Ear walking electrical stimulation device and self-adaptive control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an aural walking electrical stimulation device, which comprises an aural walking stimulation electrode tip and an aural walking stimulation host, and is characterized in that the aural walking stimulation electrode tip comprises an auricular conchae electrode, an ear hole electrode and a deformable conductive layer wrapping the auricular conchae electrode and the ear hole electrode which are electrically connected through an electrical stimulation loop; pressure detectors are arranged on the auricular conchae electrode and the ear hole electrode; a current detector is arranged on the electrical stimulation loop; the ear walking stimulation host comprises a power supply module, a control module and a driving module, and the power supply module and the driving module are in electric signal connection with the control module; the power module is further electrically connected with the auricular conchae electrode and the ear hole electrode, and the driving module is in driving connection with the auricular conchae electrode and the ear hole electrode so as to drive the auricular conchae electrode and the ear hole electrode to change relative positions in the conductive layer. The aural walking electrical stimulation device can adapt to the auricular conchae of the user and can automatically match the stimulation intensity. The invention also relates to a self-adaptive control method of the ear-rosemary electrical stimulation device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ear vagus electrical stimulation electrodes, and in particular to an ear vagus electrical stimulation device and an adaptive control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As we all know, among the twelve cranial nerves, the vagus nerve is considered to be a unique and simple visceral nerve. It is the most widely distributed in the body and is connected to and affects our body's nervous system. When it is stimulated, it will feed back signals to the hippocampus, cingulate gyrus and other central nervous systems, making the parasympathetic nerves excited and the sympathetic nerves inhibited, thereby affecting the body's physical and mental state and relaxing it. Common acupuncture points for ear vagus electrical stimulation are the ear canal opening and the auricle.

[0003] In the prior art, the invention patent "Integrated Silicone Rubber Ear Electrode for Ear Vagus Nerve Stimulator" with authorization announcement number CN105056384A (application number 201510492785.3) discloses an integrated silicone rubber ear electrode for ear vagus nerve stimulator, in which the auricle electrode of the ear electrode is a cantilever silicone rubber electrode, which is a cylindrical structure. The auricle 4 is a fixed conductive silicone structure. Due to the limited elasticity of silicone, it is placed in the concha cavity of the human body when worn. The concha cavity of each person is not consistent. If the volume of the concha cavity of the human body is larger than the volume of the auricle 4, it will cause a problem of small contact area, thereby affecting the efficiency of ear vagus electrical stimulation. If the concha cavity of the human body is smaller than the auricle 4, it will cause the problem of wearing too tight and poor comfort.

[0004] That is, the above structure still has the following defects: 1. Since the size and shape of each person's concha cavity are different, the electrode is a fixed structure and is not well adapted to the human auricle, which will cause poor comfort and incomplete contact, resulting in reduced electrical stimulation efficiency; 2. It is impossible to accurately perform adaptive adjustment according to the needs of the corresponding population; 3. There is no supporting control method to conveniently and simply operate the device. The above device requires manual adjustment based on experience, which is inconvenient to use. Summary of the invention

[0005] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ear vagus electrical stimulation device that can adapt to the user's concha cavity and automatically match the stimulation intensity in response to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0006] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an adaptive control method for the aforementioned ear vagus electrical stimulation device in view of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned first technical problem is: an ear vagus stimulation device, comprising an ear vagus stimulation electrode head and an ear vagus stimulation host, characterized in that: the ear vagus stimulation electrode head comprises a concha cavity electrode and an ear hole electrode electrically connected through an electrical stimulation circuit, and a deformable conductive layer wrapped outside the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode; the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode are both provided with a pressure detector; the electrical stimulation circuit is also provided with a current detector for detecting current;

[0008] The ear vagus stimulation host includes a power module, a control module and a driving module, and the power module and the driving module are both electrically connected to the control module; the power module is also electrically connected to the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode, and the driving module is respectively connected to the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode to drive the relative position change of the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode in the conductive layer.

[0009] In order to automatically adjust the stimulation intensity based on the brain waves sensed by the brain sensing module, a brain sensing module connected to the control module by electrical signals is also included.

[0010] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above second technical problem is: an adaptive control method of an ear vagus electrical stimulation device, characterized in that: the above ear vagus electrical stimulation device is adopted;

[0011] When the user places the ear vagus stimulation electrode head in the concha cavity and turns on the device;

[0012] The control module controls the driving mechanism to drive the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode to move based on the pressure data detected by the pressure detectors on the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode, respectively, until the pressure data reaches the corresponding set comfortable pressure value;

[0013] The control module then controls the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode to electrically stimulate the user's concha cavity.

[0014] As an improvement, when performing electrical stimulation, the control module controls the power supply module to output a set stimulation voltage corresponding to the current stimulation level according to the stimulation level selected by the user;

[0015] When the ear vagus stimulation electrode head electrically stimulates the user, the current detector detects the electrical stimulation circuit current I, compares I with the set stimulation current I0 corresponding to the current stimulation gear, and controls the driving mechanism to drive the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode to move to expand the conductive layer or retract the conductive layer according to the difference between I and I0.

[0016] As an improvement, when I is compared with the set stimulation current I0 corresponding to the current stimulation gear, if I>I0, the driving mechanism is controlled to drive the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode to move away from the concha cavity, so that the conductive layer retracts and reduces the contact area with the concha cavity;

[0017] If I<I0, the driving mechanism is controlled to drive the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode to move toward the concha cavity, so that the conductive layer expands and increases the contact area with the concha cavity.

[0018] As an improvement, during the expansion of the conductive layer, the pressure detectors on the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode detect pressure data in real time. If the detected pressure data reaches a preset high pressure threshold, the driving mechanism stops driving the corresponding concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode.

[0019] If the driving mechanism does not reach the required driving amount when it stops, the user is reminded to increase the stimulation gear.

[0020] As an improvement, when performing electrical stimulation, the EEG sensing module obtains the user's brain wave signals in real time, and the control module controls and adjusts the electrical stimulation intensity of the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode to the concha cavity according to different brain wave signals.

[0021] 8. The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device according to claim 7, characterized in that: the ear vagus stimulation host further comprises a resistance detector for detecting skin resistance, and the resistance detector is electrically connected to the control module;

[0022] When performing electrical stimulation, the control module controls and adjusts the output voltage of the power module based on the skin resistance detected by the resistance detector and the electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the brain wave signal.

[0023] As an improvement, after acquiring the brain wave signal, the characteristic wave of the electric wave signal is extracted, and the control module determines the user's brain activity state based on the characteristic wave, and then determines the electrical stimulation intensity of the concha cavity electrode and the ear hole electrode to the concha cavity.

[0024] As an improvement, the characteristic wave includes:

[0025] The frequency is a gamma wave above 38 times / second, and the electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the preset gamma wave is Y1;

[0026] The beta wave frequency is 14 to 38 times / second, and the preset electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the beta wave is Y2;

[0027] The frequency of alpha wave is 8 to 14 times / second, and the preset electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the alpha wave is Y3;

[0028] Theta waves with a frequency of 4 to 7 times / second, the preset electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to theta waves is Y4;

[0029] The frequency of the delta wave is 0.5 to 3.5 times / second, and the preset electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the delta wave is Y5;

[0030] Among them, Y1>Y2>Y3>Y4>Y5.

[0031] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the ear vagus electrical stimulation device in the present invention, the ear vagus electrical stimulation device, based on the cooperation of the driving mechanism and the pressure detector, can drive the ear vagus stimulation electrode head to deform, and then adapt to the different concha cavities of different users, and have high comfort. In addition, the working current of the ear vagus stimulation electrode head can be detected according to the current detector, and then it can be determined whether it meets the needs of the user, and then it can adaptively meet the stimulation intensity needs of the user.

[0032] The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device controls the operation of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device to meet the comfort and personalized needs of the user during the electrical stimulation operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 4 is a module diagram of a device for vagus nerve stimulation in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the ear vagus electrical stimulation device in this embodiment includes an ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 and an ear vagus stimulation host 2.

[0036] The ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 includes an auricular cavity electrode 11 and an ear hole electrode 12 electrically connected through an electrical stimulation circuit, and a deformable conductive layer 13 wrapped around the auricular cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12; a pressure detector 14 is provided on the auricular cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12; and a current detector 15 for detecting current is also provided on the electrical stimulation circuit. The conductive layer 13 in this embodiment is made of conductive silicone material.

[0037] The ear vagus stimulation host 2 includes a power module 21, a control module 22 and a driving module 23, and the power module 21 and the driving module 23 are both electrically connected to the control module 22; the power module 21 is also electrically connected to the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12, and the driving module 23 is respectively connected to the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to drive the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to change their relative positions in the conductive layer 13. Based on the change in the relative positions of the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12, the conductive layer 13 in direct contact with the concha cavity is also deformed, and based on its soft and deformable characteristics, the overall shape of the ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 can better match the user's concha cavity, thereby improving the comfort of use.

[0038] In order to automatically adjust the stimulation intensity based on the brain waves sensed by the brain sensing module, a brain sensing module 3 electrically connected to the control module 22 is also included.

[0039] The adaptive control method of the aforementioned ear vagus stimulation device specifically includes the following steps: when the user places the ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 in the concha cavity and turns it on; the control module 22 controls the driving mechanism to drive the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to move based on the pressure data detected by the pressure detector 14 on the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12, respectively, until the pressure data reaches the corresponding set comfortable pressure value; then the control module 22 controls the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to perform electrical stimulation on the user's concha cavity. Based on this control process, the overall shape of the ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 can be made to better match the user's concha cavity, reduce the foreign body sensation in the user's concha cavity, and make it more comfortable to use.

[0040] In addition, in order to make the electrical stimulation intensity of the concha cavity meet the user's needs more accurately, when performing electrical stimulation, the control module 22 controls the power module 21 to output the set stimulation voltage corresponding to the current stimulation gear according to the stimulation gear selected by the user. Under normal circumstances, the output based on the set stimulation voltage can meet the corresponding stimulation intensity requirements.

[0041] However, in order to make the stimulation intensity of the concha cavity more accurately match the rated intensity and ensure the electrical stimulation effect, when the ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 electrically stimulates the user, the current detector 15 detects the electrical stimulation circuit current I, compares I with the set stimulation current I0 corresponding to the current stimulation gear, and controls the driving mechanism to drive the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to move and expand the conductive layer 13 or retract the conductive layer 13 according to the difference between I and I0.

[0042] Specifically, when I is compared with the set stimulation current I0 corresponding to the current stimulation gear, if I>I0, the control driving mechanism drives the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to move away from the concha cavity, so that the conductive layer 13 retracts and reduces the contact area with the concha cavity. If I<I0, the control driving mechanism drives the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to move toward the concha cavity, so that the conductive layer 13 expands and increases the contact area with the concha cavity.

[0043] During the expansion process, the conductive layer 13 will inevitably squeeze the concha cavity. Based on this, the pressure detector 14 on the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 detects the pressure data in real time. If the detected pressure data reaches the preset high pressure threshold, the driving mechanism stops driving the corresponding concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12; if the driving mechanism does not reach the required driving amount when it stops, the user is reminded to increase the stimulation gear, so that the comfort of the ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 in the user's concha cavity can be ensured while ensuring the stimulation intensity.

[0044] In addition, if the EEG sensing module 3 is used in conjunction with the ear vagus stimulation host 2, then when performing electrical stimulation, the EEG sensing module 3 obtains the user's brain wave signal in real time. After obtaining the brain wave signal, the characteristic wave of the wave signal is extracted. The control module 22 judges the user's brain activity state based on the characteristic wave, and then determines the electrical stimulation intensity of the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to the concha cavity.

[0045] The characteristic waves corresponding to the electric wave signal include: a γ wave with a frequency of more than 38 times / second, and the corresponding preset electric stimulation intensity corresponding to the γ wave is Y1, and the electric stimulation intensity is the largest to calm the user; a β wave with a frequency of 14 to 38 times / second, and the corresponding preset electric stimulation intensity corresponding to the β wave is Y2, and the electric stimulation intensity is slightly larger to calm the user; an α wave with a frequency of 8 to 14 times / second, and the corresponding preset electric stimulation intensity corresponding to the α wave is Y3, and the electric stimulation intensity is medium to maintain the state; a θ wave with a frequency of 4 to 7 times / second, and the corresponding preset electric stimulation intensity corresponding to the θ wave is Y4, and the electric stimulation intensity is slightly smaller to maintain the state; a δ wave with a frequency of 0.5 to 3.5 times / second, and the corresponding preset electric stimulation intensity corresponding to the δ wave is Y5, and the electric stimulation intensity is the smallest to maintain the state; wherein Y1>Y2>Y3>Y4>Y5. The control module 22 controls and adjusts the electric stimulation intensity of the concha cavity electrode 11 and the ear hole electrode 12 to the concha cavity according to different brain wave signals.

[0046] Specifically, the ear vagus stimulation host 2 can also include a resistance detector for detecting skin resistance, and the resistance detector is electrically connected to the control module 22; when performing electrical stimulation, the control module 22 controls and adjusts the output voltage of the power supply module 21 based on the skin resistance detected by the resistance detector and the electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the brain wave signal.

[0047] The ear vagus electrical stimulation device in the present invention can drive the ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 to deform based on the cooperation of the driving mechanism and the pressure detector 14, so as to adapt to the different cavum conchae morphologies of different users, and has high comfort. In addition, the working current of the ear vagus stimulation electrode head 1 can be detected according to the current detector 15, so as to determine whether the user's needs are met, and then the stimulation intensity needs of the user can be adaptively met.

[0048] The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device controls the operation of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device to meet the comfort and personalized needs of the user during the electrical stimulation operation.

Claims

1. An ear vagus electrical stimulation device, comprising an ear vagus stimulation electrode head (1) and an ear vagus stimulation host (2), characterized in that: The ear vagus stimulation electrode head (1) comprises a concha cavity electrode (11) and an ear hole electrode (12) electrically connected via an electrical stimulation circuit, and a deformable conductive layer (13) wrapped around the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12); the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) are both provided with a pressure detector (14); the electrical stimulation circuit is also provided with a current detector (15) for detecting current; The ear vagus stimulation host (2) comprises a power module (21), a control module (22) and a driving module (23), wherein the power module (21) and the driving module (23) are both electrically connected to the control module (22); the power module (21) is also electrically connected to the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12), and the driving module (23) is respectively connected to the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) to drive the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) to change their relative positions in the conductive layer (13).

2. The ear vagus stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a brain electroencephalogram induction module (3) which is electrically signal-connected to the control module (22).

3. An adaptive control method for an ear vagus electrical stimulation device, characterized in that: Using the ear vagus electrical stimulation device as claimed in claim 1 or 2; When the user places the ear vagus stimulation electrode head (1) in the auricle cavity and turns on the device; The control module (22) controls the driving mechanism to drive the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) to move based on the pressure data detected by the pressure detector (14) on the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) respectively, until the pressure data reaches the corresponding set comfortable pressure value; Then the control module (22) controls the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) to electrically stimulate the concha cavity of the user.

4. The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: When performing electrical stimulation, the control module (22) controls the power supply module (21) to output a set stimulation voltage corresponding to the current stimulation level according to the stimulation level selected by the user; When the ear vagus stimulation electrode head (1) performs electrical stimulation on a user, the current detector (15) detects the electrical stimulation circuit current I, compares I with the set stimulation current I0 corresponding to the current stimulation gear, and controls the driving mechanism to drive the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) to move and expand the conductive layer (13) or retract the conductive layer (13) according to the difference between I and I0.

5. The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: When I is compared with the set stimulation current I0 corresponding to the current stimulation gear, if I>I0, the driving mechanism is controlled to drive the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) to move in a direction away from the concha cavity, so that the conductive layer (13) retracts and reduces the contact area with the concha cavity; If I<I0, the driving mechanism is controlled to drive the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) to move in a direction close to the concha cavity, so that the conductive layer (13) expands and increases the contact area with the concha cavity.

6. The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: During the expansion process of the conductive layer (13), the pressure detector (14) on the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) detects pressure data in real time, and if the detected pressure data reaches a preset high pressure threshold, the driving mechanism stops driving the corresponding concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12); If the driving mechanism does not reach the required driving amount when it stops, the user is reminded to increase the stimulation gear.

7. The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: Using the ear vagus electrical stimulation device as claimed in claim 2; When performing electrical stimulation, the electroencephalogram sensing module (3) obtains the user's brain wave signals in real time, and the control module (22) controls and adjusts the electrical stimulation intensity of the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) on the concha cavity according to different brain wave signals.

8. The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The ear vagus stimulation host (2) also includes a resistance detector for detecting skin resistance, and the resistance detector is electrically connected to the control module (22); When performing electrical stimulation, the control module (22) controls and adjusts the output voltage of the power module (21) based on the skin resistance detected by the resistance detector and the electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the brain wave signal.

9. The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device according to claim 7, characterized in that: After acquiring the brain wave signal, the characteristic wave of the electric wave signal is extracted, and the control module (22) determines the user's brain activity state based on the characteristic wave, and then determines the intensity of electrical stimulation of the concha cavity electrode (11) and the ear hole electrode (12) on the concha cavity.

10. The adaptive control method of the ear vagus electrical stimulation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The characteristic waves include: The frequency is a gamma wave above 38 times / second, and the electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the preset gamma wave is Y1; The beta wave frequency is 14 to 38 times / second, and the preset electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the beta wave is Y2; The frequency of alpha wave is 8 to 14 times / second, and the preset electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the alpha wave is Y3; Theta waves with a frequency of 4 to 7 times / second, the preset electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to theta waves is Y4; The frequency of the delta wave is 0.5 to 3.5 times / second, and the preset electrical stimulation intensity corresponding to the delta wave is Y5; Among them, Y1>Y2>Y3>Y4>Y5.

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