TW201822834A - Transcutaneous electrical nerve simulation apparatus including an electrical signal generator, an electrode and a connection unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) apparatus, which includes an electrical signal generator configured to generate an electrical stimulation signal; an electrode configured to transmit an electrical stimulation corresponding to the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical signal generator to a user; and a connection unit configured to connect the electrical signal generator to the electrode, wherein the electrode includes a pair of annular contact points for an electrical connection with the electrical signal generator. Here, the connection unit may include a magnetic material.

Description

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation equipment

The present invention relates to a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device, and more particularly to a TENS device that can attach or detach an electrode.

Recently, various transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices have been proposed which alleviate pain by suppressing pain by continuously applying electric stimulation to nervus antennalis.

However, in the existing TENS device, an electrical signal generator for generating an electrical stimuli signal, and an electrical stimuli corresponding to the generated electrical stimuli signal are provided to a user. One electrode is integrally bonded, or a stimulator is connected to an electrode using a cable. However, if the existing TENS device is attached to a part of the human body that is not accessible to the user's hand, it will be difficult to control the TENS device, and the cable may cause inconvenience in use.

[Related Literature]: [Patent Document] KR 10-1364598

Technical Problem: The present invention aims to provide a TENS device in which an electric signal generator and an electrode can be attached or detached to each other for the convenience of the user.

Technical Solution: In a general aspect, the present invention provides a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device, the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device comprising: an electrical signal generator configured to generate an electrical stimulation signal; An electrode configured to transmit an electrical stimulus corresponding to the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical signal generator to a user; and a connection unit configured to connect the electrical signal generator to the electrode Wherein the electrode includes a pair of annular contact points for electrical connection with the electrical signal generator.

In an embodiment, the annular contact point may be located at a center of an upper surface of the electrode. In another embodiment, the annular contact point can be located on one side of an upper surface of the electrode.

In an embodiment, the connecting unit may comprise a magnetic material.

In an embodiment, the electrical signal generator can include a pair of output terminals located on a lower surface of a housing to output the electrical stimulation signal.

In an embodiment, the electrical signal generator may further include an external input terminal located on one side of the housing to receive input from an external object.

In an embodiment, the electrical signal generator may include: a signal generating unit configured to generate the electrical stimulation signal; and a control unit configured to control each of the signal generating units of the electrical signal generator.

In an embodiment, the electrical signal generator can further include a communication unit located in the housing configured to communicate with an external device.

In an embodiment, the electrical signal generator can be reusable.

In an embodiment, the electrode may include: a body; and a pair of electrode pads located at a lower surface of the body to transmit the electrical stimulation signal to the user.

In an embodiment, the electrode may further include a primary separation frame configured to prevent the electrode connected to the electrical signal generator from being separated from the electrical signal generator, and the anti-seismic frame may surround the pair of annular contact points .

In an embodiment, the electrode may be replaceable.

In an embodiment, the electrode may further include: a circuit board, the pair of annular contact points are formed at the circuit board; and a conductive connection unit connected to the pair of annular contact points to transmit each of the electrical stimulation signals Transfer to the pair of electrode pads.

In an embodiment, the body may be made of the circuit board on which the annular contact points are formed.

In an embodiment, the electrode pad may be made of a conductive hydrogel pad that allows the electrode to be attached to the skin of the user.

In an embodiment, the conductive hydrogel pad can be removable and replaceable.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, since an electric signal generator and an electrode can be attached or detached to each other, the TENS device can use various electrodes.

According to the present invention, since the electric signal generator can be connected to an electrode without using a separate connecting cable, the electric signal generator can be easily attached or detached, and is adjusted in an operation mode or the like. Thereafter, the electrical signal generator can be easily attached again.

Further, according to the present invention, since the electrical signal generator can be electrically connected to an electrode through an annular contact point, the TENS device can be electrically connected to the electrode regardless of the direction of rotation of the electrical signal generator.

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and the invention should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

The terms used in the present invention are selected as the most common terms in the art, however these terms may vary according to the intention of those skilled in the art or according to convention or new technology. In addition, in a special case, a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant can be used, and in this case, the meaning of the term will be explained in the appropriate part of the specification. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be interpreted based on the substantial meaning of the terms and the overall contents of the present invention, and are not limited to the expression of the terms.

In the present invention, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device means that electrical stimulation corresponding to an electrical stimulation signal generated by a stimulator is supplied to a user's device through an electrode. For example, the TENS device can be a low frequency medical device, an electrical stimulation device, or a portable electrical stimulation device. The TENS device provides electrical stimulation to the user's skin for medical treatment, pain relief, relief from vomiting or nausea, and relief of morning sickness.

Figure 1 shows a TENS device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 1a shows the TENS device 1 when the electrical signal generator 100 is connected to the electrode 200, and FIG. 1b shows the TENS device 1 when the electrical signal generator 100 is separated from the electrode 200.

Referring to Figures 1a and 1b, the TENS device 1 may include an electrical signal generator 100 and an electrode 200. Here, the electrical signal generator 100 means to generate a portion of the electrical stimulation signal and may also be referred to as a stimulator. In an embodiment, electrical signal generator 100 can be a reusable component. The electrical signal generator 100 will be specifically described later with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Here, the electrode 200 is intended to provide a portion of the electric stimuli corresponding to the electric stimuli signal generated by the electric signal generator 100 to the user. In an embodiment, the electrode 200 can be a replaceable component. The electric signal generator 100 will be specifically described later with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

The electric signal generator 100 and the electrode 200 may be connected to each other through a connection unit. Here, the connection unit may be made of a material capable of repeatedly attaching or detaching the electric signal generator 100 and the electrode 200 to each other. In an embodiment, the connecting unit may be made of a magnetic material. For example, a first magnet having the opposite polarity and located in the electrical signal generator 100 and a second magnet located in the electrode 200 may be used as the connecting unit. In this case, the electric signal generator 100 and the electrode 200 may be connected to each other by a magnetic force (for example, gravity). By doing so, the electrical signal generator 100 can be connected to the electrode 200 without any separate connecting cable, so the user can easily attach or detach the electrical signal generator 100. In another embodiment, the attachment unit can be made of Velcro or other adhesive material. In addition, the connection unit can be made of a connecting cable.

In an embodiment, electrode 200 can include a pair of annular contact points 221 for electrical connection with electrical signal generator 100. In an embodiment, the pair of annular contact points 221 can have different radii. If the electrical signal generator 100 is electrically connected to the electrode 200 by using such an annular contact point, the electrical signal generator 100 and the electrode 200 can be electrically connected to each other regardless of the direction of rotation of the electrical signal generator 100. By doing so, the user can easily disassemble the electric signal generator 100, and after adjusting the operation mode or the like of the electric signal generator 100 in the disassembled state, the user can easily attach the electric signal generator 100 to the same again. Electrode 200.

2 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an electrical signal generator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 2a is a front view showing the electric signal generator 100, FIG. 2b is a rear view showing the electric signal generator 100, FIG. 2c is a left side view showing the electric signal generator 100, and FIG. 2d is a view showing the electric signal generation. The right side view of the device 100, FIG. 2e is a top view showing the electrical signal generator 100, and FIG. 2f is a bottom view showing the electrical signal generator 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2a through 2f, the electrical signal generator 100 may include an input unit, a display unit, and an output unit that are located outside of the housing 110. Here, the input unit and the display unit may provide an interaction between the electrical signal generator 100 and the user, and thus may be referred to as a user interface. Additionally, the electrical signal generator 100 may further include an external input terminal 150 as a selectable component.

The input unit can detect the user's control input. As shown in Figure 2a, the input unit can include at least one control button. Here, the control button means a button for controlling the operation of the electric signal generator 100.

The control button may include a power/mode button 121 (hereinafter, referred to as a power button 121) for turning on/off the electric signal generator 100 and/or controlling an operation mode of the electric signal generator 100. Here, the operation mode may include at least one mode. For example, the operation mode may include at least one of a tap mode, a massage mode, a strong massage mode, and a combination mode. In addition, one of the operation modes can be set to the basic mode. For example, the tap mode can be set to the basic mode.

Here, the tap mode represents a mode in which an electric shock for tapping the stimulation point is given to the user. In an embodiment, the tap mode may have a stimulus waveform that is alternately provided by incremental pulses and decrementing pulses of a plurality of predetermined frequencies and intensities. In this case, the pulse interval between the increment pulse and the decrement pulse may be 1 s, and the pulse width of the increment pulse and the decrement pulse may be 110 μs, but is not limited thereto.

Here, the massage mode represents a mode in which the electric stimulation for the massage stimulation point is given to the user. In an embodiment, the massage mode may have a process of continuously providing an incremental pulse during a preset first duration, giving a first interval, and then continuously providing a decrementing pulse during a preset first duration. Stimulus waveform. In this case, the first duration may be 6.5 s, and the first interval may be 1.5 s, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the incrementing pulse and the decrementing pulse may have a pulse width of 70 μs, and the gap between the pulses may be 60 ms, but is not limited thereto.

Here, the strong massage mode represents a mode in which the electric stimulation of the stimulation point is more strongly massaged to the user than the massage mode. In an embodiment, the strong massage mode may have a stimulus that causes the process of continuously providing an incremental pulse for a preset second duration, giving a second interval, and continuously providing a decreasing pulse for a predetermined second duration. Waveform. In this case, the second duration may be 4 s, and the second interval may be 2 s, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the incrementing pulse and the decrementing pulse may have a pulse width of 60 μs, and the gap between the pulses may be 30 ms, but is not limited thereto.

Here, the combination mode represents a mode in which a plurality of electric impulses corresponding to the tap mode, the massage mode, and the strong massage mode are repeatedly supplied to the user.

In an embodiment, the electrical signal generator 100 can be turned "on" or "off" if the power button is pressed for a predetermined time (eg, 3 seconds). If turned on, the electrical signal generator 100 can operate in the basic mode. For example, if turned on, the electrical signal generator 100 can operate in a tap mode as a basic mode. In an embodiment, in the on state, if the power button 121 is briefly pressed (for example, less than one second), the operation mode of the electric signal generator 100 may be changed in order, but is not limited thereto. For example, if the power button 121 is briefly pressed in the tap mode, the operation mode of the electric signal generator 100 may be sequentially changed from the tap mode to the combination mode according to a preset order. In addition, the control button may further include an increase button 122 for increasing the stimulation intensity and a decrease button 123 for reducing the stimulation intensity.

A power button 121, an increase button 122, and a decrease button 123 may be provided at various positions of the housing 110. For example, the power button 121, the enlarge button 122, and the decrease button 123 may be provided on the upper side of the housing 110. In another example, the power button 121 may be provided on one side of the housing 110, and the increase button 122 and the decrease button 123 may be provided on the upper side of the housing 110.

The display unit can display the state of the electrical signal generator 100. The display unit can be an optional component of the electrical signal generator 100. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2a, the display unit may include at least one indicator light 130 for displaying the status of the electrical signal generator 100. For example, the display unit can include a first indicator light and a second indicator light. Here, each indicator light can include at least one LED. For example, each indicator light can include at least one of a yellow LED, a green LED, a sky blue LED, and a purple LED. In this case, the electrical signal generator 100 can provide status information about the electrical signal generator 100 to the user by using at least one indicator light. For example, the electrical signal generator can provide information about the operational mode to the user by using the first indicator light, and provide information about the operational status to the user by using the second indicator light. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2a, the indicator light 130 can be located on the upper side of the housing 110.

Here, the status information may include information on at least one of an operation status, an operation mode, and an operation intensity. In an embodiment, the operational state may include at least one of a normal operational state, a sleep state, and a state of charge. Here, the normal operation state means that the electric signal generator 100 operates normally, the sleep state means that the electric signal generator 100 is in a sleep or standby state, and the state of charge means that the electric signal generator 100 is charging with electric power.

The output unit can output an electrical stimulation signal. In an embodiment, as shown in Figures 2b-2f, the electrical signal generator 100 can include a pair of output terminals 140 for outputting electrical stimulation signals. For example, the output unit may include a pair of positive (+) and negative (-) terminals for outputting an electrical stimulation signal.

In an embodiment, the output terminal 140 may be located at a lower surface of the housing 110. For example, the output terminals 140 may be a pair of terminals that are electrically connected to a pair of annular contact points having different radii, respectively, at different distances from the center of the lower surface of the housing 110. In other words, in order to electrically connect between a pair of output terminals and a pair of annular contact points, the distance from the center of each of the output terminals may be the same as the radius of each of the annular contact points. In this case, a pair of output terminals in the electrical signal generator may be electrically connected to a pair of annular contact points in the electrodes, respectively. By doing so, the electrical signal generator 100 can be electrically connected to the electrodes. In this case, in a state where the electric signal generator 100 is attached to the electrode through the connection unit, the TENS device is electrically connected to each of the annular contact points of the electrode by each output terminal of the electric signal generator 100. The electrical stimulation generated by the electrical signal generator 100 can be provided to the user through the electrodes.

As shown in Figure 2f, external input terminal 150 represents an optional component for receiving an input from an external object. In an embodiment, the external input terminal 150 can receive power from an external power source to charge the electrical signal generator 100 with power. In another embodiment, the external input terminal 150 can receive setting information about an operation mode of the electrical signal generator 100 from an external device.

Figure 3 shows the internal construction of the electrical signal generator.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electrical signal generator 100 may include a signal generating unit 161, a power supply unit 162, a communication unit 163, a storage unit 164, and a control unit 165 located in the housing 110. Here, the communication unit 163 and the storage unit 164 may be optional components.

The signal generating unit 161 can generate an electrical stimulation signal. The signal generating unit 161 can generate an electrical stimulation signal corresponding to the operation mode and the operation intensity. More specifically, the signal generating unit 161 can generate an electric stimulation signal having a stimulation waveform corresponding to the operation mode and a stimulation intensity corresponding to the operation intensity. In an embodiment, the electrical stimulation signal can be a low frequency pulse signal. In an embodiment, the signal generating unit 161 can be activated when the TENS device is attached to the skin of the user. For example, the signal generating unit 161 may be activated to generate an electrical stimulation signal only when the electrical signal generator 100 is connected to the electrode 200 and the electrode 200 is attached to the skin of the user.

The power supply unit 162 can supply power to each element of the electrical signal generator 100. In an embodiment, the power supply unit 162 may include at least one rechargeable battery or a replaceable battery. If the power supply unit 162 includes a rechargeable battery, the electrical signal generator 100 can charge the battery of the power supply unit 162 with power supplied from an external power supply to an external input terminal.

The communication unit 163 can communicate with an external device. In an embodiment, the communication unit 163 can communicate with an external device by using at least one wired/wireless communication method. For example, the communication unit 163 can wirelessly communicate with an external device by means of Bluetooth communication, but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the external device may be a remote controller or a mobile phone (eg, a smart phone) having an application for controlling the electrical signal generator 100. In this case, the external device can be paired with the TENS device through the communication unit 163, and the external device paired with the TENS device 1 can control the electrical signal generator 100 through the communication signal (or control signal). Here, the communication signal can be a Bluetooth signal, an RF signal, or any other kind of signal.

The storage unit 164 can store the data. In an embodiment, the storage unit 164 can store preset data regarding an operation mode of the electrical signal generator 100. In another embodiment, the storage unit 164 can store information about the mode of operation of the electrical signal generator 100 that is input through the external input terminal. In this case, the user can re-update information about the mode of operation of the electrical signal generator 100.

The control unit 165 can control at least one element provided at the electrical signal generator 100. More specifically, control unit 165 can control each of the above units and also control data transmission and/or reception between the units.

The control unit 165 can detect the user's control input through the input unit. Additionally, control unit 165 can determine the mode of operation and the intensity of the operation based on the detected control inputs. Additionally, control unit 165 can issue an electrical stimulation signal corresponding to the determined operational mode and operational strength.

Additionally, control unit 165 can determine the state (or operational state) of electrical signal generator 100. Here, the state of the electrical signal generator 100 may include a first state in which the electrode 200 is electrically connected to the electrical signal generator 100 and a second state in which the electrode 200 is not electrically connected to the electrical signal generator 100. If the electrical signal generator 100 is in the first state, the control unit 165 can provide electrical stimulation to the user through the electrodes corresponding to the electrical stimulation signal. By doing so, stimulation therapy or the like can be provided to the user. In addition, if the electrical signal generator 100 is in the second state, the control unit 165 may discharge the remaining charge of the electrical signal generator 100 according to a preset period of time. By doing so, it is possible to prevent an accidental transfer of a large amount of electric charge when the electric shock is supplied to the user, so that a safe electric shock can be provided to the user.

In addition, the control unit 165 can detect a change in the state of the electrical signal generator 100. When the state of the electrical signal generator 100 is changed from the second state to the first state, the control unit 165 may change the stimulation intensity of the electrical stimulation signal to a preset basic intensity. In an embodiment, the base intensity may be a stimulus intensity that is lower than the operational intensity. In addition, the control unit 165 can gradually increase the stimulation intensity from the basic intensity to the operational intensity. In the present invention, this can be referred to as a soft restart function, which is one of the security functions.

In addition, if the preset sleep condition is satisfied, the control unit 165 may discharge the remaining charge of the electrical signal generator 100 and leave the electrical signal generator 100 in a sleep state. Here, the case where the sleep condition is satisfied may include a case where the remaining power of the electric signal generator 100 is lower than a preset level, a case where the electric stimulation signal is not output during the preset first time, and a period during the preset second time At least one of the cases of outputting an electrical stimulation signal. In addition, the control unit 165 can notify the user of the status of the electrical signal generator 100 through the display unit.

In addition, the control unit 165 can control the TENS device 1 through the communication unit 163 based on a control signal received from the external device. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in which the blocks depicted separately represent the logically distinct elements of the device. Thus, the components of the device can be mounted as a single wafer or multiple wafers depending on the device design.

In the following, if each step or operation performed by the electrical signal generator 100 or the TENS device 1 is initiated or performed via the received user input, it should be understood that the process of generating and receiving signals based on the received user input is understood. It is included in the above process, even if the process is not specifically described herein. Hereinafter, it may be expressed that the control unit 165 controls at least one unit included in the electric signal generator 100 or the TENS device 1 according to an input, and the control unit 165 may also be described as being associated with the electric signal generator 100 and the TENS device 1 is the same.

Figure 4 shows an electrode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 4a shows the appearance of the electrode 200 having the basic form, and FIG. 4b shows the specific configuration of the electrode 200.

Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, the electrode 200 may include a body 210, a circuit board 220, a conductive connection unit 230, and a pair of electrode pads 240. In addition, the electrode 200 may include at least one anti-separation frame to prevent the electrical signal generator 100 and the electrode 200 that are connected (attached) from each other from being easily separated. In an embodiment, the anti-separation frame may have the form of a bracket. In an embodiment, the anti-separation frame may surround the annular contact 221. In an embodiment, the anti-separation frame configured as above may be made of fiber reinforced plastic, ceramic, enamel, sapphire glass, soda glass or the like. As shown in Fig. 4b, the anti-separation frame may be constituted by an upper frame 250-1 having an edge structure and a lower frame 250-2 having at least one groove, and the magnet 10 as a connecting unit is located at the groove.

In an embodiment, the body 210 may be made of silicone rubber, polyurethane or the like. In this case, the electrode 200 can be bent into various shapes, so the user can attach the electrode 200 to a portion having various curved shapes.

Circuit board 220 can include a pair of annular contact points 221. In an embodiment, circuit board 220 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) with a pair of annular contact points 221 formed at a printed circuit board (PCB). In an embodiment, the annular contact point may be located at the center of the upper surface of the body 210, but is not limited thereto. This will be specifically described later with reference to Fig. 6c.

Conductive connection units 230 may be coupled to the pair of annular contact points, respectively, to transmit electrical stimulation signals to each of the electrode pads 240. In an embodiment, the conductive connection unit 230 may be a conductive sheet, a conductive fabric, conductive ink printing, or the like.

The electrode pad 240 can transmit an electrical stimulation signal to the user. For example, the electrode pad 240 can be constructed of a conductive hydrogel pad attached to the skin of the user. In an embodiment, the electrode pad 240 may be located on the bottom surface of the body 210. In an embodiment, electrode 200 can have electrode pads 240 having various sizes and shapes. Electrode plates 240 having various sizes and shapes will be specifically described later with reference to FIG.

As described above, the electrode 200 can be connected (attached) to the electrical signal generator 100 through the connection unit. In this case, the electrode 200 and the electrical signal generator 100 can be electrically connected to each other by making electrical contact between each annular contact point of the electrode 200 and each of the output terminals of the electrical signal generator 100. By doing so, the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical signal generator 100 can be transmitted to the electrode 200. In addition, each of the electrical stimulation signals transmitted through the pair of annular contact points can be separately transmitted to the pair of electrode pads 240 through the conductive connection unit 230. By doing so, the electrical stimulation corresponding to the electrical stimulation signal generated by the electrical signal generator 100 can be transmitted to the skin of the user through the electrode pad 240 of the electrode 200.

Figure 5 shows an electrode in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 5a shows the appearance of the electrode 300 in the form of a printed circuit board, and FIG. 5b shows the specific configuration of the electrode 300.

Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the electrode 300 may include a body 310 having a circuit board form and a pair of electrode pads 320. Here, the electrode pad 320 has been described above with reference to FIG. 4, and thus is not described in detail herein. In addition, the electrode 300 may include an anti-separation frame 330 having a bracket shape to prevent the electric signal generator 100 and the electrode 200 connected to each other from being easily separated. However, unlike the anti-separation frame of FIG. 4, the anti-separation frame of FIG. 5 has an edge structure, and may be constituted only by a single lower frame having at least one groove, and the magnet 10 as a connection unit is located at the groove.

Unlike the body 210 of FIG. 4, the body 310 of FIG. 5 can be configured such that the body 310 is a single circuit board. In an embodiment, the circuit board may be a board formed with a pair of annular contact points. For example, the circuit board may be a plate in which the annular contact points are formed at the center of the upper surface of the body. In an embodiment, the circuit board may be made of polyimide, liquid crystal polymer film, PET or the like. In an embodiment, the circuit board may include a conductor such as a thermally deposited gold, plasma or the like. Unlike the electrode 200 of FIG. 4, by doing so, the electrode 300 of FIG. 5 can transmit an electrical stimulation signal from the annular contact point to the electrode pad 320 without any separate conductive connection unit 230.

Figure 6 shows an electrode in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 6a through 6d, the electrodes can have a variety of sizes, shapes, and types.

Referring to Figure 6a, electrode 400 can include electrodes having various sizes and shapes. As illustrated, the electrode 400 of FIG. 6a can have an electrode pad having a size that is larger than the dimensions of the electrodes 200, 300 of FIGS. 4 and 5. In addition, the electrode 400 of FIG. 6a may have an electrode pad having a shape different from that of the electrodes 200, 300 of FIGS. 4 and 5. By doing so, the TENS device can attach electrodes to various parts of the body to provide electrical stimulation to the user.

Referring to Figure 6b, the electrode 500 can be an electrode having the shape of a wired bracket. In this case, the electrode 500 may be constituted by a bracket 510 having a pair of annular contact points, a pair of electrodes 520, and a pair of connecting cables 530 for connecting the bracket to each of the electrodes. By doing so, the user can connect the electrical signal generator 100 of the present invention to an existing cable electrode.

Referring to Figure 6c, the annular contact 621 of the electrode 600 can be provided in a variety of positions. Unlike the annular contact points at the center of the upper surface of the body in Figures 4 and 5, for example, the annular contact 621 of the electrode 600 of Figure 6c can be located on one side of the upper surface of the body. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6d, the user can easily bend the body of the electrode 600. Therefore, when it is necessary to give an electrode signal up and down, like a wrist, an electrical stimulus suitable for the signal can be provided to the user. In other words, the electrode 600 can be attached to each part.

The method for operating the TENS device can be implemented as an application program or a plurality of program commands executable by various computer devices and recorded on a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium may include program commands, data files, data structures or the like, alone or in combination. Program commands recorded on the media may be specially designed or configured for the present invention or are known and available to computer software engineers.

A computer readable recording medium, for example, specifically configured to store and execute program commands, including magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floppy disks. Hardware devices such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory, or the like specifically configured to store and execute program commands. These program commands include not only the machine code produced by the compiler, but also several high-level language codes that are executed by the computer using an interpreter. The hardware device can be configured to operate as at least one software module to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to the embodiments of the embodiments of the present invention In addition, many variations that adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1‧‧‧TENS equipment

10‧‧‧ magnet

100‧‧‧Electric signal generator

110‧‧‧shell

121‧‧‧Power/Mode button

122‧‧‧Up button

123‧‧‧Reduction button

130‧‧‧ indicator light

140‧‧‧Output terminal

150‧‧‧External input terminal

161‧‧‧Signal generating unit

162‧‧‧Power unit

163‧‧‧Communication unit

164‧‧‧ storage unit

165‧‧‧Control unit

20‧‧‧ electrodes

200‧‧‧electrode

210‧‧‧ Subject

221‧‧‧ ring contact points

220‧‧‧Circuit board

221‧‧‧ ring contact points

230‧‧‧Electrically connected unit

240‧‧‧electrode plates

250-1‧‧‧上上

250-2‧‧‧ lower frame

300‧‧‧electrode

310‧‧‧ Subject

320‧‧‧Electrode plates

330‧‧‧Anti-separation framework

400‧‧‧electrode

500‧‧‧electrode

510‧‧‧ bracket

520‧‧‧electrode

530‧‧‧Connecting cable

600‧‧‧electrode

621‧‧‧Circular touch points

Figure 1 shows a TENS device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows an electrical signal generator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows the internal construction of an electrical signal generator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows an electrode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows an electrode in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows an electrode in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

no

Claims (16)

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device, comprising: an electrical signal generator configured to generate an electrical stimulation signal; an electrode configured to be coupled to the electrical signal generated by the electrical signal generator An electrical stimulus corresponding to the signal is transmitted to the user; and a connection unit configured to connect the electrical signal generator to the electrode; wherein the electrode includes a pair of annular contacts for electrically connecting to the electrical signal generator point. The TENS device of claim 1, wherein the annular contact point is located at a center of an upper surface of the electrode. The TENS device of claim 1, wherein the annular contact point is on a side of an upper surface of the electrode. The TENS device of claim 1, wherein the connection unit comprises a magnetic material. The TENS device of claim 1, wherein the electrical signal generator comprises a pair of output terminals configured to output the electrical stimulation signal, the output terminal being located on a lower surface of a housing. The TENS device of claim 5, wherein the electrical signal generator further comprises an external input terminal configured to receive an input from an external object, the external input terminal being located on a side of the housing. The TENS device of claim 5, wherein the electrical signal generator comprises: a signal generating unit configured to generate the electrical stimulation signal; and a control unit configured to control each of the electrical signal generators unit. The TENS device of claim 5, wherein the electrical signal generator further comprises a communication unit located in the housing configured to communicate with an external device. The TENS device of claim 1, wherein the electrical signal generator is reusable. The TENS device of claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises: a body; and a pair of electrode pads on a lower surface of the body for transmitting the electrical stimulation signal to a user. The TENS device of claim 1, wherein the electrode further comprises a primary separation frame configured to prevent the electrode connected to the electrical signal generator from being separated from the electrical signal generator, and the anti-separation frame surrounds the pair Ring contact point. The TENS device of claim 1, wherein the electrode is replaceable. The TENS device of claim 10, wherein the electrode further comprises: a circuit board, the pair of annular contact points are formed at the circuit board; and a conductive connection unit coupled to the pair of annular contact points to each An electrical stimulation signal is transmitted to the pair of electrode plates. The TENS device of claim 10, wherein the primary system is made of a circuit board having the annular contact point formed. The TENS device of claim 10, wherein the electrode pad is made of a conductive hydrogel pad that allows the electrode to be attached to a skin of a user. The TENS device of claim 15 wherein the electrically conductive hydrogel pad is removable and replaceable.