Treatment Device

Abstract

To provide a therapy apparatus equipped with a function in consideration of a specification on a hyperthermic therapy time when a preheat function is provided.SOLUTION: A therapy apparatus includes: a therapeutic element for executing a hyperthermic therapy and an electric potential therapy; and a body part having input means for receiving at least one of a first instruction on a therapy and a second instruction on a preheat for raising the temperature of the therapeutic element prior to the therapy, and control means for starting the measurement of a second time, which is an operation time of the therapy, on the basis of the first instruction before a predetermined first time, which is an operation time of the preheat, elapses after receiving the second instruction. The control means sets a time excluding the measured preheat time from a third time, which is a predetermined maximum time, as the second time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermotherapy device, or a thermotherapy device having the functions of an electric potential therapy device, a low frequency therapy device, or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] A thermal therapy device is a therapeutic device that performs thermal therapy by supplying electricity to the heater wires of an electric mat, warming the user's body and providing thermal effects such as relieving fatigue and promoting blood circulation.For example, a thermal potential therapy device is a combination of a thermal therapy device and a potential therapy device that generates an electric field by applying a high voltage between electrodes or between an electrode and an earth, and places the user's body within that electric field, thereby achieving effects such as relieving headaches and stiff shoulders.

[0003] A typical configuration of such a treatment device combining a thermal treatment device and an electric potential treatment device, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, is a mat incorporating both a heating element for thermal treatment and an electric bed for electric potential treatment, and a controller for controlling the thermal treatment, electric potential treatment, or a combination of the treatments.

[0004] Another example of a combined treatment device with a thermal treatment device is a combination with a low-frequency treatment device. In this case, Patent Document 2 discloses a treatment device that is equipped with a heater on the pad that supplies therapeutic low-frequency signals to the human body, and performs thermal treatment together with low-frequency treatment.

[0005] In such a combination treatment device, the output, the treatment device use time, or the treatment time, etc., are set for each treatment means by the user's operation and used. For example, the output and treatment time of heat treatment, electric potential treatment, low frequency, etc. are set. Also, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, by performing a so-called preheating, which is a function that warms the pad with a heat function before the user starts treatment, the user can use the treatment device comfortably without feeling cold, and furthermore, it has an effective function for improving the treatment effect. In the heat electric potential treatment device, the function of warming the mat with a preheat function before the user enters the mat before starting treatment is expected to improve the treatment effect. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-344 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-305580 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Especially in winter, when the treatment head of the treatment device is cold and low temperature, users are resistant to treatment using the cold treatment head, which is a factor that discourages users from using the treatment device. When warming up a cold treatment head, especially in treatment devices that are capable of heat treatment, it is necessary to output heat in advance to warm the treatment head appropriately. This operation requires complex operations similar to those during treatment, such as selecting the output and level, and this complex operation is also a factor that discourages users from treatment.

[0008] In cases where a preheating system is used to warm up a chilled treatment device, treatment cannot be started during preheating, and treatment must be started by waiting for preheating to finish and then operating the treatment device. This not only results in an inefficient use of time and reduced treatment efficiency, but also prolongs the start of treatment, making it a further factor that discourages patients from using the treatment device due to the hassle.

[0009] The standard for the above-mentioned thermotherapy device, the standard for home thermotherapy devices (JIS T 2008:2018), stipulates that the rated time of the timer is 8 hours or less. Therefore, when using the preheat function in a thermoelectric potential therapy device, treatment must be performed within 8 hours after the end of preheating, but some users may actually start treatment by using a mat during preheating.

[0010] In addition, the standard for combined home medical devices (JIS T 2009:2018) states that outputs from parts that make up multiple combined functions must not be generated simultaneously, so consideration must also be given to this standard.

[0011] It is also possible to configure the device so that treatment is automatically started after the preheat time has elapsed by performing a treatment operation during preheating, but as mentioned above, if the user starts using the treatment device during preheating, the user will continue treatment for the sum of the time used during preheating and the treatment time, which may result in the standard upper limit of treatment time being exceeded, and in the worst case scenario, the efficiency of treatment may actually decrease. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention realizes a thermal potential treatment device that satisfies the above standards and can perform efficient treatment by separating the preheat time from the treatment time, i.e., by forcibly ending the preheat before starting treatment. More specifically, (1) the present invention takes the following measures to solve the above problems. That is, the treatment device of the present invention comprises a treatment device that performs thermal treatment and potential treatment, and a first instruction or The above Prior to treatment The above An input means for receiving at least one of a second instruction regarding preheating to increase the temperature of the treatment element; A timer for measuring the treatment time and the preheat time; After receiving the second instruction, The above Before the lapse of a predetermined first time period, which is the operation time of the preheating, When the treatment is started according to the first instruction, and a control means for starting to measure a second time period, which is a treatment operation time period, based on the first instruction. The control means includes: The time of the treatment is set Measured from time The above Preheat of The time excluding the time is set as the second time.

[0013] This allows the user to efficiently use the preheat function to warm up the chilled treatment element in advance, and thus allows the user to use time efficiently and improves the efficiency of treatment.

[0014] (2) Furthermore, as another embodiment, in addition to the above configuration, the control means The above The device has a timer, and has a function of resetting the timer and starting measurement of the second time when the input means receives the first instruction before the first time has elapsed.

[0015] As a result, if an operation to start treatment is performed even during preheating, treatment can be started immediately, allowing time to be used efficiently and improving treatment efficiency. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The present invention provides an effective and efficient treatment in a treatment device that performs electric potential treatment and thermal treatment and is equipped with a preheat function, and by controlling the operation system or treatment time taking into account the time of the preheat function, it is possible to satisfy the restrictions imposed by standards and perform effective and efficient treatment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the treatment device of the present invention, which is composed of a main body and a treatment element (controller + electric bed mat). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main body of the treatment device of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a first embodiment of a control unit in a main body of a treatment unit of the present invention. [Figure 4] 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of a second embodiment of a control unit in a main body of a treatment unit of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a third embodiment of the treatment device of the present invention, which is composed of a main body and a treatment head, and in which a sensor is provided in the treatment head. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a third embodiment of a control unit in a main body of a treatment device of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the alternating mode of thermal therapy and electric potential therapy of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a thermal potential therapy device, which is a combination of a potential therapy device and a thermal therapy device, will be described as an example of a therapy device, but the combination with the thermal therapy device may be a potential therapy device, a low-frequency therapy device, a negative charge therapy device, or a therapy device used in combination with other therapy devices.

[0019] 1 is a block diagram of a treatment device 1 according to the present invention, which is composed of a main body 11, a treatment element 12, and an electric bed cord 13. The main body 11 is a so-called controller, which sets the heat treatment and electric potential treatment using the treatment element 12. The treatment element 12 is an electric bed mat equipped with heat treatment and electric potential treatment functions, and is equipped with a plug 131 for connecting to the electric bed cord 13, and is connected to the main body 11 through the electric bed cord 13. The main body 11 is composed of a heat circuit section 111 which supplies current to the electric heating wire 121 of the treatment element 12 to perform heat treatment, an electric potential circuit section 112 which applies an electric potential to the electric potential wire 122 of the treatment element 12 to perform electric potential treatment, a control section 113 which is a control means for controlling each operation of the heat treatment and electric potential treatment according to values ​​inputted by an operation section 114, an operation section 114 which is a means for inputting each level, treatment time, and operation mode of the heat treatment and electric potential treatment, and a display section 115 which displays the heat and electric potential treatment levels, treatment time, operation mode, etc. according to the values ​​inputted by the operation section 114 and informs the user. In addition, the main unit 11 is equipped with a power supply unit 116 for supplying power to each unit, and is connected to a commercial power source via a power cord, but this is not an essential part of the present invention and will not be described here. The treatment element 12 is equipped with a heating wire 121 for performing hyperthermia treatment and a potential wire 122 for performing potential treatment, and is connected to the corresponding circuit units of the main unit 11, the hyperthermia circuit unit 111 and the potential circuit unit 112, via the electric bed cord 13, and performs treatment operations by receiving the respective energies.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a 6-sided external view of the main body 11 according to the present invention. The main body 11 in Fig. 2 is equipped with a power switch 1161, a treatment mode selection switch 1141, a potential output level selection switch 1142 for potential treatment, a heat output level selection switch 1143 for heat treatment, a timer switch 1144, a start switch 1145 for starting treatment, a preheat switch 1146 for preheating the treatment element 12 to warm it up before treatment, a treatment mode display unit 1151, a heat level display unit 1152, a potential level display unit 1153, and a timer display unit 1154 so that the main body 11 can perform hyperthermia treatment and potential treatment. Furthermore, an electric bed cord 13 extends directly from the main body 11 and is connected to the treatment element 12 via a plug 131.

[0021] The main body 11 and the treatment device 12 are connected through the plug 131 of the electric bed cord 13 extending from the main body 11. When the power switch 1161 in Fig. 2 is turned on, the main body 11 starts up, and when it is pressed again, all output is stopped and the main body 11 is turned off. In other words, the power switch 1161 also functions as an emergency stop button.

[0022] The treatment mode selection switch 1141 selects one of the following modes: a heat mode in which only the output for performing heat treatment (hereinafter referred to as "heat output") is performed, a potential mode in which only the output for performing potential treatment (hereinafter referred to as "potential output") is performed, and an alternating mode in which heat output and potential output are performed alternately. Note that in the alternating mode, after the heat output has been continued for a certain period of time, the heat output and potential output are alternately repeated in accordance with the standard requirements for combined home medical devices (JIS T 2009:2018), and both outputs are not output to the user at the same time.

[0023] The electric potential treatment electric potential output level selection switch 1142 may be set to three levels, for example, low, medium, and high, by switching each time it is pressed, or may be set to a level by increasing or decreasing the plus and minus buttons, or may be a type that allows the level to be set directly with a numerical value.Similarly, the heat output level selection switch 1143 may be set to three levels, low, medium, and high, or may be set to a level by increasing or decreasing the plus and minus buttons, or may be a type that allows the level to be set directly with a numerical value.

[0024] The timer switch 1144 sets the treatment time. The time setting may be changed each time the button is pressed, or may be set directly by a numerical value. When the start switch 1145 is pressed, a heat output or potential output is supplied to start the treatment, and the timer starts measuring the treatment time. When the treatment mode selection switch 1141 is pressed again during the treatment, the timer stops temporarily and the output is stopped, and the treatment mode can be changed to heat mode, potential mode, etc. Pressing the start switch 1145 resumes the timer measurement and treatment. The output is also stopped when the timer expires. Based on the requirements of the standard for home heat therapy treatment devices (JIS T 2008:2018) and the requirements of the standard for home electric treatment devices (JIS T 2003:2018), the timers for the heat mode and potential mode are set to a maximum of 8 hours. Even in the case of alternating mode, the total time allocation for heat and potential does not exceed each standard, for example, a maximum of 12 hours in total. In this way, when the treatment mode is changed midway, the timer is temporarily stopped in the above example, but this is not limited to this, and time measurement may continue. The treatment time is very long, measured in hours as described above, while the time to select the treatment mode is negligible, being only a few minutes at most. The timer pause function is no longer necessary, which simplifies the timer device and control and reduces costs. Alternatively, the timer may be reset based on the mode change to measure the treatment time from zero. In cases where the treatment mode is set incorrectly midway, it is preferable to be able to reset the timer in order to ensure that treatment is performed in the correct treatment mode.

[0025] When the preheat switch 1146 is pressed, heat is output for a predetermined fixed time. The fixed time is set to a time (called the first time or preheat time) for sufficiently warming the treatment element 12, for example, 1 hour. The first time may be, for example, 30 minutes or other time. The mode used to warm the treatment element 12 in advance for a certain time is called preheat. If the heat level is not specified at this time, a predetermined value, for example, maximum output or 50% of the maximum output, is output. The heat level may be changeable. Usually, preheat continues for the first time, which is a predetermined preheat time, and ends after the preheat time has elapsed. After the preheat ends, the user selects each mode with the treatment mode selection switch 1141, selects a level with the heat output level selection switch 1143, selects the treatment time with the timer switch 1144, and presses the start switch 1145 to start treatment. That is, when using preheat, the user must wait until the preheat time has elapsed, and cannot interrupt preheat in the middle of preheat and start treatment immediately. Or, the user had to stop preheating by pressing the preheat switch 1146 again and then start treatment. Therefore, in the present invention, even during preheating, the preheating can be stopped by the first instruction to start treatment, and the user can start treatment without waiting for the first time to elapse. Specifically, if the treatment mode selection switch 1141, the heat output level selection switch 1143, the timer switch 1144, the potential output level selection switch 1142, or the preheat switch 1146 is pressed during the measurement of the first time, the measurement of the preheating time and preheating are stopped. After that, each mode is selected with the treatment mode selection switch 1141, a level is selected with the heat output level selection switch 1143 or the potential output level selection switch 1142, and the treatment time is selected with the timer switch 1144, and the start switch 1145 is pressed to start the treatment and the measurement of the treatment time (second time) by the timer. In this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the timer and preheating are stopped by an operation related to the treatment, such as the operation of the treatment mode selection switch 1141 or other switches.Control in which at least the preheat is stopped by an operation related to treatment is preferable for the following reasons. For example, in the case where the timer is stopped but the preheat is continued, if the user interrupts the operation after the operation related to treatment or forgets to press the start switch 1145, the preheat will continue even though the timer is stopped, which is undesirable in consideration of the burden on the user, deterioration or damage of the treatment element 12, or fire. Conversely, such problems do not occur with control in which at least the preheat is stopped. In this embodiment, the timer and preheat are stopped by operating the treatment mode selection switch 1141 or other switches, but this is not limited to this. The timer and preheat are not interrupted by these switch operations, or only the preheat is interrupted and the timer continues to measure the preheat time, and the timer may start measuring the treatment time by operating the start switch 1145 even before the preheat time has elapsed. In this case, it is preferable that the preheat is also stopped by operating the start switch 1145. Note that the output is stopped when the timer expires or by pressing the treatment mode selection switch 1141. In addition, the preheat switch 1146 is invalid during treatment.

[0026] Another embodiment (2) will be described. In this embodiment, the preheat operation after pressing the preheat switch 1146 is the same. After the timer expires or the preheat ends due to pressing the treatment mode selection switch 1141 or the preheat switch 1146, if necessary, the treatment time is selected with the timer switch 1144, the heat mode is selected with the treatment mode selection switch 1141, and the start switch 1145 is pressed to start the treatment. The preheat expiration time or the sum of the measured preheat time and the timer switch setting time is calculated, and if it exceeds the maximum time of 8 hours according to the standard, the time obtained by subtracting the preheat expiration time or the measured preheat time from 8 hours is set in the timer as the actual treatment time. There are cases where the user starts using the treatment device 1 during the preheat, that is, the user starts using the treatment device 1 before the preheat time has elapsed. In this case, the total of the preheat time and the treatment time may exceed the maximum time of 8 hours according to the standard depending on the setting of the second time, which is not desirable. In other words, it is desirable to control the total of the preheat time and the treatment time so that it does not exceed a predetermined maximum time, for example, 8 hours as in this embodiment. When preheat is used and the treatment time is set to 8 hours, it is desirable to have a control to change the set treatment time, for example, a configuration to set a time obtained by subtracting the preheat time from the treatment time. If the preheat time is 1 hour, even if the user selects 8 hours as the treatment time, the treatment time is automatically changed and set to 7 hours, and if the preheat time is 30 minutes, the treatment time can be changed and set to 7.5 hours. Alternatively, as a similar control, a configuration may be used in which the treatment time cannot be set to more than the predetermined maximum time of 8 hours minus the preheat time, taking the preheat time into consideration, or only a configuration may be selected that is less than the predetermined maximum time of 8 hours minus the preheat time. For example, if the preheat time is 1 hour and the predetermined maximum time is 8 hours, the treatment time cannot be set to more than 7 hours, and if the preheat time is 30 minutes, the treatment time cannot be set to more than 7.5 hours, i.e., only a configuration may be used in which only a treatment time of 7 hours or less can be selected.Alternatively, in a treatment device that can use preheat regardless of whether preheat is used or not, a configuration may be possible in which the time that can be set as the treatment time (e.g., 8 hours) minus the preheat time (e.g., 1 hour) can be selected, or a configuration may be made in which the maximum time that can be set as the treatment time (e.g., 8 hours) cannot be set. After treatment has started, the treatment mode is ended similarly when the timer expires or by pressing the treatment mode selection switch 1141. The same processing may be performed when the alternating mode is selected with the treatment mode selection switch 1141.

[0027] Another embodiment (3) will be described. In this embodiment, a sensor is provided in the treatment element 12 to detect whether the user has started treatment using the treatment element 12 during preheating, and if the start of use is detected during preheating, the treatment operation is automatically started from that point. That is, the mode is selected by the treatment mode selection switch 1141 and the timer time is set by the timer switch 1144 in advance, and the preheat operation is started by pressing the preheat switch 1146. If the sensor detects the start of use (such as a temperature drop by the temperature sensor described later), the treatment operation will proceed to the same treatment operation as when the start switch 1145 is pressed, even if there is no voluntary treatment start operation by the start switch 1145. In this case, since the preheating and treatment time can be clearly distinguished, even if the timer value of the treatment time is set to the maximum of 8 hours in hyperthermia treatment, or the timer value is set to the maximum of 12 hours in alternating mode, sufficient treatment time can be secured without any problem in terms of the standard.

[0028] 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the treatment device 1 in the case of the first embodiment. After the power supply of the treatment device 1 is turned on, it is determined whether the preheat switch 1146 has been operated (S301). If the preheat switch 1146 has been pressed down, heat is output for a fixed time (S302), and measurement of the preheat time begins (S303). If the preheat time expires (S306), or if the treatment mode selection switch 1141 (S305) or the preheat switch 1146 (S304) is pressed midway through, the preheat ends (S307). Next, when starting treatment, the treatment operation mode is selected (S311) and the treatment parameters are selected (S312) by pressing the treatment mode selection switch 1141, the level setting is selected by the heat output level selection switch 1143 and the potential output level selection switch 1142, and the treatment time is selected by the timer switch 1144. When it is determined that the start switch 1145 has been pressed (S313), output is started in each operation mode of heat treatment, potential treatment, and alternating mode based on the mode selection (S314), and measurement of the treatment time is started (S315). When the treatment time expires (S317) or the treatment mode selection switch 1141 is pressed (S316), the output of the treatment device 1 is stopped and the treatment is ended (S318). By adopting an operation system that clearly distinguishes between preheating and treatment, even when preheating is performed, the operation of starting the treatment is realized after the preheating is definitely finished, so that the maximum standard of the treatment time for the heat treatment is not exceeded.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the treatment device 1 in the case of the second embodiment. After the power supply of the treatment device 1 is turned on, the operation of the preheat switch 1146 is judged (S401). When the preheat switch 1146 is pressed down, heat is output for a fixed time (S402), and measurement of the preheat time is started (S403). When the preheat time expires (S406), or when the operation of the treatment mode selection switch 1141 is judged to be pressed during the process (S405), or when the operation of the preheat switch 1146 is judged to be pressed (S404), the preheat is ended (S408). Here, the control unit 113 holds the measured output time from the start of measurement of the preheat output time until the end of the preheat output (S407). When the preheat switch 1146 is pressed down again to start preheating, the current output time is added to the previous output time held value and the total value is held. To reset the held preheat time, the power supply is turned off. Alternatively, a separate reset button may be provided. Next, when starting treatment, a treatment mode is selected with the treatment mode selection switch 1141 (S411) and a treatment parameter is selected (S412), a level setting is selected with the heat output level selection switch 1143 and the potential output level selection switch 1142, and a treatment time is selected with the timer switch 1144. When it is determined that the start switch 1145 has been pressed (S413), the selected treatment mode is determined (S414). In the case of the heat mode or the alternating mode described below, the measured and held (S407) preheat output time is added to the timer setting value, and a total time determination process (S415) is performed. If the total exceeds 8 hours, the time obtained by subtracting the measured and held preheat output time from 8 hours is set as the actual thermotherapy timer time (S416), and treatment is started (S417). If the total does not exceed 8 hours, the set timer value is set as the thermotherapy timer time as is, and treatment is started (S417). On the other hand, when the potential mode is selected with the treatment mode selection switch 1141, there is no need to take into account the thermotherapy standard, so the timer value set with the timer switch 1144 is set as is, and treatment is started (S417).When the alternating mode is selected, the total value of each of the heat and potential treatment times is calculated, and a judgment process (S415) is performed based on the total value of the measured and held preheat output time and the alternating mode heat treatment time. If the total value exceeds 8 hours, the time obtained by subtracting the measured and held preheat output time from 8 hours is set as the heat treatment time, which is converted to the time of the alternating mode and set as the timer value (S416), and treatment is started (S417). If the total value does not exceed 8 hours, the set timer value is set as the timer value of the alternating mode as it is, and treatment is started (S417). Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, measurement of the treatment time is started from the start of the treatment output (S418). The treatment ends when the timer is judged to have expired (S420) or the treatment mode selection switch is pressed (S419) (S421). By the above process, even if the user uses the electric bed mat of the treatment element 12 from the preheat time and the actual treatment starts, it is possible to realize an operation that satisfies the maximum standard of the treatment time. Another advantage is that the timer setting for the treatment time is automatically processed internally, eliminating the need for the user to manually reset the treatment time.

[0030] Fig. 5 shows the treatment device 1 consisting of the main body 11 and treatment element 12 in the case of Example 3. In addition to the configuration of the treatment element 12 shown in Fig. 1, the treatment element 12 in Fig. 5 is equipped with a sensor 123 so as to detect when the user has started treatment using the treatment element 12. Information detected by the sensor 123 is sent to the control unit 113 of the main body 11 via the electric bed code 13. If the phenomenon used to detect when the user has started treatment is, for example, temperature, a temperature sensor is used for the sensor 123. If the user starts use during the preheat period of the treatment device 1, when the human body comes into contact with the electric bed mat, which is the treatment element 12, heat is transferred from the electric bed mat, which has been warmed by the preheat, to the user's body, resulting in a drop in the temperature of the electric bed mat. Therefore, by mounting a temperature sensor as sensor 123 on the electric bed mat, which is the treatment device 12, and monitoring the temperature with the control unit 113, it is relatively easy to know the time when use of the treatment device 12 was started. The above is an example in which temperature is targeted as a means of detecting the start of use of the treatment device 1 by the user, but for example, use of the electric bed mat may be determined by pressure or the position of the user, in which case a pressure sensor or ultrasonic sensor is used as the sensor 123. Furthermore, other detection objects and sensors that perceive them may also be used.

[0031] 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the treatment device 1 in the case of the third embodiment. After the power supply of the treatment device 1 is turned on, the operation of the preheat switch 1146 is judged (S501). Before turning on the preheat switch 1146, each mode is selected with the treatment mode selection switch 1141 (S512), and treatment parameters such as the level setting selection with the heat output level selection switch 1143 and the potential output level selection switch 1142, and the treatment time selection with the timer switch 1144 are selected (S513). After that, in the operation judgment of the preheat switch 1146 (S501), if the preheat switch 1146 is pressed down, sensor monitoring is started (S502), heat output is performed for a fixed time (S503), and measurement of the preheat time is started (S504). When the preheat time expires (S509), or when the operation of the treatment mode selection switch 1141 is judged (S508) or the preheat switch 1146 is judged (S507) to be pressed, the sensor monitor is ended (S510) and the preheat is ended (S511). In the third embodiment, during the preheat period, the setting of the treatment mode and treatment parameters is judged (S505), and if they are set, the control unit 113 judges whether the user has started using the treatment based on the results of the sensor monitor obtained from the sensor 123 of the treatment element 12 (electric bed mat) (S506). For example, when a temperature sensor is used, the temperature rise process of the treatment element 12 is monitored when the preheat starts, but when the user starts using the treatment element 12, heat is transferred from the treatment element 12 to the user's body at that point, so that a temporary drop in temperature or a change in the rate of temperature rise is observed. This is judged to be the start of use, the monitor operation is ended (S520), and the treatment operation (S515) is automatically started with the previously set treatment mode and temperature setting without pressing the start switch 1145. Thereafter, similar to the first and second embodiments, treatment time measurement is started (S516), and when the timer expires (S518) or the treatment mode selection switch 1141 is pressed (S517), the output of the treatment device 1 is stopped and the treatment ends (S519). In this way, by detecting the start of use by the user and automatically switching from preheat to treatment mode, the maximum standard for treatment time is satisfied and simple treatment operation is achieved.If there is no treatment mode, temperature setting, or timer setting before the start of preheating, the values ​​selected during the previous treatment operation will be used; if none were selected, the treatment operation will not proceed automatically (S505 NO judgment), and normal preheating operation will be performed.

[0032] In the first, second, and third embodiments, the alternating mode of the thermal treatment and the electric potential treatment will be described. In the alternating mode, the thermal output and the electric potential output are automatically switched and output alternately. In the alternating mode, the total thermal treatment time is set so as not to exceed the standard 8 hours as the time allocation of the thermal mode and the electric potential mode and the maximum timer setting time. FIG. 7 shows an example of the alternating mode, in which the maximum timer time is set to 12 hours, and only the thermal output is performed for 2 hours from the start of output, and then the electric potential output is output for 4 minutes and the thermal output is output for 6 minutes alternately. Note that a rest period is provided between the electric potential output and the thermal output. The rest period is set to 2 seconds, for example. This is to satisfy the standard that multiple functional configurations should not be output simultaneously, as specified in the Combined Home Medical Device Standard (JIS T 2009:2018). In this way, in the alternating mode, the total time of the thermal mode during treatment will not exceed 8 hours even when the maximum timer setting is set. In the combination with the first embodiment, the preheat time and the treatment time are distinguished in the operation procedure, so there is no particular problem. In the second embodiment, the timer time including the preheat time can be corrected by taking into consideration the total heat output time. Alternatively, when preheating is performed, the first two hours of heat time can be skipped and the treatment can be started by repeating the potential and heat treatment. In the third embodiment, the start of treatment is automatically detected by the sensor from the preheat time, so there is no problem, and in combination with any means, operation that does not pose a problem under the standard can be realized with a simple operation means.

[0033] Although the alternating mode has been described above, it is also possible to use different alternating modes when preheat is used and when preheat is not used. For example, the first alternating mode is used when preheat is not used, and the second alternating mode is used when preheat is used. As the second alternating mode when the control as shown in FIG. 7 is used as the first alternating mode, it is preferable to use an alternating mode in which the first output immediately after the start of treatment is an electric potential output, or a control that shortens the time of the first output, which is the heat output, as described above. Even when preheat is used, if the first alternating mode as shown in FIG. 7 is used, the heat output is continued for another 2 hours even though the treatment element 12 is sufficiently warmed by the preheat, so that effective treatment in the alternating mode cannot be obtained. Therefore, in the present invention, the first output of the second alternating mode is set to an electric potential output, or when the first output of the second alternating mode is a heat output, the duration of the first output, which is the heat output, is controlled to be shorter than the duration of the first output, which is the heat output, in the first alternating mode. Alternatively, in an alternating mode in a treatment device having a preheat function, the first output may be a potential output, which allows the effects of potential treatment to be obtained particularly efficiently, leading to improved treatment efficiency.

[0034] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various combinations, etc. are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention realizes a thermal potential treatment device that satisfies the above standards and can perform efficient treatment by separating the preheat time from the treatment time, i.e., by forcibly ending the preheat before starting the treatment. More specifically, (1) the present invention takes the following measures to solve the above problems. The device includes a main body having a treatment element that performs thermal treatment and potential treatment, input means for receiving a first instruction related to the treatment and a second instruction related to preheating that increases the temperature of the treatment element prior to the treatment, and control means for starting to measure the second time, which is the operation time of the treatment, based on the first instruction after receiving the second instruction and before the first time, which is the operation time of the preheat, has elapsed. In addition, in order to solve the above problem, the present invention realizes a thermoelectric potential treatment device that satisfies the above standard and can perform efficient treatment by separating the preheat time from the treatment time, i.e., by forcibly ending the preheat before starting the treatment. More specifically, (1) the present invention takes the following measures to solve the above problem. The device includes a main body having a treatment element that performs thermotherapy and potential treatment, input means for receiving a first instruction related to the treatment and a second instruction related to preheating that increases the temperature of the treatment element prior to the treatment, and control means for starting to measure a second time, which is the operation time of the treatment, based on the first instruction after receiving the second instruction and before the first time, which is the operation time of the preheat, has elapsed, and the control means controls the second time so that the sum of the measured preheat time and the second time does not exceed a third time, which is a predetermined maximum time. In order to solve the above problem, the present invention realizes a thermoelectric potential treatment device that satisfies the above standard and can perform efficient treatment by separating the preheat time from the treatment time, i.e., by forcibly ending the preheat before starting the treatment. More specifically, (1) the present invention takes the following measures to solve the above problem. That is, the treatment device of the present invention includes a main body having a treatment element that performs thermotherapy and potential treatment, an input means for receiving at least one of a first instruction related to the treatment or a second instruction related to preheating that increases the temperature of the treatment element prior to the treatment, and a control means for starting to measure a second time, which is the operation time of the treatment, based on the first instruction after receiving the second instruction and before the lapse of a predetermined first time, which is the operation time of the preheat, and the control means is characterized in that it sets the second time as the time obtained by subtracting the measured preheat time from a third time, which is a predetermined maximum time. (2) Furthermore, as another embodiment, in addition to the above configuration, the control means has a timer, and when the input means accepts the first instruction before the first time has elapsed, the timer is reset and has a function of starting to measure the second time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 treatment device 11 Main body 111 Heating Circuit Section 112 Potential circuit section 113 Control Unit 114 Operation section 115 Display section 116 Power supply section 12 Treatment 121 Heating wire 122 Potential Line 123 Sensor 13 Electric Bed Cord 1161 Power Switch 1141 Treatment mode selection switch 1142 Potential output level selection switch 1143 Heat output level selection switch 1144 Timer switch 1145 Start switch 1146 Preheat switch 1151 Treatment mode display 1152 Heat level display 1153 Potential level display unit 1154 Timer display unit 131 Plug S301, S304, S401, S404, S501, S507 Preheat switch judgment process S302, S402, S503 Preheat output S303, S403, S504 Preheat timer start processing S305, S316, S405, S419, S508, S517 Treatment mode selection switch judgment process S306, S406, S509 Preheat timer expiration determination process S307, S408, S511 Preheat output end processing S311, S411, S512 Treatment mode selection process S312, S412, S513 Treatment parameter selection process S313, S413, S514 Start switch determination process S314, S417, S515 Treatment Output S315, S418, S516 Treatment time measurement start processing S317, S420, S518 Treatment timer expiration determination process S318, S421, S519 Treatment output end processing S407 Preheat time measurement total value processing S414 Treatment mode selection decision process S415 Treatment time determination process S416 Treatment time correction processing S502 Sensor monitor start processing S505 Treatment mode and treatment parameter setting judgment process S506 User start usage determination process S510, S520 Sensor monitor end processing

Claims

1. A therapist who performs thermal therapy and electric potential therapy; an input means for receiving at least one of a first instruction regarding a treatment and a second instruction regarding preheating to increase the temperature of the treatment element prior to the treatment; A timer for measuring the treatment time and the preheat time; a control means for starting measurement of a second time, which is an operation time of the treatment, based on the first instruction when the treatment is started by the first instruction after receiving the second instruction and before a predetermined first time, which is an operation time of the preheat, has elapsed; The control means sets the second time as a time obtained by subtracting the measured preheat time from the time set as the treatment time.

2. The treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the control means has a timer, and when the input means receives the first instruction before the first time has elapsed, the timer is reset and begins measuring the second time.

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