Nerve stimulator, control method and system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a neurostimulator, a control method and a system, which relate to the field of electrical stimulation technology. The neurostimulator includes: a pulse generating module, an electrode contact and an acquisition module. The pulse generating module is used to output a pulse stimulation signal, including: a first pulse output terminal and a second pulse output terminal. The electrode contact includes: a first acquisition contact, a second acquisition contact, a first stimulation contact and a second stimulation contact; wherein the first acquisition contact and the second acquisition contact are respectively connected to the acquisition module, the first stimulation contact is connected to the first pulse output terminal through a first capacitor, and the second stimulation contact is connected to the second pulse output terminal through a second capacitor. The acquisition module is powered by the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and is used to collect the response signal of the pulse stimulation signal after the output of the pulse stimulation signal ends. The acquisition module in the present disclosure can be powered by the first capacitor and the second capacitor, without the need to consume additional battery energy of the neurostimulator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical stimulation technology, and in particular to a neural stimulator, a control method and a system. Background Art

[0002] The neurostimulator can send out pulse stimulation signals and collect nerve action potentials caused by the pulse stimulation to evaluate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation or serve as a basis for adjusting pulse parameters.

[0003] In the related art, the acquisition module for collecting potential needs to be powered by the battery of the neurostimulator, which will cause the battery life of the neurostimulator to decrease and bring a bad experience to the user. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to overcome the problems existing in the related art, the present disclosure provides a neural stimulator, a control method and a system.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a neural stimulator, comprising: a pulse generating module, electrode contacts and a collection module;

[0006] The pulse generating module is used to output a pulse stimulation signal, and includes: a first pulse output terminal and a second pulse output terminal;

[0007] The electrode contacts include: a first acquisition contact, a second acquisition contact, a first stimulation contact and a second stimulation contact; wherein the first acquisition contact and the second acquisition contact are connected to the acquisition module respectively, the first stimulation contact is connected to the first pulse output terminal via a first capacitor, and the second stimulation contact is connected to the second pulse output terminal via a second capacitor;

[0008] The acquisition module is powered by the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and is used to acquire a response signal of the pulse stimulation signal through the first acquisition contact and the second acquisition contact after the pulse stimulation signal is output.

[0009] In some embodiments, the acquisition module includes: a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal;

[0010] The first power supply end is connected between the first capacitor and the first pulse output end;

[0011] The second power supply terminal is connected between the second capacitor and the second pulse output terminal.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the first capacitor and the second capacitor are in a discharged state, the first capacitor and the second capacitor provide power for the acquisition module;

[0013] The first capacitor and the second capacitor are in a charging state during the process of outputting the pulse stimulation signal, and are in a discharging state after the output of the pulse stimulation signal ends.

[0014] In some embodiments, the neurostimulator further comprises: a peak hold circuit and a comparator;

[0015] The peak holding circuit is connected to the pulse generating module and is used to collect the peak value of the pulse stimulation signal;

[0016] The first comparison end of the comparator is connected to the pulse generating module, and the second comparison end is connected to the peak holding circuit, and is used to compare the output voltage of the pulse generating module with the peak value, and when the output voltage is less than the peak value, output an enable signal to the acquisition module, and the enable signal is used to control the acquisition module to start.

[0017] In some embodiments, the neurostimulator further comprises a rectifier and filter circuit;

[0018] The rectification and filtering circuit is arranged between the peak holding circuit and the pulse generating module, and between the first comparison terminal and the pulse generating module.

[0019] In some embodiments, the pulse stimulation signal includes a positive pulse signal and a negative pulse signal, and the acquisition module is turned on at the falling edge of the positive pulse signal and / or at the rising edge of the negative pulse signal.

[0020] In some embodiments, the length of the connection line between the acquisition module and the first acquisition contact point is less than a preset length, and the length of the connection line between the acquisition module and the second acquisition contact point is less than a preset length.

[0021] In some embodiments, the pulse generation module includes: a power supply and a switch array connected to the power supply;

[0022] The switch array includes a plurality of switch units, and the output pulse stimulation signal can be controlled by controlling the on / off state and on / off time of at least some of the switch units.

[0023] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a neural stimulator is provided, which is applied to the neural stimulator according to the first aspect, and the method includes:

[0024] Outputting pulse stimulation signal;

[0025] After the pulse stimulation signal is output, a response signal of the pulse stimulation signal is collected.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a neurostimulator system, comprising: the neurostimulator as described in the first aspect and an external controller;

[0027] The external controller is used to send pulse parameters to the neurostimulator, so that the pulse generating module of the neurostimulator outputs a pulse stimulation signal corresponding to the pulse parameters.

[0028] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may have the following beneficial effects:

[0029] The neurostimulator provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a pulse generating module, an electrode contact and an acquisition module. The pulse generating module is used to output a pulse stimulation signal, including: a first pulse output terminal and a second pulse output terminal. The electrode contacts include: a first acquisition contact, a second acquisition contact, a first stimulation contact and a second stimulation contact; wherein the first acquisition contact and the second acquisition contact are respectively connected to the acquisition module, the first stimulation contact is connected to the first pulse output terminal through a first capacitor, and the second stimulation contact is connected to the second pulse output terminal through a second capacitor. The acquisition module is powered by the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and is used to collect the response signal of the pulse stimulation signal through the first acquisition contact and the second acquisition contact after the output of the pulse stimulation signal ends. The acquisition module in the embodiment of the present disclosure can be powered by the first capacitor and the second capacitor, without additional consumption of battery energy of the neurostimulator, thereby being able to improve the battery life of the neurostimulator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a neural stimulator in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a pulse stimulation signal in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the capacitance state in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an overshoot state in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of another neural stimulator in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 6 A structural schematic diagram of yet another neural stimulator in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 7 A flow chart of a method for controlling a neural stimulator in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0037] Figure 8A schematic structural diagram of a neural stimulator system in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0039] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The singular forms of "a", "said" and "the" used in this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0040] In addition, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] First, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a neural stimulator in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the neurostimulator provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a pulse generating module 110 , electrode contacts 120 and a collection module 130 .

[0043] The pulse generating module 110 is used to output a pulse stimulation signal, and includes: a first pulse output terminal and a second pulse output terminal.

[0044] Exemplarily, the pulse generating module 110 may include: a power supply and a switch array connected to the power supply, wherein the switch array includes a plurality of switch units, and the output pulse stimulation signal can be controlled by controlling the on / off state and on / off time of at least some of the switch units.

[0045] Exemplarily, the first pulse output terminal and the second pulse output terminal are respectively the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal of the pulse generating module 110. When a loop is formed between the first pulse output terminal and the second pulse output terminal through a load, the pulse generating module 110 can be controlled to output a pulse stimulation signal passing through the load. The load may be human nerves or tissues.

[0046] The electrode contacts 120 may include: a first collection contact 121, a second collection contact 122, a first stimulation contact 123 and a second stimulation contact 124. When the neurostimulator is in operation, the electrode contacts 120 are in direct contact with the load to conduct pulse stimulation signals and collect response signals.

[0047] The first collection contact 121 and the second collection contact 122 are respectively connected to the collection module 130 for collecting the response signal generated by the load after being stimulated by the pulse stimulation signal.

[0048] The first stimulation contact 123 can be connected to the first pulse output terminal via the first capacitor 140 , and the second stimulation contact 124 can be connected to the second pulse output terminal via the second capacitor 150 .

[0049] Exemplarily, the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 can be DC blocking capacitors. On the one hand, the DC blocking capacitor can make the pulse stimulation signal output by the pulse generating module 110 "independent" from the reference potential inside the neurostimulator. When the internal circuit of the neurostimulator fluctuates due to interference, it does not affect the pulse stimulation signal output to the first stimulation contact 123 and the second stimulation contact 124. On the other hand, the DC blocking capacitor can ensure that the output electrical stimulation signal has no DC bias, thereby preventing the human body from being damaged by continuous current.

[0050] The acquisition module 130 may be powered by the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 , and is used to acquire a response signal of the pulse stimulation signal through the first acquisition contact 121 and the second acquisition contact 122 after the pulse stimulation signal is output.

[0051] In some embodiments, the acquisition module 130 may include: a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal. The first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal are respectively the positive electrode and the negative electrode for powering the acquisition module 130. The first power supply terminal may be connected between the first capacitor 140 and the first pulse output terminal, and the second power supply terminal may be connected between the second capacitor 150 and the second pulse output terminal.

[0052] With such configuration, the acquisition module 130 can be powered by the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 when the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 are in a discharging state. The first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 are in a charging state during the output of the pulse stimulation signal, and are in a discharging state after the output of the pulse stimulation signal ends.

[0053] It is understandable that after the pulse stimulation signal output ends, the pulse generating module 110 stops outputting the pulse stimulation signal, and the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 complete charging and enter a discharge state. Since the electrode contact 120 is in direct contact with the load when the neurostimulator is in a working state, a power supply loop can be formed between the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 along the path of "second capacitor 150 → second stimulation contact 124 → load → first stimulation contact 123 → first capacitor 140", thereby supplying power to the acquisition module 130 through discharge.

[0054] At this point, the acquisition module in the embodiment of the present disclosure can be powered by the discharge of the first capacitor and the second capacitor, so there is no need to connect to the battery of the neurostimulator to obtain energy, which can increase the battery life of the neurostimulator.

[0055] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a pulse stimulation signal in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, in order to fully stimulate the load, the pulse stimulation signal may include a positive pulse signal and a negative pulse signal. That is, the pulse stimulation signal may be a bipolar stimulation signal including a positive pulse signal and a negative pulse signal. There is a switching process between the positive pulse signal and the negative pulse signal.

[0056] Please refer to the following Figure 3 , Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the capacitance state in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, during the output of the positive pulse signal, due to the existence of the current path, the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 will inevitably be charged, and the wider the pulse width and the larger the current amplitude, the more charge there is on the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150. During the switching period from the positive pulse signal to the negative pulse signal, the charge on the first capacitor 140 and the second capacitor 150 is gradually released, but the reverse charge will be accumulated during the output of the negative pulse signal.

[0057] For example, please refer to Figure 4 If the charges on the first capacitor and the second capacitor are not completely released during the switching period from the positive pulse signal to the negative pulse signal, the residual charges on the first capacitor and the second capacitor will be superimposed on the negative pulse signal, resulting in an overshoot during the negative pulse (the voltage is greater than the peak value of the set pulse), causing discomfort to the user.

[0058] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition module is powered by the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and the first capacitor and the second capacitor can be quickly discharged during the commutation process, thereby avoiding the occurrence of overshoot.

[0059] That is to say, by consuming the residual charge on the first capacitor and the second capacitor to power the acquisition module, on the one hand, the consumption of the neural stimulator battery by the acquisition module can be saved, and on the other hand, the overcharge phenomenon can be avoided.

[0060] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 The neural stimulator also includes: a peak holding circuit 510 and a comparator 520.

[0061] The peak holding circuit 510 is connected to the pulse generating module 110 and is used to collect the peak value of the pulse stimulation signal.

[0062] The comparator 520 is used to compare the output voltage of the pulse generation module 110 with the peak value collected by the peak holding circuit 510, and when the output voltage is less than the peak value, output an enable signal to the collection module 130. The enable signal is used to control the collection module 130 to start.

[0063] Exemplarily, the comparator 520 includes a first comparison terminal, a second comparison terminal and an output terminal. The first comparison terminal and the second comparison terminal are input terminals of the comparator 520, the first comparison terminal is connected to the pulse generation module 110, the second comparison terminal is connected to the peak holding circuit 510, and the output terminal of the comparator 520 is connected to the enable terminal of the acquisition module 130.

[0064] Exemplarily, since the first pulse output terminal and the second pulse output terminal of the pulse generating module 110 form a complete current loop during the generation of the pulse stimulation signal, the peak holding circuit 510 can be connected to the first pulse output terminal of the pulse generating module 110, or to the second pulse output terminal. Accordingly, the first comparison terminal of the comparator 520 can also be connected to the first pulse output terminal of the pulse generating module 110, or to the second pulse output terminal.

[0065] With such a configuration, the comparator 520 can compare the voltage output by the pulse generating module 110 with the peak voltage of the pulse stimulation signal in real time, and when the voltage output by the pulse generating module 110 is less than the peak voltage, the acquisition module 130 is controlled to start and acquire the response signal corresponding to the pulse stimulation signal.

[0066] That is, the comparator 520 can control the acquisition module 130 to start at the falling edge of the positive pulse signal or at the rising edge of the negative pulse signal.

[0067] By setting the peak holding circuit 510 and the comparator 520, the start time of the acquisition module 130 can be adapted to the discharge time of the first capacitor and the second capacitor, thereby ensuring that the power consumed by the acquisition module 130 is provided by the discharge of the first capacitor and the second capacitor, thereby avoiding the acquisition module 130 from being turned on meaninglessly during the output of the pulse stimulation signal, thereby consuming extra power.

[0068] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 6 The neurostimulator further includes a rectifying and filtering circuit 610. The rectifying and filtering circuit 610 may be provided between the peak holding circuit 510 and the pulse generating module 110, and between the first comparison terminal and the pulse generating module 110.

[0069] Among them, the rectifier filter circuit 610 can convert the bipolar stimulation signal output by the pulse generating module 110 into a unipolar signal. Through the setting of the rectifier filter circuit 610, when the pulse stimulation signal includes both a positive pulse signal and a negative pulse signal, the acquisition module 130 can be controlled by a comparator 520 to be turned on at the falling edge of the positive pulse signal and at the rising edge of the negative pulse signal, thereby improving the acquisition frequency of the acquisition module 130.

[0070] In some embodiments, the length of the connection line between the acquisition module 130 and the first acquisition contact point is less than a preset length, and the length of the connection line between the acquisition module 130 and the second acquisition contact point is less than a preset length.

[0071] By controlling the length of the connection line between the acquisition module 130 and the acquisition contact point within a certain range, it is possible to avoid interference noise introduced by a longer connection line, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the collected response signal.

[0072] That is, the acquisition module 130 can directly obtain a response signal with a high signal-to-noise ratio through a single acquisition, without having to repeat multiple acquisitions and average the response signals acquired each time to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore, by controlling the length of the connection line between the acquisition module 130 and the acquisition contact within a certain range, the working cycle of the acquisition module 130 can also be shortened to ensure that the electrical energy provided by the discharge of the first capacitor and the second capacitor can support the acquisition module 130 to complete a round of response signal acquisition.

[0073] Based on the same inventive concept, the present disclosure also provides a method for controlling a neural stimulator, which is applied to Figure 1 A neurostimulator is shown.

[0074] For example, Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a process flow of a method for controlling a neural stimulator in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7As shown, the neural stimulator control method provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the following steps.

[0075] S701, output a pulse stimulation signal.

[0076] S702, after the pulse stimulation signal is output, a response signal of the pulse stimulation signal is collected.

[0077] Exemplarily, the response signal may be acquired by an acquisition module in the neurostimulator, and the acquisition module is powered by capacitor discharge.

[0078] Since the principle of solving the problem in this method embodiment is similar to that of the above-mentioned neural stimulator embodiment, the implementation of this method embodiment can refer to the implementation of the above-mentioned neural stimulator embodiment, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0079] Based on the same inventive concept, a neural stimulator system is also provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] For example, Figure 8 FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a neural stimulator system in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 As shown, the neurostimulator system 800 includes a neurostimulator 801 and an external controller 802 .

[0081] The neurostimulator 801 and the external controller 802 may be connected by wire or wirelessly. The external controller 802 may send pulse parameters to the neurostimulator 801 so that the pulse generating module of the neurostimulator 801 outputs a pulse stimulation signal corresponding to the pulse parameters.

[0082] Since the principle of solving the problem in this system embodiment is similar to that of the above-mentioned neural stimulator embodiment, the implementation of this system embodiment can refer to the implementation of the above-mentioned neural stimulator embodiment, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0083] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, a variety of simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0084] In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A neural stimulator, characterized in that: include: Pulse generation module, electrode contacts and acquisition module; The pulse generating module is used to output a pulse stimulation signal, and includes: a first pulse output terminal and a second pulse output terminal; The electrode contacts include: a first acquisition contact, a second acquisition contact, a first stimulation contact and a second stimulation contact; wherein the first acquisition contact and the second acquisition contact are connected to the acquisition module respectively, the first stimulation contact is connected to the first pulse output terminal via a first capacitor, and the second stimulation contact is connected to the second pulse output terminal via a second capacitor; The acquisition module is powered by the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and is used to acquire a response signal of the pulse stimulation signal through the first acquisition contact and the second acquisition contact after the pulse stimulation signal is output; The acquisition module includes: a first power supply end and a second power supply end; The first power supply terminal is connected between the first capacitor and the first pulse output terminal; The second power supply terminal is connected between the second capacitor and the second pulse output terminal; When the first capacitor and the second capacitor are in a discharging state, the first capacitor and the second capacitor provide power for the acquisition module; Wherein, the first capacitor and the second capacitor are in a charging state during the output of the pulse stimulation signal, and are in a discharging state after the output of the pulse stimulation signal ends; The acquisition module is turned on at the falling edge of the positive pulse signal in the pulse stimulation signal, and / or is turned on at the rising edge of the negative pulse signal in the pulse stimulation signal.

2. The neurostimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The neural stimulator also includes: a peak holding circuit and a comparator; The peak holding circuit is connected to the pulse generating module and is used to collect the peak value of the pulse stimulation signal; The first comparison end of the comparator is connected to the pulse generating module, and the second comparison end is connected to the peak holding circuit, and is used to compare the output voltage of the pulse generating module with the peak value, and when the output voltage is less than the peak value, output an enable signal to the acquisition module, and the enable signal is used to control the acquisition module to start.

3. The neurostimulator according to claim 2, characterized in that The neural stimulator also includes a rectifier and filter circuit; The rectification and filtering circuit is arranged between the peak holding circuit and the pulse generating module, and between the first comparison terminal and the pulse generating module.

4. The neurostimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The pulse stimulation signal includes a positive pulse signal and a negative pulse signal.

5. The neural stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The length of the connection line between the acquisition module and the first acquisition contact is less than a preset length, and the length of the connection line between the acquisition module and the second acquisition contact is less than a preset length.

6. The neurostimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The pulse generating module comprises: a power supply and a switch array connected to the power supply; The switch array includes a plurality of switch units, and the output pulse stimulation signal can be controlled by controlling the on / off state and on / off time of at least some of the switch units.

7. A neurostimulator system, characterized in that: include: The neurostimulator and the external controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6; The external controller is used to send pulse parameters to the neurostimulator, so that the pulse generating module of the neurostimulator outputs a pulse stimulation signal corresponding to the pulse parameters.

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