Electrical stimulation system

Abstract

To provide a technology to realize an effect of electric stimulation of a muscle.SOLUTION: An electric stimulation system includes: first and second electrodes 16 and 18 for stimulation for imparting electric stimulation to a muscle of a user; a plurality of electrodes 20_1-20_16 for measurement for measuring impedance of the user; and a control part for controlling the electric stimulation by the first and second electrodes 16 and 18 for stimulation, and the measurement of the impedance by the plurality of electrodes 20_1-20_16 for measurement. At least one electrode for measurement of the plurality of electrodes 20_1-20_16 for measurement is provided between the first electrode 16 for stimulation and the second electrode 18 for stimulation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device and an electrical stimulation system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical stimulation device that applies electrical stimulation to a user's muscles. This electrical 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] Conventional electrical stimulation devices such as those described in Patent Document 1 are difficult to experience their effects, so they tend to cause a decrease in the will to continue.

[0005] The present invention has been made in such circumstances, and an exemplary object of one aspect thereof is to provide a technique that enables the user to experience the effect of electrically stimulating muscles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an electrical stimulation device according to an aspect of the present invention includes first and second stimulation electrodes for applying electrical stimulation to a user's muscles, and a plurality of measurement electrodes for measuring the user's impedance, at least one of which is provided between the first stimulation electrode and the second stimulation electrode.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is also an electrical stimulation device. This device is an electrical stimulation device comprising electrodes for applying electrical stimulation to the muscles of a user, and is capable of measuring the conductivity, permittivity or phase of the user.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention is an electrical stimulation system. This electrical stimulation system includes first and second stimulation electrodes for applying electrical stimulation to the muscles of a user, and a plurality of measurement electrodes for measuring the impedance of the user, at least one of which is provided between the first and second stimulation electrodes, a plurality of measurement electrodes, and a control unit for controlling the electrical stimulation by the first and second stimulation electrodes and the measurement of the impedance by the plurality of measurement electrodes.

[0009] In addition, any combination of the above components, or those obtained by mutually replacing the components and expressions of the present invention among methods, devices, systems, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique capable of experiencing the effects of electrically stimulating muscles.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are appropriately omitted.

[0013] As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have obtained the following findings. When the muscle fibers of a muscle perform a contraction movement, due to mechanical and chemical factors, the current density (the amount of charge flowing per unit time and per unit cross-sectional area) when applied from the outside increases. That is, (1) as a mechanical factor, the arteries or veins existing inside the muscle also perform a contraction movement, and a kind of pumping effect appears, and the blood flow rate (the mass of blood flowing per unit time and per unit cross-sectional area) locally increases, and apparently, the conductivity inside the artery or vein also increases, and as a result, the current density of the muscle increases. On the other hand, as a chemical factor, (2) this contraction movement of the muscle fiber is anaerobic metabolism, generating a large amount of lactic acid, and phenomena such as the generation of hydrogen ions (H+) by the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) occur, and as a result, the current density of the muscle increases. That is, when the muscle moves, the conductivity of the muscle locally increases. Therefore, if the change in the conductivity of the muscle can be confirmed, it is possible to feel that the muscle has moved.

[0014] Based on such findings, the inventors of the present invention conceived of the electrical stimulation system of the embodiments. This will be specifically described below.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical stimulation system 100 according to an embodiment. The electrical stimulation system 100 includes an electrical stimulation device 10 and a terminal 12. The electrical stimulation device 10 is worn on a body part such as a user's arm, leg, or abdomen. Hereinafter, the body part on which the electrical stimulation device 10 is worn is referred to as the worn part. The electrical stimulation device 10 is a device that applies electrical stimulation to the muscles of the worn part. Further, the electrical stimulation device 10 measures the impedance of the worn part and transmits the obtained impedance data to the terminal 12.

[0016] The terminal 12 is various information processing terminals provided with a display unit. The terminal 12 may be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The terminal 12 is connected to the electrical stimulation device 10 by wire or wirelessly. The terminal 12 controls the electrical stimulation device 10 according to the user's operation.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the electrical stimulation device 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the electrical stimulation device 10 is worn on the worn part. In many cases, the worn part on which the electrical stimulation device 10 is worn can be regarded as cylindrical.

[0018] The electrical stimulation device 10 includes a base material 14, a first stimulation electrode 16 and a second stimulation electrode 18 for applying electrical stimulation to the muscles of the worn part, and measurement electrodes 20_1 to 20_16, collectively referred to as measurement electrodes 20, for measuring the impedance of the worn part, and a control unit 22. The number of stimulation electrodes may be plural and is not limited to two. Also, the number of measurement electrodes 20 may be plural and is not limited to 16.

[0019] The base material 14 is a member to be attached to the part to be worn, and presents a flat sheet shape when deployed. The first stimulation electrode 16 and the second stimulation electrode 18 are provided on the back surface 14a of the base material 14. The first stimulation electrode 16 and the second stimulation electrode 18 have a substantially rectangular shape extending in the X direction that circulates around the part to be worn, and are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction. The first stimulation electrode 16 and the second stimulation electrode 18 are each electrically connected to the control unit 22 by 24 provided on the back surface 14a of the base material 14.

[0020] The plurality of measurement electrodes 20 are provided on the back surface 14a of the base material 14. The plurality of measurement electrodes 20 are provided so as to be able to measure the impedance of the muscle electrically stimulated by the first and second stimulation electrodes 16, 18. At least one (six in this example) of the plurality of measurement electrodes 20 is located between the first stimulation electrode 16 and the second stimulation electrode 18. The plurality of measurement electrodes 20 are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the X direction and surround the part to be worn. Each of the plurality of measurement electrodes 20 is electrically connected to the control unit 22 by a wiring 26 provided on the back surface 14a of the base material 14.

[0021] The wirings 24, 26 are coated with an insulating film so as not to contact the part to be worn. The wirings 24, 26 may be embedded in the base material 14. In this case, if the base material 14 is an insulator, it is not necessary to coat the wirings 24, 26 with an insulating film.

[0022] The control unit 22 is an electronic unit that controls the power supply for muscle stimulation to the first and second stimulation electrodes 16, 18 or controls the measurement of impedance by the plurality of measurement electrodes 20. The control unit 22 is held in the base material 14.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electrical stimulation device 10. Each block of the control unit shown in FIG. 4 is realized as elements and circuits including a computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory as a hardware configuration, and is realized by a computer program or the like as a software configuration. Here, however, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art touched upon in this specification that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software. The same applies to each block in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0024] The control unit 22 includes a power supply unit 30, a device-side control unit 32, and a communication unit 34. The power supply unit 30 is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, but may be a replaceable primary battery. The power supply unit 30 is electrically connected to the device-side control unit 32 and the communication unit 34 and supplies power to them. Note that a power button may be provided on the control unit 22, and the power supply unit 30 may be turned on / off according to the operation of the power button.

[0025] The communication unit 34 transmits and receives information to and from the communication unit 42 (described later) of the terminal 12. The communication unit 34 may transmit and receive information by wireless communication, for example, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0026] The device-side control unit 32 controls the supply of power to the first and second stimulation electrodes 16 and 18 according to a control instruction received from the terminal 12. The device-side control unit 32 applies a voltage between the first stimulation electrode 16 and the second stimulation electrode 18 at a predetermined frequency (for example, 20 Hz), or stops applying the voltage. That is, the device-side control unit 32 applies electrical stimulation to the worn part or stops applying electrical stimulation to the worn part.

[0027] In addition, the device-side control unit 32 controls the acquisition of impedance data of the worn part by the plurality of measurement electrodes 20. For example, the device-side control unit 32 supplies a weak current, for example, a current of 1 mA or less that cannot be sensed by the user, between a pair of measurement electrodes 20 (for example, between the measurement electrode 20_1 and the measurement electrode 20_2) among the plurality of measurement electrodes 20. While flowing a weak current through the pair of measurement electrodes 20, the device-side control unit 32 measures the potential difference generated between each of the other measurement electrodes 20 (measurement electrodes 20_3 to 20_16). By measuring the potential difference while sequentially changing the measurement electrode 20 through which the current flows to the measurement electrode 20_2 and the measurement electrode 20_3, the measurement electrode 20_3 and the measurement electrode 20_4, ···, impedance data in the tomogram of the worn part is acquired. The impedance data here is data including a resistance value (a function of conductivity) and an electric capacitance (capacitance, a function of permittivity). The device-side control unit 32 transmits the acquired impedance data to the terminal 12.

[0028] Note that the impedance data at the moment when the electrical stimulation is applied may sometimes be buried in the power applied for the electrical stimulation and cannot be acquired. Therefore, when the device-side control unit 32 acquires impedance data while applying electrical stimulation of a predetermined frequency, it may acquire the impedance data at a timing that avoids the moment when the electrical stimulation is applied, that is, at the timing between electrical stimulations, or apply noise processing such as Fourier transform.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal 12. The terminal 12 includes a terminal-side control unit 40, a communication unit 42, and a display unit 44. The display unit 44 is a touch panel type display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, displays information on the screen, and receives user operation inputs.

[0030] The terminal-side control unit 40 controls the electrical stimulation by the control unit 22 and thus the electrical stimulation device 10 by transmitting a control instruction regarding the electrical stimulation to the control unit 22 of the electrical stimulation device 10. The control instruction is, for example, an instruction to start electrical stimulation including the electrical stimulation intensity (that is, voltage value) or an instruction to end.

[0031] Also, the terminal-side control unit 40 controls the acquisition of impedance by the control unit 22 of the electrical stimulation device 10, and thus the electrical stimulation device 10, by transmitting an instruction to acquire impedance data to the control unit 22. When the terminal-side control unit 40 receives impedance data from the electrical stimulation device 10, it reconstructs the conductivity distribution (i.e., the tomographic image) of the worn part. The reconstruction by the terminal-side control unit 40 may be realized by a known reconstruction method.

[0032] Also, the terminal-side control unit 40 controls the display on the display unit 44. For example, the terminal-side control unit 40 displays a tomographic image showing the conductivity distribution of the worn part on the display unit 44. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing the conductivity distribution of the worn part. As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal-side control unit 40 may display images of the conductivity distribution before and after the application of electrical stimulation side by side (i.e., in a comparable manner). Further, the terminal-side control unit 40 may display, in real time, an image of the conductivity distribution of the worn part when electrical stimulation of a predetermined frequency is being applied. Here, "display in real time" means that the display is performed promptly when the reconstruction of the conductivity distribution based on the impedance data is completed, and includes displaying the conductivity distribution of the worn part with a delay of several seconds, several tens of seconds, or several minutes.

[0033] The above is the basic configuration of the electrical stimulation system 100. Subsequently, its operation will be described.

[0034] After the user wears the electrical stimulation device 10, the user inputs an instruction to start electrical stimulation to the terminal 12. The terminal 12 transmits an instruction to start electrical stimulation to the electrical stimulation device 10. When the electrical stimulation device 10 receives the instruction to start electrical stimulation, it first acquires impedance data of the worn part and transmits it to the terminal 12.

[0035] Subsequently, the electrical stimulation device 10 starts applying electrical stimulation to the muscles of the worn part. The electrical stimulation device 10 acquires the impedance of the worn part when applying electrical stimulation of a predetermined frequency at a predetermined period (for example, a one-minute period), and transmits the obtained impedance data to the terminal 12. Each time the terminal 12 receives the impedance data, it displays the conductivity distribution on the display unit 44. That is, the terminal 12 displays the conductivity distribution of the worn part in real time when applying electrical stimulation of a predetermined frequency to the worn part.

[0036] When a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) has elapsed, or when the electrical stimulation device 10 receives an instruction to end the electrical stimulation from the terminal 12, it ends the application of electrical stimulation of a predetermined frequency and also ends the acquisition of impedance data at a predetermined period.

[0037] The electrical stimulation device 10 acquires the impedance data of the worn part after the end of the electrical stimulation and transmits it to the terminal 12. The terminal 12 displays the conductivity distributions of the worn part before and after the application of the electrical stimulation side by side.

[0038] [[ID=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]] The above is the operation of the electrical stimulation system 100. Subsequently, the effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

[0039] According to the present embodiment, since at least one of the plurality of measurement electrodes 20 is provided between the first stimulation electrode 16 and the second stimulation electrode 18, it is possible to acquire the impedance data of the muscles being electrically stimulated by the first and second stimulation electrodes 16 and 18. As a result, it is possible to confirm the change in the conductivity of the muscles being electrically stimulated, so that it is possible to feel that the muscles of the worn part have moved due to the electrical stimulation.

[0040] Also, according to the present embodiment, a local or overall conductivity distribution (i.e., a tomographic image) of the worn portion can be obtained based on impedance data acquired by a plurality of measurement electrodes 20. As a result, it is possible to visually experience that the muscle of the worn portion has moved due to electrical stimulation. In addition, since a tomographic image of the worn portion is obtained, the muscle of the tomographic layer can be evaluated. For example, by comparing with a past tomographic image in the same tomographic layer, a change in muscle mass can be evaluated.

[0041] Subsequently, the present inventors confirmed by experiments that the finding which is the major premise of the embodiment that "the conductivity of muscle increases when the muscle moves" is correct. The experiment was conducted on a total of 8 subjects, including 7 males (age: 30.0 ± 3.0 years old, height: 173.5 ± 6.5 cm, skeletal muscle mass: 35.6 ± 4.8 kg) and 1 female (age: 328 years old, height: 167 cm, skeletal muscle mass: 19.5 kg). The electrical stimulation device 10 was attached to the lower leg of the subjects so as to electrically stimulate the gastrocnemius muscle, and electrical stimulation was applied at 20 Hz for 20 minutes. Then, at each of three timings: before applying the electrical stimulation, immediately after the 20-minute electrical stimulation was completed, and after a 20-minute massage was performed after the completion of the electrical stimulation, currents of two AC frequencies of 700 Hz and 1000 Hz were applied, the impedance of the worn portion was measured, and the conductivity distribution at each timing was reconstructed into an image from the obtained impedance data.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the conductivity distribution of each subject before applying the electrical stimulation, immediately after the completion of the electrical stimulation, and after the massage. From FIG. 7, it can be seen that for each subject, both the height of the conductivity and the size of the region where the conductivity is high are increased immediately after the completion of the electrical stimulation compared to before applying the electrical stimulation, that is, they are increased by applying the electrical stimulation. Also, it can be seen which part of the muscle has a particularly increased conductivity. From FIG. 7, it can be seen that for each subject, the conductivity is decreased after the massage when more time has passed compared to immediately after the completion of the electrical stimulation. Also, from FIG. 7, the part of the muscle with a high training effect can be seen.

[0043] Figure 8 is a graph showing the amount of change in electrical conductivity of the muscle at the attachment site of each subject. In Figure 8, Δ<α> after represents the difference in the spatial average of muscle conductivity before and immediately after the end of electrical stimulation, and Δ<α> relax indicates the difference in the spatial average of muscle conductivity before and after electrical stimulation, and is calculated using equations (1) and (2), respectively. Note that to calculate the difference in the spatial average of muscle conductivity using equations (1) and (2), it is necessary to extract the conductivity distribution of only the muscle from the conductivity distribution of the attached part, but because muscle generally has a higher conductivity than fat or bone, the conductivity distribution of only the muscle can be extracted from the conductivity distribution of the attached part by filtering. Δ<α> after ={<α> after -<α> before} / <α> before ···(1) Δ<α> relax ={<α> relax -<α> before} / <α> before ···(2) where <α> before denotes the spatial average of the conductivity before the electrical stimulation, and <α> after denotes the spatial average of the conductivity immediately after the end of the electrical stimulation, and <α> relax indicates the spatial average of conductivity after massage. Figure 8 shows that for all subjects, the difference in the spatial average of conductivity before and immediately after the application of electrical stimulation was greater than the difference in the spatial average of conductivity before and after the application of electrical stimulation, meaning that the application of electrical stimulation increased the conductivity, and that the conductivity decreased when the application of electrical stimulation was terminated.

[0044] In any case, based on the impedance of the attached part, it can be confirmed that the muscles of the attached part are exercised by applying electrical stimulation.

[0045] As described above, the present invention has been explained based on the embodiments. These embodiments are examples, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each of these constituent elements and combinations of each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

[0046] (Modification Example 1) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the time change of the conductivity of the muscle after the electrical stimulation by the electrical stimulation device 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the conductivity of the muscle increases as time elapses, that is, as the muscle recovers. Therefore, the conductivity of the muscle can be regarded as the degree of muscle recovery (fatigue degree).

[0047] Therefore, in this modification example, when the conductivity of the muscle of the worn portion is equal to or higher than a predetermined recovery threshold value, the terminal side control unit 40 estimates that the muscle of the worn portion has recovered, and when the conductivity is less than the recovery threshold value, it estimates that the muscle of the worn portion has not recovered.

[0048] The conductivity used for estimating the degree of recovery is, for example, the spatial average of the conductivity distribution of the worn portion reconstructed from the impedance data.

[0049] Also, for example, the conductivity may be the spatial average of only the conductivity distribution of the muscle in the conductivity distribution of the worn portion reconstructed from the impedance data.

[0050] Also, for example, the conductivity may be the spatial average of only the conductivity distribution of a specific muscle (for example, the gastrocnemius muscle or the soleus muscle if it is the lower leg) specified by the user among the muscles of the worn portion. In this case, the terminal side control unit 40 may extract only the conductivity distribution of the muscle by filter processing from the conductivity distribution of the worn portion reconstructed from the impedance data, and then extract only the conductivity distribution of the specific muscle by, for example, image processing.

[0051] The recovery threshold may be determined based on the conductivity obtained from impedance data acquired while wearing the electrical stimulation device 10 when neither electrical stimulation nor voluntary movement has been performed for a predetermined number of days (for example, three days). Specifically, for example, the recovery threshold may be a value obtained by multiplying the conductivity by a margin rate. Also, for example, the recovery threshold may be determined based on information such as the user's weight that the user inputs.

[0052] The terminal side control unit 40 may notify the user of the estimation result, for example, by displaying it on the display unit 44. The terminal side control unit 40 may notify the user of the estimation result regardless of the estimation result, or may notify the user of the estimation result only when an estimation result of non-recovery is obtained.

[0053] The terminal side control unit 40 may, for example, start the electrical stimulation by the electrical stimulation device 10 only when an estimation result of recovery is obtained. Also, for example, when an estimation result of non-recovery is obtained, the terminal side control unit 40 may display a predetermined screen on the display unit 44 to allow the user to select whether to start applying electrical stimulation anyway.

[0054] According to this modification example, it is possible to avoid applying electrical stimulation to the muscle in a state where the muscle has not recovered, and to realize effective muscle training.

[0055] (Modification Example 2) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrical stimulation intensity (voltage value) and the conductivity. As shown in FIG. 10, immediately after the start of applying electrical stimulation to the muscle, when the electrical stimulation intensity is gradually increased, the conductivity of the muscle increases as the electrical stimulation intensity increases, and when the electrical stimulation intensity exceeds a certain value, the increase in conductivity stops and settles at a constant value.

[0056] Therefore, in this modification example, the terminal side control unit 40 measures the conductivity while increasing the electrical stimulation intensity, and determines the electrical stimulation intensity when the conductivity has settled at a constant value as the recommended electrical stimulation intensity.

[0057] The terminal-side control unit 40 may notify the user of the determined recommended electrical stimulation intensity, for example, by displaying it on the display unit 44.

[0058] Further, when starting the electrical stimulation by the electrical stimulation device 10, the terminal-side control unit 40 may set the recommended electrical stimulation intensity determined as described above to the electrical stimulation intensity included in the start instruction to be transmitted. That is, the recommended electrical stimulation intensity determined by the terminal-side control unit 40 may be automatically set.

[0059] According to this modification example, efficient muscle training with the recommended electrical stimulation intensity can be realized.

[0060] (Modification Example 3) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the time change of the amount of muscle contraction change during the application of electrical stimulation of a predetermined frequency to the muscle. The amount of muscle contraction change is the amount of change in the area of the muscle in the tomographic image of the worn part reconstructed from the impedance data. As shown in FIG. 11, the amount of muscle contraction change increases at the beginning when the electrical stimulation by the electrical stimulation device 10 is started, but gradually decreases due to muscle fatigue as the electrical stimulation continues. When the amount of muscle contraction change becomes below a certain level, that is, when muscle fatigue progresses to a certain extent or more, no training effect can be expected from further electrical stimulation, and on the contrary, it may have an adverse effect.

[0061] Therefore, in this modification example, every time impedance data is acquired at a predetermined cycle, the terminal-side control unit 40 calculates the amount of muscle contraction change of the worn part from the impedance data, and when the calculated amount of contraction change is equal to or less than a predetermined amount of contraction change threshold, it determines that this is the timing at which it is recommended to end the electrical stimulation.

[0062] When the terminal-side control unit 40 determines that this is the timing at which it is recommended to end the electrical stimulation, it may notify the user to that effect, for example, by displaying it on the display unit 44.

[0063] In addition, when the terminal-side control unit 40 determines the timing at which it is recommended to end the electrical stimulation, it may send an end instruction to the electrical stimulation device 10. That is, the electrical stimulation may be automatically ended.

[0064] According to this modification example, effective muscle training can be realized.

[0065] (Modification Example 4) In the embodiment, the case where the plurality of measurement electrodes 20 are provided to be arranged in a row in the X direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be provided to be arranged in a plurality of rows in the X direction. For example, the plurality of measurement electrodes 20 may be arranged in three rows on the side opposite to the second stimulation electrode 18 with respect to the first stimulation electrode 16, between the first stimulation electrode 16 and the second stimulation electrode 18, and on the side opposite to the first stimulation electrode 16 with respect to the second stimulation electrode 18. According to this modification example, a plurality of layer tomographic images can be obtained for the worn part.

[0066] (Modification Example 5) In the embodiment and the above-described modification examples, the case of obtaining the conductivity distribution of the worn part based on the impedance data has been described, but the permittivity or phase distribution of the worn part may be reconstructed based on the impedance data. In this case, in the embodiment and the above-described modification examples, the conductivity may be read as "permittivity" or "phase".

[0067] (Modification Example 6) The device-side control unit 32 of the control unit 22 of the electrical stimulation device 10 may have at least a part of the functions of the terminal-side control unit 40 of the terminal 12 in the embodiment and the above-described modification examples.

[0068] For example, the device-side control unit 32 may have the functions of the terminal-side control unit 40 described in Modification Example 1. That is, the device-side control unit 32 may have functions such as estimating whether the muscle of the worn part has recovered based on the impedance data, notifying the user of the estimation result, and starting electrical stimulation according to the estimation result.

[0069] For example, the device-side control unit 32 may have the functions of the terminal-side control unit 40 described in Modification 2. That is, the device-side control unit 32 may have a function of determining a recommended electrical stimulation intensity based on impedance data, notifying the user of the recommended electrical stimulation intensity, or performing electrical stimulation at the recommended electrical stimulation intensity.

[0070] For example, the device-side control unit 32 may have the functions of the terminal-side control unit 40 described in Modification 3. That is, the device-side control unit 32 may have a function of determining whether or not it is the timing at which it is recommended to end the electrical stimulation based on the impedance data, and notifying the user to that effect or ending the electrical stimulation when it is recommended to end.

[0071] Also, in the above-described modifications, the electrical stimulation device 10 may include a display unit for the device-side control unit 32 to notify the user.

[0072] Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiments resulting from the combination have the effects of the embodiments and modifications combined.

[0073] It is also understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each constituent element described in the claims are realized by a single one of the constituent elements shown in the embodiments and modifications or by their association. For example, the control unit described in the claims may be realized by the terminal-side control unit 40, may be realized by the device-side control unit 32, or may be realized by a combination of the terminal-side control unit 40 and the device-side control unit 32.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0074] 10 Electrical stimulation device, 12 Terminal, 16 First stimulation electrode, 18 Second stimulation electrode, 20_1 to 20_16 Measurement electrodes, 100 Electrical stimulation system.

Claims

1. A pair of stimulating electrodes for applying electrical stimulation to a user's muscle; A measuring electrode provided between the pair of stimulating electrodes for measuring the impedance of the user's muscle; A control unit that derives a numerical value related to the muscle of the user to which the electrical stimulation is applied by the pair of stimulating electrodes based on the impedance of the user's muscle measured by the measuring electrode. An electrical stimulation system comprising:

2. The electrical stimulation system according to claim 1, wherein the numerical value is conductivity, permittivity or phase.

3. Based on the impedance measured by the measuring electrode before and after applying the electrical stimulation by the pair of stimulating electrodes, the numerical values before and after applying the electrical stimulation are derived, and the numerical values before and after applying the electrical stimulation are compared. The electrical stimulation system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Based on the impedance measured by the measuring electrode before and after applying the electrical stimulation by the pair of stimulating electrodes, the numerical values before and after applying the electrical stimulation are derived, and for each of before and after applying the electrical stimulation, a tomographic image based on the numerical value is reconstructed. The electrical stimulation system according to claim 1 or 2.

Images