JP7541572B2 - Electrical stimulation device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an electrical stimulation application device and a determination method.

Conventionally, devices are known that treat various diseases by applying weak electrical stimulation at a level that does not induce depolarization and heat to a living body or living tissue. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose devices that treat diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer diseases, xeroderma pigmentosum, systemic autoimmune diseases, and organ-specific autoimmune diseases by applying weak currents as electrical stimulation and heat to a living body or living tissue.

International Publication No. 2017/065239 JP 2009-125549 A

Treatment using the above-mentioned device is performed with the device attached to a living body or living tissue via a sheet material containing conductive gel. Electrical stimulation is applied to the living body or living tissue via the conductive gel.

The impedance of conductive gel increases when dirt adheres to it or when the moisture contained in the conductive gel evaporates. As the impedance of conductive gel increases, it becomes more difficult for electrical stimuli to pass through it, so it is advisable to replace conductive gel with new conductive gel when its impedance has increased.

However, it is difficult for users to determine changes in the state of the conductive gel, such as an increase in impedance, making it difficult for users to determine when to replace the conductive gel.

The object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical stimulation application device and a method for determining the state of the conductive gel used in the electrical stimulation application device.

The electrical stimulation application device as a first aspect of the present disclosure is an electrical stimulation application device capable of applying electrical stimulation to a living body or biological tissue via a first conductive gel and a second conductive gel, and includes a first electrode group having a plurality of first electrodes to which the first conductive gel is attached, a second electrode group having a plurality of second electrodes to which the second conductive gel is attached, and a control unit, wherein the control unit determines the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel based on a first impedance between at least two first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes and a second impedance between at least two second electrodes of the plurality of second electrodes.

In one embodiment of the electrical stimulation application device of the present disclosure, the control unit determines that the application state of the first conductive gel or the second conductive gel is not appropriate when the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than a first threshold value.

In an electrical stimulation application device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit determines that the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel need to be replaced when the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value and is smaller than the first threshold value.

In an electrical stimulation application device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit determines that the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel do not need to be replaced when the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the second threshold value.

In one embodiment of the electrical stimulation application device of the present disclosure, the control unit applies the electrical stimulation when it determines that the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel are in a state where replacement is not required.

In an electrical stimulation application device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrical stimulation application device further includes an input unit, and when the input unit receives an operation for determining the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel, the control unit starts a process for determining the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel.

In one embodiment of the electrical stimulation application device of the present disclosure, when power is supplied to the control unit, the control unit begins a process of determining the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel.

An electrical stimulation application device as a second aspect of the present disclosure is an electrical stimulation application device capable of applying electrical stimulation to a living body or biological tissue via a first conductive gel and a second conductive gel, and includes a first electrode and a first detection electrode to which the first conductive gel is attached, a second electrode and a second detection electrode to which the second conductive gel is attached, and a control unit, and the control unit determines the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel based on a first impedance between the first electrode and the first detection electrode and a second impedance between the second electrode and the second detection electrode.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is a method of determination in an electrical stimulation application device capable of applying electrical stimulation to a living body or biological tissue via a first conductive gel and a second conductive gel, the electrical stimulation application device comprising a first electrode group having a plurality of first electrodes to which the first conductive gel is applied, and a second electrode group having a plurality of second electrodes to which the second conductive gel is applied, the method of determination including the steps of measuring a first impedance between at least two first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes, measuring a second impedance between at least two second electrodes of the plurality of second electrodes, and determining the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel based on the first impedance and the second impedance.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electrical stimulation application device and a method for determining the state of a conductive gel used in the electrical stimulation application device.

1 is a schematic external perspective view of an electrical stimulation application device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical stimulation application device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sheet material used when attaching the electrical stimulation application device to a living body or the like. FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the electrical stimulation application device with a sheet material attached thereto. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electrical stimulation application device of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of a power output-related portion of FIG. 5 ; 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for determining the state of a conductive gel by an electrical stimulation application device according to an embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing details of an impedance measurement process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a treatment process performed by an electrical stimulation application device according to an embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of a process for determining the state of a conductive gel by an electrical stimulation application device according to an embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of a treatment process performed by the electrical stimulation application device according to an embodiment. 1 is an external perspective view of an electrical stimulation application device according to a first modified example, as viewed from the back side. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the electrical stimulation application device according to the second modified example, as viewed from the back side. FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensional ratios in the drawings may be exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to designate common members in each drawing.

Figure 1 is a schematic external oblique view of an electrical stimulation application device 10 according to one embodiment.

The electrical stimulation application device 10 is a device capable of applying electrical stimulation to a living body or living tissue (hereinafter also simply referred to as "living body, etc."). The electrical stimulation application device 10 applies electrical stimulation to a living body, etc., thereby treating a disease.

The electrical stimulation applied by the electrical stimulation application device 10 may be a weak electrical stimulation. In this specification, the electrical stimulation applied by the electrical stimulation application device 10 is described below as being a weak electrical stimulation. However, in this disclosure, the electrical stimulation applied by the electrical stimulation application device 10 is not limited to being a weak electrical stimulation.

Weak electrical stimulation is a level of electrical stimulation that does not induce depolarization in a living body, etc. Electrical stimulation at a level that does not induce depolarization does not cause muscle contraction or a sense of stimulation in the living body, so the user (patient) cannot sense the applied electrical stimulation. The electrical stimulation is applied to the living body, etc., for example, as a pulsed direct current. The pulsed direct current is applied at a frequency of, for example, 55 Hz. The pulse width of the pulsed direct current is, for example, 100 μsec. However, the electrical stimulation is not limited to this, and any appropriate electrical stimulation that is effective in treating a disease may be used. For example, the frequency of the pulsed direct current may be other than 55 Hz, and the pulse width of the pulsed direct current may be other than 100 μsec.

The electrical stimulation application device 10 further heats the living body, etc. In other words, the electrical stimulation application device 10 applies heat to the living body, etc. Therefore, the electrical stimulation application device 10 can apply a combination of electrical stimulation and heat to the living body, etc. In this case, the application of weak electrical stimulation and heat is used to treat a disease.

The heat applied by the electrical stimulation application device 10 to a living body, etc. is heat that is several degrees higher than the normal temperature of the living body, etc. For example, when the electrical stimulation application device 10 applies heat to a human body, it may apply heat at a temperature of 38°C or higher and 45°C or lower, which is several degrees higher than the normal body temperature of the human body.

Treatment using the electrical stimulation application device 10 is performed with the electrical stimulation application device 10 attached to at least a part of a living body, etc. For example, the electrical stimulation application device 10 is attached to the living body, etc. via an adhesive sheet material. With the electrical stimulation application device 10 attached to the living body, etc., for example, when a user (patient) of the electrical stimulation application device 10 performs a predetermined operation input to the electrical stimulation application device 10 to start treatment using the electrical stimulation application device 10, treatment is performed by applying electrical stimulation and heat.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical stimulation application device 10 is configured by combining an operation unit 101 and an application unit 102. The operation unit 101 is configured as a housing. The application unit 102 is configured in a flat plate shape. In this embodiment, the application unit 102 is formed in a rectangular shape having long sides and short sides. The operation unit 101 is combined with the application unit 102 on one side of the flat plate-shaped application unit 102. In this specification, the side of the flat plate-shaped application unit 102 to which the operation unit 101 is combined is referred to as the front side. Also, the side of the flat plate-shaped application unit 102 opposite to the front side to which the operation unit 101 is not combined is referred to as the back side.

The operation unit 101, which is configured as a housing, has various functional units inside for controlling the operation of the electrical stimulation application device 10. The operation unit 101 also has an input unit 103 that accepts operation input from the user, and a display unit 104 that notifies various information.

In the example shown in Fig. 1, the operation unit 101 includes a first input unit 103a and a second input unit 103b as the input unit 103. Note that the configuration of the input unit 103 shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the input unit 103 is not limited to a configuration including the first input unit 103a and the second input unit 103b.

The first input unit 103a and the second input unit 103b may both be configured as a pressable operation button (operation key), for example, as shown in Fig. 1. However, the form of the first input unit 103a and the second input unit 103b is not limited to a pressable operation button. In addition, the arrangement of the first input unit 103a and the second input unit 103b is not limited to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

In this embodiment, the first input unit 103a and the second input unit 103b are operation buttons that execute different functions. Specifically, the first input unit 103a is an operation button for causing the electrical stimulation application device 10 to start treatment. The second input unit 103b is an operation button for starting an operation to determine the state of the conductive gel applied to the electrical stimulation application device 10.

The operation unit 101 includes a first display unit 104a and a second display unit 104b as the display unit 104. Note that the configuration of the display unit 104 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the display unit 104 is not limited to a configuration including the first display unit 104a and the second display unit 104b.

The first display unit 104a and the second display unit 104b may be configured as, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). However, the form of the first display unit 104a and the second display unit 104b is not limited to an LED. Furthermore, the arrangement of the first display unit 104a and the second display unit 104b is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

The first display unit 104a and the second display unit 104b may notify information, for example, by the color they display. Also, the first display unit 104a and the second display unit 104b may notify information, for example, by whether they are constantly lit or flashing.

In this embodiment, the first display unit 104a and the second display unit 104b each notify different contents. Specifically, the first display unit 104a notifies the status of the electrical stimulation application device 10. The status of the electrical stimulation application device 10 may be, for example, during treatment or during determination of the status of the conductive gel. The second display unit 104b notifies the determination result of the status of the conductive gel. The determination result of the status of the conductive gel may be, for example, "a state in which the conductive gel needs to be replaced", "a state in which the conductive gel does not need to be replaced", and "a state in which the application of the conductive gel is not appropriate".

The back surface of the application unit 102 is attached to a living body or the like via an adhesive sheet material. The application unit 102 includes an electrode that outputs electrical stimulation and a heater that generates heat. With the back surface of the application unit 102 attached to the living body or the like, the application unit 102 applies electrical stimulation and heat to the living body or the like.

2 is an external perspective view of the electrical stimulation application device 10 of FIG. 1 when viewed from the back side. As shown in FIG. 2, the application unit 102 includes a first electrode group 105 and a second electrode group 107. The first electrode group 105 includes a first electrode 106a and a first electrode 106b. The second electrode group 107 includes a second electrode 108a and a second electrode 108b. In this specification, when the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b are not distinguished from each other, they may be collectively referred to simply as "first electrode 106". In this specification, when the second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b are not distinguished from each other, they may be collectively referred to simply as "second electrode 108".

2 shows a case where the first electrode group 105 includes two first electrodes 106, but the number of first electrodes 106 included in the first electrode group 105 is not limited to this. The first electrode group 105 only needs to include a plurality of first electrodes 106, and the number of first electrodes included in the first electrode group 105 may be three or more. Similarly, FIG. 2 shows a case where the second electrode group 107 includes two second electrodes 108, but the number of second electrodes 108 included in the second electrode group 107 is not limited to this. The second electrode group 107 only needs to include a plurality of second electrodes 108, and the number of second electrodes included in the second electrode group 107 may be three or more.

The first electrode 106 and the second electrode 108 are exposed to the outside on the back side of the application unit 102. For example, electrical stimulation is output by grounding one of the first electrode group 105 and the second electrode group 107 and changing the voltage of the other.

The application unit 102 has a heater inside. That is, the application unit 102 has a heater between the front and back surfaces. By heating the heater, heat is transferred to the living body, etc., with the back surface attached to the living body, etc., and the living body, etc. is warmed.

Figure 3 is an external oblique view showing the general configuration of the sheet material 20 used when attaching the electrical stimulation application device 10 to a living body, etc.

The sheet material 20 comprises a frame portion 201, a first conductive gel 202a, and a second conductive gel 202b. In this specification, when the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b are not distinguished from each other, they may be collectively referred to simply as "conductive gel 202."

The frame portion 201 is made of a non-conductive material such as resin. The outer shape of the frame portion 201 is formed to be approximately the same size as the outer shape of the application portion 102 of the electrical stimulation application device 10. The frame portion 201 has two openings (through holes) for arranging two sheets of conductive gel 202. The two openings are formed at positions that can surround the positions where the first electrode group 105 and the second electrode group 107 are arranged when the sheet material 20 is attached to the back side of the application portion 102.

The two conductive gels 202 are arranged in two openings of the frame portion 201. The two conductive gels 202 are insulated from each other by the non-conductive frame portion 201. The conductive gels 202 have adhesiveness, so that the electrical stimulation application device 10 can be attached to a living body or the like. When the sheet material 20 is attached to the back side of the application unit 102, the first conductive gel 202a is attached to the first electrode group 105 and electrically contacts the first electrode group 105. The second conductive gel 202b is attached to the second electrode group 107 and electrically contacts the second electrode group 107. As a result, when the electrical stimulation application device 10 is attached to a living body or the like by the sheet material 20 and an electrical stimulation is output between the first electrode group 105 and the second electrode group 107, the electrical stimulation is applied to the living body or the like through the two conductive gels 202.

Figure 4 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a sheet material 20 including a frame portion 201 and two sheets of conductive gel 202 is attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10. In the example shown in Figure 4, in a state in which the sheet material 20 is attached to the back surface of the application portion 102 of the electrical stimulation application device 10, the first conductive gel 202a is electrically connected to the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b of the first electrode group 105. In addition, the second conductive gel 202b is electrically connected to the second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b of the second electrode group 107. In this way, the first conductive gel 202a is configured to have a size and shape that can cover the entire first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b of the first electrode group 105. In addition, the second conductive gel 202b is configured to have a size and shape that can cover the entire second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b of the second electrode group 107. The electrical stimulation application device 10 is capable of applying electrical stimulation to a living body or the like via the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b.

Figure 5 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electrical stimulation application device 10 of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, the electrical stimulation application device 10 includes an input unit 103, a display unit 104, a communication unit 109, a memory unit 110, a control unit 111, a heater 112, a power output related unit 113, and a power supply unit 114. The input unit 103, the display unit 104, the communication unit 109, the memory unit 110, the control unit 111, and the power supply unit 114 are provided, for example, in the operation unit 101 shown in Figure 1. The heater 112 is provided, for example, in the application unit 102 shown in Figure 1. However, whether each functional unit is provided in the operation unit 101 or the application unit 102 is not limited to the example shown here, as long as it exerts the function described in this specification.

The input unit 103 accepts operation input from the user. The input unit 103 is, for example, configured with operation buttons. In this embodiment, the input unit 103 is, as described above, configured with two operation buttons, the first input unit 103a and the second input unit 103b. The input unit 103 may be, for example, configured with a touch screen, and may display an input area for accepting operation input from the user on a part of the display device, and accept touch operation input from the user. When the user performs operation input on the input unit 103, for example, an electrical signal corresponding to the operation input is transmitted to the control unit 111.

The display unit 104 notifies various information. The display unit 104 is composed of, for example, an LED. The display unit 104 is one aspect of a notification unit that notifies various information. In this embodiment, as described above, the display unit 104 is composed of two display units, the first display unit 104a and the second display unit 104b. The display unit 104 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or an inorganic EL display. The display unit 104 displays various information based on the control by the control unit 111.

The electrical stimulation application device 10 does not necessarily have to include a display unit 104. The electrical stimulation application device 10 may include another mechanism as a notification unit that notifies the user of information, instead of or together with the display unit 104. For example, the electrical stimulation application device 10 may include a speaker that notifies the user of information by sound. For example, the electrical stimulation application device 10 may include a vibrator that notifies the user of information by vibration. For example, the electrical stimulation application device 10 may notify the user of information to an information terminal owned by the user by transmitting the information via the communication unit 109. Note that the notification unit is not limited to the example shown here, and may be any mechanism that can notify the user of information.

The communication unit 109 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface. The communication unit 109 is capable of communicating with various devices via a network or directly. The communication unit 109 is capable of wireless communication with, for example, an information terminal owned by the user.

The memory unit 110 may be composed of a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The memory unit 110 stores, for example, various information and programs for operating the electrical stimulation application device 10. The memory unit 110 may also function as a work memory.

The control unit 111 controls and manages the entire electrical stimulation application device 10, including each functional unit of the electrical stimulation application device 10. The control unit 111 is configured to include at least one processor. The control unit 111 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program that defines a control procedure, or a dedicated processor specialized for processing each function.

The control unit 111 determines the state of the conductive gel 202 applied to the electrical stimulation application device 10. When determining the state of the first conductive gel 202a, the control unit 111 measures the impedance between the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b. The control unit 111 determines the state of the first conductive gel 202a based on the measured impedance between the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b. When determining the state of the second conductive gel 202b, the control unit 111 measures the impedance between the second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b. The control unit 111 determines the state of the second conductive gel 202b based on the measured impedance between the second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b. Details of the process of determining the state of the conductive gel 202 by the control unit 111 will be described later.

The heater 112 applies heat. The heater 112 is composed of a member that generates heat when supplied with power, such as a heating wire. The heater 112 generates heat when supplied with power, for example, from a power supply unit 114. When the heater 112 generates heat, the heat is transferred to a living body to which the electrical stimulation application device 10 is attached.

The power output related unit 113 is a set of functional units that executes the process of determining the state of the conductive gel 202 and the process of outputting electrical stimulation. Details of the power output related unit 113 are shown as a circuit diagram in Figure 6. Details of the power output related unit 113 will be described later.

The power supply unit 114 is a battery that supplies power to each functional unit of the electrical stimulation application device 10. The power supply unit 114 may be, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

Referring to Figure 6, the configuration and function of the power output related unit 113 will be explained.

Figure 6 is an example of a schematic circuit diagram of the power output related unit 113 of Figure 5. The power output related unit 113 is a collection of functional units that executes processing for determining the state of the conductive gel 202 and processing for outputting electrical stimulation. Each functional unit shown in Figure 6 is controlled, for example, by the control unit 111 of Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows the state in which the sheet material 20 is attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10. Therefore, the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b of the first electrode group 105 are electrically connected to the first conductive gel 202a of the sheet material 20. In addition, the second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b of the second electrode group 107 are electrically connected to the second conductive gel 202b of the sheet material 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the power output related unit 113 includes a first electrode group 105, a second electrode group 107, a treatment voltage generating circuit 121, a judgment voltage generating circuit 122, a first circuit changeover switch 123, a second circuit changeover switch 124, a third circuit changeover switch 125, a fourth circuit changeover switch 126, a voltage measurement circuit 127, a first current measurement circuit 128, and a second current measurement circuit 129.

The first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b of the first electrode group 105 operate at the same potential when a treatment process is performed to treat the user, and operate at different potentials when a determination process of the conductive gel 202 is performed.

When a treatment process is performed, the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b are both connected to the treatment voltage generating circuit 121. This allows the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b to output electrical stimulation when a treatment process is performed. When a process for determining the conductive gel 202 is performed, the first electrode 106a is connected to the first current measuring circuit 128, and the first electrode 106b is connected to the determination voltage generating circuit 122.

When a treatment process is performed, the second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b are both connected to ground (GND). When a conductive gel 202 evaluation process is performed, the second electrode 108a is connected to the evaluation voltage generating circuit 122, and the second electrode 108b is connected to the second current measuring circuit 129.

The treatment voltage generating circuit 121 is a circuit that generates an electrical stimulation voltage to be applied to a living body, etc., when a treatment process is performed. The treatment voltage generating circuit 121 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 114 in FIG. 5.

The judgment voltage generating circuit 122 is a circuit that generates a voltage to be output from the first electrode 106b and the second electrode 108a when the judgment process of the conductive gel 202 is executed. The judgment voltage generating circuit 122 outputs a predetermined voltage for impedance measurement. The judgment voltage generating circuit 122 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 114 in FIG. 5.

The first circuit changeover switch 123 switches the connection destination of the first electrode 106a between the treatment voltage generating circuit 121 and the first current measuring circuit 128 based on the control by the control unit 111. Specifically, when performing a treatment process, the first circuit changeover switch 123 switches the switch so that the first electrode 106a is conductive with the treatment voltage generating circuit 121. As a result, when performing a treatment process, power is supplied from the treatment voltage generating circuit 121 to the first electrode 106a. In addition, when performing a process to determine the state of the conductive gel 202, the first circuit changeover switch 123 switches the switch so that the first electrode 106a is conductive with the first current measuring circuit 128. As a result, when performing a process to determine the state of the conductive gel 202, the current flowing through the first electrode 106a flows into the first current measuring circuit 128. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the first circuit changeover switch 123 is switched so as to electrically connect the first electrode 106 a and the first current measuring circuit 128 .

The second circuit changeover switch 124 switches the connection destination of the first electrode 106b between the treatment voltage generating circuit 121 and the judgment voltage generating circuit 122 based on the control by the control unit 111. Specifically, when performing a treatment process, the second circuit changeover switch 124 switches the switch so that the first electrode 106b is conductive with the treatment voltage generating circuit 121. As a result, when performing a treatment process, power is supplied from the treatment voltage generating circuit 121 to the first electrode 106b. In addition, when performing a judgment process of the state of the conductive gel 202, the second circuit changeover switch 124 switches the switch so that the first electrode 106b is conductive with the judgment voltage generating circuit 122. As a result, when performing a judgment process of the state of the conductive gel 202, power is supplied from the judgment voltage generating circuit 122 to the first electrode 106b. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the second circuit changeover switch 124 is switched so as to connect the first electrode 106 b and the judgment voltage generating circuit 122 to each other.

Based on the control by the control unit 111, the third circuit changeover switch 125 switches the connection destination of the second electrode 108a between the ground (GND) and the judgment voltage generation circuit 122. Specifically, when performing a treatment process, the third circuit changeover switch 125 switches the switch so that the second electrode 108a is connected to the ground. As a result, when performing a treatment process, the second electrode 108a is grounded. In addition, when performing a judgment process of the state of the conductive gel 202, the third circuit changeover switch 125 switches the switch so that the second electrode 108a is conductive with the judgment voltage generation circuit 122. As a result, when performing a judgment process of the state of the conductive gel 202, power is supplied to the second electrode 108a from the judgment voltage generation circuit 122. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the third circuit changeover switch 125 is switched so that the second electrode 108a and the judgment voltage generation circuit 122 are conductive.

The fourth circuit changeover switch 126 switches the connection destination of the second electrode 108b between ground (GND) and the second current measurement circuit 129 based on the control by the control unit 111. Specifically, when performing a treatment process, the fourth circuit changeover switch 126 switches the switch so that the second electrode 108b is connected to ground. As a result, when performing a treatment process, the second electrode 108b is grounded. In addition, when performing a process to determine the state of the conductive gel 202, the fourth circuit changeover switch 126 switches the switch so that the second electrode 108b is conductive with the second current measurement circuit 129. As a result, when performing a process to determine the state of the conductive gel 202, the current flowing through the second electrode 108b flows into the second current measurement circuit 129. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the fourth circuit changeover switch 126 is switched so that the second electrode 108b and the second current measurement circuit 129 are conductive.

When performing a process for determining the state of the conductive gel 202, the voltage measurement circuit 127 measures the voltages of the first electrode 106a, the first electrode 106b, the second electrode 108a, and the second electrode 108b. The voltage measurement circuit 127 can be configured using a known voltage measurement mechanism.

The first current measurement circuit 128 measures the current flowing from the first electrode 106b to the first electrode 106a when performing a process to determine the state of the first conductive gel 202a. The first current measurement circuit 128 can be configured using a known current measurement mechanism.

The second current measurement circuit 129 measures the current flowing from the second electrode 108a to the second electrode 108b when performing a process to determine the state of the second conductive gel 202b. The second current measurement circuit 129 can be configured using a known current measurement mechanism.

Next, the operation of the electrical stimulation application device 10 will be explained.

The electrical stimulation application device 10 can determine the state of the conductive gel 202 of the sheet material 20 attached to the application unit 102. The electrical stimulation application device 10 can also treat a user with the electrical stimulation application device 10 to which the sheet material 20 is attached attached to a living body or the like. When treating a user, the electrical stimulation application device 10 to which the sheet material 20 is attached is attached, for example, to the abdomen of the user. In the following description, when describing the treatment of a user, the electrical stimulation application device 10 to which the sheet material 20 is attached is described as being attached to the abdomen of the user.

When the first input unit 103a shown in Fig. 1 is pressed, the control unit 111 of the electrical stimulation application device 10 executes a treatment process for the user. In addition, when the second input unit 103b shown in Fig. 1 is pressed, the control unit 111 executes a process for determining the state of the conductive gel 202.

The process of determining the state of the conductive gel 202 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 7.

The control unit 111 of the electrical stimulation application device 10 constantly determines whether or not an operation to start a process for determining the state of the conductive gel 202 has been received (step S101). Specifically, for example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 111 constantly determines whether or not the second input unit 103b has been pressed.

If no operation has been received to start the process of determining the state of the conductive gel 202 (No in step S101), the control unit 111 repeats the process of step S101.

When an operation to start a process for determining the state of the conductive gel 202 is received (Yes in step S101), the control unit 111 measures the impedance of the conductive gel 202 attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10 (step S102). Here, the control unit 111 measures the impedance of the first conductive gel 202a and the impedance of the second conductive gel 202b independently. Hereinafter, the impedance of the first conductive gel 202a may be referred to as the "first impedance". Also, the impedance of the second conductive gel 202b may be referred to as the "second impedance". Details of the process in which the control unit 111 measures the impedance of the conductive gel 202 will be described later.

The control unit 111 determines whether the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (step S103). Here, the first threshold value is a predetermined threshold value that is set in advance and may be stored in the memory unit 110. Note that the first threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether the sheet material 20 is properly attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10, and is therefore a very large threshold value.

If it is determined that the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (Yes in step S103), the control unit 111 determines that the attachment state of the first conductive gel 202a or the second conductive gel 202b to the electrical stimulation application device 10 is not appropriate (step S104). In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify the user that the attachment state of the conductive gel 202 is not appropriate, and prompt the user to appropriately attach the conductive gel 202 to the electrical stimulation application device 10.

When it is determined that both the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the first threshold value (No in step S103), the control unit 111 determines whether the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (step S105). Here, the second threshold value is a predetermined threshold value that is set in advance and may be stored in the memory unit 110. The second threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether the conductive gel 202 is in a state in which replacement is required or not required, and is a threshold value smaller than the first threshold value.

If it is determined that the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (Yes in step S105), the control unit 111 determines that the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b need to be replaced (step S106). In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify the user that the conductive gel 202 needs to be replaced, and prompt the user to replace the sheet material 20 attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10.

If it is determined that both the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the second threshold value (No in step S105), the control unit 111 determines that the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b are in a state in which replacement is not required (step S107). In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify that the conductive gel 202 is in a state in which replacement is not required.

With reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 8, the details of the processing of step S102 in Figure 7, i.e., the processing of measuring impedance, will be described.

The control unit 111 of the electrical stimulation application device 10 selects the electrode group for which impedance is to be measured (step S201). In this embodiment, the control unit 111 selects whether the electrode group for which impedance is to be measured is the first electrode group 105 or the second electrode group 107. The order of the electrode groups for which impedance is to be measured may be stored in advance in the storage unit 110. In this embodiment, the impedance is described as being measured in the order of the first electrode group 105 and the second electrode group 107. Therefore, first, the control unit 111 selects the first electrode group 105 as the electrode group for which impedance is to be measured.

The control unit 111 controls the second circuit changeover switch 124 to connect the first electrode 106b to the judgment voltage generating circuit 122 (step S202).

The control unit 111 controls the first circuit changeover switch 123 to connect the first electrode 106a to the first current measuring circuit 128 (step S203).

The control unit 111 causes the judgment voltage generating circuit 122 to generate a judgment voltage and apply the judgment voltage to the first electrode 106b (step S204).

In step S204, when a determination voltage is applied to the first electrode 106b, a current flows through the path of the first electrode 106b, the first conductive gel 202a, the first electrode 106a, and the first current measurement circuit 128.

The voltage measurement circuit 127 measures the voltage of the first electrode 106b and the voltage of the first electrode 106a (step S205). The control unit 111 acquires the voltage of the first electrode 106b and the voltage of the first electrode 106a measured by the voltage measurement circuit 127.

In step S205, since a known determination voltage is applied to the first electrode 106b, the voltage measurement circuit 127 does not need to measure the voltage of the first electrode 106b.

The first current measurement circuit 128 measures the current flowing from the first electrode 106b to the first electrode 106a (step S206). The control unit 111 acquires the current flowing from the first electrode 106b to the first electrode 106a measured by the first current measurement circuit 128. Note that if there is a transient response due to impedance reactance, it takes some time for the current flowing from the first electrode 106b to the first electrode 106a to stabilize after the determination voltage is applied to the first electrode 106b. Therefore, in step S205, the voltage measurement circuit 127 may measure the voltage of the first electrode 106b and the voltage of the first electrode 106a after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the determination voltage was applied to the first electrode 106b. In addition, in step S206, the first current measuring circuit 128 may measure the current flowing from the first electrode 106b to the first electrode 106a after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the determination voltage was applied to the first electrode 106b.

The control unit 111 calculates the impedance between the first electrode 106b and the first electrode 106a based on the voltage of the first electrode 106b, the voltage of the first electrode 106a, and the current flowing from the first electrode 106b to the first electrode 106a (step S207). The control unit 111 may calculate the impedance between the first electrode 106b and the first electrode 106a based on, for example, the following formula (1).
Z=(E1-E2)/I (1)
Here, Z is the impedance between the first electrode 106b and the first electrode 106a, i.e., the first impedance. E1 is the voltage of the first electrode 106b. E2 is the voltage of the first electrode 106a. I is the current flowing from the first electrode 106b to the first electrode 106a.

The control unit 111 determines whether the impedance has been measured for all electrode groups (step S208).

If the impedance has not been measured for all electrode groups (No in step S208), the control unit 111 returns to step S201. For example, at the stage where the impedance has been measured only for the first electrode group 105 out of the first electrode group 105 and the second electrode group 107, the control unit 111 returns to step S201. The control unit 111 then executes the processes of steps S202 to S207 for the second electrode group 107 and measures the impedance. When performing the processing of steps S202 to S207 for the second electrode group 107, the control unit 111 performs processing in the description of steps S201 to S207 described above, replacing the first electrode 106b, the first electrode 106a, the second circuit changeover switch 124, the first circuit changeover switch 123, the first current measuring circuit 128, and the first conductive gel 202a with the second electrode 108a, the second electrode 108b, the third circuit changeover switch 125, the fourth circuit changeover switch 126, the second current measuring circuit 129, and the second conductive gel 202b, respectively.

If impedance has been measured for all electrode groups in step S208 (Yes in step S208), the control unit 111 terminates processing of step S102 in FIG. 7 and proceeds to step S103 in FIG. 7.

Note that the processes of steps S202 to S207 do not necessarily have to be performed in this order. For example, the order of steps S202 and S203 may be reversed. Alternatively, steps S202 and S203 may be performed simultaneously.

In addition, the impedance between the first electrode 106b and the first electrode 106a calculated in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is approximately equal to the impedance of the first conductive gel 202a. Therefore, in this specification, the "impedance between the first electrode 106b and the first electrode 106a" may be referred to as the "impedance of the first conductive gel 202a." Similarly, in this specification, the "impedance between the second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b" may be referred to as the "impedance of the second conductive gel 202b."

Next, the treatment process for a user by the electrical stimulation application device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9. The treatment process shown in Fig. 9 is a process that starts when the first input unit 103a shown in Fig. 1 is pressed. Note that, before the treatment process shown in Fig. 9 starts, the electrical stimulation application device 10 with the sheet material 20 attached thereto is attached to the abdomen of the user.

The control unit 111 of the electrical stimulation application device 10 measures a first impedance, which is the impedance between the first electrode 106b and the first electrode 106a, and a second impedance, which is the impedance between the second electrode 108a and the second electrode 108b (step S301). The measurement of impedance in step S301 is performed by a process similar to the processes in steps S201 to S208 shown in FIG.

The control unit 111 determines whether the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S302). Here, the predetermined threshold is a preset threshold and may be stored in the memory unit 110.

If it is determined that the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (Yes in step S302), the control unit 111 determines that the conductive gel 202 needs to be replaced (step S303). In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify the user that the conductive gel 202 needs to be replaced, and prompt the user to replace the sheet material 20 attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10.

If it is determined that both the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the predetermined threshold value (No in step S302), the control unit 111 determines that the conductive gel 202 is in a state where replacement is not required, and proceeds to step S304.

The control unit 111 controls the first circuit changeover switch 123 to connect the first electrode 106a to the therapeutic voltage generation circuit 121. The control unit 111 also controls the second circuit changeover switch 124 to connect the first electrode 106b to the therapeutic voltage generation circuit 121 (step S304).

The control unit 111 controls the third circuit changeover switch 125 to connect the second electrode 108a to ground (GND). The control unit 111 also controls the fourth circuit changeover switch 126 to connect the second electrode 108b to ground (GND) (step S305).

The control unit 111 causes the treatment voltage generating circuit 121 to generate a treatment voltage and starts applying the treatment voltage to the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b (step S306).

When the preset treatment time has elapsed, the control unit 111 terminates the application of the treatment voltage to the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b (step S307).

The control unit 111 measures the first impedance and the second impedance using a procedure similar to step S301 (step S308).

The control unit 111 determines whether the first impedance or the second impedance is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (step S309).

If it is determined that the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (Yes in step S309), the control unit 111 determines that the conductive gel 202 needs to be replaced (step S310). In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify the user that the conductive gel 202 needs to be replaced, and prompt the user to replace the sheet material 20 attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10.

When it is determined that both the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the predetermined threshold value (No in step S309), the control unit 111 determines that the conductive gel 202 is in a state in which replacement is not required. In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify that the conductive gel 202 is in a state in which replacement is not required.

In the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, it is not necessarily necessary to measure impedance before the start of treatment (processing of step S301). If impedance measurement before the start of treatment is not performed, the processes of steps S301 to S303 may be omitted. In the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, it is not necessarily necessary to measure impedance after the end of treatment (processing of step S308). If impedance measurement after the end of treatment is not performed, the processes of steps S308 to S310 may be omitted. Either the measurement of impedance before the start of treatment or the measurement of impedance after the end of treatment may be omitted, or both may be omitted.

(Automatic start of conductive gel condition determination process)
7 has been described as a case in which the process of determining the state of conductive gel 202 is started when second input unit 103b shown in Fig. 1 is pressed. When electrical stimulation application device 10 is supplied with power from power supply unit 114, it may automatically start the process of determining the state of conductive gel 202. When power supply unit 114, which is, for example, a battery, is attached to electrical stimulation application device 10, control unit 111 of electrical stimulation application device 10 automatically starts the process of determining the state of conductive gel 202.

10, a process will be described in which the control unit 111 automatically starts a process for determining the state of the conductive gel 202 when the power supply unit 114 is attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10 and the control unit 111 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 114. The electrical stimulation application device 10 may constantly repeat the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 while the control unit 111 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 114.

The memory unit 110 can record an initial impedance. The initial impedance is the first impedance and the second impedance that are measured first after the sheet material 20 is attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10. The memory unit 110 can also record a pass flag. The pass flag is a flag that indicates that the conductive gel 202 is determined not to need to be replaced as a result of the state of the conductive gel 202 being determined based on the first impedance and the second impedance.

When the power supply unit 114 is attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10 and power supply from the power supply unit 114 begins, the control unit 111 performs initialization and clears the initial impedance and pass flag (step S401).

The control unit 111 measures the first impedance and the second impedance (step S402). The measurement of the impedance in step S402 is performed by a process similar to the processes in steps S201 to S208 shown in FIG.

The control unit 111 determines whether the first impedance or the second impedance is greater than or equal to the first threshold value (step S403).

If it is determined that the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (Yes in step S403), the control unit 111 determines that the attachment state of the first conductive gel 202a or the second conductive gel 202b to the electrical stimulation application device 10 is not appropriate (step S404). In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify the user that the attachment state of the conductive gel 202 is not appropriate, and prompt the user to appropriately attach the conductive gel 202 to the electrical stimulation application device 10.

Following step S404, the control unit 111 clears the initial impedance and the pass flag (step S405).

If it is determined that both the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the first threshold value (No in step S403), the control unit 111 determines whether the initial impedance has already been recorded in the memory unit 110 (step S406).

If it is determined that the initial impedance has not yet been recorded in the memory unit 110 (No in step S406), the control unit 111 records the first impedance and the second impedance measured in step S402 as the initial impedance in the memory unit 110 (step S407).

Following step S407, the control unit 111 clears the pass flag (step S408).

If it is determined that the initial impedance has already been recorded in the memory unit 110 (Yes in step S406), the control unit 111 determines whether the first impedance or the second impedance is greater than or equal to the second threshold value (step S409).

If it is determined that the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (Yes in step S409), the control unit 111 determines that the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b need to be replaced (step S410). In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify the user that the conductive gel 202 needs to be replaced, and prompt the user to replace the sheet material 20 attached to the electrical stimulation application device 10.

Following step S410, the control unit 111 clears the pass flag (step S411).

If it is determined that both the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the second threshold (No in step S409), the control unit 111 determines whether the variation of the first impedance or the second impedance from the initial value is equal to or greater than the third threshold (step S412). That is, the control unit 111 determines whether the variation of the first impedance from the first impedance recorded as the initial impedance in step S407, or the variation of the second impedance from the second impedance recorded as the initial impedance in step S407, is equal to or greater than the third threshold. Here, the third threshold is a predetermined threshold set in advance and may be stored in the memory unit 110. The third threshold is a threshold for determining whether the conductive gel 202 has deteriorated from the initial state, and is a threshold smaller than the second threshold.

If it is determined that the variation from the initial value of the first impedance or the second impedance is greater than or equal to the third threshold value (Yes in step S412), the control unit 111 proceeds to step S410.

If it is determined that both the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the third threshold value (No in step S412), the control unit 111 determines that the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b are in a state in which replacement is not required (step S413). In this case, the control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify that the conductive gel 202 is in a state in which replacement is not required.

Following step S413, the control unit 111 records a pass flag in the memory unit 110 (step S414). When the pass flag is recorded in the memory unit 110, the electrical stimulation application device 10 is able to start the treatment process. The control unit 111 may cause the display unit 104 to notify that it is possible to start the treatment process.

10, when the control unit 111 automatically starts the process of determining the state of the conductive gel 202, the control unit 111 can record the initial impedance in step S407, and can therefore determine the variation from the initial impedance in step S412. Therefore, by determining the variation in the impedance of the conductive gel 202 from the initial impedance, the control unit 111 can accurately determine the deterioration of the conductive gel 202 even if there are individual differences in the conductive gels 202.

Next, referring to the flowchart shown in Fig. 11, a treatment process will be described in which the control unit 111 automatically starts a process for determining the state of the conductive gel 202 when the control unit 111 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 114. The treatment process shown in Fig. 11 is a process that starts when the first input unit 103a shown in Fig. 1 is pressed. Note that, before the treatment process shown in Fig. 11 is started, the electrical stimulation application device 10 with the sheet material 20 attached thereto is attached to the abdomen of the user.

The control unit 111 determines whether a pass flag is recorded in the memory unit 110 (step S501).

If a pass flag is not recorded in the memory unit 110 (No in step S501), the control unit 111 notifies the display unit 104 that the treatment process will end abnormally without starting (step S502).

If a pass flag is recorded in the memory unit 110 (Yes in step S501), the control unit 111 executes a treatment process by processing steps S503 to S506. That is, if it is determined that the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b do not need to be replaced, the control unit 111 executes a treatment process of applying electrical stimulation to a living body, etc. The processing of steps S503 to S506 is similar to the processing of steps S304 to S307 shown in Figure 9, and therefore will not be described.

In the example shown in Figure 11, an example is shown in which the measurement of impedance before the start of treatment and the measurement of impedance after the end of treatment are omitted, but the control unit 111 may perform either the measurement of impedance before the start of treatment or the measurement of impedance after the end of treatment, or may perform both.

Thus, according to the electrical stimulation application device 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 111 determines the state of the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b based on the first impedance between the two first electrodes 106 and the second impedance between the two second electrodes 108. This allows the electrical stimulation application device 10 of this embodiment to determine the state of the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b used in the electrical stimulation application device 10.

Furthermore, according to the electrical stimulation application device 10 of this embodiment, when the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the control unit 111 determines that the application state of the first conductive gel 202a or the second conductive gel 202b is not appropriate. In this way, the electrical stimulation application device 10 can determine when the application state of the first conductive gel 202a or the second conductive gel 202b is not appropriate.

Furthermore, according to the electrical stimulation application device 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 111 determines that the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b need to be replaced when the first impedance or the second impedance is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, and is smaller than the first threshold value. In this way, the electrical stimulation application device 10 can determine when the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b need to be replaced.

Furthermore, according to the electrical stimulation application device 10 of this embodiment, when the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the second threshold value, the control unit 111 determines that the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b are in a state in which replacement is not required. In this manner, the electrical stimulation application device 10 can determine when the first conductive gel 202a and the second conductive gel 202b are in a state in which replacement is not required.

(First Variation)
12 is a perspective view of the appearance of electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first modified example when viewed from the back side. Regarding electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first modified example, differences from electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be mainly described.

In the electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first variant, the application unit 102 includes a first electrode group 105a and a second electrode group 107a. The first electrode group 105a includes a first electrode 106a, a first electrode 106b, a first electrode 106c, and a first electrode 106d. The second electrode group 107a includes a second electrode 108a, a second electrode 108b, a second electrode 108c, and a second electrode 108d.

Thus, in the electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first variant, the first electrode group 105a includes four first electrodes 106. In contrast, in the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode group 105 includes two first electrodes 106. Also, in the electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first variant, the second electrode group 107a includes four second electrodes 108. In contrast, in the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the second electrode group 107 includes two second electrodes 108. In these respects, the electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first variant differs from the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2.

In the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in Figure 2, when determining the state of the first conductive gel 202a, the electrical stimulation application device 10 measures the impedance between the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b, and determines the state of the first conductive gel 202a based on the measured impedance between the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b.

In contrast, in the electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first modified example, when determining the state of the first conductive gel 202a, the electrical stimulation application device 10a can measure the impedance for six combinations of first electrodes 106. Specifically, the electrical stimulation application device 10a can measure the impedance for the following six combinations:
Combination 1: Between the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106b Combination 2: Between the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106c Combination 3: Between the first electrode 106a and the first electrode 106d Combination 4: Between the first electrode 106b and the first electrode 106c Combination 5: Between the first electrode 106b and the first electrode 106d Combination 6: Between the first electrode 106c and the first electrode 106d

The electrical stimulation application device 10a of the first variant may compare each of the impedances measured in the above-mentioned combinations 1 to 6 with first to third threshold values, in the same manner as the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in Figure 2, to determine the state of the first conductive gel 202a.

In addition, the electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first modified example may not only compare each impedance measured in the above-mentioned combinations 1 to 6 with the first to third thresholds, but may further determine whether the difference obtained by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value of the impedance measured in the six combinations is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold. In this case, the electrical stimulation application device 10a may determine that the first conductive gel 202a needs to be replaced if the difference obtained by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value of the impedance measured in the six combinations is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, and may determine that the first conductive gel 202a does not need to be replaced if the difference is smaller than the fourth threshold. Here, the fourth threshold may be a predetermined threshold set in advance and may be stored in the memory unit 110. Note that the fourth threshold is a threshold smaller than the second threshold.

In this way, the electrical stimulation application device 10a according to the first modified example can locally detect the state of the first conductive gel 202a by determining the state of the first conductive gel 202a based on the difference obtained by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value of the impedance measured for various combinations of the first electrodes 106. For example, a combination in which the impedance difference is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value means that there is an area in the first conductive gel 202a where the impedance is locally high.

We have explained that impedance can be measured for the first electrode group 105a using six different combinations of first electrodes 106, but similarly, impedance can be measured for the second electrode group 107a using six different combinations of second electrodes 108.

(Second Variation)
13 is a perspective view of the appearance of electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second modified example when viewed from the back side. Regarding electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second modified example, differences from electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be mainly described.

In the electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second variant, the application unit 102 includes a first electrode 106, a second electrode 108, first detection electrodes 115a-115c, and second detection electrodes 116a-116c. In this specification, when the first detection electrodes 115a-115c are not distinguished from one another, they may be collectively referred to simply as "first detection electrode 115." In this specification, when the second detection electrodes 116a-116c are not distinguished from one another, they may be collectively referred to simply as "second detection electrode 116."

In the electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second variant, the application unit 102 has one first electrode 106. In contrast, in the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the application unit 102 has two first electrodes 106. Thus, the electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second variant differs from the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that there is one first electrode 106 instead of multiple first electrodes 106. Similarly, the electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second variant differs from the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that there is one second electrode 108 instead of multiple second electrodes 108.

13, there is a gap between the first detection electrodes 115a-115c and the first electrode 106, and the first detection electrodes 115a-115c are insulated from the first electrode 106. Similarly, there is a gap between the second detection electrodes 116a-116c and the second electrode 108, and the second detection electrodes 116a-116c are insulated from the second electrode 108.

The first detection electrode 115 and the second detection electrode 116 are not used when the electrical stimulation application device 10b is performing a treatment process. The first detection electrode 115 and the second detection electrode 116 may be, for example, in a floating state when the electrical stimulation application device 10b is performing a treatment process. In this way, the electrical stimulation application device 10b of the second variant differs from the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that it is provided with the first detection electrode 115 and the second detection electrode 116 that are not used during the treatment process.

With the sheet material 20 attached to the back side of the application unit 102, the first conductive gel 202a is attached to the first electrode 106 and the first detection electrodes 115a to 115c. The second conductive gel 202b is attached to the second electrode 108 and the second detection electrodes 116a to 116c.

In the electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second modified example, when determining the state of the first conductive gel 202a, the electrical stimulation application device 10b can measure the impedance in three different combinations. Specifically, the electrical stimulation application device 10b can measure the impedance for the following three combinations:
Between the first electrode 106 and the first detection electrode 115a Between the first electrode 106 and the first detection electrode 115b Between the first electrode 106 and the first detection electrode 115b

The electrical stimulation application device 10b of the second variant may compare each of the impedances measured in the three combinations described above with first to third threshold values, in the same manner as the electrical stimulation application device 10 shown in Figure 2, to determine the state of the first conductive gel 202a.

In addition, the electrical stimulation application device 10b of the second variant not only compares each of the impedances measured in the three combinations described above with the first to third thresholds, but may also further determine whether the difference between the maximum and minimum impedances measured in the three combinations is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold.

We have described the process of determining the state of the first conductive gel 202a, but the process of determining the state of the second conductive gel 202b can be similarly performed by measuring the impedance using the second electrode 108 and the second detection electrodes 116a to 116c to determine the state of the second conductive gel 202b.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations specified in the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention described in the claims. For example, the functions included in each component, step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided.

For example, in the explanation of the electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second variant, the application unit 102 is described as having one first electrode 106, but the application unit 102 may be provided with multiple first electrodes 106. In addition, the application unit 102 is described as having one second electrode 108, but the application unit 102 may be provided with multiple second electrodes 108.

In addition, in the explanation of the electrical stimulation application device 10b according to the second modified example, the application unit 102 is described as having three first detection electrodes 115, but the number of first detection electrodes 115 provided by the application unit 102 may be two or less, or four or more. In addition, the application unit 102 is described as having three second detection electrodes 116, but the number of second detection electrodes 116 provided by the application unit 102 may be two or less, or four or more.

The present disclosure relates to an electrical stimulation application device and a determination method.

10, 10a, 10b Electrical stimulation application device 20 Sheet material 101 Operation unit 102 Application unit 103 Input unit 103a First input unit 103b Second input unit 104 Display unit 104a First display unit 104b Second display unit 105, 105a First electrode group 106, 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d First electrode 107, 107a Second electrode group 108, 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d Second electrode 109 Communication unit 110 Memory unit 111 Control unit 112 Heater 113 Power output related unit 114 Power supply unit 115, 115a, 115b, 115c First detection electrode 116, 116a, 116b, 116c Second detection electrode 121 Treatment voltage generation circuit 122 Determination voltage generation circuit 123 First circuit changeover switch 124 Second circuit changeover switch 125 Third circuit changeover switch 126 Fourth circuit changeover switch 127 Voltage measurement circuit 128 First current measurement circuit 129 Second current measurement circuit 201 Frame portion 202 Conductive gel 202a First conductive gel 202b Second conductive gel

Claims (8)

An electrical stimulation application device capable of applying electrical stimulation to a living body or living tissue via a first conductive gel and a second conductive gel,
a first electrode group including a plurality of first electrodes and to which the first conductive gel is attached;
a second electrode group including a plurality of second electrodes and to which the second conductive gel is attached;
A control unit,
The control unit determines the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel based on a first impedance between at least two first electrodes among the plurality of first electrodes and a second impedance between at least two second electrodes among the plurality of second electrodes. The electrical stimulation application device according to claim 1,
The control unit determines that the application state of the first conductive gel or the second conductive gel is inappropriate when the first impedance or the second impedance is greater than or equal to a first threshold value. The electrical stimulation application device according to claim 2,
The control unit of the electrical stimulation application device determines that the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel need to be replaced when the first impedance or the second impedance is greater than or equal to a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value and is smaller than the first threshold value. The electrical stimulation application device according to claim 3,
The control unit determines that the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel do not need to be replaced when the first impedance and the second impedance are smaller than the second threshold value. The electrical stimulation application device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control unit applies the electrical stimulation when it determines that the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel do not need to be replaced. The electrical stimulation application device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Further comprising an input unit,
The control unit of the electrical stimulation application device starts a process of determining the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel when the input unit receives an operation to determine the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel. The electrical stimulation application device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit of the electrical stimulation application device starts a process of determining the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel when power is supplied thereto. An electrical stimulation application device capable of applying electrical stimulation to a living body or living tissue via a first conductive gel and a second conductive gel,
a first electrode and a first detection electrode to which the first conductive gel is attached;
a second electrode and a second detection electrode to which the second conductive gel is attached;
A control unit,
The control unit determines the state of the first conductive gel and the second conductive gel based on a first impedance between the first electrode and the first detection electrode and a second impedance between the second electrode and the second detection electrode.

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