Bio-stimulation apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a bio-stimulation apparatus. The bio-stimulation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise: a plurality of electrodes: a plurality of driving units electrically, each connected to each of the plurality of electrodes so as to supply alternating current; and a control unit, wherein the control unit divides the plurality of electrodes into a first group and a second group on the basis of a first position in a region corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, divides the plurality of electrodes into a third group and a fourth group on the basis of a second position in the region corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, controls a first driving unit, corresponding to a first electrode included in the first group and the third group, such that a first alternating current having a first frequency and a third alternating current having a third frequency flow through the first electrode, controls a second driving unit, corresponding to a second electrode included in the second group and the third group, such that a second alternating current having a second frequency and the third alternating current flow through the second electrodes, controls a third driving unit, corresponding to a third electrode included in the first group and the fourth group, such that the first alternating current and a fourth alternating current having a fourth frequency flow through the third electrode, and controls a fourth driving unit, corresponding to a fourth electrode included in the second group and the fourth group, such that the second alternating current and the fourth alternating current flow through the fourth electrode, each of the first group to the fourth group includes two or more from among the plurality of electrodes, the number of electrodes included in the first group and the number of electrodes included in the second group correspond to the first position, and the number of electrodes included in the third group and the number of electrodes included in the fourth group correspond to the second position.

Description

biostimulation device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a biostimulation device, and more particularly, to a biostimulation device that stimulates a specific area using current flowing through a plurality of electrodes.

[0002] Research into treating neurological and psychiatric disorders is actively underway, and electroceutical technology, which utilizes brain stimulation to activate or suppress brain activity through electrical stimulation, is gaining attention. Representative brain stimulation treatments include invasive treatments, which directly stimulate the brain through implanted electrodes, and noninvasive treatments, which externally stimulate the brain using magnets, electricity, or ultrasound. Invasive treatments carry the risk of side effects or complications following surgery to implant electrodes, and the burden on patients is significant, leading to active research into noninvasive treatments.

[0003] Meanwhile, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are commonly suggested as noninvasive treatments. However, conventional methods have the problem that it is difficult to precisely control the stimulation location and range, and it is difficult to stimulate deep brain regions such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and hippocampus.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned and other problems.

[0005] Another purpose is to provide a biostimulation device capable of varying the stimulation position.

[0006] Another purpose is to provide a biostimulation device capable of stimulating multiple locations simultaneously.

[0007] Another purpose is to provide a biostimulation device that can stimulate a specific location more precisely by adjusting the stimulation range.

[0008] In order to achieve the above purpose, a bio-stimulation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of driving units electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes to supply alternating current; And a control unit, wherein the control unit divides the plurality of electrodes into a first group and a second group based on a first position of an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, divides the plurality of electrodes into a third group and a fourth group based on a second position of an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, and controls a first driving unit corresponding to the first electrode so that a first AC current having the first frequency and a third AC current having the third frequency flow to the first electrodes included in the first group and the third group, and controls a second driving unit corresponding to the second electrode so that a second AC current having the second frequency and the third AC current flow to the second electrodes included in the second group and the third group, and controls a third driving unit corresponding to the third electrode so that the first AC current and a fourth AC current having the fourth frequency flow to the third electrodes included in the first group and the fourth group, and controls the second AC current and the fourth AC current flow to the fourth electrodes included in the second group and the fourth group. To flow, a fourth driving unit corresponding to the fourth electrode is controlled, and each of the first group to the fourth group includes two or more of the plurality of electrodes, and the number of electrodes included in the first group and the number of electrodes included in the second group may correspond to the first position, and the number of electrodes included in the third group and the number of electrodes included in the fourth group may correspond to the second position.

[0009] In order to achieve the above purpose, a bio-stimulation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of driving units electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes to supply alternating current; And a control unit, wherein the control unit divides the plurality of electrodes into a first group and a second group based on a first position of an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, divides the plurality of electrodes into a third group and a fourth group based on a second position of an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, and controls a first driving unit corresponding to the first electrode so that a first AC current having the first frequency and a third AC current having the third frequency flow to the first electrodes included in the first group and the third group, and controls a second driving unit corresponding to the second electrode so that a second AC current having the second frequency and the third AC current flow to the second electrodes included in the second group and the third group, and controls a third driving unit corresponding to the third electrode so that the first AC current and a fourth AC current having the fourth frequency flow to the third electrodes included in the first group and the fourth group, and controls the second AC current and the fourth AC current flow to the fourth electrodes included in the second group and the fourth group. To flow, a fourth driving unit corresponding to the fourth electrode is controlled, and each of the first group to the fourth group includes two or more of the plurality of electrodes, and the positions of the electrodes included in the first group and the positions of the electrodes included in the second group may correspond to the first position, and the positions of the electrodes included in the third group and the positions of the electrodes included in the fourth group may correspond to the second position.

[0010] The effects of the biostimulation device according to the present disclosure are described as follows.

[0011] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the stimulation location can be varied.

[0012] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple locations can be stimulated simultaneously.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a specific location can be stimulated more precisely by adjusting the stimulation range.

[0014] Further scope of the applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description below. However, since various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of example only.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for reference in explaining the configuration of a biostimulation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIGS. 2 to 3C are circuit diagrams referenced in the description of the configuration of a biostimulation device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 4 to 5B are drawings for reference in explaining a low-frequency envelope according to the frequency of an alternating current flowing through a plurality of electrodes according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIGS. 6 to 11 are drawings for reference in the description of a biostimulation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIGS. 12 to 14 are drawings for reference in the description of a biostimulation device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, portions irrelevant to the description are omitted to clearly and concisely describe the present disclosure, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or extremely similar portions throughout the specification.

[0021] The suffixes "module" and "part" used in the following description are given solely for the convenience of writing this specification and do not impart any particularly significant meaning or role to the components themselves. Therefore, the terms "module" and "part" may be used interchangeably.

[0022] In this application, it should be understood that terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0023] Additionally, while terms such as "first" and "second" may be used in this specification to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for reference in explaining the configuration of a biostimulation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a biostimulation device (100) may include a memory (110), an input unit (120), an output unit (130), a plurality of driving units (140), a plurality of electrodes (145), and / or a control unit (150).

[0026] The memory (110) can store programs for signal processing and control within the control unit (150). The memory (110) can store data processed by the control unit (150) and data to be processed. For example, the memory (110) can store application programs designed for the purpose of performing various tasks that can be processed by the control unit (150). The memory (110) can selectively provide some of the stored application programs upon request from the control unit (150).

[0027] The memory (110) may include at least one of volatile memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.) or non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), etc.).

[0028] The input unit (120) can receive a command from a user. For example, the input device may include a touch panel, a physical button, a microphone, etc. The input unit (120) can transmit data corresponding to a command input from a user to other components (or components) of the biostimulation device (100).

[0029] The output unit (130) can output information to the user. For example, the output unit (130) can include a display device that outputs visual information, such as a display or light-emitting diode (LED), an audio device that outputs auditory information, such as a speaker or buzzer, etc. The output unit (130) can output information corresponding to data received from other component(s) of the biostimulation device (100) through the output device.

[0030] A plurality of driving units (140) may be electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes (145), respectively. Each of the plurality of driving units (140) may supply current to a corresponding electrode among the plurality of electrodes (145). The driving unit (140) may be referred to as a current supply circuit, a current source, etc. that supplies current.

[0031] The plurality of driving units (140) can output an AC current having a predetermined frequency. For example, the frequency of the AC current output from the plurality of driving units (140) can be 1 kHz or higher. The plurality of driving units (140) can adjust the amplitude of the AC current. The plurality of driving units (140) can adjust the frequency of the AC current. The plurality of driving units (140) can adjust the phase of the AC current.

[0032] The first frequency of the AC current output from some of the plurality of driving units (140) may be different from the second frequency of the AC current output from other parts. Here, each of the first frequency and the second frequency may correspond to a high frequency that does not stimulate a living body. The difference between the first frequency and the second frequency may correspond to a low frequency that stimulates a living body. In the present disclosure, 20 Hz among the low frequencies that stimulate a living body will be described as an example. For example, the first frequency of the AC current output from some of the plurality of driving units (140) may be 10 kHz, and the second frequency of the AC current output from other parts may be 10.02 kHz.

[0033] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of driving units (140) may output a plurality of alternating currents having different frequencies. For example, some of the plurality of driving units (140) may output an alternating current having a first frequency and an alternating current having a third frequency, and other parts may output an alternating current having a second frequency and an alternating current having a fourth frequency. The first to fourth frequencies may be different from each other. Each of the first to fourth frequencies may correspond to a high frequency that does not stimulate a living body. The difference between the first and second frequencies and the difference between the third and fourth frequencies may correspond to a low frequency that does stimulate a living body, respectively. For example, the first frequency may be 1 kHz, and the second frequency may be 1.02 kHz. For example, the third frequency may be 10 kHz, and the fourth frequency may be 10.02 kHz.

[0034] The control unit (150) can control the overall operation of the biostimulation device (100). The control unit (150) can be connected to each component provided in the biostimulation device (100). The control unit (150) can control the overall operation of each component by transmitting and / or receiving signals between each component.

[0035] The control unit (150) may include at least one processor. The control unit (150) may control the overall operation of the biostimulation device (100) using the processor. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may be a dedicated device such as an ASIC or another hardware-based processor.

[0036] The control unit (150) can control the amplitude, frequency, and / or phase of the AC current output from each of the plurality of driving units (140).

[0037] The control unit (150) can classify the plurality of electrodes (145) into a plurality of groups. The control unit (150) can classify some of the plurality of electrodes (145) into a first group and the remaining some into a second group. In addition, the control unit (150) can classify other some of the plurality of electrodes (145) into a third group and the remaining some into a fourth group. Here, the first group can correspond to a first frequency, the second group can correspond to a second frequency, the third group can correspond to a third frequency, and the fourth group can correspond to a fourth frequency.

[0038] The control unit (150) can control the driving units corresponding to the electrodes included in the first group and the third group among the plurality of driving units (140) so that an AC current having a first frequency and an AC current having a third frequency flow to the electrodes included in the first group and the third group. The control unit (150) can control the driving units corresponding to the electrodes included in the first group and the fourth group among the plurality of driving units (140) so that an AC current having a first frequency and an AC current having a fourth frequency flow to the electrodes included in the first group and the fourth group. The control unit (150) can control the driving units corresponding to the electrodes included in the second group and the third group among the plurality of driving units (140) so that an AC current having a second frequency and an AC current having a third frequency flow to the electrodes included in the second group and the third group. The control unit (150) can control the driving units corresponding to the electrodes included in the second group and the fourth group among the plurality of driving units (140) so that an alternating current having a second frequency and an alternating current having a fourth frequency flow to the electrodes included in the second group and the fourth group.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged in the housing (101) of the bio-stimulation device (100). The plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged in the housing (101) so as to be spaced apart from each other. For example, the plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other by a preset distance. When a user wears the bio-stimulation device (100), the plurality of electrodes (145) arranged in the housing (101) may be positioned adjacent to the user's body.

[0040] Each of the plurality of electrodes (145) may be electrically connected to a corresponding driving unit among the plurality of driving units (140). Current output from the plurality of driving units (140) may flow through the plurality of electrodes (145). The amplitude and / or phase of the alternating current flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145) may be different from each other.

[0041] Meanwhile, the total sum of the alternating currents having the first frequency flowing through the electrodes included in the first group among the plurality of electrodes (145) may be 0. In addition, the total sum of the alternating currents having the second frequency flowing through the electrodes included in the second group among the plurality of electrodes (145) may also be 0.

[0042] Meanwhile, the total sum of the alternating currents having the third frequency flowing through the electrodes included in the third group among the plurality of electrodes (145) may be 0. In addition, the total sum of the alternating currents having the fourth frequency flowing through the electrodes included in the fourth group among the plurality of electrodes (145) may also be 0.

[0043] When two AC currents having different frequencies flow through a plurality of electrodes (145), a beat phenomenon may occur inside an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes (145) (hereinafter, referred to as a target area). At this time, a low-frequency envelope may be generated due to the beat phenomenon caused by reinforcement and / or cancellation of electric fields corresponding to the two AC currents. The frequency of the low-frequency envelope generated due to the beat phenomenon may correspond to the frequency difference between the two AC currents flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145). For example, when the frequency difference between the two AC currents flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145) is 20 Hz, the frequency of the low-frequency envelope may be 20 Hz. Therefore, when a low-frequency envelope due to the beat phenomenon is generated at a specific location in the target area, the specific location may be stimulated.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3A, a driving unit (140') according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of signal generators (Vf1, Vf2). Each of the plurality of signal generators (Vf1, Vf2) may generate a signal having a predetermined frequency. For example, the first signal generator (Vf1) may generate a signal having a first frequency, and the second signal generator (Vf2) may generate a signal having a third frequency. The signals generated by the plurality of signal generators (Vf1, Vf2) may correspond to voltages. The plurality of signal generators (Vf1, Vf2) may adjust the frequency, phase, etc. of the signals generated according to the control of the control unit (150).

[0045] The driving unit (140') may include a plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1, Rp2). Each of the plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1, Rp2) may be connected to a corresponding signal generator. Each of the plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1, Rp2) may adjust the magnitude of a signal output from the corresponding signal generator. For example, the plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1, Rp2) may be configured as digital potentiometers. At this time, the control unit (150) may control the digital variable resistor corresponding to the first voltage divider (Rp1) so that a first magnitude voltage is output through the first voltage divider (Rp1), and may control the digital variable resistor corresponding to the second voltage divider (Rp1) so that a second magnitude voltage is output through the second voltage divider (Rp2).

[0046] The driving unit (140') may include a plurality of voltage controlled current sources (VCCS) (141a, 141b). Each of the plurality of voltage controlled current sources (141a, 141b) may be composed of a plurality of resistors, operational amplifiers, etc.

[0047] Each of the plurality of voltage-controlled current sources (141a, 141b) can output an AC current corresponding to an AC voltage output through a corresponding signal generator and voltage divider. At this time, the frequency, phase, amplitude, etc. of the AC current output from each of the plurality of voltage-controlled current sources (141a, 141b) can correspond to the frequency, phase, amplitude, etc. of the AC voltage generated from the corresponding signal generator. For example, each of the plurality of voltage-controlled current sources (141a, 141b) can output an AC current (Iout) corresponding to mathematical expression 1.

[0048]

[0049] Here, N may correspond to the number of bits of the signal used to control the corresponding voltage divider, and D may correspond to the resistance value of the variable resistor included in the corresponding voltage divider.

[0050] The driving unit (140') may further include at least one buffer composed of an operational amplifier, a load (RL1, RL2), etc.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3b, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a driving unit (140'') may include a plurality of signal generators (Vf1 to Vfn).

[0052] The driving unit (140'') may include a plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1 to Rpn). Each of the plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1 to Rpn) may be connected to a corresponding signal generator. Each of the plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1 to Rpn) may adjust the size of a signal output from the corresponding signal generator.

[0053] Each of the plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1 to Rpn) can output a signal for one node. For example, the plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1 to Rpn) can be connected to a predetermined node corresponding to the input terminal of the buffer.

[0054] The driving unit (140'') may include a voltage-controlled current source (141). The voltage-controlled current source (141) may output an AC current corresponding to an AC voltage output from each of a plurality of voltage dividers (Rp1 to Rpn) to a predetermined node. The frequency, phase, amplitude, etc. of the plurality of AC currents output from the voltage-controlled current source (141) may correspond to the frequency, phase, amplitude, etc. of the AC voltage generated from each of the plurality of signal generators (Vf1 to Vfn).

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3c, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a driving unit (140''') may include a single signal generator. A single signal generator may generate multiple signals having different frequencies. The magnitudes of the multiple signals output from a single signal generator may be different from each other.

[0056] The driving unit (140''') may include a voltage-controlled current source (141). The voltage-controlled current source (141) may output an alternating current corresponding to a plurality of alternating voltages output from a single signal generator. The frequency, phase, amplitude, etc. of the plurality of alternating currents output from the voltage-controlled current source (141) may correspond to the frequency, phase, amplitude, etc. of the plurality of alternating voltages generated from a single signal generator.

[0057] FIGS. 4 to 5B are drawings for reference in explaining an envelope according to the frequency of an alternating current flowing through a plurality of electrodes according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, when two alternating currents with different frequencies flow through multiple electrodes (145), an envelope may be generated due to a beat phenomenon caused by reinforcement and / or cancellation of electric fields corresponding to the two alternating currents.

[0059] At this time, if the carrier frequencies of the two AC currents flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145) are the same as f1, a low-frequency envelope with a large amplitude can be formed. At this time, the frequency of the low-frequency envelope generated by the two AC currents having the same carrier frequency as f1 can correspond to the frequency difference (Δf) of the two AC currents.

[0060] Meanwhile, when the carrier frequencies of the two AC currents flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145) are different, such as f1 and f2 or f1 and f3, an envelope having a relatively small amplitude can be formed. At this time, the envelope generated by the two AC currents having different carrier frequencies can have an amplitude that is small enough not to stimulate the living body depending on the carrier frequency. Therefore, f1 and f2 or f1 and f3 can be set so that the amplitude of the low-frequency envelope generated by the two AC currents having the same carrier frequency as f1 is larger than the amplitude of the envelope generated by the two AC currents having different carrier frequencies as f1 and f2 or f1 and f3. For example, f1 and f2 can be set so that the amplitude of the low-frequency envelope generated by the two AC currents having the same carrier frequency as f1 is 10 times or more larger than the amplitude of the envelope generated by the two AC currents having different carrier frequencies as f1 and f2. In one embodiment, the frequency difference between the multiple carrier frequencies may be greater than or equal to a preset frequency (e.g., 1 kHz). For example, the combination of two carrier frequencies may be configured in various ways, such as 1 kHz and 2 kHz, 3 kHz and 5 kHz, 5 kHz and 9 kHz, or 1 kHz and 10 kHz. Meanwhile, the multiple carrier frequencies may be less than or equal to a preset maximum frequency. For example, the multiple carrier frequencies may be less than or equal to 25 kHz.

[0061] When an AC current having a carrier frequency of f1 and an AC current having a carrier frequency of f2 flow through each of a plurality of electrodes (145), a first low-frequency envelope generated by the AC currents having the same carrier frequency as f1 and a second low-frequency envelope generated by the AC currents having the same carrier frequency as f2 can stimulate a living body. The frequency of the first low-frequency envelope can be referred to as a first sub-frequency, and the frequency of the second low-frequency envelope can be referred to as a second sub-frequency. On the other hand, an envelope generated by two AC currents having different carrier frequencies of f1 and f2 may not stimulate a living body.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 5a, in both cases where the carrier frequencies of two alternating currents flowing through multiple electrodes (145) are the same at 1 kHz and the frequency difference is 20 Hz (501), and in both cases where the carrier frequencies are the same at 10 kHz and the frequency difference is 20 Hz (502), a low-frequency envelope having a frequency of 20 Hz can be generated.

[0063] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5b, when the carrier frequencies of the two AC currents flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145) are different from each other, such as 1 kHz and 10 kHz, a low-frequency envelope that stimulates a living body may not be generated. For example, in all cases where the frequencies of the two AC currents flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145) are 1 kHz and 10 kHz (511), 1 kHz and 10.02 kHz (512), 1.02 kHz and 10 kHz (513), and 1.02 kHz and 10.02 kHz (514), a low-frequency envelope that stimulates a living body may not be generated.

[0064] FIGS. 6 to 11 are drawings for reference in the description of a biostimulation device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] Hereinafter, directions are defined based on the rectangular coordinate system. In the rectangular coordinate system, the x-axis direction can be defined as the left-right direction. At this time, the direction toward +x with respect to the origin can mean the right direction, and the direction toward -x can mean the left direction. In addition, the y-axis direction can be defined as the front-back direction. At this time, the direction toward +y with respect to the origin can mean the front direction, and the direction toward -y can mean the rear direction. In addition, the z-axis direction can be defined as the up-down direction. At this time, the direction toward +z with respect to the origin can mean the upward direction, and the direction toward -z can mean the downward direction.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 6, a bio-stimulation device (100a) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of electrodes (145). At this time, the plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged on the same plane. The plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged on a predetermined plane that is parallel to the x-axis and y-axis and perpendicular to the z-axis.

[0067] The housing (101a) of the biostimulation device (100a) may be formed to have a circular band shape. A plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged along the perimeter of the housing (101a) at a predetermined distance from each other. In the present disclosure, 32 electrodes are arranged in the biostimulation device (100a) as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0068] The user's body can be positioned in the area (105) surrounded by the inner surface of the housing (101a). That is, when the user wears the biostimulation device (100a), the housing (101a), which is shaped like a circular band, can surround the user's body. At this time, a plurality of electrodes (145) can be arranged to form a circular band around the user's body.

[0069] The size of the area stimulated by the low-frequency envelope (hereinafter, "stimulation range") can correspond to the number of electrodes through which AC current flows. The greater the number of electrodes through which AC current flows, the smaller the stimulation range. In other words, increasing the number of electrodes used to generate the low-frequency envelope allows for more precise stimulation of specific locations.

[0070] The location stimulated by the low-frequency envelope (hereinafter, "stimulation location") may correspond to the location of electrodes included in each of the multiple groups and / or the intensity of the alternating current flowing through each electrode. In this case, the stimulation location may correspond to one of various locations constituting the target area.

[0071] The control unit (150) can set the stimulation location and / or stimulation range. For example, the control unit (150) can set the stimulation location and / or stimulation range based on a command received through the input unit (120).

[0072] The control unit (150) can determine the frequency, magnitude, and / or phase of the alternating current flowing to each of the plurality of electrodes (145) based on the set stimulation position and / or stimulation range. For example, the control unit (150) can determine the frequency, magnitude, and / or phase of the alternating current flowing to each of the plurality of electrodes (145) based on a table corresponding to the stimulation position and / or stimulation range stored in the memory (110).

[0073] The control unit (150) may classify some of the plurality of electrodes (145) into a first group corresponding to a first frequency and the other parts into a second group corresponding to a second frequency, based on the set stimulation position and / or stimulation range. At this time, the control unit (150) may determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a first frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the first group, and may determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a second frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the second group.

[0074] When multiple stimulation locations are set, the control unit (150) can classify some of the plurality of electrodes (145) into a first group corresponding to a first frequency, the remaining some into a second group corresponding to a second frequency, and the remaining some of the plurality of electrodes (145) into a third group corresponding to a third frequency, and the remaining some into a fourth group corresponding to a fourth frequency.

[0075] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of the alternating current having a first frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the first group and the third group and the magnitude and / or phase of the alternating current having a third frequency. The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of the alternating current having a first frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the first group and the fourth group and the magnitude and / or phase of the alternating current having a fourth frequency. The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of the alternating current having a second frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the second group and the third group and the magnitude and / or phase of the alternating current having a third frequency. The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of the alternating current having a second frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the second group and the fourth group and the magnitude and / or phase of the alternating current having a fourth frequency.

[0076] Regarding the alternating current flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145), a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. With respect to the description of FIGS. 7 to 9, a bio-stimulation device (100a) including 16 electrodes will be described as an example. With respect to the description of FIGS. 10 and 11, a bio-stimulation device (100a) including 32 electrodes will be described as an example. Meanwhile, in FIGS. 7 to 11, the stimulation position is expressed as a coordinate on the xy plane, and an example will be given in which the coordinate corresponding to the center of the target area is (0,0).

[0077] Referring to Fig. 7, when the stimulation position is (0,0), eight electrodes arranged in series, corresponding to half of the plurality of electrodes (145) included in the biostimulation device (100a), may be included in the first group (710). In addition, eight electrodes corresponding to the remaining half of the plurality of electrodes (146) may be included in the second group (720).

[0078] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a first frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the first group (710). At this time, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the first group (710) may be 0.

[0079] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a second frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the second group (720). At this time, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the second group (720) may also be 0.

[0080] Referring to Fig. 8, when the stimulation position is (0,5), seven electrodes arranged in succession may be included in the first group (810), and the remaining nine electrodes may be included in the second group (820). At this time, the stimulation position (0,5) may be adjacent to the second group (820) compared to the first group (810).

[0081] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a first frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the first group (810). At this time, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the first group (810) may be 0.

[0082] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a second frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the second group (8720). At this time, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the second group (820) may also be 0.

[0083] Referring to Fig. 9, when the stimulation location is (0,10), 11 electrodes arranged in succession may be included in the first group (910), and the remaining 5 electrodes may be included in the second group (920). At this time, the stimulation location (0,10) may be adjacent to the second group (920) compared to the first group (910).

[0084] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a first frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the first group (910). At this time, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the first group (910) may be 0.

[0085] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a second frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the second group (920). At this time, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the second group (920) may also be 0.

[0086] The number of electrodes included in each of the first and second groups may be either odd or even, depending on the stimulation location. Furthermore, as the stimulation location moves away from the center of the target area, the difference between the number of electrodes included in the first group and the number of electrodes included in the second group may increase.

[0087] Referring to Fig. 10, multiple stimulus locations (1001, 1002) can be set.

[0088] When the first stimulus position (1001) is (1,10), 23 electrodes arranged in succession may be included in the first group (1010), and the remaining 9 electrodes may be included in the second group (1020). At this time, the first stimulus position (1,10) may be adjacent to the second group (1020) compared to the first group (1010). In the case of the first frequency corresponding to the first group and the second frequency corresponding to the second group, they may have the same first carrier frequency, and the frequency difference may be 20 Hz.

[0089] When the second stimulus position (1002) is (0,0), 16 electrodes arranged in succession may be included in the third group (1030), and the remaining 16 electrodes may be included in the second group (1040). In the case of the third frequency corresponding to the first group and the fourth frequency corresponding to the second group, the same second carrier frequency may be present, and the frequency difference may be 20 Hz. Meanwhile, the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency may be different from each other.

[0090] The total sum of the alternating currents having a first frequency flowing through the electrodes included in the first group (1010) may be 0. The total sum of the alternating currents having a second frequency flowing through the electrodes included in the second group (1020) may be 0. The total sum of the alternating currents having a third frequency flowing through the electrodes included in the third group (1030) may be 0. The total sum of the alternating currents having a fourth frequency flowing through the electrodes included in the fourth group (1040) may be 0.

[0091] Meanwhile, in FIGS. 7 to 10, examples are provided of electrodes arranged in succession being included in each group, but this is not limited thereto.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 11, the multiple stimulation locations that are stimulated through the biostimulation device (100) can be varied. For example, the multiple stimulation locations can all be set to the same value of (0,0) (1101). For example, the multiple stimulation locations can be set to different values ​​of (8,8) and (0,-8).

[0093] FIGS. 12 to 14 are drawings that are referenced in the description of a biostimulation device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed descriptions of content that overlaps with the content described in FIGS. 6 to 11 will be omitted.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 12, a bio-stimulation device (100b) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of electrodes (145). At this time, the plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged on a plurality of planes. The plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged on a plurality of planes that are parallel to the x-axis and the y-axis and perpendicular to the z-axis. For example, 12 electrodes (145) may be arranged on a plane where the z-axis value is 0, 8 electrodes (145) may be arranged on a plane where the z-axis value is a, 8 electrodes (145) may be arranged on a plane where the z-axis value is b, and 4 electrodes (145) may be arranged on a plane where the z-axis value is c.

[0095] The housing (101b) of the biostimulation device (100b) may be formed to have a hemispherical shape. A plurality of electrodes (145) may be arranged along the periphery of the housing (101b) at a predetermined distance from each other. In the present disclosure, 32 electrodes are arranged in the biostimulation device (100b) as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0096] The user's body can be positioned in the area (105) surrounded by the inner surface of the housing (101b). That is, when the user wears the biostimulation device (100b), the hemispherical housing (101b) can surround the user's body. In this case, a plurality of electrodes (145) can be arranged to form a three-dimensional hemisphere around the user's body.

[0097] The greater the number of electrodes through which AC current flows, the smaller the stimulation range. That is, the more electrodes used to generate a low-frequency envelope, the more precise the stimulation of specific locations.

[0098] Regarding the alternating current flowing through the plurality of electrodes (145), a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. With respect to the description of FIGS. 11 and 13, a biostimulation device (100b) including 32 electrodes will be described as an example. Meanwhile, in FIGS. 12 and 13, the stimulation position is expressed as a coordinate in a three-dimensional space, and an example will be described in which the coordinate corresponding to the center of the target area is (0,0,0).

[0099] Referring to Fig. 13, when the stimulation position is (0,0,10), some of the electrodes (145) included in the biostimulation device (100b) may be included in the first group, and the remaining some of the electrodes may be included in the second group.

[0100] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a first frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the first group. At this time, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the first group may be 0.

[0101] The control unit (150) can determine the magnitude and / or phase of an alternating current having a second frequency flowing through each of the electrodes included in the second group. At this time, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the second group may also be 0.

[0102] Referring to Fig. 14, when the stimulation position is (0, 5, 5), some of the electrodes (145) included in the biostimulation device (100b) may be included in the first group, and the remaining some of the electrodes may be included in the second group. At this time, the electrodes included in the first group in Fig. 12 may be different from the electrodes included in the first group in Fig. 11.

[0103] Meanwhile, the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the first group and the total sum of the currents flowing through the electrodes included in the second group can both be 0.

[0104] Meanwhile, when the stimulation positions are set to (0,0,0) and (0,5,5), some of the electrodes (145) included in the bio-stimulation device (100b) may be included in the first group, and the remaining electrodes may be included in the second group. In addition, some of the electrodes (145) included in the bio-stimulation device (100b) may be included in the third group, and the remaining electrodes may be included in the fourth group. At this time, among the plurality of electrodes (145), the first electrode may be included in the first group and the third group, the second electrode may be included in the first group and the fourth group, the third electrode may be included in the second group and the third group, and the fourth electrode may be included in the second group and the fourth group, respectively.

[0105] As described above, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the stimulation position can be varied.

[0106] Additionally, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple locations can be stimulated simultaneously.

[0107] Additionally, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a specific location can be stimulated more precisely by adjusting the stimulation range.

[0108] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 14, a bio-stimulation device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of driving units electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes to supply an alternating current; And a control unit, wherein the control unit divides the plurality of electrodes into a first group and a second group based on a first position of an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, divides the plurality of electrodes into a third group and a fourth group based on a second position of an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, and controls a first driving unit corresponding to the first electrode so that a first AC current having the first frequency and a third AC current having the third frequency flow to the first electrodes included in the first group and the third group, and controls a second driving unit corresponding to the second electrode so that a second AC current having the second frequency and the third AC current flow to the second electrodes included in the second group and the third group, and controls a third driving unit corresponding to the third electrode so that the first AC current and a fourth AC current having the fourth frequency flow to the third electrodes included in the first group and the fourth group, and controls the second AC current and the fourth AC current flow to the fourth electrodes included in the second group and the fourth group. To flow, a fourth driving unit corresponding to the fourth electrode is controlled, and each of the first group to the fourth group includes two or more of the plurality of electrodes, and the number of electrodes included in the first group and the number of electrodes included in the second group may correspond to the first position, and the number of electrodes included in the third group and the number of electrodes included in the fourth group may correspond to the second position.

[0109] Additionally, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the total sum of the first alternating current flowing through the electrodes included in the first group, the total sum of the second alternating current flowing through the electrodes included in the second group, the total sum of the third alternating current flowing through the electrodes included in the third group, and the total sum of the fourth alternating current flowing through the electrodes included in the fourth group may all be 0.

[0110] In addition, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first position may be a position where a first low-frequency envelope of a first sub-frequency is generated based on a beat phenomenon caused by a first electric field generated by the first AC current and a second electric field generated by the second AC current, and the second position may be a position where a second low-frequency envelope of a second sub-frequency is generated based on a beat phenomenon caused by a third electric field generated by the third AC current and a fourth electric field generated by the fourth AC current.

[0111] Additionally, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the frequency difference between the first frequency and the second frequency may correspond to a first sub-frequency that stimulates the brain, and the frequency difference between the third frequency and the fourth frequency may correspond to a second sub-frequency that stimulates the brain.

[0112] In addition, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first AC current and the second AC current may have a first carrier frequency, the third AC current and the fourth AC current may have a second carrier frequency, and a frequency difference between the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency may be 1 kHz or more.

[0113] Additionally, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the number of electrodes included in the first group, the number of electrodes included in the second group, the number of electrodes included in the third group, and the number of electrodes included in the fourth group may be an odd number.

[0114] Additionally, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the number of electrodes included in the first group and the number of electrodes included in the second group may be different from each other.

[0115] In addition, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of electrodes may be arranged on the same plane when corresponding to a circular band shape, and may be arranged on a plurality of planes when corresponding to a three-dimensional hemispherical shape.

[0116] A bio-stimulation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of driving units electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes to supply alternating current; And a control unit, wherein the control unit divides the plurality of electrodes into a first group and a second group based on a first position of an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, divides the plurality of electrodes into a third group and a fourth group based on a second position of an area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, and controls a first driving unit corresponding to the first electrode so that a first AC current having the first frequency and a third AC current having the third frequency flow to the first electrodes included in the first group and the third group, and controls a second driving unit corresponding to the second electrode so that a second AC current having the second frequency and the third AC current flow to the second electrodes included in the second group and the third group, and controls a third driving unit corresponding to the third electrode so that the first AC current and a fourth AC current having the fourth frequency flow to the third electrodes included in the first group and the fourth group, and controls the second AC current and the fourth AC current flow to the fourth electrodes included in the second group and the fourth group. To flow, a fourth driving unit corresponding to the fourth electrode is controlled, and each of the first group to the fourth group includes two or more of the plurality of electrodes, and the positions of the electrodes included in the first group and the positions of the electrodes included in the second group may correspond to the first position, and the positions of the electrodes included in the third group and the positions of the electrodes included in the fourth group may correspond to the second position.

[0117] The attached drawings are only intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0118] Meanwhile, the operating method of the present disclosure can be implemented as processor-readable code on a processor-readable recording medium. A processor-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices that store data that can be read by a processor. Examples of processor-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage devices, etc., and also include those implemented in the form of a carrier wave, such as transmission via the Internet. Furthermore, the processor-readable recording medium can be distributed across network-connected computer systems, so that the processor-readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0119] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Multiple electrodes; A plurality of driving units electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes to supply alternating current; and Including a control unit, The above control unit, Based on the first position of the area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes are divided into a first group and a second group, Based on the second position of the area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes are divided into a third group and a fourth group, Controlling the first driving unit corresponding to the first electrode so that a first AC current having the first frequency and a third AC current having the third frequency flow to the first electrode included in the first group and the third group, Controlling the second driving unit corresponding to the second electrode so that the second AC current and the third AC current having the second frequency flow to the second electrode included in the second group and the third group, Controlling the third driving unit corresponding to the third electrode so that the first AC current and the fourth AC current having the fourth frequency flow to the third electrode included in the first group and the fourth group, Controlling the fourth driving unit corresponding to the fourth electrode so that the second AC current and the fourth AC current flow to the fourth electrode included in the second group and the fourth group, Each of the first to fourth groups includes two or more of the plurality of electrodes, The number of electrodes included in the first group and the number of electrodes included in the second group correspond to the first position, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the number of electrodes included in the third group and the number of electrodes included in the fourth group correspond to the second position.

2. In paragraph 1, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the sum total of the first AC current flowing through the electrodes included in the first group, the sum total of the second AC current flowing through the electrodes included in the second group, the sum total of the third AC current flowing through the electrodes included in the third group, and the sum total of the fourth AC current flowing through the electrodes included in the fourth group are all 0.

3. In paragraph 1, The above first position is a position where a first low-frequency envelope of the first sub-frequency is generated based on a beat phenomenon caused by a first electric field generated by the first AC current and a second electric field generated by the second AC current. A bio-stimulation device characterized in that the second position is a position where a second low-frequency envelope of the second sub-frequency is generated based on a pulsation phenomenon caused by a third electric field generated by the third AC current and a fourth electric field generated by the fourth AC current.

4. In paragraph 1, The frequency difference between the first frequency and the second frequency corresponds to a first sub-frequency that stimulates the brain, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the frequency difference between the third frequency and the fourth frequency corresponds to the second sub-frequency that stimulates the brain.

5. In paragraph 1, The above first AC current and the above second AC current have a first carrier frequency, The third AC current and the fourth AC current have a second carrier frequency, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the frequency difference between the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency is 1 kHz or more.

6. In paragraph 1, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that at least one of the number of electrodes included in the first group, the number of electrodes included in the second group, the number of electrodes included in the third group, and the number of electrodes included in the fourth group is an odd number.

7. In paragraph 1, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the number of electrodes included in the first group and the number of electrodes included in the second group are different from each other.

8. In paragraph 1, The above plurality of electrodes are, When corresponding to a circular belt shape, they are placed on the same plane, A bio-stimulation device characterized in that it is arranged on multiple planes when corresponding to a three-dimensional hemispherical shape.

9. Multiple electrodes; A plurality of driving units electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes to supply alternating current; and Including a control unit, The above control unit, Based on the first position of the area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes are divided into a first group and a second group, Based on the second position of the area corresponding to the plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes are divided into a third group and a fourth group, Controlling the first driving unit corresponding to the first electrode so that a first AC current having the first frequency and a third AC current having the third frequency flow to the first electrode included in the first group and the third group, Controlling the second driving unit corresponding to the second electrode so that the second AC current and the third AC current having the second frequency flow to the second electrode included in the second group and the third group, Controlling the third driving unit corresponding to the third electrode so that the first AC current and the fourth AC current having the fourth frequency flow to the third electrode included in the first group and the fourth group, Controlling the fourth driving unit corresponding to the fourth electrode so that the second AC current and the fourth AC current flow to the fourth electrode included in the second group and the fourth group, Each of the first to fourth groups includes two or more of the plurality of electrodes, The positions of the electrodes included in the first group and the positions of the electrodes included in the second group correspond to the first position, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the positions of the electrodes included in the third group and the positions of the electrodes included in the fourth group correspond to the second position.

10. In paragraph 9, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the sum total of the first AC current flowing through the electrodes included in the first group, the sum total of the second AC current flowing through the electrodes included in the second group, the sum total of the third AC current flowing through the electrodes included in the third group, and the sum total of the fourth AC current flowing through the electrodes included in the fourth group are all 0.

11. In paragraph 9, The above first position is a position where a first low-frequency envelope of the first sub-frequency is generated based on a beat phenomenon caused by a first electric field generated by the first AC current and a second electric field generated by the second AC current. A bio-stimulation device characterized in that the second position is a position where a second low-frequency envelope of the second sub-frequency is generated based on a pulsation phenomenon caused by a third electric field generated by the third AC current and a fourth electric field generated by the fourth AC current.

12. In paragraph 9, The frequency difference between the first frequency and the second frequency corresponds to a first sub-frequency that stimulates the brain, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the frequency difference between the third frequency and the fourth frequency corresponds to the second sub-frequency that stimulates the brain.

13. In paragraph 9, The above first AC current and the above second AC current have a first carrier frequency, The third AC current and the fourth AC current have a second carrier frequency, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the frequency difference between the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency is 1 kHz or more.

14. In paragraph 9, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that at least one of the number of electrodes included in the first group, the number of electrodes included in the second group, the number of electrodes included in the third group, and the number of electrodes included in the fourth group is an odd number.

15. In paragraph 9, A bio-stimulation device, characterized in that the number of electrodes included in the first group and the number of electrodes included in the second group are different from each other.

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