Current stimulation device

Abstract

To solve a problem with a therapeutic apparatus capable of performing current stimulation by an adhesive pad and treatment by electroacupuncture that appropriate parameters cannot be set without knowledge of both, and the therapeutic apparatus cannot be made use of fully, or sufficient treatment effect cannot be acquired.SOLUTION: A current stimulation device includes: a body part; a current generation part for outputting an electric signal; a control part for controlling the current generation part; and a connection part to which a first connector provided in a first cable connected to an acupuncture which is first current supply means or a second connector provided in a second cable connected to second current supply means. The connection part has a connector detection part which reacts by the first connector and does not react by the second connector. The control part controls the electric signal according to the reaction of the connector detection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a current stimulation device used for physical therapy that applies current stimulation to the skin surface of the human body, transdermally, or using needles.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various devices have been proposed for stimulating the skin surface of the human body for the purpose of obtaining beauty effects, relieving muscle soreness and fatigue, or treating pain relief, muscle tension relief, and tissue repair. For example, as a device that applies current stimulation by an electrical signal as a stimulus, there are a treatment device that supplies a low-frequency electrical signal to a living body to obtain a treatment effect such as pain relief and improvement of motor function, and a so-called EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) device that can obtain a motor effect by muscle stimulation. In addition, as current stimulation, there are various methods such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation, high-voltage stimulation method (high voltage), and weak current (microcurrent) that have different effects on each living body, and are selected according to various purposes such as treatment and beauty.

[0003] Alternatively, Patent Document 1 describes electroacupuncture therapy in which a conductive clip is connected to an acupuncture needle used for acupuncture treatment, and current is supplied to the acupuncture needle via the clip to supply current to the affected area or the treatment site. In this specification, physical energy used for treatment, beauty, or diagnosis, such as alternating current components or frequency components such as low frequency and high frequency, or current and voltage having such components, or sine waves, pulses, and impulses, are collectively referred to as, or each is called, an electrical signal or a pulse. Furthermore, it may also be called a treatment wave, an electrical stimulus, or an electrical signal. Furthermore, the electrical signal or pulse may be a pulse train by a rectangular pulse or a pulse train by a composite pulse, and may be a sine wave, a triangular wave, a sawtooth wave, or a pulse train. Furthermore, a composite wave generated by the interaction of a plurality of pulses is also simply referred to as an electrical signal or a pulse, and a composite wave generated by a sine wave is also simply referred to as an electrical signal or a pulse. In these current stimulation devices, for example, a conductive adhesive pad is attached to the human body, such as the affected area or the treatment site, or a cup with electrodes is adsorbed to the affected area or the treatment site by making the inside of the cup negative pressure, so that current is supplied from the adhesive pad or the electrodes inside the cup to the affected area or the treatment site. In this specification, a treatment device, a medical device, a massage device, a diagnostic device, a training device, a device used for physical condition management and fatigue recovery, and a beauty device that use electrical stimulation are collectively referred to as a current stimulation device. Each act of transcutaneously applying electrical stimulation, such as treatment, diagnosis, massage, physical condition management, or treatment by a beauty device using a current stimulation device, or the act in general is called treatment. A person who uses a current stimulation device to perform treatment, massage, diagnosis by a current stimulation device, or beauty treatment using a current stimulation device, etc., is called a user, and a person who receives treatment is called a patient. Furthermore, the part of the human body to which electrical stimulation is applied or treatment is performed is called the affected area. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the description of the current stimulation device does not exclude a massage device, a diagnostic device, a beauty device, or a device for preventing injuries, and the description of a patient does not mean only a person with an injury or a disease, but includes a person who undergoes an examination or a person who receives a beauty treatment.Even if it is described as the affected part, it does not only mean the part with an injury or disease, but also indicates a part of the body to be examined or a part of the body where a cosmetic procedure is performed. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the electrical signals used for treatment do not exclude electrical signals and pulses used for massage, diagnosis, physical condition management, or beauty.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the fields of medicine and cosmetic procedures, it is often the case that current stimulation using conductive adhesive pads and treatment by acupuncture electrical conduction are used in combination, and it was necessary to prepare separate devices for these treatments. These devices not only cost a great deal, but also had problems such as complex usage methods and being difficult for users to operate. For example, even if one has knowledge of acupuncture electrical conduction treatment, but lacks knowledge of treatment by current stimulation using adhesive pads, it was impossible to supply an appropriate electrical signal to the affected part or the treatment site, resulting in problems such as the inability to achieve the therapeutic effect.

[0006] Conversely, even if one has knowledge of treatment using adhesive pads and further has knowledge of acupuncture treatment, but lacks knowledge of treatment by acupuncture electrical conduction, it was impossible to supply appropriate electrical signal-based acupuncture electrical conduction to the affected part or the treatment site, resulting in problems such as the inability to achieve the therapeutic effect. That is, in a treatment device capable of both current stimulation using adhesive pads and treatment by acupuncture electrical conduction, without both types of knowledge, it was impossible to set appropriate parameters, and there were problems such as being unable to make full use of the treatment device or obtain sufficient treatment efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a current stimulation device according to the present invention includes a main body portion, a current generation unit that outputs an electrical signal, a control unit that controls the current generation unit, and a first current supply means for supplying the output electrical signal. A first connector that is provided on a first cable connected to a needle and is a connector to which the first cable is connected to the main body portion, or a second cable connected to a second current supply means different from the first current supply means, and the second cable is provided on the second cable connected to the main body portion. A second connector having a different shape from the first connector is alternatively connected to a connection portion, and the connection portion is a detection unit that reacts to the first connector when the first connector is connected to the connection portion, and when the second connector is connected to the connection portion. It has a connector detection unit that does not react to the second connector, and the control unit is characterized by controlling the electrical signal according to the reaction of the connector detection unit.

[0008] Further, the connector detection unit is a switch that is pushed by the first connector when the first connector is connected to the connection portion and is not pushed when the second connector is connected to the connection portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] The present invention having the above configuration can not only perform acupuncture treatment and treatment by current stimulation other than acupuncture by using a single device, but also automatically perform the settings for each treatment, avoid troublesome device settings, and realize safe and efficient treatment.

[0010] The present invention having the above configuration can determine the treatment by acupuncture and the treatment by current stimulation other than acupuncture with a simpler configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a current stimulation device 1 used for explaining the present invention in the present embodiment. The current stimulation device 1 is used at a treatment site or a treatment area to apply a current for treatment or treatment, and can give an electrical treatment, a massage effect, or a beauty effect. Further, it can be used not only as a massager or a beauty device, but also as, for example, a low-frequency treatment device or an acupuncture electrotherapy device. The current stimulation device 1 is used with a pair of electrode pads 12 composed of an electrode A121 and an electrode B122 connected to a main body 11 by a cable B13. The electrode pad 12 is composed of an adhesive gel having conductivity. A display unit 17, an encoder 18, and a switch 16 are provided on the front surface of the main body 11 of the current stimulation device 1. A connection part 217 to which the cable B13 is connected is provided on the right side surface of the main body 11, and a main power supply 15 is provided on the upper part of the main body 11. Further, a circuit board 19 is disposed inside the main body 11 as described later.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the circuit board 19. The circuit board 19 is disposed inside the main body 11 and includes a current generation unit 204 which is an output circuit that outputs a treatment current (or sometimes simply referred to as an output current), which is an electrical signal supplied to the affected part and used for treatment, a control unit 203 that controls the operation of the current generation unit 204 and the main body 11, a timer 207, a user IF unit 201, a power supply unit 206, a memory 205, and the like. The control unit 203 incorporates, in addition to a CPU and an internal memory, an interface unit for connecting to each of the above units, controls the current generation unit 204 that generates an electrical signal for applying electrical stimulation, the timer 207 for managing the output time, the user IF unit 201 connected to the display unit 17, and the memory 205. The power consumed by each unit is supplied from the battery 208 as a power source, and the power is controlled by the power supply unit 206 to a predetermined constant voltage value, for example, 5V or 12V, and supplied to each unit via the control unit 203. Note that, as a power source, a configuration may be adopted in which power is supplied from a wall outlet or the like instead of the battery 208.

[0014] The current generation unit 204 generates, as a treatment current, an output current I of a unipolar pulse or a bipolar pulse as shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 203. The current generation unit 204 selectively outputs one of the unipolar pulse or the bipolar pulse as an electrical signal under the control of the control unit 203, and can output it to the electrode pad 12 via the cable B13 connected to the connection unit 217 and supply it to the affected part. The output current I is composed of a plurality of rectangular pulses. If the absolute value of the current is simply referred to as the current value in this specification, the output current I has a state where the current value is large and a state where the current value is small. The state where the current value is large is referred to as High, and conversely, the state where the current value is small is referred to as Low. The Low state includes the case where the current value is zero. The electrical signal to be output is not limited to the electrical signal shown in FIG. 3, and for example, an electrical signal such as a sine wave or a pulse train may be used. Further, although FIG. 3 shows the electrical signal with the current value on the vertical axis, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vertical axis may be voltage or power.

[0015] The current stimulation device 1 is used as follows. First, the user turns on the main power supply 15 and attaches the electrode pads 12 to the affected area. When the main power supply 15 is turned on, the display unit 17 displays the status of the main body 11 and buttons which are interfaces for various settings. For example, buttons for selecting or setting modes such as a beauty mode, a training mode, or a treatment mode and output levels are displayed according to the characteristics of the current stimulation device 1. The display unit 17 may be, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display, which serves as both a display means and an input means. When the displayed output level display is tapped, the encoder 18 becomes effective, and the amplitude of the electrical signal output can be set by rotating the encoder 18. Further, when the user selects the treatment mode using the display unit 17, the information is transmitted to the control unit 203. The control unit 203 reads from the memory 205 each parameter for specifying necessary information, for example, the treatment current used in the selected treatment mode, and supplies it to the current generation unit 204. Subsequently, when the user presses the switch 16, the information is sent to the control unit 203 via the user IF unit 201. The control unit 203 instructs the current generation unit 204 to output the above electrical signal. The current generation unit 204 outputs an electrical signal (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a treatment current) used for treatment by the control unit 203 according to the supplied parameters. The output treatment current is supplied to the affected area by the electrode pads 12 via the cable B13 connected to the connection part 217 of the main body 11. At the same time, the information that the output of the electrical signal has started is sent to the timer 207, and the timer 207 starts measuring the time, for example, the treatment time, which is the time when the electrical signal is output by the current generation unit 204, that is, the time when the electrical signal is supplied to the affected area, for example, 20 minutes. Information regarding the measurement of the timer 207, for example, information indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed, is fed back to the control unit 203. By this feedback, the control unit 203 controls to stop the power supply to the current generation unit 204, thereby stopping the output of the electrical signal. The treatment time is not limited to 20 minutes and may be 20 minutes or more or less than 20 minutes, and may be configured such that the user can appropriately set or adjust it in consideration of the state of the affected area. Note that when the switch 16 is pressed again during the output of the electrical signal, the output stops.

[0016] In the above, an example in which the electrode pad 12 is connected to the main body 11 is shown, but the main body 11 to which the present invention is applied can be used as an acupuncture current therapy device. That is, it is possible to connect a needle for acupuncture current and a cable A14 used for acupuncture current to supply an electric signal from the main body 11 to the needle. The cable A14 is a first cable that connects the needle, which is an electrode used for acupuncture current, that is, a first current supply means, and the main body 11. Therefore, the electrode pad 12 corresponds to the second current supply means, and the cable B13 corresponds to the second cable.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a state in which the cable A14 used for acupuncture current and the needle A411 are sandwiched by the clip A421, and the needle B412 is sandwiched by the clip B422 and connected. That is, a pair of needle electrodes 41 composed of the needle A411 and the needle B412 are electrically connected to the main body 11 by the cable A14. However, both the cable A14 and the cable B13 are alternatively connected to one connection portion 217. In FIG. 4 and the like, the connection portion 217 is disposed on the right side toward the main body 11, but is not limited thereto, and may be disposed on the left side, the front surface, the back surface, the upper surface, or the lower surface toward the main body 11.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the connection portion 217 when nothing is connected to the connection portion 217 and viewed from the right side toward the main body 11 in FIG. 4. The connection portion 217 may be formed by providing a concave portion inside the main body 11, or may be formed by providing a convex portion and further providing a concave portion in the convex portion. In FIG. 5, a concave portion 53 is provided on the side surface on the right side toward the main body 11 to form the connection portion 217. In the concave portion 53, a pin A511 and a pin B512 connected to the current generation unit 204, and a detection unit 52 are arranged.

[0019] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a connector portion provided in cable A14, which corresponds to a first connector that is connected to connection portion 217 to connect cable A14 and main body 11. Since end face A62, which is one end face of connector A61 and is the face at the distal end in the longitudinal direction of connector A61, is fitted to connection portion 217, its outer shape, size, and dimensions are substantially the same as those of concave portion 53. Connector A61 is made of an elastic body such as silicon rubber or urethane rubber. On end face A62, opposed electrodes A611 and B612 are arranged to oppose and couple with pins A511 and B512 when fitted to concave portion 53 of connection portion 217. Further, on end face B63 at the proximal end, which is the opposite side in the longitudinal direction of connector A61 on end face A62, a wire A64 having conductivity for transmitting an electrical signal to clip A421 and clip B422 is connected, and the wire connects opposed electrode A611 and clip A421, and opposed electrode B612 and clip B422. That is, the electrical signal output from current generation unit 204 is supplied to clip A421 via pin A511, opposed electrode A611, and wire A64 and then to the affected part from needle A411, or the electrical signal output from current generation unit 204 is supplied to clip B422 via pin B512, opposed electrode B612, or wire A64 and then to the affected part from needle B412. When connector A61 is connected to connection portion 217, end face A62 contacts detection unit 52, that is, detection unit 52 reacts, and it can be detected that connector A61 has been connected. Here, detection unit 52 uses a microswitch and is configured to be able to detect whether connector A61 has been connected by reacting when the switch is pressed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration that reacts by an infrared sensor or a magnetic sensor may be used, and as long as it can react according to the presence or absence of connector A61 and recognize the connected connector.

[0020] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a connector portion provided in cable B13, which corresponds to a second connector that is connected to connection portion 217 to connect cable B13 and main body 11, namely connector A61 and connector B71. Since end face C72, which is one end face of connector B71 and is the face at the distal end in the longitudinal direction of connector B71, is to be fitted to connection portion 217, its outer shape, size, and dimensions are substantially the same as those of concave portion 53. Connector B71 may also be made of an elastic body such as silicone rubber or urethane rubber. On end face C72, opposing electrode C751 and opposing electrode D752 are arranged to oppose and connect to pin A511 and pin B512 when fitted to concave portion 53 of connection portion 217. Further, on end face D73, which is on the opposite side of end face C72 of connector B71 in the longitudinal direction, a wire B74 having conductivity to transmit an electrical signal to electrode A121 and electrode B122 is connected, and wire B74 connects opposing electrode C751 and electrode A121, and opposing electrode D752 and electrode B122. That is, the electrical signal output from current generation unit 204 is supplied to electrode A121 via pin A511, opposing electrode C751, and further wire B74, and from electrode A121 to the affected part. Similarly, the electrical signal output from current generation unit 204 is supplied to electrode B122 via pin B512, opposing electrode D752, and further wire B74, and provided from electrode B122 to the affected part.

[0021] However, as shown in FIG. 7, a discrimination recess 75, which is a recess not present in connector A61, is provided on end face C72 of connector B71. Even when connector B71 is connected to connection portion 217, detection unit 52 does not come into contact with end face C72 and detection unit 52 does not react, enabling it to be identified that connector A61 is not connected. In this way, discrimination recess 75 is provided at a position opposing detection unit 52 when connector B71 is connected to connection portion 217. When connector B71 is connected to connection portion 217, detection unit 52 is housed in the space formed by the recess of discrimination recess 75, so detection unit 52 does not react and the connected connector B71 can be identified.

[0022] By changing the shapes of the connector A61 and the connector B71 connected to the connection part 217 in this way, and detecting whether it is one of the connectors, the other connector can also be detected, so that both connectors can be identified. Note that, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, although the identification recess, which is a recess for identifying the connector, is arranged in the connector B71 which is the second connector and not arranged in the connector A61, it is not limited thereto. The identification recess may be arranged in the connector A61 which is the first connector and not arranged in the connector B71, and any configuration that can identify either one may be used. In the present embodiment, it will be described that the identification recess 75 is provided in the connector B71 which is the second connector.

[0023] After determining the connector connected to the connection part 217 as described above, that is, which cable is connected, or whether the electrode pad 12 or the acupuncture electrode 41 is connected, the current stimulation device 1 performs the following control. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control. First, the user connects the cable A14 or the cable B13 to the connection part. The information is detected by the user IF unit 201 and transmitted to the control unit 203 (S1). Subsequently or together with the information, the user IF unit 201 transmits to the control unit 203 the presence or absence of a reaction by the detection unit 52. Based on the acquired information, the control unit 203 can determine that the connector A61, that is, the acupuncture electrode 41 is connected when there is a reaction in the detection unit 52, and that the connector B71, that is, the electrode pad 12 is connected when there is no reaction in the detection unit 52.

[0024] When the detection unit 52 has a reaction (when the needle electrode 41 is connected), the control unit 203 reads out the parameters for needle energization from the memory 205 (S2). When the detection unit 52 has no reaction (when the electrode pad 12 is connected), the control unit 203 reads out the treatment parameters for using the electrode pad 12 from the memory 205 (S3), and notifies the read parameters to the current generation unit 204 (S4). These parameters include the frequency and pulse width of the electrical signal to be output, whether it is a monopolar pulse or a bipolar pulse, the treatment time, whether to perform burst output with intermittent output or steady output, in addition to the maximum value of the output current (hereinafter simply referred to as "the maximum value of the output"), whether to perform open error detection or not, or information indicating the presence or absence of an open error (hereinafter simply referred to as "information indicating the presence or absence of an open error").

[0025] Here, the maximum output value is used to change the maximum output value of the electrical signal when using the needle electrode 41 and the electrode pad 12. For example, in the treatment using needle energization and the electrode pad 12 (hereinafter referred to as pad energization, including energization treatment using a conductor without using a needle electrode), it is better if the maximum value of the current supplied to the human body is different. In the case of needle energization compared to pad energization, the current path flowing through the affected area is narrower, especially the cross-section perpendicular to the direction in which the current flows in the current path is smaller, and the current density flowing through the affected area, which is determined by the cross-sectional area of the cross-section, becomes higher compared to pad energization. Therefore, even when the same output current is set for pad energization and needle energization, there may be a feeling of discomfort from the current stimulation that is not felt in pad energization but is felt in needle energization. When the current is large, in needle energization, there may be an even stronger feeling of discomfort or pain. Therefore, when performing needle energization using the needle electrode 41, it is necessary to reduce the maximum output value so that an accidentally large current is not output, causing discomfort or pain to the patient and reducing the treatment efficiency. In the present invention, in the case of needle energization, that is, when the detection unit 52 reacts and the connector A61 is connected and the needle electrode 41 is used via the cable A14, the maximum output value, which is the maximum current to be output, is limited to 10 mA. In this case, even when the output of the electrical signal to the affected area is increased by the encoder 18, the output cannot be increased beyond the maximum output value for needle energization, and it is possible to avoid a decrease in treatment efficiency or an accident due to discomfort caused by accidentally increasing the output. In the case of pad energization, that is, when the detection unit 52 does not react and the connector B71 is connected and the electrode pad 12 is used via the cable B13, the maximum output value, which is the maximum current to be output, is limited to 40 mA. In the present embodiment, in the parameters used for needle energization, the information indicating that the maximum output value is 10 mA is included, and in the parameters used for pad energization, the information indicating that the maximum output value is 40 mA is included. Note that these maximum output values are not limited to these, and it is sufficient that the maximum output value during needle energization is smaller than the maximum output value during pad energization. For example, the maximum output value during needle energization may be 5 mA or 15 mA, and in the case of pad energization, it may be 30 mA or 50 mA.

[0026] Open error detection is to detect that when the needle electrode 41 or the electrode pad 12 is attached to the affected part, there is a possibility that the attachment is insufficient and the electrical signal cannot flow sufficiently. Insufficient attachment means, for example, when the contact between the electrode pad and the affected part is not sufficiently ensured due to deterioration or damage of the adhesive gel disposed on the electrode pad 12, when the needle electrode 41 is not properly inserted into the affected part, or when the cable A14 or the cable B13 is disconnected or the connection to the connection part 217 of the connector A61 or the connector B71 is insufficient. That is, open error detection is to detect that an electrical circuit in which the electrical signal output from the current generation unit 204 passes through the affected part and returns to the current generation unit 204 again is not sufficiently formed or there is a possibility thereof. In other words, open error detection can also be said to be detecting that the conductors such as the needle electrode 41 and the electrode pad 12 to be used are not properly attached, or that the conductors are deteriorated, or the possibility thereof. As an example of open error detection and its notification, the current generation unit 204 outputs a test pulse, detects the current value by the test pulse, and when the current value is smaller than a pre-determined value, it displays an open error assuming that the above electrical circuit is not sufficiently formed, and prompts the user to confirm, for example, whether the attachment of the electrode pad 12 is sufficient. In the present embodiment, a square wave of 5V is output as the test pulse, and when the current value by the test pulse is 1 mA or less, the control unit 203 instructs to output a message indicating an open error to the display unit 17 via the user IF unit 201.

[0027] When performing the open error detection during needle energization, even if the test pulse is a small value such as 5V, the current density becomes large as described above, so there is a high possibility of inducing discomfort or pain due to the test pulse, which is not desirable. For this reason, when trying to avoid discomfort or pain due to the test pulse by lowering the output of the test pulse to, for example, about 2V, the current value to be detected also becomes small, making detection difficult or impossible, and the detection becomes unstable or induces false detection. Therefore, open error detection is not suitable during needle energization.

[0028] Therefore, in the present invention, when the needle is energized, that is, when the detection unit 52 reacts (when the connector A61 is connected and the needle electrode 41 is used via the cable A14), open error detection is not performed. That is, the parameters when the detection unit 52 reacts (when the connector A61 is connected and the needle electrode 41 is used) include information indicating that open error detection is not performed. On the other hand, when the pad is energized, that is, when the detection unit 52 does not react and the connector B71 is connected (when the electrode pad 12 is used via the cable B13), open error detection is performed. That is, in this case, the parameters include information indicating that open error detection is to be performed. Note that by not including information indicating that open error detection is to be performed as a parameter when open error detection is not performed, it may be used as information indicating that open error detection is not performed. Conversely, by not including information indicating that open error detection is not to be performed as a parameter when open error detection is to be performed, it may be used as information indicating that open error detection is to be performed.

[0029] In this way, since the parameters used during needle energization and the parameters used during pad energization include information indicating whether to perform open error detection or not, it is possible to determine whether to perform open error detection depending on whether it is needle energization or pad energization. Since open error detection is performed for pad energization, it is possible to prevent a decrease in treatment efficiency due to a mounting error of the electrode pad 12 or the like and minimize the decrease in treatment efficiency. Further, in the present embodiment, the parameters read by the control unit 203 include both the maximum value of the output and information indicating the presence or absence of open error detection, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be at least one of the information.

[0030] In FIG. 5, pin A511 and pin B512 are arranged such that they are targeted at the center of the connection part 217, for example, above and below the paper surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By shifting the position of at least one of pin A511 and pin B512 from the position in FIG. 5, for example, by arranging them so as not to be point-symmetrical, the connector to be connected can be configured to be connectable only in one direction. Alternatively, instead of making the concave part 53 rectangular as shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable to limit the orientation of the connector to be connected by making it a shape that is not point-symmetrical, for example, a trapezoidal shape. With these structures, the orientation of the connector to be connected is not reversely connected, and the detection unit 52 can identify the correctly connected connector. For example, when connector B71 is rotated 180 degrees, that is, connected such that the left and right are swapped, the identification concave part 75 is connected to the left side in FIG. 6, preventing the detection unit 52, which would not normally react, from reacting and preventing the use of incorrect parameters.

[0031] Incidentally, in the above, it is shown that the parameters read by the control unit 203 from the memory 205 may include information directly indicating the maximum value of the output and the presence or absence of open error detection. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and information indirectly indicating these may also be used as information indicating these. For example, the main body 11 outputs the output level, which is the level of the therapeutic current output, in three levels. In such a case, the information indicating indirectly is valid. The output current is divided into three levels: "weak" with the lowest output current as the output level, "medium" with a larger output than weak, and "strong" with the highest possible output. In the weak level, the output can be from 0 to 10 mA (the maximum value of the output is 10 mA), in the medium level, it can be from 10 mA to 20 mA (the minimum value of the output is 10 mA and the maximum value is 20 mA), and in the strong level, it can be from 20 mA to 40 mA (the minimum value of the output is 20 mA and the maximum value is 40 mA). These three levels of weak, medium, and strong are displayed on the display unit 17, and the user operates the display unit 17 as needed to select any of weak, medium, or strong. For example, when an output of 15 mA is desired, when the user selects the medium level, 10 mA to 20 mA can be selected by the encoder 18, and a current value of 15 mA is set. Incidentally, open error detection is not performed in the weak level, and open error detection is performed in the medium and strong levels. In such a case, when the detection unit 52 reacts as described above (when needle energization is performed), the parameters read by the control unit 203 include information indicating that the weak output level is set as information on the maximum value of the output and the presence or absence of open error detection. Therefore, this information is equivalent to setting the maximum value as 10 mA as the maximum value of the output, and furthermore, since open error detection is not performed in the weak level, it corresponds to information indicating that open error detection is not performed.

[0032] Here, when the output level is set to medium or strong, that is, when it is set to an output level different from the weak level used for needle energization, if the detection unit 52 reacts, this reaction indicates that the connector A61 is connected and the needle electrode 41 is used via the cable A14, and needle energization is about to be performed. Therefore, the control unit 203 may automatically change the output level to weak. Alternatively, the control unit 203 may display on the display unit 17 that it is necessary to change the output level to weak, and issue an error notification prompting the user to change the output level. At the same time, it is more desirable to emit a beep sound or the like as an error notification. Conversely, when only a simple beep sound is notified as an error, users who are not familiar with the use of the device or who do not have sufficient knowledge about needle energization may not know the reason, improvement method, or solution to the error, and thus cannot start the treatment, resulting in a problem that the treatment efficiency cannot be improved. Therefore, as an example of the error notification, a message such as "The cable for needle energization is connected. Please change the output level to weak or connect the cable for the pad." may be displayed on the display unit 17 to prompt the change of the output level or the cable as a method for improving the error. In addition, when such an error notification is issued, it is more desirable that the control unit 203 controls so that the output is not started until the output level is appropriate, for example, the output level is set to weak during needle energization, or the cable for the pad, cable B13, is connected, which can prevent an accident in which a large current is supplied to the needle electrode 41 when an incorrect high output level is set. In other words, it is desirable that the control unit 203 controls so as not to detect an open error unless the cable for the pad is connected.

[0033] Conversely, when the detection unit 52 does not react (when pad energization is performed), the parameters read by the control unit 203 include information indicating that the output level is set to medium or strong as information on the maximum value of the output and the presence or absence of open error detection. Therefore, this parameter is equivalent to the case where the maximum value of the output is set to 20 mA if the user selects medium and 40 mA if the user selects strong. Furthermore, since open error detection is performed for medium and strong, it corresponds to information indicating that open error detection is to be performed. If it is also assumed that a weak level is used in the case of pad energization, even if the read parameter includes information indicating medium or strong as the output level, the control unit 203 may not issue an error notification indicating that weak has been selected contrary to this.

[0034] In the above, an example in which the output level is divided into three levels of weak, medium, and strong has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be divided into a plurality of levels such as two levels of weak and strong or four levels. Furthermore, the output current ranges such as weak, medium, and strong are not limited to the above current values. Furthermore, although open error detection is not performed only for weak, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a setting in which it is not performed for weak and medium may be acceptable. Furthermore, although the output level is referred to as weak, medium, and strong, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a name such as "needle energization" may be used instead of weak. Also, weak may be usable for both needle energization and pad energization, or may be a dedicated output level usable only for needle energization.

[0035] In the above, as an example of control for changing the parameters used for needle energization or notifying the user to make a change according to the cable connected using the microswitch as the detection unit, that is, based on the detection of the detection unit, control of the presence or absence of an open error is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following control may be performed. For example, the maximum value of the output voltage may be included as a parameter for needle energization.

[0036] The output current shown in FIG. 3 is controlled to be a specific current value, for example, the output current value set by the user through the display unit 17 (hereinafter referred to as the "set current value"). As this control method, the current control performed by the current generation unit 204 may be a constant current control method based on the set output current value (set current value), or even in the case of constant voltage control, the output voltage is reduced so as not to exceed the set current value, and the control is performed so that no current flows above the set current value. However, in this specification, the current generation unit 204 is described as performing constant current control. In general constant current control, when the output current value is below the set current value, the output voltage automatically rises so that the output current becomes the set current value. However, there is an upper limit value for the voltage that the circuit can output. The upper limit value may be the limit value of the voltage that the circuit can output, or even below the limit value, it may be a deliberately limited voltage for safety considerations. In this specification, the upper limit value of the voltage that such a circuit can output is generally referred to as the maximum output voltage.

[0037] In a normal current stimulation device, even if the output level is changed from strong to medium or weak, for example, the maximum output voltage, which is the maximum voltage that can be output, does not change, and the following problems may occur. When the conductor such as the electrode pad used deteriorates and the conductivity of the adhesive gel decreases, resulting in high-conductivity and low-conductivity parts, current concentrates in the high-conductivity part, causing pain and burns due to the concentrated current, etc., which causes problems of discomfort to the patient. The patient dislikes the treatment and cannot increase the output, so that sufficient current cannot be supplied to the affected part, etc., and the treatment efficiency decreases. Furthermore, when the deterioration of the conductor progresses, the output current value may be insufficient with respect to the set current value. That is, when current concentration occurs and the output current value does not reach the set current value even though the patient feels uncomfortable, the output voltage increases to output a sufficient current value, resulting in more concentrated current and worsening of the current concentration, and the discomfort felt by the patient becomes stronger, which is not desirable. For example, when an extremely deteriorated conductor is used by mistake, the current concentration as described above becomes extremely large, the discomfort such as pain felt by the patient becomes extremely strong, and the possibility of burns also becomes extremely high.

[0038] Therefore, in the present invention, control is performed to change the maximum output voltage according to each output level. More specifically, a maximum output voltage is provided for each output level, and a lower output level is set to have a lower maximum output voltage than a higher output level. In other words, the current generation unit that outputs the therapeutic current is configured to be able to output an electrical signal at a first output level capable of outputting a current at a first maximum output voltage and at a second output level greater than the first output level with a second maximum output voltage greater than the first maximum output voltage. In particular, since the weakest level is also used for needle energization, the maximum output voltage is set to a lower value than other output levels. In the present invention, when it is detected that the detection unit 52 has reacted, that is, when the cable A14 is connected (needle energization is performed), the parameters for needle energization read by the control unit 203 include information indicating the maximum output voltage, and the maximum output voltage is set to be smaller compared to the case where the cable B13 is connected (pad energization is performed). For example, when it is detected that the cable A14 is connected, the parameters read include information indicating 10 volts as the maximum output voltage. Conversely, when it is detected that the detection unit 52 does not react and the cable B13 is connected, the parameters read may include information indicating 30 volts as the maximum output voltage. That is, when the output level is medium or strong, 30 volts is used as the maximum output voltage.

[0039] Alternatively, when the parameter for needle energization read by the control unit 203 includes the maximum output voltage, that value may be used as the maximum output voltage. If it does not include the maximum output voltage, a pre-determined value may be automatically applied. For example, when the maximum output voltage is pre-set to 30 volts, if the parameter read as described above includes information indicating 10 volts as the maximum output voltage, 10 volts will be used as the maximum output voltage. If it does not include such information, the control unit 203 may be configured to automatically set 30 volts. That is, when the detection unit 52 reacts (when needle energization is performed), the parameter read by the control unit 203 includes information indicating 10 volts, which is the maximum output voltage. In this case, 10 volts is set as the maximum output voltage. If this information is not included, the pre-set 30 volts will be automatically set by the control unit 203. That is, information that does not include information indicating the maximum output current corresponds to information indicating that the maximum output voltage is the pre-set 30 volts. Conversely, when the maximum output voltage is pre-set to 10 volts, if the parameter read as described above includes information indicating 30 volts as the maximum output voltage, 30 volts will be used as the maximum output voltage. If it does not include such information, the control unit 203 may be configured to automatically set the default value of 10 volts. That is, information that does not include information indicating the maximum output current corresponds to information indicating that the maximum output voltage is the pre-set 10 volts.

[0040] In the present invention, by setting the maximum output voltage that can be output for each output level, the maximum output voltage can be controlled to avoid the above-mentioned problems, thereby preventing a decrease in treatment efficiency and accidents. Specifically, the maximum output voltage of at least one of the output levels is changed from that of other output levels. In the above, the output levels are divided into three (plural) levels of weak, medium, and strong. Among them, in the weak level, which is the lowest output level, the maximum output voltage is made smaller than that of the medium and strong levels, which are other output levels. More specifically, the maximum output voltage of the weak level, which is the smallest output level, is set to 10 volts, and the maximum output voltage is set to 30 volts for the medium and strong output levels, which are output levels other than the smallest output level. That is, the maximum output voltage of the lowest output level is made smaller than that of other output levels. In addition to this, the maximum output voltage of the weak level, which is the lowest output level, is set to 10 volts, the maximum output voltage is made larger (for example, 20 volts) for the medium output level, and the maximum output voltage is set to 40 volts, which is larger than the maximum output voltage of the medium level, for the strong output level, thereby realizing control to make the maximum output voltage of the lowest output level smaller than that of other output levels. Alternatively, the maximum output voltage may be set to the same 15 volts for the weak and medium output levels, but the maximum output voltage is made larger, such as 40 volts, for the strong output level, thereby realizing control to make the maximum output voltage of the lowest output level smaller than that of other output levels. Such control is not limited to a device that performs acupuncture electrode energization using acupuncture needles, but is also applicable to a device that does not perform acupuncture electrode energization (such as only pad energization or current stimulation using other conductors).

[0041] The problems resulting from current concentration as described above, in addition to the case where they are caused by deterioration of the pad, may also occur when the pad is unexpectedly about to peel off and the contact area between the pad and the affected part becomes small, etc., because the contact area corresponds to the current path of the current, so the current path becomes narrow and current concentration can easily occur. However, as in the present invention, by limiting the output maximum voltage value of the output level to be used to the minimum necessary output voltage for the output of each output level, even if current concentration occurs due to an unexpected situation, the maximum output voltage is appropriately controlled according to the output level to be used, so that the therapeutic current is not output at an output voltage larger than necessary, and the problems caused by current concentration can be avoided or minimized.

[0042] In the above, a method of including information directly indicating the maximum output voltage in the parameter to be read is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and information indirectly indicating these may be included in the parameter. For example, if the main body 11 divides the output level into three levels: weak, medium, and strong, and further assumes that the maximum output voltage at each output level is preset to 10 volts, 20 volts, and 40 volts respectively, when the detection unit 52 reacts (when needle energization is performed), the parameter read by the control unit 203 includes information indicating that the weak level of the output is set. Therefore, this information is equivalent to the information indicating that the maximum output value is set to 10 volts as the weak maximum output voltage, and corresponds to the information indicating 10 volts as the maximum output voltage.

[0043] Conversely, when the detection unit 52 does not react (when pad energization is performed), the parameter read by the control unit 203 includes information indicating that the medium or strong level of the output is set. Therefore, this information is equivalent to the information indicating that the maximum output voltage of 20 volts for medium and 30 volts for strong is set, and corresponds to the information indicating the maximum output voltage used during pad energization.

[0044] In the above description, an example has been described in which the output level is divided into three levels: weak, medium, and strong. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be divided into two levels, weak and strong, or four levels, etc., as long as it is divided into a plurality of levels. Further, the output current ranges such as weak, medium, and strong are not limited to the above. Furthermore, the maximum output voltage may be changed only for weak (set to the same value for medium and strong), or for example, weak and medium may be equal, and a value larger than weak and medium may be used for strong. Further, although the output level is referred to as weak, medium, and strong, it is not limited to this, and for example, a name such as "needle energization" may be used instead of weak. Also, weak may be used for both needle energization and pad energization, or it may be a dedicated output level that can be used only for needle energization.

[0045] The above is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above, when the detection unit reacts, a cable for needle energization is connected and a needle electrode is used, and conversely, when the detection unit does not react, a cable for an electrode pad or a conductor other than a needle is connected and an electrode other than a needle is used. This case has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the detection unit reacts, a cable for an electrode pad or other conductor other than a needle is connected and an electrode other than a needle is used, and for example, pad energization is performed. Conversely, when the detection unit does not react, a cable for needle energization is connected and a needle electrode is used and needle energization is performed. Such a case is also possible. In the above description, the presence or absence of detection by the detection unit 52 may be reversed. Furthermore, the numerical values used above are not limited to these, and are merely described as an example of numerical values, or indicate the relative differences between the numerical values. That is, all various equivalent improvements or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the content disclosed in the present invention are included in the scope of the claims of this application.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0046] 1 Current stimulation device 11 Main body 12 Electrode pad 13 Cable B 14 Cable A 15 Main power supply 16 switches 17 display unit 18 encoder 19 circuit board 41 needle electrode 52 detection unit 53 concave part 61 connector A 62 end face A 63 end face B 64 wire A 71 connector B 74 wire B 75 identification recess 121 electrode A 122 electrode B 201 user IF section 203 control section 204 current generation section 205 memory 206 power supply section 207 timer 208 battery 217 connection section 411 needle A 412 needle B 421 clip A 422 clip B 511 pin A 512 pin B 611 counter electrode A 612 counter electrode B 751 counter electrode C 752 counter electrode D

Claims

1. A main body part, A current generation part that outputs an electrical signal, A control part that controls the current generation part, A first connector provided on a first cable connected to a needle that is a first current supply means for supplying the output electrical signal, and the first cable is connected to the main body part, or a second cable connected to a second current supply means different from the first current supply means, and the second cable is connected to the main body part. A second connector having a different shape from the first connector is alternatively connected to a connection part, The connection part has a connector detection part that reacts to the first connector when the first connector is connected to the connection part, and does not react to the second connector when the second connector is connected to the connection part, The control part controls the electrical signal according to the reaction of the connector detection part. A current stimulation device characterized by this.

2. The connector detection part is a switch that is pushed by the first connector when the first connector is connected to the connection part, and is not pushed when the second connector is connected to the connection part. The current stimulation device according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

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