WO2019009009A1

WO2019009009A1 - Electric therapy device, pad for electric therapy device, and method for manufacturing same

Info

Publication number: WO2019009009A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/022023
Authority: WO
Inventors: 賢一郎財津; 祐輝山下
Original assignee: オムロンヘルスケア株式会社
Priority date: 2017-07-06
Filing date: 2018-06-08
Publication date: 2019-01-10
Also published as: JP2019013409A

Abstract

An electric therapy device includes: pad parts including pads (4Y, 5Y) that have surfaces located on the side to be brought into contact with the body and that have conducting parts (2a) on the surfaces; and a body unit (4) that supplies electric currents to the body through the conducting parts. The conducting parts have different magnitudes of electrical resistances according to individual portions (A1 to A4, B1 to B4) on the surfaces thereof, and the body unit includes a detection unit that detects the magnitudes of the resistances measured via the conducting parts, and a processing unit that determines a portion that is not in contact with the body, among the portions of the surfaces, on the basis of a change in the magnitude of the resistance detected in the case where the electric currents are supplied.

Description

Electric therapeutic device, pad for electric therapeutic device and method for manufacturing the same

The present disclosure relates to an electrotherapeutic device, a pad for an electrotherapeutic device, and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to an electrotherapeutic device for supplying a therapeutic current to a body, a pad of an electrotherapeutic device and a method of manufacturing the same.

The electrotherapeutic device supplies a therapeutic current through electrodes that can contact the body. In order to obtain a therapeutic effect, it is desirable that the electrode be in contact with the body without peeling off.

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-194173) determines whether or not a threshold value set based on the impedance of the skin in a state in which the contact area between the electrode and the skin is secured. And a cosmetic device comprising

Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-528936) discloses a configuration in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged on an electrode pad attached to the skin.

Patent Document 3 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-527675) discloses a configuration in which the contact impedance is determined in order for each electrode in order to appropriately select the arrangement of the array electrode in the skin.

JP, 2011-194173, A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2016-528936 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-527675

In the case of supplying a low frequency current by the electrical treatment apparatus, since the current is weak, even if the electrode is detached from the body, it is difficult for the user to sense and hardly notice. In addition, there is also a demand that the user wants to know which part is to be peeled off in order to securely attach the electrode to the body.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and in one aspect, an object of the present invention is an electric therapeutic device capable of determining a peeling portion of a pad from the body, the pad, and the pad portion It is to provide a manufacturing method.

The electrotherapy device according to the present disclosure is a pad having a surface in contact with the body, the pad portion including a pad having a conductive portion formed on the surface, and current to the body through the conductive portion. The conductive portion has different magnitudes of electrical resistance corresponding to each part of the surface, and the main portion detects the magnitude of the resistance measured through the conductive portion. The detection unit includes a processing unit that determines a non-contacting portion of the surface of the surface from the change in the magnitude of the resistance detected when the current is supplied.

Preferably, the conductive portion on the surface has a shape in which the magnitude of resistance is different for each portion.
Preferably, the pad portion further includes a holder to which the pad can be integrally attached, and the body portion is locked to the holder.

Preferably, the pad of the pad portion has a shape in which the surface extends on both sides in the width direction of the holder, and the conductive portion on the surface resists a portion of the portion farther from the main portion than the portion closer to the main portion Is large.

Preferably, the processing unit further outputs a notification for indicating the determined site.
Preferably, the communication device further includes a communication unit that communicates with the terminal device, and the terminal device includes an output unit that outputs information to be received, and the processing unit controls the communication unit to transmit a notification to the terminal device.

Preferably, the main body unit further includes a storage unit that accumulates and stores information indicating a site determined to be noncontacting, and the processing unit further calculates a statistical value of the number of times noncontacting for each site is determined. Calculate and output a notification about the use of the pad from the statistical value.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a communication unit for communicating with the terminal device, the processing unit controls the communication unit to transmit a notification to the terminal device, and the terminal device is determined to be non-contact with the display unit for displaying information. And a terminal-side storage unit that accumulates and stores information indicating the site, calculates a statistical value of the number of times determined to be non-contact for each site, and determines information on use of the pad from the statistical value.

Preferably, the current comprises a low frequency current.
According to another aspect of the invention, the pad of the electrotherapy device comprises a side in contact with the body, and a conductive portion formed on the side for supplying current to the body , The size of the electrical resistance is different corresponding to each part of the surface.

Preferably, the conductive portion has a shape different from one portion to another.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a pad of an electrotherapy device is provided. The pad comprises a base comprising an insulating material, the base having a side in contact with the body. The above manufacturing method includes the step of forming a conductive layer containing a conductive material on the surface of the base, and the step of forming the conductive layer corresponds to the magnitude of the electrical resistance corresponding to each portion of the surface. Forming the conductive layers differently.

Preferably, the step of forming the conductive layer so as to have different magnitudes of resistance includes the step of forming the conductive layer into different shapes in different portions.

According to this disclosure, it is possible to determine the exfoliation of the pad from the body.

It is a figure showing the external appearance of low frequency treatment machine 1 in an embodiment, linking with terminal 10, and showing it. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an internal configuration of the low frequency treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of terminal 10 according to this embodiment. 5 schematically shows a shape of a conductive portion 2a in the pad according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the equivalent circuit for supplying an electric current to a body via the electroconductive part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a low frequency treatment device according to Embodiment 1. 5 schematically shows a table according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a process flowchart according to Embodiment 1; It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen of notification content. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a method of making the magnitude of resistance different for each portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of a pad according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a comparative example for Embodiment 1; 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a manufacturing process of the pad according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same parts and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may not be repeated.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the low frequency treatment device 1 according to the embodiment in association with a terminal 10. The low frequency treatment device 1 is an example of the “electric treatment device”. The terminal 10 is an example of a “terminal device” that communicates with the low frequency treatment device 1. The type of "electrical treatment device" is not limited to low frequency treatment devices. Moreover, although the smart phone (multifunctional mobile phone) is illustrated as the terminal 10, it is not limited to a smart phone, For example, a foldable mobile phone, a tablet terminal device, personal computer (PC), personal data assistance (PDA) etc. Such other terminal device may be used.

Referring to FIG. 1, the low frequency treatment device 1 is a so-called cordless low frequency treatment device, and includes a pad portion 2, a holder 3 and a main body portion 4.

(Pad part 2)
The pad portion 2 includes a holder 3 and

pads

4Y and 5Y that can be integrally attached to the holder 3. The

pads

4Y, 5Y correspond to a treatment unit that can be attached to the body in order to supply a therapeutic current to the body through the pads. The holder 3 is an insulating material, for example, a nonconductor made of a hard resin material.

The pads 4 Y and 5 Y have a sheet-like shape formed to extend on both sides in the width direction of the holder 3. The

pads

4Y, 5Y are attached so as to contact a site on the user's body, more specifically, a site to be treated. Among the outer surfaces of the

pads

4Y and 5Y, the conductive portion 2a formed in a layer on the surface of the pad is provided on the surface (lower surface) of the body side 21 facing the body. The surface of the body side 21 corresponds to the side in contact with the body. The

pads

4Y and 5Y are stuck on the skin of the site in a mode in which a conductive gel or the like is placed on the conductive portion 2a. The current is supplied to the site through the conductive portion 2a and the gel. The supplied current includes pulse current (low frequency current) of a frequency according to the treatment mode.

The pad portion 2 has an attaching portion (not shown) for holding the

pads

4Y and 5Y by the holder 3. The holder 3 is positioned and arranged at this mounting portion. The

pads

4Y and 5Y are provided so as to extend on both left and right outer sides of the mounting portion (that is, both sides in the width direction of the holder 3). The conductive portion 2a is exposed at the body side 21 of the

pad

4Y, 5Y. The conductive portion 2a is also exposed on the surface facing the main body portion 4, and this exposed portion constitutes an electrode (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the holder 3 is integrated by holding the

pads

4Y and 5Y, and the main body 4 is attached to and detached from the

pads

4Y and 5Y and the holder 3. Further, since the

pads

4Y and 5Y are consumables, the

pads

4Y and 5Y can be attached to and detached from the main body 4 at the time of replacement. Although the

pads

4Y and 5Y are exchanged together with the holder 3, it is also possible to reuse the holder 3 if necessary.

(Body part 4)
As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 4 includes a case 4 a having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as an exterior body. An engaging portion 5 is formed between the case 4 a and the holder 3, and the main body 4 (case 4 a) is detachably attached to the holder 3 by the engaging portion 5. The main body 4 is provided with a switch 48S operated by the user to control the low frequency treatment device 1. In addition, the main unit 4 includes a display unit 202 for outputting information such as the operation state of the low frequency treatment device 1 and the like. The display unit 202 includes a liquid crystal display.

The main body portion 4 supplies a low frequency pulse current to the conductive portions 2 a of the pads 4 Y and 5 Y through the electrodes in a state of being attached to the holder 3. Specifically, the main unit 4 incorporates a substrate, an electric circuit, and the like. The electrical circuit includes various control devices for generating low frequency pulse current and is mounted on the surface of the substrate.

(Configuration of low frequency treatment device 1)
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the low frequency treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the low frequency treatment device 1 includes, as main components, an operation unit 201, a display unit 202, a control unit 203 for controlling each portion of the low frequency treatment device 1, a current generation unit 204, and input / output. An interface 205, a storage unit 206, a communication unit 207, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) unit 208 are provided. Although not shown, the low frequency treatment device 1 also includes a power supply unit that supplies power to each component. For example, an alkaline dry battery is used as the power supply unit. The power supply unit stabilizes the battery voltage and generates a drive voltage to be supplied to each component.

The control unit 203 typically includes a central processing unit (CPU) or a multi processing unit (MPU). The control unit 203 reads the program stored in the storage unit 206 and executes the read program to control the operation of each unit of the low frequency therapy device 1.

The storage unit 206 includes a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, and the like. The storage unit 206 stores a program executed by the control unit 203, data used by the control unit 203, and the like.

The operation unit 201 includes, for example, a switch 48S and various switches operated to receive an input to the low frequency treatment device 1 of the user to the low frequency treatment device 1. When the user operates the operation unit 201, the control unit 203 receives the operation content and controls each unit according to the received operation content.

The communication unit 207 has a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) low energy) circuit that consumes low power to communicate with the terminal 10. The communication between the communication unit 207 and the terminal 10 is wireless in the first embodiment but may be wired.

The current generation unit 204 outputs a current (hereinafter also referred to as a “treatment current”) flowing to a site of the user's body via the

pads

4Y and 5Y. The current generation unit 204 includes a booster circuit, a voltage adjustment circuit 209, an output circuit, and the like.

The booster circuit boosts the power supply voltage to a predetermined voltage. The voltage adjustment circuit 209 adjusts the voltage boosted by the booster circuit to a voltage of a voltage value corresponding to the electric stimulation intensity. Specifically, in the low frequency treatment device 1, the type of treatment mode can be set by operating the operation unit 201. Adjustment of the electrical stimulation can be set for each type of treatment mode. The control unit 203 receives the setting operation of the treatment mode (that is, the electric stimulation intensity) via the operation unit 201, and generates the current so as to adjust the voltage value corresponding to the electric stimulation intensity indicated by the received operation content. The unit 204 (more specifically, the voltage adjustment circuit 209) is controlled.

The input / output interface 205 includes a waveform generation circuit 210 and a voltage detection circuit 211 for inputting / outputting an electric signal (including a current) to / from the

pads

4Y and 5Y. The waveform generation circuit 210 receives the voltage adjusted by the voltage adjustment circuit 209 from the current generation unit 204. The waveform generation circuit 210 modulates or amplifies the received voltage according to a command from the control unit 203 to generate a treatment waveform (low frequency pulse) current. The command indicates a command according to the treatment mode set by the user. The control unit 203 receives a treatment mode set by the user via the operation unit 201 or receives it from the terminal 10 via the communication unit 207.

The input / output interface 205 outputs the generated low frequency pulse current to the

pads

4Y and 5Y (of not shown electrodes). As a result, a low frequency pulse current having a waveform according to the treatment mode set by the user is supplied to the part of the body via the electrode and the conductive portion 2a of the

pad

4Y, 5Y.

Here, the low frequency treatment device 1 has a plurality of types of treatment modes. For example, as the treatment mode, "Momi", "Tataki", "Push" mode and the like can be mentioned. The low frequency treatment device 1 generates various kinds of stimuli such as "flour", "striking", "pushing" and "scrubbing" by changing the waveform (polarity, interval, arrangement, etc.) of the low frequency pulse. Moreover, adjustment of "intensity" (electric stimulation intensity) is possible by changing the amplitude and pulse width of a pulse, and adjustment of "speed" is respectively possible by changing the appearance cycle of a pulse group. As specific waveforms can be used conventionally known, detailed description will not be repeated here. Moreover, you may use not a pulse current but alternating current as a treatment current.

In Embodiment 1, regardless of the condition of the body or the condition of the site where the electrode is in contact (such as being dry or moist), a substantially constant electric stimulation intensity is felt. To that end, the low frequency treatment device 1 can measure the bioimpedance and determine the above-mentioned pulse waveform from the measured bioimpedance. The method of measuring the bioimpedance can use a well-known method, so the description will not be repeated here.

The voltage detection circuit 211 of the input / output interface 205 measures (detects) the magnitude of the voltage drop which is the potential between the electrodes of the

pads

4Y and 5Y. The voltage detection circuit 211 converts the magnitude of the measured voltage drop into a digital value, and outputs the converted voltage drop value V to the control unit 203.

The control unit 203 compares the voltage drop value V received from the input / output interface 205 with a reference value Vr (described later) which is a threshold. The control unit 203 determines a portion of the

pads

4Y, 5Y that has been peeled off from the body based on the comparison result, that is, a non-contact portion of the pad with the body and outputs a control signal for outputting a notification of the determined content. .

The output destination of the control signal includes the display unit 202, the communication unit 207, and the LED unit 208. The display unit 202 is driven according to the control signal to display information (a character, a picture, etc. indicating a non-contact portion). Further, the LED unit 208 is driven and lit (or blinks) according to the control signal. The communication unit 207 also communicates with the terminal 10 according to the control signal. Thereby, the content of the notification included in the control signal is output to the terminal 10. This output mode may include, but is not limited to, a letter indicating a non-contact site, a display such as a picture, a sound, a vibration, and the like.

In addition, the control unit 203 may output a control signal to the storage unit 206. Storage unit 206 writes the contents of the notification in the storage area according to the control signal. As a result, the storage unit 206 accumulates and stores information indicating non-contact parts.

(Configuration of terminal 10)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the terminal 10 includes, as main components, a CPU 152, a memory 154, an operation unit 156 for receiving a user operation, a display 158 for displaying information, a communication unit 160, and a memory interface (I / F) 164. , A communication interface (I / F) 166, a speaker 168, a microphone 170, and a vibrating unit 157 for vibrating the terminal 10.

The CPU 152 functions as a control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the terminal 10 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 154.

The memory 154 is realized by a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, or the like. The memory 154 stores a program executed by the processor 152, data used by the processor 152, and the like.

The operation unit 156 is realized by, for example, a touch panel, but may include a button or the like. The operation unit 156 and the display 158 may be provided as an integrated touch panel display.

The communication unit 160 is connected to the mobile communication network via, for example, the antenna 162 to transmit and receive signals for wireless communication. As a result, the terminal 10 can communicate with another communication apparatus via a mobile communication network such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), for example.

The memory interface 164 reads data or a program from the external storage medium 165 and outputs the data or program to the CPU 152. Also, the memory interface 164 stores data from the CPU 152 in the external storage medium 165.

The communication interface (I / F) 166 includes a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) low energy) circuit to exchange various data between the terminal 10 and the low frequency treatment device 1. In the present embodiment, BLE is employed as the communication method, but the communication method may be a method using a wireless LAN or the like.

(Shape of conductive portion 2a)
FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing the shape of the conductive portion 2 a in the pad according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, conductive portions 2 a formed in layers are provided on the surface of body side 21 facing the body among the outer surfaces of pads 4 Y and 5 Y. Specifically, the body side 21 includes a base 2c of an insulating layer which is a nonconductive layer, and a conductive portion 2a laminated on the surface of the base 2c. Furthermore, when the user wears the pad portion 2 on a part of the body, the layered gel sheet 2d made of a conductive gel material is attached on the conductive portion 2a. At the time of treatment, in a state where the conductive portion 2a is in contact with the surface of the body via the gel sheet 2d, current is supplied from the conductive portion 2a to the body via the gel sheet 2d. When the gel sheet 2d is not used, current is supplied to the body from the conductive portion 2a without the gel sheet 2d.

The conductive portions 2a are provided separately for the polarity (positive pole, negative pole) at the time of energization. Since the

pads

4Y and 5Y may be alternately switched in polarity and energized, the conductive part 2a dedicated to the positive electrode and the conductive part 2a dedicated to the negative electrode do not exist in a fixed manner, but the polarity is variable. It is

For example, in the first embodiment, the low frequency current from the input / output interface 205 flows, for example, in the direction of pad 4Y → body part → pad 5Y. As described above, it may flow in the direction of pad 5Y → body part → pad 4Y.

Referring to FIG. 4, the carbon layer of the conductive portion 2 a has, for example, an opposed comb shape and is printed on the base 2 c. The comb-shaped carbon layer has a portion extending in one direction corresponding to the lower portion of the comb shape and a plurality of chevrons extending in a direction intersecting (for example, substantially orthogonal to) the direction in which the lower portion extends. The plurality of chevrons extend from the bottom. The

pads

4Y and 5Y are attached to the holder 3 so as to extend on both sides in the width direction of the holder 3. When the

pads

4Y and 5Y are attached to the holder 3, the lower portion of the comb shape extends from the holder 3 in the direction in which the pads extend.

In FIG. 4, the plurality of comb-shaped chevrons are disposed at the portions A1 to A4 of the pad 4Y and the portions B1 to B4 of the pad 5Y. By changing the shape (size) of the chevron at each portion of the pad 4Y, the magnitude of the resistance at each portion is made different. In the first embodiment, the parts (parts A1 and B1 in the case of FIG. 4) farthest from the main body 4 (the holder 3) have a shape (large size) larger than the other parts of the pad. Thereby, the magnitude of the electrical resistance of the portion farthest from the main body 4 (the holder 3) can be made larger than that of the other portions.

For example, the pad 4Y has a relationship of resistance R1 of the part A1> resistance R2 of the part A2> resistance R3 of the part A3> resistance R4 of the part A4. Similarly, the pad 5Y has a relationship of resistance r1 of part B1> resistance r2 of part B2> resistance r3 of part B3> resistance r3 of part B4.

In FIG. 4, the carbon layer of the conductive portion 2 a is formed in a comb shape in order to make the magnitude of resistance different for each part of each pad, but the shape is not limited to the comb shape.

(Equivalent circuit)
FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing an equivalent circuit for supplying a current to the body via the conductive portion 2a of FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, the equivalent circuit includes a first circuit in which resistors R1 to R4 are connected in parallel, a second circuit in which resistors r1 to r4 are connected in parallel, and a series circuit between the first and second circuits. And a circuit of the electrical resistance RH of the body to be connected. Here, the resistance RH corresponds to the bioimpedance described above, but in the first embodiment, it is a constant value.

The input of the resistor RH is connected to the output of the first circuit, and the output is connected to the input of the second circuit. The input end of the first circuit is connected to the plus electrode on the input / output interface 205 side, and the output end of the second circuit is connected to the minus electrode on the input / output interface 205 side. The low frequency current Ii output from the waveform generation circuit 210 flows through the first circuit via the plus electrode and is supplied to the body. The current flowing through the body is input to the negative electrode of the input / output interface 205 through the second circuit. The voltage detection circuit 211 detects the voltage drop value V by measuring the voltage between the plus electrode and the minus electrode.

Here, the combined resistance R0 obtained by combining the resistances of the first circuit is calculated as 1 / R0 = (1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + 1 / R3 + 1 / R4), and the combined resistance r0 obtained by combining the resistances of the second circuit is 1 / r0 = It is calculated as (1 / r1 + 1 / r2 + 1 / r3 + 1 / r4), and is calculated as the reference value Vr = Ii × (R0 + RH + r0). The reference value Vr indicates the magnitude of the voltage drop detected by the voltage detection circuit 211 when the conductive portions 2a of the

pads

4Y and 5Y contact the body normally (without peeling).

Therefore, when all the parts of pad 4Y or pad 5Y (all of conductive parts 2a) are in contact with the body, the condition of (voltage drop value V = reference value Vr) is established, but a part of parts However, in the case where there is a non-contact part in the body by peeling, the condition of (voltage drop value V> reference value Vr) is satisfied. Hereinafter, the condition (voltage drop value V> reference value Vr) is also referred to as “peeling condition”.

(Functional configuration)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the low frequency treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the table TB according to the first embodiment. The table TB of FIG. 7 is stored in the storage unit 206. In the table TB, data indicating one or more portions TB2 of the

pads

4Y and 5Y and notification contents (for example, a message) TB3 are stored corresponding to respective sizes (resistance value TB1) of resistance.

Referring to FIG. 6, the low frequency therapy device 1 includes a processing unit 32 and a notification unit 33 that outputs a notification based on the output of the processing unit 32. The processing unit 32 determines (determines) a noncontacting portion of the

pads

4Y and 5Y from the change in the magnitude of the resistance detected in the conductive unit 2a. The notification unit 33 outputs the control signal described above to each unit in order to control each unit to output a notification indicating the determination content of the processing unit 32.

When supplying a low frequency current to the body through the pad unit 2, the processing unit 32 calculates the resistance value according to (V−Vr) / Ii as a change in the magnitude of the resistance when “peeling condition” is satisfied. Do. The processing unit 32 searches the table TB of FIG. 7 based on the change in the magnitude of the resistance (that is, the calculated value). The processing unit 32 specifies the resistance value TB1 corresponding to the change value from the table TB by searching, and reads out the part TB2 and the output content TB3 corresponding to the specified resistance value TB1.

The notification unit 33 outputs the control signal described above to each unit in order to output a notification indicating the determination content of the processing unit 32. The communication unit 207 transmits notification data to the terminal 10 in accordance with the control signal from the notification unit 33. The CPU 152 of the terminal 10 causes an image to be displayed on the display 158 in accordance with the received notification data, or causes the speaker 168 to output a sound, or causes the vibration unit 157 to vibrate. In addition, when the main-body part 4 is equipped with a vibration part, notification may be made by the vibration of the said vibration part.

The functions of the units in FIG. 6 are mainly realized by the control unit 203 executing a program, but may be realized by a combination of a program and a circuit.

(Processing flowchart)
FIG. 8 is a process flowchart according to the first embodiment. The flowchart shows the processing of the low frequency treatment device 1 and the processing of the terminal 10 in association with each other. A program according to the flowchart of the process of the low frequency treatment device 1 is stored in the storage unit 206. The control unit 203 reads a program from the storage unit 206 and executes the read program. A program according to the flowchart of the process of the terminal 10 is stored in the memory 154. The CPU 152 reads a program from the memory 154 and executes the read program.

The process of determination and notification of pad peeling will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 203 determines whether the low frequency treatment device 1 is in operation of supplying a low frequency current to the pad unit 2 (step S1). If it is determined that it is not in operation (NO in step S1), the series of processing is ended, but if it is determined that it is in operation (YES in step S1), processing unit 32 outputs from voltage detection circuit 211 Voltage drop value V is determined (step S3).

Specifically, the voltage detection circuit 211 measures the voltage drop value V, and outputs the measured voltage drop value V to the control unit 203. Processing unit 32 receives voltage drop value V output from voltage detection circuit 211, and compares the received voltage drop value V with reference value Vr. The reference value Vr is stored in advance in the storage unit 206.

Based on the result of the comparison, the processing unit 32 determines whether the above-described "peeling condition" holds (step S5). If it is determined that the "peeling condition" is not satisfied (NO in step S5), the series of processing ends.

On the other hand, when the processing unit 32 determines that the "peel condition" is satisfied (YES in step S5), the non-contact portion is determined among the portions of the

pads

4Y and 5Y (step S7). Specifically, the processing unit 32 calculates the magnitude of the change in resistance of the equivalent circuit according to (V−Vr) / Ii. The calculated magnitude of the change in resistance corresponds to the value of the resistance corresponding to the non-contact portion.

The processing unit 32 searches the table TB based on the magnitude of change in resistance (that is, the calculated value of (V−Vr) / Ii), and searches the part TB2 corresponding to the calculated value and the output content TB3 from the table TB. Read it out.

The notification unit 33 outputs the above control signal for notifying the content read from the table TB to each unit (step S9).

In the terminal 10, the CPU 152 determines whether to receive notification data from the notification unit 33 (step S21). If it judges that it has received (YES in step S21), CPU 152 controls speaker 168, vibrator 157 and display 158 according to the received notification data. Thereby, the information indicating the non-contact part is presented by voice, vibration or image (step S23). If the CPU 152 determines that the notification data is not received (NO in step S21), the series of processing ends.

When the peeling is detected (YES in step S5), the control unit 203 stops the current generation unit 204 and stops the supply of the current.

In the first embodiment, the CPU of the control unit 203 repeatedly executes a program according to the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, even if it is difficult for the user to feel the state where the current is not supplied because the current supplied to the body is a weak current such as a low frequency current, in the first embodiment, the above notification The user can confirm the part where the

pads

4Y and 5Y are peeled, and partially press the pad, etc. to cancel the peeling state. Thereby, all of the low frequency current from conductive part 2a can be supplied to the body.

(Example of notification display)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen of notification content. The CPU 152 of the terminal 10 generates image data based on the notification content included in the notification data received from the low frequency treatment device 1. By driving the display 158 in accordance with the image data, an image for identifying and notifying the non-contact area is displayed. In FIG. 9, for example, in the images of the

pads

4Y and 5Y, by changing the display color of the partial images 4c and 4d, it is notified in a manner that the non-contact area is distinguished from other areas.

(Shape of conductive portion 2a and size of resistance)
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of making the magnitude of resistance different for each part according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as described above, the magnitudes of the resistances of the respective portions are made different by making the shapes (sizes) of the respective chevrons in the comb shape of the conductive portions 2a of the

pads

4Y and 5Y different. .

10, the resistance value MR of each mountain-shaped portion of the conductive portion 2a stacked on the base 2c is calculated by the equation MR = (ρ (L / (W × T)). Is the conductivity specific to the material of the conductive portion 2a, the variable L is a length extending parallel to the surface of the base 2c of the conductor (the chevron portion), and the variable W is the width of the surface that can contact the body of the conductor And the variable T indicates the height from the surface of the base 2c of the conductor, As shown in this equation, the resistance value MR increases as the length of the variable L increases, and the height indicated by the variable T The lower the value, the larger, and the smaller the width indicated by the variable W, the larger.

In the first embodiment, by forming each chevron so that its shape (length or width or height) is different from each other, the magnitudes of the resistances are different from each other, and the relationship between the magnitudes of the resistances is satisfied. As described above, the relationships of R1> R2> R3> R4 and r1> r2> r3> r4 are realized. According to this relationship, in each of the

pads

4Y and 5Y, a mountain shape of a portion (see the portions A1 and B1 in FIG. 4) far from the main body 4 has the largest resistance value in the pad.

Here, when the low frequency treatment device 1 is attached to the body, the body generally tends to be peeled off because the body is not flat, but in the case of Embodiment 1, it is locked to the holder 3 The portions near the main body 4 (for example, the portions A4 and B4 in FIG. 4) can be difficult to peel off because the holder 3 and / or the main body 4 (or both) overlap. On the other hand, the effect of the weight is small and the portions far from the main body 4 (for example, the portions A1 and B1 in FIG. 4) are easily peeled off.

In the first embodiment, the voltage drop value V is obtained when the portion A1 or the portion B1 of the conductive portion 2a is peeled off by making the resistance values of the portions A1 and B1 which are easily peeled off larger than the other portions. The change is greater. Therefore, the establishment of the "peeling condition" described above can be reliably determined with respect to the part that is likely to be peeled.

(Manufacturing method of pad)
FIG. 11 is a view schematically showing the cross-sectional structure of the pad according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a manufacturing process of the pad according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, at the time of

manufacturing pads

4Y and 5Y, a sheet (layer) of, for example, carbon, which is a conductive material, is prepared (step R1). Next, a sheet of carbon is formed into a comb-shaped pattern shown in FIG. 4 to manufacture the conductive portion 2a (step R2). Next, a conductive layer including a conductive material is formed on the surface of the base 2c (step R3). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, the sheet-like conductive portion 2a formed into a comb shape is formed on a flat plate including soft synthetic resin (for example, polyethylene foam (registered trademark)). It is laminated on the surface of the base 2c by, for example, a printing process.

As shown in FIG. 11B, when the

pads

4Y and 5Y are in contact with the body, the conductive portion 2a contacts the body through the gel sheet 2d, but the carbon layer has flexibility, so the conductive portion 2a Can be contacted along the surface shape of the body via the gel sheet 2d.

(Comparative example)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a comparative example for the first embodiment. In FIG. 12, a state in which the conductive layer is uniformly printed is shown on the base (insulating layer) of the pad. When low frequency current is supplied to the body via the conductive layer of the pad of FIG. 12, the composite resistance value Rn at normal time without peeling is (Rh + Rk). Further, the combined resistance value Rn in the case where pad peeling has occurred is (Rh + Rk + ΔRh). However, the variable Rh is the resistance value of the body, the variable Rk is the resistance value of the conductive layer, and the variable ΔRh is the resistance value that fluctuates due to pad peeling. Thus, in the case of FIG. 12, although the presence or absence of peeling of the pad can be detected by detecting the combined resistance value Rn, it is not possible to specify the peeled portion.

On the other hand, as described above, the low frequency treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment identifies the exfoliated part and notifies the user of the identified exfoliated part, thereby eliminating the exfoliation to the user ( For example, it can be urged to hold down the peeling site.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, a statistical value of the number of times determined as non-contact (peeling) is calculated for each part, and a notification regarding the use of the

pads

4Y and 5Y is output from the statistical value.

The control unit 203 counts the number of times of determination that peeling has been made corresponding to each of the sites A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 of the

pads

4Y and 5Y, accumulates the count value, and stores the count value. It is stored in the unit 206. The control unit 203 compares the count value with the threshold value, and outputs a notification based on the comparison result. The count value for each site corresponds to a statistical value.

For example, when the total value of the count values of eight regions exceeds the first threshold, the control unit 203 outputs a notification prompting replacement of the gel sheet 2d. As a result, dust or the like adheres to the gel sheet 2d as a whole, making it easy to separate regardless of the part, and it is possible to urge the user to replace the gel sheet 2d with a new one.

In addition, the count value of the part near the main body 4 (for example, parts A4, A3, B4, B3, etc.) becomes larger than the count value of far parts (for example, parts A1, B1, etc.) and the second threshold In the case where the size of the gel sheet 2 d is more than that of the gel sheet 2 d, the control unit 203 can notify of the possibility of the adhesion of dust because the near portion in the gel sheet 2 d is easily peeled off.

In addition, the CPU 152 of the terminal 10 may execute the notification process described above. Specifically, the CPU 152 stores the information on the peeled portion described above in the memory 154, and the CPU 152 acquires the statistical value based on the information in the memory 154, and processes the notification using the statistical information. Run.

Third Embodiment
The processing described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 described above and the notification processing of the second embodiment can also be provided as a program executed by a computer (CPU). This program is stored in, for example, the storage unit 206 of the low frequency treatment device 1. The program may be supplied by being downloaded from an external information processing apparatus (for example, the terminal 10) to the storage unit 206 via the communication line via the communication unit 207.

Similarly, the terminal 10 stores such a program in the memory 154. The program is downloaded to the memory 154 from an external terminal via the communication unit 160. Alternatively, a program read from the storage medium 165 via the memory I / F 164 may be loaded (stored) in the memory 154.

These programs are provided to the low frequency therapy device 1 or the terminal 10 as a program product recorded on a computer readable recording medium such as a flexible disk (not shown), a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), and a memory card. It may be done.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 low frequency treatment device, 2 pad parts, 2a conductive part, 2c base, 2d gel sheet, 3 holder, 4 main body part, 4Y, 5Y pad, 4c, 4d partial image, 10 terminals, 21 body side parts, 32 processing parts, 33 notification unit, 48S switch, 152 processor, 157 vibration unit, 158 display, 160, 207 communication unit, 168 speaker, 202 display unit, 203 control unit, 204 current generation unit, 205 input / output interface, 206 storage unit, 208 LED , 209 voltage adjustment circuit, 210 waveform generation circuit, 211 voltage detection circuit, A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4 site, Ii low frequency current, L, Rh, Rk, T, W variables, MR resistance value, R0, r0 combined resistance, R1, R2, R3, R4, H, r1, r2, r3, r4 resistance, Rn combined resistance value, V the voltage drop value, Vr reference value.

Claims

A pad having a side in contact with the body, the pad including a pad having a conductive portion formed on the side;
And a main body portion for supplying an electric current to the body via the conductive portion.
The conductive portions have different magnitudes of electrical resistance corresponding to portions of the surface,
The body portion is
A detection unit that detects the magnitude of the resistance measured via the conductive unit;
And a processor configured to determine a noncontacting portion of the portion of the surface from the change in magnitude of the resistance detected when the current is supplied.
The electrotherapy device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion on the surface has a shape in which the magnitude of resistance is different for each of the portions.
The pad portion further includes a holder to which the pad can be integrally attached,
The electrotherapy device according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion is locked to the holder.
The pad of the pad portion has a shape in which the surface extends on both sides in the width direction of the holder,
The electrotherapy device according to claim 3, wherein the conductive portion on the surface has a larger resistance than a portion near the main body in a portion far from the main body in the portion.
The processing unit further
The electrotherapy apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 4 which outputs the notification for showing the determined said site | part.
A communication unit for communicating with the terminal device;
The terminal device includes an output unit that outputs received information;
The electrotherapy device according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit controls the communication unit to transmit the notification to the terminal device.
The main body unit is further
A storage unit that accumulates and stores information indicating a site determined to be non-contact;
The processing unit further
The electrotherapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a statistical value of the number of times determined to be non-contact for each part is calculated, and a notification regarding use of the pad is output from the statistical value.
A communication unit for communicating with the terminal device;
The processing unit controls the communication unit to transmit a notification to the terminal device;
The terminal device is
A display unit for displaying information;
A terminal-side storage unit that accumulates and stores information indicating a site determined to be non-contact;
The electrotherapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a statistic value of the number determined to be non-contacting for each part is calculated, and information on use of the pad is determined from the statistic value.
The electrotherapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the current includes a low frequency current.
The pad of the electrotherapy device,
The side that contacts the body,
And a conductive portion formed on the surface to supply an electric current to the body.
The conductive portion is a pad of an electrotherapy device, which has different magnitudes of electrical resistance corresponding to portions of the surface.
The pad according to claim 10, wherein the conductive portion has a shape different for each part.
A method of manufacturing a pad of an electrotherapy device, comprising
The pad comprises a base comprising an insulating material, the base having a side in contact with the body,
The manufacturing method is
Forming a conductive layer comprising a conductive material on the surface of the base,
The step of forming the conductive layer comprises
A method of manufacturing a pad of an electrotherapy device, comprising the step of forming the conductive layer so that the magnitude of the electrical resistance is different corresponding to each part of the surface.
The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of forming the conductive layer so as to have different magnitudes of resistance includes the step of forming the conductive layer into a shape different for each of the portions. .