Near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening

Abstract

The present invention relates to a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, comprising: a body unit forming a body of the near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator and having a circular surface formed at one end thereof; a fusion stimulation unit installed on the circular surface of the body unit to provide ultrasonic waves and near-infrared rays; and a control unit controlling the provision of ultrasonic waves and near-infrared rays of the fusion stimulation unit, wherein the fusion stimulation unit includes: an ultrasonic wave generation module that provides ultrasonic waves; and a near-infrared LED that provides near-infrared rays.

Description

Near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening

[0001] The present invention relates to a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, and more particularly, to a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for preventing and alleviating muscle loss.

[0002] The world is rapidly aging, and Korea is currently experiencing the fastest aging rate in the world, with the country projected to enter a super-aged society in 2026, with the population aged 65 and over exceeding 20%.

[0003] With the aging population leading to a continued decline in the nation's potential growth rate and rising national medical spending, there is a growing need to delay aging by early detection and management of cognitive, musculoskeletal, and other physical declines associated with aging.

[0004] Sarcopenia is a disease in which muscle mass decreases with aging. The prevalence rate among people in their 60s is over 40%, and it is rapidly increasing with the aging population.

[0005] Senile sarcopenia causes falls and physical dysfunction due to a decrease in skeletal muscle mass, and secondarily causes metabolic diseases, obesity, diabetes, and osteopenia. As a result of a six-year follow-up observation of elderly people over 65 years of age, the risk of death was 4.1 times higher in men with insufficient muscle mass and strength, and the risk of death increased up to 9.5 times in those with slow walking speed (Source: Professor Lim Soo-kyo, Department of Endocrinology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, a study that followed 565 Koreans over 65 years of age for 6 years: Public Library of Science 2016).

[0006] However, domestic and international research on age-related sarcopenia is still in its initial stages, and there are no preventive or therapeutic measures other than strength training and dietary protein intake.

[0007] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned problem, and the near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to the present invention is intended to provide non-invasive stimulation to muscles to delay muscle loss and promote regeneration, and to prevent and alleviate muscle loss by fusing near-infrared wavelengths capable of penetrating into tissue areas and ultrasound stimulation.

[0008] In order to solve the above-described problem, a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a body part forming a body of the near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator, the body part having a circular surface formed at one end; a fusion stimulator part installed on the circular surface of the body part to provide ultrasound and near-infrared rays; and a control part controlling the provision of ultrasound and near-infrared rays by the fusion stimulator part; wherein the fusion stimulator part comprises an ultrasound generation module providing ultrasound; and a near-infrared LED providing near-infrared rays.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules may be arranged at regular intervals on the circular surface of the body portion, and a plurality of the near-infrared LEDs may be arranged between and around the plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules arranged at regular intervals on the circular surface of the body portion.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules are formed with a step so as to protrude more than the near-infrared LED from the circular surface of the body, and the plurality of the near-infrared LEDs can irradiate and provide near-infrared rays in a space formed by the step between the plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules on the circular surface of the body.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules are formed in a fan shape on the circular surface of the body, and a plurality of the near-infrared LEDs are arranged in the space between and around the plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules on the circular surface of the body to provide near-infrared rays.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention may further include a band portion that connects a plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules to each other.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic generation module may be arranged at the center of the circular surface of the body portion, and a plurality of near-infrared LEDs may be arranged around the ultrasonic generation module.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of near-infrared LEDs may be arranged in a ring at equal intervals around the ultrasonic generation module.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic generation module generates and provides ultrasonic waves of 1 MHz, and the near-infrared LED can provide near-infrared rays of 850 nm or 1050 nm.

[0016] The near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to the present invention is intended to provide non-invasive stimulation to muscles to delay muscle loss and promote regeneration, and can prevent and alleviate muscle loss by integrating near-infrared wavelengths that can penetrate into tissue areas and ultrasound stimulation.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIGS. 5 to 9 are drawings for explaining the effect of a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0023] However, when describing embodiments, if a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the sizes of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and do not necessarily represent the sizes actually applied.

[0024] Additionally, throughout the specification, when a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but may also be connected or connected via another component in between, unless otherwise specifically stated. Additionally, throughout the specification, when it is said that a part "includes" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather includes other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a near-infrared and ultrasonic fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a near-infrared and ultrasonic fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a near-infrared and ultrasonic fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Hereinafter, the near-infrared and ultrasonic fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0028] A near-infrared and ultrasonic fusion stimulator (100) for muscle strengthening according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a body part (101), a fusion stimulator part (110), and a control part (120).

[0029] The above body part (101) constitutes the body of the near-infrared and ultrasonic fusion stimulator (100), and a circular surface is formed at one end of the body part (101).

[0030] In addition, the fusion stimulation unit (110) is installed on the circular surface of the end of the body unit (101) to provide ultrasonic waves and near-infrared rays, and the control unit (120) controls the provision of ultrasonic waves and near-infrared rays by the fusion stimulation unit (110).

[0031] At this time, the fusion stimulation unit (110) may be configured to include an ultrasonic generation module (111) that provides ultrasonic waves and a near-infrared LED (112) that provides near-infrared waves. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic generation module (111) generates and provides ultrasonic waves of 1 MHz, and the near-infrared LED (112) may provide near-infrared waves of 850 nm or 1050 nm.

[0032] More specifically, referring to (a) and (b) of FIG. 2, the ultrasonic generation modules (111) are arranged at regular intervals on one circular surface of the body portion (101), and the near-infrared LED (112) can be arranged between and around a plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules (111) arranged at regular intervals on the circular surface of the body portion (101).

[0033] In addition, referring to (c) of FIG. 2, a plurality of the ultrasonic generation modules (111) may be formed with a step so as to protrude more than the near-infrared LED (112) on the circular surface of the body portion (101).

[0034] Accordingly, the near-infrared LED (112) can provide near-infrared light by irradiating it from the inside of the space formed by the step between the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules (111) on the circular surface of the body part (101).

[0035] According to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 3, a plurality of ultrasonic generation modules (111) may be formed in a fan shape on the circular surface of the body part (101).

[0036] In addition, a plurality of near-infrared LEDs (112) can be arranged in the space between and around a plurality of ultrasonic generation modules (111) on the circular surface of the body part (101) to provide near-infrared rays.

[0037] Meanwhile, a plurality of ultrasonic generation modules (111) as in (c) of FIG. 3 can be connected to each other using a band portion (113) as in (a) of FIG. 3.

[0038] In addition, referring to (a) and (b) of FIG. 4, the ultrasonic generation module (111) may be placed at the center of one circular surface of the body part (101), and a plurality of near-infrared LEDs (112) may be placed around the ultrasonic generation module (111).

[0039] To explain in more detail, a plurality of the near-infrared LEDs (112) can be arranged in a ring shape at even intervals around the ultrasonic generation module (111).

[0040] FIGS. 5 to 9 are drawings for explaining the effect of a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] More specifically, FIG. 5 is a graph for explaining the effect of promoting muscle cell regeneration according to light irradiation at various energies of near-infrared wavelengths according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] When a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator according to one embodiment of the present invention irradiates muscle cells with near-infrared light of 850 nm or 1050 nm for 3 days, it can be seen that MHC expression is relatively promoted compared to when near-infrared light is not irradiated, in the case of L6 cell differentiation in Fig. 5 (a) and in the case of C2C12 cell differentiation in Fig. 5 (b).

[0043] Through this, it can be seen that the degree of muscle cell differentiation is promoted according to irradiation with various energies of near-infrared LED wavelengths during the differentiation process of muscle cells that constitute the muscles.

[0044] More specifically, FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining the effect of promoting muscle cell differentiation according to near-infrared wavelength light irradiation and ultrasound fusion stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] When a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator according to one embodiment of the present invention irradiates muscle cells with near-infrared light of 850 nm or 1050 nm and ultrasound together, it can be seen that MHC expression is relatively promoted compared to when near-infrared light is not irradiated and when only near-infrared light is irradiated, in the case of L6 cell differentiation in Fig. 6 (a) and in the case of C2C12 cell differentiation in Fig. 6 (b).

[0046] Through this, it can be seen that the degree of muscle cell differentiation is promoted after the fusion stimulation of near-infrared LED wavelength and ultrasound during the differentiation process of muscle cells that constitute the muscle.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a graph for explaining the muscle cell regeneration promotion effect according to light irradiation at various energies of near-infrared wavelengths according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] To explain in more detail, Fig. 7 (a) is a drawing showing the differentiation of L6 muscle cells before, Fig. 7 (b) is a drawing showing the differentiation of L6 when not irradiated with near-infrared light, Fig. 7 (c) is a drawing showing the differentiation of L6 when irradiated with near-infrared light of 850 nm, and Fig. 7 (d) is a drawing showing the differentiation of L6 when irradiated with near-infrared light of 1050 nm.

[0049] In addition, (e) of Fig. 7 is a drawing showing the differentiation of C2C12 muscle cells before, (f) of Fig. 7 is a drawing showing the differentiation of C2C12 when not irradiated with near-infrared light, (g) of Fig. 7 is a drawing showing the differentiation of C2C12 when irradiated with near-infrared light of 850 nm, and (h) of Fig. 7 is a drawing showing the differentiation of C2C12 when irradiated with near-infrared light of 1050 nm.

[0050] Therefore, when irradiated with near-infrared LED wavelength light, muscle cell differentiation is promoted, and it can be confirmed through Geimsa staining that the microtubule morphology increases.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a graph for explaining whether human dural fibroblasts are cytotoxic according to LED wavelengths (630 nm, 850 nm, 1050 nm) and energies of a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a graph for explaining whether human dural fibroblasts are cytotoxic according to ultrasound stimulation of a near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 8, it can be seen that there is no problem with the cytotoxicity of human dural fibroblasts when irradiated with near-infrared light at 1050 nm after LPS treatment, and when provided with ultrasound after LPS treatment, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0053] In this way, the near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening according to the present invention is intended to provide non-invasive stimulation to muscles to delay muscle loss and promote regeneration, and can prevent and alleviate muscle loss by integrating near-infrared wavelengths that can penetrate into tissue areas and ultrasound stimulation.

[0054] The detailed description of the present invention, as described above, has described specific embodiments. However, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The technical spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the aforementioned embodiments, but should be defined not only by the claims but also by equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. In the near-infrared and ultrasonic fusion stimulator, A body part constituting the body of the above near-infrared and ultrasonic fusion stimulator, wherein a circular surface is formed at one end; A fusion stimulator installed on the circular surface of the above body part and providing ultrasound and near-infrared rays; and A control unit for controlling the provision of ultrasonic waves and near-infrared rays to the above fusion stimulation unit is included; The above fusion stimulation part is, An ultrasonic generation module providing ultrasonic waves; and Near-infrared LEDs that provide near-infrared light; A near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, characterized by including:

2. In claim 1, A plurality of the above ultrasonic generating modules are, are arranged at regular intervals on the circular surface of the above body part, A plurality of the above near-infrared LEDs, A near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, characterized in that a plurality of ultrasound generating modules are arranged at regular intervals on the circular surface of the above body part, and are arranged between and around the same.

3. In claim 2, A plurality of the above ultrasonic generating modules are, On the circular surface of the above body part, a step is formed so as to protrude more than the near-infrared LED, A plurality of the above near-infrared LEDs, A near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, characterized in that it irradiates and provides near-infrared rays in a space formed by the steps between a plurality of ultrasound generating modules on the circular surface of the above body part.

4. In claim 1, A plurality of the above ultrasonic generating modules are, In the circular surface of the above body part, each is formed in a fan shape, A plurality of the above near-infrared LEDs, A near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, characterized in that a plurality of ultrasound generating modules are arranged in the space between and around the circular surface of the above body part to provide near-infrared rays.

5. In claim 4, A band portion that connects a plurality of the above ultrasonic generating modules together; A near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, characterized by further including:

6. In claim 1, The above ultrasonic generation module, It is placed at the center of the circular surface of the above body part, A plurality of the above near-infrared LEDs, A near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, characterized in that it is placed around the above ultrasound generating module.

7. In claim 6, A plurality of the above near-infrared LEDs, A near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, characterized in that the ultrasound generating modules are arranged in a ring at equal intervals around the above-mentioned ultrasound generating modules.

8. In claim 1, The above ultrasonic generation module, Generates and provides 1 MHz ultrasound, The above near-infrared LED, A near-infrared and ultrasound fusion stimulator for muscle strengthening, characterized in that it provides near-infrared light of 850 nm or 1050 nm.

Images