JP5340786B2 - Electrical stimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a pain sense is mitigated when the output of an electric stimulation signal is started in a conventional manner but no mitigation is performed when an output level is increased concerning an electrical stimulator to be used for a treatment or muscle training with an electric stimulation. <P>SOLUTION: The electrical stimulator includes: a pulse signal generating means for generating a pulse signal with a prescribed cycle; an output level setting means for previously setting the output level of the electric stimulation signal; an amount increase indicating means for indicating the output exceeding the level by 10-30%, which is set by the output level setting means; and a control means for dividing a pulse signal string composed of the pulse signals into an output stop period, a first rising period, a first stationary period, a second rising period, a second stationary period, and a lowering period, controlling the levels in the respective periods by the setting of the output level setting means and the setting of the amount increase indicating means, and then, generating the electric stimulation signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device that is used when electrical stimulation is applied to a living body to perform treatment or strength training.

BACKGROUND ART Electric stimulation devices used for treatment by electrical stimulation or muscle strength training are conventionally known, and many products are provided. In addition, when a sudden electrical stimulus is applied to a living body, it feels unbearable pain, and these products use a technique for gradually increasing the output level at the start of output of the electrical stimulus signal to alleviate the pain sensation.
JP 2008-35954 A

By the way, when released from unbearable pain, the user tends to demand a stronger stimulus. In view of this, there has been considered a device that can increase the output of the normal level by several tens of percent by one-touch operation.

As described in the paragraph 0002, the conventional technique relieves pain at the start of output of an electrical stimulation signal, but does nothing at the time of increasing the amount. In addition, it is not considered how to increase the dose to obtain a high effect.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical stimulation device that can alleviate a painful sensation that has been missed by a conventional product and that can output a highly effective stimulation signal.

Pulse signal generating means for generating a pulse signal of a predetermined period;
Output level setting means for setting the output level of the electrical stimulation signal;
An increase instruction means for instructing an output that exceeds the level set by the output level setting means by 10 to 30%;
The pulse signal sequence composed of the pulse signals is divided into an output stop period, a first rising period, a first steady period, a second rising period, a second steady period, and a falling period, the setting of the output level setting means, and the increase It comprises control means for performing level control in each period according to the setting of the instruction means and generating an electrical stimulation signal.

The control means controls the pulse train signal as follows.
The output is stopped during the output stop period.
In the first rising period, the output is gradually increased from the output level 0 to the set value of the output level setting means during 0.2T (T is a predetermined time).
In the first stationary period of the previous period, the output level of the set value of the output level setting means is maintained for 0.4T (T is a predetermined time).
In the second rising period in which there is no increase support, the output level of the set value of the output level setting means is maintained for 0.2T (T is a predetermined time).
In the second rising period in which an increase instruction is given, the output is gradually increased from the output level of the set value of the output level setting means to a level increased by 10 to 30% during 0.2T (T is a predetermined time).
In the second steady period in which there is no increase support, the output level of the set value of the output level setting means is maintained for 0.4T (T is a predetermined time).
In the second steady period in which an increase instruction is given, the output level is maintained by 10 to 30% higher than the output level of the set value of the output level setting means during 0.4T (T is a predetermined time).
In the descending period, the output level is gradually decreased from the output level of the second steady period to the output level 0 during 0.2T (T is a predetermined time).
The output is stopped during the output stop period.

The applicant clarified the following in a preliminary experiment in the present invention.
1) When increasing the level, if the level is increased within the range from the normal use level to about 30%, the user's pain is less.
Moreover, there is no feeling of increase unless it is about 10% or more.
2) The user's satisfaction is maximized when the period of normal output and increased output is 5: 5.
3) When the level is gradually increased over 50% of the steady period, the pain is alleviated.
In the present invention, the electrical stimulation signal is controlled so as to satisfy the above-mentioned matters.
That is, a high effect can be obtained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical stimulation apparatus according to the present invention. The pulse signal generating means generates a pulse signal having a predetermined period. The output level setting means is normally used for setting the output level, and is composed of a variable resistor or the like. The increase instruction means is an object to be operated when use is desired to increase the feeling of irritation, and is configured by a push switch or the like. If it is desired to return to the normal level, the increase is canceled by pressing the switch again. An LCD is used as the display means. The operating state of the electrical stimulation apparatus of the present invention is displayed for the convenience of the user. FIG. 2 is a display example of the display means. The control means reads the states of the output level setting means, the increase instruction means, etc., and controls the output signal and the display means. The control means uses what is generally called a one-chip microcomputer, incorporating peripheral circuits such as an ADC, DAC, and LCD driver. In FIG. 1, the pulse signal generating means is depicted outside the control means, but the pulse signal may be generated by the one-chip microcomputer.

Next, the control will be described with reference to FIG.

When the power is turned on, the set value of the output level is fetched and substituted into A.

Next, the first rising period is processed. The first rising period is performed by a loop process with an initial value of 0 and a final value of 0.2T. The output during loop processing is A * t1 / 0.2T. That is, the output increases from 0 to A * 1 with the passage of time (t1).

Next, processing in the first steady period is performed. The first steady period is performed by a loop process with an initial value of 0 and a final value of 0.4T. The output during loop processing is A.

Next, the second rising period is processed. The second rising period is performed by a loop process with an initial value of 0 and a final value of 0.2T. The first process in the loop is to check for an increase instruction. When there is no increase instruction, A is output. When there is an increase instruction, the level of A + A * t3 / 2T is output. That is, it rises with time (t3) from A to A + A / 10 = 1.1A (10% increase of A).

Next, processing in the second steady period is performed. The second steady period is performed by a loop process with an initial value of 0 and a final value of 0.4T. The first process in the loop is to check for an increase instruction. When there is no increase instruction, A is output. When there is an increase instruction, 1.1A (10% increase of A) is output.

Next, the descending period is processed. The descending period is performed by a loop process with an initial value of 0 and a final value of 0.2T. The first process in the loop is to check for an increase instruction. When there is no increase instruction, A-A * t5 / 0.2T is output. That is, it decreases from A to 0 with time (t5). When there is an increase instruction, 1.1A-1.1A * t5 / 0.2T is output. That is, it decreases from 1.1A to 0 with time (t5).

Next, an output stop period is processed. The output stop period is performed by a loop process with an initial value 0 and a final value T0. The output during loop processing is zero. The target output control is performed by the above processing. T is a predetermined time.

Overview of electrical stimulation device according to the present invention Display example of display means according to the present invention Block diagram of an electrical stimulation device according to the present invention Flow chart according to the present invention Waveform diagram

Claims (1)

Pulse signal generating means for generating a pulse signal of a predetermined period;
Output level setting means for setting the output level of the electrical stimulation signal;
An increase instruction means for instructing an output that exceeds the level set by the output level setting means by 10 to 30%;
The pulse signal sequence composed of the pulse signals is divided into an output stop period, a first rising period, a first steady period, a second rising period, a second steady period, and a falling period, the setting of the output level setting means, and the increase It consists of a control means for generating an electrical stimulation signal by performing level control in each period by setting the instruction means,
The control means stops outputting the pulse train signal during the output stop period,
In the first rising period, the output is gradually increased from the output level 0 to the set value of the output level setting means during 0.2T (T is a predetermined time),
Further, in the first stationary period of the previous period, the output level of the set value of the output level setting means is maintained for 0.4T (T is a predetermined time),
And in the second ascending period when there is no increase support, the output level of the set value of the output level setting means is maintained for 0.2 T (T is a predetermined time),
Further, in the second rising period in which the increase instruction is given, the output is gradually increased from the output level of the set value of the output level setting means to a level increased by 10 to 30% within 0.2T (T is a predetermined time). ,
In the second steady period in which there is no increase support, the output level of the set value of the output level setting means is maintained for 0.4 T (T is a predetermined time), and 0. 0 in the second steady period in which the increase instruction is given. Maintain the output level 10 to 30% higher than the output level of the set value of the output level setting means during 4T (T is a predetermined time),
In the falling period, the output level is gradually decreased from the output level of the second steady period to the output level 0 during 0.2T (T is a predetermined time),
And the electrical stimulation apparatus characterized by performing control which stops an output during an output stop period.