KR102462573B1 - Wearable device for nerve impulse - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wearable nerve stimulation device. By applying an electrical signal to the user's nerve, the wearable nerve stimulation device is in contact with the user's target area to apply the electrical signal to the user's nerve and is combined with the stimulation module to be implemented for the user to wear the stimulation module It may include a band part.

Description

Wearable device for nerve impulse

The present invention relates to a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus for controlling nerves by applying electrical stimulation to nerves of a user.

Various attempts have been made to treat a patient's medical disease by applying electrical stimulation to the nerve.

There is an implant-type treatment in which a device is invasively inserted into the body and electrical stimulation is applied directly to the nerve. For example, implant-type therapy is being utilized to relieve major symptoms of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through electrical stimulation. The main symptoms of asthma or COPD can be alleviated by reducing the side effects caused by conventional methods such as nerve amputation through implant-type treatment.

As another method, there is a non-implant type treatment that non-invasively applies electrical stimulation from the epidermis to reach the nerve. For example, non-implant-type therapy can be utilized to alleviate symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) through electrical stimulation. The non-implant type treatment can reduce the side effects caused by the invasive treatment by replacing the conventional invasive treatment.

Non-implant-type treatment can be easily utilized in various fields, and research and development for a wearable device that can be easily utilized by users for non-implant-type treatment is required.
As a prior art, there is Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2017 0063440.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus capable of controlling nerves by applying electrical stimulation to a user's nerves by applying an electrical signal including a burst of pulses and a DC waveform.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus that a user can easily wear as a wearable type.

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.

A wearable nerve stimulation device by applying an electrical signal to a user's nerve according to the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a stimulation module and the stimulation module implemented to apply the electrical signal to the user's nerve by coming into contact with a target area of the user It may include a band part implemented for the user to wear the stimulation module in combination with.

In addition, the stimulation module includes a body having a curvature, an electrode for supplying the electrical signal, and a contact part connected to the electrode to contact the target area and transmit the electrical signal, wherein the contact part is the electrode according to the target area. In order to be detached from and to transmit the electrical signal, it may be implemented in a plurality of types.

Also, the electrical signal may be divided into a burst section of a pulse and a DC waveform section, and the DC waveform section may be located between the burst sections of the pulse.

In addition, the burst section of the pulse and the DC waveform section do not overlap, the burst section of the pulse includes the burst of the pulse in the electrical signal, and the application of the burst of the pulse is stopped in the DC waveform section and the electric The signal may include the DC waveform.

In addition to this, another method for implementing the present invention, another system, and a computer-readable recording medium for recording a computer program for executing the method may be further provided.

According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to control the user's nerves by applying electrical stimulation to the user's nerves by applying a signal including a burst of pulses and a DC waveform non-invasively, thereby causing migraine and insomnia. ), neurologic disorders, and depression can be relieved, and the effect of relaxation can be obtained.

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 and 2 are conceptual views illustrating a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 and 4 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a detailed structure of a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a target region and a target nerve according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an electrical signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a graph showing the effect of using the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as a main HRV index.
8 is a graph that can confirm the effect of using the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus as an EDA main index.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a neuromodulation method using a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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 these 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 will 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.

1 and 2 are conceptual views illustrating a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, a wearable type structure of a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to a user's nerve is conceptually disclosed.

1 and 2 , the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus may be implemented to treat a user's medical condition by transmitting an electrical signal (or electrical stimulation) as an electrical stimulation to the user's nerves.

A user's neural activity may be adjusted based on an electrical signal provided by the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 . A nerve activity may mean a change in a nerve action potential, and the regulation of a nerve activity may be a regulation on a nerve action potential. In more detail, the regulation of neural activity may refer to regulation of the amplitude, frequency, and/or pattern of a neural action potential.

When an electrical signal for regulating neural activity is applied, the neural activity may be changed. Specifically, when an electrical signal is applied through the wearable nerve stimulation device, the amplitude and/or frequency of the nerve action potential and the pattern of the nerve action potential may be changed.

In that a user's medical disease can be alleviated or prevented according to the regulation of nerve activity, the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 can provide an effective treatment for the user's medical disease.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a stimulation module 20 and a controller 30 .

The stimulation module 20 may be implemented to apply an electrical signal to a user's nerve and be controlled by the controller 30 . The stimulation module 20 may include at least one component necessary to apply an electrical signal to the user's nerves. For example, the stimulation module may include, but is not limited to, a power source (not shown), an electrode 21 , and a contact portion 22 positioned in a target region of an outer surface of the user. . The electrode 21 is a plurality of electrodes 21 and may include an anode and a cathode.

Here, when the contact surface 22 of the stimulation module 20 is located in the target region of the user's epidermis, an electrical signal may be applied to the nerve non-invasively through the skin. Specifically, an electric field formed when an electric signal is applied passes through the user's epidermis and is transmitted to the nerves in the user's epidermis. Therefore, when the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is used, electrical stimulation can be applied to the nerve non-invasively.

The target area to which the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 is contacted may be an area in which a target nerve to transmit an electrical signal is located. A plurality of electrodes 21 (anode and cathode) of the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 may be spaced apart from each other in the epidermis on the region where the target nerve is located.

For example, the target region may include at least one of a forehead, an ear, a neck, and a wrist, and the target nerve is a cranial nerve, a carotid nerve. sinus nerve), the vagus nerve, the neck nerve (cervical nerve), and may include at least one of the median nerve (median nerve). By applying an electrical signal to these target nerves, migraine, insomnia, neurologic disorder, neuropathic pain, motor dysfunction, epilepsy, tinnitus , obesity (obesity) and depression (depression) at least one medical disease (or target disease) may be improved. These target areas, target nerves, and target diseases are examples, and the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 may set other various areas, nerves, and diseases as target areas, target nerves, and target diseases.

3 and 4 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a detailed structure of a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 and 4 show a specific structure of a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus.

3 and 4 , the structure of the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus may include a stimulation module 20 and a band unit 25 .

The stimulation module 20 includes a main body 24, a power source (not shown), a power button 23, an electrode 21, and a contact portion connected to the electrode to contact a target region of the user's outer surface. (22) may be included. The electrode 21 is a plurality of electrodes 21 and may include an anode and a cathode.

When the stimulation module is switched to the ON state through the power button 23 , an electrical signal is generated on the electrode 21 , and the electrical signal may be transmitted onto the user's epidermis through the contact part 22 . The contact part 22 may be formed as a structure for being combined with the electrode 21 to contact the user's epidermis. The contact part 22 may be connected to the electrode 21 in various shapes. The user may select one of the plurality of contact portions 22 according to the target area and combine it with the electrode 21 to transmit an electrical signal to the user.

The stimulation module 20 may be implemented in a shape having a curvature so that the user's surface and the contact part 22 can be in good contact, and through this, the degree of contact between the user's surface and the contact part can be increased.

A groove structure is formed outside the stimulation module 20 so that the stimulation module 20 and the band unit 25 are coupled through the groove structure.

The band unit 25 may be implemented as a stimulation module coupling unit 26 and a band 27 capable of coupling a groove structure. The stimulation module coupling unit 26 is formed in a hole structure, and a coupling structure capable of being coupled to the groove structure of the stimulation module 20 may be positioned on the hole structure.

The band unit 25 has elasticity, and the coupling structure of the band unit 25 is coupled with the groove structure of the stimulation module 20 based on the elastic force, so that the band unit 25 and the stimulation module 20 may be coupled.

In addition, the band portion 25 may be implemented to be coupled to the user's body having a coupling structure between the bands such as the Velcro structure 28 . In order to fix the stimulation module 20 on the target region, the length of the band may be adjusted by using the inter-band coupling structure.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a target region and a target nerve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , when the left carotid sinus nerve (A) and the left vagus nerve (B) are target nerves, the target area is the side of the user's neck where the left carotid sinus nerve (A) and left vagus nerve (B) are located. may be the epidermis of Specifically, the cathode may be located in the epidermis on the left carotid sinus nerve (A), the anode may be located in the epidermis on the left vagus nerve (B), and the cathode may be located relatively closer to the head than the anode.

And when the neck nerve is the target nerve, the stimulation location as the target area may be the epidermis on the back of the user's neck where the neck nerve is located, specifically, the epidermis C adjacent to the first cervical vertebrae C1 and the second cervical vertebrae C2. ) and the epidermis D adjacent to the third cervical vertebrae C3 and the fourth cervical vertebrae C4. The anode may be located in the epidermis (C) adjacent to the first cervical vertebrae (C1) and the second cervical vertebrae (C2), and the cathode may be located in the epidermis (D) adjacent to the third cervical vertebrae (C3) and the fourth cervical vertebra (C4). , the anode may be located relatively closer to the head than the cathode.

In addition, if the trigeminal nerve belonging to the cranial nerve is the target nerve, the stimulation location as the target area is the supraorbital nerve and the trochlear nerve, which is the first excitation of the opthalmic nerve, which is a branch of the trigeminal nerve. It may be the epidermis of the right eyebrow and the epidermis (F) of the left eyebrow, where the supratrochlear nerve is located. Specifically, the cathode may be located in the epidermis (E) on the right supraspinatus nerve and the trochlear nerve, and the anode may be located in the epidermis (F) on the left supraspinatus orbital and trochlear nerve.

The controller 30 of the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 controls the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 to specifically control an electrical signal applied to the stimulation module 20 . Here, the electrical signal includes bursts of pulses and a direct current (DC) waveform.

6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an electrical signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the electrical signal includes a burst of pulses and a direct current (DC) waveform. The electrical signal is time-series divided into a burst section of a pulse and a DC waveform section, and the controller 30 controls the signal so that a DC waveform section is time-series between the burst sections of the pulse, specifically, the burst section of the pulse and DC waveform sections may be alternately provided.

The burst section of the pulse and the DC waveform section may not overlap. The controller 30 includes a burst of pulses in the electrical signal and does not include a DC waveform in the burst period of the pulse, stops the application of the burst of pulses in the DC waveform period, and controls the electric signal to include the DC waveform. . Since the burst of the pulse and the DC waveform are generated from the same power source (not shown), the burst section of the pulse and the DC waveform section may not overlap.

Looking at the region in which the pulse burst section is converted to the DC waveform section, each pulse in the pulse burst section has a first current value, and in the DC waveform section, the DC waveform has a second current value different from the first current value. That is, the first current value may be the target current value of the pulse, and the second current value may be the target current value of the DC waveform. Since the neuromodulation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment generates signals having different values in time series from the same stimulation module 20, the first current value to the second current value is discontinuous ( discrete) values are difficult to change.

Therefore, a waveform in which the current value continuously changes from the first current value to the second current value is included in the DC waveform section, and if the first current value is relatively larger than the second current value, the DC waveform in the DC waveform section is and a waveform decreasing from a relatively large first current value to a relatively small second current value.

In the DC waveform section, the DC waveform may substantially maintain the second current value for a predetermined time after reaching the second current value. In the DC waveform section, since the purpose is to apply electrical stimulation to the user's nerves through the DC waveform having the second current value, the situation in which the DC waveform reaches the second current value is maintained for a predetermined time as described above. can

Here, the decrease slope value of the DC waveform in the DC waveform section may be determined according to the medical disease of the user to be treated. For example, the first current value of each pulse included in the burst of pulses, the second current value of the DC waveform in the DC waveform section, and other characteristics are determined according to the user's medical condition, so that the decrease slope of the DC waveform in the DC waveform section A value may be determined.

Therefore, if the user's medical condition is changed, at least one of the burst characteristic of the pulse for treatment and the characteristic of the DC waveform may be changed, and accordingly, the decreasing slope value of the DC waveform may be determined differently in the DC waveform section as well as the DC waveform The length of the rest period between the period and the burst period of the pulse may be determined differently. As the burst characteristics and DC waveform characteristics of pulses, the first current value (mA), frequency (Hz), pulse duration (νs), interpulse duration (νs), ramp-up (s) of the pulses included in the pulse burst , ramp-down (s), total time (s), burst frequency (Hz), burst duration (ms), and a second current value (mA) of the DC waveform may be included.

In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 6 , looking at a region in which the DC waveform section is converted to a burst section of a pulse, the DC waveform has a second current value in the DC waveform section, and each pulse has a second current value in the burst section of the pulse and has a different first current value. Therefore, the region in which the DC waveform section is converted to the burst section of the pulse includes the idle section, and the idle section is a section in which no output is made temporarily, and no DC waveform or pulse burst is output in the idle section. Specifically, when the burst section of the pulse is arranged after the DC waveform section in time series, the signal includes a rest section in which there is no output of the DC waveform or the burst of the pulse between the DC waveform section and the burst section of the pulse.

The second current value of the DC waveform is relatively low compared to the first current value of the pulse. In order to implement the relatively high first current value of the pulse from the relatively low second current value of the DC waveform, a rest period with no output is required. must exist The controller may control to generate a pulse of high energy through this rest period.

Here, the length of the rest period varies according to the magnitude of the first current value of the pulse, and the controller controls the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 so that the length of the rest period becomes longer as the magnitude of the first current value of the pulse increases. can That is, when the user's medical condition changes, the magnitude of the first current value of the pulse changes, so that the controller can control the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 to change the length of the rest period.

In the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, burst stimulation through bursts of pulses can control the size of nerve signal transmission in nerves, and is a signal for transmitting signals in the brain direction through the ascending nerve path. Relief of symptoms can be induced by controlling the way the brain processes body state information. That is, peripheral nerve stimulation through burst stimulation transmits electrical/chemical neurotransmission of peripheral nerves to the central nerve (brain), thereby enabling treatment of central nerve diseases. For example, when a peripheral nerve such as the trigeminal nerve vagus nerve is stimulated through burst stimulation, the stimulus is transmitted to the brain to control the metabolism of the pain control region of the brain. This principle is considered as a treatment principle for migraine.

And, in the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, direct current stimulation through a direct current waveform is a signal for increasing or decreasing spontaneous neural activity, and may induce the brain to recognize a specific body state. In the same principle as described above, a signal may be transmitted to the brain, or the signal may be directed in a desired direction by transmitting a signal only to an internal organ or muscle where the nerve endings extend from the periphery.

For example, by applying electrical stimulation to the nerve based on the burst of pulses, the user's medical condition can be alleviated by suppressing the nerve signal transmission related to the user's medical condition, and applying electrical stimulation to the nerve based on the DC waveform By doing so, it is possible to induce the user to feel the induced state, such as relaxation.

In some embodiments, the frequency of the bursts of pulses has a value between about 5 bursts per second and about 10 bursts per second, and the duration of each pulse included in the burst of pulses has a value between about 45 vs and about 100 vs. can

In some embodiments, a magnitude of a pulse included in a burst of pulses may have a value between about 10 mA and about 20 mA.

In some embodiments, the magnitude of the DC waveform may be approximately 0.1 mA to 1 mA, and preferably may have a value of approximately 0.5 mA.

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

7 is a graph confirming the effect of using the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as a main HRV index, and FIG. 9 is a graph showing the effect of using the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus as an EDA main index. It is a graph.

First, referring to FIG. 7 , an immediate stabilization effect through parasympathetic activation based on electrical stimulation even in a stressful situation compared to baseline is confirmed as a major indicator of heart rate variability (HRV).

In addition, referring to FIG. 8 , an immediate stability effect through parasympathetic activation based on electrical stimulation is confirmed as a major indicator of EDA (Electrical Dermal Activity) even in a stressful situation compared to the baseline.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a neuromodulation method using a wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 discloses a method of treating a user's medical disease or a method of controlling a user's nerves using the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus using the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, descriptions of parts overlapping with the description of the wearable nerve stimulation apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the method for controlling the user's nerves includes positioning the stimulation module 20 in a target area of the user's epidermis (S10), and including bursts of pulses and direct current (DC) waveforms. generating a signal (S20) and applying the signal to the stimulation module 20 so that the electrical stimulation is applied to the nerve non-invasively through the skin (30).

Here, in generating the signal ( S20 ), in the DC waveform section, the DC waveform includes a waveform that decreases from a relatively high first current value to a relatively low second current value, and in the DC waveform section, the DC waveform is After reaching the second current value, the second current value is substantially maintained for a predetermined time. The contents related to the generation of the signal described in the neuromodulation apparatus 10 according to the embodiments of the present invention may be directly applied to a method of treating a user's medical disease.

On the other hand, the frequency of the burst of pulses has a value between approximately 5 bursts per second and approximately 10 bursts per second, and the duration of each pulse included in the burst of pulses has a value between approximately 45 vs and approximately 100 vs, the pulse The magnitude of the pulse included in the burst has a value between about 10 mA and about 20 mA, and the magnitude of the DC waveform may have a value of about 0.5 mA. It has been described in detail in the neural modulation device 10 according to the embodiments.

The steps of the method or algorithm described in relation to the embodiment of the present invention may be implemented directly in hardware, implemented as a software module executed by hardware, or implemented 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.

As mentioned above, although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, 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 its technical spirit or essential features. you will be able to understand Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims (5)

A wearable nerve stimulation device by applying an electrical signal to the user's nerves,
a stimulation module configured to be in contact with the user's target area to apply the electrical signal to the user's nerves; and
A band unit coupled to the stimulation module and implemented for the user to wear the stimulation module,
The electrical signal is divided into a burst section of a pulse and a DC waveform section,
The DC waveform section is located between the burst sections of the pulse,
The burst section of the pulse and the DC waveform section do not overlap,
In the burst period of the pulse, the burst of the pulse is included in the electrical signal, and the DC waveform is included in the electrical signal after stopping the application of the burst of the pulse in the DC waveform section,
The burst characteristic of the pulse, the characteristic of the DC waveform, and the decreasing slope value of the DC waveform in the DC waveform section are changed according to the user's medical condition,
The burst characteristic of the pulse includes a first current value, frequency, pulse duration, interpulse duration, ramp up (s), ramp down (s), total time (s), burst frequency (Hz), and burst duration of the pulse. including (ms),
The characteristic of the DC waveform is a second current value of the DC waveform,
The wearable nerve stimulation apparatus, characterized in that the reduced slope value of the DC waveform is determined based on the first current value and the second current value. According to claim 1, wherein the stimulation module,
a body having a curvature;
an electrode for supplying the electrical signal; and
A contact portion connected to the electrode and in contact with the target area to transmit the electrical signal,
The contact portion is detachable from the electrode according to the target region, and a plurality of types are implemented to transmit the electrical signal. 3. The method of claim 2,
A groove structure is implemented on the periphery of the main body,
The wearable nerve stimulation device, characterized in that the band portion includes a stimulation module coupling portion coupled to the groove structure based on elasticity. According to claim 1,
The second current value is set relatively low compared to the first current value,
In order to implement the first current value of the pulse relatively high from the second current value of the relatively low DC waveform, a rest period with no output is set,
The controller controls to generate a pulse of high energy through the rest period,
The length of the rest period varies according to the magnitude of the first current value of the pulse,
wherein the controller controls the length of the rest period to be relatively longer as the magnitude of the first current value of the pulse increases. 5. The method of claim 4,
When the vagus nerve is the target nerve, the first current value of the pulse included in the burst of the pulse is 20 mA, the frequency is 10,000 Hz, the pulse duration is 45 vs, the interpulse duration is 5 to 10 vs, the ramp-up is 60 to 900 s, the ramp Down is 60 to 900s, total time is 120 to 3,600s, burst frequency is 10Hz, burst duration is at least 20ms, and the second current value of DC waveform is 0.5mA,
When the neck nerve is the target nerve, the first current value of the pulse included in the burst of the pulse is 10 mA, the frequency is 2,000 Hz, the pulse duration is 100 vs, the interpulse duration is 5 to 10 vs, the ramp-up is 60 to 900 s, the ramp Down is 60 to 900s, total time is 120 to 3,600s, burst frequency is 5Hz, burst duration is at least 70ms, and the second current value of the DC waveform is 0.5mA,
When the trigeminal nerve is the target nerve, the first current value of the pulse included in the burst of the pulse is 10 mA, the frequency is 10,000 Hz, the pulse duration is 45 vs, the interpulse duration is 5 to 10 vs, the ramp-up is 60 to 900 s, Ramp down is 60 to 900 s, total time is 120 to 3,600 s, burst frequency is 10 Hz, burst duration is at least 30 ms, and the second current value of the DC waveform is 0.5 mA.

Images