Control device, electrical stimulation device, and electrical stimulation program

Abstract

We provide technology that allows for more effective training of deep muscles through electrical stimulation. [Solution] The control device is a control device for an electrical stimulation device. The control device includes a control unit that repeatedly applies a group of pulses between the electrodes, and the first and last basic pulses of the group of pulses have different polarities, and the control unit reverses the polarity of the group of pulses with each cycle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, an electrical stimulation device, and an electrical stimulation program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a muscle stimulation device that applies electrical stimulation to a user's muscles. This muscle stimulation device moves the muscles by passing a weak current through the muscles to tense and relax them. Thereby, for example, muscle strength is enhanced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Currently, technologies for training deep muscles (inner muscles) by electrical stimulation have not been sufficiently proposed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in such a situation, and an exemplary purpose of one aspect thereof is to provide a technology capable of more effectively training deep muscles by electrical stimulation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a control device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for an electrical stimulation device, and includes a control unit that repeatedly applies a pulse group between electrode portions. The control unit reverses the polarities of a plurality of basic pulses included in the pulse group every cycle, and the polarity of the last basic pulse among the plurality of basic pulses in the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first basic pulse among the plurality of basic pulses in the next cycle.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an electrical stimulation device, which comprises an electrode unit and the control device described above.

[0008] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or any substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between methods, apparatus, systems, etc., are also valid embodiments of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, deep muscles can be trained more effectively by electrical stimulation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an electrical stimulation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the control device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electrical stimulation system. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates the AC voltage waveform applied between the electrodes in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows another waveform of the electrical signal applied to the electrode portion in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates an example of an application of the electrical stimulation device shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and not limiting, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. In the embodiments and modifications, the same or equivalent components and members will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical stimulation device 1 according to an embodiment. The electrical stimulation device 1 is an EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) device that provides electrical stimulation to the user's muscles. The electrical stimulation device 1 comprises a control device 10 and a plurality of electrode units 20.

[0013] The electrical stimulation device 1 is used with multiple electrode units 20 in contact with any part of the human body Hd. In the illustrated example, one pair (i.e., two) of electrode units 20 are connected to the control device 10. However, although not particularly limited, up to eight pairs (i.e., 16) of electrode units 20 can be connected to the control device 10.

[0014] The electrode part 20 may be an electrode that does not require a consumable gel pad, such as a cloth electrode. Cloth electrodes are used after being moistened with water. Cloth electrodes have a long lifespan, meaning they can be used many times before reaching the end of their lifespan. Cloth electrodes are also washable. Alternatively, the electrode part 20 may be an electrode other than a cloth electrode, such as a metal electrode. Alternatively, the electrode part 20 may be an electrode that requires a gel pad. The electrode part 20 may be a rubber electrode such as EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber or conductive polyurethane. Rubber electrodes can be used without moistening with water.

[0015] The control device 10 is supported by a dedicated stand 8. Since the dedicated stand 8 has casters, the dedicated stand 8 can be moved together with the control device 10. The control device 10 controls the entire electrical stimulation device 1. The control device 10 applies an electrical signal (voltage or current) between a pair of electrode units 20 to provide electrical stimulation to the user's muscles. In the following description, the case in which the control device 10 applies voltage between the pair of electrode units 20 will be used as an example, but the control device 10 may also apply current between the pair of electrode units 20.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the control device 10. Each block shown in FIG. 2 can be realized hardware-wise by elements and electronic circuits such as a computer's processor, CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and mechanical devices, and software-wise by a computer program or the like. Here, however, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by combinations of hardware and software.

[0017] The control device 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a power supply unit 16, and a control unit 18.

[0018] The operation unit 12 receives the operation of the user who uses the electrical stimulation device 1, converts the operation signal into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 executes control based on the operation signal. The operation unit 12 receives, for example, the level of electrical stimulation, that is, the voltage level. In FIG. 1, an operation unit 12 is provided for each pair of electrode units 20. In this case, the operation unit 12 receives the operation regarding the corresponding pair of electrode units 20.

[0019] The display unit 14 displays predetermined information based on the notification signal from the control unit 18. The display unit 14 displays, for example, the voltage level. In FIG. 1, a display unit 14 is provided for each pair of electrode units 20. In this case, the display unit 14 displays information regarding the corresponding pair of electrode units 20.

[0020] The power supply unit 16 supplies the power necessary for the operation of the electrical stimulation device 1. The power supply unit 16 may be configured to receive power supply from a commercial power supply such as AC 100V. Alternatively, the power supply unit 16 may include a primary battery such as a manganese battery, or may include a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. The power supply unit 16 applies a voltage between the pair of electrode units 20 under the control of the control unit 18 to give an electrical stimulation to the user's muscle.

[0021] The above is the basic configuration of the electrical stimulation device 1. Next, its operation will be described.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electrical stimulation device 1. When the control unit 18 receives an instruction to start electrical stimulation (S1), it executes a muscle detection diagnosis (S2). The muscle detection diagnosis diagnoses the contact state of the pair of electrode units 20 with the muscle of the human body Hd. The control unit 18 transmits inspection pulses at a constant period (for example, 500 ms) and repeats the detection of the muscle contact state. The voltage of the inspection pulse is set to a low voltage that does not generate a somatic sensation. If the contact state of the pair of electrode units 20 with the muscle is good, the detected current becomes equal to or higher than the reference value.

[0023] When the muscle detection diagnosis is successful (Y in S2), the control unit 18 executes an electrical stimulation program (S3). When the muscle detection diagnosis fails (N in S2), if a predetermined time (for example, 120 seconds) has not elapsed since the instruction to start electrical stimulation was received (N in S4), the control unit 18 returns the process to step S2, and if the predetermined time has elapsed (Y in S4), the control unit 18 ends the process.

[0024] Next, the voltage applied to the electrode unit 20 will be described in detail.

[0025] The control unit 18 preferably repeatedly applies a pulse group of voltages at a relatively high frequency. At a high frequency, since the electrical resistance (skin impedance) of the skin is low, a large current can flow through the human body Hd, and the current and thus the electrical stimulation can reach the deep muscles of the human body Hd. The control unit 18 preferably applies electrical stimulation at a frequency of 200 Hz or more, and more preferably applies electrical stimulation at a frequency of 400 Hz or more.

[0026] Furthermore, the control unit 18 applies a voltage with a waveform configured as follows to the pair of electrode units 20. In one cycle, the control unit 18 applies a group of pulses between the pair of electrode units 20, that is, applies multiple basic pulses, and then inserts an interval period. In the next cycle, the control unit 18 applies a group of pulses with reversed polarity between the pair of electrode units 20. That is, it applies multiple basic pulses with reversed polarity from the multiple basic pulses in the previous cycle. Note that the first basic pulse and the last basic pulse in the pulse group have different polarities. In this case, the last basic pulse in the previous cycle and the first basic pulse in the next cycle have the same polarity.

[0027] In summary, the waveform of the electrical signal applied to the electrode section 20 contains multiple fundamental pulses in one period, and the polarities of the first and last fundamental pulses are different from each other, with the polarity of the multiple fundamental pulses being reversed in each period. In this case, the polarity of the last fundamental pulse in the previous period and the polarity of the first fundamental pulse in the next period will inevitably be the same.

[0028] For example, a pulse group may contain an even number of fundamental pulses, with positive fundamental pulses and negative fundamental pulses alternating. In this case, the polarities of the first and last fundamental pulses in the pulse group will necessarily be different, while the polarities of the last fundamental pulse in the previous period and the first fundamental pulse in the next period will be the same.

[0029] Our verification has shown that when a cycle includes both positive and negative fundamental pulses, and the polarity of the last fundamental pulse of the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse of the next cycle, relatively higher muscle contraction occurs in deep muscles, such as the iliacus, psoas major, and transversus abdominis, compared to cases where this is not the case. In other words, it has been confirmed that fundamental pulses are more likely to reach deep muscles.

[0030] Furthermore, the reversal of polarity of multiple basic pulses in each cycle makes muscle contraction more likely.

[0031] Furthermore, by reversing the polarity of multiple fundamental pulses with each cycle, the unevenness of charge accumulation on the pair of electrode portions 20 is suppressed, thereby suppressing corrosion of the pair of electrode portions 20.

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit 18 preferably applies a basic pulse with a relatively long time width (pulse width) between the pair of electrode units 20. This increases the torque that induces muscle contraction. The relatively long time width may be 200 μs or more.

[0033] Figure 4 shows an example of a voltage waveform applied between a pair of electrode sections 20. The voltage waveform shown in Figure 4 is composed of a combination of positive and negative fundamental pulses with a time width t1. The positive fundamental pulse causes a positive current to flow from one electrode section 20 to the other, and the negative fundamental pulse causes a negative current to flow from the other electrode section to the first electrode.

[0034] A pause period of time width t2 is provided between the positive and negative fundamental pulses. The applied voltage during this pause period is 0. In this voltage waveform, a pulse group with a time width t3 (=2×t1+2×t2) is formed, which includes the two fundamental pulses and the two pause periods. This pulse group, together with the subsequent interval period of time width t4, forms a fundamental waveform with period (time width) T (=t3+t4).

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 4, the time intervals t1 to t4 may be, for example, as follows. In this case, the period T of the electrical stimulation is 2.5 ms, and the frequency is 400 Hz. Time width t1: 0.25ms Time width t2: 0.15ms Time interval t3: 0.8ms Time width t4: 1.7ms Period T:2.5ms

[0036] As shown in the voltage waveform in Figure 4, the frequency is relatively high, and each period contains both positive and negative fundamental pulses. Furthermore, the polarity of the last fundamental pulse of the previous period is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse of the next period. Therefore, the fundamental pulses reach the deep muscles, allowing for relatively high muscle contractions in the deep muscles.

[0037] Figure 5 shows another example of the voltage waveform applied between the electrodes 20. The differences from Figure 4 will be explained in detail. The voltage waveform shown in Figure 5 is composed of a combination of a single pulse with a time width t5 and positive and negative fundamental pulses with a time width t1. In other words, the voltage waveform shown in Figure 5 differs from the voltage waveform in Figure 4 in that it also includes a single pulse with a time width t5.

[0038] In this voltage waveform, a single pulse with a time width t5 is output at the beginning of the pulse group, i.e., before the two fundamental pulses. In this example, the single pulse and the fundamental pulse that follows the single pulse, i.e., the first fundamental pulse of one period, have the same polarity. The time width t5 of the single pulse is shorter than the time width t1 of the fundamental pulse. The time width t5 may be, for example, less than or equal to half the time width t1, or for example, less than or equal to one-quarter of the time width t1. Although not particularly limited, in the illustrated example, the height of the single pulse is the same as the height of the fundamental pulse.

[0039] A separate pause period of time width t6 is provided between the single pulse and the basic pulse. The applied voltage during this separate pause period is 0. For example, the time width t6 may be greater than or equal to the time width t2. Also, for example, the time width t6 may be the same as the time width t1.

[0040] In this voltage waveform, a group of pulses with a time width t3 (=1×t5+1×t6+2×t1+2×t2) is formed, consisting of one single pulse, one additional pause period, two basic pulses, and two pause periods. This group of pulses, together with a subsequent interval period of time width t4, forms a basic waveform with a period (time width) T (=t3+t4).

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 5, the time intervals t1 to t6 may be, for example, as follows. In this case, the period T of the electrical stimulation is 2.5 ms and the frequency is 400 Hz. Time interval t1: 0.2ms Time width t2: 0.05ms Time width t3:0.7ms Time width t4: 1.8ms Time width t5:0.05ms Time width t6:0.15ms Period T:2.5ms

[0042] As shown in the voltage waveform in Figure 5, the frequency is relatively high, and each cycle contains both positive and negative fundamental pulses. Furthermore, the polarity of the last fundamental pulse of the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse of the next cycle. Therefore, the fundamental pulses reach the deep muscles, causing relatively high muscle contractions in the deep muscles. In addition, our verification has confirmed that outputting a single pulse at the beginning of each cycle causes even higher muscle contractions in the deep muscles. It is believed that this effect is greater the shorter the time width of the single pulse. Therefore, the time width t5 is preferably 1 / 2 or less of the time width t1, and more preferably 1 / 4 or less.

[0043] As a variation, the polarity of the single pulse and the base pulse that follows the single pulse may be different. While having the same polarity as the single pulse and the base pulse that follows the single pulse can induce stronger muscle contractions in the deep muscles, having different polarities can still be expected to have some effect in making it easier for the base pulse to reach the deep muscles.

[0044] Furthermore, the electrical stimulator 1 can generate electrical stimulation of a desired frequency by appropriately changing the period T of the fundamental waveform, or more specifically, the time width t4 of the interval period.

[0045] Figure 6 illustrates an example of the application of the electrical stimulation device 1. Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 1. In this example, two pairs (i.e., four) of electrode units 20 are connected to the control device 10. Of the four electrode units 20, the first electrode unit 20_1 and the second electrode unit 20_2 constitute one system (hereinafter referred to as the first system), and the third electrode unit 20_3 and the fourth electrode unit 20_4 constitute another system (hereinafter referred to as the second system).

[0046] The four electrode sections 20_1 to 20_4 are attached to the human body Hd such that the current flowing between the first electrode section 20_1 and the second electrode section 20_2 intersects with the current flowing between the third electrode section 20_3 and the fourth electrode section 20_4. In this example, the four electrode sections 20_1 to 20_4 are attached to the abdomen.

[0047] The control unit 18 applies voltage to the first and second systems simultaneously at different frequencies. In this case, interference waves are generated due to the phase difference between the frequencies of the first and second systems. Here, "simultaneous" includes not only perfectly simultaneous but also substantially simultaneous. "Substantially simultaneous" means almost simultaneous, with a timing difference in the range in which interference waves are generated.

[0048] The control unit 18 may apply a voltage to the first and second systems that has a relatively high frequency and a relatively low frequency difference between them. In this case, a relatively low frequency current can be passed through the deep muscles of the human body Hd, that is, a relatively low frequency electrical stimulus can reach the deep muscles of the human body Hd. For example, the relatively high frequency may be 200 Hz or higher, and the relatively low frequency may be 20 Hz or lower.

[0049] The difference in the voltage frequency applied to the first and second systems may be 20 Hz, which can induce incomplete tetanus in the muscles and apply a sustained load, or 4 Hz, which can induce single contraction in the muscles and apply an instantaneous load. In the former case, the combination of the voltage frequency applied to one of the first and second systems and the voltage frequency applied to the other of the first and second systems may be 200 Hz and 220 Hz, 300 Hz and 320 Hz, or 400 Hz and 420 Hz.

[0050] The control unit 18 may apply voltage to the first and second systems according to the electrical stimulation program. In this case, at least a portion of the electrical stimulation program may be configured to apply voltage to the first and second systems at predetermined frequencies that are different from each other.

[0051] The present invention has been described above based on embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of their components and processing steps, and that such modifications are also within the scope of this disclosure. Such modifications will be described below.

[0052] Unlike the embodiment, both the control device 10 and the pair of electrode units 20 may be housed in a single attachment or housing, and the control device 10 and the pair of electrode units 20 may be attached to the human body Hd.

[0053] Any combination of the embodiments and modifications described above is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiments resulting from these combinations possess the effects of both the combined embodiments and modifications.

[0054] [Aspect 1] A control device for an electrical stimulation device, It includes a control unit that repeatedly applies a group of pulses between the electrode parts, The control unit reverses the polarity of the multiple fundamental pulses included in the pulse group at each cycle. The polarity of the last fundamental pulse among multiple fundamental pulses in the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among multiple fundamental pulses in the next cycle. Control device.

[0055] [Aspect 2] The pulse group includes, before the plurality of basic pulses, a single pulse with a shorter time width than the basic pulse. The control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0056] [Aspect 3] The polarity of the single pulse is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among the multiple fundamental pulses. The control device described in Embodiment 2.

[0057] [Aspect 4] The control device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the control unit applies pulse groups at different frequencies simultaneously to the first electrode section and the second electrode section.

[0058] [Aspect 5] The electrode portion and, A control device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, An electrical stimulation device equipped with the following features.

[0059] [Aspect 6] In the control device of the electrical stimulation device, A program that implements a function of repeatedly applying a group of pulses between electrode parts, The function applied in the above-mentioned manner reverses the polarity of the multiple fundamental pulses included in the pulse group at each cycle. The polarity of the last fundamental pulse among multiple fundamental pulses in the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among multiple fundamental pulses in the next cycle. program. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1 electrical stimulator, 10 control device, 18 control unit, 20 electrode unit.

Claims

1. A control device for an electrical stimulation device, It includes a control unit that repeatedly applies a group of pulses between the electrode parts, The control unit reverses the polarity of the multiple fundamental pulses included in the pulse group at each cycle. The polarity of the last fundamental pulse among multiple fundamental pulses in the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among multiple fundamental pulses in the next cycle. Control device.

2. The pulse group includes, before the plurality of basic pulses, a single pulse with a shorter time width than the basic pulse. The control device according to claim 1.

3. The polarity of the single pulse is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among the multiple fundamental pulses. The control device according to claim 2.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit applies pulse groups at different frequencies simultaneously to the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.

5. The electrode portion and, A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, An electrical stimulation device equipped with the following features.

6. In the control device of the electrical stimulation device, A program that implements a function of repeatedly applying a group of pulses between electrode parts, The function applied in the above-mentioned manner reverses the polarity of the multiple fundamental pulses included in the pulse group at each cycle. The polarity of the last fundamental pulse among multiple fundamental pulses in the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among multiple fundamental pulses in the next cycle. program.

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