Intelligent inflatable physiotherapy aid and control method

Abstract

The application discloses an intelligent inflatable physiotherapy aid and a control method, relates to the technical field of rehabilitation physiotherapy instruments, and discloses the intelligent inflatable physiotherapy aid and the control method, which comprise a physiotherapy component, an electrode sheet, an air bag and a pressure sensor, the electrode sheet is in contact with human skin and outputs physiotherapy current, and the air bag is used for pressing the electrode sheet on the skin; a main control module is integrated with an air bag control module and an impedance detection circuit; the air bag control module is connected with the air bag and the pressure sensor, the air bag control module adjusts the air pressure of the air bag according to the deviation between the real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor and the preset reference pressure; the impedance detection circuit is connected with the electrode sheet, and the main control module dynamically corrects the preset reference pressure or reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current according to the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit, so that the technical problems that the electrode sheet is prone to loosening and the contact impedance is unstable in the existing electrotherapy aid are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of rehabilitation and physiotherapy equipment technology, and in particular to intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear and control methods. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical stimulation therapy, as a non-invasive physical rehabilitation method, has been widely used in scenarios such as muscle soreness relief, joint function recovery, and neuromuscular retraining. Commercially available electrical therapy devices typically use straps or Velcro to fix electrode pads to the area to be treated, delivering medium- or low-frequency pulsed currents to stimulate subcutaneous muscles and nerve tissue. Their wearable design allows for continuous therapy at home or in mobile settings.

[0003] Current electrotherapy braces primarily rely on manual adjustment of the straps to achieve a proper fit. Users adjust the straps by feel, making it difficult to quantify the pressure, which also varies from person to person. When users walk, flex or extend their joints, or change posture, the limb contours dynamically change, and the pre-set static pressure of the straps cannot compensate for this, making it easy for the electrode pads to lift up locally or slip laterally.

[0004] If the electrode pads become loose or the contact area decreases between them and the skin, the contact resistance will increase sharply. This will not only lead to uneven distribution of the therapeutic current and weaken the effect of electrical stimulation, but may also cause skin stinging or even burns due to excessively high local current density, affecting the safety of using the device and the user's confidence in wearing it. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, this application provides an intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective device and a control method to solve the technical problems of easy loosening of electrode plates and unstable contact impedance in existing electrotherapy protective devices.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear, comprising: The physiotherapy component includes electrode pads, an airbag, and a pressure sensor. The electrode pads are used to contact a target location and output a physiotherapy current, and the airbag presses the electrode pads firmly against the target location. The main control module integrates an airbag control module and an impedance detection circuit; The airbag control module is connected to the airbag and the pressure sensor. The airbag control module adjusts the air pressure of the airbag according to the deviation between the real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor and the preset reference pressure. The impedance detection circuit is connected to the electrode plate, and the main control module dynamically corrects the preset reference pressure or reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current based on the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit.

[0007] By integrating pressure sensors, airbags, and electrode pads into a physiotherapy component, and by integrating an airbag control module and an impedance detection circuit into the main control module, the protective gear can automatically adjust the airbag pressure based on the real-time pressure value fed back by the pressure sensor to maintain a stable fit. At the same time, the impedance detection circuit monitors the contact status between the electrode pads and the skin, and dynamically corrects the pressure target or adjusts the current output when the impedance is abnormal. This ensures that the electrode pads always maintain a reliable fit with the skin during the user's activities, reducing fluctuations in the physiotherapy effect and skin discomfort caused by poor contact.

[0008] Preferably, the main control module dynamically corrects the preset reference pressure or reduces the therapeutic current output amplitude based on the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit, including: When the contact resistance value increases, the main control module controls the airbag control module to increase the air pressure of the airbag to increase the bonding pressure; If the contact resistance value is still higher than the preset threshold after air pressure adjustment, the main control module automatically reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current and issues a wearing adjustment prompt.

[0009] By using the above judgment process to handle the situation of increased contact resistance, the contact area between the electrode and the skin can be improved by increasing the bonding pressure first, so as to avoid directly interrupting the physiotherapy. The current is reduced and the user is reminded only when the pressure adjustment fails to reduce the resistance. This is beneficial to balance the continuity of physiotherapy and the safety of use.

[0010] Preferably, the main control module is further used for: When the real-time pressure value exceeds the preset safety upper limit pressure value, the main control module controls the airbag control module to reduce the air pressure of the airbag; During system initialization, the main control module automatically sets the current pressure value to the preset reference pressure; When the real-time pressure value is detected to deviate from the preset reference pressure by more than a preset deviation range, the main control module cuts off the voltage output.

[0011] The aforementioned multiple safety protection mechanisms can actively release air and reduce pressure when the pressure is too high to prevent limbs from being excessively compressed. When the system starts up, it automatically learns and sets an individualized reference pressure, and monitors the pressure deviation in real time during operation. Once the deviation exceeds the allowable range, it quickly cuts off the output, which helps to improve the safety of equipment use.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes a protective gear body, the physiotherapy component is installed on the inner side of the protective gear body, the pressure sensor is attached to the inner side of the airbag, the electrode plate is attached to the inner side of the pressure sensor, and when the airbag is inflated, it sequentially squeezes the pressure sensor and the electrode plate.

[0013] The physiotherapy components are placed inside the protective gear and use a structure in which airbags, pressure sensors, and electrode pads are stacked in sequence. This allows the thrust generated by the expansion of the airbags to be evenly transmitted to the electrode pads via the pressure sensors. The pressure sensors directly sense and collect the squeezing force in the transmission path, which helps to accurately reflect the actual contact pressure of the electrode pads on the skin.

[0014] Preferably, the airbag control module includes a miniature air pump and a solenoid valve. The miniature air pump is used to inflate the airbag, and the solenoid valve is disposed on the air passage between the miniature air pump and the airbag to control the opening and closing of the air passage and the exhaust of air.

[0015] The air circuit structure, which combines a miniature air pump and a solenoid valve, is compact and easy to integrate into wearable protective gear. The solenoid valve can work with the air pump to replenish and maintain air pressure, or it can be opened independently to quickly exhaust air, resulting in rapid air pressure regulation response.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes a wireless communication module and a power supply module, wherein the wireless communication module is used to communicate with an external mobile terminal, and the power supply module is used to provide power.

[0017] The wireless communication module enables the protective gear to interact with external terminals such as mobile phones to exchange physiotherapy parameters and status data, while the power module provides independent power supply, which is conducive to portable use and remote management.

[0018] Preferably, the preset reference pressure ranges from 10 mmHg to 40 mmHg, and the safety upper limit pressure ranges from 45 mmHg to 60 mmHg.

[0019] The above pressure parameter range can provide sufficient adjustment space for commonly used physiotherapy sites, while controlling the upper limit of pressure within a safe range, which is conducive to adapting to the wearing needs of different users and different parts of the body.

[0020] A control method for intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear, applicable to the aforementioned intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear, including: The real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor and the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit are obtained. Using a preset reference pressure as the target value, the airbag control module adjusts the air pressure of the airbag based on the deviation between the real-time pressure value and the preset reference pressure, so as to maintain the fitting pressure within the set range. When the contact resistance value exceeds the preset safety threshold, the preset reference pressure is dynamically corrected, and the airbag control module is controlled to adjust the air pressure of the airbag to reduce the contact resistance value. If the contact resistance value is still higher than the safety threshold after air pressure adjustment, the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current will be reduced and a wearing adjustment prompt will be issued.

[0021] This control method uses pressure regulation as the main axis to ensure the stability of the fit, and impedance monitoring as a supplementary correction means. When the electrode contact condition deteriorates, it first attempts to restore the fit through pressure compensation. If pressure compensation is ineffective, it then executes current reduction protection and issues a notification, so that the fit control of the entire physiotherapy process has a hierarchical response capability.

[0022] Preferably, when the contact resistance value exceeds a preset safety threshold, dynamically correcting the preset reference pressure and controlling the airbag control module to adjust the airbag pressure to reduce the contact resistance value includes: When the real-time pressure value is within the normal range and the contact resistance value increases, it is determined to be a poor conductivity. The preset reference pressure is increased and the airbag control module is controlled to increase the inflation volume to improve the fit pressure. Monitor the change in contact resistance value after air pressure adjustment. If the contact resistance value falls back to the normal range, restore the preset reference pressure to the original set value.

[0023] The above steps can distinguish poor conductivity when the contact resistance increases but the pressure is normal, and can increase the bonding pressure accordingly. After the resistance returns to normal, the original setting value will be automatically restored, avoiding the pressure setting value from being too high. This helps to ensure the bonding effect while avoiding unnecessary continuous high pressure.

[0024] Preferably, the system also includes collecting the stable pressure value under the current wearing condition during system power-on initialization and automatically setting it as the preset reference pressure for this physiotherapy.

[0025] Each time the device is powered on, it automatically collects the stable pressure value of the current wearing state as a reference, so that the preset reference pressure can adapt to the differences of different users, different wearing positions and different tightness, which helps to improve the personalized adaptation of pressure adjustment. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application 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 embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the stacked structure of the physiotherapy components, where the arrows indicate the direction of compression.

[0029] Figure 3 A flowchart for the control method of intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear.

[0030] The components include: 1. Protective gear body; 2. Physiotherapy components; 21. Airbag; 22. Pressure sensor; 23. Electrode pads; 3. Airbag control module; 31. Miniature air pump; 32. Solenoid valve; 4. Main control module; 5. Wireless communication module; 6. Power supply module. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0033] It should be noted that the directional terms such as "upper end," "lower end," "left side," and "right side" used below are defined based on the accompanying drawings in the instruction manual.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear provided in this application embodiment includes: The physiotherapy component 2 includes an electrode pad 23, an airbag 21, and a pressure sensor 22. The electrode pad 23 is used to contact the target position and output a physiotherapy current, and the airbag 21 presses the electrode pad 23 firmly against the target position. Main control module 4 integrates airbag control module 3 and impedance detection circuit; The airbag control module 3 is connected to the airbag 21 and the pressure sensor 22. The airbag control module 3 adjusts the air pressure of the airbag 21 according to the deviation between the real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor 22 and the preset reference pressure. The impedance detection circuit is connected to the electrode 23. The main control module 4 dynamically corrects the preset reference pressure or reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current based on the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit.

[0035] Electrode 23 contacts the human skin and outputs therapeutic current. Exemplarily, electrode 23 can be made of conductive silicone, conductive fabric, or a flexible film with a silver-plated surface. Conductive silicone combines flexibility and conductivity, resulting in low contact resistance and reducing the likelihood of allergies when in contact with the skin. Airbag 21 is used to press electrode 23 against the skin. Airbag 21 is made of a flexible sealing material, such as TPU film, silicone, or medical-grade PVC film, and its shape can be rectangular, elliptical, or a custom shape tailored to the contours of the treatment area. Pressure sensor 22 is used to collect the real-time pressure value corresponding to the squeezing force applied by airbag 21 towards electrode 23. Exemplarily, pressure sensor 22 can be a thin-film piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive flexible pressure sensor 22, or a piezoelectric pressure sensing unit. Its thickness is typically controlled within 0.5 mm to reduce the impact on wearing comfort. Pressure sensors 22 are arranged in an array to form a pressure sensor array.

[0036] The main control module 4 integrates the airbag control module 3 and the impedance detection circuit. The main control module 4 can employ a low-power microcontroller, such as a single-chip microcomputer, with on-chip peripherals including a multi-channel analog-to-digital converter and universal input / output interfaces for easy connection to analog sensors and digital actuators. The airbag control module 3 is electrically connected to the airbag 21 and the pressure sensor 22. The airbag control module 3 controls the internal air pressure of the airbag 21 based on the deviation between the real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor 22 and the preset reference pressure. The impedance detection circuit is electrically connected to the electrode pads 23. The main control module 4 dynamically corrects the preset reference pressure or reduces the amplitude of the therapeutic current output based on the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit.

[0037] For example, the impedance detection circuit can be implemented using an AC constant current source method or a bridge method. Taking the AC constant current source method as an example, the impedance detection circuit outputs a small AC constant current signal to the electrode 23. The frequency of this signal is usually set outside the frequency range of the physiotherapy pulse to avoid interfering with the physiotherapy output, for example, in the range of 1kHz to 10kHz. The impedance detection circuit synchronously collects the voltage drop across the electrode 23 and calculates the contact impedance value between the electrode 23 and the human skin based on the ratio of the voltage drop to the constant current value. This impedance value is periodically read by the main control module 4, and the reading period can be set to once every 100ms or once every 500ms.

[0038] There are several ways to set the preset reference pressure. Optionally, the preset reference pressure can be set by the user via an external mobile terminal application during initial use, for example, selecting a value between 10mmHg and 40mmHg based on the treatment area and personal sensation. Alternatively, the main control module 4 can automatically collect the stable pressure value under the current wearing condition during system power-on initialization and set it as the preset reference pressure. The latter method requires no manual intervention from the user and automatically adapts after each wear, simplifying the operation process.

[0039] During operation, the main control module 4 performs coordinated control of pressure regulation and impedance monitoring. Under normal operating conditions, the main control module 4 continuously compares the deviation between the real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor 22 and the preset reference pressure, using a preset reference pressure as the target value. When the real-time pressure value is lower than the lower limit deviation threshold of the preset reference pressure, the main control module 4 controls the airbag control module 3 to replenish air into the airbag 21, increasing the pressure on the electrode plate 23 to improve fit. When the real-time pressure value is higher than the upper limit deviation threshold of the preset reference pressure, the main control module 4 controls the airbag control module 3 to expel air from the airbag 21, releasing some pressure to avoid excessive compression. For example, the deviation threshold can be set to ±10% to 20% of the preset reference pressure; for example, when the preset reference pressure is 25 mmHg, the lower limit is 22.5 mmHg and the upper limit is 27.5 mmHg. Air replenishment is done in small increments, for example, each replenishment lasts no more than 200 ms, and expulsion is also done in small increments, making the pressure regulation process smooth and without noticeable pressure fluctuations.

[0040] Meanwhile, the impedance detection circuit continuously monitors the contact impedance value. The main control module 4 sets a safety threshold for the contact impedance value, which can be configured differently according to different physiotherapy modes and electrode pad 23 types. For example, the safety threshold can be set to a value between 5kΩ and 10kΩ. When the contact impedance value is below the safety threshold, it indicates that the electrode pad 23 is in good contact with the skin, and the main control module 4 maintains the current pressure regulation state unchanged. When the contact impedance value increases and exceeds the safety threshold, it indicates that there may be local separation or reduced contact area between the electrode pad 23 and the skin. The main control module 4 actively corrects the preset reference pressure, for example, by adjusting the preset reference pressure upward by 5mmHg to 10mmHg, and controls the airbag control module 3 to increase the inflation volume to increase the adhesion pressure, so that the electrode pad 23 restores a larger contact area with the skin, thereby reducing the contact impedance.

[0041] If the contact resistance value falls below the safety threshold after one or more pressure adjustments, the main control module 4 can gradually restore the preset reference pressure to the original setting to avoid prolonged high pressure. If the contact resistance value is still higher than the safety threshold after air pressure adjustment, it indicates that simply increasing the contact pressure is no longer effective in improving the contact state. In this case, the main control module 4 automatically reduces the amplitude of the therapeutic current output and issues a wearing adjustment prompt. The reduction in current output can be performed according to a preset ratio, such as reducing it to 20% to 50% of the original amplitude, or it can be reduced gradually in steps. The wearing adjustment prompt can be issued through a buzzer, a flashing LED indicator, or by pushing a reminder message to an external mobile terminal via the wireless communication module 5.

[0042] Based on any of the above embodiments, the main control module 4 dynamically corrects the preset reference pressure or reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current according to the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit, including: When the contact resistance value increases, the main control module 4 controls the airbag control module 3 to increase the air pressure of the airbag 21 to increase the bonding pressure. When the contact resistance value is still higher than the preset threshold after air pressure adjustment, the main control module 4 automatically reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current and issues a wearing adjustment prompt.

[0043] When the real-time pressure value is within the normal range but the contact resistance value increases, the main control module 4 determines that the current state is poor conductivity rather than insufficient pressure, and controls the airbag control module 3 to increase the air pressure of the airbag 21 to improve the adhesion pressure. It should be noted that a real-time pressure value within the normal range means that the pressure sensor 22 reading remains near the preset reference pressure, i.e., the overall compression force of the airbag 21 on the electrode pad 23 is appropriate. However, if the contact resistance is still increased, this usually indicates a local contact problem between the electrode pad 23 and the skin, such as the edge of the electrode pad 23 lifting due to joint bending. In this case, slightly increasing the adhesion pressure helps to re-press the lifted area and restore the contact area.

[0044] After air pressure adjustment, the main control module 4 continues to monitor the contact resistance value. If the contact resistance value falls below the preset threshold, it indicates that the pressure compensation is effective, and the main control module 4 will not intervene further. If the contact resistance value is still higher than the preset threshold, it indicates that the pressure adjustment method is insufficient to solve the problem, and there may be situations requiring manual intervention, such as surface contamination of the electrode pads 23, excessively dry skin, or severe looseness of the straps. In this case, the main control module 4 automatically reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current and issues a wearing adjustment prompt. This process of adjusting first and then reducing the current can ensure that the physiotherapy process is not interrupted as much as possible, and only reminds the user to intervene when automatic adjustment is ineffective.

[0045] Optionally, the main control module 4 can also record the number of abnormal contact impedances and historical data. If the number of abnormal impedances exceeds the set limit during a physiotherapy session, the main control module 4 can automatically stop the physiotherapy session and report the abnormality record via the wireless communication module 5 for review by the user or rehabilitation management personnel.

[0046] Based on any of the above embodiments, the main control module 4 is further used for: When the real-time pressure value exceeds the preset safety upper limit pressure value, the main control module 4 controls the airbag control module 3 to reduce the air pressure of the airbag 21. During system initialization, the main control module 4 automatically sets the current pressure value to the preset reference pressure; When the real-time pressure value is detected to deviate from the preset reference pressure by more than the preset deviation range, the main control module 4 cuts off the voltage output.

[0047] The main control module 4 also performs safety protection procedures. Specifically, when the real-time pressure value exceeds the preset safe upper limit pressure value, the main control module 4 controls the airbag control module 3 to quickly reduce the air pressure of the airbag 21. The safe upper limit pressure value is greater than the preset reference pressure, typically set between 45 mmHg and 60 mmHg, for example, 50 mmHg. After this protection mechanism is triggered, depressurization is performed at a relatively fast speed, for example, the solenoid valve 32 is fully opened, reducing the air pressure of the airbag 21 to below the safe level within a few seconds. This mechanism is mainly used to prevent excessive pressure on the limbs caused by malfunction of the airbag control module 3, excessive tightening of the straps, or user misoperation, ensuring that blood circulation in the wearing area is not hindered for a long time.

[0048] During system initialization, the main control module 4 automatically sets the current pressure value to a preset baseline pressure. Initialization can occur within a few seconds of powering on the device; for example, a 2-second delay after power-on to allow for stable wearing, followed by the acquisition of the average pressure over 1 second and writing it to the preset baseline pressure. This automatic learning mechanism ensures that each therapy session uses the actual stable pressure under the current wearing conditions as the adjustment target, eliminating the need for manual parameter input by the user and preventing the pressure setting from deviating from actual requirements due to variations in wearing tightness.

[0049] During physiotherapy, the main control module 4 continuously monitors the deviation of the real-time pressure value from the preset reference pressure. When the deviation exceeds the preset deviation range, the main control module 4 cuts off the voltage output. The preset deviation range can be set to ±50% to ±100% of the reference pressure. For example, if the reference pressure is 25 mmHg, and the pressure value drops below 12.5 mmHg or rises above 50 mmHg, the system determines that the electrode pad 23 may have significantly detached from the skin or that the airbag 21 is malfunctioning, and immediately cuts off the physiotherapy voltage to eliminate potential safety hazards. The delay time of the cut-off response can be controlled at the millisecond level, for example, by directly triggering the interrupt response through a hardware comparator.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 2 Based on any of the above embodiments, it also includes a protective gear body 1, a physiotherapy component 2 installed on the inner side of the protective gear body 1, a pressure sensor 22 attached to the inner side of the airbag 21, an electrode plate 23 attached to the inner side of the pressure sensor 22, and when the airbag 21 is inflated, it sequentially squeezes the pressure sensor 22 and the electrode plate 23.

[0051] The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy brace also includes a brace body 1, with physiotherapy components 2 installed on the inner side of the brace body 1. The brace body 1 is a skeletal structure that supports other functional modules, with its inner side facing the human skin and its outer side facing the external environment. The physiotherapy components 2 can be one or more sets, arranged according to the muscle distribution and meridian pathways of the physiotherapy area. For example, in a knee brace, one set of physiotherapy components 2 can be set on each side of the patella, corresponding to the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles; in a lumbar brace, one or more sets can be set on each side of the spine.

[0052] Pressure sensor 22 is attached to the inner side of airbag 21, and electrode plate 23 is attached to the inner side of pressure sensor 22. The three components are stacked sequentially along the thickness direction to form an integrated layered assembly. Airbag 21 is located on the outermost side and receives air pressure regulation from airbag control module 3; pressure sensor 22 is located in the middle position, both receiving downward pressure from airbag 21 and transmitting it to electrode plate 23; electrode plate 23 is located on the innermost side and directly contacts the skin. When airbag 21 inflates, the increased volume of airbag 21 causes deformation along the stacking direction, sequentially compressing pressure sensor 22 and electrode plate 23, so that electrode plate 23 is evenly stressed and tightly adheres to the surface of human skin.

[0053] For example, the three components can be bonded and fixed together using medical double-sided adhesive or hot melt adhesive, or they can be integrated into an inseparable structure through hot pressing or ultrasonic welding, reducing interlayer slippage and wrinkles. The thickness of the airbag 21 in the uninflated state is approximately 1mm to 3mm, the thickness of the pressure sensor 22 is no more than 1mm, and the thickness of the electrode sheet 23 is approximately 1mm to 2mm. The overall thickness after stacking is controlled within 5mm, ensuring both structural strength and flexible wearing requirements.

[0054] Optionally, the physiotherapy component 2 is not limited to the arrangement of the airbag 21, pressure sensor 22, and electrode pad 23 stacked sequentially. In some alternative embodiments, the airbag 21 and electrode pad 23 can also be arranged side by side, with the pressure sensor 22 positioned at the bridging point between the airbag 21 and the electrode pad 23. The airbag 21 pushes the bridging component to transmit force to the electrode pad 23. In other embodiments, the airbag 21 can be positioned at the edge of the electrode pad 23, and the central area of ​​the electrode pad 23 is pressed against the skin by annular inflation. All of the above alternative methods can achieve the function of adjusting the contact pressure of the electrode pad 23 through the airbag 21, but the stacked structure is more advantageous in terms of uniform force transmission and sensor acquisition accuracy.

[0055] Based on any of the above embodiments, the airbag control module 3 includes a miniature air pump 31 and a solenoid valve 32. The miniature air pump 31 is used to inflate the airbag 21, and the solenoid valve 32 is disposed on the air passage between the miniature air pump 31 and the airbag 21 to control the opening and closing of the air passage and the exhaust.

[0056] The miniature air pump 31 is used to inflate the airbag 21. It can be a miniature diaphragm pump, a miniature piston pump, or a piezoelectric ceramic pump, with small size and low noise being the primary considerations for selection. For example, the miniature diaphragm pump can be controlled to have dimensions of 30mm in length and width, and a thickness of 15mm or less, with an operating noise level below 40dB and a flow rate between 0.5L / min and 2L / min, which is sufficient to meet the micro-inflation requirements of the airbag 21.

[0057] A solenoid valve 32 is installed on the air passage between the miniature air pump 31 and the airbag 21. The air passage can be made of medical silicone tubing or polyurethane flexible tubing, with an inner diameter between 1mm and 3mm, balancing gas flow rate and tubing flexibility. The solenoid valve 32 is used to control the on / off state of the air passage and to release air. In a typical implementation, a two-position three-way solenoid valve 32 is used, with its three ports connected to the outlet of the miniature air pump 31, the airbag 21, and the air passage exhaust port, respectively. When energized, the solenoid valve 32 opens the passage from the air pump to the airbag 21, supplying air to the airbag 21; when de-energized, the solenoid valve 32 switches to the passage from the airbag 21 to the exhaust port, releasing air from the airbag 21. By controlling the on / off state of the solenoid valve 32 and the start / stop of the miniature air pump 31, the airbag control module 3 can achieve three operating modes: air replenishment, pressure maintenance, and air release.

[0058] The airbag control module 3 is not limited to the combination of the micro air pump 31 and the solenoid valve 32 described above. Alternatively, the airbag control module 3 can also employ alternative structures such as a micro electric actuator compressing a flexible air reservoir or a micro valve assembly driven by a shape memory alloy. The combination of the micro air pump 31 and the solenoid valve 32 has advantages in terms of technological maturity and component availability in wearable devices.

[0059] Based on any of the above embodiments, it also includes a wireless communication module 5 and a power supply module 6. The wireless communication module 5 is used to communicate with an external mobile terminal, and the power supply module 6 is used to supply power.

[0060] The wireless communication module 5 is used to communicate with an external mobile terminal. The communication protocol can be Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, or ZigBee. For example, using Bluetooth Low Energy, the transmission distance is within 10 meters, which can meet the data interaction needs between the protective gear and the mobile phone in daily use scenarios. A companion application can run on the external mobile terminal. Users can use the application to set parameters such as physiotherapy mode, physiotherapy duration, preset reference pressure, and physiotherapy current amplitude, and view real-time pressure curves, contact impedance change trends, and cumulative physiotherapy duration. The application can also receive wearing adjustment reminders and abnormal alarm notifications from the protective gear, and upload physiotherapy records to the cloud for remote review by rehabilitation management personnel.

[0061] The power module 6 supplies power to the main control module 4, airbag control module 3, pressure sensor 22, electrode pads 23, and wireless communication module 5. The power module 6 can use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or lithium polymer battery with a capacity between 500mAh and 2000mAh, the specific capacity determined according to the continuous working time required for the protective gear. For example, for knee joint physiotherapy braces, a 1000mAh battery can support continuous operation for 4 to 6 hours. The power module 6 can also integrate charging management circuitry and power detection circuitry, supporting recharging via USB interface or wireless charging, and issuing low battery reminders to the user via an application when the battery is low.

[0062] Based on any of the above embodiments, the preset reference pressure ranges from 10 mmHg to 40 mmHg, and the safe upper limit pressure ranges from 45 mmHg to 60 mmHg.

[0063] The preset reference pressure corresponds to the target pressure applied by the airbag 21 to the electrode pad 23 during normal physiotherapy. The selection of this range takes into account multiple factors. A lower limit of 10 mmHg ensures sufficient contact area between the electrode pad 23 and the skin; below this value, poor contact is likely to occur. An upper limit of 40 mmHg will not cause significant pressure discomfort under normal wearing conditions, while also preserving sufficient dynamic range for pressure adjustment. For users with sensitive skin or thinner soft tissue in the treatment area, the preset reference pressure can be set in the lower range of 10 mmHg to 20 mmHg. For physiotherapy scenarios with thicker muscles or requiring higher stability of fit, the preset reference pressure can be set in the higher range of 25 mmHg to 40 mmHg.

[0064] The safety upper limit pressure value is set for overpressure protection scenarios. The range of 45mmHg to 60mmHg is higher than the preset maximum reference pressure of 40mmHg, providing a reasonable buffer for normal adjustment while preventing the pressure from continuously rising to a level that may affect limb blood circulation under abnormal conditions. When the real-time pressure value exceeds this safety upper limit, the main control module 4 triggers rapid venting protection.

[0065] Optionally, different preset baseline pressure values ​​can be configured for different treatment areas. For example, the default value for the knee joint can be set to 25 mmHg, for the elbow joint to 20 mmHg, and for the lower back and abdomen to 30 mmHg. Users can use the default values ​​directly when using it for the first time, or they can fine-tune them according to their actual wearing experience.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 3 A control method for intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear, applied to intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear, includes the following steps: S1. Obtain the real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor 22 and the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit; S2. Using the preset reference pressure as the target value, and based on the deviation between the real-time pressure value and the preset reference pressure, control the airbag control module 3 to adjust the air pressure of the airbag 21 to maintain the fitting pressure within the set range. S3. When the contact resistance value exceeds the preset safety threshold, the preset reference pressure is dynamically corrected, and the airbag control module 3 is controlled to adjust the air pressure of the airbag 21 to reduce the contact resistance value. S4. If the contact resistance value is still higher than the safety threshold after air pressure adjustment, the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current will be reduced and a wearing adjustment prompt will be issued.

[0067] This method first acquires the real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor 22 and the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit. The acquisition operation is performed cyclically according to a preset cycle. The acquisition cycle for the pressure value can be set to 10ms to 50ms, and the acquisition cycle for the impedance value can be set to 100ms to 500ms. A shorter acquisition cycle is beneficial for capturing rapid changes in the wearing status, but it also increases power consumption. A trade-off between response speed and power consumption can be made according to the application scenario.

[0068] Next, using a preset reference pressure as the target value, the airbag control module 3 adjusts the air pressure of the airbag 21 based on the deviation between the real-time pressure value and the preset reference pressure, maintaining the contact pressure within the set range. This maintenance control can be implemented using a deviation range control method: when the real-time pressure value falls within the allowable deviation range of the preset reference pressure, no adjustment is performed; when the real-time pressure value is below the lower limit of the allowable deviation range, an air replenishment operation is triggered; when the real-time pressure value is above the upper limit of the allowable deviation range, an air release operation is triggered. The allowable deviation range can be set to ±5% to ±15% of the preset reference pressure. This range control method avoids frequent start-stop of the air pump and solenoid valve 32 due to small pressure fluctuations, which helps extend the service life of the actuators and reduce power consumption.

[0069] The method also includes an impedance monitoring and response step. When the contact impedance value exceeds a preset safety threshold, the preset reference pressure is dynamically corrected, and the airbag control module 3 is controlled to adjust the air pressure of the airbag 21 to reduce the contact impedance value. The dynamic correction can be done in a step-by-step manner, for example, increasing the preset reference pressure by 3 mmHg to 5 mmHg each time, then observing the impedance change trend, and then deciding whether to continue increasing the pressure based on the trend. This gradual adjustment method can prevent discomfort caused by excessive pressure increase at once.

[0070] If the contact resistance value is still higher than the safety threshold after air pressure adjustment, this method reduces the output amplitude of the therapeutic current and issues a wearing adjustment prompt. The current reduction operation can be to reduce the current amplitude to 20% to 30% of the original set value to maintain a low-intensity therapeutic effect, or it can be to reduce it directly to zero output to ensure safety. The specific strategy can be determined according to the product's safety level requirements.

[0071] This control method uses pressure regulation as the primary means of maintaining a proper fit, and impedance monitoring as a supplementary correction and safety redundancy, forming a hierarchical fit control strategy that enables the protective gear to continuously and adaptively adjust during user activities.

[0072] Based on any of the above embodiments, in S3: when the real-time pressure value is within the normal range and the contact resistance value increases, it is determined to be poor conductivity, the preset reference pressure is increased and the airbag control module 3 is controlled to increase the inflation volume to improve the bonding pressure. Monitor the change in contact resistance value after air pressure adjustment. If the contact resistance value falls back to the normal range, restore the preset reference pressure to the original setting value.

[0073] The main control module 4 first determines whether the real-time pressure value is within the normal range. The normal range refers to the real-time pressure value being within the allowable deviation range of the preset reference pressure. If the real-time pressure value is within the normal range but the contact resistance value increases, it is determined that the current state is one of poor conductivity. The preset reference pressure is then increased, and the airbag control module 3 is controlled to increase the inflation volume to enhance the contact pressure. The increase can be set in stages according to the degree to which the contact resistance value exceeds the safety threshold. For example, when the contact resistance value exceeds the safety threshold but is less than 150% of the safety threshold, the preset reference pressure is increased by 3 mmHg; when it exceeds 150% to 200%, it is increased by 6 mmHg; and when it exceeds 200%, it is increased by 10 mmHg or directly enters the current reduction protection stage.

[0074] After the air pressure adjustment is completed, the main control module 4 monitors the change in contact resistance. If the contact resistance value returns to the normal range, it indicates that the pressure compensation has achieved the expected effect, and the main control module 4 restores the preset reference pressure to the original setting. The restoration process can be gradual, for example, reducing the preset reference pressure by 2 mmHg every 5 seconds to avoid sudden pressure changes that may cause discomfort to the user. If the contact resistance value is still higher than the safety threshold after one or more air pressure adjustments, the module will reduce the amplitude of the physiotherapy current output and issue a warning.

[0075] This tiered response and automatic recovery process allows for more precise fit control, enabling rapid response to impedance anomalies and automatic return to the original setting after the anomaly is eliminated, thus preventing long-term drift of the pressure setpoint due to short-term disturbances.

[0076] Alternatively, the above contact impedance determination and processing steps can also employ different determination strategies. For example, when the real-time pressure value is below the lower limit of the normal range and the contact impedance value increases simultaneously, it is not determined to be a poor conductivity but rather to insufficient air pressure in airbag 21. The inflation volume is then directly increased through the inner layer pressure adjustment channel without needing to correct the preset reference pressure. The two determination paths can run in parallel or be executed sequentially according to priority.

[0077] Based on any of the above embodiments, when the system is powered on and initialized, the stable pressure value under the current wearing state is collected and automatically set as the preset reference pressure for this physiotherapy.

[0078] The control method also includes collecting the stable pressure value under the current wearing state during system power-on initialization and automatically setting it as the preset reference pressure for this physiotherapy session. Specifically, after the device is powered on, the main control module 4 first performs a self-test process to confirm that the communication between each sensor and actuator is normal. Then, it enters a pressure learning window, which lasts for 2 to 5 seconds. During this period, the main control module 4 collects the readings of the pressure sensor 22 at a high frequency, for example, once every 20ms, and performs a moving average filter on the collected values ​​to eliminate instantaneous jitter. After the window ends, the filtered average pressure value is taken as the preset reference pressure for this physiotherapy session and written to the memory.

[0079] This automatic learning mechanism eliminates the need for manual input or factory defaults in setting the preset baseline pressure; instead, it directly reflects the actual fit under the user's current wearing conditions. When the same user wears the protective gear on different days, slight differences in strap tightness, clothing thickness, or wearing position may result in different initial pressures, and the automatic learning mechanism can flexibly adapt to these changes. When different users share the same protective gear, the automatic learning mechanism also independently sets personalized baseline values ​​for each user.

[0080] Optionally, during the pressure learning window, the main control module 4 can send a learning status prompt to an external terminal via the wireless communication module 5, informing the user to remain still to obtain a more accurate benchmark value. After learning is complete, the main control module 4 sends a confirmation message to the application indicating that the benchmark pressure setting is complete, and displays the value on the application interface for the user's reference.

[0081] The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear and control method provided in this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the solution and core ideas of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this application without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. Intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear, characterized in that, include: The physiotherapy component (2) includes an electrode pad (23), an airbag (21) and a pressure sensor (22). The electrode pad (23) is used to contact the target position and output a physiotherapy current. The airbag (21) presses the electrode pad (23) against the target position. The main control module (4) integrates the airbag control module (3) and the impedance detection circuit; The airbag control module (3) is connected to the airbag (21) and the pressure sensor (22). The airbag control module (3) adjusts the air pressure of the airbag (21) according to the deviation between the real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor (22) and the preset reference pressure. The impedance detection circuit is connected to the electrode plate (23), and the main control module (4) dynamically corrects the preset reference pressure or reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current according to the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit.

2. The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control module (4) dynamically corrects the preset reference pressure or reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current based on the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit, including: When the contact resistance value increases, the main control module (4) controls the airbag control module (3) to increase the air pressure of the airbag (21) to increase the bonding pressure; When the contact resistance value is still higher than the preset threshold after the air pressure is adjusted, the main control module (4) automatically reduces the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current and issues a wearing adjustment prompt.

3. The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control module (4) is also used for: When the real-time pressure value exceeds the preset safety upper limit pressure value, the main control module (4) controls the airbag control module (3) to reduce the air pressure of the airbag (21); During system initialization, the main control module (4) automatically sets the current pressure value to the preset reference pressure; When the real-time pressure value is detected to deviate from the preset reference pressure by more than the preset deviation range, the main control module (4) cuts off the voltage output.

4. The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a protective gear body (1), the physiotherapy component (2) is installed on the inside of the protective gear body (1), the pressure sensor (22) is attached to the inside of the airbag (21), the electrode plate (23) is attached to the inside of the pressure sensor (22), and when the airbag (21) is inflated, it squeezes the pressure sensor (22) and the electrode plate (23) in sequence.

5. The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airbag control module (3) includes a miniature air pump (31) and a solenoid valve (32). The miniature air pump (31) is used to inflate the airbag (21), and the solenoid valve (32) is located on the air passage between the miniature air pump (31) and the airbag (21) to control the opening and closing of the air passage and the exhaust.

6. The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a wireless communication module (5) and a power supply module (6), wherein the wireless communication module (5) is used to communicate with an external mobile terminal and the power supply module (6) is used to supply power.

7. The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to claim 3, characterized in that, The preset reference pressure ranges from 10 mmHg to 40 mmHg, and the safe upper limit pressure ranges from 45 mmHg to 60 mmHg.

8. A control method for intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear, applied to the intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, include: The real-time pressure value collected by the pressure sensor (22) and the contact impedance value detected by the impedance detection circuit are obtained. Using a preset reference pressure as the target value, the airbag control module (3) adjusts the air pressure of the airbag (21) according to the deviation between the real-time pressure value and the preset reference pressure, so as to maintain the fitting pressure within the set range. When the contact resistance value exceeds the preset safety threshold, the preset reference pressure is dynamically corrected, and the airbag control module (3) is controlled to adjust the air pressure of the airbag (21) to reduce the contact resistance value. If the contact resistance value is still higher than the safety threshold after air pressure adjustment, the output amplitude of the physiotherapy current will be reduced and a wearing adjustment prompt will be issued.

9. The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the contact resistance value exceeds a preset safety threshold, the preset reference pressure is dynamically corrected, and the airbag control module (3) is controlled to adjust the air pressure of the airbag (21) to reduce the contact resistance value, including: When the real-time pressure value is within the normal range and the contact resistance value increases, it is determined to be a poor conductivity. The preset reference pressure is increased and the airbag control module (3) is controlled to increase the inflation volume to improve the fitting pressure. Monitor the change in contact resistance value after air pressure adjustment. If the contact resistance value falls back to the normal range, restore the preset reference pressure to the original set value.

10. The intelligent inflatable physiotherapy protective gear according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes collecting the stable pressure value under the current wearing state during system power-on initialization and automatically setting it as the preset reference pressure for this physiotherapy.

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