Ear vagus nerve stimulator

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ear vagus nerve stimulator, which comprises a base body, a first electrode and a second electrode which are connected to the base body, and a power supply circuit board arranged in the base body, each of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a contact layer used for being in contact with the skin in the ear, a conductive film embedded in the inner side of the contact layer and a phase change material core wrapped in the conductive film, the contact layers are deformable and conductive, and the contact layers and the conductive films in the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected with the power supply circuit board. According to the ear vagus nerve stimulator, the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to be of a multi-layer structure, and the shape of the phase change material core is changed by switching on and off the conductive film, so that the first electrode and the second electrode deform to be better matched with the ear cavity structure of a user, the wearing comfort is improved, and meanwhile, the proper electrical stimulation effect is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an ear vagus nerve stimulator. Background Art

[0002] Sleep is an important factor affecting physical health, but the current sleep health situation is not optimistic. Poor sleep is one of the important causes of sub-health, which can easily induce physical diseases, mental illnesses and other diseases. In addition, poor sleep can also cause sub-health problems such as obesity. There are many types of sleep problems, and most people who suffer from sleep problems have problems such as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty sleeping late, and snoring.

[0003] Based on sleep problems, sleep aids are generally classified as follows: psychological therapy (behavioral cognition), chemical media therapy (drugs), physical therapy (light, electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation), traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, acupoints), others (massage and sound), etc. Sleep aids are popular with users because they are convenient for users to use at any time and any place according to their needs. Accordingly, some sleep aids have appeared on the market, such as massagers, sleep aids, and health care gadgets such as steam eye masks and health products, which can improve sleep to varying degrees.

[0004] The Chinese invention patent application "Ear Nerve Stimulation Device and System" with publication number CN114980956A (application number 202080080686.3) discloses an ear nerve stimulation device including at least two electrodes located in the cymba concha and the cavum concha. When a voltage difference is applied between the two electrodes, the two electrodes electrically stimulate the nerve branches of the cymba concha and the cavum concha, respectively. However, since the volumes of various parts of the ear nerve stimulation device are relatively fixed, and the ear contours and internal cavity volumes of different users are different, there are problems such as the ear nerve stimulation device not being able to adhere well to the skin after being worn, the electrical stimulation effect is insufficient, or the degree of attachment is too tight and a tingling sensation is caused. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide an ear vagus nerve stimulator that can adaptively fit the user's ear based on the shape and size of the user's ear, improve wearing comfort and ensure a suitable electrical stimulation effect in response to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the above technical problems is: an ear vagus nerve stimulator, comprising a base, a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the base, characterized in that: it also includes a power supply circuit board arranged in the base;

[0007] The first electrode and the second electrode each include a contact layer for contacting the skin inside the ear, a conductive film embedded inside the contact layer, and a phase change material core wrapped in the conductive film. The contact layer is deformable and conductive. The contact layer and the conductive film in the first electrode and the second electrode are both electrically connected to the power supply circuit board.

[0008] In order to independently control the power supply to the contact layer and the conductive film to meet the usage requirements at different stages, the power supply circuit board is provided with a first power supply circuit electrically connected to the contact layer in the first electrode and the second electrode respectively, and a second power supply circuit electrically connected to the conductive film in the first electrode and the second electrode respectively.

[0009] Preferably, the contact layer is a conductive silicone layer.

[0010] Optionally, the conductive film is a graphene film, a conductive polymer film, a carbon nanomaterial film, or a conductive oxide film.

[0011] Optionally, the phase change material core is a core made of a polymer phase change material, a metal organic framework phase change material, an inorganic salt phase change material, or a colloidal phase change material.

[0012] In order to facilitate the connection between the first electrode and the second electrode on the substrate, a first connector and a second connector are protrudingly provided on the substrate, the first electrode is fixedly connected to the first connector, and the second electrode is fixedly connected to the second connector.

[0013] To facilitate electrical connection and avoid exposure of wires, through holes are provided in the middle of the first connector and the second connector, and the power supply circuit board is electrically connected to the contact layer and the conductive film in the first electrode and the second electrode through electrical connecting wires through the through holes in the first connector and the second connector.

[0014] Preferably, the first electrode is annular in shape as a whole and has a U-shaped cross section.

[0015] Preferably, the second electrode is in the shape of a triangle with an arc-shaped transition as a whole.

[0016] For easy assembly and maintenance, the base includes a base with a cavity and a cover buckled on the base, and the power supply circuit board is arranged in the cavity of the base.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: the ear vagus nerve stimulator in the present invention is configured with a multi-layer structure for the first electrode and the second electrode used for stimulating the effect, and changes the shape of the phase change material core by turning on and off the power of the conductive film, so that the first electrode and the second electrode can undergo a certain deformation and better match the ear cavity structure of the user, so that the first electrode and the second electrode can better adaptably contact the ear cavity skin of the user, thereby improving the comfort when wearing, while ensuring the appropriate electrical stimulation effect, and avoiding unsatisfactory stimulation effect or tingling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a stereoscopic diagram of the middle ear vagus nerve stimulator in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the middle ear vagus nerve stimulator in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the middle ear vagus nerve stimulator in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of another cross section of the middle ear vagus nerve stimulator in the embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention will be described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the ear vagus nerve stimulator in this embodiment includes a base 1, a first electrode 2 and a second electrode 3 connected to the base 1, and a power supply circuit board 4 arranged in the base 1.

[0024] In order to facilitate the assembly of the power supply circuit board 4 in the base 1 and also facilitate the later maintenance of the power supply circuit board 4, the base 1 includes a base 13 with a cavity and a cover 14 buckled on the base 13, and the power supply circuit board 4 is arranged in the cavity of the base 13. When the power supply circuit board 4 needs to be assembled or maintained, the cover 14 is opened from the base 13 to achieve the operation of the power supply circuit board 4.

[0025] The first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are specifically connected to the substrate 1 based on the design of the stimulation position in the ear cavity, such as the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 can be set to correspond to the position of the cymba concha and the cavum concha in the ear cavity. One electrode can also be set to the position of the ear canal, and the other electrode can be set to correspond to the position of the cymba concha. The first electrode 2 in this embodiment is annular as a whole and has a U-shaped cross-section, that is, the first electrode 2 is set to be similar to the shape of an earphone, so as to facilitate the placement of the first electrode 2 corresponding to the position of the ear canal, and the second electrode 3 is an arc-shaped transition as a whole to better match the triangle of the position of the cymba concha, so as to enhance its fit with the cymba concha area.

[0026] In order to facilitate the connection between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 on the substrate 1 , a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 are protrudingly provided on the substrate 1 . The first electrode 2 is fixedly connected to the first connector 11 , and the second electrode 3 is fixedly connected to the second connector 12 .

[0027] In this embodiment, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 both include a contact layer 100 for contacting the skin inside the ear, a conductive film 200 embedded inside the contact layer 100 , and a phase change material core 300 wrapped in the conductive film 200 .

[0028] The contact layer 100 is a conductive silicone layer.

[0029] Optionally, the conductive film 200 is a graphene film, a conductive polymer film, a carbon nanomaterial film, or a conductive oxide film.

[0030] Among them, the contact layer 100 is deformable and conductive, such as the contact layer 100 can be made of a conductive silicone layer. The contact layer 100 is used to stimulate the skin after contacting the skin in the ear cavity, thereby achieving effects such as helping sleep. The conductive film 200 mainly realizes the temperature rise after power is turned on. Based on the temperature rise of the conductive film 200, the phase change material core 300 can be prompted to undergo a phase change. As the temperature increases, the phase change material can be changed from fixed to liquid, and then the overall shape of the electrode and the second electrode 3 in the ear cavity is adjusted based on the deformation, so that it can better adapt to the user's ear cavity, and after the adjustment is completed. Stop the power supply to the conductive film 200, so that the conductive film 200 cools down, and then the phase change material core 300 gradually condenses from liquid to solid, and the formed solid state can be well adapted to the user's ear cavity, and based on the solid state support of the phase change material core 300, support for the contact layer 100 is formed, so that the contact layer 100 can be well matched to the user's ear cavity, improving the comfort of long-term wearing. After the conductive film 200 stops supplying power, the contact layer 100 can be energized, thereby achieving the stimulation effect of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 on the ear cavity, thereby exerting a sleep-aiding effect.

[0031] As required, the phase change material core 300 is a core made of a polymer phase change material, a metal organic framework phase change material, an inorganic salt phase change material, or a colloidal phase change material.

[0032] The contact layer 100 and the conductive film 200 in the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are electrically connected to the power supply circuit board 4. In order to facilitate the electrical connection and prevent the wires from being exposed, through holes are provided in the middle of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, and the power supply circuit board 4 is electrically connected to the contact layer 100 and the conductive film 200 in the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 through the through holes in the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 via electrical connection wires.

[0033] In addition, in order to independently achieve the adaptive shape adjustment of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 in the ear cavity and the specific stimulation work in the later stage, the power supply to the contact layer 100 and the conductive film 200 is independently controlled in this embodiment to meet the use requirements of the two different stages of the shape adjustment stage and the stimulation work stage. The power supply circuit board 4 is provided with a first power supply circuit electrically connected to the contact layer 100 in the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, and a second power supply circuit electrically connected to the conductive film 200 in the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, respectively. When in use, the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit are independently controlled to be powered on and off.

[0034] The ear vagus nerve stimulator in the utility model is configured with a multi-layer structure for the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 used for stimulating the device. The conductive film 200 is turned on and off to change the shape of the phase change material core 300, so that the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 can be deformed to a certain extent to better match the ear cavity structure of the user, so that the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 can better adaptably contact the ear cavity skin of the user, thereby improving the comfort when wearing, while ensuring the appropriate electrical stimulation effect, and avoiding the situation where the stimulation effect is not ideal or there is tingling.

[0035] The ear vagus nerve stimulator in this embodiment can be used independently, or can be assembled on products such as sleep monitors for use.

[0036] In the specification and claims of the present utility model, terms indicating directions, such as "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", "side", "top", "bottom", etc., are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present invention, but these terms are used here only for the purpose of convenience of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present invention can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only used as explanations and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "up" and "down" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. An ear vagus nerve stimulator, comprising a substrate (1), a first electrode (2) and a second electrode (3) connected to the substrate (1), characterized in that: It also includes a power supply circuit board (4) arranged in the base body (1); The first electrode (2) and the second electrode (3) both comprise a contact layer (100) for contacting the skin inside the ear, a conductive film (200) embedded inside the contact layer (100), and a phase change material core (300) wrapped inside the conductive film (200); the contact layer (100) is deformable and conductive; the contact layer (100) and the conductive film (200) in the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (3) are both electrically connected to a power supply circuit board (4).

2. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power supply circuit board (4) is provided with a first power supply circuit electrically connected to the contact layer (100) in the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (3), and a second power supply circuit electrically connected to the conductive film (200) in the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (3).

3. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The contact layer (100) is a conductive silicone layer.

4. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive film (200) is a graphene film, a conductive polymer film, a carbon nanomaterial film, or a conductive oxide film.

5. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase change material core (300) is a core made of a polymer phase change material, a metal organic framework phase change material, an inorganic salt phase change material, or a colloidal phase change material.

6. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A first connecting head (11) and a second connecting head (12) are protrudingly provided on the base body (1); the first electrode (2) is fixedly connected to the first connecting head (11); and the second electrode (3) is fixedly connected to the second connecting head (12).

7. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 6, characterized in that: Through holes are provided in the middle of the first connector (11) and the second connector (12), and the power supply circuit board (4) is electrically connected to the contact layer (100) and the conductive film (200) in the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (3) through electrical connection lines passing through the through holes in the first connector (11) and the second connector (12).

8. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first electrode (2) is annular in shape as a whole and has a U-shaped cross section.

9. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The second electrode (3) is in the shape of a triangle with an arc-shaped transition as a whole.

10. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The base (1) comprises a base (13) having a cavity and a cover (14) buckled onto the base (13), and the power supply circuit board (4) is arranged in the cavity of the base (13).

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