Swallowing function electrical stimulation device and method based on surface electromyogram self-feedback

Abstract

The invention provides a swallowing function electrical stimulation device and method based on surface electromyogram self-feedback, the device comprises a surface electromyogram signal acquisition and evaluation module, a signal processing and decoding module and an electrical stimulation module, the surface electromyogram signal acquisition and evaluation module is used for acquiring a surface electromyogram signal of a target position of a patient; the signal processing and decoding module is used for receiving the collected surface electromyogram signals, conducting preprocessing and calculation analysis on the surface electromyogram signals, analyzing the detected muscle state and analyzing whether the swallowing mode of a patient is abnormal or not. And the electrical stimulation module is used for realizing dynamic control on the electrical stimulation module according to an analysis result of the signal processing and decoding module, controlling muscle groups participating in swallowing through multi-target timing sequence electrical stimulation, correcting a wrong swallowing mode of a patient with dysphagia, and formulating a personalized treatment prescription for the patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to a swallowing function electrical stimulation device and method based on surface electromyography self-feedback. Background Art

[0002] Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) refers to the technology of using low-frequency pulse current to stimulate specific nerves or muscles to cause muscle contraction, so as to improve or restore the autonomous movement of the stimulated muscles or muscle groups. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is one of the low-frequency electrotherapy methods of wearable devices. Its working principle is to use the electrical excitability of nerve cells to stimulate the nerves that control the muscles through pulse current to cause muscle contraction. The motor end plates of the neuromuscular muscles are activated by electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerves, which depolarizes the peripheral nerves and further causes passive contraction of the target muscles, increasing the recruitment of motor units such as the oropharyngeal sphincter, facial muscles and submental muscles, promoting the excitement of the throat muscles, thereby inducing the swallowing reflex and improving the swallowing function of the oropharynx.

[0003] However, the neuromuscular electrical stimulation currently used in clinical practice does not have timed stimulation, and most of the existing swallowing electrical stimulation therapeutic devices use ordinary electrodes to electrically stimulate the swallowing-related parts. Patients passively receive stimulation, and the treatment prescription is relatively simple, without reflecting individualized plans according to different types of swallowing disorders. The patient's swallowing function has limited improvement, and it is impossible to re-establish a normal swallowing pattern.

[0004] Surface electromyography (SEM) is a bioelectric signal of neuromuscular system activity recorded through electrodes on the muscle surface. It has different degrees of correlation with the activity and functional state of the muscle, and can therefore reflect neuromuscular activity to a certain extent. By decoding and analyzing the SEM signals and combining the physiological characteristics of the swallowing function points, the time sequence of personalized swallowing stimulation is adjusted to promote the sequential contraction of the swallowing muscle groups, get closer to the normal swallowing pattern, promote the recovery of swallowing disorders, and reduce complications such as aspiration caused by swallowing disorders. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention proposes a swallowing function electrical stimulation device and method based on surface electromyography self-feedback. The present invention adjusts the time sequence of personalized swallowing stimulation according to the normal swallowing physiological process and individualized signal acquisition and decoding, so as to promote the timely contraction of the swallowing muscle groups, get closer to the normal swallowing pattern, promote the recovery of swallowing disorders, and reduce complications such as aspiration caused by swallowing disorders.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] A swallowing function electrical stimulation device based on surface electromyography self-feedback includes a surface electromyography signal acquisition and evaluation module, a signal processing and decoding module, and an electrical stimulation module. The surface electromyography signal acquisition and evaluation module is used to acquire the surface electromyography signal of the patient's target position. The signal processing and decoding module is used to receive the acquired surface electromyography signal and perform preprocessing and calculation analysis on the surface electromyography signal, analyze the detected muscle state, and analyze whether the patient's swallowing pattern is abnormal. The electrical stimulation module is used to realize dynamic control of the electrical stimulation module according to the analysis result of the signal processing and decoding module, control the muscle groups involved in swallowing through multi-target timed electrical stimulation, correct the incorrect swallowing pattern of patients with dysphagia, and formulate personalized treatment prescriptions for patients.

[0008] Preferably, the preprocessing and computational analysis of the collected surface electromyography signals include: after preprocessing the original signals by filtering, drift correction, and special artifact removal, further computational analysis of the time domain, frequency domain, and dynamic cycle force is performed to obtain swallowing time limit, average amplitude, and maximum recruitment amplitude indicators.

[0009] Preferably, the electrical stimulation module uses a neuromuscular electrical stimulator to analyze the patient's swallowing intention through surface electromyographic signals, and then controls the muscles involved in swallowing through the neuromuscular electrical stimulator to correct incorrect swallowing patterns.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method for electrical stimulation of swallowing function based on surface electromyography self-feedback, comprising the following steps:

[0011] Collecting surface electromyography signals at the target position of the patient;

[0012] Preprocess and calculate and analyze the collected surface electromyography signals;

[0013] The patient's swallowing intention and swallowing pattern are judged based on the surface electromyography signals after calculation and analysis, and feedback adjustment is performed.

[0014] Preferably, the preprocessing and computational analysis of the collected surface electromyography signals include: after preprocessing the original signals by filtering, drift correction, and special artifact removal, further computational analysis of the time domain, frequency domain, and dynamic cycle force is performed to obtain swallowing time limit, average amplitude, and maximum recruitment amplitude indicators.

[0015] Preferably, the step of judging the patient's swallowing intention and swallowing pattern based on the calculated and analyzed surface electromyography signal and performing feedback adjustment specifically includes: judging whether the patient has the intention to swallow based on the various indicators of the calculated and analyzed surface electromyography signal; if it is judged that the patient has the intention to swallow, triggering the individualized neuromuscular electrical stimulation timing adjustment, judging the muscle group node at which the patient's neuromuscular electrical stimulation timing adjustment starts, and adjusting the stimulation output of the electrical stimulation module; if it is judged that the patient has no intention to swallow, re-collecting the surface electromyography signal.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention adjusts the time sequence of personalized swallowing stimulation according to the normal swallowing physiological process and individualized signal acquisition and decoding, so as to promote the time-sequential contraction of the swallowing muscle group, get closer to the normal swallowing mode, promote the recovery of swallowing disorders, and reduce complications such as aspiration caused by swallowing disorders. The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] (1) There is insufficient awareness of early screening for post-stroke dysphagia in clinic, and it is difficult to carry out early screening and evaluation due to environmental constraints. Currently, the equipment on the market lacks dynamic real-time monitoring of the swallowing process and cannot continuously record the time series data of swallowing, which limits the comprehensive evaluation of changes in swallowing function. The present invention can use the equipment to screen and evaluate patients' dysphagia at an early stage.

[0018] (2) Due to the different injury sites and severity of each patient, the swallowing impairment conditions of each patient are different, and the equipment can be used for individualized comprehensive assessment and dynamic intervention.

[0019] (3) Existing equipment usually fails to fully utilize surface electromyography data for analysis and lacks trend analysis and pattern recognition based on time series, making it impossible to accurately evaluate rehabilitation progress. The present invention can improve the patient's rehabilitation efficiency through time-series neural electrical regulation of human-computer interaction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of the swallowing function electrical stimulation device based on surface electromyography self-feedback of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of the swallowing function electrical stimulation device based on surface electromyography self-feedback of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the swallowing function electrical stimulation method based on surface electromyography self-feedback of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 The present invention is a detailed flow chart of the method for electrical stimulation of swallowing function based on surface electromyography self-feedback. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those of ordinary skill in the art, several changes and improvements can also be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0026] Specifically, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the swallowing function electrical stimulation device based on surface electromyography self-feedback of the present invention includes a surface electromyography signal acquisition and evaluation module 1, a signal processing and decoding module 2 and an electrical stimulation module 3.

[0027] The surface electromyography signal acquisition and evaluation module 1 uses a portable acquisition system to collect surface electromyography signals at the target position of the patient. By placing customized electrode patches on the skin surface of the human body, the weak potential difference on the skin surface caused by muscle contraction can be recorded. This weak potential signal is amplified and converted by the electromyography acquisition circuit to form a surface electromyography signal that can be used for processing.

[0028] The signal processing and decoding module 2 is used to receive the collected surface electromyography signals and perform preprocessing and calculation analysis on the surface electromyography signals, analyze the detected muscle state, and analyze whether the patient's swallowing pattern (muscle activation sequence, bilateral muscle balance and muscle force speed) is abnormal. The preprocessing and calculation analysis of the collected surface electromyography signals include: after preprocessing the original signal such as filtering, drift correction, and special artifact removal, further calculation analysis of the time domain, frequency domain and dynamic cycle force is performed to obtain indicators such as swallowing time limit, average amplitude and maximum recruitment amplitude.

[0029] The electrical stimulation module 3 uses a neuromuscular electrical stimulator, and realizes dynamic control of the electrical stimulation module 3 according to the analysis results of the signal processing decoding module 2. The swallowing intention of the patient is analyzed through surface electromyographic signals, and on this basis, the muscle groups involved in swallowing are controlled through multi-target sequential electrical stimulation to correct the wrong swallowing pattern of patients with dysphagia and formulate personalized treatment prescriptions for patients.

[0030] Furthermore, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the present invention also provides a method for electrical stimulation of swallowing function based on surface electromyography self-feedback, the method comprising the following steps:

[0031] S1: Collect surface electromyography signals at the patient's target position;

[0032] Specifically, the surface electromyography signal acquisition and evaluation module collects the surface electromyography signal of the patient's target position. By placing the customized electrode sheet on the skin surface of the human body, the weak potential difference generated by muscle contraction on the skin surface can be recorded. This weak potential signal is amplified and converted by the electromyography acquisition circuit to form a surface electromyography signal that can be used for processing. At this stage, the patient completes the forceful swallowing task according to the prompts.

[0033] S2: preprocessing and computational analysis of the collected surface electromyography signals;

[0034] Specifically, the collected surface electromyography signals are preprocessed and analyzed by calculation, including: filtering, drift correction, special artifact removal and other preprocessing of the original signals, and then further calculation and analysis of the time domain, frequency domain and dynamic cycle force are performed to obtain indicators such as swallowing time limit (s), average amplitude (μV) and maximum recruitment amplitude (μV).

[0035] 1. The time dimension (time series) is an indicator for evaluating the changing characteristics of the electromyographic curve, including: the average electromyographic value representing the average level of the electromyographic signal, the maximum discharge capacity of muscle activity, the minimum discharge capacity of muscle activity, and the variance; the integral electromyographic value reflecting the trend of the discrete degree of the electromyographic signal refers to the sum of the areas enclosed by the curve per unit time after the measured surface electromyographic signal is rectified and smoothed, indicating the total discharge amount of the motor unit when the muscle is involved in the activity within a certain period of time, reflecting the strength of the electromyographic activity of the muscle over a period of time.

[0036] 2. Frequency domain signal is obtained by fast Fourier transforming the time domain signal, which can reflect the intensity of electromyographic signal in different frequency ranges. Frequency domain analysis indicators include: median frequency: refers to the middle value of discharge frequency, that is, the middle value of discharge frequency during muscle contraction, which generally shows a decreasing trend with the increase of exercise time period; average power frequency: refers to the average frequency within this period of time.

[0037] 3. Dynamic cycle force analysis: It can automatically identify the time segments of intermittent force in tasks and perform segmented superposition statistics. The periodic analysis indicators mainly include: dynamic force cycle start time, dynamic force cycle end time, dynamic force root mean square, and dynamic force average absolute value.

[0038] S3: Determine the patient's swallowing intention and swallowing pattern based on the calculated and analyzed surface electromyography signals, and perform feedback adjustment.

[0039] Specifically, the patient's swallowing intention is determined based on the various indicators of the calculated and analyzed surface electromyography signal. If the patient has swallowing intention, the individualized neuromuscular electrical stimulation timing adjustment is triggered. The muscle group node where the patient's neuromuscular electrical stimulation timing adjustment starts is determined based on the swallowing time limit indicators obtained, and the stimulation output of the electrical stimulation module is adjusted. If it is determined that the patient has no swallowing intention, the surface electromyography signal is collected again.

[0040] The above describes the specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which does not affect the essence of the present invention. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

Claims

1. A swallowing function electrical stimulation device based on surface electromyography self-feedback, characterized in that: The device includes a surface electromyography signal acquisition and evaluation module, a signal processing and decoding module, and an electrical stimulation module. The surface electromyography signal acquisition and evaluation module is used to acquire the surface electromyography signal of the patient's target position. The signal processing and decoding module is used to receive the acquired surface electromyography signal and perform preprocessing and calculation analysis on the surface electromyography signal, analyze the detected muscle state, and analyze whether the patient's swallowing pattern is abnormal. The electrical stimulation module is used to realize dynamic control of the electrical stimulation module according to the analysis result of the signal processing and decoding module, control the muscle groups involved in swallowing through multi-target timed electrical stimulation, correct the incorrect swallowing pattern of patients with dysphagia, and formulate personalized treatment prescriptions for patients.

2. The swallowing function electrical stimulation device based on surface electromyography self-feedback according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preprocessing and computational analysis of the collected surface electromyography signals include: after preprocessing the original signals by filtering, drift correction, and special artifact removal, further computational analysis of the time domain, frequency domain, and dynamic cycle force is performed to obtain swallowing time limit, average amplitude, and maximum recruitment amplitude indicators.

3. The swallowing function electrical stimulation device based on surface electromyography self-feedback according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical stimulation module uses a neuromuscular electrical stimulator to analyze the patient's swallowing intention through surface electromyographic signals, and then controls the muscles involved in swallowing through the neuromuscular electrical stimulator to correct incorrect swallowing patterns.

4. A method for electrical stimulation of swallowing function based on surface electromyography self-feedback, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: Collecting surface electromyography signals at the patient's target location; Preprocess and perform computational analysis on the collected surface electromyography signals; The patient's swallowing intention and swallowing pattern are judged based on the surface electromyography signals after calculation and analysis, and feedback adjustment is performed.

5. The method for electrical stimulation of swallowing function based on surface electromyography self-feedback according to claim 4, characterized in that: The preprocessing and computational analysis of the collected surface electromyography signals include: after preprocessing the original signals by filtering, drift correction, and special artifact removal, further computational analysis of the time domain, frequency domain, and dynamic cycle force is performed to obtain swallowing time limit, average amplitude, and maximum recruitment amplitude indicators.

6. The method for electrical stimulation of swallowing function based on surface electromyography self-feedback according to claim 4, characterized in that: The steps of judging the patient's swallowing intention and swallowing pattern based on the calculated and analyzed surface electromyography signal and performing feedback adjustment specifically include: judging whether the patient has the intention to swallow based on the various indicators of the calculated and analyzed surface electromyography signal; if it is judged that the patient has the intention to swallow, triggering the individualized neuromuscular electrical stimulation timing adjustment, judging the muscle group node at which the patient's neuromuscular electrical stimulation timing adjustment starts, and adjusting the stimulation output of the electrical stimulation module; if it is judged that the patient has no intention to swallow, re-collecting the surface electromyography signal.

Images