WO1992008516A1 - Dispositif auriculaire destine a la stimulation electrique d'un point d'acuponcture - Google Patents

Dispositif auriculaire destine a la stimulation electrique d'un point d'acuponcture Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992008516A1
WO1992008516A1 PCT/AU1991/000520 AU9100520W WO9208516A1 WO 1992008516 A1 WO1992008516 A1 WO 1992008516A1 AU 9100520 W AU9100520 W AU 9100520W WO 9208516 A1 WO9208516 A1 WO 9208516A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
earpiece
ear
pad
electrical stimulation
conductive
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1991/000520
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Eric Dean Richards
David Edward Robertson
Kenneth Basil Gransbury
Robert Gordon Elliott
Original Assignee
Acuhealth Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Acuhealth Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Acuhealth Pty. Ltd.
Publication of WO1992008516A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992008516A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/36014—External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes
    • A61N1/36017—External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H39/00—Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture
    • A61H39/002—Using electric currents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
    • A61H2205/02—Head
    • A61H2205/027—Ears
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/3605—Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
    • A61N1/3606—Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system adapted for a particular treatment
    • A61N1/36071—Pain

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an earpiece suitable for applying electrical stimulation to a wearer and in particular for applying such stimulation to a portion of the ear known as the fossa of the anti-helix.
  • Acupuncture is a medical treatment method based on the ancient Chinese practice of inserting needles into specific body locations, known as acupoint ⁇ , which it is thought induces bodily responses including pain relief, surgical anaesthesia and numerous therapeutic remedies.
  • a laterday alternative to the stimulus of needle puncture comprises the application of electric current to well known acupoints thereby avoiding the puncturing of the body.
  • This type of stimulation is thought to stimulate the body to produce chemicals that result in the desired physiological effect via an electro-neural stimulation mechanism.
  • Earpieces for locating sound transducers are well known and comprise a variety of means for directing sound energy into or towards the inner auditory ear canal of the wearer.
  • the simplest earpiece comprises a cone shaped funnel which is inserted into the ear canal to frictionally engage therewithin.
  • Various pliable and resilient materials are used so as to improve wearer comfort. Positional accuracy is assisted by the natural shape of the entrance to the ear canal which is the same for all persons and the funnel is self-centring to ensure that the sound energy is delivered into the appropriate portion of the ear.
  • ear pads are available which provide a more dispersed sound energy delivery means and which are designed by self enclosed means to ensure delivery and isolation of sound energy into the ear canal and which present a less intrusive means of sound delivery to the wearer's ears.
  • Earpieces for locating the delivery means for applying electrical stimulation are however unknown. Primarily, the design of such a device is dependent on the desired acupoint of interest. Furthermore accurate and repeatable location of the current delivery portion of the device to a wide variety of ear shapes and application by unskilled users are important considerations.
  • This problem is more evident when lay and unskilled users, generally, people apply stimulus to themselves. Indeed, for people not conversant with the methods involved, this lack of skill becomes an impediment to successful treatment or application of the acupuncture techniques .
  • This invention primarily addresses the design of an earpiece which provides stimulus to a particular acupoint located in the fossa of the anti-helix of the ear.
  • the invention is an earpiece for applying electrical stimulation to the ear of a wearer via a conductive element electrically isolated from said earpiece and in contact with said wearer, comprising, a conductive electrical stimulation pad, a carrier adapted to carry said pad being electrically isolated therefrom, and a retaining means attached to said carrier for retaining said earpiece on said ear, whereby said conductive electrical stimulation pad is spaced from said retaining means such that said pad is located in contact with the fossa of the anti-helix of said ear and said pad and conductive element form part of the electrical path of electrical stimulation applied to said ear.
  • the earpiece comprises a hook, shaped so as to engage the ear and lie behind the helix of the ear substantially in the area of said ears abutment with the scalp of the wearer.
  • the retaining means is constructed of resilient material and maintains a predetermined spacing between said pad and said retaining means.
  • Yet a further aspect of the invention allows for the retaining means to carry the conductive element.
  • the retaining means is conductive and forms part of the path of said electrical stimulation.
  • the invention further comprises an engagement means carried by said carrier arranged to provide engagement of said earpiece with said ear and provide lateral pressure on said pad against said ear wherein said engagement means comprises a ring of resilient material adapted to be locatable in the concha of said ear to thereby retain and engage said earpiece with said ear.
  • the invention may further have an aspect wherein said pad is adapted to have two conductive surfaces arranged so that said earpiece may be used on either ear of said wearer.
  • Fig. 1 depicts a number of acupoints on the ear
  • Fig. 2 depicts the earpiece
  • Fig. 3 depicts the earpiece in use
  • Fig. 4 depicts an exploded view of the earpiece
  • the outer surface of the ear 10 is irregularly concave, directed slightly forward and presents a number of eminences and depressions which are the shape of the fibro-cartilage 11 of the ear.
  • the external prominent rim of the ear is the helix 12 and the curved prominences which runs parallel with and spaced inwardly is the anti-helix 13.
  • the anti-helix prominence forks 14, 15 at its upper end and the narrow curved depression between the forks of the anti-helix and the helix is the fossa of the anti-helix 16.
  • It is the acupoint 17 which is of interest in carrying out the treatment of a wearer of this invention and which is otherwise known as the SHENMEN point. It is thought that application of electrical stimulation to the SHENMEN point has the physiological effect of relaxation to the person being electrically stimulated with an appropriate signal.
  • the inner auditory ear canal 18 is easily located as is the concha region 19 of the ear which is defined by the curved cavity outwardly bounded by the prominence of the anti-helix 13, the antitragus 13a and tragus 13b. These locations cannot serve as a reliable reference point for locating the point or area of stimulus as required because of the large variances between ear shape and size which therefore place the fossa of the anti-helix portion of the ear at a large variety of distances from the anti-tragus, tragus, ear canal and the concha region.
  • FIG. 2 there is depicted an earpiece of the invention in use, which comprises a number of parts:
  • a retaining means in the form of a hook 22 for location above the ear 10, and
  • an engagement means in the form of a ring 23 attached to the carrier and to be located in the concha 19 of the ear.
  • the configuration of these parts and the method of application of the earpiece provide a means which reliably brings the pad 20 into contact with the fossa of the anti- helix 16 which is the area around the SHENMEN point 17.
  • the contact pressure provided by the earpiece is constant and the engagement means assists in providing this aspect of the invention.
  • the hook 22 is formed of flexible resilient material, and is arranged to engage over the ear in the area behind the helix where the ear abuts and joins the scalp, thereby, positioning the pad 20 for entry into the folds of the ear behind its frontal peripheral helix portion 12 and onto the area of the fossa of the anti-helix 16 which surrounds the SHENMEN point 17.
  • the resilience of the hook is preferable for ease of fitting and arranged such that the distance X between the centroid of the pad 20 and the inner side upper apex 24 of the hook is constant while the hook is in use. It has been found that the variance of distance between these points of the ear is least between a large variety of individuals. Likewise the distance Y between the centroid of the pad 20 and the inner side forward apex 25 of the hook is constant while the hook is in use.
  • the hook 22 is also preferably made of a conductive material and electrically isolated by the carrier 21 from the pad 20 so that it may be used as the return electrode for the current applied by the pad 20.
  • the conductive portion of the arrangement may also be provided by a separate conductive element attached to the hook or other retaining means or provided separate from the earpiece for example adjacent the electrical stimulation device worn on the earpiece wearer's body.
  • the carrier 21 and hook 22 are used to locate the pad 20 over the fossa of the anti-helix 16 it has been found that there may be insufficient inward lateral pressure on the pad to bring its surface into constant conductive contact with the fossa area 16.
  • the fossa area 16 is laterally displaced from the ear/scalp region and variably so with different individuals so preferably a further engagement means may be required to improve the consistency of the conductive contact of the pad with the fossa area 16.
  • the engagement means comprises a resilient ring-like member 23, attached to the carrier and of suitable material to be frictionally engageable with the inner surface of the concha of the ear to thereby provide sufficient lateral pressure via the carrier 21 and anti-posed hook 22 to consistently force the pad 20 against the fossa area 16 of the wearer's ear 10.
  • the ring 23 is preferably constructed of elastomeric material, the resilience of which is such that it is not uncomfortable to the wearer, but, which also does not provide undue pressure to the surface of the concha and therefore discomfort to the wearer.
  • the rubber must also have a texture which is not uncomfortable to the wearer. Additionally, it has been found that the shape must be such as to be comfortable for a majority of wearers since the shape of the concha is highly variable.
  • the pad 20 is conductive so that electrical stimulation may be applied to the desired area and by way of the propensity of the electric current to take a path of least resistance, the charge will enter the body at the desired acupoint which in this example is the SHENMEN point 17. It is preferable that the pad is constructed of a conductive plastic which is durable and inert to the bodily secretions of the wearer.
  • earpiece be used in either ear of the wearer. Therefore, it will be seen from Figs. 2, 3 and 4 that there exists symmetry about a central vertical plane through the earpiece.
  • a finger tab 26 as depicted in Fig. 2.
  • the tab 26 may be grasped by the fingers of the wearer to rotate the hook into place and also provide inward lateral pressure to engage and locate the ring 23 in the concha of the ear of the wearer.
  • the tab is rotatable about an axis 27, shown in Fig. 4, so that it may be used when the earpiece is applied to either the left or right ear.
  • Fig. 4 depicts the previously described parts of the earpiece in a form ready for clipping together to create an article ready for use in conjunction with an electrical simulation generating device (not shown) but of conventional design.
  • Hook 22 has an intermediate portion of complementary outline shape to that of the pad carrier 21 and designed so that the hook and the pad may be clamped together.
  • Tabs 28, 29 and 30 on the carrier reciprocate with ridges 28a, 29a and 30a in the body of the hook for clamping the parts together.
  • the ring 23 is located between them, so that the planar and parallel surfaces 31 and 32 (not shown) shaped so as to restrict rotational motion of the ring, are clamped between respectively shaped indentations 33 and 34 of the hook 22 and carrier 21 respectively.
  • Axle 35 of the finger tab 26 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis 27 within the confines of the axle bearing surfaces of the two halves 36 and 37 of the axle housing, formed when the hook portion 22 is clamped to the pad carrier 21.
  • the finger tab can be rotated to either side of the earpiece so as to be easily grasped for application and engagement of the earpiece to the ear of the wearer.
  • the pad carrier 21 is constructed of non-conducting material and supports the previously described hook and tab portions and carries a conductive wire 38 to conduct the electrical stimulation signal to the pad 20.
  • Conductive wire 39 conducts the return electrical stimulation signal from the conductive hook portion via the ear to the electrical stimulation device, to complete an electrical circuit necessary for the operation of the device. It is to be noted that return current need not necessarily be captured in the region of the ear nor form any part of the construction of the earpiece, however, to simplify the apparatus in use this embodiment does so and uses the hook 22 for this purpose.
  • an electrical stimulation signal delivery pad 20 is shown as having two identical halves bearing two pad surfaces 40 and 41 (not shown) .
  • the pad 20 comprises in this embodiment a unitary conductive part arranged so that in use, either conductive pad surface 40 or 41 is located into conductive contact with the fossa of the anti-helix 16 region of the ear.
  • the pad 20 has indents 42 and 43 (not shown) which are arranged to receive the post 44 which is located on the pad carrier 21 and thereby allow the pad to be removably clipped onto and off the post 44 as required, while also providing a means to clamp the bared wire of conductor 38 with the conductive pad 20.
  • This particular configuration is advantageous in terms of cost and reliability since it does not require solder to electrically bond conductive parts of the device during construction and service.
  • the bared wire of conductor 39 contacts with the conductive hook portion of the device when parts 21 and 22 are clipped together when located between tab 50 on the carrier and the inside surface of the hook 22.
  • Tension relief bulkhead 45 of the cable is also retained to the earpiece by ridges 46 and 47 bearing against reciprocally shaped ledges 48 and 49 of the carrier 21 and also the ridges 48a and 49a (not shown) of the hook portion 22.
  • Electrical stimulation signals are generated by electronic device of conventional design which provides adjustment means for the amplitude of the electronic stimulation signal, the pulse width of the signal and various other adjustments such as an on/off duty cycle.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)

Abstract

L'utilisation de stimulations électriques en remplacement de l'acuponcture est conne. Cette invention est conçue pour permettre à une personne non exercée de fixer un dispositif auriculaire (20, 21, 22 et 23) à l'oreille de l'utilisateur de manière que la pastille électroconductrice (20) est placée à chaque fois en contact électroconducteur avec la fosse anti-hélix (16) de l'oreille de l'utilisateur de sorte qu'une stimulation électrique peut être appliquée avec précision au point d'acuponcture approprié (point Sherman (7)). Un support de pastille (21) soutient non seulement la pastille (20) mais aussi un élément de retenue (22), de sorte que l'espacement entre l'élément de retenue et la pastille (20) est maintenu pour différents utilisateurs. La pastille et le support peuvent être agencés de manière que le dispositif auriculaire puisse être porté dans l'une ou l'autre oreille de l'utilisateur.
PCT/AU1991/000520 1990-11-16 1991-11-15 Dispositif auriculaire destine a la stimulation electrique d'un point d'acuponcture WO1992008516A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPK337190 1990-11-16
AUPK3371 1990-11-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992008516A1 true WO1992008516A1 (fr) 1992-05-29

Family

ID=3775072

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1991/000520 WO1992008516A1 (fr) 1990-11-16 1991-11-15 Dispositif auriculaire destine a la stimulation electrique d'un point d'acuponcture

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1992008516A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011147546A1 (fr) * 2010-05-28 2011-12-01 Cerbomed Gmbh Ensemble d'électrodes
WO2012143111A1 (fr) * 2011-04-19 2012-10-26 Cerbomed Gmbh Dispositif et procédé destinés à soumettre la surface d'une partie de l'oreille humaine à un signal de stimulation électrique transcutanée
WO2015042365A1 (fr) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-26 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. Systèmes, procédés et appareil d'électro-stimulation pour traiter une douleur
WO2016015802A1 (fr) * 2014-07-27 2016-02-04 Cerbomed Gmbh Dispositif d'application d'un stimulus d'excitation électrique transcutanée
CN113995667A (zh) * 2021-11-04 2022-02-01 中国中医科学院中医基础理论研究所 一种基于app多功能电子针灸耳机

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2513514A1 (fr) * 1981-09-30 1983-04-01 Philippe Amberny Appareil de traitement percutane
DE3613736A1 (de) * 1985-04-26 1986-10-30 Adalbert 8261 Reischach Hayduk Vorrichtung zur hautvertraeglichen befestigung von behandlungselementen der akupunktur-therapie am ohr von patienten

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2513514A1 (fr) * 1981-09-30 1983-04-01 Philippe Amberny Appareil de traitement percutane
DE3613736A1 (de) * 1985-04-26 1986-10-30 Adalbert 8261 Reischach Hayduk Vorrichtung zur hautvertraeglichen befestigung von behandlungselementen der akupunktur-therapie am ohr von patienten

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011147546A1 (fr) * 2010-05-28 2011-12-01 Cerbomed Gmbh Ensemble d'électrodes
CN102939066A (zh) * 2010-05-28 2013-02-20 策尔伯米德有限公司 电极装置
WO2012143111A1 (fr) * 2011-04-19 2012-10-26 Cerbomed Gmbh Dispositif et procédé destinés à soumettre la surface d'une partie de l'oreille humaine à un signal de stimulation électrique transcutanée
US8965518B2 (en) 2011-04-19 2015-02-24 Cerbomed Gmbh Device and method for applying a transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the surface of a section of the human ear
WO2015042365A1 (fr) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-26 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. Systèmes, procédés et appareil d'électro-stimulation pour traiter une douleur
WO2016015802A1 (fr) * 2014-07-27 2016-02-04 Cerbomed Gmbh Dispositif d'application d'un stimulus d'excitation électrique transcutanée
CN113995667A (zh) * 2021-11-04 2022-02-01 中国中医科学院中医基础理论研究所 一种基于app多功能电子针灸耳机
CN113995667B (zh) * 2021-11-04 2023-09-22 中国中医科学院中医基础理论研究所 一种基于app多功能电子针灸耳机

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