JP6600481B2 - Current stimulating apparatus and current stimulating method for recovering physical dysfunction of body - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a current stimulating device that generates a weak current that cannot be sensed by humans. More specifically, the present invention relates to a current stimulating device that improves or decreases muscle output by current stimulation of the percutaneous and recovers a motor function disorder. About.

2. Description of the Related Art EMS that improves muscle output by causing muscle contraction is known as a device that restores body function by current stimulation.

The EMS is an electrical muscle simulation, and is an apparatus that performs efficient muscle strength training by electrically contracting a motor nerve from the outside to intermittently contract muscles connected to the nerve.
It is a device that applies a strong load to muscle tissue and repairs after destroying muscle fibers to enlarge the muscle and improve muscle output by improving muscle output.
Therefore, EMS provides a strong current stimulus that causes muscle contraction. However, since suddenly intense current stimulation is applied to muscles, the stimulation is too strong, and various ideas have been devised in "How to apply current" that gradually increases the current to the set current. (For example, cited reference 1)

JP 2009-225810 A

The EMS causes muscles to contract intermittently by strong current stimulation, which allows efficient muscle strength training and enlarges the muscles. As a result, the muscle output is improved, and the muscle output cannot be improved until the muscle is enlarged.
That is, there is a problem that the muscle output cannot be improved immediately.

On the other hand, there are various states of motor dysfunction, and there are also disorders that cause motor dysfunction due to excessive contraction of muscles.

For such motor dysfunction, it is necessary to weaken and relax excessive muscle contraction, but the conventional current stimulating device cannot recover such motor dysfunction.

As a means for relieving such excessive muscle contraction, for example, there is botox injection for a cerebral palsy patient. In this treatment, Clostridium botulinum is injected into a muscle that is contracting into the muscle to relax the muscle contraction. However, the effect is not permanent and the injections need to be repeated regularly. In addition, if administered regularly, there is a problem that immunity to bacteria is obtained and the effect becomes weak, and there is a problem that there is a risk of causing respiratory disorder and dysphagia. In addition, there is a problem that there is no choice but to receive treatment at a medical institution.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a current stimulation device according to the present invention is a current stimulation device that supplies an electrical signal to an affected area using a conductor disposed on the affected area of the patient, and the electrical signal is used to increase muscle strength. An electric signal that is used to improve and is a weak electric signal that does not cause muscle contraction, and whose current amplitude gradually increases during the ramp-up time, and an electric signal of 20 mA or less When, which amplitude of the current is constituted from the electrical signals gradually decrease in the ramp-down time, characterized in that the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time is one second greater than the electrical signals respectively.
The current stimulation apparatus according to the present invention is a current stimulation apparatus that supplies an electrical signal to an affected area using a conductor arranged at the affected area, and the electrical signal is used to reduce muscle strength. An electric signal that is a signal and is a weak current that does not cause muscle contraction, and the amplitude of the current gradually increases during the ramp-up time, an electric signal of 20 mA or less, and the amplitude of the current is the ramp-down time The ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are currents smaller than 1 second, respectively .

As described above, at least one of the first output mode in which the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are each an electric signal greater than 1 second and the second output mode in which the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are each smaller than 1 second . Since the muscle output can be instantly improved or decreased by performing the treatment on the affected area using, the motor dysfunction can be immediately relieved. Further, excessive muscle contraction can be easily weakened and relaxed without suffering from a medical institution.

According to the present invention, muscle output can be instantly improved or decreased by applying a weak current stimulus that does not cause muscle contraction from the transcutaneous side of the muscle whose function is to be restored.
In particular, the motor dysfunction caused by excessive muscle contraction can be recovered by reducing the muscle output.

It is a front view of the current stimulating device 100 concerning this invention. It is a block diagram of the current stimulating device concerning this invention. It is a waveform which shows the 1st output mode concerning the present invention. It is a waveform which shows the 2nd output mode which concerns on this invention.

Normally, in order for a muscle to contract, a command (electrical signal) is issued from the brain to the muscle to be moved through the nerve, and the muscle contracts in response to the command.
At that time, the force (muscle strength) that can be exerted by the muscle is basically proportional to the cross-sectional area of the muscle. However, the muscular strength that is actually output is not determined simply by the cross-sectional area of the muscle, and what percentage of the total amount of the muscle is used is a major factor in exerting the muscular strength.
In other words, the greater the amount of instructions when the brain sends instructions to the muscles through the nerves, the more the muscles can contract more muscle fibers and the greater the strength (muscle strength).

And in general, even if you intend to exert your maximum muscle strength (maximum effort), the maximum command is not actually transmitted to the muscle, but only a few percent of the total command is given. There are many things.
There is an individual difference in the ratio, and even if you have the same amount of muscle, it causes muscle strength differences. Further, it is usually considered that the command reaches only about 60% to 70% of the lines even with the maximum order. This is because when 100% of the muscle strength is exerted, the tendons, bones, joints, and even the muscles themselves are overburdened so that 100% command is not given as a kind of defense measure.

It is considered that the present invention improves the muscle output by increasing the command amount of about 60% to 70% transmitted to this line, and decreases the muscle output by reducing the command amount.

In the present invention, increasing the command amount of about 60% to 70% transmitted to this line is defined as promotion, and reducing the command amount is defined as suppression.
That is, when “promotion” is selected, the muscle output is improved, and when “suppression” is selected, the muscle output is decreased.

The present invention can output one or both of the first output mode for improving the muscle output and the second output mode for reducing the muscle output, and the body has a motor function disorder. It is possible to recover the function of the patient.
For example, a patient who has a disorder in a joint or the like and has a pain has a motor dysfunction in which a muscle to be originally used cannot be used well. In addition, in order to make up for this unusable muscle, specific surrounding muscles are used.
These poorly used muscles have weak muscles that can improve muscle output and restore muscle function, while certain surrounding muscles are too strong to reduce muscle output. To recover from motor dysfunction.
An apparatus and a method using the apparatus aiming at recovering from a motor dysfunction caused by such abnormal muscle contraction are provided.

Here, the features of the present invention will be described.
A feature of the present invention is that the muscle output can be instantly improved and decreased.
To obtain this effect, the time taken for the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time is important.

Ramp up time is also called rise time control, and it means the time to raise the current to the set current gradually instead of applying the set current immediately after the start, and the ramp down time is the opposite, and gradually This is the time to reduce the current. It is provided to relieve muscle irritation.
In order to improve the muscle output, the present inventor needs to make the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time larger than 1 second, and in order to reduce the muscle output, the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are smaller than 1 second. I found out that it was a condition.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ramp up time and the live down time are controlled by the CPU 19 and output from the conductor 14 through the output circuit 20.

As shown in FIG. 3a, the first output mode is an output mode in which the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are made longer than 1 second, and is a mode for improving the muscle output. (Hereinafter referred to as a facilitating mode.) In other words, this is a mode for recovering the lowered muscle output.
For example, bedridden patients in nursing care settings, recovery of muscle output decreased due to disuse muscle atrophy, such as heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetic patients, prevention of disuse muscle atrophy after surgery for orthopedic diseases, etc. Can be used for rehabilitation.

This rehabilitation patient is especially elderly and often feels painful to a strong electric shock, so it is useful to restore motor dysfunction with a weak current (not perceived) that does not cause muscle contraction. It is.

Also, pediatric rehabilitation is effective because it does not cause fear of electrical stimulation.

Even in orthopedics and osteotomy, it is useful for treatment of diseases mainly caused by muscle weakness and muscle balance due to pain in the shoulder joint and knee joint, and improvement in range of motion limitation.

The second output mode is an output mode in which the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are less than 1 second as shown in FIG. That is, it is a mode in which the contraction of the muscle in a state where the muscle contraction occurs more than necessary is relaxed and suppressed. (Hereinafter referred to as suppression mode.)
For example, it is effective for a patient who has excessive muscle tone in the affected area such as back pain and shoulder stiffness.

[Example 1]
The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, a weak current (microcurrent) that does not cause muscle contraction is applied to stimulate the skin percutaneously, thereby improving or decreasing the muscle output of the muscle associated with the nerve, and reducing the body function. As shown in FIG. 1, the current stimulating device 100 recovers a fault, and includes a main body 10 that generates a weak current and a conductor 14 that applies the current.

Various SWs (operation switches) are provided on the front surface of the current stimulating device 100. Reference numeral 11 denotes a power supply SW. Reference numeral 12 denotes a start / stop SW. Further, an output port for connecting the conductor 14 is provided on the lower surface of the apparatus 100.

The output mode includes a first output mode for improving the muscle output and a second output mode for reducing the muscle output. This output mode may be a mode fixed for each apparatus, or a mode selection SW may be provided separately so that the user can select one of the modes.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the current stimulating device 100.
In FIG. 2, the power supply voltage Vcc output from the power supply unit 15 is controlled to a necessary voltage by the control voltage circuit 17 and supplied to the CPU 19, the memory 21, the booster circuit 16, and other necessary circuits. It is also supplied to the output circuit 20 controlled by the CPU 19.

First, the weak current generator is described.
The weak current generator includes an output circuit 20, a voltage Vcc supplied from the booster circuit 16, and a CPU 19.
The output circuit 20 receives the voltage Vcc supplied from the booster circuit 16 and a signal from the CPU 19 and generates a weak current. This weak current refers to a current at a level that does not cause muscle contraction, and specifically refers to a current of 20 mA or less. This numerical value of 20 mA is described in P242 of EBM Physical Therapy Original 2nd Edition (Medical and Pharmaceutical Publishing Co., Ltd.), FIGS. 8-20. As can be seen from this figure, an output of 20 mA or more is required to cause muscle contraction.
Since this embodiment uses a current (microcurrent) with an output of less than 1000 μA, it is characterized in that no muscle contraction occurs.

Next, the control unit will be described.
The control unit includes a CPU 19, a control voltage circuit 17, a power supply voltage monitoring circuit 18, and a memory 21. The CPU 19 is connected to a memory 21 composed of an EEPROM, each SW described above, and a source oscillator for generating a clock. Further, the CPU 19 monitors the power supply voltage Vcc by the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 18. The CPU 19 also performs time control for the ramp up time, hold time, ramp down time, and off time.
The memory 21 such as the control program ROM and the working RAM is configured in one chip with the CPU 19.
The control voltage circuit 17 converts the power supplied from the power supply unit 15 into a voltage necessary for the control of the CPU 19 and the like, and supplies it.

Next, the output unit will be described.
The output unit includes an output circuit 20 and a polarity switching circuit 22.
The weak current and voltage generated by the output circuit 20 are switched in polarity by the polarity switching circuit 22 to become a pulse signal, which is output from the output terminal to the conductor 14.

The operation unit is composed of SW (switch) 11 and SW12. When power is turned on (SW11) and the start / stop SW12 is pressed, the operation is started.

Next, the operation will be described.
After the lead 14 is attached to the affected part, the power source is turned on by the power source SW11 to start the apparatus main body. Press start / stop SW12 to start treatment.
When the treatment is completed, the start / stop SW 12 is pressed again to finish.
Note that a mode selection SW may be provided so that a mode can be selected for each output unit.

First, the first output mode will be described.
The first output mode is a mode for improving the muscle output, and is an output mode in which the ramp up time and the ramp down time are made longer than 1 second.
In other words, it is a control in which the set current is gradually increased over a time longer than 1 second, output for several seconds at the set current, and then gradually decreased over a time longer than 1 second. Such control is performed by the CPU 19 and the output circuit 20.

The second output mode is a mode in which the muscle output is suppressed, and is an output mode in which the ramp up time and the ramp down time are made smaller than 1 second.
That is, it is a control in which the current is increased to a set current in a time shorter than 1 second, output for several seconds at that current, and then decreased in a time shorter than 1 second. Such control is performed by the CPU 19 and the output circuit 20.

If the ramp-up time and ramp-down time are set to 1 second, neither muscle output promotion nor suppression occurs.

However, when the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are set larger than 1 second, the effect of improving the muscle output is recognized. Preferably, there is a prompting effect in the range of 1.1 seconds to 4.0 seconds, and in particular, the prompting effect is in the range of 1.1 seconds to 3.0 seconds.

On the other hand, when the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are set smaller than 1 second, the effect of suppressing the muscle output is recognized. The suppression effect is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.9 seconds.
The experiment from which such a numerical range is derived will be described in detail later as Test Example 2.

The conductor 14 may be a known conductor 14. Further, the place where the guide 14 is installed may be anywhere as long as it is on the muscle whose function is to be restored.

Hereinafter, test examples will be described.
[Test Example 1]
This test is a test that proves that the current stimulation apparatus 100 can improve or decrease the muscle output. In addition, this test proves that the improvement in muscle output is not due to muscle hypertrophy because the muscle output is changed instantaneously.

Using males in their ages from the 20s to 40s as subjects, the conductor 14 connected to the current stimulating device 100 is attached to the middle muscle of the right leg, the muscle output facilitating mode which is the first output mode, and the second The restraint mode, which is the output mode, was operated, and the right leg abduction force before and after the operation was measured.

A muscle strength meter μTas F-1 manufactured by Anima Co., Ltd. was used for the measurement. This was placed on the outer leg of the right leg.
In addition, the left foot was in close contact with the wall to make it difficult for trick motion (exercise with alternative muscles).

As group A, the force of each test subject before the treatment was measured, and then the facilitating mode was applied and measured, then the suppression mode was applied and measured, and then the facilitating mode was applied again and measured.
In addition, the interval interval until the next treatment was 20 minutes.

As group B, the force of each subject before the treatment was measured, and then the suppression mode was performed and measured, then the facilitation mode was performed and measured, and then the suppression mode was performed again and the measurement was performed.
In addition, the interval interval until the next treatment was 20 minutes.

The parameters of the prompt mode are as follows.
Frequency 50Hz, pulse width 200μs, output 450μA, output time 5 minutes, ramp up time 1.5 seconds, hold 2.0 seconds, ramp down time 1.5 seconds, off time 3.0 seconds

The parameters of the suppression mode are as follows.
Frequency 50Hz, pulse width 200μs, output 450μA, output time 5 minutes, ramp up time 0.5 seconds, hold 4.0 seconds, ramp down time 0.5 seconds, off time 3.0 seconds

The results of Group A are shown in Table 1 below. The unit N is Newton.

The results of Group B are shown as Table 2 below. The unit N is Newton.

As can be seen from the results, it was proved that in both groups A and B, muscle output was improved by facilitation and decreased by suppression.
In addition, it was proved that muscle output can be instantly improved (promoted) and decreased (suppressed).

From the above test results, by using the current stimulating device 100, the muscle output can be instantly improved and decreased.
Moreover, since the effect appeared immediately after the operation, it was proved that the muscle was enlarged by muscle contraction and as a result, the muscle output was not enhanced.
On the other hand, when stimulation is applied in the suppression mode, a decrease in muscle output is observed. Such an effect cannot be achieved by the conventional EMS. Furthermore, the improvement and decrease effects of muscle output were also sustained.

[Test Example 2]
Next, a range of ramp up time and ramp down time was tested.

The test was performed under the same conditions as in Test Example 1 except that the number of seconds of the ramp up time and the ramp down time was changed. Each time after the test in each second, after confirming that it was suppressed and returned to the muscle output before the operation, the next second test was performed.

The ramp-up time and ramp-down time for the prompt mode were set as shown in Table 3 below. The unit is (N: Newton).

As a result, the muscle output was improved in the range of 1.1 seconds to 3.5 seconds. Above all, the output improved most at 3.0 seconds. Although it was improved from that before the treatment, a slight decrease was observed at 4.0 seconds.

Similarly, in the suppression mode, the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time were set as shown in Table 4 below. Each time after the test for each number of seconds, it was confirmed that the muscle output had returned to the pre-operative muscle after being urged, and then the next number of seconds was tested.
The unit is (N: Newton).

As a result, a decrease in muscle output was observed in the range of 0.9 to 0.1. In particular, the output decreased most at 0.5 seconds.

From the above tests, the muscle output can be improved by setting the ramp up time and the ramp down time from 1.1 seconds to 4.0 seconds, preferably from 1.1 seconds to 3.0 seconds.
On the other hand, by setting the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time from 0.9 seconds to 0.1 seconds, the line output can be reduced.

From the above test results, it was proved that the muscle output was improved and decreased by setting the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time.
In order to improve the muscle output, it is necessary that the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are larger than 1 second, and on the contrary, the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time must be smaller than 1 second in order to reduce the muscle output. Become.
Moreover, since the effect appeared immediately after the operation, it was proved that the muscles were enlarged by muscle contraction and as a result, the muscle output was not enhanced.
In addition, there is an immediate decrease in muscle output. Such a result is not possible with conventional EMS. Furthermore, the improvement and decrease effects of muscle output were also sustained.

Further, when the current value was set within the range of 1 μA to 999 μA and the same test was performed, the same result was obtained.

In addition, the apparatus main body may be provided with a display unit for displaying the current treatment mode, parameters, elapsed time, and the like. Moreover, although the output channel to the conductor 14 has been exemplified as one, it is not limited to this and may be a plurality of channels. The number of channels does not matter.
Further, the user may be able to arbitrarily change the output in the prompt mode and the suppression mode. For example, a five-stage output level adjustment SW may be provided to obtain the user's favorite output.

It should be noted that the parameters described are merely examples, and are not limited to these parameters, but are described with care to cover an equivalent range.

10 Body 11 Power switch SW11
12 Start / Stop SW12
14 Conductor 15 Power Supply Unit 16 Booster Circuit 17 Control Voltage Circuit 18 Power Supply Voltage Monitoring Circuit 19 CPU
20 output circuit 21 memory 22 polarity switching circuit 100 current stimulator

Claims (7)

A current stimulator for supplying an electrical signal to an affected area using a conductor disposed on the affected area of a patient,
The electrical signal is
A weak electrical signal that is used to improve muscle strength and does not cause muscles to contract,
An electric signal that is a signal whose current amplitude gradually increases during the ramp-up time, an electric signal of 20 mA or less, and an electric signal whose current amplitude gradually decreases during the ramp-down time,
Current stimulator, wherein the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time is one second greater than the electrical signals respectively. A current stimulator for supplying an electrical signal to the affected area using a conductor disposed in the affected area;
The electrical signal is
A weak current that is an electrical signal used to reduce muscle strength and does not cause muscles to contract,
An electric signal that is a signal whose current amplitude gradually increases during the ramp-up time, an electric signal of 20 mA or less, and an electric signal whose current amplitude gradually decreases during the ramp-down time,
The current stimulating apparatus, wherein the ramp-up time and the ramp-down time are each less than 1 second . A current stimulator for supplying an electrical signal to the affected area using a conductor disposed in the affected area;
The electrical signal is a first electrical signal according to a first mode or a second electrical signal according to a second mode;
The first electrical signal is
A weak electrical signal that is used to improve muscle strength and does not cause muscles to contract,
An electric signal that is a signal whose current amplitude gradually increases during the ramp-up time, an electric signal of 20 mA or less, and an electric signal whose current amplitude gradually decreases during the ramp-down time,
The second electrical signal is:
A weak current that is an electrical signal used to reduce muscle strength and does not cause muscles to contract,
An electric signal that is a signal whose current amplitude gradually increases during the ramp-up time, an electric signal of 20 mA or less, and an electric signal whose current amplitude gradually decreases during the ramp-down time. A current stimulating device. Comprising arbitrarily selected to mode setting means either the first output mode and the second output mode, and outputs the first electrical signal or the second electrical signal according to the selected mode 4. The current stimulating device according to claim 3, wherein   4. The current stimulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a ramp-up time and a ramp-down time in the first output mode are 1.1 seconds or more and 4 seconds or less. 5.   4. The current stimulating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a ramp-up time and a ramp-down time in the second output mode are 0.1 seconds or more and 0.9 seconds or less. 5. A current stimulator for supplying an electrical signal to the affected area using a conductor disposed in the affected area;
The electrical signal is a first electrical signal according to a first mode or a second electrical signal according to a second mode;
The first electrical signal is
A weak electrical signal that is used to improve muscle strength and does not cause muscles to contract,
An electric signal that is a signal whose current amplitude gradually increases during the ramp-up time, an electric signal of 1000 μA or less, and an electric signal whose current amplitude gradually decreases during the ramp-down time,
The second electrical signal is:
A weak current that is an electrical signal used to reduce muscle strength and does not cause muscles to contract,
An electric signal that is a signal whose current amplitude gradually increases during the ramp-up time, an electric signal of 1000 μA or less, and an electric signal whose current amplitude gradually decreases during the ramp-down time. A current stimulating device.

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