Electrical stimulation device

Abstract

Provided is an electrical stimulation device that can be used regardless of the type of footwear worn, whether or not footwear is worn, and whether or not a sock is worn. An electrical stimulation device 1 for applying electrical stimulation to a human body comprises a power generation unit and a current application unit 12. The power generation unit is attached to the heel of a sole of the human body and generates power using force transmitted from the sole to the power generation unit 11 due to movement of the human body. The current application unit 12 has electrodes 12a that make direct contact with the sole of the human body and applies a current generated in the power generation part 11 to the sole of the human body via the electrodes 12a.

Description

Electrical stimulation device

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device that applies electrical stimulation to the human body.

[0002] Conventionally, an electrical stimulation device that passes a microcurrent, which is a weak current of 1 mA or less, through an injured part of the human body or a muscle that feels pain has been studied. Such a battery stimulation device is expected to promote the healing of the injured part and reduce muscle pain (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In a conventional electrical stimulation device, a piezoelectric element and an electrode are incorporated in an insole of a shoe. The piezoelectric element generates electricity by using the force transmitted from the bottom of the human foot to the piezoelectric element due to human body movements such as walking, running, and stomping. By passing the current generated in the piezoelectric element through the bottom of the foot via the electrode, the fatigue of the leg muscles due to walking is reduced.

[0004] Cho Mi-Suk et al., Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2007, Vol.19, No.2, p165-170

[0005] In a conventional electrical stimulation device, a piezoelectric element is disposed in the insole of the shoe, and an electrode is exposed on the surface facing the bottom of the insole of the shoe. Therefore, when a person wears a shoe equipped with an electrical stimulation device, the electrode contacts the bottom of the foot. However, when a shoe with an insole in which the electrical stimulation device is assembled is worn with socks, a cloth constituting the socks is interposed between the electrode and the bottom of the foot, making it difficult to pass a current through the bottom of the foot. That is, the conventional electrical stimulation device exhibits an effect when wearing shoes with bare feet, but it is difficult to exhibit an effect when wearing shoes with feet wearing socks. Further, the conventional electrical stimulation device cannot be used in footwear that does not use an insole, such as sandals. Therefore, the use environment of the conventional electrical stimulation device is limited.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulation device that can be used regardless of the type of footwear to be worn, the presence or absence of wearing footwear, and the presence or absence of wearing socks.

[0007] The electrical stimulation device according to the present invention is an electrical stimulation device for applying electrical stimulation to a human body, and comprises a power generation unit and a current conducting unit. The power generation unit is attached to at least a part of the sole of the human body and generates electricity by the force transmitted from the sole of the human body to the power generation unit due to the movement of the human body. The current conducting unit has electrodes that are in direct contact with the lower leg and / or foot of the human body, and passes the current generated in the power generation unit through the electrodes to the lower leg and / or foot of the human body.

[0008] Furthermore, in the electrical stimulation device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the power generation unit and the current conducting unit are integrally formed, and that the device includes a plate-shaped main body that can be attached to the sole of the human foot, and that the electrodes contact the sole of the human foot when the main body is attached to the sole of the human foot.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the power generation device according to the present invention is formed in a strip shape that can be wrapped around the foot of the human body and includes a strip-shaped holding member that holds the main body to the sole of the human body.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the electrical stimulation device according to the present invention consists of a stretchable fabric member formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer circumference of the foot of the human body, and includes a cylindrical holding member that holds the main body between the inner surface and the sole of the human body's foot while covering the outer circumference of the foot of the human body.

[0011] Furthermore, in the electrical stimulation device according to the present invention, it is preferable that an attachment portion is formed on the surface of the main body portion facing the sole of the human foot portion for attaching the main body portion to the sole of the human foot portion.

[0012] Furthermore, in the electrical stimulation device according to the present invention, it is preferable that a water-absorbing portion is formed on the surface of the main body that faces the sole of the human foot, for absorbing moisture between the sole of the human foot and the main body.

[0013] Furthermore, in the electrical stimulation device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the power generation unit is a friction generator.

[0014] According to the present invention, the power generation unit is attached to the sole of the human foot, and the electrodes are in direct contact with the lower leg and / or sole of the human foot, so it can be used regardless of the type of footwear worn, whether or not footwear is worn, or whether or not socks are worn.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical stimulation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the electrical stimulation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the electrical stimulation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention in use. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an electrical stimulation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the electrical stimulation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention in use. Figure 6 is a perspective view of an electrical stimulation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical stimulation device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] <First Embodiment> Figures 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electrical stimulation device. Figure 2 is a side view of the electrical stimulation device. Figure 3 shows the electrical stimulation device in use.

[0017] The electrical stimulation device 1 of this embodiment generates electricity through human movement such as walking, running, and stepping, and reduces muscle fatigue in the legs by passing the generated current through the soles of the feet.

[0018] Here, the electric current passed through the soles of the feet is a so-called microcurrent, which is a very weak current, for example, less than 1 mA, that the human body does not perceive as a stimulus. Electrical stimulation of the human body by microcurrents is expected to promote the healing of injured areas of the body and reduce muscle fatigue, muscle pain, and swelling.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the electrical stimulation device 1 comprises a main body 10 positioned at the heel portion of the sole of the human foot when in use, and a band-shaped holding member 20 for holding the main body 10 on the sole of the human foot.

[0020] The main body 10 is a flexible plate-shaped member, such as silicone rubber. The main body 10 is shaped to conform to the outer shape of the heel portion of the sole of the human foot. As shown in Figure 2, the main body 10 has a power generation unit 11 that generates electricity when it receives an external force, and as shown in Figure 1, a power supply unit 12 for supplying electricity to the human body.

[0021] The power generation unit 11 is a triboelectric generator that generates electricity using triboelectric charging. The power generation unit 11 is embedded inside the main body 10.

[0022] The friction generator includes a positively charged sheet-like member (not shown) consisting of a positively charged layer such as polyamide and an electrode layer, and a negatively charged sheet-like member (not shown) consisting of a negatively charged layer such as polyimide and an electrode layer. The friction generator generates electricity by stacking the positively charged sheet-like member and the negatively charged sheet-like member so that the positively charged layer and the negatively charged layer face each other, and by changing the contact state between the positively charged layer and the negatively charged layer.

[0023] To explain in more detail, the power generation unit 11 generates electricity when it switches between a first state in which no force acts against the main body 10 in the thickness direction due to the movement of the human body, and a second state in which a force acts against the main body 10 in the thickness direction. To explain in more detail, in the power generation unit 11, when an external force acts and it switches from the first state to the second state, the positively charged layer of the positively charged sheet-like member and the negatively charged layer of the negatively charged sheet-like member rub against each other, causing the positively charged layer to become positively charged and the negatively charged layer to become negatively charged. Furthermore, in the power generation unit 11, when the action of the external force is eliminated and it switches from the second state to the first state, a current flows through the current-carrying unit 12 in a direction that makes the potential equal between the electrode layer of the positively charged sheet-like member and the electrode layer of the negatively charged sheet-like member.

[0024] Compared to piezoelectric elements, frictional generators produce a higher voltage and do not require voltage boosting as is the case when piezoelectric elements are used as the power generation unit. Furthermore, frictional piezoelectric machines can be formed from soft, sheet-like materials, thus preventing damage due to loads, as is the case when piezoelectric elements made of hard materials are used as the power generation unit.

[0025] The energizing section 12 has a pair of conductors and a pair of electrodes 12a. The pair of conductors are connected to the respective electrode layers of the positively charged sheet-like member and the negatively charged sheet-like member. The pair of electrodes 12a are provided at the respective ends of the pair of conductors and directly contact the heel portion of the sole of the human foot. As shown in Figure 1, the pair of electrodes 12a are spaced apart from each other and are exposed on the surface of the main body 10 facing the sole of the human foot.

[0026] The band-shaped retaining member 20 is made of, for example, a transparent, elastic band-shaped member. The band-shaped retaining member 20 has an instep-side retaining portion 20a and a heel-side retaining portion 20b. The instep-side retaining portion 20a is wrapped around the instep of the foot with both ends connected to the front sides of both ends of the main body portion 10 in the width direction. The heel-side retaining portion 20b is wrapped around the heel of the foot with both ends connected to the rear sides of both ends of the main body portion 10 in the width direction. Note that when a person is wearing the electrical stimulator 1, the direction towards the toes is considered the front of the main body portion 10, and the direction towards the heel is considered the rear of the main body portion 10.

[0027] As described above, the electrical stimulator 1 is attached to the foot by wrapping the instep-side holding portion 20a around the instep and the heel-side holding portion 20b around the heel, with the surface of the main body portion 10 with the pair of electrodes 12a exposed facing the heel portion of the sole of the foot, as shown in Figure 3. At this time, the foot to which the electrical stimulator 1 is attached is barefoot, and the pair of electrodes 12a are in direct contact with the heel portion of the sole of the foot. Furthermore, it is possible to wear socks, shoes, sandals, or other footwear while the electrical stimulator 1 is attached to the foot.

[0028] As described above, the electrical stimulation device 1 of this embodiment is an electrical stimulation device 1 that applies electrical stimulation to the human body. The electrical stimulation device 1 comprises a power generation unit 11 and a current conducting unit 12. The power generation unit 11 is attached to the heel portion of the sole of the human foot and generates electricity from the force transmitted from the sole of the foot to the power generation unit 11 due to the movement of the human body. The current conducting unit 12 has an electrode 12a that is in direct contact with the sole of the foot on the human body and passes the current generated in the power generation unit 11 through the electrode 12a to the sole of the foot on the human body.

[0029] As a result, the power generation unit 11 is attached to the sole of the human foot, and the electrode 12a is in direct contact with the sole of the human foot. Therefore, the electrical stimulator 1 can be used regardless of the type of footwear worn, whether footwear is worn or not, or whether socks are worn or not.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable that the power generation unit 11 and the current-carrying unit 12 are integrally formed, and that the device includes a plate-shaped main body 10 that can be attached to the sole of the human foot, and that the electrode 12a contacts the sole of the human foot when the main body 10 is attached to the sole of the human foot.

[0031] As a result, the power generation unit 11 and the energizing unit 12, including the electrode 12a, are formed as a single plate-like member. Therefore, the structure of the energizing unit 12 is simple, and the energizing unit 12 is easy to handle.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferable that the electrical stimulator 1 is formed in a strip shape that can be wrapped around the foot of a person, and includes a strip-shaped holding member 20 that holds the main body 10 on the sole of the foot of a person.

[0033] This makes it possible to secure the main body 10 to the sole of the foot by wrapping the band-shaped retaining member 20 around the foot. As a result, it is possible to securely fix the main body 10 to the sole of the foot.

[0034] Furthermore, the power generation unit 11 is preferably a friction generator.

[0035] This makes it possible to form the positively charged and negatively charged sheet-like members constituting the friction generator from flexible materials. In this case, even if the power generation unit 11 is subjected to impact forces generated by human movement, damage to the power generation unit 11 can be suppressed, and the durability of the power generation unit 11 is excellent. Furthermore, the power generation unit 11, which consists of a friction generator, can have its main body 10 conform to the shape of the sole of the foot. As a result, the fit is good when the main body 10 is attached to the sole of the foot.

[0036] In the first embodiment described above, the band-shaped retaining member 20 for holding the main body 10 on the sole of the human foot was shown to be a band-shaped member that can be wrapped around the foot. However, the retaining member for holding the main body 10 is not limited to the band-shaped retaining member 20 described above, as long as it can hold the main body 10 on the sole of the foot. For example, the main body may be held on the sole of the foot by wrapping a string-shaped member, with both ends connected to the main body, around the foot. Alternatively, the main body may be held on the sole of the foot by placing an elastic member extending in an arc shape, with one end connected to the main body, along the outer circumference of the foot.

[0037] <Second Embodiment> Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the electrical stimulation device. Figure 5 shows the electrical stimulation device in use. Components similar to those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0038] The electrical stimulation device 1 of this embodiment does not have the strip-shaped holding member 20 of the first embodiment, and is equipped with a cylindrical holding member 30 that holds the main body 10 to the sole of the foot of the human body.

[0039] The cylindrical holding member 30 is a member formed from a stretchable fabric material into a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical holding member 30 integrally covers the outer circumference of the heel side of the foot, including the ankle and instep. When the cylindrical holding member 30 is covering the outer circumference of the foot, it has a holding portion 31 that detachably holds the main body 10 at the heel portion of the sole of the foot. The holding portion 31 holds the main body 10 between the inner surface of the cylindrical holding member 30 and the sole of the foot. The pair of electrodes 12a on the main body 10 held by the holding portion 31 contact the heel portion of the sole of the foot. The holding portion 31 may have a pocket on the inner surface of the cylindrical holding member 30 that can accommodate the main body 10. In this case, the holding portion 31 is configured such that at least one pair of electrodes 12a contact the heel portion of the sole of the foot when the main body 10 is housed in the holding portion 31.

[0040] The electric stimulation device 1 configured as described above is attached to the heel portion of the foot by attaching the cylindrical holding member 30 so as to cover the outer peripheral portion on the heel side of the foot and holding the main body portion 10 in the holding portion 31. At this time, the foot to which the electric stimulation device 1 is attached is in a barefoot state, and the pair of electrodes 12a are directly in contact with the heel portion of the sole of the foot. Further, when the electric stimulation device 1 is attached to the foot, it is possible to wear socks and footwear such as shoes and sandals.

[0041] As described above, according to the electric stimulation device 1 of the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the power generation unit 11 is attached to the sole of the human body, and the electrode 12a is directly in contact with the sole of the human body. Therefore, it is possible to use the electric stimulation device 1 regardless of the type of footwear to be worn, whether footwear is worn, or whether socks are worn.

[0042] Further, the electric stimulation device 1 of the present embodiment preferably comprises a cylindrical elastic cloth member that covers the outer peripheral portion of the human foot, and a cylindrical holding member 30 that holds the main body portion 10 between the inner surface and the sole of the foot in a state of covering the outer peripheral portion of the human foot.

[0043] Thereby, the main body portion 10 and the cylindrical holding member 30 can be handled as separate members. As a result, the cylindrical holding member 30 can be washed, and it is possible to maintain cleanliness.

[0044] <Third Embodiment> Fig. 6 is a view showing the third embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view of the electric stimulation device. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the above embodiment.

[0045] The electric stimulation device 1 of the present embodiment does not have the belt-like holding member 20 in the first embodiment. In the electric stimulation device 1 of the present embodiment, an attachment portion 40 for attaching the main body portion 10 to the sole of the human body is formed on the surface of the main body portion 10 facing the sole of the foot.

[0046] The attachment portion 40 is formed along the outer peripheral side of the surface of the main body portion 10 that faces the sole portion. The attachment portion 40 is formed, for example, by attaching a double-sided tape having adhesive surfaces on both sides along the outer peripheral side of the surface of the main body portion 10 that faces the sole portion.

[0047] The electric stimulation device 1 configured as described above is attached to the heel portion of the sole via the attachment portion 40. At this time, the foot to which the electric stimulation device 1 is attached is in a barefoot state. The pair of electrodes 12a directly contact the heel portion of the sole. Also, with the electric stimulation device 1 attached to the foot, it is possible to wear socks, shoes, sandals, or other footwear.

[0048] Thus, according to the electric stimulation device 1 of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the power generation portion 11 is attached to the sole of the human body, and the electrodes 12a directly contact the sole of the human body. Therefore, it is possible to use the electric stimulation device 1 regardless of the type of footwear worn, whether footwear is worn, or whether socks are worn.

[0049] Moreover, it is preferable that an attachment portion 40 for attaching the main body portion 10 to the sole of the human body is formed on the surface of the main body portion 10 that faces the sole of the human body.

[0050] Thereby, it is possible to configure the electric stimulation device 1 with only a part of the main body portion 10 without separately requiring a member for holding the main body portion 10 on the sole of the human body. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of parts.

[0051] <Fourth Embodiment> Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention and is an exploded perspective view of an electric stimulation device. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same components as those in the above embodiment.

[0052] The electric stimulation device 1 of the present embodiment does not have the belt-like holding member 20 in the first embodiment. Further, on the surface of the main body portion 10 that faces the sole portion, a water absorption and attachment portion 50 that functions as a water absorption portion for absorbing moisture and an attachment portion for attaching the main body portion 10 to the sole of the human body is formed.

[0053] The water-absorbing adhesive portion 50 is formed over the entire surface of the main body portion 10, excluding the portion where the pair of electrodes 12a are located on the surface facing the sole of the foot. The water-absorbing adhesive portion 50 is formed, for example, by attaching a member, which has adhesive properties on both sides of a water-absorbing sheet-like member, over the entire surface of the main body portion 10, excluding the pair of electrodes 12a on the surface facing the sole of the foot.

[0054] The electrical stimulator 1, configured as described above, is attached to the heel portion of the sole of the foot via the water-absorbing adhesive portion 50. At this time, the foot to which the electrical stimulator 1 is attached is barefoot, and the pair of electrodes 12a are in direct contact with the heel portion of the sole of the foot. Furthermore, with the electrical stimulator 1 attached to the foot, it is possible to wear socks, shoes, sandals, or other footwear. In addition, since the water-absorbing adhesive portion 50 is located between the sole of the foot and the main body portion 10, sweat from the sole of the foot is absorbed by the water-absorbing adhesive portion 50.

[0055] Thus, according to the electrical stimulator 1 of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the power generation unit 11 is attached to the sole of the human foot, and the electrode 12a is in direct contact with the sole of the human foot. For this reason, the electrical stimulator 1 can be used regardless of the type of footwear worn, whether or not footwear is worn, or whether or not socks are worn.

[0056] Furthermore, it is preferable that the surface of the main body 10 facing the sole of the human foot has a water-absorbing adhesive portion 50 formed thereon for attaching the main body 10 to the sole of the human foot.

[0057] This makes it possible to construct the electrical stimulation device 1 using only parts of the main body 10, without requiring any separate components for attaching the main body 10 to the sole of the human foot. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of parts.

[0058] Furthermore, it is preferable that a water-absorbing adhesive portion 50 is formed on the surface of the main body portion 10 that faces the sole of the human foot, to absorb moisture between the sole of the human foot and the main body portion 10.

[0059] This allows the absorbent adhesive portion 50 to absorb sweat from the area where the main body portion 10 is attached to the sole of the foot. As a result, it is possible to maintain good hygiene on the sole of the foot.

[0060] In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the main body 10 is shown to be attached to the heel portion of the sole of the human foot, but it is not limited to this. The main body only needs to be attached to at least a part of the sole of the foot. For example, the main body may be attached to the toe portion, the ball of the foot portion, or it may be attached to the entire sole of the foot.

[0061] Furthermore, while the first to fourth embodiments described above show a pair of electrodes 12a in contact with the heel portion of the sole of the human foot, the invention is not limited to this, and any electrodes that are in contact with the foot and / or lower leg may be used. The pair of electrodes may also be placed on a part of the sole of the human foot other than the heel, for example, by positioning the main body portion on the toe side of the sole of the foot, they may be placed in contact with the toe portion or the ball of the foot. Alternatively, the pair of electrodes may be placed on the instep portion 20a of the band-shaped retaining member 20 in the first embodiment, for example, to contact the instep of the foot. Furthermore, the pair of electrodes may be placed on the cylindrical retaining member 30 in the second embodiment, for example, by forming the cylindrical retaining member 30 to cover the calf, and placing the electrodes on the cylindrical retaining member 30, for example, to contact the calf. Here, the foot is the portion of the leg of the human body from the ankle to the toes, and the lower leg is the portion of the leg from the knee to the ankle.

[0062] 1 Electrical stimulator 10 Main body 11 Power generation unit 12 Current conducting unit 12a Electrode 20 Strip-shaped holding member 30 Cylindrical holding member 40 Attachment unit 50 Water-absorbing attachment unit

Claims

1. An electrical stimulation device for applying electrical stimulation to a human body, comprising a power generation unit and an electrical conduction unit, wherein the power generation unit is attached to at least a part of the sole of the human body and generates electricity by force transmitted from the sole of the human body to the power generation unit due to the movement of the human body, and the electrical conduction unit has electrodes that are in direct contact with the lower leg and / or foot of the human body, and the electrical stimulation device transmits the current generated in the power generation unit to the lower leg and / or foot of the human body via the electrodes.

2. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation unit and the current-carrying unit are integrally formed, and the device comprises a plate-shaped main body that can be attached to the sole of the human foot, and the electrodes are in contact with the sole of the human foot when the main body is attached to the sole of the human foot.

3. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 2, further comprising a strip-shaped holding member formed in a strip shape that can be wrapped around the foot of the human body and which holds the main body on the sole of the human body's foot.

4. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 2, comprising a tubular, stretchable fabric member that covers the outer circumference of the foot of the human body, and comprising a tubular holding member that holds the main body between its inner surface and the sole of the human body's foot while covering the outer circumference of the foot of the human body.

5. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the main body facing the sole of the human foot has an attachment portion formed thereon for attaching the main body to the sole of the human foot.

6. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 5, wherein a water-absorbing portion is formed on the surface of the main body facing the sole of the human foot, for absorbing moisture between the sole of the human foot and the main body.

7. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the power generation unit is a friction generator.

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