WO2015046001A1

WO2015046001A1 - Acupuncture point stimulation device, acupuncture point stimulation method, and acupuncture point stimulation program

Info

Publication number: WO2015046001A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/074643
Authority: WO
Inventors: 片山　真吾; 飯島　竜太
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2013-09-30
Filing date: 2014-09-18
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: JP2015066286A

Abstract

Provided are an acupuncture point stimulation device, an acupuncture point stimulation method, and an acupuncture point stimulation program capable of maintaining the effects of acupuncture point stimulation. The acupuncture point stimulation device (1) comprises a stimulation section (2), a measurement section (3), and a control section (4). The stimulation section (2) is fitted on the wrist and stimulates acupuncture points on the wrist. The measurement section (3) is fitted on a fingertip and measures physiological information relating to the state of blood flow. The control section (4) acquires results measured by the measurement section (3) from the measurement section (3) via a cable (51). The control section (4) specifies the state of blood flow on the basis of the measurement results acquired from the measurement section (3). The control section (4) outputs an electric signal to the stimulation section (2) via a cable (52) on the basis of the specified state of blood flow. The control section (4) thereby electrically drives the stimulation section (2). The stimulation section (2) is driven on the basis of electrical signals output from the control section (4). The stimulation section (2) maintains the effects of acupuncture point stimulation by stimulating acupuncture points on the wrist.

Description

Acupuncture point stimulation apparatus, acupuncture point stimulation method, and acupuncture point stimulation program

The present disclosure relates to an acupuncture point stimulation device, an acupuncture point stimulation method, and an acupuncture point stimulation program for stimulating an acupuncture point.

A device for exploring the position of acupuncture points has been proposed. For example, in the acupuncture point exploration device described in Patent Document 1, a portion to which the fretting stimulus is given by the stimulating unit is acupuncture points based on indices corresponding to the fretting stimulus before and after being given. It is determined whether or not.

JP 2003-62033 A

Usually, the effect of stimulation on acupoints decreases as the elapsed time from the timing at which stimulation is applied to the acupuncture points increases. Therefore, in order to maintain the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture points, it is preferable that stimulation is again applied to the acupuncture points at a timing when the effect is reduced to a specific level or less. However, Patent Document 1 describes a method for specifying whether stimulation for acupuncture points is given based on an indicator of a pulse wave waveform, but describes a method for specifying that the effect of stimulation for acupoints has been reduced. Not. For this reason, since the acupuncture point exploration device cannot specify that the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point has decreased, it cannot stimulate the acupuncture point in order to maintain the effect. Therefore, the acupuncture point exploration device has a problem that the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture points cannot be maintained.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an acupuncture point stimulation apparatus, an acupuncture point stimulation method, and an acupuncture point stimulation program that can maintain the effect of stimulation on an acupuncture point.

The acupuncture point stimulation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is electrically driven to stimulate the acupuncture point, a measurement unit that measures biological information related to the blood circulation state, and a measurement result by the measurement unit And a control unit that electrically drives the stimulation unit.

Biometric information changes according to stimulation to acupuncture points by the stimulation unit. According to the first aspect, the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus can electrically drive the stimulation unit based on the biological information measured by the measurement unit. For this reason, the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus can specify that the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point has been reduced based on the measurement result by the measurement unit, and can drive the stimulation unit. Therefore, the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus can maintain the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point.

1st aspect WHEREIN: The said control part is 1st information which is the biometric information before the stimulus by the said stimulus part is performed, and the biometric information measured by the said measurement part after the stimulus by the said stimulus part is performed. Based on certain second information, it may be specified whether or not the portion stimulated by the stimulation unit is the acupuncture point. In this case, the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus can specify the change of the biological information according to the stimulation to the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit based on the first information and the second information. Therefore, the acupuncture point stimulating apparatus can appropriately specify the position of the acupuncture point. Since the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus can appropriately specify the position of the acupuncture point, the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus can effectively maintain the stimulation effect on the acupuncture point by stimulating the identified acupuncture point when the stimulation effect is reduced.

1st aspect WHEREIN: When the blood flow rate relevant to the said 2nd information is larger than the blood flow rate relevant to the said 1st information, the said control part is that the part stimulated by the said stimulation part is the said acupuncture point You may specify. The blood flow associated with the biological information increases when stimulation is given to the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit. Moreover, the magnitude of the change in blood flow is large compared to other parameters related to biological information. Therefore, the acupuncture point stimulation device is stimulated by the stimulation unit when the blood flow after the stimulation is applied to the acupuncture point is larger than the blood flow before the stimulation by the stimulation unit by a predetermined amount or more. Identify the part as an acupuncture point. By comparing the blood flow before and after the acupuncture point is stimulated, the acupuncture point stimulation device can more accurately identify the position of the acupuncture point. Since the position of the acupuncture point can be accurately identified, the acupuncture point stimulating apparatus can effectively maintain the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point by stimulating the identified acupuncture point when the stimulation effect is reduced.

1st aspect WHEREIN: The said control part is a case where the said biometric information is repeatedly measured by the said measurement part, after specifying the part stimulated by the said stimulation part as the acupuncture point, Comprising: It measures previously. When the blood flow volume related to the biological information and the blood flow volume related to the biological information measured after the previously measured biological information satisfy a predetermined relationship, the stimulation unit may be driven. . In this case, the acupuncture point stimulation device indicates that the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point has decreased, based on the relationship between the blood flow volume related to the biological information measured earlier and the blood flow volume related to the biological information measured later. Can be identified. Therefore, the acupuncture point stimulating apparatus can appropriately identify the timing when the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point is reduced, and can drive the stimulation unit to stimulate the acupuncture point.

1st aspect WHEREIN: The said control part is when the ratio with respect to the blood flow rate relevant to the said biometric information measured previously is smaller than the predetermined | prescribed ratio of the blood flow rate relevant to the biometric information measured after the said, The stimulation unit may be electrically driven. In this case, the acupuncture point stimulating apparatus can more appropriately identify the timing when the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point is reduced.

The acupuncture point stimulation method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure includes a measurement step of measuring biological information related to a blood circulation state, and an electrical stimulation unit capable of stimulating the acupuncture point based on a measurement result of the measurement step. And a control step for driving. According to the 2nd aspect, there can exist an effect similar to a 1st aspect.

The acupuncture point stimulation program according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is a stimulation step for stimulating an acupuncture point based on a measurement step that causes a measurement unit to measure biological information related to a blood circulation state, and a measurement result of the measurement step. And a control step for electrically driving the unit. According to the 3rd aspect, there can exist an effect similar to a 1st aspect.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1. FIG. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is a flowchart of the main process, and is a continuation of FIG.

<1. Structure of acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1>
An embodiment embodying the present disclosure will be described. The structure of the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 includes a stimulation unit 2, a measurement unit 3, and a control unit 4. The stimulation unit 2 is attached to the user's wrist. The measurement unit 3 and the control unit 4 are connected by a cable 51. The stimulation unit 2 and the control unit 4 are connected by a cable 52.

The stimulation unit 2 includes a plurality of piece members 21, a display unit 22, a stimulation application unit 23 illustrated in FIG. 2, and a stimulation control unit 24 illustrated in FIG. When the user attaches the plurality of piece members 21 to the wrist, the stimulus applying unit 23 is fixed to the wrist. Each of the plurality of piece members 21 has a rectangular plate shape. The plurality of piece members 21 are connected by a connecting member (not shown). The connecting member is elastically deformable. When the stimulating unit 2 is attached to the wrist of the user, the connecting member is elastically deformed, and the plurality of piece members 21 are arranged in a circular shape along the wrist. When the stimulation part 2 is attached to a user's wrist, each one surface of the some piece member 21 closely_contact | adheres to a wrist. Hereinafter, among each of the plurality of piece members 21, a surface that is in close contact with the wrist in a state where the stimulation unit 2 is attached to the user's wrist is referred to as an inner surface. Of each of the plurality of piece members 21, a surface facing the inner surface is referred to as an outer surface.

The display unit 22 notifies the user of the state of the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1. The display unit 22 is provided on any one outer surface of the plurality of piece members 21. The display unit 22 includes three green LEDs 221 and a red LED 222. The stimulus application unit 23 applies electrical stimulation to the acupoint. The stimulus applying unit 23 is provided on the inner surface of each of the plurality of piece members 21. The stimulus application unit 23 has electrodes. When the stimulation unit 2 is attached to the user's wrist, the electrode contacts the wrist. The stimulation unit 2 can apply electrical stimulation to the acupuncture point of the wrist by passing a weak current through the wrist through the electrode of the stimulation application unit 23. Details of the stimulus control unit 24 will be described later.

The measuring unit 3 includes a bag unit 31 and a sensor 32 shown in FIG. The bag part 31 fixes the sensor 32 to a fingertip. The shape of the bag part 31 is a bag shape. When the measurement part 3 is attached to a user's fingertip, the bag part 31 covers a fingertip. The sensor 32 is provided on the inner surface of the bag portion 31. The sensor 32 is a known pulse wave sensor capable of measuring a pulse wave using light. The pulse wave is a waveform indicating the pulsation of blood vessels based on ejection of blood by the heart.

The configuration and driving principle of the sensor 32 will be briefly described. The sensor 32 has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit has a light source that outputs near-infrared wavelength light. The light receiving unit has a photoelectric conversion element. The sensor 32 irradiates near infrared wavelength light from the light emitting unit toward the fingertip. The irradiated near-infrared wavelength light is absorbed, transmitted, and reflected within the fingertip. Of the irradiated near-infrared wavelength light, near-infrared wavelength light reflected within the fingertip is received by the light receiving unit. Hereinafter, the reflected near-infrared wavelength light is referred to as reflected light. The light receiving unit outputs an electrical signal when the reflected light is received. The voltage of the output electrical signal changes according to the intensity of the reflected light.

Sensor 32 measures the pulse wave by utilizing the characteristic that near infrared wavelength light is absorbed by hemoglobin in blood and transmits through a living body other than hemoglobin. Specifically, it is as follows. When a blood vessel becomes thick due to pulsation, the blood volume in the blood vessel increases. On the other hand, when the blood vessel becomes thin by pulsation, the blood volume in the blood vessel decreases. As the amount of hemoglobin changes as the blood volume in the blood vessel increases or decreases, the amount of near-infrared wavelength light absorbed by the blood also changes. Thus, a change in the amount of near-infrared wavelength light absorbed by blood indicates pulsation.

When the amount of near-infrared wavelength light absorbed by blood changes, the intensity of reflected light also changes. The light receiving unit changes the voltage of the electric signal to be output in accordance with the change in the intensity of the reflected light. Therefore, a change in voltage indicates pulsation, and a waveform indicating a time-series change in voltage indicates a pulse wave. As described above, the electric signal output from the light receiving unit of the sensor 32 indicates the measurement result of the pulse wave by the sensor 32.

The control unit 4 electrically drives the stimulation unit 2 based on the measurement result of the pulse wave by the sensor 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 4 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, and a switch 44. Hereinafter, the switch 44 is referred to as SW44. The CPU 41 specifies the blood flow rate of the blood flowing through the fingertip to which the measurement unit 3 is attached based on the change in the voltage of the electrical signal output from the measurement unit 3. Details of the method for specifying the blood flow will be described later. The CPU 41 electrically drives the stimulation unit 2 by outputting an electrical signal to the stimulation unit 2 based on the specified blood flow rate. The SW 44 is a button switch for inputting an instruction to the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1. There may be one button switch or a plurality of button switches. Details of the ROM 42 and the RAM 43 will be described later.

<2. Electrical configuration of acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1>
The electrical configuration of the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 includes a CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, SW 44, sensor 32, three LEDs 221, LED 222, a stimulus application unit 23, and a stimulus control unit 24. The ROM 42, RAM 43, and SW 44 are electrically connected to the CPU 41 in the control unit 4. The sensor 32 is electrically connected to the CPU 41 via the cable 51. The three LEDs 221, LED 222, and stimulus control unit 24 are electrically connected to the CPU 41 via the cable 52. The stimulation applying unit 23 is electrically connected to the stimulation control unit 24 in the stimulation unit 2.

CPU41 controls the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1. The ROM 42 stores a control program for the CPU 41 to execute the main process shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The RAM 43 temporarily stores various data. The sensor 32 outputs an electrical signal indicating the measurement result of the pulse wave to the CPU 41. The three LEDs 221 and the LEDs 222 are turned on or off based on an electrical signal output from the CPU 41. The stimulus control unit 24 is a driver element for driving the stimulus application unit 23. The stimulus control unit 24 drives the stimulus application unit 23 based on the electrical signal output from the CPU 41.

<3. Method for specifying blood flow>
As described in “Tokyo Women's Medical University Journal, 62 (12): 1608-1614, 1992“ Comparison of laser blood flow meter and fingertip volume pulse wave: study at rest, calculation load, and deep inspiration load ” In addition, it is known that the pulse wave and the blood flow have a strong positive correlation. For this reason, the CPU 41 can specify the blood flow based on the electrical signal output from the measurement unit 3. The specific method is as follows. An electrical signal output from the measurement unit 3 is input to the CPU 41. The CPU 41 samples the voltage of the input electric signal and stores it in the RAM 43. Hereinafter, when the electrical signal output from the measurement unit 3 is input to the CPU 41, the CPU 41 measures from the measurement unit 3 that the CPU 41 samples the voltage of the input electrical signal and stores it in the RAM 43. The result is obtained.

CPU41 specifies the waveform which shows the time-sequential change of the voltage memorize | stored in RAM43 as a pulse wave. CPU41 specifies the position of the peak contained in a pulse wave. The CPU 41 specifies the voltage at the specified peak position. Hereinafter, the specified voltage is referred to as a peak voltage. The CPU 41 reads a predetermined relational expression indicating the relationship between the peak voltage and the blood flow rate from the ROM 42. CPU41 specifies the blood flow rate corresponding to a peak voltage by applying the peak voltage specified to the read relational expression. As described above, the CPU 41 can specify the blood flow based on the measurement result acquired from the measurement unit 3. That is, the pulse wave is related to the blood flow.

<4. Method of applying stimulus to acupuncture points>
With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the application method of the irritation | stimulation to the acupuncture point by the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 is demonstrated. The user attaches the stimulation unit 2 to the wrist and attaches the measurement unit 3 to the fingertip in a state where the power source (not shown) of the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 is turned off. The user operates the SW 44 to turn on the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1. Furthermore, based on the operation of the SW 44, the measurement unit 3 starts measurement as follows. The light emitting unit of the sensor 32 starts outputting near-infrared wavelength light. The light receiving unit receives the reflected light and starts outputting an electric signal.

CPU41 starts the main process by reading the control program memorize | stored in ROM42 and expand | deploying to RAM43. The CPU 41 acquires a measurement result from the measurement unit 3. The CPU 41 specifies the blood flow based on the above-described blood flow specifying method based on the acquired measurement result (S11). Hereinafter, the blood flow rate specified by the process of S11 is referred to as a blood flow rate P1. CPU41 memorize | stores the specified blood flow rate P1 in RAM43 (S13).

CPU41 starts the stimulation to the acupuncture point by the stimulation part 2 by outputting an electrical signal to the stimulation part 2 (S15). Specifically, it is as follows. The CPU 41 outputs an electrical signal for starting driving of the stimulus applying unit 23 to the stimulus control unit 24. Hereinafter, the electrical signal for starting the driving of the stimulus applying unit 23 is referred to as a start signal. The stimulus control unit 24 starts applying a voltage to the stimulus applying unit 23 in order to start driving the stimulus applying unit 23 based on the start signal output from the CPU 41. The stimulus application unit 23 causes a weak current to flow through the wrist through the electrodes based on the voltage applied from the stimulus control unit 24. Application of stimulation to the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit 2 is started by passing an electric current through the wrist.

CPU41 judges whether predetermined 1st time passed since the irritation | stimulation to the acupuncture point by the stimulation part 2 was started by the process of S15 (S16). The predetermined first time is, for example, 1 second. If the CPU 51 determines that the first time has not elapsed (S16: NO), it returns the process to S16. CPU41 repeats determination of S16 until 1st time passes. When the CPU 41 determines that the first time has elapsed (S16: YES), the stimulation to the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit 2 is stopped by outputting an electrical signal to the stimulation unit 2 (S17). Specifically, it is as follows. The CPU 41 outputs an electrical signal for stopping the driving of the stimulus applying unit 23 to the stimulus control unit 24. Hereinafter, an electrical signal for stopping the driving of the stimulus applying unit 23 is referred to as a stop signal. The stimulus control unit 24 stops the voltage application to the stimulus application unit 23 in order to stop the drive of the stimulus application unit 23 based on the stop signal output from the CPU 41. The stimulus application unit 23 stops the current flowing from the electrode to the wrist. By stopping the current flowing through the wrist, the application of the stimulus to the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit 2 is stopped.

CPU41 acquires a measurement result from the measurement part 3. FIG. The CPU 41 specifies the blood flow based on the above-described blood flow specifying method based on the acquired measurement result (S19). Hereinafter, the blood flow rate specified by the process of S19 is referred to as a blood flow rate P2. The CPU 41 reads from the RAM 43 the blood flow rate P1 stored in the RAM 43 by the process of S13 (S21). CPU41 compares the blood flow rate P1 read from RAM43 by the process of S21, and the blood flow rate P2 specified by the process of S19 (S23).

One of the various effects on the body caused by stimulation of the acupuncture points is an effect of promoting blood circulation. When blood circulation is promoted, the peak voltage of the pulse wave increases because the blood vessels spread. As described in the above-described blood flow specifying method, since the pulse wave and the blood flow have a strong positive correlation, when the peak voltage increases, the specified blood flow also increases. Therefore, when the stimulation by the stimulation unit 2 started by the processing of S15 is applied to the wrist acupuncture point, the blood flow rate P2 specified after application of the stimulus is more than the blood flow rate P1 specified before application of the stimulation. growing. When the blood flow rate P1 is larger than the blood flow rate P2, the current flowing from the electrode of the stimulus applying unit 23 stimulates the acupuncture point. On the other hand, even when the stimulation by the stimulation unit 2 is started by the processing of S15, if the current flowing from the electrode of the stimulation application unit 23 does not stimulate the acupuncture point, the blood circulation promoting effect does not appear, and therefore, it is specified before the stimulation is applied The blood flow rate P1 and the blood flow rate P2 specified after applying the stimulus are substantially the same. When the blood flow rate P1 and the blood flow rate P2 are substantially the same, the user needs to change the attachment position of the stimulation unit 2 in order for the current flowing from the electrode of the stimulation application unit 23 to stimulate the acupuncture point.

CPU41 judges whether the blood flow rate P2 is larger than the blood flow rate P1 (S25). For example, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the blood flow rate P2 is greater than the blood flow rate P1 by a predetermined amount or more. The reason why it is determined whether or not it is larger than the predetermined amount is that the blood flow rate P2 may be larger than the blood flow rate P1 due to the influence of an error even when the stimulation by the stimulation unit 2 is not applied to the acupuncture point. The predetermined amount is, for example, 10 ml / min / 100 g. When the CPU 41 determines that the blood flow rate P2 is not greater than the blood flow rate P1 by a predetermined amount or more (S25: NO), the CPU 41 turns on the red LED 222 (S29). The CPU 41 ends the main process.

When the red LED 222 is lit, it is possible to allow the user to recognize that the stimulus cannot be applied to the wrist acupuncture point due to an incorrect attachment position of the stimulation unit 2. It is considered that the user turns off the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 and changes the attachment position of the stimulation unit 2 by making the user recognize that the acupuncture point stimulation cannot be applied. CPU41 starts the process of S11 based on operation of SW44.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that the blood flow rate P2 is larger than the blood flow rate P1 by a predetermined amount or more (S25: YES), the CPU 41 turns on one of the three green LEDs 221 (S27). CPU41 advances a process to S41 shown in FIG. The user recognizes that the attachment position of the stimulation unit 2 is correct when any one of the three green LEDs 221 is lit. When the user recognizes that the attachment position of the stimulation unit 2 is correct, the description will be continued assuming that the user presses the SW 44 in order to cause the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 to perform an operation of continuing to apply the stimulation to the acupuncture point.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 41 determines whether an operation of pressing the SW 44 is detected (S41). When the CPU 41 determines that an operation of pressing the SW 44 is not detected (S41: NO), the process returns to S41. The CPU 41 continues to determine whether an operation of pressing the SW 44 is detected. When the CPU 41 determines that an operation of pressing the SW 44 is detected (S41: YES), the CPU 41 starts the stimulation to the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit 2 by outputting a start signal to the stimulation unit 2 (S45). The specific processing content is the same as that of the processing of S15 shown in FIG. The CPU 41 determines whether or not a predetermined second time has elapsed since the stimulation of the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit 2 is started by the process of S45 (S46). The predetermined second time is, for example, 2 seconds. If the CPU 51 determines that the second time has not elapsed (S46: NO), it returns the process to S46. The CPU 41 repeats the determination in S46 until the second time has elapsed. When the CPU 41 determines that the second time has elapsed (S46: YES), the CPU 41 stops the stimulation to the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit 2 by outputting a stop signal to the stimulation unit 2 (S47). Details of the process are the same as those in the process of S17 shown in FIG.

CPU41 acquires a measurement result from the measurement part 3. FIG. The CPU 41 specifies the blood flow based on the above-described blood flow specifying method based on the acquired measurement result (S49). Hereinafter, the blood flow rate specified by the process of S49 is referred to as a blood flow rate P3. The CPU 41 stores the specified blood flow rate P3 in the RAM 43 (S51).

The CPU 41 determines whether or not a predetermined third time has elapsed since the stimulation of the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit 2 was stopped by the process of S47 (S53). The predetermined third time is, for example, 10 seconds. If the CPU 51 determines that the third time has not elapsed (S53: NO), it returns the process to S53. The CPU 41 repeats the determination in S53 until the third time has elapsed. CPU41 acquires a measurement result from the measurement part 3, when it is judged that 3rd time passed (S53: YES). Based on the acquired measurement result, the CPU 41 specifies the blood flow based on the above-described blood flow specifying method (S55). Hereinafter, the blood flow rate specified by the process of S55 is referred to as a blood flow rate P4. CPU41 reads the blood flow rate P3 memorize | stored in RAM43 by the process of S51 from RAM43 (S57). The CPU 41 compares the blood flow rate P3 read from the RAM 43 by the process of S57 and the blood flow rate P4 specified by the process of S55 (S59).

As described above, the blood flow increases with the effect of promoting blood circulation when the acupuncture point is stimulated. The blood circulation promoting effect gradually weakens as time passes after the acupuncture point is stimulated. The blood flow volume decreases as the blood circulation promoting effect becomes weaker. When the effect of promoting blood circulation when the acupuncture point is stimulated becomes weaker than a specific level over time, when the acupuncture point is stimulated again, the state of blood circulation is continued. Accordingly, the CPU 51 specifies the blood flow rate P3 and the blood flow rate P4 at different timings after the stimulation to the acupuncture point is applied by the process of S45. When the blood flow rate P3 and the blood flow rate P4 satisfy predetermined conditions, the CPU 41 applies a stimulus to the acupuncture point in order to maintain the blood circulation promoting effect. Specifically, it is as follows.

CPU41 judges whether blood flow rate P4 is smaller than blood flow rate P3. For example, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the blood flow rate P3 is larger than a value obtained by multiplying the blood flow rate P4 by 3 (S61). In other words, the CPU 41 determines whether the ratio of the blood flow rate P4 to the blood flow rate P3 is smaller than 33.3%. When the CPU 41 determines that the blood flow rate P3 is greater than the value obtained by multiplying the blood flow rate P4 by three (S61: YES), the CPU 41 determines that the blood circulation promoting effect is weaker than a specific level. CPU41 returns a process to S45, in order to maintain a promotion effect. CPU41 stimulates the acupuncture point of a wrist again by the stimulation part 2 by performing the process of S45 again. On the other hand, if the CPU 41 determines that the blood flow rate P3 is not greater than the value obtained by multiplying the blood flow rate P4 by three (S61: NO), the CPU 41 determines that the blood circulation promoting effect is maintained. CPU41 advances a process to S63.

The user can stop the operation of the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 by pressing the SW 44. The CPU 41 determines whether an operation of pressing the SW 44 is detected (S63). When the CPU 41 determines that an operation of pressing the SW 44 is detected (S63: YES), the CPU 41 ends the main process. If the CPU 41 determines that an operation of pressing the SW 44 is not detected (S63: NO), it returns the process to S53. The CPU 41 determines whether the third time has elapsed since the process of S63 was executed (S53). When it is determined that the third time has elapsed (S53: YES), the CPU 41 newly acquires a measurement result from the measurement unit 3, and specifies a new blood flow rate P4 based on the acquired measurement result (S55). . CPU41 reads the blood flow rate P3 memorize | stored in RAM43 (S57). After reading the blood flow rate P3, the CPU 61 repeats the comparison process with the newly specified blood flow rate P4 (S59, S61).

<5. Main functions and effects of this embodiment>
As described above, the CPU 41 of the acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 acquires the measurement result from the measurement unit 3 and identifies the blood flow rate P3 from the pulse wave by the process of S49 shown in FIG. CPU41 acquires a measurement result from the measurement part 3 by the process of S55 shown in FIG. 4, and specifies the blood flow rate P4 from a pulse wave. CPU41 judges that the effect of the irritation | stimulation with respect to acupuncture point fell by the process of S61 shown in FIG. 4 based on the specified blood flow rate P3 and the blood flow rate P4. When the CPU 41 determines that the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point has decreased, the CPU 41 can output a start signal, which is an electrical signal, to the stimulation unit 2 and drive the stimulation unit 2 electrically by the process of S45 illustrated in FIG. it can. Thus, CPU41 can judge that the effect of the irritation | stimulation with respect to an acupuncture point fell based on the blood flow rate P3 and the blood flow rate P4, and can drive the stimulation part 2 electrically. Therefore, the CPU 41 can maintain the effect of stimulation on the acupoint.

CPU41 acquires a measurement result from the measurement part 3 by the process of S11 shown in FIG. 3, and specifies the blood flow rate P1 from a pulse wave. CPU41 acquires a measurement result from the measurement part 3 by the process of S19 shown in FIG. 3, and specifies the blood flow rate P2 from a pulse wave. CPU41 specifies whether the pulse wave was changed by the stimulation by the stimulation unit 2 based on the blood flow volume P1 and the blood flow volume P2 by the process of S25 shown in FIG. CPU41 can identify the part stimulated by the stimulation part 2 as an acupuncture point, and can notify a user by the process of S27 shown in FIG. 3, when the change of a pulse wave is specified. Therefore, after specifying the position of the acupuncture point, the CPU 41 can stimulate the acupuncture point when the effect of stimulation is reduced by executing the process of S45 shown in FIG. By stimulating the acupuncture point when the effect of stimulation is reduced, the CPU 41 can effectively maintain the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point.

When the stimulus is applied to the acupuncture point by the stimulator 2, the pulse wave changes. The blood flow rate specified based on the peak voltage of the pulse wave increases when a stimulus is applied to the acupuncture point. The magnitude of the change in blood flow when a stimulus is applied to the acupuncture point is larger than other parameters that can be specified based on the pulse wave, such as blood pressure and heart rate. CPU41 specifies the blood flow rate P1 before a irritation | stimulation is applied by the irritation | stimulation part 2 by the process of S11 shown in FIG. CPU41 specifies the blood flow rate P2 after irritation | stimulation is applied by the irritation | stimulation part 2 by the process of S19 shown in FIG. The CPU 41 determines whether or not the blood flow rate P2 is larger than the blood flow rate P1 by a predetermined amount or more by the process of S25 shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 41 can specify the position of the acupoint more accurately. When the CPU 41 determines that the blood flow P2 is greater than the blood flow P1 by a predetermined amount or more by the process of S25 shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 41 identifies the portion stimulated by the stimulating unit 2 as an acupuncture point, as shown in FIG. The user can be notified through S27. Therefore, the CPU 41 can stimulate the acupuncture point when the stimulation effect is reduced by executing the processing of S45 shown in FIG. When determining whether or not the stimulation effect is reduced by the blood flow, the CPU 41 can effectively maintain the stimulation effect on the acupoint.

The effect when the acupuncture point is stimulated by the stimulation unit 2 decreases as time passes after the acupuncture point is stimulated. As the effect of stimulation on the acupoint decreases, the blood flow also decreases. CPU41 specifies blood flow rate P3 immediately after irritation | stimulation is applied to the acupuncture point by the stimulation part 2 by the process of S49 shown in FIG. The CPU 41 specifies the blood flow rate P4 after a lapse of a third time or more after the stimulus is applied to the acupuncture point by the stimulating unit 2 by the process of S55 shown in FIG. The CPU 41 can specify that the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point has been reduced based on the relationship between the blood flow rate P3 and the blood flow rate P4 by the process of S61 shown in FIG. When the CPU 61 specifies that the stimulation effect has decreased, the CPU 41 can stimulate the acupuncture point at a timing when the stimulation effect on the acupuncture point has decreased by executing the process of S45 shown in FIG.

When the CPU 41 determines that the blood flow rate P3 is larger than three times the blood flow rate P4 by the process of S61 shown in FIG. 4, it determines that the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point has decreased. When the CPU 61 determines that the effect of the stimulus has been reduced, the CPU 41 applies the stimulus to the acupuncture point by executing the process of S45 shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 41 can more appropriately identify the timing when the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point is reduced, and drive the stimulation unit 2 to stimulate the acupuncture point.

<6. Other>
The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 may include a flash ROM (not shown). A control program to be executed by the CPU 41 may be stored in the flash ROM. The acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 may include a medium reading device. The control program stored in the storage medium may be read by the medium reading device and stored in the flash ROM. The acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 1 may include a communication interface capable of connecting a network. The control program received via the network may be stored in the flash ROM. The main processing described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 is not limited to the example executed by the CPU 41, and may be executed by other electronic components. For example, the main process may be executed by an ASIC. The main process may be distributed by a plurality of CPUs.

In the above embodiment, the measurement unit 3 and the control unit 4 are connected by the cable 51. The stimulation unit 2 and the control unit 4 are connected by a cable 52. The measurement unit 3 and the control unit 4 may communicate wirelessly. The stimulation unit 2 and the control unit 4 may communicate wirelessly. The sensor 32 of the measurement unit 3 is a sensor that measures pulse waves using light. The sensor 32 may be a sensor that measures a pulse wave by another method. For example, the sensor 32 may be a pressure sensor that detects blood vessel vibration as a pulse wave.

The measurement unit 3 may measure information other than the pulse wave that can specify the blood flow as biological information. For example, the measurement unit 3 may measure the temperature of the fingertip as biological information that can specify the blood flow rate. When the measuring unit 3 measures the temperature of the fingertip, the CPU 41 can specify the blood flow volume from the temperature of the fingertip, for example, based on the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-1335046. In the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-135046, the heat quantity Qb carried by blood, the heat quantity Qc by conduction, and the metabolic heat quantity Qm, the radiant heat quantity Qr, the convective heat quantity Qf, and the transpiration are lost. The blood flow volume is calculated using the fact that the sum total with the heat quantity Qe is equal. A specific method for specifying the blood flow by the CPU 41 will be briefly described below. CPU41 acquires the measurement result measured with the infrared imaging device and the deep thermometer, and specifies calorie | heat amount Qc, Qm, Qr, Qf, Qe other than calorie | heat amount Qb. The CPU 41 calculates a heat quantity Qb based on the specified heat quantities Qc, Qm, Qr, Qf, and Qe. CPU41 calculates blood flow volume by applying calorie | heat amount Qb to a predetermined relational expression. For example, the measurement unit 3 may measure the color of the fingertip as biological information that can specify the blood flow rate. That is, fingertip temperature and fingertip color are related to blood flow. In addition, the measurement unit 3 may measure the blood flow, and the control unit 4 drives the stimulation unit 2 based on the blood flow associated with the blood flow as biological information measured by the measurement unit 3. It may be determined that it is a meridian point.

The CPU 41 may specify another parameter indicating the blood circulation state instead of the blood flow rate. For example, the CPU 41 may specify blood pressure or heart rate. The CPU 41 may determine whether a stimulus is applied to the acupuncture point by the stimulation unit 2 based on the specified blood pressure or heart rate. Further, the CPU 41 may determine whether the effect of stimulation on the acupuncture point has been reduced based on the specified blood pressure or heart rate.

In the above embodiment, the stimulation unit 2 is attached to the user's wrist. The position where the stimulation unit 2 is attached can be changed to a position other than the wrist having the acupuncture point in the user's body. For example, the stimulation unit 2 may be attached to the user's head, neck, back, waist, ankle, or the like. In the said embodiment, the stimulation part 2 stimulated the acupuncture point of a wrist by sending an electric current through a wrist through the electrode which the stimulation application part 23 has. In addition to this, for example, the stimulus application unit 23 may include a known stimulus application unit capable of outputting an ultrasonic wave such as an ultrasonic transducer instead of the plurality of electrodes. Known stimulation applying units are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 3-49753, 3-49760, 11-347097, 2000-135263, and the like. The stimulating unit 2 may stimulate the acupuncture point of the wrist by irradiating the wrist with ultrasonic waves via a stimulation applying unit capable of outputting ultrasonic waves.

In the above embodiment, the measuring unit 3 is attached to the user's fingertip. The position where the measurement unit 3 is attached can be changed to a position other than the fingertip in the user's body. For example, the measurement unit 3 may be attached to a user's earlobe, foot, or the like. The acupuncture point stimulating apparatus 1 may have a speaker instead of the display unit 22. CPU41 may notify a user whether the attachment position of irritation | stimulation part 2 is correct by outputting a sound from a speaker. The control unit 4 may be attached to the piece member 21.

In the above embodiment, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the blood flow rate P2 is greater than the blood flow rate P1 by a predetermined amount or more by the process of S25 shown in FIG. The predetermined amount “10 ml / min / 100 g” is an example, and the predetermined amount may be any value larger than zero. The CPU 41 determines whether or not the blood flow rate P3 is larger than the value obtained by triple the blood flow rate P4 by the process of S61 shown in FIG. The CPU 41 may compare the blood flow rate 3 with the blood flow rate P4 based on another condition. For example, the CPU 41 may determine whether the blood flow rate P3 is greater than the blood flow rate P4 by a predetermined amount or more.

In the above embodiment, the CPU 41 specifies the blood flow rate P1 by the process of S11 shown in FIG. 3 and stores the blood flow rate P1 in the RAM 43 by S13 shown in FIG. The ROM 42 may store the blood flow rate P1 in advance. The CPU 41 may specify the blood flow P1 by reading the blood flow P1 stored in the ROM 42 by the process of S11 shown in FIG. Further, the CPU 41 may store the specified blood flow rate P1 in a flash ROM (not shown) by the process of S13 shown in FIG. When the CPU 41 executes the process of S11 shown in FIG. 3 when the blood flow P1 is stored in the flash ROM, the CPU 41 may specify the blood flow P1 by reading the blood flow P1 stored in the flash ROM. .

The pulse wave of the above embodiment is an example of the “biological information” of the present invention. The measurement result acquired from the measurement unit 3 when the blood flow P1 is specified in S11 is an example of the “first information” in the present invention. The measurement result acquired from the measurement unit 3 when the blood flow rate P2 is specified in S19 is an example of the “second information” in the present invention. The measurement result acquired from the measurement unit 3 when the blood flow rate P3 is specified in S49 is an example of the “biological information measured earlier” in the present invention. The measurement result acquired from the measurement unit 3 when the blood flow rate P4 is specified in S55 is an example of “biological information measured later” in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Acupuncture point stimulation apparatus 2 Stimulation part 3 Measurement part 4 Control part 22 Display part 23 Stimulus application part 32 Sensor

Claims

A stimulation part for electrically driving and stimulating acupoints;
A measurement unit that measures biological information related to the blood circulation state;
An acupuncture point stimulation apparatus comprising: a control unit that electrically drives the stimulation unit based on a measurement result of the measurement unit.
The control unit includes first information that is biological information before stimulation by the stimulation unit, and second information that is biological information measured by the measurement unit after stimulation by the stimulation unit is performed. The acupuncture point stimulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acupuncture point stimulating device specifies whether or not the portion stimulated by the stimulation unit is the acupuncture point.
The control unit specifies that a portion stimulated by the stimulation unit is the acupuncture point when a blood flow volume related to the second information is larger than a blood flow volume related to the first information. The acupuncture point stimulation apparatus according to claim 2.
The control unit is a case where the biological information is repeatedly measured by the measurement unit after the portion stimulated by the stimulation unit is identified as the acupuncture point, and is related to the biological information previously measured 3. The stimulation unit is driven when a blood flow volume to be measured and a blood flow volume related to biological information measured after the previously measured biological information satisfy a predetermined relationship. Acupuncture point stimulation apparatus according to claim 1.
When the ratio of the blood flow related to the biological information measured later to the blood flow related to the previously measured biological information is smaller than a predetermined ratio, the control unit The acupuncture point stimulating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the acupuncture point stimulating apparatus is driven.
A measurement step for measuring biological information related to the blood circulation state;
And a control step of electrically driving a stimulator capable of stimulating the acupuncture point based on the measurement result of the measurement step.
On the computer,
A measurement step for causing the measurement unit to measure biological information related to the blood circulation state;
An acupuncture point stimulation program for executing a control step of electrically driving a stimulation unit for stimulating an acupuncture point based on a measurement result of the measurement step.