KR102433960B1 - Electric stimulation device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrode for applying electrical stimulation to an object, a spacer provided between the electrode and the object, a fixing means for fixing the electrode, and a fixing means for fixing the electrode and provided between the fixing means and the electrode to expand according to fluid injection or according to fluid discharge An electrical stimulation device is disclosed, including a fluid injection unit for contracting and adjusting the distance between the electrode and the object.

Description

Electrical stimulation device {ELECTRIC STIMULATION DEVICE}

The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device.

tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation), also called transcranial direct current stimulation, is a technology used in treatment for alleviating mental health-related symptoms and restoring functions, such as improving depression and cognitive function by applying electrical stimulation to the brain through the scalp. to be.

For the tDCS procedure, one or more electrodes are attached to the scalp of the operator, and electrical stimulation is applied to the brain of the subject by applying a direct current to the electrodes.

In the tDCS procedure, it is important to prevent the operator from being burned by electrical stimulation. For this purpose, a method of controlling the intensity of current, the shape of the electrode, and the distance between the electrode and the scalp may be used.

Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1758903, 2017.07.18

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulation device.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

An electrical stimulation device according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems, an electrode for applying electrical stimulation to a subject, a spacer member provided between the electrode and the object, a fixing means for fixing the electrode, and the fixing means and a fluid injection unit provided between the electrodes to expand according to the injection of the fluid or contract according to the discharge of the fluid to adjust the distance between the electrode and the object.

In addition, the fixing means may be configured in the form of a band surrounding the head of the object.

In addition, the fluid injection unit may be configured in a band shape surrounding the head of the object, expand according to the injection of the fluid, and apply pressure to the entire head of the object.

In addition, the fluid injection unit may include one or more different paths through which the fluid is injected, and the one or more different paths may be arranged to uniformly press the electrode.

In addition, it may further include a control device for controlling the injection and discharge of the fluid to the fluid injection unit.

In addition, the control device may be configured based on at least one of a current applied to the electrode, a pressure of the fluid injection unit, an impedance between the electrode and the object, and a temperature of the skin of the object in contact with or adjacent to the spacer member. It is possible to control the fluid injection and discharge to the fluid injection unit.

In addition, the electrical stimulation device includes one or more of the fluid injection unit, and the control device determines the position of the electrode, and injects the fluid into the fluid injection unit corresponding to the position of the electrode among the one or more fluid injection units. and emission control.

In addition, the fluid injection unit may include at least one through hole for passing a wire connected to the electrode through.

In addition, it may further include a liquid accommodating part capable of accommodating the liquid discharged from the spacer member according to the compression of the spacer member.

In addition, the liquid accommodating part is configured in a shape surrounding the spacer member, is made of an elastic material, is compressed together with the spacer member according to the expansion of the fluid injection part, and is discharged from the compressed spacer member. It may be accommodated and restored together with the spacer member according to the contraction of the fluid injection part, and the restored spacer member may be configured to absorb the liquid contained in the liquid accommodating part again.

Other specific details of the invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the disclosed embodiment, it is possible to adjust the distance between the electrode and the skin of the object by using the fluid injection unit provided between the electrode and the electrode fixing means.

In addition, by adjusting the distance between the electrode and the skin of the object, there is an effect of adjusting the impedance between the electrode and the skin of the object.

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a view showing an electrical stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment.
2 is a view showing an electrical stimulation device including a fluid injection unit according to an embodiment.
3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electrode module to which a fluid injection unit is coupled.
4 is a view illustrating an example of separating an electrode and a spacer member.
5 to 7 are views each showing an example of a fluid injection unit including a path through which a plurality of fluids are injected.
8 is a view showing an example in which the fluid injection unit is built into the electrical stimulation band.
9 is a view showing a cross-sectional side view of the electrical stimulation band having a built-in fluid injection unit according to an embodiment.
10 is a view showing the configuration of a spacer member according to an embodiment.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only the present embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural, unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the stated components. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and "and/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited elements. Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may have the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

As used herein, the term “unit” or “module” refers to a hardware component such as software, FPGA, or ASIC, and “unit” or “module” performs certain roles. However, “part” or “module” is not meant to be limited to software or hardware. A “part” or “module” may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium or may be configured to reproduce one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, “part” or “module” refers to components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, properties, Includes procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Components and functionality provided within “parts” or “modules” may be combined into a smaller number of components and “parts” or “modules” or additional components and “parts” or “modules”. can be further separated.

Spatially relative terms "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. It can be used to easily describe the correlation between a component and other components. A spatially relative term should be understood as a term that includes different directions of components during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, when a component shown in the drawing is turned over, a component described as “beneath” or “beneath” of another component may be placed “above” of the other component. can Accordingly, the exemplary term “below” may include both directions below and above. Components may also be oriented in other orientations, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to orientation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing an electrical stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment.

In one embodiment, the electrical stimulation device may be a tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: transcranial direct current stimulation) device, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an example in which the object 1 wears the electrical stimulation band 100 is shown. For example, the object 1 may be a patient or a user receiving electrical stimulation treatment.

In one embodiment, the electrical stimulation band 100 is connected to the control device (10). The control device 10 controls the electrical stimulation of the electrical stimulation band (100). In one embodiment, the control device 10 may be integrally coupled with the electrical stimulation band 100, may be detachably coupled, may be built in the electrical stimulation band (100).

In an embodiment, the control device 10 may be configured as a separate device connected to the electrical stimulation band 100 by wire or wirelessly. For example, the control device 10 may be configured as a watch-type wearable device, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, one or more electrode modules 200 and 300 are coupled to the electrical stimulation band 100 . The electrical stimulation band 100 may be provided with one or more coupling holes 102 to which the electrode module can be coupled.

The electrical stimulation band 100 may be configured in the form of a band surrounding the head of the object 1 as shown. That is, the electrical stimulation band 100 can be used as a fixing means for fixing the electrode to the head of the object (1).

The electrode modules 200 and 300 may be coupled to the electrical stimulation band 100 through respective coupling holes, and may perform electrical stimulation under the control of the control device 10 .

In another embodiment, the electrode modules 200 and 300 may be directly contacted or attached to the body of the subject 1 without the electrical stimulation band 100, and may be attached to the body of the subject 1 using another type of fixing means. may be fixed.

In an embodiment, the control device 10 includes electrodes connected to the electrode modules 200 and 300, respectively. The control device 10 may change the polarity of the electrodes included in the electrode modules 200 and 300 by changing the poles of the electrodes included in the control device 10 .

Accordingly, the electrode modules 200 and 300 may apply electrical stimulation with the same polarity or different polarity, respectively.

In an embodiment, the control device 10 may control the electrode modules 200 and 300 to apply stimulation automatically or according to an input of an object.

2 is a view showing an electrical stimulation device including a fluid injection unit according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2 , an example in which the fluid injection unit 210 is coupled to the electrode module 200 is illustrated.

In an embodiment, the electrical stimulation band 100 may further include a control device 20 for controlling the fluid injection unit 210 . In another embodiment, the control device 10 may also control the fluid injection unit 210 .

The control device 20 controls one or more fluid injection units 210 provided in the electrical stimulation band 100 so that the electrodes provided in each electrode module 200 are more closely attached to the skin of the subject 1 . , the impedance between the electrode and the skin (eg, scalp) of the object 1 may be reduced.

In an embodiment, the control device 20 is connected to the electrical stimulation band 100 by wire or wirelessly, and may be configured in a form that the subject can carry or wear.

In another embodiment, the control device 20 may be embedded in the electrical stimulation band 100, integrally coupled with the electrical stimulation band 100, or detachably coupled with the electrical stimulation band 100, but the form and the configuration is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the control device 20 uses at least one sensor provided in the electrical stimulation band 100 or the electrode module 200, the electrode included in the electrode module 200 and the skin of the object 1 . It is possible to measure the level of separation between the two or the pressure.

The control device 20 may control to inject the fluid into the fluid injection unit 210 or to discharge the fluid injected into the fluid injection unit 210 based on the measurement result.

For example, the fluid may be air, and the controller 20 may control to inject air into the fluid injection unit 210 or to discharge the air injected into the fluid injection unit 210 . However, the type of fluid is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the control device 20 may be connected to the fluid injection unit 210 and at least one hose to inject a fluid into the fluid injection unit 210 .

In another embodiment, the control device 20 controls the fluid injection device provided in the electrode module 200 or the electrical stimulation band 100 to inject the fluid into the fluid injection unit 210 or the fluid injection unit 210 . ) can cause the fluid to drain.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electrode module to which a fluid injection unit is coupled.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the fluid injection unit 210 may be disposed between the electrical stimulation band 100 and the electrode 220 .

In an embodiment, at least one spacer member 230 is provided between the electrode 220 and the skin of the object 1 . For example, the spacer 230 may be a sponge, but is not limited thereto. For example, the spacer 230 may be in a state of holding water for the flow of electricity. The spacer 230 may be a hydrogel patch, but is not limited thereto.

In the state shown on the left side of FIG. 3 , the electrode 220 is spaced apart from the skin of the subject 1 by a predetermined distance by the spacer 230 . In one embodiment, when the fluid is injected into the fluid injection unit 210 and expanded, the spacer 230 is compressed by pressure as shown on the right side of FIG. 3 , and thus the electrode 220 is moved to the object ( It can be relatively close to the skin of 1). Accordingly, the impedance between the electrode 220 and the skin of the object 1 is reduced.

In one embodiment, the control device 20 detects the pressure of the electrical stimulation band 100 or the fluid injection unit 210, the fluid injected into the fluid injection unit 210, or discharged from the fluid injection unit 210. amount can be adjusted.

In an embodiment, the control device 20 measures the impedance between the electrode 220 and the skin of the object 1 and is injected into the fluid injection unit 210 or the fluid injection unit 210 based on the magnitude of the impedance. ) can control the amount of fluid discharged from

In one embodiment, the control device 20 measures the temperature of the skin of the object 1 in contact with or adjacent to the electrode 220 , the spacer 230 , or the spacer 230 , and the fluid according to the measured temperature The amount of fluid injected into the injection unit 210 or discharged from the fluid injection unit 210 may be adjusted.

In one embodiment, the control device 20 communicates with the control device 10, and is injected into the fluid injection unit 210 based on the voltage, current or power applied from the control device 10, or the fluid injection unit ( 210) can control the amount of fluid discharged from.

4 is a view showing an example of separating an electrode and a spacer.

In one embodiment, the electrode 220 and the spacer member 230 may be configured as one body, or may be configured in a form of attaching or covering the electrode 220 with the spacer member 230 .

According to an embodiment, the spacer 230 may be a consumable item that needs to be replaced after being used a predetermined number of times. In addition, the electrode 220 may also be a consumable item that needs to be replaced together with the spacer member 230 or separately from the spacer member 230 .

In contrast, the fluid injection unit 210 may be used continuously or may be used longer than at least the electrode 220 and the spacer 230 . Accordingly, the electrode module 200 according to the disclosed embodiment may be configured to be able to separate and replace the fluid injection unit 210 , the electrode 220 , and the spacer 230 .

In one embodiment, the fluid injection unit 210 may include at least one through hole for passing a wire connected to the electrode 220 . For example, the fluid injection unit 210 may be configured in a donut shape, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the wire connected to the electrode 220 may bypass the fluid injection unit 210 or may be connected to the electrode 220 from the side of the electrode 220 .

In one embodiment, the fluid injection unit 210 applies an equal pressure to the electrode 220 so that the electrode 220 can be evenly adhered to the skin of the object 1, so that the fluid injection path is divided into several branches. may be partitioned.

5 to 7 are views each showing an example of a fluid injection unit including a path through which a plurality of fluids are injected.

5 and 6 , a plurality of paths 212 and 214 through which the fluid is injected are provided in the fluid injection unit 210 so that the fluid injection unit 210 is uniformly expanded.

The fluid injection paths 212 and 214 may be configured in a plurality of straight lines as shown in FIG. 5 or may be configured in a spiral shape as shown in FIG. 6 . A method and a form in which a path through which a plurality of fluids are injected is provided in the fluid injection unit 210 is not limited.

Referring to FIG. 7 , an example in which the fluid injection unit 210 itself is provided in a form having a plurality of paths, expands according to the injection of the fluid, and is arranged to uniformly press the electrode 220 is shown.

8 is a view showing an example in which the fluid injection unit is built in the electrical stimulation band.

Referring to FIG. 8 , an example in which the fluid injection unit 400 is embedded in the electrical stimulation band 100 is illustrated.

2 to 4 , the fluid injection unit 210 is provided only where the electrode module 200 is located, and is configured to apply pressure to the electrode module 200 .

In this case, the fluid injection unit 210 is detachably coupled to the electrode module 200 or the electrical stimulation band 100, and when the electrode module 200 is moved to another coupling hole 102, it is moved together with It may be combined with the electrode module 200 or the electrical stimulation band 100 again.

In another embodiment, the fluid injection unit 210 is provided at all positions where the coupling hole 102 is formed in the electrical stimulation band 100, even if the electrode module 200 is coupled with any coupling hole, the electrode 220 and The fluid injection unit 210 may be positioned between the electrical stimulation bands 100 . In this case, the control device 20 may inject the fluid only into the fluid injection part corresponding to the coupling hole to which the electrode module 200 is coupled, so that the electrode 220 approaches the skin of the object 1 .

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the fluid injection unit 400 is embedded in the electrical stimulation band 100 or is coupled to the inside of the electrical stimulation band 100 to apply pressure to the entire electrical stimulation band 100 . can apply

For example, when a fluid is injected into the fluid injection unit 400, pressure is applied to the entire electrical stimulation band 100 as well as the portion to which the electrode modules 200 and 300 are coupled according to the expansion of the fluid injection unit 400. is applied, and accordingly, the electrodes of each electrode module 200 and 300 come closer to the skin of the object 1 , and the impedance between each electrode and the skin of the object 1 decreases.

As a method for the control device 20 to control the fluid injection unit 400 , a method in which the control device 20 controls the fluid injection unit 210 with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 may be used.

In one embodiment, the fluid injection unit 400 is provided with a path through which a plurality of fluids are injected, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , so as to apply a uniform pressure to the entire head of the subject 1 . can be configured.

In one embodiment, the fluid injection unit 400 is provided with a path through which a plurality of fluids are injected, each path passes through a portion where each electrode module 200 and 300 is coupled to each electrode module 200 and 300) may be configured to apply a uniform pressure to the electrode included in the.

In one embodiment, the control device 20 uses one or more sensors provided in the electrical stimulation band 100 or the fluid injection unit 400 to determine the position where the electrode module is coupled in the electrical stimulation band 100 . can The control device 20 may apply pressure to the electrode-coupled portion by injecting the fluid through the fluid-injecting portion or the fluid-injecting portion included in the fluid-injected portion of the electrode module-coupled portion.

9 is a view showing a cross-sectional view of one side of the electrical stimulation band having a built-in fluid injection unit according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the fluid injection unit 400 embedded in the electrical stimulation band 100 is shown.

The control device 20 controls the pressure applied to the spacer member 230 by injecting and expanding the fluid into the fluid injection unit 400 or discharging the fluid, and the spacer 230 is compressed or expanded by the pressure. Accordingly, the distance between the electrode 220 and the skin of the object 1 may be adjusted.

10 is a view showing the configuration of a spacer member according to an embodiment.

According to the disclosed embodiment, pressure is applied to the electrode and the spacer member 230 due to the expansion of the fluid injection unit, and as the spacer member 230 is compressed by the pressure, the distance between the electrode and the skin of the object 1 becomes closer. can

In this case, according to an embodiment, moisture contained in the spacer 230 may be discharged to the outside by pressure. This may cause an object to feel uncomfortable or may be a factor that reduces usability.

In addition, if moisture escapes whenever the spacer member 230 is compressed, moisture of the spacer member 230 may be lost and the lifespan of the spacer member 230 may be shortened.

Therefore, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 , the liquid accommodating part 240 configured to surround the spacer 230 and made of an elastic member may be further included in the electrode module 200 .

The liquid accommodating part 240 is compressed like the spacer 230 when pressure is applied due to the expansion of the fluid injection part, and serves to accommodate the liquid escaping from the spacer 230 so as not to flow to the outside. When the fluid injection unit contracts and the spacer 230 expands, the liquid accommodating unit 240 also expands to allow the liquid contained therein to be absorbed by the spacer 230 again.

According to an embodiment, the liquid accommodating part 240 may have a hole in a portion in contact with the electrode 220 so that a current flowing from the electrode 220 may be transmitted to the spacer 230 .

In another embodiment, the liquid accommodating part 240 may be formed of a member capable of transmitting a current flowing from the electrode 220 to the spacer 230 .

The steps of a method or algorithm described in relation to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented directly in hardware, as a software module executed by hardware, or by a combination thereof. A software module may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or It may reside in any type of computer-readable recording medium well known in the art to which the present invention pertains.

In the above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can realize that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. you will be able to understand Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

1: object
10: control device
100: electrical stimulation band
102: coupling hole
200: electrode module
300: electrode module

Claims (10)

an electrode for applying electrical stimulation to a subject;
a spacer member provided between the electrode and the object;
fixing means for fixing the electrode;
a plurality of fluid injection units provided between the fixing means and the electrode to expand according to the injection of the fluid or contract according to the discharge of the fluid to adjust the distance between the electrode and the object; and
A control device for controlling the injection and discharge of the fluid to the fluid injection unit,
The control device is
Determining the position of the electrode, the electrical stimulation device for controlling the injection and discharge of the fluid to the fluid injection unit corresponding to the position of the electrode. The method of claim 1,
The fixing means,
An electrical stimulation device, characterized in that it is configured in the form of a band surrounding the head of the subject. 3. The method of claim 2,
The fluid injection unit,
The electrical stimulation device is configured in the form of a band surrounding the head of the subject, and expands according to fluid injection to apply pressure to the entire head of the subject. The method of claim 1,
The plurality of fluid injection units,
A plurality of paths through which the fluid is injected,
The plurality of different paths,
Which is arranged so as to uniformly press the electrode, the electrical stimulation device. delete The method of claim 1,
The control device is
Fluid injection into the fluid injection unit based on at least one of a current applied to the electrode, a pressure of the fluid injection unit, an impedance between the electrode and the object, and a temperature of the skin of the object in contact with or adjacent to the spacer member and an electrical stimulation device for controlling discharge. delete The method of claim 1,
The fluid injection unit,
An electrical stimulation device comprising at least one through hole for passing a wire connected to the electrode. The method of claim 1,
a liquid accommodating part capable of accommodating the liquid discharged from the spacer member according to the compression of the spacer member; Further comprising, an electrical stimulation device. 10. The method of claim 9,
The liquid receiving unit,
Consisting of a shape surrounding the spacer member, composed of an elastic material, compressed together with the spacer member according to the expansion of the fluid injection part, and receiving the liquid discharged from the compressed spacer member,
The electrical stimulation device is restored together with the spacer member according to the contraction of the fluid injection part, and the restored spacer member is configured to absorb the liquid contained in the liquid receiving part again.

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