Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
  • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
• • 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
  • A61N1/36007—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a nerve/muscle treatment device, and more particularly to a portable nerve/muscle treatment device.
• Korean Patent Publication No. 2001-0018710 has disclosed technology for applying Bluetooth communication to a mobile communication terminal .
• Bluetooth is a wireless communication scheme for replacing wired communication or infrared communication in a local area.
• Ericsson Company has proposed the Bluetooth protocol, in which a main subject of communication is assumed as a master in a local area, and at the request of the master, communication is performed with other Bluetooth modules according to the Bluetooth protocol .
• such a Bluetooth module 210 includes an RF transmitter 211, an RF receiver 212, a baseband processor 213, and a link controller 214.
• the baseband processor 213 and the link controller 214 of the Bluetooth module 210 are connected to a controller 221 of a mobile communication terminal through an HCI (Host Control Interface) to transmit and receive HCI packets, whereby a control command, an operation result thereof, user transmission/reception data are received and transmitted.
• HCI Home Control Interface
• An RS232C, a USB and a standard PC interface may be used as the HCI, and the HCI packets are classified into command, event and data packets.
• Japanese Patent Publication No. 9-270836 published on October 14, 1997 has disclosed an additional device implemented as a radio receiver circuit embedded in a battery pack that is detachably coupled to a mobile communication terminal .
• Korean Patent Publication No. 2001-19664, filed by Kim, Tea-Jin et al . , and published on March 15, 2001, has described an audio reproducing device that includes an MP3 codec and a flash memory module incorporated into a battery pack of a mobile communication terminal, and is controlled by a user interface of the terminal.
• the present applicant has observed that the incorporation of additional functions into a battery pack makes it possible to implement a large number of functions easily without hardware modification of the terminal body.
• the present applicant has also noticed that daily and continuous treatment and data collection is important for the functionality of medical treatment and diagnosis, as for skin beautification and in the measurement of body fat based on bioimpedance .
• the present applicant has filed Korean Patent Application Nos. 2002-53004, 2002-52996, 2002-52995, and 2002-52994 on September 3, 2002 which have described battery pack devices that are coupled to mobile communication terminals and can support low frequency treatment, ultrasonic cosmetic treatment, bioimpedance measurement, etc. These devices each incorporate necessary probes and driving circuits related thereto into a battery pack, communicate with the main body of a mobile communication terminal, and control the circuits inside the battery pack, through an application program executed in the terminal, to support the additional functions described above.
• the present applicant has studied how to implement a electrode module and an interface between the electrode module and a mobile communication terminal, in order to incorporate a nerve/muscle treatment device, which minimizes the burden on a user in wearing an electrode and allows easy activity, convenient operation and continuous observation, into a mobile communication terminal.
• the present applicant has also studied how to enable the incorporation while minimizing changes to the existing hardware of the terminal, by providing an additional circuit to the battery pack as needed.
• a nerve/muscle treatment method is widely used in rehabilitation treatment as well as in the recovery of injured nerves including a pelvic nerve, and in the treatment of frigidity, sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, pain alleviation, constipation, fecal incontinence, etc.
• One nerve/muscle treatment method is a functional electrical stimulation method, in which electrical stimulation is applied to a muscle that is no longer under voluntary motor control due to nerve injury, etc., so as to cause motion thereof, and the intensity of the electrical stimulation with respect to time is suitably controlled to produce specific movement in order to achieve motor recovery.
• Another nerve/muscle treatment method is a therapeutic electrical stimulation method that simply repeats contraction and relaxation of the muscle .
• an electrode is brought into contact with a nerve/muscle of interest of a human body, a voltage signal induced in the electrode is detected, and an electromyogram (EMG) signal is measured and displayed on a screen, so as to enable an objective check of the treatment effect and further to help a patient to have strong training will.
• EMG electromyogram
• the nerve/muscle treatment requires an electrode that is brought into contact with a nerve/muscle of interest of a human body to emit an electrical signal or to detect an induced voltage . signal .
• Such a treatment method using an electrode is classified into two types, one type inserting an electrode into a body cavity such as a sphincter on the hip or a vagina of a female and the other attaching an electrode onto the skin.
• a body cavity such as a sphincter on the hip or a vagina of a female
• Various types of such equipment for nerve/muscle treatment have been disclosed.
• the device includes an electrode unit 201 to be brought into contact with a target body portion, a control unit 205, and a cable providing a connection between the electrode unit 201 and the control unit 205.
• the electrode unit 201 is composed of two electrodes for insertion into a body cavity, one electrode having a vagina insertion shape and the other having an anal insertion shape.
• the control unit 205 includes a stimulation signal generator circuit, an electromyogram signal detection circuit, a signal processor for processing stimulation pattern signals and electromyogram signals, a controller for controlling overall operations such as an electrical stimulation operation and an electromyogram measurement operation, a user operating unit, and a display screen, which are not shown.
• the control unit 205 and the electrode unit 201 are connected to each other through a wire cable 203.
• the nerve/muscle treatment should be performed indoors (for example, in a sick ward) together with an operator such as a doctor and a nurse, which hinders free activities and causes inconvenience .
• Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0310305 and Korean Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0281926 have disclosed a portable electrical stimulation device in which an electrode unit, a circuit unit, an operating unit, and a controller are all provided in a single portable device without providing a separate control unit connected through a wire cable, thereby guaranteeing a patient's activities.
• the device since all needed elements should be embedded in a single housing, the device is relatively large in size, so it is difficult to use it for body cavity insertion. That is, according to such a configuration, since the portable device has a relatively large size, it is difficult to insert the entirety of the housing thereof into a vagina or anus in a human body. In addition, since a user operating unit is provided in a single portable device, the user should pull the portable device out of the body cavity each time it is required, so it is impossible for the user to conduct the same daily activities as when not wearing it. In particular, it is much more difficult for such a configuration to be utilized in biofeedback treatment for the following reason. The biofeedback treatment requires display of the result of electromyogram measurement after being subjected to signal processing, and if all elements for displaying the electromyogram measurement result must be provided in a portable device, the size of the portable device will be much more increased in size.
• Korean Granted Patent Publication No. 10-0328483 has disclosed a urinary incontinence treatment device in which an electromyogram signal processor is provided to be physically detachable from a main body of the device, thereby enabling its portable use .
• the device includes an electromyogram signal processor 80 which is, as shown in Fig. 4, divided into two types, one being an integrated type electromyogram signal processor 80a integrated, as a single body, with a main body of the device and the other a split type electromyogram signal processor 80b separated from the main body.
• Each signal processor 80a and 80b is selectively connected to an electrode through a cable.
• the split type electromyogram signal processor 80b is implemented in a wearable form, for example, in a form fixed to a waist by a belt, which makes it possible for a patient to sufficiently conduct daily activities even when he or she undergoes urinary incontinence treatment.
• the electrode and the split type electromyogram signal processor 80b are physically separated from each other, while being connected to each other through a cable, the cable connected to the electrode protrudes from the cavity, which causes an unfavorable appearance or impression.
• the patient since the patient should separately carry the split type electromyogram signal processor 80b, for example, by wearing it at his or her waist, it is impossible for a patient to conduct the same daily activities as before undergoing the electrode therapy, thereby causing inconvenience.
• said publication has not proposed how to implement also the main body of the device in a portable form.
• the main body of the device in this publication (No. 10-0328483) is the same type as Korean Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0292034 previously described, and in order to perform manipulation, control and screen display of electrical stimulation and electromyogram measurement, it should employ a large size control unit used in a hospital, etc., which is not portable.
• the split type electromyogram signal processor 80b it is required to go to the location of the main body in order to check the electromyogram measurement result and manipulate it.
• the device main body and the electromyogram signal processor 80b have a limited communication range, the patient cannot move far away from the device main body.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable nerve/muscle treatment device, which minimizes the burden on a user in wearing an electrode or a pressure sensor, and. can achieve easy portability, easy activity, convenient operation, and continuous observation in conducting daily activities . It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable nerve/muscle treatment device that can be economically implemented while minimizing changes to the existing hardware of a mobile communication terminal .
• an electrode module comprising: a first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with a corresponding external wireless communication unit; an electrode controller for receiving a control signal for controlling an electric stimulation operation from the external wireless communication unit through the first wireless communication unit and controlling the electrical stimulation operation; and a stimulation signal generator circuit for generating a corresponding electrical stimulation signal in response to the control signal for controlling the electrical stimulation operation, and applying the generated signal to an electrode .
• this aspect of the present invention it is possible to reduce the burden on a user in wearing an electrode module, since an interface with the outside is implemented through wireless communication, not through a cable commonly employed in the prior art.
• only an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with the operation of outputting a stimulation signal are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the electrode module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on the user in wearing the electrode module.
• an electrode module comprising: a first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with a corresponding external wireless communication unit; an electrode controller for receiving a control signal for controlling an electromyogram measurement operation from the external wireless communication unit through the first wireless communication unit and controlling an operation of detecting an electromyogram signal, and then transmitting a detected electromyogram signal to the external wireless communication unit through the first wireless communication unit; and an electromyogram signal detection circuit for detecting an electromyogram signal, which is generated from a corresponding portion of a human body and induced through an electrode, in response to the control signal for controlling the electromyogram measurement operation, and transferring the detected signal to the electrode controller.
• this aspect of the present invention it is possible to reduce the burden on a user in wearing an electrode module, since an interface with the outside is implemented through wireless communication, not through a cable commonly employed in the prior art.
• only an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with the operation of outputting a stimulation signal are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the electrode module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on the user in wearing the electrode module .
• the electrode module is an electrode module for body cavity insertion, said electrode module including at leas : a cylindrical main body having a non- conductive peripheral surface; the electrode which is conductive and provided on the peripheral surface of the main body; and at least one exit prevention protrusion provided on the peripheral surface of the main body, wherein the first wireless communication unit, the electrode controller and the circuit are embedded in the main body.
• a pressure sensor module comprising: a first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with a corresponding external wireless communication unit; a sensor controller for receiving a control signal for controlling a pressure measurement operation from the external wireless communication unit through the first wireless communication unit, and controlling an operation of detecting a pressure signal, and then transmitting a detected pressure signal to the external wireless communication unit through the first wireless communication unit; and a pressure sensor for detecting pressure in response to the control signal for controlling the pressure measurement operation, and transferring it to the sensor controller.
• the pressure sensor module is a pressure sensor module for body cavity insertion, said pressure sensor module including at least : a cylindrical main body having a rubber property; and at least one exit prevention protrusion provided on a peripheral surface of the main body, wherein the first wireless communication unit, the sensor controller and the pressure sensor are embedded in the main body.
• a portable nerve/muscle treatment device comprising a main body and an electrode module communicating wirelessly with each other, said electrode module including: a first wireless communication unit for communicating wirelessly with the main body; an electrode controller for receiving a control signal for controlling an electric stimulation operation from the main body through the first wireless communication unit, and controlling the electrical stimulation operation; and a stimulation signal generator circuit for generating a corresponding electrical stimulation signal in response to the control signal for controlling the electrical stimulation operation, and applying the generated signal to an electrode, said main body including: a user operating unit; a display unit; a second wireless communication unit for communicating wirelessly with the electrode module; and a main body controller for outputting operating guide information through the display unit, and transmitting the control signal for controlling the electrical stimulation operation to the electrode module through the second wireless communication unit, according to the selection of a user operating signal inputted from the user operating unit .
• the electrode module only an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with nerve/muscle treatment are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the electrode module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on a user in wearing the electrode module.
• an electrode module for body cavity insertion it is possible to insert the entirety of a housing of the electrode module in a body cavity, thereby minimizing the burden on the user in wearing the electrode module, and since parts associated with the user interface are provided in the main body while employing wireless communication, free daily activities are guaranteed, and convenient use and easy portability are achieved.
• the main body further includes a stimulation pattern processor having information of one or more stimulation patterns and providing corresponding stimulation pattern information.
• a portable nerve/muscle treatment device comprising a main body and an electrode module communicating wirelessly with each other, said electrode module including: a first wireless communication unit for communicating wirelessly with the main body; an electrode controller for receiving a control signal for controlling an electromyogram detection operation from the main body through the first wireless communication unit, and controlling an operation of an electromyogram signal detection circuit, and then transmitting a detected electromyogram signal to the main body through the first wireless communication unit; and the electromyogram signal detection circuit for detecting an electromyogram signal sensed by an electrode, said main body including: a user operating unit; a display unit; a second wireless communication unit for communicating wirelessly with the electrode module; a main body controller for outputting operating guide information through the display unit, and transmitting the control signal for controlling the electromyogram signal detection operation to the electrode module through the , second wireless communication unit, according to a selection of a user operating signal inputted from the user operating unit, and further outputting electromyogram signal processing's result information through the
• an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with nerve/muscle treatment are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the electrode module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on a user in wearing the electrode module.
• an electrode module for body cavity insertion it is possible to insert the entirety of a housing of the electrode module in a body cavity, thereby minimizing the burden on the user in wearing the electrode module, and since parts associated with the user interface are provided in the main body while employing wireless communication, free daily activities are guaranteed, and convenient use and easy portability are achieved.
• a portable nerve/muscle treatment device comprising a main body and a pressure sensor module communicating wirelessly with each other, said pressure sensor module including: a first wireless communication unit for communicating wirelessly with the main body; a sensor controller for receiving a control signal for controlling a pressure measurement operation from the main body through the first wireless communication unit, and controlling an operation of detecting a pressure signal, and then transmitting a detected pressure signal to the main body through the first wireless communication unit; and a pressure sensor for detecting pressure in response to the control signal for controlling the pressure measurement operation, and transferring it to the sensor controller, said main body including: a user operating unit; a display unit; a second wireless communication unit for communicating wirelessly with the pressure sensor module; a main body controller for outputting operating guide information through the display unit, and transmitting the control signal for controlling the pressure measurement operation to the pressure sensor module through the second wireless communication unit, according to a selection of a user operating signal inputted from the user operating unit, and further outputting pressure measurement processing's result
• the pressure sensor module only an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with pressure detection are provided in the pressure sensor module, so that it is possible to simply implement the pressure sensor module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on a user in wearing the pressure sensor module.
• an electrode module for body cavity insertion it is possible to insert the entirety of a housing of the pressure sensor module in a body cavity, thereby minimizing the burden on the user in wearing the pressure sensor module, and since parts associated with the user interface are provided in the main body while employing wireless communication, free daily activities are guaranteed, and convenient use and easy portability are achieved.
• the main body is a mobile communication terminal .
• the mobile communication terminal can serve as a main body of the portable nerve/muscle treatment device, so that the nerve/muscle treatment device is combined with a mobile communication terminal easy to carry, which allows easy portability, easy activity, convenient operation, and continuous observation in conducting daily activities.
• the main body further includes a remote analysis unit for transmitting one of the electromyogram signal processing's result information and the pressure measurement processing' s result information to a host computer through a wireless data communication unit, and performing a control operation so that an analysis result received from the host computer through the wireless data communication unit is displayed through the display unit.
• electromyogram measurement data of a number of subscribers is concentrated on a remote host to be managed thereby while the history is managed on a subscriber- by-subscriber basis, it is possible to utilize the electromyogram measurement data effectively. Further, such electromyogram measurement data is analyzed by using an expert analysis system or by transmitting it to an expert, and the analyzed result is then provided to a mobile communication terminal or the like, so that at anytime, anywhere the terminal's user can check and see the progress state of his or her nerve/muscle treatment and can determine treatment methods thereof or the future.
• a portable nerve/muscle treatment device comprising an electrode module; and a battery pack detachably coupled to a main body of a mobile communication terminal, said electrode module including: a first wireless communication unit for communicating wirelessly with the battery pack; an electrode controller for receiving a control signal for controlling an electric stimulation operation from the battery pack through the first wireless communication unit, and controlling the electric stimulation operation; and a stimulation signal generator circuit for generating a corresponding electrical stimulation signal in response to the contro ⁇ l signal for
• said battery pack including: a communication interface for interfacing with the terminal main body; a second communication unit for communicating wirelessly with the electrode module; and a pack controller for transmitting a corresponding control signal for controlling an electrical stimulation operation to the electrode module through the second wireless communication module, in response to an electrical stimulation operation command from the terminal main body.
• an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with nerve/muscle treatment are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the electrode module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on a user in wearing the electrode module.
• an electrode module for body cavity insertion it is possible to insert the entirety of a housing of the electrode module in a body cavity, thereby minimizing the burden on the user in wearing the electrode module.
• the combination of a nerve/muscle treatment function with a mobile communication terminal allows easy portability, easy activity, convenient operation, and continuous observation in conducting daily activities, while minimizing changes to the terminal main body.
• a user interface for the nerve/muscle treatment may be easily implemented in a mobile communication terminal in the form of a virtual machine based application such as a GVM (General Virtual Machine) .
• Fig. 1 shows the configuration of a mobile communication terminal having a Bluetooth module
• Fig. 2 shows an example of a nerve/muscle treatment device in the prior art
• FIG. 3 shows another example of the nerve/muscle treatment device in the prior art
• Fig. 4 shows still another example of the nerve/muscle treatment device in the prior art
• Fig. 5 shows yet another example of the nerve/muscle treatment device in the prior art
• Fig. 6 shows the appearance of an electrode module and a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention
• Fig. 7 shows the configuration of an example of a portable nerve/muscle treatment device according to the present invention
• Fig. 8 shows the configuration of another example of the portable nerve/muscle treatment device according to the present invention.
• Fig. 9 shows the configuration of yet another example of the portable nerve/muscle treatment device according to the present invention.
• Fig. 6 shows the appearance of an electrode module and a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.
• the mobile communication terminal includes a main body 10, and a battery pack 20 detachably coupled to the main body 10. Elements required for electrical stimulation and/or electromyogram measurement are partially embedded in the battery pack 20.
• the battery pack 20 receives a command to perform an operation from the main body 10 of the mobile communication terminal, and transmits a control signal for controlling the operation to an electrode module 30.
• the terminal 10 wirelessly transmits the operation control signal directly to the electrode module 30.
• Fig. 7 shows the configuration of an example of a portable nerve/muscle treatment device according to the present invention.
• a mobile communication terminal having a nerve/muscle treatment function includes a main body 730, and a battery pack 720 detachably coupled to the main body 730.
• the battery pack 720 includes a communication interface 713 for interfacing with the terminal main body 730; a wireless communication unit 715 for communicating wirelessly with an electrode module 710; and a pack controller 717 for transmitting a control signal for controlling a corresponding operation to the electrode module 710 through the wireless communication module 715.
• the main body 730 includes a user operating unit 707; a display unit 709; a wireless data communication unit 701 for transmitting/receiving a signal through a wireless data communication network (not shown) ; an external communication interface 705 being combined with the communication interface 713 in the battery pack 720 to transmit and receive a corresponding signal; and a main body controller 703 for outputting operating guide information through the display unit 709, and instructing the battery pack 720 through the external communication interface 705 to perform a corresponding operation, according to the selection of a user operating signal inputted from the user operating unit 707.
• the communication interface 713 is a USB port, which is physically implemented as connection points on a coupling surface of the battery pack 720 to be combined with the main body 730.
• the connection points are arranged near a power supply terminal (not shown) .
• a main chip adopted in a mobile phone improved recently, for example Qualcomm's MSM5000 chip, supports a USB interface therein.
• the wireless communication unit 715 for communicating wirelessly with the electrode module 710 may be a Bluetooth module.
• the following description will be given upon the assumption that the wireless communication unit 715 is a Bluetooth module .
• the Bluetooth module 715 provides a wireless link that allows data communication with a corresponding external Bluetooth module 725 provided in the electrode module 710.
• the Bluetooth communication supports a point-to-point connection and a multipoint connection between devices in a local area (less than about 10m) through frequency hopping CDMA communication. Transfer rates' may be as high as 1 Mbps, and the data transmission is performed through ACL (Asynchronous ConnectionLess) and SCO (Synchronous Connection Oriented) links.
• the wireless link may also be implemented through one of serial port profiles supported by the Bluetooth, for example through a IAN access profile or a CT profile.
• the Bluetooth module has already been commercialized and developed fully before the filing date of the present invention, and Bluetooth modules currently provided have a small size suitable for very small portable devices .
• Bluetooth module 715 is implemented by a signal processor and a software module
• the pack controller 717 may also be implemented physically by another software module in the same signal processor as that of the Bluetooth module 715.
• the pack controller 717 receives a command signal to perform an operation according to the selection of a user operating signal from the main body 730 of the mobile communication terminal through the communication interface 713, and transmits a control signal for controlling the operation to the electrode module 710 through the Bluetooth module 715.
• the battery cell 723 is a battery cell generally included in the battery pack 720.
• terminal main body 730 Next, a description will be given of the terminal main body 730.
• the wireless data communication unit 701 may be a mobile communication processor. First, assuming it as a mobile communication processor, the wireless data communication unit 701 is described as follows.
• the mobile communication processor 701 processes a signal transmitted and received to and from a base station (not shown) .
• the mobile communication processor 701 wirelessly processes the signal transmitted and received to and from the base station, demodulates the received signal wirelessly processed, and modulates a signal to be transmitted.
• the mobile communication processor 701 performs the modulation/demodulation operations in a predetermined mobile communication scheme, and, for example, may perform CDMA modulation/demodulation operations such as channel coding/decoding, orthogonal coding/decoding, etc.
• the mobile communication processor 701 also handles data transmission and reception to and from a wireless data communication network (for example, a wireless Internet server) associated with the mobile communication network.
• a wireless data communication network for example, a wireless Internet server
• the wireless data communication unit 701 may be a wireless LAN communication unit. In this case, the wireless communication is performed in a more restricted region.
• the user operating unit 707 receives a signal input corresponding to the user's manipulation and generates the corresponding operating data, which may be a keypad, a touch panel, a voice recognition unit, a cursive script recognition unit, etc.
• the display unit 709 may be composed of a liquid crystal or organic EL (electro luminescent) element.
• a power supply controller 711 processes DC power supplied from the battery pack 720 to convert it to a required voltage, and then stabilizes and supplies it to each element in the main body 730.
• the main body 730 may further include a speaker and a microphone for voice communication and codecs for channel communication and audio compression, which are commonly included in general mobile communication terminals.
• the external communication interface 705 corresponds to the communication interface 713 in the battery pack 720 described above. Both of the interfaces are implemented according to the same protocol, and are physically implemented as connection points having shapes corresponding to each other, so as to be combined together (not shown) .
• the main body controller 703 may be implemented as a software module that is implemented in a microprocessor. Improved CDMA integrated circuits, for example Qualcomm's MSM chips, each include a high performance microprocessor embedded therein. This microprocessor may be programmable through an external bus or a serial communication link.
• the programming environment of mobile communication terminals has been dramatically developed recently, so as to provide a development environment similar to a personal computer, and also provide a programming environment based on a virtual machine such as a GVM (General Virtual Machine) . Operation control processes associated with nerve/muscle treatment performed by the main body controller 703 can be realized easily by using such a programming environment.
• the main body controller 703 informs the user of a menu selection list associated with nerve/muscle treatment through the display unit 709.
• the controller 703 When a user operating signal is received from the user operating unit 707, the controller 703 transmits a corresponding operation command to the battery pack 720 through the external communication interface 705. Preferably, the controller 703 transmits an electrical stimulation operation command to the battery pack 720. In response to this command, the pack controller 717 transmits a control signal for controlling the electrical stimulation operation to the electrode module 710.
• the battery pack 720 further includes a stimulation pattern processor 719 internally or externally provided to the pack controller 717, which has information of one or more stimulation patterns and provides corresponding stimulation pattern information in response to an electrical stimulation operation command from the main body controller 703.
• the stimulation pattern processor 719 stores information of electrical stimulation patterns of various forms that can be used for electrical stimulation signals. For example, a pulse wave may have various forms, and a sinusoidal wave may have full and half waveforms, etc.
• the stimulation pattern processor 719 can store a current or voltage pulse .
• the stimulation pattern processor 719 can be implemented by a software module executed in a microprocessor, and provide the corresponding stimulation pattern information in response to an electrical stimulation operation command from the pack controller 717.
• the electrical stimulation operation command may include information on signal intensity, frequency, the appointment of a specific electrical stimulation pattern according to a user's manipulation.
• a method for implementing such a stimulation pattern processor 719 is known in the art of nerve/muscle treatment device fabrication, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted.
• the stimulation pattern processor 719 is connected to the stimulation signal generator circuit 729 via the pack controller 717, the Bluetooth modules 715 and 725, and the electrode controller 727 in sequence.
• the stimulation signal generator circuit 729 applies a control signal corresponding to stimulation pattern processing to generate a corresponding stimulation signal .
• Technology related to this process is known in the art of nerve/muscle treatment device fabrication.
• the pack controller 717 incorporates the provided stimulation pattern information into the control signal for controlling the electric stimulation operation, and transmits it to the electrode module 710 through the Bluetooth module 715 .
• the battery pack 720 further includes an electromyogram signal processor 721 internally or externally provided to the pack controller 717, which performs electromyogram signal processing in response to electromyogram detection data received from the electrode module 710 and provides the signal processing's result information.
• the pack controller 717 transmits a control signal for controlling an electromyogram measurement operation to the electrode module 710 through the wireless communication unit 715, in response to an electromyogram measurement operation command from the terminal main body 730, and transmits the result information of the electromyogram signal processing to the terminal main body 730 through the communication interface 713.
• the main body controller 703 instructs the battery pack 720 through the external communication interface 705 to perform the electromyogram measurement operation, according to the selection of a user operating signal inputted through the user operating unit, and outputs the result information of the electromyogram signal processing from the battery pack 720 through the display unit 709.
• the electromyogram signal processor 721 may be implemented by a software module executed in a microprocessor, which performs electromyogram signal processing according to digitized electromyogram detection data received from the electrode module 710, and provides the signal processing's result information (for example, a graph and state information thereof) .
• a method for implementing such an electromyogram signal processor 721 is known in the art of nerve/muscle treatment device fabrication, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted.
• the electromyogram signal processor 721 is connected to an electromyogram signal detection circuit 731 via the pack controller 717, the Bluetooth modules 715 and 725, and the electrode controller 727 in sequence.
• the electromyogram signal processor 721 performs the corresponding signal processing to generate electromyogram measurement result information.
• Technology related to this process is known in the art of nerve/muscle treatment device fabrication.
• the electrode module 710 has a form to be inserted into a sphincter of a human body, the electromyogram measurement data is sphincter electromyogram data such as the vagina, anus, etc.
• the pack controller 717 transmits a control signal for controlling the electromyogram measurement operation to the electrode module 710 through the wireless communication unit 715.
• the pack controller 717 transmits the result information of the electromyogram signal processing to the terminal main body 730 through the communication interface 713.
• the mobile communication terminal main body 730 further includes a remote analysis unit (not shown) internally or externally provided to the main body controller 703, which transmits the electromyogram signal processing' s result information to a host computer (not shown) through the wireless data communication unit 701, and performs a control operation so that an analysis result inputted from the wireless data communication unit 701 is displayed through the display unit 709.
• a remote analysis unit (not shown) internally or externally provided to the main body controller 703
• a host computer not shown
• the wireless data communication unit 701 performs a control operation so that an analysis result inputted from the wireless data communication unit 701 is displayed through the display unit 709.
• the remote controller controls the wireless data communication unit 701 to gain access to a previously appointed host through a wireless data communication network such as wireless Internet .
• the remote analysis unit transmits the electromyogram signal processing's result information to the host.
• the electromyogram signal processing's result information is stored in a database of the host that is allocated on an individual basis .
• the host queries whether the user desires to receive the analysis service of data uploaded using a browser. If the user selects the analysis service in response to the query, the host activates an electromyogram measurement expert engine (not shown) therein to analyze the uploaded data. During this analysis, the measurement subject's history data previously stored in the database may be analyzed together with the uploaded data.
• the data analysis may be performed by the expert system, the data may also be sent to an analysis expert, as circumstances require, so that the expert inputs the result of analyzing the data.
• the analysis result obtained through such a procedure is received from the host through the wireless data communication unit 701 in the terminal main body 730 of the measurement subject, and the remote analysis unit controls the received analysis result to be displayed through the display unit 709. Accordingly, the display unit 709 displays the analysis result in a text or graphic mode.
• the electrode module 710 includes a first wireless communication unit 725 for communicating with a wireless communication unit 715 in a battery pack 720; a electrode controller 727 for receiving a control signal for controlling the electrical stimulation operation from the battery pack 720 through the first wireless communication unit 725, and transferring the received control signal to an electrical stimulation signal generator circuit 729; the stimulation signal generator circuit 729 for generating a corresponding electrical stimulation signal in response to the control signal for controlling the electrical stimulation operation, and applying it to an electrode; and the electrode 733 which is brought into contact with a body portion of interest and outputs the electrical stimulation signal .
• Figs. 6 and 7 are an outline view and a block diagram, respectively.
• the electrode module 710 can be applied to both skin attachment and body cavity insertion.
• the electrode module 710 When adapted for body cavity insertion, as shown in Fig. 6, the electrode module 710 includes a main body of a substantially cylindrical shape that has a non- conductive peripheral surface, and a conductive electrode 733 is provided on the peripheral surface of the main body.
• at least one exit prevention protrusion is provided on the peripheral surface of the main body to prevent the main body inserted in the body cavity from exiting it .
• the stimulation signal generator circuit 729, the electromyogram signal detection circuit 731, the electrode controller 727, and the Bluetooth module 725 are embedded in the main body.
• the first wireless communication unit 725 provided in the electrode module 710 may be a Bluetooth module.
• the following description will be given upon the assumption that the first wireless communication unit 725 is a Bluetooth module.
• the Bluetooth module 725 performs wireless communication with a corresponding Bluetooth module 715 externally provided (with the Bluetooth module 715 in the battery pack 720 in the embodiment of Fig. 7) .
• the electrode controller 727 receives a control signal for controlling the electrical stimulation operation from the external Bluetooth module 715 (from the Bluetooth module 715 in the battery pack 720 in the embodiment of Fig. 7) through the first Bluetooth module 725, and transfers the received control signal to the electrical stimulation generator circuit 729.
• the electrode controller 727 may also be implemented physically by another software module in the same signal processor as that of the Bluetooth module 725.
• the electrical stimulation generator circuit 729 generates a corresponding electrical stimulation signal in response to the control signal for controlling the electrical stimulation operation, and applies the generated stimulation signal to the electrode 733.
• the electrical stimulation generator circuit 729 may be implemented as a combination of elements such as a D/A converter, a gain controller, a noise filter, an amplifier and a potential transformer. A method for implementing such an electrical stimulation generator circuit 729 is known in the art of nerve/muscle treatment device fabrication, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted.
• the electrode 733 is brought into contact with a target body portion (for example, a sphincter, etc) , and outputs the electrical stimulation signal.
• the electrode module 710 further includes an electromyogram signal detection circuit 731 for detecting a sensed electromyogram signal.
• the electrode 733 detects an electric stimulation signal from a body portion of interest.
• the electrode controller 727 additionally operates to receive a control signal for controlling an electromyogram measurement operation from the external corresponding wireless communication unit (from the wireless communication unit 715 in the battery pack 720 in the embodiment of Fig. 7) through the first wireless communication unit 725, and to control the operation of the electromyogram signal detection circuit 731 according to the received control signal, and further to transmit the detected electromyogram signal to the mobile communication terminal through the first wireless communication terminal 725 .
• the electromyogram signal detection circuit 731 detects an electromyogram signal sensed by the electrode 733, and transfers the detected signal to the electrode controller 727.
• the electromyogram signal detection circuit 731 may be implemented as a combination of elements including an amplifier for amplifying an electrical signal received through the electrode 733, a noise filter for removing noise from a signal outputted from the amplifier, and an A/D converter for converting the noise removed electromyogram signal to a digital signal .
• a method for implementing such an electromyogram signal detection circuit 731 is known in the art of nerve/muscle treatment device fabrication, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted.
• the electrode module 710 includes therein a battery capable for power maintenance, for example a rechargeable secondary battery or a replaceable battery.
• a manual power switch is operated to block the power when the electrode module 710 is not in use.
• a microprocessor integrated with the electrode controller 727 monitors an external access made through the Bluetooth module 725, and when it determines that the electrode module 710 is not in use, the electrode controller 727 shifts its power mode to control power supplied to each part in the device so that power consumption is minimized.
• Fig. 8 shows the configuration of another example of the portable nerve/muscle treatment device according to the present invention.
• a mobile communication terminal having a nerve/muscle treatment function includes, as shown in Fig.
• a user operating unit 807 a display unit 809; a wireless data communication unit 801 for transmitting/receiving a signal through a wireless data communication network; a wireless communication unit 815 for communicating wirelessly with an electrode module 810; and a controller 803 for outputting operating guide information through the display unit 809, and instructing the electrode module 810 through the wireless communication unit 815 to perform a corresponding operation, according to the selection of a user operating signal inputted from the user operating unit 807.
• Fig. 8 is different from that of Fig. 7 in that three elements, the first element being a second wireless communication unit (for example, a Bluetooth module) 815, which corresponds to a wireless communication unit 825 in the electrode module 810 and wirelessly communicates various signals associated with nerve/muscle treatment, the second a stimulation pattern processor 819 for handling electrical stimulation signal patterns and the third an electromyogram signal processor 821 for performing signal processing on detected electromyogram measurement data, are provided in the terminal main body 820, not in the battery pack (not shown) .
• the Bluetooth module 815 may be embedded in the mobile communication terminal, and, alternatively, an external Bluetooth adapter may be utilized in such a manner that it is installed on an IF connector provided in the mobile communication terminal .
• FIG. 8 has been described with reference to the case where the main body 820 is the main body of a mobile communication terminal, but it is natural that it may also be the main body of a dedicated portable device, as circumstances require .
• Fig. 9 shows the configuration of yet another example of the portable nerve/muscle treatment device according to the present invention.
• the portable nerve/muscle treatment device includes a main body 920 and a pressure sensor module 910 that communicate wirelessly with each other.
• the pressure sensor module 910 includes a wireless communication unit 925 for communicating wirelessly with the main body 920; a sensor controller 927 for receiving a control signal for controlling a pressure measurement operation from the main body 920 through a first wireless communication unit 925, and controlling the operation of detecting a pressure signal according to the received control signal, and then transmitting the detected pressure signal to the main body 920 through the first wireless communication unit 925; and a pressure sensor 933 for detecting pressure in response to said control signal for controlling the pressure measurement operation, and transmitting a detected pressure to the sensor controller 927.
• the main body 920 includes a user operating unit 907; a display unit 909; a second wireless communication unit 915 for communicating wirelessly with the pressure sensor module 910; a main body controller 903 for outputting operating guide information through the display unit 909, and transmitting said control signal for controlling the pressure measurement operation to the pressure sensor module 910 through the wireless communication unit 915, according to the selection of a user operating signal inputted from the user operating unit 907, and then outputting the pressure measurement processing' s result information through the display unit 909; and a pressure measurement processor 919 for performing pressure measurement processing according to pressure detection data received from the pressure sensor module 910 through the second wireless communication unit 915, and providing the measurement processing's result information.
• a description of the same parts as those of Figs . 7 and 8 will be omitted in the description of Fig. 9.
• the pressure sensor module 910 may be applied to body cavity insertion.
• the pressure sensor module 910 includes a main body that has a substantially cylindrical form, and is formed of rubber material, and at least one exit prevention protrusion is provided on a peripheral surface of the main body to prevent the main body inserted in the body cavity from exiting it.
• the pressure sensor 933 detects the pressure.
• the pressure sensor 933, the sensor controller 927 and the first wireless communication unit 925 are embedded in the main body.
• the first wireless communication unit 925 provided in the pressure sensor module 910 may be a Bluetooth module.
• the Bluetooth module 925 performs wireless communication with a corresponding external Bluetooth module 915 (with the Bluetooth module 915 provided in the main body 920 in the embodiment of Fig. 9) .
• the sensor controller 927 receives a control signal for controlling a pressure detection operation from the external Bluetooth module 915 (from the Bluetooth module 915 provided in the main body 920 in the embodiment of Fig. 9) through the first Bluetooth module 925, and transfers the received control signal to the pressure sensor 933.
• the sensor controller 927 may also be implemented physically by another software module in the same signal processor as that of the Bluetooth module 925.
• the pressure sensor 933 detects air pressure in response to said control signal of controlling the pressure detection operation, and converts the detected pressure to an electrical signal and then transfers it to the sensor controller.
• a method for implementing such a pressure sensor 933 is known in the art of nerve/muscle treatment device fabrication, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted.
• the pressure sensor module 910 includes therein a battery capable for power maintenance, for example a rechargeable secondary battery or a replaceable battery.
• a manual power switch is operated to block the power when the pressure sensor module 910 is not in use.
• a microprocessor integrated with the sensor controller 927 monitors an external access made through the Bluetooth module 925, and when it determines that the electrode module 710 is not in use, the microprocessor shifts its power mode to control power supplied to each part in the device so that power consumption is minimized.
• the main body 920 may be a mobile communication terminal .
• the external or internal Bluetooth module 915 provided to the main body 920 performs communication with the pressure sensor module 910.
• the mobile communication terminal controller 903 outputs operating, guide information through the display unit 909, and transmits a control signal for controlling a pressure measurement operation to the pressure sensor module 910 through the Bluetooth module 915, according to the selection of a user operating signal inputted from the user operating unit 907, and then outputs the pressure measurement processing's result information through the display unit 909.
• the pressure measurement processor 919 performs pressure measurement processing, in response to the pressure detection data received from the pressure sensor module 910 through the second wireless communication unit 915, and provides the pressure processing measurement processing' s result information.
• the present invention it is possible to reduce the burden on a user in wearing an electrode module, since an interface with the outside is implemented through wireless communication, not through a cable commonly employed in the prior art.
• an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with the operation of outputting a stimulation signal are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the electrode module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on the user in wearing the electrode module.
• an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with nerve/muscle treatment are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the electrode module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on a user in wearing the electrode module.
• an electrode module for body cavity insertion it is possible to insert the entirety of a housing of the electrode module in a body cavity, thereby minimizing the burden on the user in wearing the electrode module, and since parts associated with the user interface are provided in the main body while employing wireless communication, free daily activities are guaranteed, and convenient use and easy portability are achieved.
• the mobile communication terminal when it is provided with a wireless communication unit such as a Bluetooth module, can serve as a main body of the portable nerve/muscle treatment device, so that the nerve/muscle treatment device is combined with a mobile communication terminal easy to carry, which allows easy portability, easy activity, convenient operation, and continuous observation in conducting daily activities .
• a wireless communication unit such as a Bluetooth module
• the mobile communication terminal can serve as a main body of the portable nerve/muscle treatment device, so that the nerve/muscle treatment device is combined with a mobile communication terminal easy to carry, which allows easy portability, easy activity, convenient operation, and continuous observation in conducting daily activities .
• electromyogram measurement data of a number of subscribers is concentrated on a remote host to be managed thereby while the history is managed on a subscriber-by- subscriber basis, it is possible to utilize the electromyogram measurement data effectively.
• electromyogram measurement data is analyzed by using an expert analysis system or by transmitting it to an expert, and the analyzed result is then provided to a mobile communication terminal or the like, so that at anytime, anywhere the terminal's user can check and see the progress state of his or her nerve/muscle treatment and can determine treatment methods thereof for the future .
• an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with nerve/muscle treatment are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the electrode module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on a user in wearing the electrode module.
• an electrode module for body cavity insertion it is possible to insert the entirety of a housing of the electrode module in a body cavity, thereby minimizing the burden on the user in wearing the electrode module.
• the combination of a nerve/muscle treatment function with a mobile communication terminal allows easy portability, easy activity, convenient operation, and continuous observation in conducting daily activities, while minimizing changes to the terminal main body.
• a user interface for the nerve/muscle treatment may be easily implemented in a mobile communication terminal in the form of a virtual machine based application such as a GVM (General Virtual Machine) .
• the present invention it is possible to reduce the burden on a user in wearing a pressure sensor module, since an interface with the outside is implemented through wireless communication.
• only an element for communication with the outside and a minimal analog circuit associated with the pressure detection are provided in the electrode module, so that it is possible to simply implement the pressure sensor module, thereby reducing the size thereof and thus decreasing the burden on a user in wearing the pressure sensor module.
• the portable nerve/muscle treatment device can be applied to various kinds of treatment such as the treatment for female sexual dysfunction (sexual function improvement) , male prostate pain, chronic constipation and fecal incontinence caused by a functional disorder of the anal sphincter, pain caused by musculoskeletal system diseases, and muscle strengthening .

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• 2003
  • 2003-01-28 KR KR1020030005461A patent/KR100550666B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-09-18 CN CNB038258803A patent/CN100536957C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-09-18 EP EP03815612A patent/EP1590036A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-09-18 WO PCT/KR2003/001910 patent/WO2004067085A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2003-09-18 JP JP2004567582A patent/JP2006515192A/ja active Pending
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