Vibration stimulator and method of vibration stimulation

Abstract

To provide a vibration stimulator that can restore or maintain muscle force with a simple setting.SOLUTION: A vibration stimulator includes at least one vibration generation part that is configured to provide vibration to a prime mover muscle of user's body to provide stimulation to an antagonistic muscle paired with the prime mover muscle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vibration stimulation device and a vibration stimulation method. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices that prevent muscle weakness through electrical stimulation have been devised (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). These devices are designed to stimulate with the minimum strength necessary to maintain muscle strength under conditions that are unlikely to cause muscle fatigue. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-143061 A [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2016 / 125312 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned devices require complex settings in order to obtain a wide range of benefits while suppressing negative factors such as discomfort.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a vibration stimulation device that can restore or maintain muscle strength with a simple setting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a vibration stimulation device (1) including at least one vibration generating unit (11A, 11B) configured to stimulate antagonistic muscles paired with agonist muscles by applying vibrations to the agonist muscles of a user's body.

[0007] According to this configuration, by applying a small vibration to the motomuscle, the motor nerve of the antagonist muscle can be stimulated by the antagonist reflex. That is, the inventors of the present disclosure have found that by applying a small vibration to the motomuscle, the motor nerve can be stimulated over a wide range of the antagonist muscle paired with the motomuscle.

[0008] This allows the stimulation of motor nerves in areas where direct vibration stimulation causes discomfort, resulting in recovery or maintenance of muscle strength with simple settings.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the amplitude of vibration generated by at least one vibration generating unit (11A, 11B) may be 0.001 mm or more and 1 mm or less. With such a configuration, it is possible to recover or maintain muscle strength while reducing discomfort to the user caused by application of large vibrations.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a seat (2) on which a user can sit, and a supporter (3) that covers the user's lower limbs from above. At least one vibration generating unit (11A, 11B) may be disposed in a portion of the supporter (3) that covers the agonist muscle. With this configuration, it is possible to stimulate the antagonist muscle near the buttocks from the center of the thigh, the muscle tendon part on the knee side, etc., while suppressing vibration stimulation to the buttocks where many nerve groups are present.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a cast (4) that can be worn on the upper or lower limb of a user. At least one vibration generating unit (11A, 11B) may be disposed in a portion of the cast (4) that covers a prime mover muscle. With this configuration, small vibrations can be used to stimulate the antagonist muscles of the upper or lower limb whose movement is restricted by the cast (4). This can promote the progress of muscle recovery after the cast is removed.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one vibration generating unit may include a first vibration generating unit (11A) arranged at a portion covering a prime mover muscle and a second vibration generating unit (11B) arranged at a portion covering an antagonist muscle. With this configuration, each of the two antagonist muscles in a pair is stimulated, thereby promoting the muscle strength recovery effect.

[0013] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a mat (5) capable of supporting a user from below, and a supporter (6) covering the motogenic muscle of the user from above. At least one vibration generating unit (11A, 11B) may be disposed in a portion of the supporter (6) covering the motogenic muscle. With this configuration, it is possible to stimulate the antagonistic muscle of the portion of the user facing the mat (5) without providing a vibration generating unit in the mat (5). Therefore, it is possible to recover the muscle strength of the user while lying on the mat (5) without compromising the comfort of the mat (5).

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a vibration stimulation method comprising the step of applying vibrations to a motogenic muscle of a user's body to stimulate an antagonistic muscle paired with the motogenic muscle.

[0015] According to this configuration, by applying small vibrations to the agonist muscle, the motor nerve of the antagonist muscle can be stimulated by the antagonist reflex, so that muscle strength can be restored or maintained with simple settings.

[0016] Note that the symbols in the above parentheses are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. shown by the symbols in the above parentheses. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a vibration stimulation device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the antagonistic muscle reflex. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a vibration stimulation device according to an embodiment different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a vibration stimulation device according to an embodiment different from that shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] The vibration stimulation device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is used to maintain or recover the muscle strength and motor ability of the lower limbs of a user U. The vibration stimulation device 1 includes a seat 2, a supporter 3, a first vibration generating unit 11A, and a second vibration generating unit 11B.

[0019] The vibration stimulation device 1 applies vibration stimulation to the user U by the vibration generating units 11A and 11B while the user U is seated on the seat 2. This makes it possible to suppress muscle weakness and muscle mass loss due to aging, and to prevent frailty (i.e., weakness).

[0020] Therefore, the user U can maintain or recover the lower limb muscle strength without exercising by himself / herself. This is expected to maintain or improve the balance and walking function of the user U's lower limbs.

[0021] <Sheet> The seat 2 has a seat portion 21 that supports the buttocks of the user U, and a backrest 22. In FIG. 1, the backrest 22 of the seat 2 supports the user U so that the user U's spine is upright, but the backrest 22 may be reclining.

[0022] <Supporter> The supporter 3 is a wearing device that covers the lower limbs of the user U from above. The supporter 3 is fixed to the clothing of the user U or the seat 2, for example, in a state in which it covers the lower limbs of the user U. The supporter 3 is disposed so as to sandwich the lower limbs of the user U together with the seat 2 in the up-down or front-back direction. The supporter 3 may be divided into multiple parts.

[0023] <Vibration generating part> The first vibration generating section 11A and the second vibration generating section 11B are configured to apply vibrations to a person seated in the seat 2 (that is, a user U).

[0024] Specifically, the first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B are configured to stimulate an antagonistic muscle paired with a motoneuron in the body of the user U by vibrating the motoneuron. The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B stimulate a common motoneuron. That is, for the same motoneuron, the first vibration generating unit 11A vibrates the muscle belly, and the second vibration generating unit 11B vibrates the muscle tendon.

[0025] Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the mechanism of signal generation by vibration stimulation in the human body. When a vibration stimulation is applied to a certain agonist muscle (called the "vibration-applying muscle"), a signal from the muscle spindle of the vibration-applying muscle is sent to the spinal cord by a nerve. In the spinal cord, this signal generates spinal cord activity, and a signal is sent to the antagonistic muscle group relative to the vibration-applying muscle. This results in an antagonistic muscle reflex in which a vibration stimulation is applied in a pseudo manner to an antagonistic muscle to which vibration is not directly applied.

[0026] A known actuator type vibrator can be used as the first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B. The frequency of vibration of each vibrator (i.e., the vibration generated by the vibration generating units 11A and 11B) is preferably 20 Hz or more and 110 Hz or less. The amplitude of vibration of each vibrator is preferably 0.001 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

[0027] By using such a frequency and amplitude, the muscle spindles of the antagonistic muscles can be effectively stimulated by the vibration stimulation. As a result, the muscle strength recovery or maintenance effect is promoted. In other words, it is possible to recover or maintain muscle strength while reducing the discomfort of the user U caused by the application of large vibrations.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B are disposed in a portion of the supporter 3 that covers the driving muscle that inputs vibration.

[0029] The first vibration generating unit 11A is configured to stimulate an area including the muscle belly of the muscle on the front side of the thigh (for example, the quadriceps muscle). Specifically, the first vibration generating unit 11A is disposed in a portion of the supporter 3 that faces the thigh.

[0030] The second vibration generating unit 11B is configured to stimulate an area including the muscle tendon of the muscle on the front side of the thigh (e.g., the quadriceps). Specifically, the second vibration generating unit 11B is disposed in a portion of the supporter 3 facing the patella.

[0031] The vibration stimulation applied by the first vibration generating unit 11A to the muscle belly and the vibration stimulation applied by the second vibration generating unit 11B to the muscle tendon portion stimulate the antagonistic muscles of these muscles (e.g., the biceps femoris). In other words, by applying vibration to a portion away from the buttocks of the user U, it is possible to stimulate the muscles of a target region M1 that is close to the buttocks of the user U and has a relatively wide range. In addition, for one antagonistic muscle, it is possible to select a portion to stimulate from among different portions (e.g., the muscle belly and the muscle tendon portion).

[0032] The first vibration generating section 11A and the second vibration generating section 11B may be provided for each of the left and right legs of the user U, or may be provided for only one of the user U's legs.

[0033] <Vibration stimulation method> The vibration stimulation method of the present embodiment includes a step of using the vibration stimulation device 1 to apply vibrations to a motogenic muscle in the body of a user U, thereby stimulating an antagonistic muscle paired with the motogenic muscle.

[0034] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) By applying small vibrations to the agonist muscle, the motor nerves of the antagonist muscle can be stimulated by the antagonist reflex. This allows the motor nerves to be stimulated in areas where direct vibration stimulation causes discomfort. As a result, muscle strength can be restored or maintained with a simple setup.

[0035] (1b) While suppressing vibration stimulation to the buttocks, where many nerve groups are located, it is possible to stimulate antagonistic muscles near the buttocks from the center of the thigh, the muscle-tendon area on the knee side, etc.

[0036] [2. Second embodiment] [2-1. Configuration] 3 is used to maintain or recover muscle strength and motor ability of the lower or upper limbs of a user U. The vibration stimulation device 1A includes a cast 4, a first vibration generating unit 11A, and a second vibration generating unit 11B.

[0037] The vibration stimulation device 1A applies vibration stimulation to a user U wearing a cast 4 by vibration generating units 11A and 11B. This makes it possible to suppress muscle weakness and muscle mass loss associated with movement restrictions due to bone fractures or the like.

[0038] <Cast> The cast 4 is a wearing device that can be worn on the lower limb of the user U. The cast 4 is worn, for example, by being wrapped around one of the legs of the user U. The cast 4 covers the entire circumferential direction of the user U's leg.

[0039] <Vibration generating part> The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B are similar to those in the first embodiment, and are configured to apply vibrations to the wearer of the cast 4 (that is, the user U).

[0040] The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B are disposed in a portion of the cast 4 that covers the driving muscle that inputs vibration.

[0041] The first vibration generating unit 11A is configured to stimulate an area including the rear side of the lower leg (for example, the gastrocnemius muscle). Specifically, the first vibration generating unit 11A is disposed in a part of the cast 4 facing the calf.

[0042] The second vibration generating unit 11B is configured to stimulate an area including the front side of the lower leg (for example, the tibialis anterior muscle). Specifically, the second vibration generating unit 11B is disposed in a part of the cast 4 facing the shin.

[0043] The vibration stimulation given by the first vibration generating unit 11A to the muscle on the back side of the lower leg stimulates a target area M1 including the antagonist muscle of the muscle (e.g., the tibialis anterior muscle). The vibration stimulation given by the second vibration generating unit 11B to the muscle on the front side of the lower leg stimulates a target area M2 including the antagonist muscle of the muscle (e.g., the gastrocnemius muscle).

[0044] In other words, the second vibration generating unit 11B is disposed at a site covering an antagonistic muscle with respect to a motomuscle to which the first vibration generating unit 11A inputs a stimulus. Either the first vibration generating unit 11A or the second vibration generating unit 11B may generate vibrations continuously or alternately.

[0045] The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B may be arranged so as to cover two antagonistic muscles that make a pair in a part other than the lower leg (for example, the thigh, the knee, etc.). The cast 4 may be attached to the upper limb. The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B may be arranged so as to cover two antagonistic muscles that make a pair in the upper arm, the forearm, the elbow, etc.

[0046] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) Small vibrations can be used to stimulate antagonistic muscles in upper or lower limbs whose movements are restricted by a cast. This can promote the progress of muscle recovery after the cast is removed.

[0047] (2b) The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B stimulate each of the two antagonistic muscles that make a pair, thereby promoting the muscle strength recovery effect.

[0048] [3. Third embodiment] [3-1. Configuration] The vibration stimulation device 1B shown in Fig. 4 is used to maintain or recover the muscle strength and motor ability of the lower limbs of a user U. The vibration stimulation device 1B includes a mat 5, a supporter 6, a first vibration generating unit 11A, and a second vibration generating unit 11B.

[0049] The vibration stimulation device 1B applies vibration stimulation to the user U by the vibration generating units 11A and 11B while the user U is lying on the mat 5. This makes it possible to suppress muscle weakness and muscle mass loss due to aging, and to prevent frailty.

[0050] <Matte> The mat 5 is a member capable of supporting the lying user U from below. The mat 5 is flexible.

[0051] <Supporter> The supporter 6 is a wearable device that covers the lower limbs of the user U from above. The supporter 6 is fixed to the clothes of the user U or the mat 5, for example, in a state where it covers the lower limbs of the user U. The supporter 6 is disposed so as to sandwich the lower limbs of the user U together with the mat 5 in the vertical direction. The supporter 6 may be divided into multiple parts.

[0052] <Vibration generating part> The first vibration generating section 11A and the second vibration generating section 11B are similar to those in the first embodiment, and are configured to apply vibrations to a user U lying on the mat 5.

[0053] The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B are disposed in a portion of the supporter 6 that covers the driving muscle that inputs vibration. The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B stimulate different driving muscles.

[0054] The first vibration generating unit 11A is configured to stimulate an area including the front muscles (e.g., the quadriceps) in the central part of the thigh. Specifically, the first vibration generating unit 11A is disposed in a portion of the supporter 6 that faces the thigh.

[0055] The second vibration generating unit 11B is configured to stimulate an area including the front side of the lower leg (for example, the tibialis anterior muscle). Specifically, the second vibration generating unit 11B is disposed in a portion of the supporter 6 that faces the shin.

[0056] The vibration stimulation given by the first vibration generating unit 11A to the front muscle of the central part of the thigh stimulates a target area M1 including the antagonist muscle of the muscle (e.g., the biceps femoris muscle). The vibration stimulation given by the second vibration generating unit 11B to the front muscle of the lower leg stimulates a target area M2 including the antagonist muscle of the muscle (e.g., the gastrocnemius muscle).

[0057] In this way, the first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B can provide a stimulating effect to a relatively wide range of parts of the body of the user U that are supported by the mat 5. This reduces the discomfort felt by the user U when the mat 5 itself is vibrated.

[0058] The first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B may be provided for each of the left and right legs of the user U, or may be provided for only one of the legs of the user U. Furthermore, the first vibration generating unit 11A and the second vibration generating unit 11B vibrate simultaneously, so that a stimulating effect can be given to different parts of the body at the same time.

[0059] [3-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (3a) It is possible to stimulate the antagonistic muscles of the part of the user facing the mat 5 without providing a vibration generating unit on the mat 5. Therefore, it is possible to recover the muscle strength of the user while lying on the mat 5 without compromising the comfort of the mat 5.

[0060] [4. Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take various forms.

[0061] (4a) In the vibration stimulation device of the above embodiment, the number of vibration generating units is not limited to 2. In other words, the vibration stimulation device may include one vibration generating unit or three or more vibration generating units.

[0062] (4b) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. In addition, a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. Note that all aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...Vibration stimulation device, 1A...Vibration stimulation device, 1B...Vibration stimulation device, 2...Seat, 3...supporter, 4...cast, 5...mat, 6...supporter, 11A...first vibration generating part, 11B...second vibration generating part, 21...seat part, 22...backrest.

Claims

1. A vibration stimulation device comprising at least one vibration generating unit configured to stimulate an antagonistic muscle paired with a motogenic muscle by applying vibration to the motogenic muscle of a user's body.

2. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 1, A vibration stimulation device, wherein the amplitude of vibration generated by the at least one vibration generating unit is 0.001 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

3. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 1 or 2, A seat on which the user can sit; A supporter that covers the user's lower limbs from above; Further equipped with A vibration stimulation device, wherein the at least one vibration generating unit is arranged in a portion of the supporter that covers the prime mover muscle.

4. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 1 or 2, A cast that can be worn on the upper or lower limb of the user is further provided, A vibration stimulation device, wherein the at least one vibration generating unit is placed in a portion of the cast that covers the motive muscle.

5. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 4, A vibration stimulation device, wherein the at least one vibration generating unit includes a first vibration generating unit arranged in a region covering the agonist muscle and a second vibration generating unit arranged in a region covering the antagonist muscle.

6. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 1 or 2, A mat capable of supporting the user from below; A supporter that covers the motive muscle of the user from above; Further equipped with A vibration stimulation device, wherein the at least one vibration generating unit is arranged in a portion of the supporter that covers the prime mover muscle.

7. A vibration stimulation method comprising a step of applying vibration to a motogenic muscle of a user's body to stimulate an antagonistic muscle paired with the motogenic muscle.

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