Method and device for applying current to electrodes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for applying current to an electrode. The method comprises: forming a positive current pulse and a negative current pulse alternately every first reference time; determining a second reference time according to the number of electrodes participating in stimulation; within the period of the second reference time, each of the electrodes participating in stimulation forms a current pulse with a common electrode in the first half period and the second half period of the second reference time, respectively, and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the first half period of the second reference time and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the second half period of the second reference time have the same current intensity and opposite positive and negative polarities. The present invention can overcome the disadvantage that the current required for stimulation is insufficient or exceeds the upper limit of tolerance under the condition of ensuring charge balance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and in particular to a method and a device for applying current to an electrode. Background Art

[0002] The electrodes of the stimulator implanted in the body through surgery generally need to exist in the body for a long time in years, such as 5, 10, or 20 years. Electrochemical corrosion will occur when the current flows through the contact surface between the electrode and the biological tissue.

[0003] An effective solution is to complete the electrochemical corrosion and reduction reaction of the electrode in a short time. For example, in one cycle, the integral value of the positive charge flowing out of an electrode and the positive charge flowing into an electrode is 0. The stimulation control process in the prior art completes a cycle of positive and negative current pulses at two stimulation points, so the number of electrodes covered by the two stimulation points is required to be the same, otherwise the current required for stimulation of one of the stimulation points will be insufficient or exceed the tolerance limit.

[0004] The above description of the background technology is only for facilitating an in-depth understanding of the technical solution of the present invention (such as the technical means used, the technical problems solved and the technical effects produced), and should not be regarded as an admission or any form of implication that the information constitutes prior art already known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and device for applying current to electrodes, which can overcome the disadvantages of insufficient current or exceeding the upper limit of tolerance required for stimulation under the condition of ensuring charge balance.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for applying current to electrodes, the electrodes comprising at least one electrode participating in stimulation and a common electrode, the method comprising: at intervals of a first reference time, alternately forming positive current pulses and negative current pulses, wherein current is output from the common electrode and input to one of the electrodes participating in stimulation to form a positive current pulse, and current is output from one of the electrodes participating in stimulation and input to the common electrode to form a negative current pulse; determining a second reference time according to the number of electrodes participating in stimulation, the second reference time being twice the first reference time multiplied by the number of electrodes participating in stimulation; within a period of the second reference time, each of the electrodes participating in stimulation forms a current pulse with the common electrode in the first half period and the second half period of the second reference time, respectively, and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the first half period of the second reference time and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the second half period of the second reference time have the same current intensity and opposite positive and negative polarities.

[0007] The second reference time is set to:

[0008] T2=t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1)

[0009] +t 2+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) (n≥1 and n is an integer)

[0010] Among them, t 2x(n-1) ,t 1+2x(n-1) ,t 2+2x(n-1) ,…,t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) Each of is the first reference time, x is the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation, t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) is the first half period of the second reference time T2, t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) is the second half cycle of the second reference time T2, and n is the number of cycles;

[0011] The common electrode is at a first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as:

[0012] A i (2x(n-1)≤i≤(2x-1)+2x(n-1) and i is an integer)

[0013] Where A0 = 1 or 0, A i+1 =1-A i ;

[0014] A i =1 means the current is output from the common electrode, A i =0 means the current is input to the common electrode;

[0015] The electrodes involved in the stimulation are at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as:

[0016] D i =1-A i

[0017] D i = 1 means that the current is output from one electrode involved in the stimulation, D i =0 indicates that current is input to one of the electrodes involved in the stimulation.

[0018] In the first half period t of the second reference time T2 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t(x-1)+2x(n-1) , the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i starts from 2x(n-1) and increases to (x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0019] In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an odd number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0020] In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an even number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where the value of m is 2, 1, 4, 3 up to x-2, x-3, x, x-1, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0021] The current intensity of the current pulse formed by each electrode participating in the stimulation and the common electrode may be the same.

[0022] The number of the common electrode may be at least one, and the current input and output states of each common electrode are the same.

[0023] When the number of common electrodes is set to y, the current intensity output or input by the common electrodes is E / y, where E is the tolerable stimulation current intensity.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for applying current to electrodes, comprising: a current generator configured to apply current to electrodes, the electrodes comprising at least one electrode participating in stimulation and a common electrode; a processor configured to operate the current generator so that the current generator performs the following steps: alternately forming positive current pulses and negative current pulses at intervals of a first reference time, wherein current is output from the common electrode and input to one of the electrodes participating in stimulation to form a positive current pulse, and current is output from one of the electrodes participating in stimulation and input to the common electrode to form a negative current pulse; determining a second reference time according to the number of electrodes participating in stimulation, the second reference time being twice the first reference time multiplied by the number of electrodes participating in stimulation; within the period of the second reference time, each of the electrodes participating in stimulation forms a current pulse with the common electrode in the first half period and the second half period of the second reference time, respectively, and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the first half period of the second reference time and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the second half period of the second reference time have the same current intensity and opposite positive and negative polarities.

[0025] The second reference time is set to:

[0026] T2=t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1)

[0027] +t 2+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) (n≥1 and n is an integer)

[0028] Among them, t 2x(n-1) ,t 1+2x(n-1) ,t 2+2x(n-1) ,…,t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) Each of is the first reference time, x is the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation, t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) is the first half period of the second reference time T2, t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) is the second half cycle of the second reference time T2, and n is the number of cycles;

[0029] The common electrode is at a first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as:

[0030] A i (2x(n-1)≤i≤(2x-1)+2x(n-1) and i is an integer)

[0031] Where A0 = 1 or 0, A i+1=1-A i ;

[0032] A i =1 means the current is output from the common electrode, A i =0 means the current is input to the common electrode;

[0033] The electrodes involved in the stimulation are at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as:

[0034] D i =1-A i

[0035] D i = 1 means that the current is output from one electrode involved in the stimulation, D i =0 indicates that current is input to one of the electrodes involved in the stimulation.

[0036] The processor is configured to operate the current generator so that the current generator performs the following steps:

[0037] In the first half period t of the second reference time T2 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) , the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i starts from 2x(n-1) and increases to (x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0038] In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an odd number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0039] In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an even number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i, where the value of m is 2, 1, 4, 3 up to x-2, x-3, x, x-1, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0040] The current intensity of the current pulse formed by each electrode participating in the stimulation and the common electrode may be the same.

[0041] The number of the common electrode may be at least one, and the current input and output states of each common electrode are the same.

[0042] When the number of common electrodes is set to y, the current intensity output or input by the common electrodes is E / y, where E is the tolerable stimulation current intensity.

[0043] The number of the electrodes can be set to 8, the number of electrodes involved in stimulation can be set to 5, and the number of common electrodes can be set to 3.

[0044] The present invention adopts the above technical solution, which has the following beneficial effects: it can complete uniform periodic stimulation of all positions that need stimulation, the stimulation intensity will not exceed the upper limit of biological tissue tolerance, and can also produce the expected stimulation effect, and always meet the charge balance requirement. In addition, by setting two or more common electrodes, the influence of the stimulation current on each common electrode on the biological tissue can be reduced as much as possible, thereby ensuring that only the points to be stimulated (i.e., the points covering the electrodes involved in the stimulation) produce effective stimulation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The following will describe the exemplary embodiments of the present invention in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity, the same components in different drawings are shown with the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the drawings are only for illustration and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In these drawings:

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of electrodes implanted inside a living body.

[0047] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method of applying current to electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3H The example shows that D i (i.e., 0,1,0,1,0... or 1,0,1,0,1...) scheme assigned to the electrodes involved in the stimulation.

[0049] Figure 4 The scheme of applying current to the electrodes in the case where two or more common electrodes are provided is exemplarily shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The implementation scheme of the present invention is described in detail below. This implementation scheme is implemented on the premise of the technical scheme of the present invention, and a detailed implementation method and specific operation process are given, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the implementation scheme described below.

[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of electrodes implanted into a living body. Figure 1 As shown, at least one electrode is placed on the nerve 10 to be stimulated. Current can be output from any one of the electrodes or current can be input to any one of the electrodes, and the "+" sign represents output current and the "-" sign represents input current. For example, Figure 1 The current in is output from electrode 8 and input to electrode 5. When an electrode inputs or outputs current, the current intensity is generated on the electrode and stimulates the corresponding part of the nerve 10. In addition, the magnitude of the current intensity is proportional to the number of unit charges input or output by the electrode.

[0052] If current is periodically or non-periodically output from one electrode and input to another electrode, a current pulse is formed. Figure 1 As shown, the electric field lines start from electrode 8, diverge, and converge to reach electrode 5. According to the direction of the electric field lines, the current pulses can be classified into positive current pulses and negative current pulses. For example, Figure 1 The direction of the electric field line shown is from right to left, and the current pulse formed can be a positive current pulse. On the contrary, when the direction of the electric field line is from left to right, the current pulse formed is a negative current pulse.

[0053] In the stimulation control process of the prior art, it is necessary to complete a cycle of positive and negative current pulses at two stimulation points, and then start the next stimulation cycle at the same stimulation point, or the next stimulation cycle at a different stimulation point.

[0054] For example, the range of biological point A to be stimulated covers at least one electrode, and the range of biological point B to be stimulated covers at least one other electrode, and these electrodes serve as electrodes participating in stimulation. Electrodes other than these electrodes can serve as common ends of the stimulation path, that is, as common electrodes.

[0055] For example, during a positive current pulse, the three electrodes participating in the stimulation output 1 / 3 unit charge respectively, and the 1 unit charge output by the three electrodes participating in the stimulation is input to a common electrode. During a negative current pulse, a common electrode outputs 1 unit charge, and the output 1 unit charge is input to the three electrodes participating in the stimulation.

[0056] When the electrodes involved in stimulation covered by point A form a positive current pulse with the common electrode, the electrodes involved in stimulation covered by point B form a negative current pulse with the common electrode. Conversely, when the electrodes involved in stimulation covered by point A form a negative current pulse with the common electrode, the electrodes involved in stimulation covered by point B form a positive current pulse with the common electrode. Therefore, a cycle of positive and negative current pulses can be completed at points A and B.

[0057] All electrodes participating in stimulation experience only one positive and negative current pulse in a positive and negative current pulse stimulation cycle. Therefore, through the above-mentioned prior art, when each stimulation cycle is completed, it can be ensured that each electrode participating in stimulation can achieve charge balance in the cycle, that is, the number of charges output by the electrode is equal to the number of charges input, thereby greatly reducing electrochemical corrosion of the electrode.

[0058] When the stimulation current intensity tolerated by a biological point to be stimulated is E, if the range of point A covers three electrodes, a current intensity of 3×E is required in one stimulation cycle. Correspondingly, there is an opposite current intensity of -3×E at point B. However, if the number of electrodes within the range of point B is less than 3, the current intensity at the electrodes within the range of point B will exceed the tolerated stimulation current intensity E, thereby posing a risk of harming the organism. For example, if the range of point B covers only one electrode, the current intensity -3×E generated on the electrode exceeds the tolerated stimulation current intensity E, posing a risk of harming the organism.

[0059] Furthermore, when the frequency of stimulation required for the biological point to be stimulated is F (i.e., the stimulation cycle is performed at frequency F), the highest tolerable intensity of stimulation at point A can be expressed as 3×E×F, and the opposite current intensity of -3×E×F exists at point B. At this time, if the number of electrodes within the range of point B is less than 3, for example, two electrodes are covered within the range of point B, then the current stimulation intensity generated on each electrode is -(3×E) / 2×F. Since |-(3×E) / 2×F|<3×E×F, the required current stimulation intensity may not be achieved.

[0060] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art that the current required for stimulation is insufficient or exceeds the upper limit of tolerance while ensuring charge balance, the present invention provides a method and device for applying current to electrodes.

[0061] Similar to the prior art, the electrodes include at least one electrode participating in stimulation and a common electrode. Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method of applying current to electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, the method of applying current to an electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0063] At every first reference time, positive current pulses and negative current pulses are alternately formed (S100), wherein current is output from a common electrode and input to one of the electrodes participating in stimulation to form a positive current pulse, and current is output from one of the electrodes participating in stimulation and input to a common electrode to form a negative current pulse.

[0064] A second reference time is determined according to the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation (S200), wherein the second reference time is twice the first reference time multiplied by the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation.

[0065] During the period of the second reference time, each of the electrodes participating in the stimulation forms a current pulse with the common electrode in the first half period and the second half period of the second reference time respectively, and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the first half period of the second reference time and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the second half period of the second reference time have the same current intensity and opposite positive and negative polarities (S300).

[0066] That is, if the electrode participating in the stimulation forms a positive current pulse with the common electrode in the first half cycle of the second reference time, for example, 1 unit charge is input to the electrode participating in the stimulation, then it forms a negative current pulse with the common electrode in the second half cycle of the second reference time, and accordingly, the electrode participating in the stimulation outputs 1 unit charge. Conversely, if the electrode participating in the stimulation forms a negative current pulse with the common electrode in the first half cycle of the second reference time, then it forms a positive current pulse with the common electrode in the second half cycle of the second reference time. In addition, the current intensity of the positive current pulse and the negative current pulse is the same, that is, the number of unit charges input or output is the same.

[0067] According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the common electrode only generates a current pulse with one electrode participating in the stimulation every first reference time, all positions that need stimulation can be uniformly and periodically stimulated. If the stimulation current intensity that the biological point to be stimulated tolerates is E, then in the case of one common electrode, the current intensity of the current pulse generated by the common electrode and each electrode participating in the stimulation can be set to E, so that the current stimulation intensity will not exceed the upper limit of the biological tissue tolerance, and the expected stimulation effect can also be produced. Compared with the prior art in which the current stimulation intensity may be limited to -(3×E) / 2×F, the upper limit of the current stimulation intensity in the present invention is E, which increases the use range of the electrical stimulation intensity. In addition, a cycle of positive and negative current pulses is completed within the second reference time (which includes several first reference times), thereby simultaneously ensuring the positive and negative charge balance of each electrode.

[0068] In the following, reference is made to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3H A method of applying current to an electrode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0069] like Figure 3A As shown, the electrode involved in stimulation is electrode 1, and the common electrode is electrode 8. Figure 3B As shown, the electrodes involved in stimulation are electrode 1 and electrode 2, and the common electrode is electrode 8. Figure 3C As shown, the electrodes involved in stimulation are electrodes 1 to 3, and the common electrode is electrode 8. Figure 3D As shown, the electrodes involved in stimulation are electrodes 1 to 4, and the common electrode is electrode 5. Figure 3E As shown, the electrodes involved in stimulation are electrodes 1 to 5, and the common electrode is electrode 8. Figure 3F As shown, the electrodes involved in stimulation are electrodes 1 to 6, and the common electrode is electrode 8. Figure 3G As shown, the electrodes involved in stimulation are electrodes 1 to 7, and the common electrode is electrode 8.

[0070] like Figure 3H As shown, the electrodes involved in stimulation are electrodes 1 to 8, and the common electrode is electrode 9.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second reference time T2 may be set to:

[0072] T2=t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1)

[0073] +t 2+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) (n≥1 and n is an integer)

[0074] Among them, t 2x(n-1) ,t 1+2x(n-1) ,t 2+2x(n-1) ,…,t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) Each of is the first reference time T1, x is the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation, and n is the number of cycles.

[0075] According to the subscript of t in the formula, it can be calculated that the second reference time T2 includes 2x the first reference time T1, that is, the second reference time T2 is twice the first reference time T1 multiplied by the number x of electrodes participating in the stimulation.

[0076] In addition, t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) is the first half period of the second reference time T2, t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) It is the second half cycle of the second reference time T2.

[0077] by Figure 3C As an example, when the number x of electrodes participating in stimulation is 3, in the first cycle, that is, when n=1, the second reference time T2 is t0+t1+t2+t3+t4+t5, where t0+t1+t2 is the first half of the cycle, and t3+t4+t5 is the second half of the cycle. In the second cycle, that is, when n=2, the second reference time T2 is t6+t7+t8+t9+t 10 +t 11 , where t6+t7+t8 is the first half cycle, t9+t 10 +t 11 In the third cycle, that is, when n=3, the second reference time T2 is t 12 +t 13 +t 14 +t 15 +t 16 +t 17 , and so on.

[0078] At each second reference time T2, the common electrode is i The current output and current input are expressed as:

[0079] A i (2x(n-1)≤i≤(2x-1)+2x(n-1) and i is an integer)

[0080] Where A0 = 1 or 0, A i+1 =1-A i ;

[0081] A i =1 means the current is output from the common electrode, A i =0 indicates that current is input to the common electrode.

[0082] Accordingly, the electrodes involved in the stimulation are at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as:

[0083] D i =1-A i

[0084] D i = 1 means that the current is output from one electrode involved in the stimulation, D i =0 indicates that current is input to one of the electrodes involved in the stimulation.

[0085] According to the above formula, it can be concluded that A i The value of is 0,1,0,1,0... or 1,0,1,0,1..., that is, a cyclic sequence of 0 and 1. At the same time, D i The value of is also a cyclic sequence of 0 and 1, and when A i= 0, D i =1, when A i =1, D i =0.

[0086] by Figures 3A to 3H As an example, when i=0, that is, at the first reference time t1, the mark of the common electrode is "1", that is, A0=1, and the mark of the electrode participating in the stimulation is "0", that is, D0=0, which indicates that the current is output from the common electrode and input to one electrode participating in the stimulation, thereby forming a positive current pulse. When i=1, that is, at the first reference time t1, the mark of the common electrode is "0", that is, A1=0, and the mark of the electrode participating in the stimulation is "1", that is, D1=1, which indicates that the current is output from one electrode participating in the stimulation and input to the common electrode, thereby forming a negative current pulse. When i=2, that is, at the first reference time t2, the mark at the common electrode is "1", that is, A2=1, and the mark at the electrode participating in the stimulation is "0", that is, D2=0, which indicates that the current is output from the common electrode and input to one electrode participating in the stimulation, thereby forming a positive current pulse, and so on.

[0087] Therefore, when based on Figure 3A and Figure 3H When the current is applied to the electrode by the "0" or "1" marked in the figure, step S200 can be executed. That is, at every first reference time, positive current pulses and negative current pulses can be formed alternately, wherein the current is output from the common electrode and input to one of the electrodes participating in the stimulation to form a positive current pulse, and the current is output from one of the electrodes participating in the stimulation and input to the common electrode to form a negative current pulse.

[0088] The present invention does not limit the order of alternation between positive current pulses and negative current pulses. Figures 3A to 3H As shown, a positive current pulse can be used as the start of applying current to the electrode, that is, A i =1,0,1,0,1…,D i =0, 1, 0, 1, 0…, however, a negative current pulse can also be used as the start of applying current to the electrode, that is, A i =0, 1, 0, 1, 0…, D i =1,0,1,0,1….

[0089] Then, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is necessary to i(i.e., 0, 1, 0, 1, 0… or 1, 0, 1, 0, 1…) are assigned to the electrodes participating in the stimulation, so that each of the electrodes participating in the stimulation has a mark “0” or “1” in the first half cycle and the second half cycle respectively, and if the electrode participating in the stimulation has a mark “0” in the first half cycle, then it has a mark “1” in the second half cycle, and conversely, if the electrode participating in the stimulation has a mark “1” in the first half cycle, then it has a mark “0” in the second half cycle.

[0090] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3H The example shows that D i (i.e., 0,1,0,1,0... or 1,0,1,0,1...) scheme assigned to the electrodes involved in the stimulation.

[0091] Combination FIG. 3A to FIG. 3H , in the first half cycle t of the second reference time T2 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) , the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i starts from 2x(n-1) and increases to (x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0092] like Figure 3H As shown, taking the first half of the first cycle of the first cycle in which the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is 8 (i.e., 0≤i≤x and i is an integer) as an example, m, i, t i , A i , D i The mapping table between them is:

[0093] Table 1

[0094]

[0095]

[0096] Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, each electrode participating in the stimulation is in the first half period t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) All are marked with either "1" or "0".

[0097] In the second half period t2 of the second reference time x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1), depending on whether the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation is odd or even, D i There are differences in the schemes of assigning the electrodes to the stimulation (i.e., 0,1,0,1,0... or 1,0,1,0,1...). When the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an odd number, the common electrode is at the first reference time t at the beginning of the second half cycle. x+2x(n-1) The current input and output state and the first reference time t at the beginning of the first half cycle 2x(n-1) The current input and output states are opposite, that is, A x+2x(n-1) ≠A 2x(n-1) , and A 2x(n-1) =1, A x+2x(n-1) =0, A 2x(n-1) = 0, A x+2x(n-1) = 1. In addition, at the start of the second half cycle, the first reference time t x+2x(n-1) Allocated D x+2x(n-1) With the first reference time t at the beginning of the first half cycle 2x(n-1) Allocated D 2x(n-1) Different, and D 2x(n-1) =1, D xx2x(n-1) =0,D 2x(n-1) = 0, D x+2x(n-1) =1.

[0098] At this time, the same allocation scheme as in the first half cycle can be used, that is, D i (That is, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0… or 1, 0, 1, 0, 1…) are assigned according to the ascending sequence of the electrodes, so that the electrode participating in the stimulation that is marked with "1" in the first half cycle can obtain the mark "0" in the second half cycle, and the electrode participating in the stimulation that is marked with "0" in the first half cycle can obtain the mark "1" in the second half cycle.

[0099] That is, in the second half period t of the second reference time x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an odd number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0100] like Figure 3G As shown, taking the second half of the first cycle of the first cycle in which the electrode involved in the stimulation is 7 (ie, x≤i≤2x-1 and i is an integer) as an example, n, i, t i , A i , D i The mapping table between them is:

[0101] Table 2

[0102] n i <![CDATA[t i ]]> <![CDATA[A i ]]> <![CDATA[D i ]]> 1 7 <![CDATA[t7]]> 0 1 2 8 <![CDATA[t8]]> 1 0 3 9 <![CDATA[t9]]> 0 1 4 10 <![CDATA[t 10 ]]> 1 0 5 11 <![CDATA[t 11 ]]> 0 1 6 12 <![CDATA[t 12 ]]> 1 0 7 13 <![CDATA[t 13 ]]> 0 1

[0103] As mentioned above, in the second half period t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes involved in stimulation is even, A x+2x(n-1) =A 2x(n-1) , D 2x(n-1) =D x+2x(n-1) Therefore, if we still use D i If the electrodes are allocated in ascending order (i.e., 0, 1, 0, 1, 0... or 1, 0, 1, 0, 1...), the electrodes participating in the stimulation that were marked with "1" in the first half of the cycle will still be marked with "1" in the second half of the cycle, and the electrodes participating in the stimulation that were marked with "0" in the first half of the cycle will still be marked with "0" in the second half of the cycle.

[0104] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, D i (i.e., 0,1,0,1,0... or 1,0,1,0,1...) is first assigned to electrode 2, then to electrode 1, then to electrode 4, and then to electrode 3, until it is assigned to the electrode with the largest number and the electrode with the second largest number, so that each electrode is assigned D i The D values ​​are all the same as those assigned to the electrodes in ascending order. i Not the same.

[0105] That is, in the second half period t of the second reference time x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an even number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where the value of m is 2, 1, 4, 3 up to x-2, x-3, x, x-1, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0106] like Figure 3H As shown, taking the second half of the first cycle of the first cycle in which the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is 8 (i.e., x≤i≤2x-1 and i is an integer) as an example, m, i, t i , A i , D i The mapping table between them is:

[0107] Table 3

[0108]

[0109]

[0110] Combining Table 1 and Table 3, electrode 1 has a mark "0" at t0 and a mark "1" at t9, that is, electrode 1 forms a positive current pulse with the common electrode in the first half cycle and a negative current pulse with the common electrode in the second half cycle. Electrode 2 has a mark "1" at t1 and a mark "0" at t8, that is, electrode 2 forms a negative current pulse with the common electrode in the first half cycle and a positive current pulse with the common electrode in the second half cycle. Similarly, electrode 3 has a mark "0" at t2 and a mark "1" at t8, that is, electrode 2 forms a negative current pulse with the common electrode in the first half cycle and a positive current pulse with the common electrode in the second half cycle. 11 The electrode 4 has a label “1” at t3 and a label “2” at t 10 The electrode 5 has a label “0” at t4 and a label “0” at t 13 The electrode 6 has a label “1” at t5 and a label “2” at t 12 The electrode 7 has a label “0” at t6 and a label “0” at t 15 The electrode 8 has a label of "1" at t7 and a label of "0". 14 Has a label of "0".

[0111] According to the solution of the present invention, although the positive and negative polarities of the current pulse formed by the electrode participating in the stimulation with the common electrode in the first half cycle of the second reference time and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the second half cycle of the second reference time are opposite, the current intensity of the current pulse is the same. For example, in Table 1 and Table 3, the current intensity of the positive current pulse formed by electrode 1 with the common electrode in the first half cycle and the negative current pulse formed by electrode 1 with the common electrode in the second half cycle are the same, that is, the number of unit charges output by electrode 1 is equal to the number of unit charges input, so that the positive and negative charges of electrode 1 are balanced.

[0112] Preferably, the current intensity of the current pulse formed by each electrode participating in the stimulation and the common electrode is the same. For example, in Table 1 and Table 3, the current intensity of the positive current pulse formed by electrode 1 and the common electrode in the first half cycle is the same as the current intensity of the negative current pulse formed by electrode 2 and the common electrode in the first half cycle. In this way, the current intensity of each electrode can be controlled to a state that does not exceed the upper limit of biological tissue tolerance and can also produce the expected stimulation effect.

[0113] As described above, if the stimulation current intensity tolerated by the biological point to be stimulated is E, then in the case of one common electrode, the current intensity of the current pulse generated by the common electrode and each electrode participating in the stimulation can be set to E.

[0114] like FIG. 3A to FIG. 3H , the common electrode is set to one. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the common electrode can be set to at least one. When the common electrode is set to two or more, the current input and output state of each common electrode is the same.

[0115] Figure 4 The scheme of applying current to the electrodes when two or more common electrodes are provided is exemplarily shown. Figure 4 As shown, the electrodes involved in stimulation are electrodes 1 to 5, and the common electrodes are electrodes 6, 7, and 8. The current input and output states of electrodes 6, 7, and 8 are the same.

[0116] As an example, at the first reference time t0, current (e.g., 1 unit charge) is output from common electrode 6, electrode 7, and electrode 8, respectively, and input to electrode 1, and at the first reference time t1, current (correspondingly, 3 unit charges) is output from electrode 2, and input to electrode 6, electrode 7, and electrode 8, respectively.

[0117] That is, when the number of common electrodes is set to y (y ≥ 1 and y is an integer), the current intensity of each output or input of the common electrode is E / y. Thus, the total output or input current tolerance intensity is E. When the number of common electrodes is two or more, the current intensity of the current output or input of each common electrode is reduced (i.e., reduced from E to E / y), so that the impact of the stimulation current on each common electrode on the biological tissue can be reduced as much as possible, thereby ensuring that only the point to be stimulated (i.e., the point covering the electrode participating in the stimulation) produces effective stimulation.

[0118] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for applying current to electrodes, the device comprising a current generator and a processor, the current generator being configured to apply current to the electrodes, the electrodes comprising at least one electrode participating in stimulation and a common electrode. The processor is configured to operate the current generator so that the current generator performs the following steps: at every first reference time, positive current pulses and negative current pulses are formed alternately, wherein the current is output from the common electrode and input to one of the electrodes participating in stimulation to form a positive current pulse, and the current is output from one of the electrodes participating in stimulation and input to the common electrode to form a negative current pulse; a second reference time is determined according to the number of electrodes participating in stimulation, the second reference time being the first reference time multiplied by twice the number of electrodes participating in stimulation; within the period of the second reference time, each of the electrodes participating in stimulation forms a current pulse with the common electrode in the first half period and the second half period of the second reference time, respectively, and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the first half period of the second reference time has the same current intensity as the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the second half period of the second reference time and has opposite positive and negative polarities.

[0119] The second reference time is set to:

[0120] T2=t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1)

[0121] +t 2+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) (n≥1 and n is an integer)

[0122] Among them, t 2x(n-1) ,t 1+2x(n-1) ,t 2+2x(n-1) ,…,t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) Each of is the first reference time, x is the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation, t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) is the first half period of the second reference time T2, t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) is the second half cycle of the second reference time T2, and n is the number of cycles;

[0123] The common electrode is at a first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as:

[0124] A i (2x(n-1)≤i≤(2x-1)+2x(n-1) and i is an integer)

[0125] Where A0 = 1 or 0, A i+1 =1-A i ;

[0126] A i =1 means the current is output from the common electrode, A i =0 means the current is input to the common electrode;

[0127] The electrodes involved in the stimulation are at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as:

[0128] D i =1-A i

[0129] D i = 1 means that the current is output from one electrode involved in the stimulation, D i =0 indicates that current is input to one of the electrodes involved in the stimulation.

[0130] As an example, the processor is configured to operate the current generator so that the current generator performs the following steps:

[0131] In the first half period t of the second reference time T2 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) , the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i starts from 2x(n-1) and increases to (x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0132] In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an odd number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0133] In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an even number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where the value of m is 2, 1, 4, 3 up to x-2, x-3, x, x-1, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

[0134] Preferably, the current intensity of the current pulse formed by each electrode participating in the stimulation and the common electrode may be the same.

[0135] In addition, the common electrode can be set to at least one, and the current input and output states of each common electrode are the same. When the number of common electrodes is set to y, the current intensity output or input by the common electrode is E / y, where E is the tolerated stimulation current intensity. Preferably, the electrodes can be set to 8, the electrodes involved in stimulation can be set to 5, and the common electrodes can be set to 3.

[0136] By using the method and device for applying current to electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention, uniform periodic stimulation can be performed on all locations that require stimulation. The stimulation intensity will not exceed the upper limit of biological tissue tolerance, and the expected stimulation effect can be produced, and the charge balance requirement is always met.

[0137] In addition, by setting two or more common electrodes, the impact of the stimulation current on each common electrode on biological tissue can be reduced as much as possible, thereby ensuring that only the points to be stimulated (i.e., the points covered by the electrodes involved in the stimulation) produce effective stimulation.

[0138] The various embodiments of the invention are not an exhaustive list of all possible combinations, but are intended to describe representative aspects of the invention, and what is described in various embodiments may be applied independently or in combinations of two or more.

[0139] The description presented in the above exemplary embodiments is only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the present invention to the precise form described. Obviously, it is possible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to make many changes and variations based on the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments are selected and described to explain the specific principles of the present invention and its practical application, so that other technicians in the field can easily understand, implement and use the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and its various selected forms and modified forms. The scope of protection of the present invention is intended to be limited by the attached claims and their equivalent forms.

Claims

1. A method for applying current to electrodes, the electrodes comprising at least one electrode involved in stimulation and a common electrode, the method comprising: At every first reference time, a positive current pulse and a negative current pulse are alternately formed, wherein a current is output from a common electrode and input to one of the electrodes participating in stimulation to form a positive current pulse, and a current is output from one of the electrodes participating in stimulation and input to the common electrode to form a negative current pulse; determining a second reference time according to the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation; During the period of the second reference time, each of the electrodes participating in the stimulation forms a current pulse with the common electrode in the first half period and the second half period of the second reference time respectively, and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the first half period of the second reference time and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the second half period of the second reference time have the same current intensity and opposite positive and negative polarities; Wherein, the second reference time is set to: T2=t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) (n≥1 and n is an integer) Among them, t 2x(n-1) ,t 1+2x(n-1) ,t 2+2x(n-1) ,…,t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) Each of is the first reference time, x is the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation, t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) is the first half period of the second reference time T2, t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) It is the second half cycle of the second reference time T2, and n is the cycle number.

2. The method of applying current to an electrode according to claim 1, wherein: The common electrode is at a first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as: A i (2x(n-1)≤i≤(2x-1)+2x(n-1) and i is an integer) Where A0 = 1 or 0, A i+1 =1-A i ; A i =1 means the current is output from the common electrode, A i =0 means the current is input to the common electrode; The electrodes involved in the stimulation are at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as: D i =1-A i D i = 1 means that the current is output from one electrode involved in the stimulation, D i =0 indicates that current is input to one of the electrodes involved in the stimulation.

3. The method of applying current to an electrode according to claim 1, wherein: In the first half period t of the second reference time T2 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) , the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i starts from 2x(n-1) and increases to (x-1)+2x(n-1).

4. The method of applying current to an electrode according to claim 1, wherein: In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an odd number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

5. The method of applying current to an electrode according to claim 1, wherein: In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+3)23x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an even number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where the value of m is 2, 1, 4, 3 up to x-2, x-3, x, x-1, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

6. The method of applying current to an electrode according to claim 1, wherein: The current intensity of the current pulse formed by each electrode participating in the stimulation and the common electrode is the same.

7. The method of applying current to an electrode according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the common electrodes is at least one, and the current input and output states of each common electrode are the same.

8. The method of applying current to an electrode according to claim 7, wherein: When the number of common electrodes is set to y, the current intensity output or input by the common electrodes is E / y, where E is the tolerable stimulation current intensity.

9. A device for applying a current to an electrode, comprising: a current generator configured to apply current to electrodes, the electrodes including at least one electrode participating in stimulation and a common electrode; A processor configured to operate the current generator so that the current generator performs the following steps: At every first reference time, a positive current pulse and a negative current pulse are alternately formed, wherein a current is output from a common electrode and input to one of the electrodes participating in stimulation to form a positive current pulse, and a current is output from one of the electrodes participating in stimulation and input to the common electrode to form a negative current pulse; determining a second reference time according to the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation; During the period of the second reference time, each of the electrodes participating in the stimulation forms a current pulse with the common electrode in the first half period and the second half period of the second reference time respectively, and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the first half period of the second reference time and the current pulse formed with the common electrode in the second half period of the second reference time have the same current intensity and opposite positive and negative polarities; Wherein, the second reference time is set to: T2=t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) (n≥1 and n is an integer) Among them, t 2x(n-1) ,t 1+2x(n-1) ,t 2+2x(n-1) ,…,t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) Each of is the first reference time, t is the number of electrodes involved in the stimulation, t 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) is the first half period of the second reference time T2, t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) It is the second half cycle of the second reference time T2, and n is the cycle number.

10. The device for applying current to an electrode according to claim 9, wherein: The common electrode is at a first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as: A i (2x(n-1)≤i≤(2x-1)+2x(n-1) and i is an integer) Where A0 = 1 or 0, A i+1 =1-A i ; A i =1 means the current is output from the common electrode, A i =0 means the current is input to the common electrode; The electrodes involved in the stimulation are at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are expressed as: D i =1-A i D i = 1 means that the current is output from one electrode involved in the stimulation, D i =0 means that the current is input to one of the electrodes involved in the stimulation; The processor is configured to operate the current generator so that the current generator performs the following steps: In the first half period t of the second reference time T2 2x(n-1) +t 1+2x(n-1) +t 2+2x(n-1) +…+t (x-1)+2x(n-1) , the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m starts from 1 and increases to x, and i starts from 2x(n-1) and increases to (x-1)+2x(n-1); In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an odd number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as D i , where m increases from 1 to x, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1); In the second half period of the second reference time t x+2x(n-1) +t (x+1)+2x(n-1) +t (x+2)+2x(n-1) ,…+t (2x-1)+2x(n-1) , when the number of electrodes participating in the stimulation is an even number, the mth electrode participating in the stimulation is at the first reference time t i The current output and current input are sequentially expressed as d i , where the value of m is 2, 1, 4, 3 up to x-2, x-3, x, x-1, and i increases from x+2x(n-1) to (2x-1)+2x(n-1).

11. The device for applying current to an electrode according to claim 9, wherein: The current intensity of the current pulse formed by each electrode participating in the stimulation and the common electrode is the same.

12. The device for applying current to an electrode according to claim 9, wherein: The number of the common electrodes is at least one, and the current input and output states of each common electrode are the same.

13. The device for applying current to an electrode according to claim 12, wherein: When the number of common electrodes is set to y, the current intensity output or input by the common electrodes is E / y, where E is the tolerable stimulation current intensity.

14. The device for applying current to an electrode according to claim 13, wherein: The number of electrodes is 8, the number of electrodes involved in stimulation is 5, and the number of common electrodes is 3.

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