Gustation improvement device

Abstract

To provide a gustation improvement device which does not hinder an eating person from eating.SOLUTION: A gustation improvement device comprises: a first electrode to be attached to a first part being the vicinity of a mandibular branch in the face; a second electrode to be attached to a second part being the vicinity of the first part and being the vicinity of the mandibular branch in the face; a noise generator; and a current stimulation circuit which applies a noise generated by the noise generator, between the first electrode and the second electrode as a predetermined noise stimulation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to taste enhancement devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Salt is an essential nutrient for the human body to maintain life, but it is well known that excessive intake of salt increases health risks.

[0003] By the way, most Japanese people are accustomed to the so-called "strong" taste of high salt concentration, and find it difficult to obtain psychological satisfaction from the "weak" taste of low salt concentration. Furthermore, it has been reported that when people actually consume low-salt foods, they tend to be dissatisfied with the taste itself.

[0004] In order to make a low-salt diet a habit and popularize it, it is necessary to solve the problem of preventing or eliminating such dissatisfaction with taste.

[0005] Similar issues have been pointed out regarding sweetness in general.

[0006] As a technique for preventing taste dissatisfaction among consumers, a technique for imparting a change in taste without changing the intake amount of a taste-providing substance has been disclosed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0007] The inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 both utilize electric taste, which produces a pseudo taste sensation by applying electrical stimulation to taste buds, which are cells on the tongue that detect taste.

[0008] In technology that utilizes electric taste, a weak electric current is passed between two electrodes placed near the tongue, or between an electrode placed near the tongue and an electrode placed on the human body or tableware, stimulating the taste buds and making the eater perceive weak flavors as strong.

[0009] However, the sensitivity to tastes, including saltiness and sweetness, is enhanced only when a current flows between the electrodes. This requires the eater to chew and swallow while holding the electrodes or the dish on which the electrodes are placed in their mouth. This interferes with the eater's ability to eat. Furthermore, the current flowing through the electrodes can cause discomfort to the eater. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-42991 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-45399 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present disclosure provides a taste enhancing device that does not interfere with the diner's eating and does not cause discomfort to the diner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The taste enhancement device of the present disclosure comprises a first electrode attached to a first location on the face near the mandibular ramus, a second electrode attached to a second location on the face near the first location and also near the mandibular ramus, a noise generator, and a current stimulation circuit that applies noise generated by the noise generator between the first electrode and the second electrode as a predetermined noise stimulation. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The taste enhancement device of the present disclosure does not interfere with the diner's eating behavior, particularly the diner's chewing or swallowing, and does not cause the diner to feel discomfort due to electric current, but only clarifies and enhances the diner's sense of taste. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a taste enhancing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows three representative examples, columns (A), (B) and (C), of an input signal, a noise, an electrical signal (stimulus) and an output signal (perception). [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents and procedures of a sweetness evaluation experiment using the taste enhancing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overall results of the sweetness evaluation experiment shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the results by concentration in the sweetness evaluation experiment shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the mandibular branch, which is a sensory nerve related to taste, located on the lower left side of the face, and the geniculate ganglion next to the ear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0016] It should be noted that the inventor provides the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present disclosure, and they are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0017] 1. [Embodiment] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] 1.1. [Configuration of the taste enhancement device] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a taste enhancing device 2 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the taste enhancing device 2 includes a battery 6 as a power source, a boost circuit 4, a microcomputer 10, a current stimulation circuit 8, a first electrode 12a, and a second electrode 12b.

[0019] The taste improving device 2 according to the embodiment is a device that performs stochastic resonant electrical stimulation, which will be described below.

[0020] Taste sensory neurons are nonlinear systems that generate action potentials only when the sum of receptor potentials exceeds a threshold specific to the sensory neuron. It is known that such nonlinear systems become more sensitive to weak input signals in the presence of noise.

[0021] This phenomenon of the presence of noise is known as stochastic resonance (SR).

[0022] The principle of stochastic resonance is based on the following factors: the threshold of a nonlinear system, i.e., the specific threshold of the sensory nerve cells related to taste, an input signal below the threshold, and noise of optimal intensity. An input signal below the threshold to a nonlinear system is below the threshold and is not detected by the sensory nerves, so no output signal (i.e., perception) is generated. However, when noise of a certain intensity, i.e., optimal intensity, is superimposed on the input signal, the synthesized input signal exceeds the specific threshold of the sensory nerve cells in response to the fluctuation of the original input signal. At this time, an output signal (perception) corresponding to the fluctuation of the original input signal is generated (see column (B) of Figure 2).

[0023] On the other hand, if the noise intensity is too weak, it rarely exceeds the threshold mentioned above, and an output signal (perception) corresponding to the original input signal cannot be obtained (see column (A) in Figure 2). If the noise intensity is too strong, it exceeds the threshold specific to the sensory nerve cell regardless of fluctuations in the original input signal, and therefore an output signal (perception) corresponding to the original input signal cannot be obtained (see column (C) in Figure 2).

[0024] In the taste enhancing device 2 shown in Fig. 1, a microcomputer 10 generates noise of optimal intensity. That is, the microcomputer 10 corresponds to a noise generator in this disclosure. A boost circuit 4 boosts a base voltage from a battery 6 so that a current stimulus is applied to the high impedance skin of the human body. A current stimulus circuit 8 applies a noise stimulus of a predetermined intensity between a first electrode 12a and a second electrode 12b, the noise stimulus being obtained by superimposing a noise of optimal intensity generated by the microcomputer 10 on a voltage supplied from the boost circuit 4. It is assumed that the battery 6 in the taste enhancing device 2 according to this embodiment is a small battery such as a dry cell. Therefore, in the taste enhancing device 2 according to this embodiment, a boost circuit 4 is set to obtain the above-mentioned voltage. On the other hand, the taste enhancing device 2 can also be configured so that an appropriate voltage is supplied from an external power source. In this case, the boost circuit 4 is removed from the taste enhancing device 2, and the battery 6 becomes the power source only for the microcomputer 10, i.e., the noise generator.

[0025] The first electrode 12a is attached to a first location on the face 20 near the marginal ramus 14, a sensory nerve for taste. The second electrode 12b is attached to a second location on the face near the first location and also near the marginal ramus 14.

[0026] The mandibular branch is a facial nerve that runs from below the ear along the lower jaw and can be stimulated from the surface of the skin; it is the main sensory nerve that transmits taste sensations sensed by the tongue to the brain.

[0027] 6 is a schematic diagram showing the mandibular branch 14, which is a sensory nerve related to taste, and the geniculate ganglion 16 beside the ear 18 on the left side of the face 20. As shown in FIG 1, the first electrode 12a and the second electrode 12b are placed on the same side of the face, i.e., on the left or right side of the face, at nearby sites.

[0028] The first electrode 12a and the second electrode 12b are electrodes that can be easily attached to and detached from the face, and are made of, for example, a gel electrode or a disposable electrode.

[0029] A noise stimulus of a predetermined intensity is applied via the first electrode 12a and the second electrode 12b. When the noise stimulus of a predetermined intensity is superimposed on an input stimulus below a predetermined threshold caused by taste at the mandibular ramus 14, the input signal, which is the superimposed (combined) stimulus, exceeds a predetermined threshold, i.e., a threshold specific to the sensory nerve cells related to taste, in response to fluctuations in the input stimulus caused by taste.

[0030] 1.2.[Operation of the taste enhancement device] FIG. 2 shows three representative examples, column (A), column (B), and column (C), of input stimuli, noise stimuli, output signals (perceptions), and input signals (stimuli).

[0031] First, let us look at the signal(s) in column (B) of Fig. 2. The boost circuit 4 boosts the base voltage from the battery 6 and sends it to the current stimulation circuit 8. Noise generated by the microcomputer 10 is also sent to the current stimulation circuit 8. The current stimulation circuit 8 superimposes the boosted voltage from the boost circuit 4 with noise generated by the microcomputer 10 (i.e., a noise generator), to produce a noise stimulation of a predetermined intensity as shown in column (B).

[0032] The current stimulation circuit 8 applies a noise stimulation of a predetermined intensity between the first electrode 12a and the second electrode 12b as shown in column (B). Thus, the current stimulation circuit 8 applies a noise stimulation to the mandibular ramus.

[0033] At the top of column (B), an input stimulus below a predetermined threshold level caused by taste at the marginal ramus 14 is shown. The current stimulation circuit 8 acts to superimpose a noise stimulus on the input stimulus caused by taste at the marginal ramus. That is, when the noise stimulus of the above-mentioned predetermined intensity is applied via the first electrode 12a and the second electrode 12b, the noise stimulus of the predetermined intensity is superimposed on the input stimulus below a predetermined threshold level caused by taste at the marginal ramus 14, resulting in a superimposed (synthesized) input signal (stimulus) as shown at the bottom of column (B). The superimposed input signal (stimulus) exceeds the threshold level specific to the sensory nerve cells related to taste in response to the fluctuation of the original input stimulus shown at the top of column (B), so that an output signal, i.e., a perception, is generated as shown in the center of column (B) corresponding to the fluctuation of the original input stimulus.

[0034] On the other hand, as shown in the "noise stimulus" row in column (A) of Figure 2, if the noise intensity is too weak, the superimposed input signal (stimulus) rarely exceeds the inherent threshold of the taste sensory nerve cells, as shown at the bottom of column (A). This makes it impossible to obtain an output signal (perception) corresponding to the original input stimulus, as shown in the center of column (A) of Figure 2.

[0035] Also, as shown in the "noise stimulus" row in column (C) of Figure 2, if the noise intensity is too strong, the superimposed input signal (stimulus) will always exceed the inherent threshold of the taste sensory nerve cells, regardless of the fluctuation of the original input stimulus, as shown at the bottom of column (C). In this case, too, an output signal (perception) corresponding to the original input stimulus cannot be obtained, as shown in the center of column (C) of Figure 2.

[0036] Therefore, the microcomputer 10 of the taste enhancing device 2 is required to generate noise of an optimal intensity that leads to the "noise stimulus" in row (B) of FIG.

[0037] 2. [Experiment using a taste enhancement device] A sweetness evaluation experiment was carried out using the taste enhancing device according to the embodiment.

[0038] 2.1. [Experimental Method] We used 11 sugar solutions with concentrations ranging from 0.40% to 0.90% in 0.05% increments. The temperature of the sugar solutions was room temperature, and the room temperature was 23.0±2.0°C.

[0039] The electrical stimulation is (1) No irritation, (2) A direct current that is not noise-superimposed and is below the threshold potential... "direct current" (3) Stimulus signal with white noise superimposed on (2) ... "with noise stimulation" The current value of (2) "direct current" was 0.6 times the threshold current, which is the threshold potential. The noise in (3) "with noise stimulation" was white noise.

[0040] 3 is a flow diagram showing the procedure of a sweetness evaluation experiment for one subject. After starting (procedure T00), the first electrode 12a and the second electrode 12b are attached to the subject, and the stimulation is set (procedure T02). In the stimulation setting, one of the above-mentioned (1) "no stimulation", (2) "direct current", and (3) "noise stimulation" is randomly selected.

[0041] The subject gargles (step T04) and tastes the sugar solutions (step T06). The tasting begins with a sugar solution with a low concentration (i.e., 0.40%) and proceeds to higher concentrations (ascending method). After tasting the sugar solutions, the subject completes a sweetness evaluation questionnaire. In the questionnaire, the subject answers with a number from 0 to 8 in Table 1 "Sweetness Evaluation Questionnaire" below. [Table 1]

[0042] For all 11 concentrations, one subject will "gargle" (step T04), "taste" (step T06), and "answer the questionnaire" (step T08) (step T10). Once all concentrations have been tasted (step T10: Yes), stimulation for the subject will end (step T12), and the experiment for that subject will end (step T14).

[0043] 2.2. [Experimental Results] Figure 4 shows the overall results of the sweetness evaluation experiment. There were 18 subjects. Specifically, Figure 4 is a graph showing the average concentration and standard deviation when subjects answered "3: sweet" in the questionnaire for the categories of (1) "no stimulation," (2) "direct current," and (3) "noise stimulation."

[0044] In Figure 4, - With noise stimulation, it was 0.67±0.15%. - For "no stimulation," the figure was "0.71±0.13%." The p-value was 0.015, which means that there is a significant difference.

[0045] Therefore, the concentration at which sweetness was felt was lower when comparing "without stimulation" and "with noise stimulation." In other words, it is considered that the taste threshold changed (concentration decreased) when noise stimulation was present.

[0046] Figure 5 shows the responses to a questionnaire for a certain subject for each concentration and for the conditions of "no stimulation," "direct current," and "noise stimulation." Comparing "no stimulation" with "noise stimulation," the concentration at which the recognition threshold is felt ("intensity 2: faintly sweet") drops from 0.60% to 0.40%. The concentration at which intensity 3 ("sweet") is felt drops from 0.65% to 0.45%.

[0047] 3. [Summary] The taste enhancing device 2 of the embodiment comprises a first electrode 12a attached to a first location on the face 20 near the mandibular ramus 14, a second electrode 12b attached to a second location on the face 20 near the first location and also near the mandibular ramus 14, a noise generator 10, and a current stimulation circuit 8 that applies noise generated by the noise generator 10 between the first electrode 12a and the second electrode 12b as a predetermined noise stimulation.

[0048] The taste enhancing device 2 of the embodiment does not interfere with the diner's eating behavior, particularly the diner's chewing or swallowing, and does not cause the diner to feel discomfort due to electric current, but only clarifies and emphasizes the diner's sense of taste.

[0049] The taste improving device 2 according to the embodiment can improve not only the saltiness but also the sensitivity to other tastes such as sweetness and bitterness by using stochastic resonant electrical stimulation. The taste improving device 2 according to the embodiment can change the preference of a diner who prefers "strong salty or salty tastes" in terms of food taste by improving the diner's saltiness sensitivity in particular, and can change the preference to prefer "light tastes with less salt."

[0050] Furthermore, by encouraging people suffering from lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, or people at risk of suffering from lifestyle-related diseases, to use the device, it is possible to appropriately control the intake of salt and sugar.Furthermore, by using the device in patients suffering from diseases associated with a decrease in taste, it is possible to train the patients to recover their sense of taste.

[0051] 4. [Other embodiments] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and may be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate.

[0052] In addition, the accompanying drawings and detailed description are provided to explain the embodiments. Therefore, among the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description, not only essential components for solving the problem but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology may be included. Therefore, the fact that the non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that the non-essential components are essential.

[0053] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology in the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 2 ··· taste enhancement device, 4 ··· boost circuit, 6 ··· battery, 8 ··· current stimulation circuit, 10 ··· microcomputer (noise generator), 12a ··· first electrode, 12b ··· second electrode, 14 ··· mandibular ramus, 16 ··· geniculate ganglion, 18 ··· ear, 20 ··· face.

Claims

1. a first electrode attached to a first portion of the face, the first portion being adjacent to the mandibular ramus; a second electrode attached to a second location on the face adjacent the first location and adjacent the mandibular ramus; A noise generator; a current stimulation circuit that applies the noise generated by the noise generator as a predetermined noise stimulation between the first electrode and the second electrode; Equipped with Taste enhancing device.

2. The current stimulation circuit applies a noise stimulus to the mandibular ramus and acts to superimpose the noise stimulus on an input stimulus generated by the sense of taste at the mandibular ramus.

2. The taste enhancing device of claim 1.

3. The predetermined noise stimulus is When the input signal is superimposed on an input stimulus below a predetermined threshold level generated by the sense of taste at the mandibular ramus, the superimposed input signal exceeds the predetermined threshold level in response to a fluctuation in the input stimulus generated by the sense of taste. The taste enhancing device of claim 1 .

4. The predetermined threshold potential is a threshold potential specific to a receptor of a sensory nerve cell related to taste.

4. The taste enhancing device of claim 3.

5. The first electrode and the second electrode are gel electrodes or disposable electrodes. A taste enhancing device according to claim 2 or 4.

6. The noise generated by the noise generator is white noise. A taste enhancing device according to claim 2 or 4.

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