(n) is 1 or 1
If the value is stable at a value close to, the estimated average value H _(n) can be treated as a weighted average value. Skin resistance R ₍₁₎ ~
The sum of the weighting factors by which each R _(n) is multiplied is shown in FIG.
As shown in 2, when the number of skin resistance values is less than 6, it is 1
It is much lower and the degree of change with increasing number of skin resistance values is large. On the other hand, when the number of skin resistance values is 6 or more, it becomes a value close to 1, and when the number of skin resistance values increases, it does not change so much and becomes a substantially constant value. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the number of skin resistance values is 6 or more, that is, when the number of times of measurement N is 6 or more, the approximate average value calculated in step S8 is used as a comparison value. When the number of measurements N is less than 6, the estimated average value calculated in step S8 is not used as a comparison value.

The value of the weighting coefficient by which each of the skin resistance values R _{(1) to} R _(n) is multiplied is, as shown in FIG. 13, a skin resistance value measured two to four times before, that is, 200. ~
Skin resistance value R _(n-2) ~ R measured 400 ms before
_The one multiplied by _(n-4) is set to be the largest. Therefore, even if the skin resistance value suddenly changes due to sweating or the like, it is possible to calculate a value close to the resistance value around the pot.

According to the present embodiment, the user uses the first electrode 12
The skin resistance value between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 is measured by the measuring unit built in the microprocessor 31 when the second electrode 13 is moved by bringing it into contact with the skin surface by grasping the At the same time, an approximate average value of the plurality of skin resistance values measured by the arithmetic unit incorporated in the microprocessor 31 is calculated. Then, the judgment unit incorporated in the microprocessor 31 compares the most recently measured skin resistance value with the estimated average value to judge whether or not the second electrode 13 is close to the pot. Thereby, the search for the acupuncture point is not a comparison of the skin resistance value between the first electrode and the second electrode with a fixed reference resistance value, but an approximate average value of the measured skin resistance values. Therefore, it is possible to accurately search for the acupuncture points without being affected by individual differences or the sweating state of the skin surface.

After searching for the acupuncture points as described above, the low frequency voltage pulse is output from the second electrode 13 to electrically stimulate and treat the acupuncture points without heating the acupoint points. It will not damage or destroy.

Further, by forming the first electrode 12 on the entire surface of the casing 11 which is large enough to be grasped by hand, the casing 11 can be grasped by one hand at the same time. The electrode 12 can be grasped by hand and thus can be easily operated with one hand.

In addition, by forming the rod-shaped second electrode 13 at the end of the casing 11, for example, searching for complex acupuncture points or the like, which are considered to be a large number of acupoints projected from the whole body, Treatment can be surely performed.

As the approximate average value, a weighted average value obtained by multiplying a plurality of measured skin resistance values by a weighting coefficient based on the measurement time is used, and the peak value of the weighting coefficient is 200 to Since it is applied to the skin resistance value measured 300 ms before, it is possible to calculate a value close to the resistance value around the acupuncture point even if the skin resistance value suddenly changes due to sweating or the like. Becomes

Further, the arithmetic unit incorporated in the microprocessor 31 is constructed by connecting in series average value calculating means 62a-62b for outputting the average value of the value output last time and the value input this time. A memory for storing the skin resistance value measured by the measuring unit is not necessary.

In addition, by changing the blinking cycle of the light emitting diode 16 step by step based on the rank determined by the determination unit built in the microprocessor 31, the user can determine whether the second electrode 13 is close to the pot. It is possible to know visually whether or not.

Further, since the ringing cycle of the buzzer 36 is changed step by step based on the rank determined by the judgment unit built in the microprocessor 31, the user can
It can be heard through hearing whether or not 3 is approaching the acupuncture point.

Further, since the single-chip microprocessor 31 is used for the acupoint searching circuit and the acupoint stimulating circuit and the microprocessor 31 is installed in the housing 11, the apparatus main body can be made more compact, so that it is portable. It is possible to improve.

In addition, the housing 1 made of plastic
The first electrode 12 by plating the surface of 1
By forming, the first electrode can be easily formed on the entire surface of the housing.

In this type of device, an electrode having an adhesive electrode pad attached to the surface is pulled out from the device main body through an electric wire, and the electrode pad is adhered to the skin surface to give an electrical stimulus for treatment. There is something to do, but with such a device,
Discomfort may occur when the electrode pad is adhered to the skin surface. In this embodiment, there is also an advantage that the treatment can be performed without the discomfort.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof. For example, in this embodiment, the case where the first electrode 12 is formed by performing the plating treatment on the surface of the housing 11 formed of plastic has been described.
The first electrode may be formed by using a metal or a conductive plastic as the material. Further, the first electrode may be formed on a part of the surface of the housing. Furthermore, the second electrode 1
3 may have a conical shape or the like.

[0070]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, with the above configuration, it is possible to accurately search for acupoints and to treat them by stimulating them without damaging or destroying them. It is possible to provide an acupoint searching and stimulating device which is easy to carry and easy to operate.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, by the above-mentioned constitution, even when the skin resistance value suddenly changes due to sweating or the like, It is possible to provide an acupuncture point stimulating device capable of calculating an approximate average value of the resistance values around the acupuncture points.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the memory for storing the skin resistance value measured by the measuring section is not necessary because of the above configuration. An acupoint search stimulator can be provided.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described above, the user can visually recognize whether or not the second electrode is close to the acupuncture point. It is possible to provide an acupoint search stimulator capable of

According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effects of the invention described above, the user can hear whether or not the second electrode is close to the acupuncture point. It is possible to provide an acupoint search stimulator capable of

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, by virtue of the above construction, it is possible to provide the acupuncture point stimulating device capable of further miniaturizing the device in addition to the effects of the above invention.

According to the invention described in claim 7, by virtue of the above configuration, in addition to the effect of the invention described above, the acupoint search in which the first electrode can be easily formed on the entire surface of the casing. A stimulator can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an acupuncture point stimulating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the acupuncture point stimulating device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the acupuncture point stimulating device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the acupuncture point search stimulator shown in FIG.

5 is a plan view of the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

6 is a schematic diagram of an acupoint search circuit and an acupuncture stimulus circuit used in the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the acupuncture point stimulating device shown in FIG. 1.

8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the acupoint search stimulator shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the acupuncture point search stimulator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pot and a resistance value around the pot.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an arithmetic unit incorporated in the microprocessor shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between the number of measured skin resistance values and the sum of weighting coefficients.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the measurement time of the skin resistance value and the weighting coefficient.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Acupoint Search Stimulator 11 Case 12 First Electrode 13 Second Electrode 14 Display 15,16 Light Emitting Diode 17 Pulse Output Voltage Adjustment Dial 18 Push Switch 19 Insulation Member 31 Microprocessor 32,35,41,45 Transistor 33 Reference Resistance 34,44,53 diode 36 buzzer 37 battery 42,46,54 electrolytic capacitor 43,52 coil 51 step-up switching regulator 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d average value calculating means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A first electrode formed on a surface of a housing,
A second electrode that is electrically insulated from the first electrode and provided in a state of protruding from the housing, an acupoint searching means for searching an acupoint provided in the housing, and the housing. An acupoint stimulating means for outputting a voltage pulse for stimulating an acupoint from the second electrode provided therein, the acupoint searching means, the skin resistance value between the first electrode and the second electrode Measuring means for measuring, calculating means for calculating an approximate average value of a plurality of skin resistance values measured by the measuring means, and comparing the skin resistance value and the approximate average value most recently measured by the measuring means The acupoint searching and stimulating device comprising: a determining means for determining whether or not the second electrode is approaching the acupoint. 2. The approximated average value is a weighted average value obtained by multiplying a plurality of the skin resistance values measured by the measuring means by a weighting coefficient based on a measurement time and summing the weighted coefficients. The acupuncture point search stimulator according to claim 1. 3. The arithmetic means comprises a plurality of average value calculation means connected in series for outputting an average value of a value output last time and a value input this time. 1. The acupoint search stimulator according to 1. 4. The acupuncture point search stimulus according to claim 1, further comprising a first notification means for flashing the light emitting diode by changing the flashing cycle stepwise based on the result of the judging means. apparatus. 5. Acupoint search according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, further comprising: second notification means for sounding a buzzer by changing a sounding cycle stepwise based on a result of the judging means. Stimulator. 6. The acupoint searching and stimulating device according to claim 1, wherein the acupoint searching means and the acupuncture stimulating means are constituted by a single-chip microprocessor. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode is formed by subjecting a surface of the housing made of plastic to a plating treatment. Acupoint search stimulator.