Rehabilitation device control method and rehabilitation device

Abstract

This invention discloses a control method and a rehabilitation device, relating to the field of rehabilitation medical equipment technology. The rehabilitation device includes a flexible tube, a detection component, and a stimulation component. The flexible tube has a first end for insertion into the human pharynx. The detection component is installed inside the flexible tube and corresponding to the first end, used to detect the state of the pharyngeal muscles. The stimulation component is installed inside the flexible tube and corresponding to the first end, used to physically stimulate the pharyngeal muscles. The control method includes: detecting the pharyngeal muscles through the detection component to determine whether the patient has made a swallowing motion; when it is determined that the patient has made a swallowing motion, activating the stimulation component to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles. The technical solution provided by this invention matches external stimulation with the body's own rhythm, avoiding ineffective or antagonistic stimulation, and improving rehabilitation efficiency and patient comfort.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of rehabilitation medical equipment technology, and in particular to a control method for a rehabilitation device and a rehabilitation device. Background Technology

[0002] Dysphagia is a common clinical condition that can be caused by various esophageal diseases or neuromuscular disorders. Existing treatment methods include traditional acupuncture, electrical stimulation, tongue muscle training, and balloon dilation.

[0003] Existing rehabilitation medical equipment provides continuous or manually switched stimulation outputs, which fail to synchronize with the patient's physiological rhythm of voluntary swallowing, potentially leading to muscle fatigue or antagonism. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to propose a control method and a rehabilitation device that matches external stimuli with the body's own rhythms, thereby avoiding ineffective or antagonistic stimuli and improving rehabilitation efficiency and patient comfort.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a rehabilitation device control method for treating a patient's swallowing function. The rehabilitation device includes: a flexible tube, a detection component, and a stimulation component. The flexible tube has a first end for inserting into the human pharynx. The detection component is installed inside the flexible tube and is positioned corresponding to the first end for detecting the state of the pharyngeal muscles. The stimulation component is installed inside the flexible tube and is positioned corresponding to the first end for physically stimulating the pharyngeal muscles. The control methods for rehabilitation devices include: The pharyngeal muscles are detected by the detection component to determine whether the patient is swallowing. When the patient is detected to be swallowing, the stimulation component is activated to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles.

[0006] In one embodiment, the detection component includes a pressure sensor and an acoustic sensor; The steps of detecting the pharyngeal muscles using the detection component to determine whether the patient has swallowed include: When the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than or equal to the first preset pressure value, and the decibel value detected by the acoustic sensor is greater than or equal to the preset decibel value, it is determined that the pharyngeal muscle has produced a swallowing action.

[0007] In one embodiment, the step of activating the stimulation component to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles when a swallowing action is detected includes: The detection component is used to determine the patient's pharyngeal muscle condition. Based on the patient's pharyngeal muscle condition, the corresponding stimulation mode is activated.

[0008] In one embodiment, the stimulation component includes: a vibration unit, a temperature control unit, and an electric shock unit; The stimulation mode includes at least two of the following: activating the vibration unit, the temperature control unit, and the electric shock unit.

[0009] In one embodiment, the detection component includes a camera for imaging the esophagus; Before the step of detecting the pharyngeal muscles using the detection component to determine whether the patient has made a swallowing motion, the method further includes: Preset patient information regarding whether they have suffered a stroke; The steps for determining the patient's pharyngeal muscle status through the detection component include: If the patient has not suffered a stroke and the esophagus is smaller than the preset esophagus size, it is determined that the pharyngeal muscles are not fully open. When a patient suffers a cerebral infarction and the size of the esophagus is smaller than a preset esophagus size, the pharyngeal bulbar palsy is determined.

[0010] In one embodiment, the step of activating a corresponding stimulation mode based on the patient's pharyngeal muscle state includes: In response to the incomplete opening of the pharyngeal muscles, the vibration unit is activated and operates at a first preset frequency, a first preset amplitude, and for a first preset duration. The electric shock unit is activated at a second preset frequency and a first preset pulse width for a second preset duration, and the current magnitude of the electric shock unit gradually increases.

[0011] In one embodiment, the step of activating a corresponding stimulation mode based on the patient's pharyngeal muscle state includes: In response to the aforementioned pharyngeal bulbar paralysis, the temperature control unit is activated to cool down to a preset temperature for a third preset duration. The vibration unit is activated at a third preset frequency and a second preset amplitude for a fourth preset duration.

[0012] In one embodiment, the detection component includes a pressure sensor; After the step of activating the stimulation component to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles when the patient is detected to have swallowed, the method further includes: When the pressure sensor detects a pressure value greater than a preset safe pressure value, it shuts down the stimulation component or reduces the stimulation intensity of the stimulation component.

[0013] In one embodiment, the detection component includes a pressure sensor and a timer; After the step of activating the stimulation component to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles when the patient is detected to have swallowed, the method further includes: When the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the second preset pressure and the duration is greater than the fifth preset duration, it is determined to be a valid swallow; Record the number of effective swallows.

[0014] The present invention also proposes a rehabilitation device for treating a patient's swallowing function, the rehabilitation device comprising: The hose has a first end and a second end in the direction of extension; A detection component is installed inside the flexible tube and is disposed corresponding to the first end. The detection component includes a pressure sensor, an acoustic sensor, a camera, and a timer: the pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure on the pharyngeal muscles, the acoustic sensor is used to detect the sound loudness, the camera is used to photograph the size of the esophagus, and the timer is used to record the duration for which the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a second preset pressure. A stimulation component is installed inside the tubing and positioned corresponding to the first end. The stimulation component includes a vibration unit, a temperature control unit, and an electric shock unit: the vibration unit is used to cause the first end to vibrate, the temperature control unit is used to adjust the temperature of the first end, and the electric shock unit is used to generate an electric current. A control device is electrically connected to the detection component and the stimulation component, respectively. The control device includes a memory, a processor, and a rehabilitation device application program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. The rehabilitation device application program is configured as a rehabilitation device control method.

[0015] The technical solution of this invention uses a detection component to detect the pharyngeal muscles. When a swallowing motion is detected, the stimulation component is activated to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles. This matches the external stimulation with the body's own rhythm, avoiding ineffective or antagonistic stimulation, and improving rehabilitation efficiency and patient comfort. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment of the rehabilitation device control method provided by the present invention. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the rehabilitation device control method provided by the present invention. Figure 3This is a flowchart illustrating the third embodiment of the rehabilitation device control method provided by the present invention. Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the fourth embodiment of the rehabilitation device control method provided by the present invention. Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the fifth embodiment of the rehabilitation device control method provided by the present invention. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the sixth embodiment of the rehabilitation device control method provided by the present invention. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the seventh embodiment of the rehabilitation device control method provided by the present invention. Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the eighth embodiment of the rehabilitation device control method provided by the present invention. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the rehabilitation device provided by the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of icon numbers: 100. Rehabilitation device; 1. Tube; 11. First end; 12. Second end; 2. Detection component; 3. Stimulation component.

[0019] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0022] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0023] Dysphagia is a common clinical condition that can be caused by various esophageal diseases or neuromuscular disorders. Existing treatment methods include traditional acupuncture, electrical stimulation, tongue muscle training, and balloon dilation.

[0024] Existing rehabilitation medical equipment provides continuous or manually switched stimulation outputs, which fail to synchronize with the patient's physiological rhythm of voluntary swallowing, potentially leading to muscle fatigue or antagonism.

[0025] This invention proposes a control method for a rehabilitation device.

[0026] Please see Figure 9 In one embodiment of the present invention, the rehabilitation device 100 control method is used to treat the swallowing function of a patient. The rehabilitation device 100 includes: a flexible tube 1, a detection component 2, and a stimulation component 3. The flexible tube 1 has a first end 11 for inserting into the human pharynx. The detection component 2 is installed in the flexible tube 1 and is disposed corresponding to the first end 11 for detecting the state of the pharyngeal muscles. The stimulation component 3 is installed in the flexible tube 1 and is disposed corresponding to the first end 11 for physically stimulating the pharyngeal muscles. The control method steps for the rehabilitation device 100 are as follows: Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment of a control method for a rehabilitation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0027] The control method of rehabilitation device 100 includes: Step S2: The pharyngeal muscles are detected by the detection component 2 to determine whether the patient has swallowed. Step S3: When it is determined that the patient has swallowed, the stimulation component 3 is activated to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles.

[0028] In the technical solution of this invention, the flexible tube 1 serves as the installation carrier, with its front end (first end 11) inserted into the pharynx and esophagus region. It is the supporting substrate for all detection components 2 and stimulation components 3. Detection component 2 is integrated into the first end 11 of the flexible tube 1, which extends into the pharynx, and is in close contact with the lesion's pharyngeal muscles. It can collect physiological data such as pharyngeal muscle pressure, phonation, and esophageal imaging in real time, accurately capturing the real-time state of pharyngeal muscle contraction and relaxation. A device, also positioned corresponding to the first end 11, is placed close to the pharyngeal muscles and can output various physical stimuli (vibration, temperature control, electrical pulses, etc.) directly acting on the diseased pharyngeal muscles. The detection and stimulation components are integrated at the same end, ensuring consistent sensor acquisition and stimulation output points, eliminating any offset between detection and stimulation positions, and ensuring a one-to-one correspondence between data and therapeutic effects. The detection component 2 integrated at the end continuously collects physiological signals from the pharyngeal muscles, automatically recognizing the patient's spontaneous swallowing actions through preset judgment logic, rather than being manually triggered or continuously outputting at a fixed cycle. The system recognizes the patient's swallowing action and simultaneously activates stimulation component 3 to output physical intervention. The stimulation is applied synchronously with the body's natural swallowing rhythm, rather than being continuous or manually activated and deactivated. The patient's voluntary swallowing is a natural physiological reflex completed by the brain and pharyngeal muscles in coordination. Providing physical stimulation simultaneously with the reflex creates positive feedback training. Stimulation is only output momentarily during swallowing, reducing the foreign body sensation, stinging, soreness, and fatigue caused by long-term electrical and vibration stimulation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Compared to disordered continuous stimulation, targeted synchronous stimulation training has a more significant effect on the recovery of swallowing function.

[0029] How to determine the swallowing action of the pharyngeal muscles through the detection component 2, and the control method steps of the rehabilitation device 100, refer to [the following text is missing from the original] Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a control method for a rehabilitation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0030] The detection component 2 includes a pressure sensor and an acoustic sensor; Step S2 includes: Step S21: When the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than or equal to the first preset pressure value, and the decibel value detected by the acoustic sensor is greater than or equal to the preset decibel value, it is determined that the pharyngeal muscle has produced a swallowing action.

[0031] In a quiet, breathing state: the pharyngeal muscles are relaxed, and the detected pressure value is low, below the first preset pressure value; at the moment of voluntary swallowing: the pharyngeal muscles contract violently, and the intracavitary pressure rises rapidly, reaching the preset first pressure value; the mechanical signal of pharyngeal muscle contraction is captured, proving that the pharyngeal muscles have generated active force. In addition, specific physiological sounds are generated during swallowing (saliva, bolus pushing, laryngeal cartilage friction, airway closure sound). In a calm state: there is no swallowing sound in the throat, and the collected decibel is lower than the preset decibel value; at the moment of swallowing: characteristic sound waves are generated inside the throat, and the loudness meets the standard and exceeds the preset decibel threshold; a single pressure sensor is easily interfered with by coughing and holding one's breath, and a single acoustic sensor is easily interfered with by clearing one's throat and talking; the dual verification of pressure value and decibel value filters out most non-swallowing interference signals, resulting in higher recognition accuracy.

[0032] Dysphagia is not a single symptom; different causes can lead to completely different pathological states of the pharyngeal muscles: cerebral infarction causing bulbar palsy, esophageal lesions causing incomplete pharyngeal opening, etc. If a uniform stimulation program is used, problems such as mismatched stimulation intensity and type, poor rehabilitation effects, and increased patient discomfort may occur. The control method steps of the rehabilitation device 100 are as follows: Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of a control method for a rehabilitation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0033] In one embodiment, step S3 includes: Step S31 includes: determining the patient's pharyngeal muscle status by detecting the detection component 2; Step S32 includes: activating the corresponding stimulation mode based on the patient's pharyngeal muscle state.

[0034] The entire categorized stimulation process is only activated after the patient's actual swallowing action is detected, ensuring that the stimulation matches the physiological rhythm of human swallowing and that it provides precise intervention for different pathological defects, taking into account both the rationality of the training sequence and the targeted nature of the treatment.

[0035] In existing rehabilitation devices 100, the stimulation mode is singular, resulting in limited therapeutic effects. However, in the technical solution of this invention, the stimulation component 3 includes a vibration unit, a temperature control unit, and an electric shock unit; the stimulation mode includes activating at least two of the vibration unit, the temperature control unit, and the electric shock unit. Vibration, electrical stimulation, and temperature stimulation are integrated on the first end 11, achieving sequential coordinated operation. In particular, the mode where vibration relaxes spastic muscles followed by electrical stimulation to induce a swallowing reflex produces a synergistic therapeutic effect of "1+1>2," significantly superior to a single stimulation method.

[0036] To diagnose the underlying condition of swallowing dysfunction and provide appropriate treatment, the control method steps for the rehabilitation device 100 are as follows: Figure 4 , Figure 4This is a flowchart illustrating the fourth embodiment of a control method for a rehabilitation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0037] The detection component 2 includes a camera for capturing images of the esophagus; Before step S2, the following are also included: Step S1: Preset information on whether the patient has suffered a cerebral infarction; Step S31 includes: Step S311: If the patient has not suffered a cerebral infarction and the esophagus size is smaller than the preset esophagus size, it is determined that the pharyngeal muscles are not fully open; Step S312: When the patient has a cerebral infarction and the size of the esophagus is smaller than the preset esophagus size, the pharyngeal bulbar palsy is determined.

[0038] Before the device officially begins detecting pharyngeal muscles and recognizing swallowing movements (step S2), medical staff need to pre-enter and preset the patient's medical history information within the control program of the rehabilitation device 100: the core marker is "whether the patient has suffered a stroke." This serves to differentiate the root cause of swallowing disorders, categorizing them into muscular disorders (no stroke, but impaired pharyngeal muscle relaxation and contraction) and neurological disorders (stroke damage to the swallowing center or cranial nerves, causing bulbar palsy). The detection component 2 is equipped with a miniature camera integrated into the first end 11 of the flexible tube 1 inserted into the pharynx, allowing for close-up, real-time imaging of the esophageal inlet lumen. The control device uses an image recognition algorithm to calculate the actual inner diameter of the esophageal opening (esophageal size) and compares it with the system's built-in preset standard esophageal size. If the calculated esophageal size is ≥ the preset value: pharyngeal muscle relaxation is normal, there is no esophageal stenosis, and no specific subtype treatment is needed; if the calculated esophageal size is < the preset value: the pharyngeal muscles cannot fully relax to open the esophagus during swallowing, indicating esophageal stenosis, which, combined with a history of stroke, differentiates between the two different conditions. Both types of patients will present with the external imaging manifestation of "esophageal stenosis," but their pathogenesis is completely different: one type is caused by muscle weakness and spasm, while the other is caused by damage to cranial nerves. This treatment plan combines the history of cerebral infarction for secondary differentiation, enabling targeted matching of differentiated stimulation programs, avoiding the one-size-fits-all flaw of "one stimulation method to treat all pharyngeal stenosis."

[0039] For pharyngeal muscle insufficiency, targeted treatment is required: the control method steps of the rehabilitation device 100 are as follows. Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the fifth embodiment of the control method for a rehabilitation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0040] In one embodiment, step S32 includes: Step S321: Corresponding to the incomplete opening of the pharyngeal muscles, the vibration unit is activated and operated at a first preset frequency, a first preset amplitude, and for a first preset duration. Step S322: Turn on the electric shock unit, with a second preset frequency, a first preset pulse width, and a second preset duration, and the current of the electric shock unit gradually increases.

[0041] The root cause of incomplete pharyngeal opening is muscle spasm or weak relaxation muscles. Vibration first relaxes stiff muscles, followed by electrical stimulation to train muscle strength. This two-step approach, working synergistically, yields a stronger rehabilitation effect compared to either electrical stimulation or vibration alone. Traditional electrical stimulation devices directly output a fixed high current, which can easily cause throat stinging and nausea. This approach gradually increases the current, allowing the pharyngeal mucosa and muscles to adapt to the stimulation intensity, reducing discomfort and lowering the likelihood of patient resistance to treatment.

[0042] For pharyngeal bulbar palsy, targeted treatment is required: the control method steps of the rehabilitation device 100 are as follows. Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the sixth embodiment of a control method for a rehabilitation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0043] In one embodiment, step S32 includes: Step S323: Corresponding to the pharyngeal bulbar paralysis, the temperature control unit is activated to cool down to the preset temperature and continue for a third preset duration; Step S324: Activate the vibration unit at a third preset frequency, a second preset amplitude, and a fourth preset duration. The patient's history of cerebral infarction is pre-recorded, and the camera detects that the esophageal opening size is smaller than a preset standard size. The pathogenesis is neurogenic dysphagia: cerebral infarction damages the brain's swallowing center and the cranial nerves controlling the pharyngeal muscles, resulting in blocked nerve signal transmission. While the pharyngeal muscles themselves do not exhibit severe spasm, the nerves cannot properly issue relaxation commands, leading to insufficient esophageal opening during swallowing, manifesting as bulbar palsy. The core treatment goal is to awaken the damaged pharyngeal nerves and reconstruct the nerve-muscle swallowing reflex pathway, rather than simply relaxing the muscles or strengthening muscle strength. Low-temperature cold stimulation acts on the pharyngeal mucosa and peripheral nerves, which can activate damaged sensory nerve endings in the pharynx, enhance nerve excitability, and improve the problems of sluggish nerve conduction and interrupted signal transmission after cerebral infarction. The gentle low-frequency vibration adapted to nerve repair is selected, which is different from the vibration parameters used to relieve spasms when the pharyngeal muscles are not fully open. The gentle mechanical vibration continuously stimulates the junction between the pharyngeal muscles and nerves, helping to open up the nerve and muscle signal transmission pathways. Low temperature enhances nerve perception, and vibration provides motor feedback. The two physical stimuli are superimposed and simultaneously input nerve signals to the brain's swallowing center. With continuous training, the complete swallowing conditioned reflex is rebuilt more quickly, shortening the swallowing rehabilitation cycle after cerebral infarction.

[0044] If abnormal spasms are detected during treatment, treatment must be terminated or the intensity reduced. The control method steps for the rehabilitation device 100 are as follows: Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the seventh embodiment of a control method for a rehabilitation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0045] In one embodiment, the detection component 2 includes a pressure sensor; After step S3, the following also includes: Step S4: When the pressure sensor detects that the pressure value is greater than the preset safe pressure value, the stimulation component 3 is turned off or the stimulation intensity of the stimulation component 3 is reduced.

[0046] During the synchronous stimulation therapy (step S3) for pharyngeal muscle insufficiency and bulbar palsy, some patients have low pharyngeal muscle tolerance and may experience abnormal or excessive pharyngeal muscle spasm contractions after stimulation by vibration, electricity, or low temperature. Severe pharyngeal muscle contractions can compress the end of the flexible tube, generating excessively high intracavitary pressure, potentially leading to risks such as pharyngeal mucosal abrasion, edema, and pain; strong spasms may induce choking and suffocation; and excessive muscle antagonism may negate the rehabilitation stimulation effect and worsen swallowing dysfunction. Therefore, this protocol adds a real-time pressure safety monitoring step after stimulation initiation: step S4 relies on a pressure sensor to monitor the pharyngeal muscle contraction intensity in real time, achieving automatic safety protection.

[0047] To enable the system to automatically analyze the frequency and intensity changes of effective swallowing reflexes after each treatment and fine-tune the stimulation pattern for the next round of treatment accordingly, thus achieving dynamic optimization of the personalized rehabilitation plan, it is necessary to record parameters such as the number and frequency of the patient's swallows. The control method steps for the rehabilitation device 100 are as follows: Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the eighth embodiment of the control method for a rehabilitation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0048] In one embodiment, the detection component 2 includes a pressure sensor and a timer; After step S3, the following also includes: Step S5: When the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the second preset pressure and the duration is greater than the fifth preset duration, it is determined to be a valid swallow; Step S6: Record the number of effective swallows.

[0049] The second preset pressure is the effective force threshold. A pressure above this value indicates sufficient contraction of the pharyngeal muscles; a pressure below this value indicates only weak twitching, air leakage, or pseudo-swallowing, which is not considered effective swallowing. The timer continuously tracks the contraction; only when the high-intensity contraction is maintained for a sufficient time does it represent a complete swallowing reflex. Instantaneous, brief pressure peaks are often associated with coughing, gagging, or muscle tremors, and are not considered effective swallowing. By combining pressure sensors and a timer to collect both mechanical and duration data, the system accurately determines effective swallowing with rehabilitation training value, automatically counts the number of swallows, and subsequently dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters based on the frequency and intensity of effective swallowing to achieve personalized, dynamically optimized treatment plans.

[0050] The present invention also proposes a rehabilitation device 100, which is configured using a program to control the rehabilitation device 100. The specific content of the control method of the rehabilitation device 100 refers to the above embodiments. Since the rehabilitation device 100 adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here. The rehabilitation device 100 includes: a flexible tube 1, a detection component 2, a stimulation component 3, and a control device; the flexible tube 1 has a first end 11 and a second end 12 in the extending direction; the detection component 2 is installed inside the flexible tube 1 and is disposed corresponding to the first end 11; the detection component 2 includes a pressure sensor, an acoustic sensor, a camera, and a timer: the pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure on the pharyngeal muscles, the acoustic sensor is used to detect the sound loudness, the camera is used to photograph the size of the esophagus, and the timer is used to record the duration for which the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a second preset pressure; the stimulation component 3 is installed in… The stimulation component 3 is disposed inside the flexible tube 1 and corresponding to the first end 11. The stimulation component 3 includes a vibration unit, a temperature control unit, and an electric shock unit: the vibration unit is used to cause the first end 11 to vibrate, the temperature control unit is used to adjust the temperature of the first end 11, and the electric shock unit is used to generate current. The control device is electrically connected to the detection component 2 and the stimulation component 3 respectively. The control device includes a memory, a processor, and a rehabilitation device 100 usage program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. The rehabilitation device 100 usage program is configured as a rehabilitation device 100 control method.

[0051] The flexible tube 1 is hollow and divided into a first end 11 and a second end 12 along its length. The first end 11 is the working end that extends into the human pharynx and esophageal inlet, where all sensors and stimulation units are centrally located, directly close to the pharyngeal muscle lesion for close-range detection and targeted stimulation. The second end 12 remains outside the body for wiring and connection to the rear control device, facilitating medical operations. A pressure sensor collects real-time data on the intracavitary pressure generated by pharyngeal muscle contraction, while an acoustic sensor collects the decibel level of sound inside the pharynx. A camera captures real-time images of the esophageal lumen, and the images are used to calculate the esophageal opening size. A timer, in conjunction with the pressure sensor, records the duration for which the pressure exceeds a second preset pressure. A vibration unit generates controllable mechanical vibration in the first end 11, with multiple frequency and amplitude settings; this is used to relieve pharyngeal muscle spasms or assist in the reconstruction of the swallowing reflex in patients with cerebral infarction bulbar palsy. A temperature control unit regulates the end temperature; its core function is low-temperature cold stimulation, specifically designed to awaken pharyngeal nerves damaged by cerebral infarction. The electroconvulsive unit outputs a controllable pulsed current, supporting fixed frequency and pulse width with adjustable current gradient; it strengthens pharyngeal muscle relaxation for muscular pharyngeal insufficiency. All sensing and treatment units are concentrated at the tip of the flexible tube 1, with the detection and stimulation points perfectly aligned, ensuring no positional deviation and precise correspondence between acquired data and targeted stimulation; a single intubation completes the entire process of detection, classification, treatment, and evaluation, eliminating the need for multiple intubations. Vibration, low-temperature, and electrical pulse stimulation units can be freely combined to create customized treatment plans for muscular and neurological swallowing disorders, overcoming the limitations of traditional devices with their single stimulation mode and inability to target specific symptoms. The hardware collects physiological data, and the processor runs a matching control program to automatically complete judgment, stimulation output, safety protection, and data recording—the entire process is automated, requiring no real-time manual intervention from medical staff. Objective rehabilitation data can also be retained for dynamic optimization of the treatment plan.

[0052] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rehabilitation device control method for treating a swallowing function of a patient, characterized by, The rehabilitation device includes: a tubing, a detection component, and a stimulation component. The tubing has a first end for inserting into the human pharynx. The detection component is installed inside the tubing and is disposed corresponding to the first end for detecting the state of the pharyngeal muscles. The stimulation component is installed inside the tubing and is disposed corresponding to the first end for physically stimulating the pharyngeal muscles. The control methods for rehabilitation devices include: The pharyngeal muscles are detected by the detection component to determine whether the patient is swallowing. When the patient is detected to be swallowing, the stimulation component is activated to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles.

2. The rehabilitation device control method according to claim 1, wherein, The detection components include a pressure sensor and an acoustic sensor; The steps of detecting the pharyngeal muscles using the detection component to determine whether the patient has swallowed include: When the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than or equal to the first preset pressure value, and the decibel value detected by the acoustic sensor is greater than or equal to the preset decibel value, it is determined that the pharyngeal muscle has produced a swallowing action.

3. The rehabilitation device control method of claim 1, wherein, When a swallowing motion is detected in the patient, the step of activating the stimulation component to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles includes: The detection component is used to determine the patient's pharyngeal muscle condition. Based on the patient's pharyngeal muscle condition, the corresponding stimulation mode is activated.

4. The rehabilitation device control method according to claim 3, wherein The stimulation component includes: a vibration unit, a temperature control unit, and an electric shock unit; The stimulation mode includes at least two of the following: activating the vibration unit, the temperature control unit, and the electric shock unit.

5. The rehabilitation device control method of claim 4, wherein, The detection component includes a camera for imaging the esophagus; Before the step of detecting the pharyngeal muscles using the detection component to determine whether the patient has made a swallowing motion, the method further includes: Preset patient information regarding whether they have suffered a stroke; The steps for determining the patient's pharyngeal muscle status through the detection component include: If the patient has not suffered a stroke and the esophagus is smaller than the preset esophagus size, it is determined that the pharyngeal muscles are not fully open. When a patient suffers a cerebral infarction and the size of the esophagus is smaller than a preset esophagus size, the pharyngeal bulbar palsy is determined.

6. The rehabilitation device control method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The steps for initiating the corresponding stimulation mode based on the patient's pharyngeal muscle condition include: In response to the incomplete opening of the pharyngeal muscles, the vibration unit is activated and operates at a first preset frequency, a first preset amplitude, and for a first preset duration. The electric shock unit is activated at a second preset frequency and a first preset pulse width for a second preset duration, and the current magnitude of the electric shock unit gradually increases.

7. The rehabilitation device control method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The steps for initiating the corresponding stimulation mode based on the patient's pharyngeal muscle condition include: In response to the aforementioned pharyngeal bulbar paralysis, the temperature control unit is activated to cool down to a preset temperature for a third preset duration. The vibration unit is activated at a third preset frequency and a second preset amplitude for a fourth preset duration.

8. The rehabilitation device control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection component includes a pressure sensor; After the step of activating the stimulation component to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles when the patient is detected to have swallowed, the method further includes: When the pressure sensor detects a pressure value greater than a preset safe pressure value, it shuts down the stimulation component or reduces the stimulation intensity of the stimulation component.

9. The rehabilitation device control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection components include a pressure sensor and a timer; After the step of activating the stimulation component to stimulate the pharyngeal muscles when the patient is detected to have swallowed, the method further includes: When the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the second preset pressure and the duration is greater than the fifth preset duration, it is determined to be a valid swallow; Record the number of effective swallows.

10. A rehabilitation device for treating a patient's swallowing function, characterized in that, The rehabilitation device includes: The hose has a first end and a second end in the direction of extension; A detection component is installed inside the flexible tube and is disposed corresponding to the first end. The detection component includes a pressure sensor, an acoustic sensor, a camera, and a timer: the pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure on the pharyngeal muscles, the acoustic sensor is used to detect the sound loudness, the camera is used to photograph the size of the esophagus, and the timer is used to record the duration for which the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a second preset pressure. A stimulation component is installed inside the tubing and positioned corresponding to the first end. The stimulation component includes a vibration unit, a temperature control unit, and an electric shock unit: the vibration unit is used to cause the first end to vibrate, the temperature control unit is used to adjust the temperature of the first end, and the electric shock unit is used to generate an electric current. A control device is electrically connected to the detection component and the stimulation component, respectively. The control device includes a memory, a processor, and a rehabilitation device application program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. The rehabilitation device application program is configured to implement the rehabilitation device control method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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