Ear vagus nerve stimulator

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ear vagus nerve stimulator which comprises a first stimulation head and a second stimulation head which are used for acting on different acting positions in an ear cavity, and further comprises a control module and a power supply module which are respectively connected with the first stimulation head and the second stimulation head in an electric signal mode, and the power supply module is connected with the control module in an electric signal mode. The first stimulation head and the second stimulation head comprise at least two electrode groups which are connected in parallel, each electrode group comprises a first electrode matched with the first stimulation head and a second electrode matched with the second stimulation head, and the first electrode and the second electrode in each electrode group are electrically connected with the power supply module to form a conductive path. According to the ear vagus nerve stimulator, the acting current is increased on the basis that the voltage is not increased, and adjustment of different stimulation intensities is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an ear vagus nerve stimulator. Background Art

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

[0003] Common ear vagus / electric stimulation is a stimulation circuit composed of two electrodes, and the intensity of the stimulation is adjusted by the gear on the control panel. The gear size on the control panel is positively correlated with the output voltage. However, since the human body resistance is a dynamically changing process, when the output voltage is only stabilized, the stimulation current will change with the change of human body resistance, and there will be an unstable feeling in the body. Therefore, to stabilize the body sensation, it is necessary to adaptively adjust the gear size. One method is to adaptively adjust the voltage, but the voltage adjustment range is limited, and a large range of voltage also has safety hazards when outputting a large voltage, which is not a good solution. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide an ear vagus nerve stimulator which can increase the action current without increasing the voltage and realize the adjustment of different stimulation intensities in view of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the above technical problems is: an ear vagus nerve stimulator, characterized in that it includes a first stimulation head and a second stimulation head for acting at different action positions in the ear cavity, and also includes a control module and a power supply module respectively connected to the first stimulation head and the second stimulation head by electrical signals, and the power supply module is connected to the control module by electrical signals;

[0006] The first stimulation head and the second stimulation head include at least two groups of electrodes connected in parallel, each electrode group includes a first electrode matched with the first stimulation head and a second electrode matched with the second stimulation head, and the first electrode and the second electrode in each electrode group are electrically connected to the power module to form a conductive path.

[0007] In order to make the first stimulation head and the second stimulation head better fit the ear cavity and ensure that the first electrode and the second electrode can act on the user's skin, the first stimulation head includes a first substrate adapted to the action position, and the first electrodes in each electrode group are spaced and evenly distributed on the first substrate;

[0008] The second stimulation heads all include a second base body adapted to the action position, and the second electrodes in each electrode group are spaced and evenly distributed on the second base body.

[0009] Preferably, the first substrate is cylindrical, and the first electrodes in each electrode group are distributed along the axial direction of the first substrate and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first substrate.

[0010] Preferably, the front portion of the second substrate is conical, the rear portion of the second substrate is cylindrical, and the second electrodes in each electrode group are distributed along the circumference of the second substrate and attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rear portion of the first substrate.

[0011] In order to facilitate the rapid installation of the second electrode, a limiting step is protruded along the circumferential direction on the boundary line between the front and rear parts of the second substrate.

[0012] In order to improve the wearing comfort and the uniformity of the stimulation on the user's skin, and to meet the adaptability of wearing when the ear cavities of different users are different in size, the first stimulation head also includes a first conductive sleeve wrapped around each first electrode and in electrical contact with each first electrode;

[0013] The second stimulation head also includes a second conductive sleeve wrapped around each second electrode and in electrical contact with each second electrode.

[0014] Optionally, the first conductive sleeve and the second conductive sleeve are conductive silicone sleeves or conductive sponge sleeves.

[0015] Preferably, it further comprises a shell, and the control module and the power module are arranged in the shell.

[0016] In order to facilitate the use by users, a body is also included, and the shell is embedded in the body.

[0017] Preferably, the first stimulation head and the second stimulation head are electrically connected to the control module and the power supply module via flexible wires.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the ear vagus nerve stimulator in the present invention, by setting multiple parallel electrode groups on the electrical stimulation head, can adjust the number of conductive electrode groups during use, and can adjust the current acting on the user's skin without adjusting the voltage, thereby achieving the purpose of adjusting the stimulation intensity, that is, within a small voltage adjustment range, a wide range of stimulation intensity adjustment is met, ensuring safety. It also avoids the tingling problem caused by high voltage and improves the comfort of electrical stimulation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a stereoscopic diagram of the middle ear vagus nerve stimulator in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of the middle ear vagus nerve stimulator in the embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention will be described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0022] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an ear vagus nerve stimulator in this embodiment includes a first stimulation head 1 and a second stimulation head 2 for acting at different positions in the ear cavity, a control module 3 and a power supply module 4 which are electrically connected to the first stimulation head 1 and the second stimulation head 2 respectively, the power supply module 4 is electrically connected to the control module 3, and the power supply module 4 controls functions such as the on / off of the conductive path and the size of the output voltage based on the control signal of the control module 3.

[0023] When performing electrical stimulation, based on the power supply of the power module 4, the first stimulation head 1 and the second stimulation head 2 are attached to the skin at the corresponding action positions in the ear cavity, and together with the skin, form a conductive path.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first stimulation head 1 and the second stimulation head 2 include at least two groups of electrode groups connected in parallel, each electrode group includes a first electrode 11 matched with the first stimulation head 1 and a second electrode 21 matched with the second stimulation head 2, and the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 21 in each electrode group are electrically connected with the power module 4 to form a conductive path. That is, when performing electrical stimulation, based on the power supply of the power module 4, the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 21 in each electrode group form a path with the skin based on the contact between the first stimulation head 1 and the second stimulation head 2 and the skin of the ear cavity, so as to form an independent conductive path to electrically stimulate the action position in the ear cavity.

[0025] In order to make the first stimulation head 1 and the second stimulation head 2 better adapt to the ear cavity and ensure that the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 21 can stably act on the user's skin, the first stimulation head 1 includes a first substrate 12 adapted to the action position, and the first electrodes 11 in each electrode group are spaced and evenly distributed on the first substrate 12; the second stimulation head 2 includes a second substrate 22 adapted to the action position, and the second electrodes 21 in each electrode group are spaced and evenly distributed on the second substrate 22.

[0026] The first stimulation head 1 in this embodiment is used to be worn in the concha cavity of the ear cavity. Based on the morphological characteristics of this position, the first substrate 12 is cylindrical, and the first electrodes 11 in each electrode group are distributed along the axial direction of the first substrate 12 and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first substrate 12.

[0027] The second stimulation head 2 is used to be worn in the ear hole of the ear cavity. Based on the morphological characteristics of this position, the front part of the second base 22 is conical, and the rear part of the second base 22 is cylindrical. Based on the setting form of the second base 22, it is convenient to be placed in the ear hole on the one hand, and it is convenient to set the second electrode 21 on the other hand. In this embodiment, the second electrodes 21 in each electrode group are distributed along the circumference of the second base 22 and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rear part of the first base 12. In order to facilitate the rapid installation of the second electrode 21, a limiting step 221 is convexly provided on the boundary line between the front and rear parts of the second base 22 along the circumferential direction. That is, when installing the second electrode 21, the second electrode 21 is placed against the limiting step 221 to determine the installation position of the second electrode 21.

[0028] In addition, in order to avoid the discomfort caused by the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 21 acting on the skin, the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 21 adopt a sheet structure. At the same time, in order to improve the comfort of wearing, the uniformity of the stimulation on the user's skin, and to meet the adaptability of wearing when the ear cavities of different users are different in size, the first stimulation head 1 also includes a first conductive sleeve 13 wrapped outside each first electrode 11 and electrically contacting each first electrode 11. Correspondingly, the first conductive sleeve 13 is also wrapped outside the first substrate 12, so that the first stimulation head 1 is cylindrical as a whole, so as to act on the concha cavity. The second stimulation head 2 also includes a second conductive sleeve 23 wrapped outside each second electrode 21 and electrically contacting each second electrode 21. Correspondingly, the second conductive sleeve 23 is also wrapped outside the second substrate 22. Based on the support of the second substrate 22, the second electrode 21 head is a cylindrical structure with a conical front end as a whole, so as to act on the ear hole.

[0029] The first conductive sleeve 13 and the second conductive sleeve 23 adopt a flexible conductive sleeve structure with a certain deformation ability. In this embodiment, as needed, the first conductive sleeve 13 and the second conductive sleeve 23 can adopt a conductive silicone sleeve or a conductive sponge sleeve. The conductive silicone sleeve and the conductive sponge sleeve have a certain deformation ability, which can better adapt to the ear cavity of different users and improve the wearing comfort. At the same time, after the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 21 are energized, the first conductive sleeve 13 and the second conductive sleeve 23 can be uniform and increase the effective area to avoid discomfort such as tingling caused by small area stimulation.

[0030] In addition, the ear vagus nerve stimulator also includes a shell 5 and a body. The shell 5 is embedded in the body, and the control module 3 and the power module 4 are arranged in the shell 5. The first stimulation head 1 and the second stimulation head 2 are connected to the control module 3 and the power module 4 through a flexible wire 6. The length of the wire 6 is specifically set according to needs. The wire 6 also constitutes a connection structure of the first stimulation head 1 and the second stimulation head 2 on the body, which is convenient for integrated use.

[0031] The shape of the machine body depends on the specific facilities required, such as it can be made into various shapes and structures such as pillows and headphones.

[0032] Each electrode group in the ear vagus nerve stimulator is relatively independent and can be turned on or off as needed. The power output capacity of each electrode group is consistent. Turning on one more channel does not increase the stimulation voltage, but increases the stimulation current, thereby solving the safety hazards of high voltage such as discomfort and tingling.

[0033] When the ear vagus nerve stimulator is used, the user selects the gear, wears the ear vagus electrical stimulator and then turns it on. The ear vagus nerve stimulator turns on a single electrode group by default, and when working, the control module 3 samples the working current of the electrode group in real time. If the sampled working current meets the stimulation current of the current gear, then maintain the status quo. If the sampled working current is less than the stimulation current of the current gear, then another group of electrode groups is opened until all channels are opened. If it is still less than the stimulation current of the current gear, then the control module 3 controls to increase the output voltage of the power module 4, readjusts to open a single group of electrode groups, and cycles the aforementioned working process. If the sampled working current is greater than the stimulation current of the current gear, then a group of electrode groups is turned off until only a single group of electrode groups is working. If it is still greater than the stimulation current of the current gear, then the control module 3 controls to reduce the output voltage of the power module 4, readjusts to open a single group of electrode groups, and cycles the aforementioned working process.

[0034] The ear vagus nerve stimulator of the utility model is provided with multiple parallel electrode groups on the electrical stimulation head. When in use, the current acting on the user's skin can be adjusted by adjusting the number of conductive electrode groups without adjusting the voltage, thereby achieving the purpose of adjusting the stimulation intensity, that is, a wide range of stimulation intensity adjustment can be met within a small voltage adjustment range, ensuring safety. It also avoids the tingling problem caused by high voltage and improves the comfort of electrical stimulation.

[0035] In the specification and claims of the present utility model, terms indicating directions, such as "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", "side", "top", "bottom", etc., are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present invention, but these terms are used here only for the purpose of convenience of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present invention can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only used as explanations and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "up" and "down" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. An ear vagus nerve stimulator, characterized in that: It comprises a first stimulation head (1) and a second stimulation head (2) for acting at different action positions in the ear cavity, and also comprises a control module (3) and a power module (4) respectively connected to the first stimulation head (1) and the second stimulation head (2) via electrical signals, wherein the power module (4) is connected to the control module (3) via electrical signals; The first stimulation head (1) and the second stimulation head (2) comprise at least two groups of electrode groups connected in parallel, each electrode group comprises a first electrode (11) matched with the first stimulation head (1) and a second electrode (21) matched with the second stimulation head (2), and the first electrode (11) and the second electrode (21) in each electrode group are electrically connected to a power module (4) to form a conductive path.

2. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first stimulation head (1) comprises a first substrate (12) adapted to the action position, and the first electrodes (11) in each electrode group are spaced and evenly distributed on the first substrate (12); The second stimulation heads (2) each comprise a second base body (22) adapted to the action position, and the second electrodes (21) in each electrode group are spaced and evenly distributed on the second base body (22).

3. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first substrate (12) is cylindrical, and the first electrodes (11) in each electrode group are distributed along the axial direction of the first substrate (12) and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first substrate (12).

4. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The front part of the second substrate (22) is conical, the rear part of the second substrate (22) is cylindrical, and the second electrodes (21) in each electrode group are distributed along the circumference of the second substrate (22) and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rear part of the first substrate (12).

5. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 4, characterized in that: A limiting step (221) is protruded along the circumferential direction on the boundary line between the front and rear parts of the second base body (22).

6. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first stimulation head (1) further comprises a first conductive sleeve (13) wrapped around each first electrode (11) and in electrical contact with each first electrode (11); The second stimulation head (2) further comprises a second conductive sleeve (23) wrapped around each second electrode (21) and in electrical contact with each second electrode (21).

7. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first conductive sleeve (13) and the second conductive sleeve (23) are conductive silicone sleeves or conductive sponge sleeves.

8. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: It also comprises a housing (5), wherein the control module (3) and the power module (4) are arranged in the housing (5).

9. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also comprises a machine body, in which the shell (5) is embedded.

10. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first stimulation head (1) and the second stimulation head (2) are electrically connected to the control module (3) and the power supply module (4) via flexible wires (6).

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