Self-generating electricity stimulation scoliosis orthosis

Abstract

The invention provides a self-generating electricity stimulation scoliosis orthosis, and belongs to the technical field of medical instruments. The device comprises a support, protection plates installed at the two ends of the support, a correction belt adjuster installed on the support, a correction belt connected to the correction belt adjuster, a pressure sensor arranged on the correction belt, piezoelectric material modules arranged on a chest belt, a waist belt and the correction belt respectively, and electrode slices used for being connected with the piezoelectric material modules. The correction force is monitored in real time through the pressure sensor and transmitted to the terminal, the piezoelectric material module is utilized to generate electricity for stimulation under the action of mechanical pressure, collaborative treatment of muscle atrophy and the correction force is achieved, the dual functions of accurate regulation and control of the correction force and maintenance of muscle activity are achieved, and the correction effect is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly to a self-powered electrical stimulation scoliosis orthosis. Background Art

[0002] In patients with scoliosis, due to the three-dimensional spinal deformity, the mechanical balance between the convex and concave muscle groups is disrupted. The muscles on the convex side gradually atrophy due to long-term stretching and active inhibition, while the muscles on the concave side remain continuously tense due to compensatory contraction. The imbalance between the convex and concave muscles further exacerbates the mechanical deviation and progression of scoliosis. Traditional orthoses mainly correct the spinal morphology through mechanical external forces, but have limited improvement in the imbalance of muscle group functions. Based on this, integrating electrical stimulation technology into orthoses has important clinical significance: on the one hand, by stimulating the atrophied muscles on the convex side, their contraction ability can be activated, delaying muscle atrophy and degeneration; on the other hand, it can regulate the muscle tension balance on both sides, breaking the vicious cycle of "muscle atrophy - scoliosis aggravation". The synergistic effect of electrical stimulation and orthosis can not only improve the short-term mechanical correction effect, but also provide support for long-term rehabilitation by enhancing the functional stability of the core muscle groups. Existing scoliosis orthoses mostly use rigid supports or airbag pressurization, with problems such as unclear correction force and atrophy of the muscles on the affected side. Although some designs introduce electrode patches for electrical stimulation, they rely on external power sources. In view of the above problems, a self-powered electrical stimulation orthosis combining pressure sensing and piezoelectric materials is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, to solve the technical problem of unclear correction force existing in the existing scoliosis orthoses, the present invention provides a self-powered electrical stimulation scoliosis orthosis, which can realize the coordinated treatment of muscle atrophy and correction force by using a pressure sensor to real-time monitor the correction force and a piezoelectric material module to generate self-powered electrical stimulation under mechanical pressure, achieving the dual functions of precise regulation of the correction force and maintenance of muscle activity, and improving the correction effect.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] A self-powered electrical stimulation scoliosis orthosis, comprising:

[0006] A bracket;

[0007] Guard plates, installed at both ends of the bracket, the upper guard plate is fixed by a chest strap, and the lower guard plate is fixed by a waist strap;

[0008] A correction belt adjuster, installed on the bracket;

[0009] A correction belt, connected to the correction belt adjuster;

[0010] A pressure sensor is disposed on the correction belt and is used for real-time monitoring of the distribution of correction forces in the spinal region, and feeds back the real-time monitored pressure data to the terminal through a wireless module;

[0011] Shoulder straps are connected to the guard plate and are used for surrounding the patient's chest cavity to apply a directional pressure to the convex side of the scoliosis;

[0012] Piezoelectric material modules are respectively disposed on the chest belt, the waist belt and the correction belt;

[0013] Electrode patches are used for connecting the piezoelectric material modules and are used for receiving the micro-current generated by the piezoelectric material modules under pressure and outputting it to the muscles.

[0014] Preferably, a lining is provided on the inner side of the guard plate.

[0015] Preferably, a buffer layer is provided between the piezoelectric material module and the correction belt, the chest belt and the waist belt.

[0016] Preferably, the thickness of the buffer layer is 1-2 mm.

[0017] Preferably, the buffer layer is made of medical silica gel material.

[0018] Preferably, the electrode patches are attached to the surface of the affected side muscle group through adjustable fixing straps.

[0019] Preferably, the adjustable fixing strap is a magic tape.

[0020] Preferably, the piezoelectric material module is a biocompatible piezoelectric ceramic.

[0021] Preferably, the materials of the correction belt, the shoulder straps, the waist belt, the guard plate, the correction belt adjuster and the chest belt are breathable and skin-friendly medical textile materials.

[0022] The present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0023] The self-powered electro-stimulating scoliosis orthosis provided by the present invention realizes the coordinated treatment of muscle atrophy and correction force by real-time monitoring of the correction force by a pressure sensor and self-powered electro-stimulation of a piezoelectric material module under mechanical pressure, realizes the dual functions of precise regulation of the correction force and maintenance of muscle activity, and improves the correction effect.

[0024] The self-powered electro-stimulating scoliosis orthosis provided by the present invention self-generates electro-stimulation under mechanical pressure by a piezoelectric material module, does not require an external power source, and can work continuously. The mechanical correction force is converted into a micro-current by a bio-piezoelectric ceramic to stimulate the contraction of the affected side muscles, and the correction force distribution is optimized by combining real-time pressure monitoring. This design solves the problems of traditional orthoses relying on external power sources and being unable to improve muscle group imbalance, and is applicable to the long-term correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

[0025] The present invention uses a pressure sensor to monitor the magnitude of the correction force and transmit it to a terminal. The pressure sensor collects the data of the spinal column's force in real time and transmits it to the terminal through a wireless module to guide the optimization of the correction force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a side structural view of the orthosis;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a rear structural view of the orthosis;

[0028] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the position of the correction belt sensor;

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the positions of the piezoelectric module and the electrode plate;

[0030] In the figures, 1, bracket; 2, correction belt; 3, shoulder strap; 4, waist belt; 5, guard plate; 6, correction belt adjuster; 7, chest belt; 8, pressure sensor; 9, piezoelectric material module; 10, electrode plate; 11, magic tape; 12, wire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "top / bottom end", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "provided with", "sheathed / connected", "connected", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0034] As Figures 1-4 shown, the present invention provides a self-powered electrostimulation scoliosis orthosis, comprising:

[0035] A bracket 1, serving as the framework of the orthosis, is used to connect components such as the following guard plate 5 and correction belt adjuster 6 to form a stable mechanical support network.

[0036] The guard plate 5 is installed at both ends of the bracket 1. The upper guard plate 5 is fixed by a chest strap 7, and the lower guard plate 5 is fixed by a waist belt 4. For the convenience of description, the guard plate 5 installed at the upper end of the bracket 1 can be defined as the first guard plate, and the guard plate 5 installed at the lower end of the bracket 1 can be defined as the second guard plate. The first guard plate fixes the shoulder position through the chest strap 7. The second guard plate is fixed at the waist position through the waist belt 4.

[0037] The correction belt adjuster 6 is installed on the bracket 1. The correction belt 2 is connected to the correction belt adjuster 6. The correction belt adjuster 6 adjusts the tightness of the correction belt 2 through a mechanical structure (such as gears, knobs or electric drive) to control the magnitude of the correction force applied to the convex side of the spine. The correction belt adjuster 6 is a prior art, and its specific mechanical composition will not be elaborated here. A regulator capable of adjusting the tightness of the correction belt can be selected according to needs.

[0038] The pressure sensor 8 is arranged on the correction belt and is used to monitor the distribution of the correction force in the spinal region in real time, and feeds the real-time monitored pressure data back to the terminal, such as a mobile phone or a computer, through a wireless module. The terminal can analyze and process the data with the help of special software, and doctors or patients can understand the distribution of the correction force accordingly and adjust the orthosis in time to ensure that the correction force is appropriate.

[0039] The chest strap 7 is connected to the guard plate 5 and is used to apply a directional pressure to the convex side of the scoliosis around the patient's chest. The shoulder strap 3 is used to surround the patient's chest, and together with the correction belt 2, the waist belt 4, the shoulder strap 3, etc., forms a mechanical support system to apply a directional pressure to the convex side of the scoliosis and correct the three-dimensional deformity of the spine. The shoulder strap 3, the correction belt 2, the waist belt 4 and the chest strap 7 form a stable annular support structure to prevent the orthosis from shifting. The lengths of the shoulder strap 3, the correction belt 2, the waist belt 4 and the chest strap 7 are all adjustable to adapt to patients with different body types.

[0040] Piezoelectric material modules 9 are respectively arranged on the chest strap 7, the waist belt 4 and the correction belt 2 and are distributed in the force application areas. When the chest strap 7, the waist belt 4 and the correction belt 2 apply a correction force to the spine, the piezoelectric material modules 9 are compressed to generate a microcurrent. The generated microcurrent is output to the muscles through the electrode plates 10 to stimulate the contraction of the affected muscles, maintain the muscle activity and prevent muscle atrophy.

[0041] The electrode patch 10 is used to connect to the piezoelectric material module 9 and receive the microcurrent generated by the piezoelectric material module 9 under pressure and output it to the muscles.

[0042] In the present invention, a lining is provided on the inner side of the guard plate 5. The lining serves as the contact interface between the guard plate 5 and the skin and is made of medical-grade silicone or soft textile material to avoid the direct friction of the hard guard plate 5 on the skin, reducing the risks of pressure sores, redness, etc. The lining material has breathable pores to promote the evaporation of sweat, reduce the stuffy feeling during long-term wearing, and improve patient compliance. The elastic material of the lining (such as medical-grade silicone) can be locally deformed to evenly disperse the corrective force applied by the guard plate 5 to the skin surface, avoiding the local high-pressure points of the traditional hard guard plate 5. In short, a lining is provided on the inner side of the guard plate 5 to protect the skin and optimize the pressure transmission path.

[0043] In the present invention, the output current of the piezoelectric material module 9 is 0.1 - 5 mA, and the frequency is 10 - 50 Hz. These current parameters can be set through the terminal. The current intensity is dynamically matched with the corrective force, and the frequency is adjustable to adapt to different rehabilitation stages.

[0044] In the present invention, a buffer layer is provided between the piezoelectric material module 9 and the corrective belt 2, chest belt 7, and waist belt 4. The thickness of the buffer layer is preferably 1 - 2 mm. The buffer layer is preferably made of medical-grade silicone material. On the one hand, the buffer layer can enhance the adhesion stability between the piezoelectric material modules 9. On the other hand, it can buffer the pressure, prevent the piezoelectric material module 9 from being damaged due to excessive force, extend the service life of the piezoelectric material module 9, and ensure the continuous and stable operation of the self-powered stimulation function.

[0045] In the present invention, the electrode patch 10 is attached to the surface of the affected muscle group through an adjustable fixing strap.

[0046] In the present invention, the adjustable fixing strap is a magic tape 11. The position of the electrode patch 10 can be conveniently adjusted through the magic tape 11. The user can accurately fix the electrode patch 10 on the surface of the affected muscle group according to their own muscle position and feeling, ensuring that the electrical stimulation can accurately act on the target muscle and improving the treatment effect.

[0047] In the present invention, the piezoelectric material module 9 is a biocompatible piezoelectric ceramic. This biocompatible piezoelectric ceramic has significant advantages. First, its biocompatible properties ensure good compatibility with biological tissues, without causing rejection reactions or damaging the health of the organism, which is crucial for medical devices implanted in the body for a long time. Second, piezoelectric ceramics have high sensitivity and high energy conversion efficiency, capable of efficiently converting tiny mechanical deformations into electrical energy, or vice versa, which gives it unique advantages in energy harvesting and conversion. In addition, this material also has good stability and durability, capable of maintaining stable performance in a complex and changing biological environment.

[0048] Its working principle is based on the piezoelectric effect. When a piezoelectric ceramic is subjected to an external force, the centers of positive and negative charges inside it will undergo relative displacement, thereby generating an electric potential difference, that is, the piezoelectric effect. Conversely, when an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric ceramic, it will produce mechanical deformation. This unique property enables the biocompatible piezoelectric ceramic module to play an important role in the biomedical field. For example, in a cardiac pacemaker, it can convert the mechanical energy generated by the heartbeat into electrical energy to provide a continuous and stable energy source for the pacemaker; in an ultrasonic therapy device, it can convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to generate ultrasonic waves for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

[0049] In the present invention, the electrode plate 10 adopts a replaceable design. The electrode plate 10 is tightly connected to the piezoelectric material module 9 through a wire 12, ensuring the stable transmission of electrical signals. The electrode plate 10 and the wire 12 are ingeniously connected through a detachable connector. This design not only facilitates installation and disassembly but also greatly improves the flexibility of use.

[0050] When the electrode plate 10 is worn due to long-term use or its electrical conductivity decreases due to environmental factors, the patient or user can easily replace the electrode plate 10 by themselves without seeking the help of professionals. This design greatly extends the service life of the entire device and also reduces the device downtime caused by problems with the electrode plate 10.

[0051] The replaceable electrode plate 10 design significantly reduces the long-term use cost for patients. Compared with traditional devices that require overall replacement, the present invention only needs to replace the electrode plate 10 to restore the optimal performance of the device, avoiding unnecessary waste. At the same time, this design also ensures that the effect of electrical stimulation therapy is not affected, providing a continuous and stable treatment experience for patients.

[0052] In the present invention, the materials of the correction belt 2, shoulder strap 3, waist belt 4, guard plate 5, correction belt adjuster 6, and chest belt 7 mentioned are all selected as medical textile materials with good breathability and skin-friendliness. This material can not only ensure that the wearer feels comfortable during use but also, due to its special medical properties, can provide the necessary medical support and protection for the wearer. The breathability ensures that these wearable devices will not cause skin discomfort or allergic reactions during long-term use, and the skin-friendly property further ensures the comfort and safety of wearing. In addition, medical textile materials usually have good washability and durability, which means that devices such as the correction belt can still maintain their functionality and comfort after being washed many times, thus providing long-term use value for the wearer.

[0053] The usage method of the present invention is as follows:

[0054] The installation and usage method of the present invention is as follows: First, attach the bracket 1 to the concave side of the patient's spinal scoliosis, adjust the first guard plate 5 to be placed under the scapula, and the second guard plate 5 to correspond to the waist position. Fix and connect the chest strap 7, shoulder strap 3, waist strap 4, and correction strap 2 in sequence. Embed the piezoelectric material module 9 into the designated positions of the correction strap 2, chest strap 7, and waist strap 4 to ensure that it is flush with the fabric surface. Fix the electrode patch 10 to the positions where the erector spinae muscles and quadratus lumborum muscles on the affected side are relatively weak through the magic tape 11 fixing strap. Connect the wire 12 between the piezoelectric material module 9 and the electrode patch 10 to form a closed circuit. Adjust the tightness of the chest strap 7 and waist strap 4 to generate an appropriate pressure. Tighten the correction strap 2 by adjusting the correction strap adjuster 6, and monitor the correction force applied to the convex side of the spine in real time through the pressure sensor 8. Stop adjusting when the pressure value displayed on the terminal reaches the preset treatment range. When the patient takes a deep breath and makes a moderate bending movement, the mechanical pressure generated by the correction strap 2, chest strap 7, and waist strap 4 acts on the piezoelectric material module 9 to generate a pulsed current of 0.1 - 5 mA and 10 - 50 Hz. Observe the pressure-current conversion curve through the terminal, and adjust the tightness of the correction strap so that the electrical stimulation intensity maintains visible muscle contraction without causing pain. When the patient's movement generates mechanical pressure, the piezoelectric material module 9 converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, and electrically stimulates the atrophied muscle groups through the electrode patch 10. The mechanical data and electrical stimulation parameters collected in real time by the pressure sensor 8 form a two-way feedback at the terminal. When it is monitored that the pressure in the force application area drops by more than 15%, the terminal automatically prompts to tighten the correction strap 2 to achieve the dynamic balance between mechanical correction and electrophysiological treatment.

[0055] The above; only the preferred specific implementation manner of the present invention; but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto; any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention; according to the technical solution of the present invention and its improved concept, making equivalent substitutions or changes; should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-generated stimulating scoliosis orthosis, characterized in that: include: Bracket; Guard plates are mounted on both ends of the bracket, the upper guard plate is fixed by a chest strap, and the lower guard plate is fixed by a waist belt; a correction belt adjuster, mounted on the bracket; a correction belt connected to the correction belt adjuster; A pressure sensor is provided on the correction belt and is used to monitor the distribution of correction force in the spinal region in real time, and to feed back the real-time monitored pressure data to the terminal through a wireless module; A shoulder strap connected to the guard plate for wrapping around the patient's thorax to apply directional pressure to the convex side of the scoliosis; Piezoelectric material modules are respectively arranged on the chest belt, waist belt and correction belt; The electrode sheet is used to connect the piezoelectric material module and receive the microcurrent generated by the piezoelectric material module under pressure and output it to the muscle.

2. A self-generated stimulating scoliosis orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner side of the guard plate is provided with an inner lining.

3. The self-generating stimulating scoliosis orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that: A buffer layer is provided between the piezoelectric material module and the correction belt, the chest belt and the waist belt.

4. The self-generating stimulating scoliosis orthosis according to claim 3, characterized in that: The thickness of the buffer layer is 1-2 mm.

5. The self-generated stimulating scoliosis orthosis according to claim 3, characterized in that: The buffer layer is made of medical silicone.

6. The self-generated stimulating scoliosis orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode sheet is attached to the surface of the affected-side muscle group via an adjustable fixing belt.

7. The self-generating stimulating scoliosis orthosis according to claim 6, characterized in that: The adjustable fixing belt is a Velcro.

8. The self-generated electrical stimulation scoliosis orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piezoelectric material module is biocompatible piezoelectric ceramics.

9. A self-generated electrical stimulation scoliosis orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The correction belt, shoulder strap, waist belt, guard plate, correction belt adjuster and chest strap are made of breathable and skin-friendly medical textile materials.

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