Control device, electrical stimulation device, and electrical stimulation program

Abstract

A control device disclosed herein is a control device for an electrical stimulation device. The control device comprises a control unit that repeatedly applies a pulse group between electrode units. An initial basic pulse and a final basic pulse among a plurality of basic pulses included in the pulse group have different polarities. The control unit inverts the polarities of the plurality of basic pulses included in the pulse group for each cycle.

Description

Control Device, Electrical Stimulation Device, and Electrical Stimulation Program

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

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

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-183479

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

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

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

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an electrical stimulation device. This device includes an electrode portion and the above-described control device.

[0008] 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.

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

[0010] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an electrical stimulation system according to an embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the control device in Figure 1. This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electrical stimulation system in Figure 1. This is a diagram illustrating the AC voltage waveform applied between the electrodes in Figure 1. This is a diagram illustrating another waveform of the electrical signal applied to the electrodes in Figure 1. This is a diagram illustrating an application example of the electrical stimulation device in Figure 1.

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

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

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

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

[0015] The control device 10 is supported by a dedicated stand 8. Since the dedicated stand 8 has casters, the dedicated stand 8 can be moved together with the control device 10. The control device 10 controls the entire electrical stimulation device 1. The control device 10 applies an electrical signal (voltage or current) between a pair of electrode units 20 to provide electrical stimulation to the user's muscles. In the following description, the case in which the control device 10 applies voltage between a pair of electrode units 20 will be used as an example, but the device is not limited to this, and the control device 10 may also apply current between a pair of electrode units 20.

[0016] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functions and configuration of the control device 10. Each block shown in Figure 2 can be realized in hardware terms by a computer processor, CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and other elements, electronic circuits, and mechanical devices, and in software terms by a computer program, etc. However, here we are depicting functional blocks realized through the cooperation of these components. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combinations of hardware and software.

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

[0018] The operation unit 12 receives operations from the user using the electrical stimulator 1, converts the operation signals into electrical signals, and outputs them to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 performs control based on the operation signals. The operation unit 12 receives, for example, the level of electrical stimulation, i.e., the voltage level. In Figure 1, an operation unit 12 is provided for each pair of electrode units 20. In this case, the operation unit 12 receives operations related to the corresponding pair of electrode units 20.

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

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

[0021] The above describes the basic configuration of the electrical stimulation device 1. Next, we will explain its operation.

[0022] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electrical stimulation device 1. When the control unit 18 receives an instruction to start electrical stimulation (S1), it performs a skin detection diagnosis (S2). The skin detection diagnosis diagnoses the contact state of the pair of electrode units 20 with the skin of the human body Hd. The control unit 18 transmits an inspection pulse at a fixed period (for example, 500 ms) and repeatedly detects the skin contact state. The voltage of the inspection pulse is set to a low voltage that does not cause physical sensation. If the contact state of the pair of electrode units 20 with the skin is good, the detected current will be above the reference value.

[0023] If the skin detection diagnosis is successful (Y in S2), the control unit 18 executes the electrical stimulation program (S3). If the skin detection diagnosis fails (N in S2), and a predetermined time (e.g., 120 seconds) has not elapsed since receiving the instruction to start electrical stimulation (N in S4), the control unit 18 returns to step S2. If the predetermined time has elapsed (Y in S4), the control unit 18 terminates the process.

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

[0025] Preferably, the control unit 18 repeatedly applies a group of voltage pulses at a relatively high frequency. At high frequencies, the electrical resistance (skin impedance) of the skin is low, so a large current can be passed through the human body Hd, and the current, and thus the electrical stimulation, can reach the deep muscles of the human body Hd. Preferably, the control unit 18 applies electrical stimulation at a frequency of 200 Hz or higher, and more preferably at a frequency of 400 Hz or higher.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0042] According to the voltage waveform of FIG. 5, the frequency is relatively high, and both positive and negative basic pulses are included in one cycle. Moreover, since the polarity of the last basic pulse in the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first basic pulse in the next cycle, the basic pulse can reach the deep muscles and cause relatively high muscle contraction in the deep muscles. Further, according to the verification by the inventors, it was confirmed that by outputting a single-shot pulse at the beginning of one cycle, even higher muscle contraction can be caused in the deep muscles. It is considered that the shorter the time width of the single-shot pulse, the higher this effect. Therefore, the time width t5 is preferably 1 / 2 or less of the time width t1, and more preferably 1 / 4 or less.

[0043] As a modification, the single-shot pulse and the basic pulse following the single-shot pulse may have different polarities from each other. Although higher muscle contraction can be caused in the deep muscles when the single-shot pulse and the basic pulse following the single-shot pulse have the same polarity, even if the polarities are different from each other, a certain degree of effect of facilitating the basic pulse to reach the deep muscles can be expected.

[0044] Note that the electrical stimulation device 1 can generate electrical stimulation of a desired frequency by appropriately changing the period T of the basic waveform, more specifically, for example, the time width t4 of the interval period.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an application example of the electrical stimulation device 1. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 1. In this example, two pairs (i.e., four) of electrode portions 20 are connected to the control device 10. The first electrode portion 20_1 and the second electrode portion 20_2 among the four electrode portions 20 constitute one system (hereinafter referred to as the first system), and the third electrode portion 20_3 and the fourth electrode portion 20_4 constitute another system (hereinafter referred to as the second system).

[0046] The four electrode portions 20_1 to 20_4 are attached to the human body Hd such that the current flowing between the first electrode portion 20_1 and the second electrode portion 20_2 and the current flowing between the third electrode portion 20_3 and the fourth electrode portion 20_4 cross each other in the human body Hd. In this example, the four electrode portions 20_1 to 20_4 are attached to the abdomen.

[0047] The control unit 18 applies voltages to the first system and the second system simultaneously at mutually different frequencies. In this case, an interference wave is generated due to the phase difference between the frequency of the first system and the frequency of the second system. Here, "simultaneously" includes not only the case of being completely simultaneous but also the case of being substantially simultaneous. "Substantially simultaneous" means being almost simultaneous and having a timing deviation within the range where an interference wave is generated.

[0048] The control unit 18 may apply voltages to the first system and the second system at relatively high frequencies with a relatively low difference therebetween. In this case, it is possible to cause a current of a relatively low frequency to flow through the deep muscles of the human body Hd, that is, to reach the deep muscles of the human body Hd with an electrical stimulation of a relatively low frequency. For example, the relatively high frequency may be 200 Hz or more, and the relatively low frequency may be 20 Hz or less.

[0049] The frequency difference between the voltages applied to the first system and the second system may be 20 Hz, which can promote incomplete tetanus in the muscle and apply a continuous load, or may be 4 Hz, which can promote single twitch in the muscle and apply an instantaneous load. In the former case, the combination of the frequency of the voltage applied to one of the first system and the second system and the frequency of the voltage applied to the other of the first system and the second system may be 200 Hz and 220 Hz, 300 Hz and 320 Hz, or 400 Hz and 420 Hz.

[0050] The control unit 18 may apply voltages to the first system and the second system according to an electrical stimulation program. In this case, at least a part of the electrical stimulation program may be configured to apply voltages at mutually different frequencies that are predetermined to the first system and the second system.

[0051] As described above, the present invention has been described 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 disclosure. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

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

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

[0054] [Aspect 1] A control device for an electrical stimulation device, comprising a control unit that repeatedly applies a group of pulses between electrodes, wherein the control unit reverses the polarity of a plurality of fundamental pulses included in the pulse group in each cycle, so that the polarity of the last fundamental pulse among the plurality of fundamental pulses in the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among the plurality of fundamental pulses in the next cycle.

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

[0056] [Aspect 3] The control device according to aspect 2, wherein the polarity of the single pulse and the polarity of the first basic pulse among the plurality of basic pulses are the same.

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

[0058] [Aspect 5] An electrical stimulation device comprising the electrode section and a control device according to any one of aspects 1 to 4.

[0059] [Aspect 6] A program for a control device of an electrical stimulation device that implements a function of repeatedly applying a group of pulses between electrodes, wherein the application function reverses the polarity of a plurality of basic pulses included in the pulse group in each period, so that the polarity of the last basic pulse among the plurality of basic pulses in the previous period is the same as the polarity of the first basic pulse among the plurality of basic pulses in the next period.

[0060] This disclosure can be used for control devices, electrical stimulation devices, and electrical stimulation programs.

[0061] 1 Electrical stimulator, 10 Control device, 18 Control unit, 20 Electrode unit.

Claims

1. A control device for an electrical stimulation device, comprising a control unit that repeatedly applies a group of pulses between electrodes, wherein the control unit reverses the polarity of a plurality of fundamental pulses included in the pulse group in each cycle, so that the polarity of the last fundamental pulse among the plurality of fundamental pulses in the previous cycle is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among the plurality of fundamental pulses in the next cycle.

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

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the polarity of the single pulse is the same as the polarity of the first basic pulse among the plurality of basic pulses.

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

5. An electrical stimulation device comprising the electrode section and the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A program for a control device of an electrical stimulator that enables a function to repeatedly apply a group of pulses between electrodes, wherein the application function reverses the polarity of a plurality of fundamental pulses included in the pulse group in each period, so that the polarity of the last fundamental pulse among the plurality of fundamental pulses in the previous period is the same as the polarity of the first fundamental pulse among the plurality of fundamental pulses in the next period.

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