Ear-rosemary walking electrical stimulator

Abstract

The invention relates to an ear walking electrical stimulator which comprises a control module and a stimulation piece capable of being worn in an ear, the stimulation piece comprises a base body, a first electrode tip and a second electrode tip, the first electrode tip and the second electrode tip are connected to the base body, and the first electrode tip and the second electrode tip are in electric signal connection with the control module. The second electrode tip comprises a driving mechanism arranged on the base body, a deformable and conductive shell and a moving part arranged in the shell, the moving part is in driving connection with the driving mechanism, and the moving part is driven by the driving mechanism to move so as to change the contact area of the shell and the skin in the ear. The ear walking electrical stimulator can change the contact area of the ear walking electrical stimulator and the skin of the ears of a user so as to adjust the stimulation intensity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an ear vagus nerve stimulator. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, among the twelve cranial nerves, the vagus nerve is considered a unique and purely visceral nerve, with the widest distribution throughout the body, connecting and influencing our nervous system. When stimulated, it sends signals back to the hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, and other central nervous systems, causing parasympathetic excitation and sympathetic inhibition, thereby affecting the body's physical and mental state and promoting relaxation.

[0003] Vagus nerve stimulation is a form of neuromodulation widely used in the medical field. With technological advancements, its applications have expanded to include stress relief, sleep aid, and other everyday uses. The concha of the ear is a region richly innervated by the vagus nerve in the external auditory canal. Recent studies have discovered that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve's innervation areas on the body surface may also produce similar effects. Based on this, vagus nerve stimulation techniques through the concha have emerged, along with corresponding ear-hook vagus nerve stimulation devices.

[0004] For example, the invention patent CN105056384A (application number 201510492785.3), entitled "Integrated Silicone Rubber Ear Electrode for Vagus Nerve Stimulator," and the Chinese invention patent application CN117815538A (application number 202410068511.0), both disclose devices capable of vagus nerve stimulation. However, these vagus nerve stimulation devices all have the following problems: the effect of electrical stimulation varies from person to person, and different users have different tolerances to electrical stimulation. However, the current operating parameters of vagus nerve stimulators are fixed and cannot be adapted to different user needs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ear vagus nerve stimulator that can change the contact area with the user's ear skin and thus adjust the stimulation intensity, in contrast to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: an ear vagus nerve stimulator, comprising a control module and a stimulator wearable in the ear, the stimulator comprising a base and a first electrode head and a second electrode head connected to the base, the first electrode head and the second electrode head being electrically connected to the control module, characterized in that: the second electrode head comprises a drive mechanism disposed on the base, a deformable and conductive shell, and a moving part disposed within the shell, the moving part being driven and connected to the drive mechanism, the moving part moving under the drive mechanism to change the contact area between the shell and the skin inside the ear.

[0007] To improve wearing comfort, the first electrode head is fin-shaped to fit the position of the cymba conchae placed inside the ear, and the second electrode head is cylindrical to fit the position of the cavum conchae placed inside the ear.

[0008] Preferably, the first electrode head includes a conductive metal body and a flexible conductive sleeve fitted over the body.

[0009] The structure is simple, and the outer periphery of the moving part has at least two arc surfaces with different radii.

[0010] Preferably, the moving part includes a connecting portion and at least two disc-shaped objects with different radii disposed circumferentially at the outer periphery of the connecting portion.

[0011] Preferably, the driving mechanism is a motor, and the moving part is connected to the driving end of the motor via a connecting part.

[0012] To improve the secureness and stability of wearing, the device also includes an eye mask body that can cover the eyes and a fixing strap connecting the two ends of the eye mask body, with the control module housed inside the eye mask body.

[0013] Preferably, each end of the eye mask is flexibly connected to a stimulation element.

[0014] Preferably, the stimulator is flexibly connected to the eye mask body via an electrical connection line between the substrate and the control module.

[0015] To improve wearing comfort, an airbag is provided on the inner side of the goggle body, and an air pump connected to the control module by an electrical signal is provided inside the goggle body. The air pump is connected to the airbag for ventilation.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: The ear vagus nerve stimulator of the present invention improves the structure of the second electrode head by setting a driving mechanism and a moving part. The driving mechanism drives the movement of the moving part to change the shell shape of the second electrode head, thereby changing the contact area with the skin inside the user's ear and changing the electrical parameters between the first electrode head and the second electrode head, thereby changing the purpose of changing the electrical stimulation effect to suit the different stimulation needs of different users. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the auricular vagus nerve stimulator in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of the stimulation head in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of the stimulation head in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] like Figure 1 Paper Figure 3 As shown, the vagal stimulation device in this embodiment includes a control module and a stimulator 100 that can be worn in the ear. The control module is electrically connected to the stimulator 100, thereby controlling the stimulator 100 to perform vagal stimulation.

[0022] The stimulator 100 includes a base 1 and a first electrode head 2 and a second electrode head 3 disposed on the base 1. To improve comfort when worn in the ear, the first electrode head 2 is fin-shaped to fit the cymba conchae position inside the ear, and the second electrode head 3 is cylindrical to fit the concha cavity position inside the ear. Both the first electrode head 2 and the second electrode head 3 are electrically connected to a control module, and thus operate based on power supplied by the control module. In this embodiment, the first electrode head 2 includes a conductive metal body and a flexible conductive sleeve fitted over the body, such as a conductive silicone sleeve.

[0023] The stimulator 100 can be used relatively independently, such as in a wireless earphone-like manner inside the user's ear. Based on this application, the control module can be housed within the base 1. To further improve wearing comfort and stability, and to facilitate miniaturization of the stimulator, enhancing comfort when worn inside the ear canal, the vagal stimulation device in this embodiment also includes an eye mask 4 that can cover the eyes and a fixing strap 5 connecting the two ends of the eye mask 4. The control module is housed within the eye mask 4 and can be electrically connected to the first electrode head 2 and the second electrode head 3 via an electrical signal connection line. In this embodiment, a stimulator 100 is flexibly connected to both ends of the eye mask 4. During use, the user wears the eye mask 4 on their head using the fixing strap 5, covering the eyes and blocking external light, thereby improving the sleep-aiding effect. Simultaneously, the stimulator is placed inside the ear, and the vagal stimulation performed by the stimulator further enhances the sleep-aiding effect.

[0024] To avoid pressure on the user's eye area from the goggle body 4, and to improve wearing comfort in this embodiment, an airbag 6 is provided on the inner side of the goggle body 4. An air pump, electrically connected to the control module, is located inside the goggle body 4, and the air pump is connected to the airbag 6 for ventilation. After wearing, the control module can control the air pump to inflate the airbag 6, thereby allowing the goggle body 4 to make flexible contact with the user.

[0025] When the power supply parameters for the first electrode head 2 and the second electrode head 3 remain constant, changing the contact area between the second electrode head 3 and the user's skin can alter the stimulation effect. Generally, reducing the contact area between the second electrode head 3 and the skin inside the ear increases the impedance of the electrical stimulation, thus reducing the stimulation intensity. Increasing the contact area decreases the impedance of the electrical stimulation, increasing the stimulation intensity. Users can adjust the stimulation intensity according to their individual needs and comfort to achieve the best sleep-aiding effect.

[0026] Based on this, in this embodiment, the second electrode head 3 includes a drive mechanism 31 disposed on the base 1, a deformable and conductive outer shell 32, and a moving component 33 disposed within the outer shell 32. The moving component 33 is driven and connected to the drive mechanism 31, and moves under the drive of the drive mechanism 31 to change the contact area between the outer shell 32 and the skin inside the ear. The outer shell 32 is electrically connected to the control module to obtain power.

[0027] The outer shell 32 can be made of conductive silicone. The outer periphery of the moving part 33 has at least two arc surfaces with different radii. When these different arc surfaces press against the outer shell 32 and contact the skin inside the ear, the contact area between the outer shell 32 and the skin is different, and the resistance between the first electrode head 2 and the second electrode head 3 is changed accordingly, further changing the intensity of electrical stimulation to meet different user needs.

[0028] Specifically, the moving component 33 includes a connecting portion 331 and at least two disc-shaped bodies 332 with different radii arranged circumferentially at the outer periphery of the connecting portion 331, the outer periphery of which forms the arc surface. The driving mechanism 31 is a motor, and the moving component 33 is connected to the driving end of the motor through the connecting portion 331.

[0029] During operation, after the stimulator is placed inside the ear and powered on, the user can determine whether to adjust the posture of the moving part 33 inside the second electrode head 3 according to the current stimulation intensity, so as to adjust the stimulation intensity.

[0030] When adjustment is needed, a control command can be sent to the control module through the operation key on the eye mask body 4. The control module then controls the drive mechanism 31 to drive the moving part 33 to move according to the control command, so that the moving part 33 is in different postures, so that the arc surface of different areas in the moving part 33 presses against the skin inside the ear, thereby changing the contact area between the outer shell 32 and the skin, and changing the intensity of electrical stimulation to meet one's own needs.

[0031] The auricular vagus nerve stimulator of the present invention improves the structure of the second electrode head 3 by setting a driving mechanism 31 and a moving part 33. The driving mechanism 31 drives the moving part 33 to change the shape of the shell 32 of the second electrode head 3, thereby changing the contact area with the skin inside the user's ear and changing the electrical parameters between the first electrode head 2 and the second electrode head 3, thereby changing the purpose of changing the electrical stimulation effect to suit the different stimulation needs of different users.

[0032] The specification and claims of this invention use terms indicating direction, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom," to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the invention. However, these terms are used herein merely for ease of explanation and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this invention can be arranged in different orientations, these terms indicating direction are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. An ear vagus nerve stimulator, comprising a control module and a stimulator (100) wearable in the ear, the stimulator (100) comprising a base (1) and a first electrode head (2) and a second electrode head (3) connected to the base (1), the first electrode head (2) and the second electrode head (3) being electrically connected to the control module, characterized in that: The second electrode head (3) comprises a driving mechanism (31) arranged on the base body (1), a deformable and conductive shell (32), and a moving part (33) arranged in the shell (32), wherein the moving part (33) is in driving connection with the driving mechanism (31), and the moving part (33) moves under the driving of the driving mechanism (31) to change the area of the shell (32) in contact with the skin in the ear.

2. The ear vagus electrical stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode head (2) is in the shape of a fish fin and is used to match the position of the concha in the ear, and the second electrode head (3) is in the shape of a cylinder and is used to match the position of the concha cavity in the ear.

3. The ear vagus electrical stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode head (2) comprises a conductive metal body and a flexible conductive sleeve arranged outside the body.

4. Auricular vagus nerve stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the moving part (33) has at least two arc surfaces with different radii.

5. The ear vagus electrical stimulator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The moving part (33) comprises a connecting part (331) and at least two circular pie bodies (332) with different radii arranged at the peripheral end of the connecting part (331).

6. The ear vagus electrical stimulator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (31) is an electric motor, and the moving part (33) is connected to the driving end of the electric motor through the connecting part (331).

7. The ear vagus electrical stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Further comprising an eye cover (4) that can cover the eye and a fixing belt (5) connected between both ends of the eye cover (4), and the control module is arranged in the eye cover (4).

8. The sleep-aid device of claim 7, wherein: Both ends of the eye cover (4) are flexibly connected with one of the stimulating parts (100).

9. The sleep-aid device of claim 8, wherein: The stimulating part is flexibly connected to the eye cover (4) through an electric connecting line between the base body (1) and the control module.

10. The sleep-aid device of claim 7, wherein: The inner side of the eye cover (4) is provided with an air bag (6), and the eye cover (4) is provided with an air pump in electric signal connection with the control module, and the air pump is in air connection with the air bag (6).

Images