KR102268428B1 - Wearable device for measuring and relieving itching - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device comprising: a measurement module (100) comprising a control part (120) that allows one or more sensors (110) mounted on the target object to be positioned, and determines whether or not an itchiness symptom of the target object is expressed by a preset method using a result measured by the sensor (110); and a stimulation module (200) mounted on the target object, wherein a stimulation part (210) operated so as to stimulate a hemostasis or a radial nerve of the target object is formed when the itchiness symptom expressed by the control part (120) is determined. Therefore, the device is capable of having an effect of determining whether or not a wearer's itchiness symptom has occurred.

Description

Measuring and relieving itching using acupuncture points using wearable technology {Wearable device for measuring and relieving itching}

The present invention relates to an itch alleviation device using acupuncture points and measurement of skin itch using wearable technology.

Repeated stimulation of hemostasis has been confirmed through research to be effective in reducing itchiness, a symptom frequently found in various diseases such as atopic dermatitis and diabetes complications.

It is difficult to visit hospitals or pharmacies every time to relieve the discomfort of patients caused by idiopathic itch, which is a sudden itch that occurs in daily life, including secondary itch that accompanies various skin diseases and worsens the disease.

In addition, in particular, the patient's scratching behavior during sleep occurs unconsciously, and there is a problem that it is difficult to control with the patient's will or other treatment techniques. It is observed that it worsens and interferes with treatment, and there is a problem that the quality of life is lowered.

However, conventional devices for measuring itch have been disclosed, but only measure the itch, so there is no awareness of implementing a physical acupressure device to relieve itching in a timely manner and effectively relieve itching effectively in daily life. There is a rather difficult problem in preventing the worsening of symptoms.

(Patent Document 1) KR 10-2020-0057533 A

(Patent Document 2) KR 10-1918854 B1

(Patent Document 3) KR 10-2014-0116632 A

(Patent Document 4) KR 10-2020-0058737 A

(Patent Document 5) KR 10- 1892868 A

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems.

Specifically, the present invention determines whether the wearer's itch symptom has occurred through a plurality of sensors such as a motion sensor, an electromyography sensor, a moisture sensor, and a stress sensor, and when it is determined that the itch symptom has occurred, located on the upper part of the hemostasis It was devised to relieve itching symptoms by activating the stimulation part and stimulating the hemostasis or old nerves, which are known to have a soothing effect.

In one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems, one or more sensors 110 mounted on the target object are located, and the target object is located in a preset method using a result measured by the sensor 110 . a measurement module 100 including a control unit 120 for determining whether an itch symptom of and a stimulation module mounted on the target object and provided with a stimulation unit 210 that is operated to stimulate the hemostasis or old nerve of the target object when it is determined that the itch symptom is expressed by the control unit 120 ( 200); provides a device comprising a.

In one embodiment, the sensor 110 includes a motion sensor 111 , and the control unit 120 determines that the itch is expressed when an itch motion of the target object is detected by the motion sensor 111 . and the stimulation unit 210 may be controlled to operate.

In one embodiment, the sensor 110 further includes an electromyography sensor 112, and the control unit 120 controls the itch if the EMG of the target object measured by the electromyography sensor 112 is greater than or equal to a preset value. It is determined that it is expressed, and the stimulation unit 210 can be controlled to operate.

In one embodiment, the sensor 110 further includes a stress sensor 113 for measuring the pulse of the target object, and the control unit 120 determines the pulse rate of the target object measured by the stress sensor 113 . If it is greater than a preset value, it is determined that the itch is expressed in the target object, and the stimulation unit 210 may be controlled to operate.

In one embodiment, the sensor 110 further includes a moisture sensor 114 for measuring the capacitance of the target object, and the control unit 120 is the electrostatic capacity of the target object measured by the moisture sensor 114 . If the dose value is less than the preset value, it is determined that the itch is expressed in the target object, and the stimulation unit 210 may be controlled to operate.

In one embodiment, the measurement module 100 is a wrist type mounted on a wrist, and the sensor 110 is mounted to contact the inner surface of the wrist, and the stress sensor 113 is the inner surface of the wrist of the target object. In contact with a position close to the middle finger, the EMG sensor 112 may be positioned to lie on the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles.

In one embodiment, the stimulation module 200 further includes a visible portion 220 on which the transparent window 221 is formed, the marker 222 is positioned outside the transparent window 221 , and the stimulation The part 210 may be disposed to face the marker 222 with the transparent window 221 interposed therebetween.

According to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether the wearer's itch symptom occurs through any one or more of a plurality of sensors such as a motion sensor, an electromyogram sensor, a moisture sensor, and a stress sensor.

In addition, when it is determined that the itch symptom has occurred, the stimulation unit located on the upper part of the hemostasis is activated to stimulate the hemostasis or the old nerve, thereby alleviating the itch symptom.

In addition, by using a plurality of sensors such as a motion sensor, an electromyography sensor, a moisture sensor, and a stress sensor, the wearer's itch symptoms may be subdivided and determined, and the intensity of stimulation of the stimulation unit may be adjusted according to the symptoms.

In addition, it is possible to store the wearer's itch-related indicators measured by a plurality of sensors to provide the degree of symptom relief or aggravation by hour/day.

1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a user wears a stimulation module and a measurement module.
2 is a diagram for explaining a measurement module.
3 is a view for explaining a direction in which the measurement module is mounted.
Figure 4 is a view for explaining the position of the hemostasis.
5 is a diagram for explaining a stimulation module.
6 is a view for explaining that the stimulation unit is controlled according to the measurement module.
7 is a view for explaining that the measurement module and the stimulation module are controlled through the smart terminal.

In some cases, well-known structures and devices may be omitted or shown in block diagram form focusing on core functions of each structure and device in order to avoid obscuring the concept of the present invention.

In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a well-known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in an embodiment of the present invention, which may vary according to intentions or customs of users and operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

Hereinafter, "target object" means a user wearing the device according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, "itchiness" means a phenomenon that causes itching.

The device according to the invention comprises a measuring module 100 and a stimulation module 200 .

The measurement module 100 is a module that can determine the itch by using a plurality of measurement factors that can determine that the itch has developed.

Recognizing the itch is a subjective factor that can vary for each target object, but in the present invention, in order to objectively determine that the itch has developed, a plurality of sensors 110 that measure a plurality of measurement factors are used, and the sensor 110 It is estimated that itching is expressed in the target object under certain conditions with the measured biomarker.

The measurement module 100 includes a sensor 110 , a control unit 120 , a fixing unit 130 , and a body part B .

In the measurement module 100 , the sensor 110 , the control unit 120 , and the fixing unit 130 may be positioned on the body part B .

The sensor 110 is located inside the body portion B, and may be configured to include any one or more of a motion sensor 111, an electromyography sensor 112, a stress sensor 113, and a moisture sensor 114. .

The sensor 110 includes a motion sensor 111 .

The motion sensor 111 is a sensor that measures and detects the motion of the target object.

A plurality of itch motion patterns are pre-stored in the controller 120 . The itch motion pattern refers to a motion pattern right before the itch develops and leads to the act of scratching.

The controller 120 compares the motion pattern output from the motion sensor 111 with the pre-stored itch motion pattern, and if the motion pattern output from the motion sensor 111 has a high similarity to the pre-stored itch motion pattern, the current motion sensor ( 111) is determined to be an itch motion.

When the motion sensor 111 detects the itch motion of the target object, the controller 120 may determine that a scratching action due to itching has occurred, and in the present invention, if it is determined that the scratching action has occurred, it is determined that the itch has developed. .

In addition, the sensor 110 may further include an EMG sensor 112 .

The EMG sensor 112 is a sensor that measures the EMG of the target object.

To relieve itching, the wearer contracts the muscles in the hand and arm, such as bending the hand and arm. When the electromyography of the hand and arm is increased, it can be determined that itching has developed.

At this time, the EMG measures the minute action potentials generated in the muscles and the nervous system when the muscle contracts, and the EMG increases when the muscle contracts.

The EMG sensor 112 is positioned so as to be placed on the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles, as will be described later. It means that the muscle used when bending the vertex is contracted, and it means that it is an action before bending and scratching the finger.

Accordingly, if the EMG of the target object measured by the EMG sensor 112 is greater than or equal to a preset value, the controller 120 may determine that the scratching action due to itching has occurred. judged to have been manifested.

In addition, the sensor 110 may further include a moisture sensor 114 .

The moisture sensor 114 is a sensor that contacts the skin of the target object and measures the capacitance of the contact portion. When the amount of moisture in the skin is reduced, the capacitance measured by the moisture sensor 114 is reduced.

When the skin of the target object is dry due to a decrease in the amount of moisture, it may be determined that the probability of itching is increased.

When the capacitance value of the target object measured by the moisture sensor 114 is less than a preset value, the control unit 120 may determine that the probability that the itch is expressed in the target object is increased, and in the present invention, the itch may be expressed. If the probability increases, it is judged that itching has developed.

In addition, the sensor 110 may further include a stress sensor 113 .

The stress sensor 113 is a sensor that measures the number of pulses of the target object.

When the itch develops in the target object, the stress of the target object increases, and accordingly, the number of pulses of the target object increases.

Accordingly, if the number of pulses of the target object measured by the stress sensor 113 is equal to or greater than a preset value, the controller 120 may determine that the probability of the itch developing in the target object is increased, and in the present invention, the itch may be expressed. If the probability increases, it is judged that itching has developed.

Alternatively, the controller 120 may determine that the itch has developed when the preset time is continued in a state in which the probability of the itch developing is increased, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The measurement module 100 may be in the form of a wrist that can be mounted on the wrist of the target object. Also, the measurement module 100 may have a ring shape that can be mounted on a finger of a target object.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the measurement module 100 shows both a ring type and a wrist type.

When the measurement module 100 is a wrist type, the sensor 110 is mounted on the inner surface of the wrist.

Referring to FIG. 3 , it is a view showing the palm side and the back side of the hand with respect to the left hand. Referring to Fig. 3(a), the palm side of the left hand is shown. In this case, the direction of the wrist is referred to as the medial side of the wrist. Referring to Figure 3 (b) shows the back side of the left hand. In this case, the orientation of the wrist is referred to as the outer surface of the wrist.

The electromyogram sensor 112 is formed to extend in the horizontal direction, and is located behind the motion sensor 111 and the moisture sensor 114 , and may be located in the center of the sensor 110 .

That is, the EMG sensor 112 is placed on the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles so that the target object accurately measures the bending of the hand and arm, the sensor 110 It may be centered on the inside of the middle arm.

In addition, the stress sensor 113 is located at the distal end of the sensor 110 and is in contact with a position closest to the thumb among the inner surfaces of the wrist.

When the measurement module 100 is a wrist type, it further includes a fixing unit 140 to fix the measurement module 100 to the wrist.

The fixing part 140 is located outwardly on the body part (B).

At this time, the fixing part 140 includes an attachment or fitting form, but is not limited to a specific structure.

The measurement module 100 may further include a screen unit 140 to the outside.

The screen unit 140 may be formed as a display, and the numerical value measured by the measurement module 100 , whether itching occurs, the intensity of operation in the stimulation unit 210 , etc. may be viewed through the screen unit 140 .

At this time, the size and position of the screen unit 140 is not limited to the illustrated bar.

The stimulation module 200 is mounted on the elbow of the target object, and is operated to stimulate the hemostasis or radial nerve of the target object according to the judgment of the controller 120 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the gok hemostasis is located between the lateral epicondyle and the medial epicondyle, and is located in a concave place at the lateral end of the clavicle fold when the elbow is bent. Also, the hemostasis is located lateral to the biceps brachii tendon. A detailed description thereof will be omitted.

At this time, FIG. 4 is a diagram for intuitively explaining the position of the hemostasis, and the position of the hemostasis is not limited to the illustrated bar.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the stimulation module 200 will be described.

The stimulation module 200 includes a stimulation unit 210 , a visible unit 220 , and a charging unit 230 .

The stimulation unit 210 is operated under the control of the control unit 120 when the control unit 120 determines that the itch has developed.

The magnetic pole unit 210 may be formed to correspond to the position of the marker 222 to be described later, but is not limited to being formed to match the size of the marker 222 .

The stimulation unit 210 includes an acupressure device 211 . The acupressure device 211 may be configured to include a configuration that protrudes in the form of an acupressure rod capable of acupressure, but is not limited thereto.

Acupressure device 211 may be configured to include a device for applying electrical stimulation to the skin, such as electrical stimulation, may be configured to apply electrical stimulation together with acupressure.

At this time, the structure of the acupressure device 211 is not limited to the illustrated bar, and is not limited to a specific structure.

The visible portion 220 includes a transparent window 221 and a marker 222 .

The transparent window 221 has the magnetic pole part 210 on the inside.

The marker 222 is formed outside the transparent window 221 .

The marker 222 is formed to correspond to the position of the magnetic pole part 210 formed inside the transparent window 221 .

Accordingly, the target object may adjust the position of the stimulation unit 210 through the transparent window 221 so that the stimulation unit 210 can be accurately positioned in the hemostasis. When the target object bends the elbow through the transparent window 221 , the position of the stimulation unit 210 may be adjusted so that the target object is located in a concave position at the lateral end of the cleft lip.

The charging unit 230 is formed for the operation of the stimulation module 200, and charging may be performed using a USB charging port or wireless charging, and is not limited to a specific method.

Stimulation module 200 can be mounted in close contact with the elbow regardless of the size of the circumference of the user's elbow through the band 240, and the part except for the visible part 220 is made of a material that can maximize the wearer's fit. can be formed.

A method of determining the itch of a target object and performing acupressure, including the device, will be exemplarily described.

In the present invention, the steps in which the wearer feels itching are classified as follows, and the operation intensity of the stimulation unit 210 is controlled according to each step. However, such a control method is not limited to the following description, and may be further subdivided and classified.

6 schematically illustrates that the control unit 120 operates the stimulation unit 210 with information measured from the motion sensor 111, the electromyography sensor 112, the stress sensor 113, and the moisture sensor 114. is a drawing for

The control unit 120 subdivides the symptoms of itching by subdividing the steps of determining itching in the aforementioned motion sensor 111, electromyography sensor 112, stress sensor 113, and moisture sensor 114 in detail. In addition, according to the number and combination of sensors 110 that determine itching, the symptoms of itchiness can be subdivided and determined.

For example, the control unit 120 divides the EMG measured by the EMG sensor 110 into several numerical values, and divides the symptoms of itching into weak symptoms and severe symptoms, or short-term symptoms and long-term symptoms, etc. according to reaching each value. can

Hereinafter, the control unit 120 classifying the symptoms of itching is not limited to the following description, and the symptoms of itching may be divided into weak symptoms and severe symptoms or short-term symptoms and long-term symptoms in various ways.

For example, the controller 120 sets the values measured by the motion sensor 111, the electromyography sensor 112, the stress sensor 113, and the moisture sensor 114 to various numerical values such as first to n values (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2). , and the symptoms of itching are determined by the electromyogram sensor 112 as the nth value or more, the stress sensor 113 as the nth value or more, the symptoms of itching are determined, and the moisture sensor 114 by the nth value. If the symptoms of itching are judged to be higher than the numerical values, the symptoms of itching can be judged as serious symptoms.

Also, for example, when the stress sensor 113 and the moisture sensor 114 also determine the symptoms of itching, the controller 120 may determine the symptoms of the tickling as a weak symptom. Also, when the stress sensor 113 , the moisture sensor 114 , and the EMG sensor 112 determine the symptoms of itching, the controller 120 may determine the symptoms of the tickling as a serious symptom.

Also, for example, the control unit 120 may classify the symptoms of itching into short-term symptoms and long-term symptoms by using the degree of time expressed by the sensor 110 .

Accordingly, in the present invention, since the intensity of the stimulation unit 210 can be adjusted according to the degree of itch, it is possible to effectively prevent and relieve itch.

In addition, by using the motion sensor 111 , the electromyography sensor 112 , the stress sensor 113 , and the moisture sensor 114 , the itch may be relieved before the wearer recognizes the itch or before the wearer performs an act of scratching.

As described above, such a process is a process that can be performed not only when the wearer performs daily life but also in an unconscious state during sleep, and thus can effectively relieve itching of the wearer.

In addition, the measurement module 100 and the stimulation module 200 according to the present invention can be operated through a smart terminal.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the measurement module 100 and the stimulation module 200 transmit and receive signals with the smart terminal, respectively, and the measurement module 100 and the stimulation module 200 transmit and receive signals with each other. show

The measurement module 100 may transmit a signal measured by the sensor 110 to the smart terminal in real time.

The smart terminal converts the signal received from the measurement module 100 into a digital signal and displays it, and controls the driving of the stimulation module 200 .

The smart terminal may include a wireless communication unit for receiving a command signal transmitted from the smart terminal in order to control the stimulation module 200 .

The wireless communication unit may receive a signal transmitted from the measurement module 100, transmit it to the smart terminal, and receive a command signal transmitted from the smart terminal.

The smart terminal may generate a command signal to correspond to the determination of the above-described control unit 120 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The user may generate a command signal by inputting the measurement signal on the smart terminal even if the measurement signal is not input on the smart terminal.

That is, the user may directly manipulate the stimulation intensity, stimulation period, and stimulation time of the stimulation module 200 on the smart terminal.

The stimulation module 200 may include a first control unit capable of controlling each stimulation intensity, stimulation period, and stimulation time of the stimulation module 200 in response to a command signal received from the smart terminal.

In addition, the first control unit may further include a manual control unit that enables the stimulation intensity, stimulation period, and stimulation time of the stimulation pad to be manually controlled.

The smart terminal may further include a data processing unit that converts a change in a signal received through the wireless communication unit into a digital signal, and analyzes and calculates the change in the measured signal.

The variation of the measurement signal performed by the data processing unit may be displayed on the smart terminal in the form of a graph, and the stimulation intensity, stimulation period, and stimulation time may also be displayed.

In the above, the present specification has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and reproduce the present invention, but these are only exemplary, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and equivalent other It will be appreciated that embodiments are possible. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims.

100: measurement module
110: sensor
111: motion sensor
112: electromyography sensor
113: stress sensor
114: moisture sensor
120: control unit
130: fixed part
140: screen unit
200: stimulation module
210: stimulation part
211: acupressure
220: thorn
221: transparent window
222: marker
230: charging unit
240: band unit
B: body part

Claims (7)

One or more sensors 110 mounted on the target object are positioned, and a control unit 120 that determines whether or not the itch symptom of the target object develops by a preset method using a result measured by the sensor 110 Measurement comprising a module 100; and
When it is determined that the itch symptom is expressed by the control unit 120 and mounted on the target object, the stimulation unit 210 operated to stimulate the hemostasis or radial nerve of the target object is formed Stimulation module 200; includes,
The measurement module 100 is mounted on the wrist, the sensor 110 is mounted to contact the inner surface of the wrist,
The sensor 110 includes a motion sensor 111 for measuring the motion of the target object, an EMG sensor 112 for measuring the EMG of the target object, and a stress sensor 113 for measuring the pulse of the target object, and ,
The stress sensor 113 is in contact with a position close to the thumb among the inner surfaces of the wrist of the target object, and the EMG sensor 112 includes a flexor digitorum superficialis and a flexor digitorum profundus. ) positioned to lie on
The control unit 120 is configured to detect an itch motion of the target object by the motion sensor 111 , or an EMG of the target object measured by the EMG sensor 112 is greater than or equal to a preset value, or the stress sensor 113 . ), if the pulse rate of the target object measured in the predetermined value or more, it is determined that itching is expressed in the target object, and controlling the stimulation unit 210 to operate,
Device.
delete delete delete According to claim 1,
The sensor 110 further includes a moisture sensor 114 for measuring the capacitance of the target object,
If the capacitance value of the target object measured by the moisture sensor 114 is less than a preset value, the control unit 120 determines that itching is expressed in the target object, and controls the stimulation unit 210 to operate doing,
Device.
delete According to claim 1,
The stimulation module 200,
It further includes a visible portion 220 in which the transparent window 221 is formed,
A marker 222 is positioned on the outside of the transparent window 221,
The stimulation part 210 is disposed to face the marker 222 with the transparent window 221 interposed therebetween.
Device.

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