Neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system

Abstract

To provide a neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system capable of performing an effective treatment while taking into account the state of a living body receiving electrical stimulation.SOLUTION: A neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1 comprises: a plurality of electrode units 10 that apply electrical stimulation to a person to be treated LB; a biological measurement device 23 that measures biological information of the person to be treated LB to whom the electrical stimulation has been applied via the electrode units 10; a control device 21 that calculates, on the basis of the biological information of the person to be treated LB measured via the electrode units 10, the intensity of the electrical stimulation felt by the person to be treated LB in a region in contact with the electrode units 10 as a biological stimulation value, and executes control to apply the electrical stimulation to the electrode units; and an output device 25 that outputs the biological stimulation value calculated by the control device 21 as the stimulation amount felt by the person to be treated LB.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a treatment using electrical stimulation, by repeatedly passing a low-frequency pulsed current or a sine-wave current from the body surface of a subject into the body, transcutaneous electrical stimulation therapy is performed to contract and relax muscles, improve the muscle ischemia state, and relieve pain. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy is also known for relaxing muscle tension, promoting voluntary contraction, delaying the progression of muscle atrophy, reducing edema, etc. Further, as a technology related to treatment using electrical stimulation, a biological measurement system has been proposed that applies electrical stimulation to a living body and measures the bioimpedance (response) of the living body due to the electrical stimulation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In conventional treatments and biological measurement systems using electrical stimulation, various information obtained from the living body is not considered to be utilized for continuous treatment. Therefore, there has been a problem that it is difficult to perform more effective continuous treatment on the living body. In the treatment using a weak current, the value of the flowing current can be displayed. However, for example, when 10 mA is flowing, it is not known to the operator whether the subject is strongly feeling the stimulation or not feeling the stimulation. There has been room for improvement in the conventional technology from the viewpoint of grasping the state of the subject and performing effective treatment.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system capable of performing effective treatment in consideration of the state of a living body receiving electrical stimulation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system according to the present invention includes a plurality of electrode units that apply electrical stimulation to a subject, a biological measurement device that measures biological information of the subject to whom the electrical stimulation has been applied via the electrode units, and based on the biological information of the subject measured via the electrode units, calculates the strength of the electrical stimulation felt by the subject in the area where the electrode unit is in contact as a biological stimulation value, and a control device that executes control for applying the electrical stimulation to the electrode unit, and an output device that outputs the biological stimulation value calculated by the control device as the amount of stimulation felt by the subject.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system of the present invention, effective treatment can be performed in consideration of the state of a living body receiving electrical stimulation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that all the drawings attached to this specification are schematic diagrams, and the shapes, scales, vertical and horizontal dimensional ratios, etc. of each part are changed or exaggerated from the actual objects in consideration of ease of understanding.

[0010] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of electrode units 10, a stimulation distributor 15, and a neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20.

[0011] The electrode unit 10 is a conductor that applies electrical stimulation to the subject (living body). The electrode unit 10 is used as an instrument that repeatedly passes a low-frequency pulsed current from the body surface of the subject into the body to contract and relax the muscles of the subject. In the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1 of the first embodiment, eight electrode units 10 are provided. The eight electrode units 10 are each connected to a stimulation distributor 15 (described later). Among the eight electrode units 10, two selected ones function as the anode and the cathode. As will be described later, the eight electrode units 10 correspond to blocks 91 to 98 (see FIG. 5) in the electrical stimulation combination pattern. In the present embodiment, an example in which the waveform pattern of the electrical stimulation applied to the subject is a pulsed current will be described, but the waveform pattern of the electrical stimulation applied to the subject may be a sine-wave current. That is, the current in the present invention includes not only a pulse wave, that is, an isolated and non-continuous waveform, but also a continuous sine wave, rectangular wave, triangular wave, sawtooth wave, etc., and a current having a waveform composed of a combination of these.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the electrode unit 10 of the first embodiment and the region of the living body with which the electrode unit 10 is in contact. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode unit 10 of the first embodiment is of a pad type including a pad portion 11 and an electrode terminal 12. The pad portion 11 is a sheet-like member that is attached to the body of the subject LB. The pad portion 11 may have an adhesive surface for fixing the position where it is attached to the body of the subject LB. The electrode terminal 12 is attached to the pad portion 11 and is a terminal for conducting the pulsed current supplied from the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 to the subject LB. The electrode unit 10 is used in a form attached to the subject LB.

[0013] Returning to FIG. 1, the stimulation distributor 15 is a device that distributes the current supplied from the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 to a plurality of electrode units 10. Each electrode unit 10 is electrically connected to the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 via the stimulation distributor 15. Each electrode unit 10 functions as an anode or a cathode, and is configured to apply electrical stimulation by passing a pulsed current between a set of anode and cathode.

[0014] The neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 is an information processing device capable of controlling the electrical stimulation applied to the subject LB and displaying the state of the subject. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 is constituted by, for example, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 includes a control device 21, a stimulation generation device 22, a biological measurement device 23, an input device 24, an output device 25, and a communication device 26.

[0016] The control device 21 is a computer constituted by a processor such as a CPU, a main storage device constituted by a memory or the like, and an auxiliary storage device constituted by a hard disk or the like. The control device 21 controls the operations of the stimulation generation device 22, the biological measurement device 23, the input device 24, the output device 25, and the communication device 26, respectively.

[0017] The stimulation generation device 22 is an electric circuit constituted by a pulse generator, an amplifier, etc. (not shown). In the stimulation generation device 22, the pulse current generated by the pulse generator is amplified by the amplifier so as to have a predetermined amplitude, and is output to the electrode unit 10. The pulse current output to the electrode unit 10 is applied to the subject LB as an electrical stimulation via the electrode unit 10. The pulse current as an electrical stimulation is defined including, for example, voltage (potential difference), frequency, pulse waveform, pulse width, pulse interval, etc., as well as the time-series changes of these elements. Information regarding the pulse current output from the stimulation generation device 22 (information regarding the electrical stimulation) is transmitted to the biological measurement device 23.

[0018] The biological measurement device 23 is an electric circuit that measures the biological information of the subject LB to whom the electrical stimulation is applied via the electrode unit 10. The biological information of the subject LB includes, for example, indicators representing the electrical characteristics of the living body related to conductivity and permittivity such as current flowing through the living body, voltage (potential difference), impedance, capacitance, etc., as well as indicators related to biological reactions such as latency until nerves and muscles react to the electrical stimulation, reaction intensity, etc. may also be included.

[0019] The input device 24 receives the input of various types of information by the operator. The input device 24 is composed of a key switch, buttons, a touch panel display, and the like. The output device 25 is a display device that displays images related to various types of information. The output device 25 is composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and the like. The output device 25 may be composed of a touch panel display that also serves as the input device 24. Further, the output device 25 may be provided with a speaker that enables voice output. The communication device 26 is a communication interface for performing communication with other devices.

[0020] Next, various functions realized by the control device 21 will be described. The control device 21 executes a program stored in a memory (not shown), and in cooperation with each hardware, realizes a functional unit described later on the processor.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 21. The control device 21 of the first embodiment has, as functional units operating on the processor, a stimulation control unit 31, a measurement processing unit 32, a biological stimulation value calculation unit 33, and an output processing unit 34.

[0022] The stimulation control unit 31 executes a process of controlling the stimulation generator 22 to output an electrical stimulation according to the operation content input from the operator via the input device 24. The electrical stimulation by the low-frequency pulsed current supplied from the stimulation generator 22 is applied to the subject LB via the electrode unit 10. Further, the stimulation control unit 31 monitors the strength of the electrical stimulation output to the electrode unit 10, and also performs a process of stopping the application of the electrical stimulation from the stimulation generator 22 when the strength of the electrical stimulation exceeds a predetermined value.

[0023] In the first embodiment, the stimulation control unit 31 has a function of receiving an operation for selecting an electrode unit 10 that applies stimulation from among a plurality of electrode units 10 through the input device 24 of the operator. By this function, the operator can program which electrode terminals 12 of which electrode unit 10 and which electrode terminals 12 of which electrode unit 10 to apply stimulation between among the plurality of electrode units 10.

[0024] FIG. 5 is an example of a display screen of a pattern for applying stimulation by the electrode unit 10. In the example of FIG. 5, blocks 91 to 98 corresponding to a total of eight electrode units 10 and an attenuation setting unit 99 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. Further, block groups 101 to 115 that are combination patterns of blocks 91 to 98 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The block groups 101 to 115 are arranged in 16 stages from stage 01 to stage 15.

[0025] Electrical stimulation is applied while changing between the electrodes specified at each stage of block group 101, block group 102, block group 103... block group 115. For example, first, between the electrode terminals 12 (see FIG. 2) of the electrode unit 10 corresponding to block 91 and block 92 specified as A and the electrode terminal 12 of the electrode unit 10 corresponding to block 98 specified as B in block group 101 of stage 01, electrical stimulation by a pulse current is applied for a predetermined unit time. When the predetermined unit time has elapsed, electrical stimulation is applied between the electrode terminals 12 corresponding to A and B specified in block group 102 of stage 02. Thereafter, as it progresses to stage 03, stage 04, stage 05... stage 15, electrical stimulation is applied to the subject LB while the position of the electrode unit 10 to which the pulse current is applied changes.

[0026] Since A and B can specify a plurality of electrodes at the same time, it is possible to create various stimulation patterns such as giving a stimulation as if the electrodes are moving on the skin or concentrating the stimulation on a plurality of electrodes in a specific area. Further, even if the output of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 is constant, since the sensitivity of the stimulation site of the living body changes depending on the position of the electrodes, an attenuation setting unit 99 for attenuating the output is arranged. The attenuation setting unit 99 is an operation unit that can specify the attenuation rate in %, and is arranged for each of the block groups 101 to 115.

[0027] In the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 of the first embodiment, the operator can increase or decrease each stage by means of the input device 24. Further, as presets, the operator can create and save several pattern programs in advance and can call them up at any time. Also, the time interval of each stage can be specified.

[0028] FIG. 6 is an example of a pattern registration screen by the input device 24. In the screen example of FIG. 6, together with block groups 140 to 148 including blocks 91 to 98 and an attenuation setting unit 99, a block group registration unit 121 for performing operations such as pattern registration and calling, a pattern call unit 122, and an interval change unit 123 are shown. The block group registration unit 121 is an operation unit for changing and registering patterns. The block group registration unit 121 is shown with an operation unit for editing the block groups 140 to 148 such as adding and deleting blocks like ADD, REMOVE, REGISTER, etc. The pattern call unit 122 is an operation unit for calling a preset pattern. The interval change unit 123 is an operation unit for adjusting the interval between each stage. Note that each operation unit shown in FIG. 6 may be configured to be displayed on a touch panel display and perform touch operations, or may be configured by physical buttons, switches, or the like.

[0029] The measurement processing unit 32 (see FIG. 4) executes a process of controlling the biological measurement device 23 so as to acquire the biological information of the subject LB to whom the electrical stimulation is applied. The biological measurement device 23 (see FIG. 3) acquires the biological information via the electrode unit 10 that applies the electrical stimulation to the subject LB.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the acquisition of biological information and the display of the stimulation amount by the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20. When an electrical stimulation is applied through the electrode unit 10 by the stimulation generation device 22 (see FIG. 3), the measurement processing unit 32 acquires biological information. The types of electrical stimulation are defined including the waveform, frequency, applied voltage, current, etc. of the stimulation, and also their changes over time. The measured biological information includes indicators representing the electrical characteristics of the living body related to conductivity and permittivity, such as current, potential difference, impedance, capacitance, etc. flowing through the living body, and indicators related to biological reactions, such as the latency and reaction intensity of the nerves and muscles reacting to the stimulation.

[0031] The biological stimulation value calculation unit 33 (see FIG. 4) calculates, as a biological stimulation value, the intensity of the electrical stimulation felt by the subject LB in the region where the electrode unit 10 is in contact, based on the biological information of the subject LB measured through the electrode unit 10. Hereinafter, this biological stimulation value will be described as the "LOAD value". The LOAD value is calculated based on the current flowing through the living body and the impedance value (resistance value) measured as biological information.

[0032] The LOAD value is preferably calculated so that the state of the subject LB can be intuitively grasped by the magnitude of the numerical value. The LOAD value can be obtained based on a mathematical formula or a table adjusted so that the state of the subject LB can be intuitively grasped. The mathematical formula or the table may be derived, for example, through the reaction of the test subject by a sensory test, or may be theoretically derived based on the magnitude of the voltage, etc.

[0033] For example, when the LOAD value is negative, it indicates that the subject LB feels nothing. When the LOAD value is between 0 and 50, it indicates that the subject feels a slight stimulation. When the LOAD value is between 50 and 150, it indicates that the subject feels a comfortable stimulation. When the LOAD value exceeds 150, it indicates that the subject may feel the stimulation uncomfortably. Thus, the mathematical formula or the table is set.

[0034] The output processing unit 34 (see FIG. 4) controls the output device 25 to output the LOAD value, which is the biological stimulation value calculated by the biological stimulation value calculation unit 33, as the amount of stimulation felt by the subject LB. The amount of stimulation indicates the degree (level) of the stimulation received by the subject LB, and the LOAD value may be used as it is, or may be separately calculated based on the LOAD value. Further, the output processing unit 34 may control the output device 25 to display the states of the pulse generator, amplifier, etc. of the stimulation generator 22.

[0035] The output processing unit 34 notifies the operator of the state of the subject LB when receiving the stimulation by displaying, on the output device 25 as an image, a numerical value, character, color, or a combination thereof indicating the amount of stimulation. When the amount of stimulation is indicated by a numerical value, the numerical value indicating the amount of stimulation is the above-described LOAD value, and the LOAD value functions as a scale for estimating the state of the subject LB. When the amount of stimulation is indicated by a character, the character indicating the amount of stimulation is text information corresponding to the LOAD value belonging to a predetermined range. For example, when the LOAD value is 0 to 50, the output processing unit 34 displays a mild stimulation in text, when the LOAD value is 50 to 150, it displays a comfortable stimulation in text, and when the LOAD value exceeds 150, it displays that the stimulation is uncomfortable. When the amount of stimulation is indicated by a color, the color indicating the amount of stimulation is color information corresponding to the LOAD value belonging to a predetermined range. For example, when the LOAD value is 0 to 50, the output processing unit 34 displays yellow as the color indicating a mild stimulation, when the LOAD value is 50 to 150, it displays green as the color indicating a comfortable stimulation, and when the LOAD value exceeds 150, it displays red as the color indicating that the stimulation is uncomfortable.

[0036] The output processing unit 34 may output the amount of stimulation through sound by means of a speaker provided in the output device 25. For example, the output processing unit 34 may perform control to reduce the volume when the stimulation is weak based on the LOAD value and increase the volume when the stimulation is strong, or may notify the operator of the state of the subject LB by voice announcement.

[0037] Further, the output processing unit 34 may output an alert when the LOAD value exceeds 150 or when the stimulus becomes less than 0. The alert may be a visual display based on a combination of characters, colors, graphics, etc., or an audio output such as a buzzer sound or voice announcement.

[0038] By comparing the Power value indicating the effective output of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 with the value of the upper and lower widths of the LOAD value, it is possible to determine whether the output of the device is appropriate. Based on this condition, it is also possible to determine whether the output of the device is appropriate and make adjustments. Therefore, the measurement processing unit 32 may add a function of determining whether the output of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 is appropriate based on the comparison between the Power value and the upper and lower widths of the LOAD value. Further, the output processing unit 34 may perform a process of causing the output device 25 to display the Power value as the effective output of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 and the value of the upper and lower widths of the LOAD value.

[0039] Next, an explanation will be given regarding the feedback of the amount of stimulus to the operator using the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20. The operator operates the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 with a plurality of electrode units 10 attached, thereby applying an electrical stimulus to the subject LB through the electrode units 10. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 starts acquiring biological information from the subject LB along with the application of the electrical stimulus, and performs a calculation process of the LOAD value and a display process of the amount of stimulus. The operator can adjust the electrical stimulus applied to the subject LB to an appropriate amount of stimulus by operating the input device 24 while looking at the amount of stimulus indicated by the LOAD value.

[0040] As described above, the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1 of the first embodiment includes an electrode unit 10 that applies an electrical stimulus to the subject LB, a biological measurement device 23 that measures the biological information of the subject LB to which the electrical stimulus has been applied via the electrode unit 10, a control device 21 that calculates the strength of the electrical stimulus felt by the subject LB in the area where the electrode unit 10 is in contact as a biological stimulus value based on the biological information of the subject LB measured via the electrode unit 10, and an output device 25 that outputs the biological stimulus value calculated by the control device 21 as the amount of stimulus felt by the subject LB.

[0041] In the control device 21, by calculating the biological stimulation value (LOAD value) felt by the subject LB, without using a pressure sensor, the load and pleasure or displeasure of the subject LB with respect to the electrical stimulation by the electrode unit 10 can be grasped using the amount of stimulation output to the output device 25.

[0042] Also, in the first embodiment, the output device 25 is a display device capable of visualizing or vocalizing the degree of the amount of stimulation and outputting it. Thereby, the operator can visually or aurally confirm the degree of the amount of stimulation via the output device 25, so that the strength of the electrical stimulation felt by the subject LB can be easily optimized.

[0043] Further, the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1 of the first embodiment further includes an input device 24 that receives a selection operation for selecting the electrode unit 10 through which a pulse current flows from among the plurality of electrode units 10. The control device 21 registers the content of the selection operation received by the input device 24 so that it can be read out, and executes control for applying electrical stimulation to the electrode unit 10 based on the content of the called selection operation.

[0044] Thereby, even when it is necessary to select the electrode unit 10 through which a pulse current flows among the plurality of electrode units 10, once set, the setting can be read out and used, so that the labor required for setting the electrical stimulation by the electrode unit 10 can be omitted.

[0045] Also, in the first embodiment, the input device 24 can receive, as a selection operation, the designation of a pattern in which the electrode unit 10 through which a pulse current flows changes with the passage of time. The control device 21 executes control to change the electrode unit 10 to which electrical stimulation is applied with the passage of time based on the pattern.

[0046] Thereby, even for a complex control pattern in which the electrode unit 10 through which a pulse current flows changes over time, by registering it in advance in the control device 21, the treatment can be started smoothly.

[0047] [Second Embodiment] In the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1A of the second embodiment, the configuration of the electrode unit 10 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1A of the second embodiment, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description and drawings of the second embodiment, the components common to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and identification characters (alphabets) as those of the first embodiment, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0048] FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an overview of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing the configuration of the electrode terminal 12A of the second embodiment.

[0049] The electrode unit 10A is a conductor that is worn on the hand of the operator and applies electrical stimulation to the subject LB. The electrode unit 10A is formed in a glove shape. As shown in FIG. 8A, the electrode unit 10A includes an electrode unit 10R worn on the right hand of the operator and an electrode unit 10L worn on the left hand of the operator. The electrode unit 10A is used as a device that repeatedly passes a low-frequency pulsed current from the body surface of the subject LB into the body to contract and relax the muscles of the subject LB. Note that the electrode units 10R and 10L have substantially the same configuration except that the shapes of the portions where each finger of the operator is fitted are different on the left and right.

[0050] The electrode unit 10A (the electrode unit 10R or the electrode unit 10L) includes an insulating glove 11A, an electrode terminal 12A, and a conductive glove 13. The insulating glove 11A is a glove for preventing energization on the hand of the operator and is directly worn on the hand of the operator. The insulating glove 11A is formed of a material having insulation and flexibility, such as silicone, for example. Note that the insulating glove 11A only needs to be formed of an insulating material at least in the portion that contacts the hand of the operator.

[0051] The electrode terminal 12A is a loop-shaped wire terminal that transmits the pulsed current supplied from the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 to the conductive glove 13. As shown in FIG. 8B, the electrode terminal 12A is mounted on the outside of the insulating glove 11A. Since the electrode terminal 12A is loop-shaped, it can be easily and surely mounted on the operator's finger. Further, compared with the method of connecting the conductive glove and the conducting wire using snap terminals, the conductive glove 13 is not pulled when attaching / detaching, so it is less likely to deteriorate even when attaching / detaching is repeated, and attaching / detaching can be easily performed.

[0052] The conductive glove 13 is a glove for conducting the pulsed current supplied from the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 to the subject LB. The conductive glove 13 is mounted on the outside of the insulating glove 11A with the electrode terminal 12A sandwiched therebetween. When the conductive glove 13 is mounted, the back surface of the conductive glove 13 comes into contact with the electrode terminal 12A, so that the pulsed current supplied to the electrode terminal 12A is transmitted from the back surface to the front surface of the conductive glove 13. As described above, since the electrode terminal 12A is loop-shaped, the pulsed current can be transmitted to the conductive glove 13 with a larger area than snap terminals. Further, the pulsed current can be surely passed to a position closer to the fingertips of the operator.

[0053] The conductive glove 13 is formed by knitting conductive fibers into a glove shape. As the conductive fiber, for example, a thread obtained by plating a surface of a chemical fiber such as nylon or acrylic with a metal such as silver or copper, a thread coated with a conductive dye made of a material such as a conductive polymer, or the like can be used. By using these conductive fibers and knitting them into a glove shape with a fineness of 18 gauge (18 needles of a knitting machine per inch) or more, a thin and smooth-surfaced glove excellent in stretchability and deterioration resistance can be obtained. Further, by setting the surface resistivity to 50 to 1000 Ω / sq, the conductivity can be improved and the epidermal somatic sensation of electrical stimulation can be improved.

[0054] Each of the left and right electrode units 10A is connected to the stimulation distributor 15 by a conducting wire 14, and is electrically connected to the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 via the stimulation distributor 15. The electrical stimulation by the low-frequency pulsed current supplied from the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 is applied to the subject LB via the electrode unit 10A. Further, the biological information of the subject LB to which the electrical stimulation is applied is measured via the electrode unit 10A and acquired by the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20. Similar to the first embodiment, the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 calculates a LOAD value based on the acquired biological information and displays it on the output device 25 as the stimulation amount.

[0055] In the second embodiment, the operator performs the procedure with the electrode units 10A fitted on each of the left and right hands. The subject LB is given electrical stimulation via the glove-shaped electrode units 10A that the operator fits. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 starts acquiring biological information from the subject LB while applying the electrical stimulation, and performs the calculation process of the LOAD value and the display process of the stimulation amount. During the procedure, the LOAD value increases or decreases depending on the pressure applied to the skin via the conductive glove 13 and the installation area. The operator can adjust the pressure applied to the subject LB by the procedure so that it becomes an appropriate pressure while looking at the stimulation amount indicating the LOAD value.

[0056] As described above, in the second embodiment, the electrode unit 10A includes an insulating glove 11A directly worn on the operator's hand, a loop-shaped electrode terminal 12A electrically connected to the control device 21 and worn on the operator's finger via the insulating glove 11A, and a conductive glove 13 worn outside the insulating glove 11A with the electrode terminal 12A sandwiched therebetween.

[0057] Thereby, when the conductive glove 13 is worn, the back surface of the conductive glove 13 comes into contact with the electrode terminal 12A, so that the pulsed current supplied to the electrode terminal 12A is transmitted from the back surface to the front surface of the conductive glove 13. Since the electrode terminal 12A is loop-shaped, it can transmit the pulsed current to the conductive glove 13 over a larger area than a snap terminal. Further, the pulsed current can be surely passed to a position closer to the fingertips of the operator.

[0058] Also, the bio-stimulus value decreases when the pressure applied to the skin with the glove is increased, and increases when the pressure applied to the skin with the glove is decreased. Therefore, the operator can perform the procedure on the subject LB with an appropriate force by adjusting the pressure applied to the skin while checking the LOAD value that serves as a guideline for the amount of stimulation. In the field of massage, it is difficult to convey through education, training, etc. how much strength should be applied. In this regard, with the configuration of the second embodiment, an educational system can be realized in which, by performing the procedure while applying electrical stimulation, one can learn the procedure while grasping how the strength of the procedure gives what kind of load and pleasure or discomfort to the subject LB depending on the amount of stimulation.

[0059] [Third Embodiment] The neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1B of the third embodiment further includes a server 40 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. In the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1B of the third embodiment, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description and drawings of the first embodiment, the components common to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and identification characters (alphabets) as those of the first embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0060] The neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 is connected to a server 40 (storage device) via a network network (not shown) including the Internet. The server 40 is a computer composed of a processor such as a CPU, a main storage device composed of a memory, etc., and an auxiliary storage device composed of a hard disk, etc.

[0061] The server 40 acquires various types of information regarding electrical stimulation, biological information, etc. from the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 through the communication device 26 of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20. In this embodiment, information regarding the procedure such as the electrical stimulation applied to the subject LB by the stimulation generator 22, the biological information acquired by the biological measurement device 23, the LOAD value acquired by the control device 21, and the amount of stimulation output to the output device 25 is transmitted from the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 to the server 40.

[0062] The server 40 stores information related to a treatment, including electrical stimulation, biological information, LOAD values, stimulation amounts, etc., in an associated manner. In the present embodiment, information regarding the operator or the subject LB can also be registered through the input device 24 to the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20. The server 40 may acquire information regarding the operator or the subject LB from the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 and store the information regarding the operator or the subject LB in association with the information related to the treatment.

[0063] As described above, the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 1B of the third embodiment includes the server 40 as a storage device that stores in association information related to the electrical stimulation applied to the subject LB and the LOAD value (biological stimulation value) calculated from the biological information obtained by the electrical stimulation.

[0064] Thereby, information related to the electrical stimulation and the biological stimulation value can be stored in association. The operator and those who will learn the treatment later can also refer to past information, and a more efficient education system can be constructed.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible as in the modified forms described later, and these are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. Also, the effects described in the embodiments are merely an enumeration of the most suitable effects resulting from the present invention and are not limited to those described in the embodiments. It should be noted that the above-described embodiments and the modified forms described later can be used in appropriate combination, but detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0066] For example, in the above embodiment, the examples of the pad-type electrode unit 10 and the glove-type electrode unit 10A have been described, but the configuration of the electrode unit is not limited thereto. The electrode unit may be in any form as long as it can apply electrical stimulation to the subject LB. For example, the electrode unit can also adopt a roll type. In the glove-type electrode unit 10A, the configuration of the electrode terminals 12A, etc. is not limited to the illustrated example. Any configuration may be used as long as it can apply electrical stimulation to the skin of the subject LB.

[0067] Also, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an example in which eight electrode units 10 are connected to the stimulus distributor 15 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The electrode units 10 may have a minimum configuration of two (a set), and a number of electrode units 10 exceeding eight may be connected. The number of electrode units 10 may be appropriately selected according to the subject to be treated, the content of the treatment, and the like. The same applies to the shape, size, and the position where the electrode units 10 are attached to the subject (living body).

[0068] Also, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. In other words, the above-described functional configuration is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system is provided with a function capable of executing the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the functional blocks used to realize this function are not particularly limited to the above examples. Also, the location of the functional blocks is not particularly limited and may be arbitrary. For example, the functional blocks of the neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 20 may be transferred to other devices. Conversely, the functional blocks of other devices may be transferred to a server or the like. Also, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone, by software alone, or by a combination thereof.

[0069] When the series of processes are executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Also, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose smartphone or personal computer in addition to a server.

[0070] A recording medium containing such a program is not only constituted by a removable medium (not shown) distributed separately from the apparatus main body for providing the program, but also constituted by a recording medium etc. provided in a state pre-installed in the apparatus main body. Since the program can be distributed via a network, the recording medium may be mounted on, or accessible to, a computer connected to, or connectable to, the network.

[0071] Note that in this specification, the steps of describing the program recorded on the recording medium include not only the processes performed in time series along the order thereof, but also the processes executed in parallel or individually even if they are not necessarily processed in time series. Also, in this specification, the term "system" shall mean the overall apparatus constituted by a plurality of devices, a plurality of means, etc.

Explanation of Signs

[0072] 1, 1A, 1B: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system 10, 10A: Electrode part 11: Pad part 11A: Insulating glove 12, 12A: Electrode terminal 13: Conductive glove 20: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation device 21: Control device 22: Stimulation generation device 23: Biometric measurement device 24: Input device 25: Output device 26: Communication device 40: Server

Claims

1. A plurality of electrode portions that apply electrical stimulation to a subject; A biological measurement device that measures biological information of the subject to whom the electrical stimulation has been applied, via the electrode portions; Based on the biological information of the subject measured via the electrode portions, a control device that calculates the strength of the electrical stimulation felt by the subject in the region where the electrode portion is in contact as a biological stimulation value, and executes control for applying the electrical stimulation to the electrode portion; An output device that outputs the biological stimulation value calculated by the control device as the amount of stimulation felt by the subject; A neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system comprising the above.

2. The output device is A display device capable of visualizing and outputting the degree of the amount of stimulation, The neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system according to Claim 1.

3. Further comprising an input device that receives a selection operation for selecting the electrode portion through which current flows from among the plurality of electrode portions, The control device Registers the content of the selection operation received by the input device so as to be readable, and executes control for applying the electrical stimulation to the electrode portion based on the read content of the selection operation. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The input device Can receive, as the selection operation, designation of a pattern in which the electrode portion through which current flows changes with the passage of time, The control device Executes control to change the electrode portion to which the electrical stimulation is applied with the passage of time based on the pattern. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system according to Claim 3.

5. The electrode portion An insulating glove directly worn on the hand of the operator; A loop-shaped electrode terminal that is electrically connected to the control device and is worn on the finger of the operator via the insulating glove; A conductive glove worn outside the insulating glove with the electrode terminal sandwiched therebetween; Comprising the above. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system according to Claim 1 or 2.

6. Comprising a storage device that stores in association information regarding the electrical stimulation applied to the subject and the biological stimulation value calculated from the biological information obtained by the electrical stimulation. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation measurement system according to Claim 1 or 2.

Images