Method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve reflecting impedance measurement and vagus nerve stimulation device

Abstract

The present invention is a method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve via an electrode in contact with the skin of a human body, and is characterized by including an electrical stimulation guideline input step of inputting an electrical stimulation guideline including a numerical value for the electrical stimulation, an initial input value derivation step of measuring the impedance between the electrode and the skin before applying the electrical stimulation and deriving an input value that matches the electrical stimulation guideline using the measured impedance, and an electrical stimulation application step of applying the electrical stimulation with the derived initial input value. The present invention has an advantage that more accurate electrical stimulation can be applied by applying electrical stimulation to the electrodes while reflecting the impedance between the electrodes and the user's skin, and that accurate electrical stimulation can be continuously applied by applying electrical stimulation while reflecting changes in impedance between the skin and the electrodes during use.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve via electrodes in contact with the skin of the human body. [Background technology]

[0002] The vagus nerve is one of the cranial nerves and is the 10th cranial nerve. It is a mixed nerve that includes parasympathetic nerve fibers and is distributed from the brain to the face, chest, and abdomen, and is involved in regulating the parasympathetic nerves that act on the heart, lungs, digestive tract, etc. It has the longest and most complex structure of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves, and includes both sensory and motor nerve fibers.

[0003] It is known that vagus nerve stimulators for epilepsy and depression treatment have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and these stimulate the cervical branch located in the neck. However, this type of cervical branch electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve requires making an incision directly in the skin to expose the cervical branch of the vagus nerve, and then winding a coil, which is an electrical element, on the outside of the branch and attaching a microchip, so it cannot be used for self-treatment by the general public.

[0004] Meanwhile, in traditional Chinese medicine, a method of treating illnesses is applied through acupuncture treatment of the ear. The ear is where the auricular branch of the vagus nerve is distributed, and is thought to be used for stimulating treatment of the vagus nerve.

[0005] For this reason, a device has been developed to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve in the ear in order to alleviate symptoms, but it is not currently in widespread use. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and its object is to provide a method and device for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve, which can apply more accurate electrical stimulation to a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the method of applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to the present invention is a method of applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve via an electrode in contact with the skin of a human body, and is characterized in that it includes an electrical stimulation guideline input step of inputting an electrical stimulation guideline including a numerical value for the electrical stimulation, an initial input value derivation step of measuring the impedance between the electrode and the skin before applying the electrical stimulation and deriving an input value that matches the electrical stimulation guideline using the measured impedance, and an electrical stimulation application step of applying the electrical stimulation with the derived initial input value.

[0008] It is preferable that the electrical stimulation guideline includes a current, and in the initial input value deriving step, a voltage corresponding to the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline is derived.

[0009] When the initial input value derived in the initial input value derivation step is higher than a predetermined value, it is preferable not to perform the electrical stimulation application step.

[0010] During the electrical stimulation application step, the impedance between the electrode and the skin can be measured, and an in-stimulation adjustment step can be performed in which the input value is adjusted to match the electrical stimulation guidelines, reflecting the newly measured impedance.

[0011] The electrical stimulation guideline includes a current, and in the during-stimulation adjustment step, a voltage corresponding to the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline can be derived.

[0012] If the input value derived in the during-stimulation adjustment step is higher than a predetermined value, the electrical stimulation application step is preferably interrupted.

[0013] The during-stimulation adjustment step may be performed at a predetermined time interval, and the time interval for performing the subsequent during-stimulation voltage adjustment step may be changed based on the impedance measured in the during-stimulation adjustment step.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a device for applying electrical stimulation to a vagus nerve includes an electrode that contacts the skin of a human body to apply electrical stimulation, an input unit that receives an input of an electrical stimulation guideline including a numerical value for the electrical stimulation, an initial input value derivation unit that measures an impedance between the electrode and the skin before applying the electrical stimulation and derives an input value that matches the electrical stimulation guideline using the measured impedance, and a control unit that controls the input value derived by the initial input value derivation unit to be applied to the electrode.

[0015] It is preferable that the electrical stimulation guideline includes a current, and the initial input value derivation unit derives a voltage corresponding to the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline.

[0016] It is preferable that the control unit not apply electrical stimulation to the electrodes when the input value derived by the initial input value derivation unit is higher than a predetermined value.

[0017] The control unit may further include an input value derivation unit during stimulation that measures the impedance between the electrode and the skin while an electrical stimulation is applied to the electrode, and derives a voltage that matches the current of the electrical stimulation guideline by reflecting the newly measured impedance, and the control unit may apply the electrical stimulation at the input value derived by the input value derivation unit during stimulation.

[0018] The electrical stimulation guideline includes a current, and the stimulation input value derivation unit can derive a voltage corresponding to the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline.

[0019] It is preferable that the control unit does not apply electrical stimulation to the electrodes when the voltage derived by the during-stimulation input value derivation unit is higher than a predetermined value.

[0020] The input value derivation unit during stimulation can measure the impedance between the electrode and the skin at a predetermined time interval, and the time interval for measuring the impedance between the electrode and the skin thereafter can be changed based on the impedance measured by the input value derivation unit during stimulation. Effect of the Invention

[0021] The present invention configured as described above has the advantage of being able to apply more accurate electrical stimulation to the electrodes by reflecting the impedance between the electrodes and the user's skin.

[0022] In addition, by applying electrical stimulation in accordance with changes in impedance between the skin and the electrodes during use, it is possible to provide an effect of applying accurate electrical stimulation continuously. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve reflecting impedance measurement according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] However, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments described below. The shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation, and elements represented by the same reference numerals in the drawings are the same elements.

[0026] In addition, throughout the specification, when a part is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where the part is "directly connected" to another part, but also the case where the part is "electrically connected" to another part via another element therebetween. In addition, when a part is described as "including" or "comprising" a certain component, this means that the part can further include or comprise the other component, rather than excluding the other component, unless otherwise specified to the contrary.

[0027] In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one component from another, and should not be used to limit the scope of rights. For example, the first component can be named the second component, and similarly, the second component can be named the first component.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve that reflects impedance measurement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In the method of applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to this embodiment, first, an electrical stimulation guideline input step is performed.

[0030] The electrical stimulation guideline includes information regarding electrical stimulation for vagus nerve stimulation. The electrical stimulation guideline may be determined by a doctor's diagnosis and prescription at a hospital, or may be derived through a separate program or system. In this case, the electrical stimulation guideline is determined according to the user's illness or symptoms, and does not reflect the state or form of the device being worn. The electrical stimulation guideline for vagus nerve stimulation may include information regarding the electrical stimulation current, frequency, duty, and stimulation time. In this manner, the electrical stimulation guideline including information regarding the predetermined electrical stimulation is input through an input unit of the electrical stimulation application device for the vagus nerve. The electrical stimulation guideline may be input directly by the user, or automatically input through a code (barcode or QR code) including information regarding the electrical stimulation or an information storage device.

[0031] Next, an initial input value derivation step is performed.

[0032] The initial input value indicates an electrical signal applied to the electrode, and the electrical stimulation guideline is expressed mainly with respect to information on electricity applied to the human body, and the initial input value means information on the application of the electrode by the electrical stimulation application device. At this time, the frequency in the electrical stimulation guideline is related to the penetration force of the electrical stimulation, and the current in the electrical stimulation guideline is related to the electrical stimulation applied to the vagus nerve being transmitted to the brain. Currently, the current value of the electrical stimulation for the vagus nerve is mainly studied in the case where the electrical stimulation is inserted into the human body and directly contacts the vagus nerve. However, since the current electrical stimulation application device adjusts the voltage applied to the electrode, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately apply the electrical stimulation guideline including information on the current. Therefore, the present invention measures the impedance between the electrode and the skin where the electrode is in contact, derives a voltage that allows the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline to reach the vagus nerve by reflecting the measured impedance, and applies this to the electrode, thereby applying a more accurate electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve. The method of measuring the impedance between the electrode and the skin is not particularly limited, and any method that can measure the impedance between the electrode and the skin can be applied within a range that does not impair the characteristics of the present invention. In this manner, a process of deriving an initial input value corresponding to the inputted electrical stimulation guideline is performed by an initial input value deriving unit, and the initial input value deriving unit may include an impedance measuring device capable of measuring impedance between the electrodes and the skin. The impedance measuring device may be included in a circuit or a circuit board that applies electrical stimulation to the electrodes, or a separate impedance measuring device may be provided.

[0033] Also, an electrical stimulation application step is performed in which an initial input value derived using the measured impedance is applied to the electrodes.

[0034] At this time, as described above, the value derived from the initial input value using the impedance corresponds to a voltage, and if the voltage is greater than a predetermined value, the electrical stimulation application step may not be performed. In this case, if the impedance is not very high and the voltage is increased to compensate for it, the electrical load on the skin tissue increases, which may cause skin damage such as burns, so it is preferable to not apply electrical stimulation to the electrode and notify the user via a warning indicator. In particular, since the impedance between the electrode and the skin may be too high, it is possible to guide the user to take measures such as adding gel between the skin and the electrode. The operation of applying the initial input value derived by reflecting the impedance between the skin and the electrode to the electrode is performed via a control unit that controls the electricity applied to the electrode.

[0035] The present invention then performs a during-stimulation adjustment step in which the electrical stimulation applied to the electrodes is adjusted rather than just maintaining the initial input values.

[0036] The initial input value of the present invention is derived by reflecting the impedance between the skin and the electrodes measured before the application of electrical stimulation, but the impedance between the skin and the electrodes may change over time due to environmental factors such as humidity and other sudden variables. Therefore, if the initial input value is applied to the electrodes as is, there is a risk that an inaccurate electrical stimulation is applied to the electrodes and the vagus nerve due to the changed impedance. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, an adjustment step during stimulation is performed in which the impedance between the skin and the electrodes is measured again while the electrical stimulation is applied, and the input value input to the electrodes is changed using the measured impedance.

[0037] The impedance measurement and the adjustment of the electrical stimulation according to the measurement may be performed in real time when the electrical stimulation is applied, but since the impedance between the skin and the electrodes does not change suddenly except in special cases, it is preferable to perform the measurement at a predetermined time interval. At this time, the interval for measuring the impedance and adjusting the electrical stimulation accordingly is preferably determined based on the impedance measured previously. A major problem in response to the change in impedance is when the impedance increases significantly. In this case, if the impedance of the skin increases and the voltage increases accordingly to compensate for this, the electrical load on the skin tissue increases, which may cause skin damage such as burns. If the voltage is not increased sufficiently to compensate for the increased impedance, the current between the electrodes decreases, which may cause a problem of reducing the effect of vagus nerve stimulation. Therefore, it is preferable to measure the impedance and adjust the input value more frequently as the impedance is higher, and to measure the impedance and adjust the input value more frequently as the impedance is lower. Even during the process of adjusting the stimulation, if the voltage is higher than a predetermined value, it is preferable to interrupt the electrical stimulation application step and notify the user via a warning indicator. The process of measuring the impedance during application of the electrical stimulation and deriving a new input value is performed by an input value derivation unit during stimulation, and the input value derivation unit may use all or some elements together with the initial input value derivation unit. The input value derived by the input value derivation unit during stimulation is applied to the electrodes via a control unit.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described above through preferred embodiments, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted not by specific embodiments but by the matters described in the claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve via an electrode in contact with the skin of a human body, comprising: An electrical stimulation guideline input step of inputting an electrical stimulation guideline including a numerical value for the electrical stimulation; An initial input value derivation step of measuring an impedance between the electrode and the skin before applying the electrical stimulation and deriving an input value that matches the electrical stimulation guideline using the measured impedance; and an electrical stimulation application step of applying electrical stimulation with the derived initial input value.

2. 2. The method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation guideline includes a current, and the initial input value derivation step includes deriving a voltage corresponding to the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline.

3. 3. The method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 2, wherein the step of applying electrical stimulation is not performed if the initial input value derived in the step of deriving the initial input value is higher than a predetermined value.

4. 2. A method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, during the electrical stimulation application step, an impedance between the electrode and the skin is measured, and an adjustment step is performed during stimulation to adjust the input value to conform to the electrical stimulation guideline based on the newly measured impedance.

5. 5. The method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 4, wherein the electrical stimulation guideline includes a current, and the during-stimulation adjustment step includes deriving a voltage corresponding to the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline.

6. 6. The method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 5, further comprising interrupting the electrical stimulation application step when the input value derived in the during-stimulation adjustment step is higher than a predetermined value.

7. 5. The method for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 4, wherein the step of adjusting during stimulation is performed at predetermined time intervals.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the time interval for performing the subsequent voltage adjustment step during stimulation is changed based on the impedance measured in the voltage adjustment step during stimulation.

9. An electrode that contacts the skin of a human body to apply electrical stimulation; An input unit for receiving an input of an electrical stimulation guideline including a numerical value for the electrical stimulation; an initial input value derivation unit that measures impedance between the electrode and the skin before applying electrical stimulation and derives an input value that matches the electrical stimulation guideline using the measured impedance; A control unit that controls the input value derived by the initial input value derivation unit to be applied to the electrodes.

10. 10. The device for applying electrical stimulation to a vagus nerve according to claim 9, wherein the electrical stimulation guideline includes a current, and the initial input value derivation unit derives a voltage corresponding to the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline.

11. 11. The device for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 10, wherein the control unit does not apply electrical stimulation to the electrodes when the input value derived by the initial input value derivation unit is higher than a predetermined value.

12. The device further includes an input value derivation unit for measuring an impedance between the electrode and the skin while the electrical stimulation is applied to the electrode, and deriving a voltage that matches a current of the electrical stimulation guideline by reflecting the newly measured impedance, The device for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 9 , wherein the control unit is capable of applying the electrical stimulation at the input value derived by the stimulation input value derivation unit.

13. The device for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 12 , wherein the electrical stimulation guideline includes a current, and the stimulation input value derivation unit derives a voltage corresponding to the current included in the electrical stimulation guideline.

14. 14. The device for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 13, wherein the control unit does not apply electrical stimulation to the electrodes when the voltage derived by the stimulation input value derivation unit is higher than a predetermined value.

15. 13. The device for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 12, wherein the stimulation input value derivation unit measures impedance between the electrode and the skin at predetermined time intervals.

16. 16. The device for applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve according to claim 15, wherein a time interval for measuring the impedance between the electrode and the skin is changed based on the impedance measured by the input value derivation unit during stimulation.

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