Ear vagus nerve stimulator

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ear vagus nerve stimulator, which comprises a base body, a first electrode, a second electrode and a power supply module, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are connected onto the base body; each of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a soft and deformable electrical stimulation layer and an electrical deformation layer attached to the interior of the electrical stimulation layer, the electrical stimulation layers and the electrical deformation layers are electrically connected with a power supply module, and the electrical deformation layers expand outwards and deform based on power supply of the power supply module. According to the ear vagus nerve stimulator, the electrical stimulation area can be increased, the attachment with the skin of the ear cavity is improved, the pricking feeling is weakened, and the use comfort is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Sleep is an important factor affecting physical health, but the current sleep health situation is not optimistic. Poor sleep is one of the important causes of sub-health, which can easily induce physical diseases, mental illnesses and other diseases. In addition, poor sleep can also cause sub-health problems such as obesity. There are many types of sleep problems, and most people who suffer from sleep problems have problems such as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty sleeping late, and snoring.

[0003] Based on sleep problems, sleep aids are generally classified as follows: psychological therapy (behavioral cognition), chemical media therapy (drugs), physical therapy (light, electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation), traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, acupoints), others (massage and sound), etc. Sleep aids are popular with users because they are convenient for users to use at any time and any place according to their needs. Accordingly, some sleep aids have appeared on the market, such as massagers, sleep aids, and health care gadgets such as steam eye masks and health products, which can improve sleep to varying degrees.

[0004] The Chinese invention patent application "Ear Nerve Stimulation Device and System" with publication number CN114980956A (application number 202080080686.3) discloses an ear nerve stimulation device including at least two electrodes located in the cymba concha and the cavum concha. When a voltage difference is applied between the two electrodes, the two electrodes electrically stimulate the nerve branches of the cymba concha and the cavum concha, respectively. However, the effective area of ​​the two electrodes on the user's ear skin is relatively fixed. Especially when they cannot adhere well to the skin after cooperation, the electrical stimulation effect is not sufficient, or a tingling sensation is generated during the stimulation due to the hard material. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide an ear vagus nerve stimulator which can increase the electrical stimulation area, improve the adhesion with the ear cavity skin, reduce the tingling sensation and improve the comfort of use in view of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the above technical problems is: an ear vagus nerve stimulator, comprising a base, a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the base, characterized in that: it also includes a power supply module arranged in the base;

[0007] The first electrode and the second electrode both include a soft and deformable electrical stimulation layer and an electrical deformation layer attached to the electrical stimulation layer. The electrical stimulation layer and the electrical deformation layer are both electrically connected to a power supply module. The electrical deformation layer expands and deforms outward based on power supply from the power supply module.

[0008] As an improvement, the electrodeformable layer includes a deformable fabric layer attached to the electrical stimulation layer, and electrostrictive ribs arranged on the inner side of the fabric layer, wherein the electrostrictive ribs are electrically connected to the power supply module and are deformed and stretched based on the power supply.

[0009] Preferably, the electrostrictive ribs include a plurality of ribs evenly and parallelly distributed on the fabric layer.

[0010] Optionally, the electrostrictive ribs are electrostrictive ribs made of polyethylene glycol acrylate material or polyethylene glycol material.

[0011] Optionally, the electrostrictive ribs are electrodeformable ribs made of piezoelectric ceramics or electroactive polymers.

[0012] In order to facilitate the simultaneous power supply to the electrical stimulation layer and the electrical deformation layer, and also to make the current distribution on the electrical stimulation layer more uniform and the deformation degree of each position of the electrical deformation layer relatively consistent, the electrical stimulation layer and the electrical deformation layer are electrically connected to the power supply module through conductive wires, and the conductive wires are evenly coiled and distributed between the electrical stimulation layer and the electrical deformation layer and are in electrical contact with both the electrical stimulation layer and the electrical deformation layer.

[0013] Preferably, the electrical stimulation layer is a conductive silicone layer.

[0014] In order to facilitate the installation of the first electrode and the second electrode, a first connector and a second connector are protrudingly provided on the base, the first electrode is fixedly connected to the first connector, and the second electrode is fixedly connected to the second connector.

[0015] For easy assembly and maintenance, the base includes a base with a cavity and a cover buckled on the base, and the power supply module is arranged in the cavity of the base.

[0016] Preferably, the first electrode is in an annular shape as a whole and has a U-shaped cross section, and the second electrode is in a triangle shape with an arc-shaped transition as a whole.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the ear vagus nerve stimulator in the present invention is based on the structural design of the electrical stimulation layer and the electrical deformation layer, so that when working, based on the power supply, the outward expansion deformation of the electrical deformation layer can drive the deformation of the electrical stimulation layer, thereby increasing the area of ​​the first electrode and the second electrode, and correspondingly increasing the electrical stimulation area. Under the same working parameters, the electrical stimulation effect is gentle and uniform, which improves the electrical stimulation effect and the comfort of use.

[0018] In addition, the deformation of the electric stimulation layer is driven by the electric deformation layer. Based on the deformable properties of the electric stimulation layer and the electric deformation layer, the first electrode and the second electrode can fit better in the ear cavity, which not only improves the wearing comfort, but also further improves the comprehensive contact with the working position in the ear cavity, avoids the stinging pain caused by small area contact, and optimizes the comfort of electric 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.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the middle ear vagus nerve stimulator in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of another cross section of the middle ear vagus nerve stimulator in the embodiment of the utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electrodeformable layer in the embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention will be described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the ear vagus nerve stimulator in this embodiment includes a base 1, a first electrode 2 and a second electrode 3 connected to the base 1, and a power supply module 4 arranged in the base 1.

[0026] In order to facilitate the assembly of the power supply module 4 in the base 1 and also facilitate the later maintenance of the power supply module 4, the base 1 includes a base 13 with a cavity and a cover 14 buckled on the base 13, and the power supply module 4 is arranged in the cavity of the base 13. When the power supply module 4 needs to be assembled or repaired, the cover 14 is opened from the base 13 to operate the power supply module 4. The power supply module 4 adopts a circuit in the prior art that can realize a specific range of voltage output, and the output voltage can be adjusted as needed, and a controller is also provided in the power supply module 4, and the controller controls the output of the voltage and the size of the output voltage according to the specific control practice.

[0027] The first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are specifically connected to the substrate 1 based on the design of the stimulation position in the ear cavity, such as the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 can be set to correspond to the position of the cymba concha and the cavum concha in the ear cavity. One electrode can also be set to the position of the ear canal, and the other electrode can be set to correspond to the position of the cymba concha. The first electrode 2 in this embodiment is annular as a whole and has a U-shaped cross-section, that is, the first electrode 2 is set to be similar to the shape of an earphone, so as to facilitate the placement of the first electrode 2 corresponding to the position of the ear canal, and the second electrode 3 is an arc-shaped transition as a whole to better match the triangle of the position of the cymba concha, so as to enhance its fit with the cymba concha area.

[0028] In order to facilitate the connection between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 on the substrate 1 , a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 are protrudingly provided on the substrate 1 . The first electrode 2 is fixedly connected to the first connector 11 , and the second electrode 3 is fixedly connected to the second connector 12 .

[0029] In this embodiment, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 both include a soft and deformable electrical stimulation layer 100 , and an electrical deformation layer 200 attached to the electrical stimulation layer 100 . Both the electrical stimulation layer 100 and the electrical deformation layer 200 are electrically connected to the power supply module 4 .

[0030] Among them is the conductive silicone layer of the electric stimulation layer 100. When in use, the electric stimulation layer 100 contacts the skin in the ear cavity, and then acts on the position where stimulation is required, thereby stimulating the vagus nerve of the ear. The electric deformation layer 200 expands and deforms outward based on the power supply of the power supply module 4. Since the electric deformation layer 200 is attached to the electric stimulation layer 100, as the electric deformation layer 200 expands and deforms outward, it can also drive the electric stimulation layer 100 to expand and deform outward, thereby increasing the area of ​​the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, and increasing the effective area acting on the skin.

[0031] The outward expansion deformation direction of the electric stimulation layer 100 is determined based on the needs and the structure of the electric deformation layer 200 is adaptively determined. In this embodiment, specifically, the electric deformation layer 200 includes a deformable fabric layer 201 attached to the electric stimulation layer 100, and an electrostrictive rib 202 arranged on the inner side of the fabric layer 201. The electrostrictive rib 202 is electrically connected to the power supply module 4 and deforms based on power supply. The fabric layer 201 usually has a certain deformation ability. In order to meet the larger deformation amount of the electric deformation layer 200, the fabric layer 201 can be attached to the stimulation layer in a wrinkled state, and the distribution direction of the electrostrictive rib 202 on the fabric layer 201 directly affects its deformation direction. According to the needs of the deformation direction and deformation amount, the distribution of the electrostrictive rib 202 on the fabric layer 201 is specifically determined. In this embodiment, the electrostrictive rib 202 includes a plurality of ribs that are evenly and parallelly distributed on the fabric layer 201, that is, when working, the deformation is controlled to be extended and retracted in one direction. As in this embodiment, the electrostrictive ribs 202 in the first electrode 2 are arranged along the circumferential direction, so that the first electrode 2 can be expanded and retracted in the radial direction through the expansion and contraction of the electrostrictive ribs 202. The electrostrictive ribs 202 in the second electrode 3 expand and retract along the longer distance direction of their triangular shape.

[0032] As required, the electrostrictive ribs 202 may be electrodeformable ribs made of piezoelectric ceramics or electroactive polymers.

[0033] In addition, in order to facilitate the simultaneous power supply of the electrical stimulation layer 100 and the electrical deformation layer 200, the current distribution on the electrical stimulation layer 100 is also more uniform, and the deformation degree of each position of the electrical deformation layer 200 is relatively consistent. The electrical stimulation layer 100 and the electrical deformation layer 200 are electrically connected to the power supply module 4 through conductive wires, and the conductive wires are evenly coiled and distributed between the electrical stimulation layer 100 and the electrical deformation layer 200 and are in electrical contact with the electrical stimulation layer 100 and the electrical deformation layer 200. The specific winding method of the conductive wire is specifically set according to the needs, such as winding in an S-shaped winding method or winding in a circular winding method. After the power supply module 4 outputs voltage to the guide wire, based on the electrical contact between the conductive wire and the electrostimulation layer 100 and the electrodeformable layer 200, the electrostimulation layer 100 and the electrodeformable layer 200 are energized, and the electrostimulation layer 100 can satisfy the stimulation of the skin in the ear cavity, and the electrodeformable ribs 202 can be stretched and deformed based on the energization, thereby driving the electrodeformable layer 200 to expand and deform as a whole, and correspondingly driving the electrostimulation layer 100 to expand and deform outward, increasing the effective area of ​​the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, and also increasing the fit of the first electrode 2, the second electrode 3 and the ear cavity skin, and enhancing the overall wearing firmness of the ear vagus nerve stimulator in the ear cavity. When the power supply module 4 stops supplying power, the electrostrictive ribs 202 are reset and retracted, and the corresponding first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are also restored to their original state, which facilitates the removal of the ear vagus nerve stimulator from the ear cavity.

[0034] The ear vagus nerve stimulator in the utility model is based on the structural design of the electric stimulation layer 100 and the electric deformation layer 200, so that when working, based on the power supply, the outward expansion deformation of the electric deformation layer 200 can drive the deformation of the electric stimulation layer 100, thereby increasing the area of ​​the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, and correspondingly increasing the electric stimulation area. Under the same working parameters, the electric stimulation effect is gentle and uniform, which improves the electric stimulation effect and the comfort of use.

[0035] In addition, the deformation of the electric stimulation layer 100 is driven by the electric deformation layer 200. Based on the deformable properties of the electric stimulation layer 100 and the electric deformation layer 200, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 can fit better in the ear cavity, which not only improves the wearing comfort, but also further improves the comprehensive contact with the action position in the ear cavity, avoids the stinging pain caused by small area contact, and optimizes the comfort of electric stimulation.

[0036] The ear vagus nerve stimulator in this embodiment can be used independently, or can be assembled on products such as sleep monitors for use.

[0037] 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, comprising a substrate (1), a first electrode (2) and a second electrode (3) connected to the substrate (1), characterized in that: It also includes a power supply module (4) arranged in the base (1); The first electrode (2) and the second electrode (3) both comprise a soft and deformable electrical stimulation layer (100), and an electrical deformation layer (200) attached to the electrical stimulation layer (100); the electrical stimulation layer (100) and the electrical deformation layer (200) are both electrically connected to a power supply module (4); and the electrical deformation layer (200) expands and deforms outwards based on power supply from the power supply module (4).

2. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrodeformable layer (200) comprises a deformable fabric layer (201) attached to the electrical stimulation layer (100), and electrostrictive ribs (202) arranged inside the fabric layer (201); the electrostrictive ribs (202) are electrically connected to a power supply module (4) and are deformed by stretching based on power supply.

3. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrostrictive ribs (202) include a plurality of ribs evenly and parallelly distributed on the fabric layer (201).

4. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrostrictive ribs (202) are electrodeformable ribs made of piezoelectric ceramics or electroactive polymers.

5. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The electrical stimulation layer (100) and the electrical deformation layer (200) are electrically connected to the power supply module (4) via conductive wires, and the conductive wires are evenly coiled and distributed between the electrical stimulation layer (100) and the electrical deformation layer (200) and are in electrical contact with both the electrical stimulation layer (100) and the electrical deformation layer (200).

6. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The electrical stimulation layer (100) is a conductive silicone layer.

7. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A first connecting head (11) and a second connecting head (12) are protrudingly provided on the base body (1); the first electrode (2) is fixedly connected to the first connecting head (11); and the second electrode (3) is fixedly connected to the second connecting head (12).

8. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The base (1) comprises a base (13) having a cavity and a cover (14) buckled onto the base (13), and the power supply module (4) is arranged in the cavity of the base (13).

9. The ear vagus nerve stimulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first electrode (2) is in the shape of a ring as a whole and has a U-shaped cross section, and the second electrode (3) is in the shape of a triangle with an arc-shaped transition as a whole.

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