JPH119646A - Low-frequency electric signal impressing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stimulate an acupoint by simply abutting an electrode on an acupoint at the back of a hand and the back side of a finger so as to impress a low-frequency electric signal to these electrode. SOLUTION: Plane and flexible electrodes 12a and 12b are arranged at a position which is inside of a cylindrical electrode supporting member 10 with extendability and faces the back of an inserted hand and the back side of a finger. These electrodes 12a and 12b are closely adhered to the back, etc., of the hand by the extendability of the member 10. The low frequency electric signal is impressed to the electrodes 12a and 12b from an operation body part 16 to stimulate an acupoint, etc., at the back of the hand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a low-frequency electric signal applying device which applies a low-frequency electric signal to acupoints on the back of the hand or the back of the foot to stimulate the acupoint.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It has been known that activation of internal organs and the like is achieved by applying a stimulus by pressing or rubbing an acupuncture point of a body. In recent years, with the progress of Oriental medicine, stimulating the acupoints on the backs of the hands and feet will stimulate the activation of internal organs etc. in the same way as the conventionally known acupoints on the body. It has become clear.

[0003]

The conventional method of stimulating acupoints on the insteps of hands and feet has been to press with a finger or a stick. Therefore, regardless of the method of using a finger or a stick, fatigue tends to occur due to the pressing action.
Therefore, it is difficult to stimulate acupoints with sufficient strength and time. In particular, it is difficult for an elderly person or the like who is easily fatigued and has weak muscular strength to continue stimulation only sufficiently.

By the way, as an apparatus for massaging and loosening stiff shoulders and the like, an electrode is attached to a stiff shoulder, and a low-frequency electric signal is applied to the body from the electrode, whereby the shoulder is stiffened by the low-frequency electric signal. It is known to stimulate a certain muscle. However, in such a device, it is necessary to attach electrodes to appropriate places, and it is not always suitable for the back of the hands and feet. Therefore,
The electrodes are provided in a simpler and more appropriate position with respect to the acupoints of the hands and insteps, and low-frequency electric signals are applied to the hands and insteps from these electrodes to provide appropriate stimulation. A device is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus which can be easily worn on a hand or a foot to obtain an appropriate stimulus. I do.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to the present invention comprises an electrode which can be brought into contact with the back of the hand and / or the back side of the finger of the hand, and this electrode is connected to the back of the hand. And / or a low-frequency oscillating means for applying a low-frequency electric signal to the electrode, comprising: an electrode support member for abutting and fixing to the back side of the finger of the hand; Side to apply the low-frequency electric signal.

The low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to the present invention further comprises an electrode capable of abutting on the instep of the toe and / or the instep of the toe, and connecting the electrode to the instep of the toe and / or the instep of the toe. An electrode supporting member for abutting and fixing the low-frequency electric signal to the electrode; and a low-frequency oscillating means for applying a low-frequency electric signal to the electrode. You may comprise so that a signal may be applied.

The low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to the present invention further comprises a glove-like elastic electrode supporting member and four finger joints except for the thumb corresponding to the back and palm sides of the hand, respectively. An electrode is disposed so as to cover the vicinity of the part and the vicinity of the base of the thumb and the back and palm of the hand, apply a low-frequency electric signal to the electrode from low-frequency oscillation means, and apply a low-frequency electric signal to the hand from the electrode. It can also be configured.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall external view of a first embodiment of a low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 in a state in which the device is worn on a hand and a low-frequency electric signal is applied. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the low frequency electric signal applying device of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a more specific example of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a path through which a low-frequency electric signal flows.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to the present invention includes two electrodes 12a, 12a on a cylindrical electrode supporting member 10 having elasticity suitable for inserting a hand. 12b is provided in an electrically insulated state. These electrodes 12a and 12b are formed of a conductive rubber sheet or the like so as to conform to the unevenness of the hand and have flexibility. Also,
One electrode 12a is disposed so as to cover the back of the hand and the vicinity of the base of the thumb, and the other electrode 12b is disposed so as to cover the back side of the joint of the finger other than the thumb. Moreover,
Connection terminals 14a and 14b electrically connected to the electrodes 12a and 12b, respectively, are provided on the outer surface of the electrode support member 10. The operation main unit 16 includes an outlet plug 18 for obtaining a voltage from a commercial AC power supply, a volume knob 20 for adjusting the intensity of the low-frequency electric signal, a timer knob 22 for setting the duration, and a low-frequency A polarity switching knob 24 for switching the polarity of the electric signal, and a cable 28 having connection connectors 26a and 26b at the ends that can be connected to and separated from the connection terminals 14a and 14B are provided. Further, the mounting table 30 having a convex curved surface that fits into the palm is provided with an outlet plug 32 and an ON / OFF switch 34 and has a built-in planar heater 36.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation main unit 16 includes a power supply circuit 40 for converting a commercial AC power supply to a DC voltage.
Thus, a DC voltage is supplied to the switch circuit 42 and the timer circuit 44. The timer circuit 44 includes the timer knob 22
The switch circuit 42 is turned on for the time set in the step (1).
Then, only while the switch circuit 42 is conducting,
An operating voltage is applied to the low-frequency oscillation circuit 46 to output a low-frequency electric signal. Further, a low-frequency electric signal is output from the polarity switching circuit 48 via the cable 28 with the polarity set by the polarity switching knob 24 via the cable 28. 26a and 26b. Therefore, the electrodes 12a, 12b are connected via the connection terminals 14a, 14b to which the connection connectors 26a, 26b are connected.
A low-frequency electric signal is applied to b.

Further, a specific circuit will be described with reference to FIG. The commercial AC power obtained from the outlet plug 18 is converted to an appropriate voltage by the transformer 50, and further converted to a DC voltage by the rectifier circuit 52. This DC voltage is applied to the low-frequency oscillation circuit 46 via the switch contacts 54 and 54 of the switch circuit 42 controlled by the timer circuit 44. The low-frequency oscillation circuit 46 amplifies the low-frequency pulse output from the low-frequency pulse generation circuit 56 by an amplifier circuit 58 including a transistor and outputs the amplified low-frequency pulse to the polarity switching circuit 48 as a low-frequency electric signal. Here, the amplification degree of the amplification circuit 58 is controlled by the variable resistor 60 adjusted by the volume knob 20.
Is set as appropriate. Further, the low-frequency electric signal given to the polarity switching circuit 48 is output to the connectors 26a and 26b according to the polarity set by the polarity switching knob 24. The configuration of the low-frequency pulse generation circuit 56 may be any known circuit configuration. And
The output low-frequency pulse has a frequency of, for example, 2 to 50 Hz and a pulse width of several microseconds to several milliseconds. The maximum value of the adjustable output pulse of the low-frequency electric signal output between the connection connectors 26a and 26b is, for example, 50 volts.

In such a configuration, first, the hand is inserted into the electrode support member 10 such that the back side of the hand contacts the electrodes 12a and 12b. Also, the connection connectors 26a, 26b are connected to the connection terminals 14a, 14b. Further, the outlet plug 18 of the operation main body 16 is connected to a commercial AC power supply, and the volume knob 20 is first adjusted to reduce the magnitude of the output low-frequency electric signal.
The hand inserted at 0 is lightly placed on the platform 30 such that the palm side thereof is in contact with the hand. Then, the user turns the timer knob 22 to set an appropriate time. By setting the time with the timer knob 22, a low-frequency electric signal is output, and as shown in FIG. 5, the low-frequency electric signal flows between the two electrodes 12a and 12b through the hand. So, volume knob 2
0 is adjusted again so that the stimulus by the low-frequency electric signal is adjusted to an appropriate size that makes the stimulus feel "toning". In a state where the stimulus feels “twitching”, the volume knob 20 is operated to adjust the low-frequency electric signal to a small value, and the polarity switching knob 24 is operated to switch the polarity. Switching the polarity may change the way the stimulus is perceived.

On the other hand, one mounting table 30 is connected to a commercial AC power supply in advance, and is turned ON / OFF.
It is desirable to operate the OFF switch 34 to energize and warm the planar heater 36. Then, the placed palm is warmed and blood circulation is promoted, and at the same time, the acupoint on the back of the hand is stimulated, so that a synergistic effect can be expected. In addition, the mounting table 3
0 not only warms the palm but also extends the electrode support member 10 along the curved surface to remove the slack, thereby making the electrodes 12a and 12b adhere to the back of the hand or the like.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the electrode support member of the second embodiment of the low frequency electric signal applying apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a path through which a low-frequency electric signal flows in the one shown in FIG. 6 and 7, the same or equivalent members as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a cylindrical electrode supporting member 10.
Of the electrode 1 facing the back and palm sides of the hand
2a and 12b are provided. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the low-frequency electric signal flows from the back of the hand to the palm side or in the opposite direction, and the acupoint on the back of the hand is stimulated regardless of the electric signal in any direction.

Here, in both the first and second embodiments, the electrode support member 10 only needs to act so as to contact the electrodes 12a and 12b with the back of the hand or palm, and is not limited to a cylindrical shape as in the embodiment. Instead, it may be in the form of a bag. Further, the electrode support member 10 has elasticity and obtains a force in the direction of adhesion by elasticity so that the electrodes 12a and 12b can be brought into close contact with the hand. May be. Further, the mounting table 30 only has to function to remove slack in the electrode support member 10, and may be inserted between the palm and the electrode support member 10 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the electrodes 12a and 12b are made planar so that the electrodes 12a and 12b cover the points of the insteps and joints without inserting a hand at an accurate position with respect to the electrode support member 10. If it is possible to appropriately deal with the acupoints, a local small-area electrode provided facing the acupoints may be used. Here, even with the planar electrodes 12a and 12b, the points are clinically sufficiently stimulated.

Further, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which an electrode supporting member is mounted on a foot. FIG. 9 is a developed view of the electrode support member shown in FIG. 8 and 9, FIG.
7, the same or equivalent members as those shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

The electrode support member 70 shown in FIGS.
Is a strip-shaped part 7 having elasticity in the middle thereof.
0a is provided. Electrodes 12a and 12b are provided on one surface at positions contacting the instep, and connection terminals 14 electrically connected to these electrodes 12a and 12b.
a, 14b are arranged on the other surface. Further, magic fasteners 72, 72 are provided on different surfaces at both ends of the band.

In such a configuration, the electrodes 12a, 12a
b is brought into contact with the instep of the foot, the electrode support member 70 is wound around the foot, and the magic fastener 72,
Secured by 72. Then, the electrodes 12a and 12b are firmly fixed to the instep of the foot and the like, and the acupoint of the instep is stimulated by the low-frequency electric signal applied to the connection terminals 14a and 14b.

In the third embodiment, the electrodes 12a and 12b are not limited to being wound around the insteps of the feet.
May be contacted and wound around the hand. In addition, it goes without saying that the first and second embodiments may be applied to a foot. Further, in the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the sole of the foot may have a convex curved surface and may be mounted on a mounting table having a built-in heater. is there.

Further, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a glove-shaped electrode support member of a fourth embodiment of the low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a path through which a low-frequency electric signal flows in the one shown in FIG. In FIGS. 10 and 11, FIGS.
The same or equivalent members as those shown in FIG.

In FIG. 10, the electrode support member 80 is glove-shaped and has elasticity. The planar electrodes 12a and 12b are disposed on the back and palm sides of the inside of the hand so as to cover the acupoints of the back, the acupoints of the finger joints, and the base of the thumb. The connection terminals 14 electrically connected to the electrodes 12a and 12b are provided on the outer side of the glove.
a and 14b are provided.

In this configuration, by inserting a hand into the glove-shaped electrode support member 80, the electrodes 12a and 12b abut on the back and palm sides of the hand, respectively.
The acupoints on the back of the hand are stimulated by the low-frequency electrical signals provided to the a and b. Here, if the glove shape of the electrode support member 80 is arranged for both left and right like a glove,
One device can be used for both right and left hands.

In the fourth embodiment, the electrode support member 80 may be formed as a five-finger glove. Then, the electrode may be extremely excellent in expansion and contraction, and a local electrode may be appropriately arranged corresponding to the indentation of the instep or the joint of the finger. Then, the electrode support member 80 is extended according to the size of the hand, and the position of the electrode is also in an appropriate positional relationship in accordance with the extension, so that the acupoint on the instep or the acupoint near the finger joint can be appropriately stimulated. it can.

[0026]

As described above, since the low-frequency electric signal applying device of the present invention is constituted, the following special effects can be obtained.

In the low-frequency electric signal applying device according to the first aspect, the electrode can be easily brought into contact with the back of the hand and the back of the finger, and the back of the hand is applied by the low-frequency electric signal applied from the electrode. Etc. can be stimulated. In addition, the task of extremely stimulating is easier than stimulating acupoints by pushing or rubbing.

Further, in the low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to the second aspect, the electrode can be easily brought into contact with the instep of the foot and the back of the finger, and the acupoint of the instep or the like can be moved to the low frequency. It can be stimulated simply and easily by electrical signals.

Furthermore, in the low-frequency electric signal applying device according to the tenth aspect, the electrode can be easily brought into contact with the back of the hand and the back of the finger simply by wearing the device on the hand similarly to the glove.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall external view of a first embodiment of a low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 in a state where the device is worn on a hand and a low-frequency electric signal is applied.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the low-frequency electric signal applying device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a more specific example of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a path through which a low-frequency electric signal flows.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of an electrode support member of a low-frequency electric signal applying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a path through which a low-frequency electric signal flows in the one shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which an electrode supporting member is mounted on a foot.

FIG. 9 is a development view of the electrode support member shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a glove-shaped electrode support member of a low-frequency electric signal applying device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a path through which a low-frequency electric signal flows in the one shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 70, 80 Electrode support member 12a, 12b Electrode 16 Operation main body 30 Mounting table 36 Heater 46 Low frequency oscillation circuit 72 Magic fastener

Claims (10)

[Claims] An electrode capable of contacting the back of the hand and / or the back of the finger of the hand, an electrode support member for fixing the electrode to the back of the hand and / or the back of the finger of the hand, A low-frequency oscillating means for applying a low-frequency electric signal, wherein the low-frequency electric signal is applied to the back of the hand and / or the back of a finger of the hand from the electrode. Applicator. 2. An electrode capable of abutting on the instep of the toe and / or the toe of the toe, an electrode support member for affixing the electrode to the instep of the toe and / or the toe of the toe, And a low-frequency oscillating means for applying a low-frequency electric signal to the electrode, wherein the low-frequency electric signal is applied to the instep of the foot and / or the instep of the toe from the electrode. Low-frequency electric signal applying device. 3. The low-frequency electric signal applying device according to claim 1, wherein the two electrodes are provided in an electrically insulated state, and are configured to abut on two positions on the back side of the hand or the foot, respectively. A low-frequency electric signal applying device, characterized in that: 4. The low-frequency electric signal applying device according to claim 1, wherein two electrodes are provided in an electrically insulated state, one of the electrodes is in contact with the hand or the back of the foot, and the other is connected to the back of the hand or foot. A low-frequency electric signal applying device configured to be in contact with a palm side or a sole side of a foot. 5. The low-frequency electric signal applying device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode has flexibility and a planar shape. 6. The low-frequency electric signal applying device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode support member is formed in a tubular or bag-like shape having elasticity into which a hand or a foot can be inserted. Low frequency electric signal application device. 7. The low-frequency electric signal applying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrode supporting member is stretched and stretched so that it can be wound around a hand or a foot, and the wound state is maintained by fixing a magic fastener. A low-frequency electric signal applying device, characterized in that the device is configured to be capable of being applied. 8. The low-frequency electric signal applying device according to claim 1, wherein a palm or sole of a hand is placed on a palm or a sole of the hand with the electrode supporting member attached to a hand or a foot, and the electrode of the palm or the sole is attached to the electrode. A low-frequency electric signal applying device comprising a mounting base having a convex aspect interposed between supporting members. 9. The low-frequency electric signal applying device according to claim 8, wherein a heater is provided on the stand to warm the palm or the sole of the foot. 10. The inside of a glove-shaped and elastic electrode supporting member, corresponding to the back side and palm side of the hand, respectively, near the joints of the four fingers except the thumb, near the base of the thumb, and on the back and palm of the hand. A low-frequency electric signal, wherein the low-frequency electric signal is applied to the electrode by a low-frequency oscillating means, and the low-frequency electric signal is applied to the hand from the electrode. Applicator.