KR20180001399A - A skin stimulating device - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a skin stimulation device comprises: a skin stimulator generating heat or electric stimulation signals and discharging the same to the outside; and an electrode pad made of a material which is transformable in a shape of skin on body of a user, and applying heat or electric stimulation to the skin of the user by using heat of the electric stimulation signals received from the skin stimulator.

Description

[0001] A SKIN STIMULATING DEVICE [0002]

The following example relates to a skin irritation device for applying electrical stimulation or heat to skin through a flexible pad.

A chemical medication that alleviates pain felt by the body is a method of delivering a medication containing analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects to the body through the transdermal system.

Among these chemical therapies, there is a typical method using pals. In order to maintain the drug effect, a drug having an analgesic effect on the sheet such as a nonwoven fabric is applied together with an adhesive to prevent the pals from falling off from the skin.

Alternatively, there is a non-pharmacological physical therapy for pain relief, for example, a sensory slowing method through low-frequency electrical stimulation at the affected area. This is a method of attaching an electrode having an adhesive material or an electrode forming a negative pressure to the affected part for electric conduction.

Specifically, low-frequency electrical stimulation for pain relief can be applied with transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), which aims at pain relief through A-type afferent nerve stimulation, which has a rapid neurotransmission rate according to the gating control theory. In addition, it has the function to help the immune substance movement and metabolism because it can selectively strengthen the nerve stimulation to shrink the muscles and promote blood circulation in the affected part.

Alternatively, taping may include applying a sheet to which an adhesive component has been applied for pain relief. It is similar to the method of applying pars, but it does not contain any drug substance besides the adhesive material, and it relieves the pain through simple physical transcutaneous stimulation.

Prior Art 1: Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0143938 (Publication date: Dec. 18, 2014) Prior Art 2: Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2015-0062757 (Publication date 2015.06.08.)

An object according to one embodiment is to fix the skin stimulator firmly to the bending portion of the body.

An object according to one embodiment is to deliver electrical stimulation signals or heat through electrode pads tapping a wide range of the body.

According to one embodiment, the skin stimulation apparatus includes a skin stimulator for generating and discharging an electric stimulation signal or heat; And an electrode pad formed of a deformable material so as to correspond to the shape of the body shape of the user and applying electric stimulation or heat to the user's body skin using electric stimulation signals or heat received from the skin stimulator.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the skin stimulator includes: an electric stimulation signal generating unit for generating the electric stimulation signal; A transfer unit for discharging the electric stimulation signal to the outside; A controller for controlling the magnitude and pattern of the electrical stimulation signal; And an adhesive portion to be fixed to the electrode pad.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the electrode pad includes: a first layer in contact with one surface of the skin stimulator; A second layer comprising a conductive material for transferring an electrical stimulation signal by the transfer portion; And a third layer adherable to the skin of the user.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the second layer includes: a pair of electrode layers for applying electrical stimulation to a user; And an insulating layer for insulating the pair of electrode layers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the pair of electrode layers may be disposed along the longitudinal direction of the electrode pad, and the insulating layer may cross the pair of electrode layers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the first layer and the second layer include at least one gap for penetrating the transfer part, and the electric stimulation signal is transmitted by the conductive material of the second layer contacting the transfer part .

According to one aspect of the present invention, the third layer comprises: a paste material capable of alleviating the user's pain; And an adhesive material that enhances contact with the user ' s skin.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the transfer unit may be formed in the form of a pin extending through the electrode pad.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the skin stimulator may further include a cap attached to an end of the transmission portion and formed of a non-conductive material.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the skin stimulator includes: a heat transfer unit for transferring the heat to the electrode pad; And a control unit for controlling the operation of the heat transfer unit.

The skin stimulator further includes a heat sensor for controlling an operating temperature of the heat transfer part. When the temperature of the electrode pad sensed by the heat sensor is out of a predetermined level, the control part controls the operation of the heat transfer part ON or OFF.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the skin stimulator includes: a motion detection sensor capable of measuring a motion of the skin stimulator; And a controller capable of adjusting the electric stimulation signal or the heat according to whether the motion of the skin stimulator measured by the motion sensing sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined level.

According to one aspect, the skin stimulator may include a wireless communication module capable of communicating with an external wireless terminal.

According to one embodiment, the skin stimulator can be firmly fixed to the top surface of the tape comprising the electrode material.

According to one embodiment, an electrode pad can be wrapped around a painful body part to deliver an electrical stimulation signal or heat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to further the understanding of the technical idea of the invention, It should not be construed as limited.
1 is a perspective view illustrating a skin irritation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the skin irritation device according to one embodiment.
3 is a perspective view illustrating a second layer of an electrode pad according to one embodiment.
4 is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the skin stimulator according to another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the skin stimulation apparatus according to another embodiment.
6 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the skin stimulator including the cap.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where a skin stimulating apparatus according to an embodiment is attached to an actual body part.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that, in adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference symbols as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the best of an understanding clear.

In describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or order of the constituent elements. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, Quot; may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected. &Quot;

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

The skin stimulation apparatus 1 includes a skin stimulator 10 for generating an electric stimulation signal and emitting it to the outside, and an electric stimulus generator 10 formed of a deformable material corresponding to the shape of the user's body skin and received from the skin stimulator 10, And an electrode pad 20 for applying electrical stimulation to the user's body skin using a signal.

The skin stimulator 10 can be firmly fixed to the upper surface of the electrode pad 20, and a fixing method, for example, a velcro or magnetism method can be used. The skin stimulator 10 may generate a low frequency electrical stimulation signal that may alleviate muscle pain and may transmit electrical stimulation to a wide range of the user's body through the electrode pad 20. [

For example, the electrode pad 20 can be in the form of a roll which can be brought into close contact with the skin, and can be cut and used according to the user's convenience. Therefore, Various applications are possible. For example, the electrode pad 20 may have a band shape extending to surround the entire circumference of the user's body part.

2 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the skin stimulation apparatus 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the skin stimulator 10 is fixed on the electrode pad 20. Fig.

The skin stimulator 10 includes an electric stimulation signal generating unit (G, 12) for generating a low frequency electric stimulation signal, a transfer unit 14 for discharging the electric stimulation signal to the outside, A control unit (C) 13, and an adhesive unit 15 to be fixed on the electrode pad 20.

The electric stimulation signal generating section 12 of the skin stimulator 10, the control section 13 and the display 11 indicating the operation can be accommodated in a case having a certain shape, Exposed, and inserted into the electrode pad 20.

The display 11, the electrical stimulation signal generation unit 12, the control unit 13, and the transfer unit 14 are electrically connected to each other. The skin stimulator 10 can be charged with an internal rechargeable battery so that it can be driven without an external power supply.

The transmission portion 14 may be formed in a pin shape passing through the electrode pad 20 of a soft material, and the cross section of the fin may be circular or polygonal. The transfer unit 14 may be provided with a plurality of pins, and the same electric stimulation signal may be transmitted to each of the pins by the transfer unit 14.

 The electrode pad 20 includes a first layer 21 in contact with the lower surface of the skin stimulator 10, a second layer 22 including a conductive material for transmitting an electric stimulation signal by the transfer portion 14, And a third layer (23, 24) contacting the skin of the user in close contact.

The upper surface of the first layer 21 is in contact with the adhered portion 150 of the skin stimulator 10 and may include a Velcro material or a magnet material. For example, the upper surface of the first layer 21 may be detachably attached to the bonding portion 15. [ The lower surface of the first layer 21 may be in contact with the upper surface of the second layer 22 and may cover the upper surface. The transfer portion 14 completely penetrates the first layer 21.

The third layer 23, 24 may comprise an adhesive material as a layer to be adhered to the skin. The third layer 23, 24 may comprise, for example, a gel-like material. In addition, the third layer 23, 24 may further comprise a substance capable of alleviating muscle pain. For example, the third layer 23, 24 may be made of a material in which the Paste material is mixed with an adhesive material. As another example, the third layer 23, 24 may be made of a material that is separated from each other by an inner layer 23 to which a substance capable of relieving muscle pain is applied and an outer layer 24 to which a substance that enhances contact with the skin is applied It may also comprise two layers.

Materials that can alleviate the pain of the muscles may include ingredients such as menthol capsaicin, salicylic acid glycol and the like, which are called analgesic and anti-inflammatory substances called so-called Paste materials. The material enhancing contact with the skin may comprise a sticky adhesive material.

It is possible to manipulate the power ON / OFF or the intensity of the electric stimulation signal through the control unit 13 incorporated in the skin stimulator 10 after attachment to the skin stimulator 10 and the electrode pad 20.

In addition, the skin stimulator 10 may include a wireless communication module capable of communicating with an external wireless terminal such as a remote controller or a smart phone. Therefore, even when the skin stimulator 10 is attached to a portion that is difficult for the user to manipulate directly, that is, the portion not reachable by the user's hand, the skin stimulator 10 can be easily controlled using the external wireless terminal, And so on.

The operation state can be confirmed through a lamp or a display installed at the upper end of the skin stimulator 10.

3 is a perspective view illustrating the second layer 22 of the electrode pad 20 according to one embodiment. The second layer 22 has a shape in which the three strips are aligned in parallel.

The second layer 22 includes a pair of electrode layers 221 and 223 for applying electrical stimulation to the user and an insulating layer 222 for insulating the pair of electrode layers. The pair of electrode layers 221 and 223 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the electrode pad 20 and the insulating layer 222 can cross the pair of electrode layers 221 and 223. The pair of electrode layers 221 and 223 are insulated by the insulating layer 222 and can be electrically connected by a pair of transmitting portions 14 inserted into the pair of electrode layers 221 and 223, respectively.

The width of the insulating layer 222 may be determined to be smaller than half the width of each of the two electrode layers 221 and 223 since the width of the insulating layer 222 is enough to divide the two electrode layers 221 and 223.

The electrode layers 221 and 223 of the second layer include at least one gap 2211 and 2231 for passing through the transmission portion 14 and the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical stimulation signal generation portion 12 The signal is transmitted by the side surface of the transmitting portion 14 and the conductor material of the electrode layers 221 and 223 of the second layer being in contact with each other.

Holes corresponding to the same positions as the gaps 2211 and 2231 can also be formed in the first layer 21 of the electrode pad 20 as well. In this case, even if the transmitting portion 14 is not sharp enough to penetrate the first layer 21 itself, it can penetrate the entire electrode pad 20. In the case of the third layers 23 and 24, holes corresponding to the gaps 2211 and 2231 do not need to be formed since they correspond to a layer coated with a chemical substance.

4 is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the skin stimulator 30 according to another embodiment. 5 is a sectional view through a center of the skin irritating device 2 to which the skin stimulator 30 is applied according to another embodiment and is a direction viewed from the direction A shown in Fig. 4, and is a direction seen from the width of the electrode pad 20 to be.

The configuration applied to the skin stimulator 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to the skin stimulator 30 according to another embodiment, as long as there is no opposite description.

4, the transfer portions 34 and 35 may be provided in plural and include an electric transfer portion 34 for transferring the electric stimulation signal to the electrode pad 20 and / And a heat transfer unit 35 for supplying the heat. Here, the electrode pad 20 is a pad including a conductive material. When heat is transmitted through the electrode pad 20, the electrode pad 20 may be referred to as a heat transfer pad. The adhesive portion 36 may be made of a velcro or magnet material, and a sticky adhesive material may be applied. 4 and 5, the skin stimulator 30 may include both the electric transfer unit 34 and the heat transfer unit 35, or may include only one of the two. For example, the skin stimulator 30 includes only the heat transfer portion 35, and may not include the electric conduction portion 34 and the electrical stimulation signal generation portion 321 or the like. Hereinafter, the case where both of the two transmitting portions 34 and 35 are included will be described.

The electric transfer portion 34 and the heat transfer portion 35 can be selectively operated and when only one of the electric transfer portion 34 and the heat transfer portion 35 is operated and the electric transfer portion 34 And the heat transfer portion 35 are both operated simultaneously.

In addition, the electric transfer portion 34 and the heat transfer portion 35 may be integrated into one pin, for example, or may be formed as separate pins. Thus, when integrated into one pin, the transfer portion can simultaneously deliver the electrical stimulation signal and the heat to the electrode pad 20. [

The skin stimulator 30 can include a display 31, an electrical stimulation signal generator 321, a heating unit 322 and a control unit 33 for controlling them and includes a display 31, The heating unit 322, and the control unit 33 are housed in a case of a certain shape.

The electric stimulation signal generating unit 321 is electrically connected to the electric transfer unit 34 and the heating unit 322 is electrically connected to the heat transfer unit 35. The controller 33 controls the intensity and frequency of the electric stimulation signal of the electric stimulus signal generator 321 and controls the heating temperature of the heat transmitter 35.

For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the shape of the electric transmission portion 34 and / or the heat transfer portion 35 may be formed into a cylindrical shape having a larger diameter than a pin shape. According to the above structure, since the contact area with the electrode layers 221 and 223 is improved, the cylindrical transmission parts 34 and 35 can transmit the electric stimulation signal or heat better than the pin type transmission part.

The skin stimulator 30 may further include a sensor unit (S, 37). The sensor unit S 37 may include a motion sensor capable of measuring the motion of the skin stimulator 30 and / or a thermal sensor for controlling the operating temperature of the heat transfer unit 35. These sensor units 36 may be connected to the control unit 33 to change the operation of the skin stimulator 30.

The motion detection sensor can be composed of, for example, one or more of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor. The motion detection sensor can detect the degree of tilting of the skin stimulator 30, the vibrations of the skin stimulator 30, Can be measured.

For example, when the inclination of the skin stimulator 30 measured by the motion detection sensor exceeds a predetermined level or more, the control unit 33 can operate the electric transfer unit 34 and the heat transfer unit 35.

For example, when the skin stimulator 30 is attached to the user's shoulder, when the skin stimulator 30 has a first set angle with respect to the ground, for example, 45 to 90 degrees, It is possible to operate the transfer unit 34 and the heat transfer unit 35. When the user lifts the arm and the skin stimulator 30 has a second predetermined angle with respect to the ground, for example, 0 to 45 degrees, The operation of the electric transfer unit 34 and the heat transfer unit 35 can be interrupted.

Also, in the case of a thermal sensor, when the temperature of the electrode pad sensed by the thermal sensor is lower than a predetermined level, the control unit 33 can operate the heat transfer unit 35. For example, when the temperature of the electrode pad sensed by the heat sensor drops below 30 degrees, the heat transfer portion 35 can be operated because the treatment effect can be reduced.

Conversely, when the temperature of the electrode pad sensed by the heat sensor exceeds a predetermined level, the skin of the user may be burned, so that the control unit 33 can stop the operation of the heat transfer unit 35.

6 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the skin stimulator 10 including the cap. The rest of the skin stimulator 10 may utilize the structure of the skin stimulator 10 shown in Fig.

The skin stimulator 10 may be provided with a cap 16 attached to the distal end of the transfer portion 14 formed in a pin shape and formed of a nonconductive material. The transfer portion 14 penetrates the adhesive portion 15, the first layer 21 and the second layer 22 and the cap 16 can be disposed in the third layer 23 and 24 portions.

When the transmitting portion 14 is formed in the form of a pin, when the electrode pad 20 penetrates the third layer 23, 24 beyond the third layer 23, since the tip is sharp, the skin of the user may be pierced and damaged. In addition, when the delivery portion 14 is in direct contact with the user's skin, electrical stimulation signals can burn the skin and it can be difficult to stimulate the muscles over a wide range.

Thus, this phenomenon can be avoided through the cap 16, and an electrical stimulation signal can be transmitted through the second layer 22 to deliver electrical stimulation over the area where the electrode pad contacts the user ' s skin.

7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the skin stimulation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment is attached to an actual body part.

First, after the electrode pad 20 is attached to the user's skin, the skin stimulator 10 is attached to a desired position on the electrode pad 20. [ At this time, the transfer portion 140 of the skin stimulator 10 reaches the second layer 22 through the first layer 21 of the electrode feed 20. Accordingly, the electrode pad 20 is free to adhere to the electrode pad 20, thereby enhancing the diversity and convenience of the application.

7 (a) shows a state in which the skin stimulator 10 is attached on the electrode pad 20 in the upper part of the arm after the electrode pad 20 is wrapped around the user's arm.

7 (b) shows a state in which the skin stimulator 10 is attached on the electrode pad 20 in the upper part of the leg after the electrode pad 20 is wound around the user's leg.

7C shows a state in which the electrode pad 20 is attached to the electrode pad 20 from the user's neck to the back and then the skin stimulator 10 is attached on the electrode pad 20 in the middle of the neck .

7 (d) shows a state in which the skin stimulator 10 is attached on the electrode pad 20 of the wrist joint after the electrode pad 20 is wound around the user's wrist.

In addition to the above-described cases, the electrode pad 20 can be wound around various parts of the user's back, shoulder, ankle, etc., and the skin stimulator 10 can be attached to the body. Thus, .

In the case where the skin stimulator 10 is disposed on a part of the body where the user's hand is difficult to reach, in order to adjust the intensity of the electric stimulus or the heating temperature of the electrode pad, May occur.

Therefore, a remote controller for transmitting a control signal to the skin stimulator 10 in a wireless communication manner can be provided to the user. The user can use the remote control to measure the intensity of the electric stimulation signal transmitted through the electric transmission portion 34 of the skin stimulator 30 without separating the skin stimulator 30 in the state where the skin stimulation device 1 is worn on the body, And the amount of heat delivered through the heat transfer part 35 of the skin stimulator 30 can be adjusted.

According to one embodiment, the advantages and effects of a low frequency skin stimulator, a patch material, taping can be mixed to expect more effective pain relief.

In addition, the electrode pad can be used in the form of adjusting the electrode length according to the user's convenience or cutting off the center, and can be applied as taping therapy.

In addition, when the lower surface of the electrode pad is coated with the Paste material, the chemical analgesic effect can be maintained in a state in which only the skin stimulator is detached.

In addition, since the attachment position of the skin stimulator is not fixed at a specific position of the electrode pad, the attachment position of the skin stimulator can be selected according to the convenience of the user.

Further, since the attachment position of the electrode pad is not fixed, the attachment position can be changed irrespective of any part of the body.

In addition, since the electric stimulation intensity can be adjusted directly or wirelessly by the skin stimulator, the user can adjust the intensity of the stimulus to the desired intensity.

In addition, the cap of the nonconductive material is attached to the end of the transfer part, so that the risk of electric current flowing to the skin can be reduced since the transfer part does not directly contact the skin.

Further, since the transfer portion is composed of the electric transfer portion and the heat transfer portion, the heat generating function can be applied to the electrode pad by simultaneously using the electricity and the heat conduction function.

In addition, a skin stimulator gyro sensor may be disposed to utilize the electrical stimulation to be delivered to the user's skin when the skin stimulator is tilted at a certain angle.

In addition, since the insulating layer is formed on the electrode pad so as to cross the center in the longitudinal direction, the electrode pad can be used in such a manner that a part of the central portion of the electrode pad where the insulating layer is located is cut, It is advantageous that it can be freely transformed and used in a suitable form.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. For example, it is contemplated that the techniques described may be performed in a different order than the described methods, and / or that components of the described structures, devices, and the like may be combined or combined in other ways than the described methods, Appropriate results can be achieved even if they are replaced or replaced.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments and equivalents to the claims are within the scope of the following claims.

10, 30: skin stimulator
11: Display
12: Electric stimulation signal generating unit
13:
14:
15:
20: Electrode pad
21: First layer
22: Second layer
23, 24: Third layer

Claims (13)

A skin stimulator for generating and discharging an electric stimulation signal or heat; And
And an electrode pad formed of a deformable material so as to correspond to the shape of the user's body skin and applying electric stimulation or heat to the user's body skin using electric stimulation signals or heat received from the skin stimulator.
The method according to claim 1,
The skin stimulator may comprise:
An electrical stimulation signal generator for generating the electrical stimulation signal;
A transfer unit for discharging the electric stimulation signal to the outside;
A controller for controlling the magnitude and pattern of the electrical stimulation signal; And
And an adhesive portion to be fixed to the electrode pad.
3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the electrode pad
A first layer in contact with one surface of the skin stimulator;
A second layer comprising a conductive material for transferring an electrical stimulation signal by the transfer portion; And
And a third layer adherable to the skin of the user.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the second layer comprises:
A pair of electrode layers for applying electrical stimulation to the user; And
And an insulating layer for insulating the pair of electrode layers.
5. The method of claim 4,
The pair of electrode layers are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the electrode pad,
Wherein the insulating layer crosses between the pair of electrode layers.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the first layer and the second layer comprise at least one or more apertures for penetrating the transfer portion,
Wherein the electrical stimulation signal is transmitted by the conductive material of the second layer contacting the transmission part.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the third layer comprises:
A paste material capable of alleviating the user's pain; And
A skin irritation device comprising an adhesive material. The method of claim 3,
[0030]
Wherein the electrode is formed in a pin shape extending through the electrode pad.
9. The method of claim 8,
The skin stimulator may comprise:
And a cap attached to an end of the delivery portion and formed of a nonconductive material.
The method according to claim 1,
The skin stimulator may comprise:
A heat transfer unit for transferring the heat to the electrode pad; And
And a control section for controlling the operation of the heat transfer section.
11. The method of claim 10,
The skin stimulator may comprise:
Further comprising a heat sensor for controlling an operating temperature of the heat transfer portion,
Wherein the control unit turns the operation of the heat transfer unit on or off when the temperature of the electrode pad sensed by the heat sensor is out of a predetermined level.
The method according to claim 1,
The skin stimulator may comprise:
A motion detection sensor capable of measuring a motion of the skin stimulator; And
And a controller capable of adjusting the electric stimulation signal or heat according to whether the movement of the skin stimulator measured by the motion sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined level.
The method according to claim 1,
The skin stimulator may comprise:
And a wireless communication module capable of communicating with an external wireless terminal.

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