HK1228821A1 - Muscular electric stimulator - Google Patents

Description

Muscle electrical stimulation device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a muscle electrical stimulation device.

Background

In the past, it has been known that muscle contraction is caused if a current flows through muscle fibers. In particular, it is used in the medical and sports fields for the purpose of strengthening muscles. Specifically, the following muscle stimulation methods were used: the human body is electrified through the attached electrodes, and muscles are tensed and relaxed based on the electric signals. Further, as the electric signal for contracting the muscle, particularly, a low-frequency signal is considered to be effective. This is because as the frequency of the electrical signal increases, the muscle no longer contracts.

However, the following properties exist: when the electric signal is set to a low frequency, pain is likely to occur due to the influence of electric resistance on the surface of the skin of a human body. On the other hand, when the electric signal is made to be a high frequency, the electric signal is less likely to be affected by the resistance and the like, and pain is less likely to occur.

As a muscle stimulation device for stimulating a muscle by an electrical signal, patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which: the muscle stimulation apparatus is provided with a main body part with a built-in power supply and a pair of electrodes extending from the main body part, and applies electrical pulses to a human body to stimulate muscles by adhering the pair of electrodes to the human body.

Patent document 1: japanese utility model registration No. 3158303

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the configuration disclosed in patent document 1, the user may feel skin pain depending on the electric pulse, and there is room for improving the physical sensation when using the muscle stimulation apparatus. On the other hand, in order to relieve pain of the user, it is impossible to stimulate muscles efficiently only by reducing the voltage of the electric pulse or simply increasing the frequency.

In view of the above-described background, the present invention provides a muscle electrical stimulation apparatus that can improve physical sensation during use and can efficiently stimulate muscles.

A muscle electrical stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a muscle electrical stimulation apparatus that applies electrical stimulation to a muscle, wherein the electrical stimulation is formed by repeatedly outputting burst pulse waves that are formed by a pulse group output period and a pulse group output interruption period, a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals are output with an output stop time therebetween in the pulse group output period, and the output of the rectangular wave pulse signals is interrupted for a time longer than the output stop time in the pulse group output interruption period;

the plurality of repetitive burst pulses include the rectangular wave pulse signal having a positive polarity and the rectangular wave pulse signal having a negative polarity.

In the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus, the burst pulse wave for electrical stimulation is output as a plurality of rectangular-wave pulse signals with an output stop time therebetween in the pulse group output period. Therefore, the rectangular wave pulse signal is divided into a plurality of pulses in the pulse train output period. Thus, the pulse width of each of the rectangular wave pulse signals can be reduced while the total output time of the rectangular wave pulse signals is made the same, as compared with the case where the rectangular wave pulse signals are continuously output without being divided during the pulse group output period. As a result, the user's pain can be reduced while maintaining the electrical stimulation that is output from the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus and that flows through the muscle or the nerve connected to the muscle, and therefore the physical sensation during the use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus can be improved.

In addition, the burst wave is configured such that a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals are output with an output stop time interposed therebetween in the pulse burst output period, as compared with a burst wave having a pulse output period which is the same as the pulse burst output period in the burst wave and in which pulses are continuously output. Therefore, even with a burst pulse wave having a pulse group output period with an output stop time, a physical sensation similar to that of a burst pulse wave having a pulse output period without an output stop time can be obtained.

In addition, since the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals are output with the output stop time being interposed therebetween in the pulse train output period, the duration of the pulse train output period is the sum of the pulse widths of the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals and the total output stop time. Therefore, compared to the case where the rectangular-wave pulse signal is continuously output for the duration of the pulse train output period, the actual pulse signal output time is shortened by the amount of the output stop time while the duration of the pulse train output period is made the same, and therefore, power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, the driving can be performed even by a low-capacity power supply, which is advantageous for downsizing the device.

The burst pulse wave for forming the electrical stimulation is formed by a pulse group output period and a pulse group output interruption period, and the duration of the pulse group output interruption period is longer than the output stop time in the pulse group output period. Since the burst wave includes such a burst output interruption period, the frequency of the burst wave can be easily set to a desired value simply by changing the duration of the burst output interruption period to a predetermined length without changing the burst output period. This makes it easy to control, and thus, it is possible to output an electric stimulus formed of a burst pulse wave having a frequency suitable for contracting and relaxing muscles, and to efficiently stimulate muscles.

The plurality of repeated burst pulses include the rectangular wave pulse signal having a positive polarity and the rectangular wave pulse signal having a negative polarity. That is, both the positive rectangular wave pulse signal and the negative rectangular wave pulse signal may be included in one burst pulse wave. Further, of the plurality of burst waves, the 1 st burst wave may include a rectangular wave pulse signal of positive polarity, and the 2 nd burst wave different from the 1 st burst wave may include a rectangular wave pulse signal of negative polarity. In either case, since the deviation of the electric charge can be reduced, the pain of the user can be reduced. As a result, the physical sensation and ease of use during use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus can be improved.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a muscle electrical stimulation apparatus capable of enhancing a physical sensation during use and efficiently stimulating muscles.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section taken along line IV-IV of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mode of use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of basic waveforms stored in the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of burst pulses output from the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the voltage change output from the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating main operations of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus according to example 1.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the 1 st embedding process of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the 2 nd embedding process of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the 3 rd embedding process of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in example 1.

Fig. 14 is a front view of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in modification 2.

Fig. 15 is a rear view of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in modification 2.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus according to modification 3.

Detailed Description

The muscle electrical stimulation device outputs electrical stimulation formed by burst pulse waves. Also, the electrical stimulation output from the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus stimulates the muscle by flowing through the muscle or a nerve connected to the muscle.

The positive rectangular wave pulse signal and the negative rectangular wave pulse signal may be included in the same pulse group output period. In this case, since it is easy to eliminate the deviation of the electric charge within one burst wave, the pain of the user can be further reduced. As a result, the physical sensation and ease of use during use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus can be further improved.

The repeatedly output burst pulse wave may include a 1 st burst pulse wave and a 2 nd burst pulse wave, wherein the 2 nd burst pulse wave includes a 2 nd pulse group output period, and the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals having a polarity opposite to a polarity of the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals output in the 1 st pulse group output period of the 1 st burst pulse wave are output in the 2 nd pulse group output period. In this case, when the charge deviation occurs in the 1 st burst wave, the charge deviation can be surely eliminated in the 2 nd burst wave. Therefore, the deviation of the electric charge can be reduced in the entire repeatedly output burst wave, and the pain of the user can be reduced. As a result, the physical sensation and ease of use during use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus can be further improved. Further, in the 2 nd pulse group output period, only the polarities of the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals output in the 1 st pulse group output period need to be inverted (potentials are inverted), and therefore, compared with a case where the polarities of the respective rectangular wave pulse signals in the respective burst pulse waves are individually controlled, the control load can be reduced. This is the same for the case where a plurality of pulse groups exist in the burst wave.

The duration of the burst output interruption period may be longer than the duration of the burst output period. In this case, the interval of the pulse group output period in which the pulse group output is repeatedly output in the burst pulse wave can be sufficiently secured according to the pulse group output interruption period, and therefore, it is easy for the user to recognize the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals in the pulse group output period as one electrical stimulus. As a result, the high-frequency rectangular wave pulse signal can be easily output as a low-frequency burst pulse wave, and electrical stimulation suitable for muscle stimulation can be output.

The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus may have: a burst wave type storage unit that stores a plurality of burst waves having different frequencies by making the durations of the burst output periods the same and making the durations of the burst output interruption periods different from each other in advance; and a frequency setting unit that sets the frequency of the burst pulse wave in the electrical stimulation by selecting any one of the plurality of burst pulse waves stored in the burst pulse wave type storage unit. In this case, since a plurality of burst waves of a predetermined frequency are stored in the burst-wave-type storage unit in advance, when the frequency of the burst wave is changed, the frequency setting unit may select a predetermined type from the burst waves stored in the burst-wave-type storage unit, and the frequency of the burst wave is easily changed. This makes the muscle electrical stimulation device suitable for efficiently stimulating muscles.

The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus may have: a frequency selection unit that selects a frequency of the burst pulse wave; an interruption period duration calculation unit that calculates a duration of the pulse group output interruption period based on the frequency selected by the frequency selection unit; and an interrupt period duration setting unit that sets a duration of the pulse group output interrupt period based on the duration calculated by the interrupt period duration calculating unit. In this case, since the frequency of the burst pulse wave can be set to a desired frequency by the frequency selection unit, the frequency of the burst pulse wave can be appropriately set according to the preference of the user (the intensity of contraction, the interval between contraction and relaxation), and thus the muscle electrical stimulation device can perform more efficient muscle stimulation for each user. In addition, the selection of the frequency in the frequency selection section may be performed automatically or manually by the user.

The pulse width and the output stop time of the rectangular wave pulse signal in the burst pulse wave may be constant. In this case, it is easy to change the electrical stimulation applied to the muscle according to the frequency of the burst pulse wave. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the electrical stimulation based on the frequency of the burst wave, and it is easy to output the electrical stimulation suitable for effective stimulation of the muscle.

The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus may be constituted by: the electric stimulation apparatus includes a main body, a plurality of electrode units for outputting the electric stimulation, a power supply unit for supplying power to the electrode units, a control unit for controlling the power supply of the power supply unit, and an operation unit configured to be capable of changing a control mode of the control unit, wherein the power supply unit is built in the main body. In this case, since it is not necessary to prepare the power supply to the power supply unit outside, it can be easily used even outdoors or outdoors where it is difficult to secure the power supply. Further, since a wire or the like for connecting a power supply is not required, the convenience in use can be improved, and the portability is excellent.

The electrode portion may be formed on a thin plate-like base material extending from the main body portion: and a lead portion electrically connecting the electrodes and the power supply portion via the control portion. In this case, the electrode portion is formed on the thin plate-like base material extending from the main body, and the main body and the electrode portion can be integrated. Therefore, an electric wire or the like for connecting the main body and the electrode portion is not required, and the device can be used with improved convenience and is excellent in portability.

The electrode portion may have three or more electrodes. As described above, since the power consumption is reduced by spacing the output stop time between the plurality of rectangular wave pulses within the pulse group output period, even in a configuration in which three or more electrodes are provided, it is difficult for a shortage of power to occur, and sufficient electrical stimulation can be applied. This allows electrical stimulation to be applied to a wide range of muscles, and therefore allows efficient stimulation of muscles.

The power supply unit may be provided with a replaceable battery. In this case, since the electric power can be replenished only by replacing the battery, the battery can be used easily for a long time exceeding the battery capacity. This eliminates the need to excessively house a large-capacity power supply, thereby reducing the size of the device.

The battery can be a button battery or a button battery. In this case, since the battery is small, it is advantageous for downsizing of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus. Further, since the weight reduction can be achieved along with the miniaturization of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus, the electrode is less likely to peel off or come off from the body of the user, and the convenience in use is improved, and the portability is also improved. Further, since the battery is thin, it is advantageous for the thin-type muscle electrical stimulation apparatus. Further, by making the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus thin, the user can wear clothes thereon while mounting the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus. Therefore, the present invention can be used in various situations, such as commuting, going to and from school, doing housework, working, and the like. In addition, the button cell or button cell has stable discharge characteristics at a higher operating voltage than other dry cells and the like, and thus the muscle electrical stimulation device can be operated stably for a longer period of time.

The rated voltage of the battery can be 3.0-5.0V. In this case, since the driving voltage of most of the electronic components provided in the device is regulated within the voltage range, it is not necessary to separately provide a step-down circuit and a step-up circuit for driving these electronic components. This is advantageous for miniaturization. In addition, since the electrical stimulation output from the electrode generally requires a voltage greater than the rated voltage of the battery, the provision of a boosting device for output is not denied.

[ examples ] A method for producing a compound

(example 1)

A muscle electrical stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 13.

The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 of the present example is configured to apply electrical stimulation to a muscle.

As shown in fig. 9, the electrical stimulation is formed by repeatedly outputting burst pulse waves (B1 to B5) each including a pulse group output period P and pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 (B1 to B5).

In the pulse train output period P, a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output with an interval of output stop times N1 to N5.

In the pulse train output interruption periods R1 to R5, the output of the pulse signal is stopped for a time longer than the output stop times N1 to N5.

The plurality of repetitive burst pulses (B1 to B5) include positive rectangular wave pulse signals S1, S3, and S5 and negative rectangular wave pulse signals S2 and S4.

The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 will be described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 5, the muscle electrostimulator 1 of the present example is used by being attached to the abdomen 3 of a person 2. In this example, the length direction of the height of the person 2 is defined as the height direction Y. The side of the person 2 facing the front face of the person 2 closer to the right hand 5a of the person 2 than the center axis 2a, which is parallel to the height direction Y and passes through the navel 3a, is referred to as a right direction X1, and the side of the person 2 closer to the left hand 5b of the person 2 than the center axis 2a is referred to as a left direction X2. The right direction X1 and the left direction X2 are collectively referred to as a left-right direction X.

As shown in fig. 1, a body portion 10 is provided at the center of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1. As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the main body 10 has a substantially disk shape. As shown in fig. 4, the main body 10 includes a case 11 and a case forming body 12, wherein the case 11 accommodates a power supply unit 20 and a control unit 40, which will be described later, and the case forming body 12 is attached to the case 11 to form a case of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1. The housing 11 is made of ABS. The case forming body 12 is made of silicon. The housing 11 is composed of a 1 st housing 111 and a 2 nd housing 112, wherein the 1 st housing 111 is concave, the 2 nd housing 112 is attached to the 1 st housing 111, and an accommodating portion 13 accommodating the control portion 40 is formed between the 1 st housing 111 and the 1 st housing 111. Ribs 112a vertically provided along the outer edge of the 2 nd case 112 are fitted inside the outer edge 111a of the 1 st case 111, and the 2 nd case 112 is joined to the 1 st case 111.

As shown in fig. 1, the 1 st case 111 has: a 1 st arm 51a and a 2 nd arm 51b forming a part of the operation unit 50 described later. The 1 st arm 51a and the 2 nd arm 51b are formed in a cantilever state by piercing a part of the wall portion of the 1 st housing 111. The 1 st arm 51a and the 2 nd arm 51b are arranged in this order: arranged from the upper side to the lower side in the height direction Y.

As shown in fig. 4, the case forming body 12 is mounted on the side opposite to the 2 nd case 112 on the 1 st case 111. Further, as shown in fig. 1, the case forming body 12 covers the two cantilevers 51a, 51 b. In the case forming body 12, a symbol "+" is formed so as to protrude directly above the 1 st arm 51a, and a symbol "-" is formed so as to protrude directly above the 2 nd arm 51b, and an operation surface 54 constituting a part of an operation portion 50 described later is formed. According to the above arrangement of the cantilevers, "+" is on the upper side in the height direction Y, and "-" is on the lower side in the height direction Y, which is ergonomically easier for the user to operate.

As shown in fig. 4, the control board 41 on which the control unit 40 (see fig. 6) is formed is housed in the housing portion 13 formed between the 1 st case 111 and the 2 nd case 112. The control board 41 is a printed board, and a wiring pattern, electronic components 42, and the like, which are not shown, are provided on the control board 41, thereby forming a control circuit. A small speaker 43 of a surface mount type is electrically connected to the control board 41. The driving voltage of the electronic component 42 and the speaker 43 is 3.0V. Further, although not shown, a booster circuit for boosting the output voltage of the battery 21 is mounted on the control board 41. Thereby, the electric power of the battery 21 is boosted to a predetermined voltage (for example, 40V) and supplied to the electrode portion 30.

Although not shown, a switch mechanism forming the operation portion 50 is also accommodated in the accommodating portion 13. The switch mechanism is a tactile switch and includes a switch portion that can be pressed. The switching mechanism is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The switch mechanisms are disposed directly below the 1 st arm 51a and the 2 nd arm 51b (see fig. 1) formed on the 1 st housing 111, respectively. Thus, when the 1 st cantilever 51a is pressed from the outside by the operation surface 54 of the case forming body 12 covering the 1 st case 111, the switch portion of the switch mechanism is pressed by the bending of the 1 st cantilever 51a in the cantilever state. When the pressing on the operation surface 54 is released, the 1 st cantilever 51a returns to the original position by the restoring force of the 1 st cantilever 51a in the cantilever state. The 2 nd cantilever 51b is also configured to be capable of similar pressing and releasing.

As shown in fig. 4, the 2 nd case 112 is provided with a battery holding portion 14 that holds the battery 21 constituting the power supply portion 20. Thereby, the power supply unit 20 is built in the main body 10. The battery 21 is replaceable, and in this example, a small and thin button battery (lithium battery CR2032, rated voltage 3.0V) is used as the battery 21. In addition, a battery with a rated voltage of 3.0-5.0V can be used instead of the battery 21.

A cover 15 for preventing the battery 21 from falling off is detachably attached to the battery holding portion 14 for holding the battery 21. The cover 15 is formed in a disk shape one turn larger than the battery 21, and an O-ring 16 is fitted around the outer periphery thereof, and the O-ring 16 seals between the cover 15 and the 2 nd case 112. The battery 21 is electrically connected to the control unit 40 via a lead wire not shown. As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of linear grooves 113 are formed at equal intervals in the 2 nd housing 112 so as to radially extend from the outer periphery of the cover 15.

As shown in fig. 4, a flange portion 112b protruding outward of the rib 112a is formed on the 2 nd case 112. The thin plate-like base material 33 is sandwiched between the flange portion 112b and the outer edge portion 111a of the 1 st case 111 by a waterproof double-sided sticker not shown. The substrate 33 is made of PET. As shown in fig. 2, the base material 33 extends over the entire region of the surface (the back surface 33a) opposite to the surface (the outer surface) of the formed body 12 of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1. As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the outer surface of the base material 33 is covered with the case forming body 12 protruding from the main body 10. The base material 33 and the case forming body 12 are bonded by an adhesive tape and a silicone treatment agent manufactured by 3M company, not shown.

As shown in fig. 2 and 6, the electrode portion 30 includes a 1 st electrode group 31 and a 2 nd electrode group 32. As shown in fig. 5, the 1 st electrode group 31 is extended from the main body portion 10 so as to be positioned on the right-hand side X1 of the person 2 than the center line 10a when it is attached to the abdomen portion 3. As shown in fig. 5, the 2 nd electrode group 32 extends from the body portion 10 so as to be positioned on the left hand side X2 of the person 2 than the center line 10a when mounted on the abdomen portion 3. The 1 st electrode group 31 includes right electrodes 311 to 313, and the 2 nd electrode group 32 includes left electrodes 321 to 323.

Each of the electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. The longitudinal direction of each of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 (e.g., the direction indicated by the symbol w in the 3 rd right electrode 313) is substantially along the left-right direction X. In this embodiment, the electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323 are all formed in the same shape. The electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323 can be shaped such that, for example, when the length in the longitudinal direction is w and the length in the width direction is h, h/w is 0.40 to 0.95, preferably 0.50 to 0.80, and in this example, h/w is 0.55.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of electrode non-formation portions 34 are formed inside the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 at predetermined intervals, and each electrode non-formation portion is formed in a hexagonal shape having a predetermined size. Lead portions 311a, 312a, and 313a extending from the main body 10 are formed on the right electrodes 311, 312, and 313, respectively, and are electrically connected to the power supply unit 20 via the control unit 40. Similarly, lead portions 321a, 322a, and 323a extending from the main body 10 are formed in the left electrodes 321, 322, and 323, respectively, and are used for connection to the control unit 40. The lead portions 311a to 313a and 321a to 323a are coated with a silicon coating so as not to be electrically connected to the outside. Further, the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 are also coated with a silicon coating layer at portions connected to the lead portions 311a to 313a and 321a to 323a and in the vicinity thereof (hatched regions indicated by the symbol C in fig. 2) so as not to be electrically connected to the outside. The right electrodes 311 to 313 are connected in parallel with each other, and the left electrodes 321 to 323 are also connected in parallel with each other.

As shown in fig. 2, the electrode portion 30 is formed on the back surface 33a of the base material 33. Thereby, the electrode portion 30 is integrally formed with the main body 10. The electrode portion 30 may be embedded in the substrate 33. In this example, the electrode portion 30 is formed by printing conductive ink containing silver paste on the back surface 33a of the base material 33. The 1 st electrode group 31 and the 2 nd electrode group 32 include four or more electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323 in total. In this example, the 1 st electrode group 31 and the 2 nd electrode group 32 include the same number of electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323, respectively, and the number thereof is three. That is, the 1 st electrode group 31 includes the 1 st right electrode 311, the 2 nd right electrode 312, and the 3 rd right electrode 313. The 2 nd electrode group 32 includes a 1 st left electrode 321, a 2 nd left electrode 322, and a 3 rd left electrode 323. In addition, in the base material 33, the portions formed by the 1 st right electrode 311, the 2 nd right electrode 312 and the 3 rd right electrode 313 are referred to as a 1 st right base 331, a 2 nd right base 332 and a 3 rd right base 333, and the portions formed by the 1 st left electrode 321, the 2 nd left electrode 322 and the 3 rd left electrode 323 are referred to as a 1 st left base 341, a 2 nd left base 342 and a 3 rd left base 343.

Further, a rubber pad 35 (model: SR-RA 240/100, model: テクノゲル (Technogel) manufactured by Severe chemical industries, Ltd.) was attached to each of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. The rubber pad 35 has conductivity, and the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 can supply electricity to the abdomen 3 (see fig. 5) through the rubber pad 35. The rubber pad 35 has high adhesiveness, and the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 can be attached to the abdomen 3 via the rubber pad 35.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rubber pad 35 has a shape that is larger than the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 by one turn, and covers the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323, respectively. Since the rubber pad 35 can be replaced, the rubber pad 35 can be replaced as appropriate when the adhesive force is reduced or the rubber pad is damaged or when the dirt is conspicuous. The used rubber mat 35 may be replaced with a new one every predetermined period (for example, one month or two months).

As shown in fig. 2, the 1 st right side electrode 311, the 2 nd right side electrode 312, and the 3 rd right side electrode 313 are all parallel in the height direction Y of the person 2 (see fig. 5), and protrude from the main body 10 so as to be located at the right hand side X1 (the 1 st area S1) of the person 2 than the center line 10a passing through the center of the main body 10. Further, the 1 st right electrode 311, the 2 nd right electrode 312, and the 3 rd right electrode 313 are arranged in this order: arranged from the upper side to the lower side along the height direction Y.

On the other hand, the 1 st left electrode 321, the 2 nd left electrode 322, and the 3 rd left electrode 323 protrude from the body section 10 so as to be located at the left-hand side X2 (2 nd area S2) of the person 2 than the center line 10 a. Further, the 1 st left electrode 321, the 2 nd left electrode 322, and the 3 rd left electrode 323 are also arranged in this order: arranged from the upper side to the lower side along the height direction Y.

As shown in fig. 2, the 1 st electrode group 31 and the 2 nd electrode group 32 are configured such that: when attached to the abdomen 3 (see fig. 5), the central line 10a is located at a line symmetry position. Namely, the present invention is configured to: when mounted on the abdomen 3, the 1 st right electrode 311 and the 1 st left electrode 321 are located in line symmetry, the 2 nd right electrode 312 and the 2 nd left electrode 322 are located in line symmetry, and the 3 rd right electrode 313 and the 3 rd left electrode 323 are located in line symmetry with respect to the center line 10 a.

As shown in fig. 2, the 1 st electrode group 31 and the 2 nd electrode group 32 are configured such that: when attached to the abdomen 3 (see fig. 5), the following are formed in the height direction Y: a pair of upper electrode pairs 301 each including a 1 st right electrode 311 and a 1 st left electrode 321 positioned on the uppermost side of the 1 st electrode group 31 and the 2 nd electrode group 32; a pair of lower electrode pairs 303 including a 3 rd right electrode 313 and a 3 rd left electrode 323 located at the lowermost side; and a pair of central electrode pairs 302 including a 2 nd right electrode 312 and a 2 nd left electrode 322 between the upper electrode pair 301 and the lower electrode pair 303. Thus, the upper electrode pair 301, the central electrode pair 302, and the lower electrode pair 303 are arranged in this order: arranged from the upper side to the lower side along the height direction Y.

The central electrode pair 302 protrudes from the main body 10 in the extending direction (the left-right direction X) as compared with the upper electrode pair 301 and the lower electrode pair 303. That is, when attached to the abdomen 3, the 2 nd right electrode 312 constituting the center electrode pair 302 protrudes in the right direction X1 from the 1 st right electrode 311 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 and the 3 rd right electrode 313 constituting the lower electrode pair 303. Similarly, the 2 nd left electrode 322 constituting the center electrode pair 302 protrudes in the left direction X2 from the 1 st left electrode 321 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 and the 3 rd left electrode 323 constituting the lower electrode pair 303.

As shown in fig. 2, the upper electrode pair 301 is inclined in a V shape so as to be located on the upper side in the extending direction. As described above, the electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323 have the same size. On the other hand, in the base material 33 of the electrode part 30, the right side base parts 331 to 333 are larger than the right side electrodes 311 to 313, and the left side base parts 341 to 343 are larger than the left side electrodes 321 to 323.

As shown in fig. 2, the upper electrode pair 301 protrudes from the main body 10 in the extending direction (the left-right direction X) as compared with the lower electrode pair 303. That is, when attached to the abdomen 3, the 1 st right electrode 311 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 protrudes in the rightward direction X1 from the 3 rd right electrode 313 constituting the lower electrode pair 303. Similarly, the 1 st left electrode 321 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 protrudes in the left direction X2 from the 3 rd left electrode 323 constituting the lower electrode pair 303.

As shown in fig. 2, the lower outer edge 331a of the 1 st right base 331 bulges in the right direction X1, and the lower outer edge 341a of the 1 st left base 341 bulges in the left direction X2.

Further, the central outer edge portion 332a of the 2 nd right base portion 332 slightly bulges in the right direction X1, and the central outer edge portion 342a of the 2 nd left base portion 342 slightly bulges in the left direction X2.

Further, the upper outer edge portion 333a of the 3 rd right base 333 bulges in the right direction X1, and the lower outer edge portion 333b of the 3 rd right base 333 bulges in the downward direction (downward direction in the Y direction). Further, an upper outer edge portion 343a of the 3 rd left base portion 343 bulges in the left direction X2, and a lower outer edge portion 343b of the 3 rd left base portion 343 bulges in the downward direction.

By providing the base portions 331 to 333, 341 to 343 of the base material 33 in the above-described manner, the muscle electrostimulation device 1 is arranged so as to wrap the rectus abdominis 4 of the abdomen 3 in the right-left direction when the muscle electrostimulation device 1 is viewed from the front side as shown in fig. 1 and 5. Further, since the electrode arrangement is also arranged in accordance with the section 4a of the rectus abdominus muscle 4, efficient stimulation of each muscle can be expected. Further, by recognizing this shape, the user can be given the impression of a tight abdomen 3 or a blocked abdominal muscle. Thus, by using the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1, an effect of image training for forming the tense abdomen 3 of the abdominal muscle segments can be obtained. (elephant training is generally known to improve athletic performance.)

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the 1 st electrode group 31 and the 2 nd electrode group 32, a cut-in portion 17 cut into the main body portion 10 is formed between the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 adjacent to each other. In this example, the cut portions 17 are formed at six positions in total between the 1 st right electrode 311 and the 2 nd right electrode 312, between the 2 nd right electrode 312 and the 3 rd right electrode 313, between the 3 rd right electrode 313 and the 3 rd left electrode 323, between the 3 rd left electrode 323 and the 2 nd left electrode 322, between the 2 nd left electrode 322 and the 1 st left electrode 321, and between the 1 st left electrode 321 and the 1 st right electrode 311. Further, four through holes 18 are formed around the main body 10.

Next, the structure of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 in this example will be described using a block diagram.

As shown in fig. 6, the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 includes, inside the body section 10: the power supply unit 20, the control unit 40, and the operation unit 50 are added with the skin detection unit 402 and the battery voltage detection unit 406.

The skin detection unit 402 detects whether the electrode unit 30 is in contact with the skin. Specifically, the skin detection unit 402 is electrically connected to the electrode unit 30, and detects the resistance value between the 1 st electrode group 31 and the 2 nd electrode group 32. Then, the detection value is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the detection value is smaller than the threshold value, it is detected that the skin is in contact with the 1 st electrode group 31 and the 2 nd electrode group 32.

The battery voltage detection unit 406 detects the voltage of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20, and determines whether or not the detected battery voltage V of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20 is lower than a predetermined threshold value Vm. In this example, the rated voltage V of the battery 21 is 3.0V, and the threshold value Vm is 2.1V.

As shown in fig. 6, a battery 21 is provided in the power supply unit 20. The control unit 40 includes an output adjustment unit 401, a power-off timer 403, a timer 404, an output mode switching unit 405, and an output mode storage unit 405 a. The output adjustment unit 401 adjusts the output voltage (output level) of the electrode unit 30. In this example, the maximum output voltage is set to 40V, and the 100% output voltage drops by 2.0V for each step of the output level drop. The output levels have fifteen levels from 1 level to 15 levels.

The power-off timer 403 measures the elapsed time since the reception of the timer start signal. The timer 404 measures the elapsed time since the reception of the output start signal. The output mode switching unit 405 switches the output mode of the electrode unit 30 to any one of the 1 st output mode, the 2 nd output mode, and the 3 rd output mode, and is configured as a frequency setting unit that sets the frequency of the output burst wave. The output pattern storage unit 405a stores the 1 st output pattern, the 2 nd output pattern, and the 3 rd output pattern. Basic waveforms as burst wave types having pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 are stored in advance in the 1 st output mode, the 2 nd output mode, and the 3 rd output mode, and the output pattern storage unit 405a constitutes a burst wave type storage unit. The burst wave type storage unit 405a also includes a definition description of the waveform of the burst wave in the program.

Next, an output pattern in the electrode portion 30 will be explained.

First, five burst wave types (basic waveforms B1 to B5) as shown in fig. 7 are stored in the output pattern storage unit 405a as the duration storage unit. The basic waveforms B1 to B5 are formed by a pulse train output period P and pulse train output interruption periods R1 to R5. That is, the basic waveforms B1 to B5 have a common pulse group output period P, and the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 are different in length.

In the pulse train output period P, a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output with an interval of output stop times N1 to N5. In this example, five square-wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output. That is, the pulse train output period P is sequentially executed in the following order: a 1 st rectangular wave pulse signal S1, a 1 st output stop time N1, a 2 nd rectangular wave pulse signal S2, a 2 nd output stop time N2, a 3 rd rectangular wave pulse signal S3, a 3 rd output stop time N3, a 4 th rectangular wave pulse signal S4, a 4 th output stop time N4, a 5 th rectangular wave pulse signal S5, and a 5 th output stop time N5.

In this example, the pulse width and the pulse voltage of each of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are constant, and the duration of the output stop time N1 to N5 is also constant. In this example, the pulse width of each of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 is 100 μ S, the pulse voltage is ± 40V at 100% output, and the duration of the output stop time N1 to N5 is 100 μ S. Therefore, the duration of the burst output period P is 1 ms. The polarity of the voltage in each of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 is changed alternately in accordance with the output order. That is, the 1 st, 3 rd and 5 th rectangular wave pulse signals S1, S3 and S5 are output as positive rectangular wave pulse signals, and the 2 nd and 4 th rectangular wave pulse signals S2 and S4 are output as negative rectangular wave pulse signals.

As described above, the pulse widths of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 and the durations of the output stop times N1 to N5 in the pulse train output period P are 100 μ S, respectively. Therefore, the pulse cycle of each of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the pulse train output period P is sufficiently short at 200 μ S. Therefore, the user recognizes these square wave pulse signals S1 to S5 as one electrical stimulus. The frequency of each of the rectangular-wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the pulse train output period P is 5000 Hz.

In the basic waveforms B1 to B5, no pulse signal is output during the pulse train output interruption periods R1 to R5. The duration of the burst output interruption periods R1 to R5 is longer than the duration of the burst output period P. In this example, as shown in fig. 7, the duration of the burst output period P is 1ms, and the durations of the burst output interruption periods R1 to R5 are 499ms, 249ms, 124ms, 61.5ms, and 49ms, respectively. In this way, the burst output interruption periods R1 to R5 have a very long duration as compared with the output stop time in the burst output period P.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 7, the 1 st burst wave (2Hz) is formed by a burst output period P of 1ms and a burst output interruption period R1 of 499 ms. That is, the 1 st burst wave (2Hz) is a wave output at a frequency of 2Hz during the burst output period P.

The 2 nd burst pulse wave (4Hz) is formed by a burst output period P of 1ms and a burst output interruption period R2 of 249 ms. That is, the 2 nd burst pulse wave (4Hz) is a wave output at a frequency of 4Hz during the burst output period P.

The 3 rd burst pulse wave (8Hz) is formed by a burst output period P of 1ms and a burst output interruption period R3 of 124 ms. That is, the 3 rd burst pulse wave (8Hz) is a wave output at a frequency of 8Hz during the pulse train output period P.

The 4 th burst (16Hz) is formed of a burst output period P of 1ms and a burst output interruption period R4 of 61.5 ms. That is, the 4 th burst pulse wave (16Hz) is a wave output at a frequency of 16Hz during the burst output period P.

The 5 th burst pulse wave (20Hz) is formed by a burst output period P of 1ms and a burst output interruption period R5 of 49 ms. That is, the 5 th burst pulse wave (20Hz) is a wave output at a frequency of 20Hz during the pulse train output period P.

By repeatedly outputting the basic waveforms B1 to B5 in a predetermined combination for a predetermined period, a predetermined burst wave can be output as shown in fig. 8(a) to (e). Further, as described above, since the user recognizes the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the pulse train output period P as one electrical stimulus, as shown in fig. 8(a), an electrical stimulus having a frequency of 2Hz is output in the 1 st burst pulse wave of the repetitive basic waveform B1. Similarly, the 2 nd burst pulse wave of the repeated basic waveform B2 outputs an electrical stimulus having a frequency of 4Hz, the 3 rd burst pulse wave of the repeated basic waveform B3 outputs an electrical stimulus having a frequency of 8Hz, the 4 th burst pulse wave of the repeated basic waveform B4 outputs an electrical stimulus having a frequency of 16Hz, and the 5 th burst pulse wave of the repeated basic waveform B5 outputs an electrical stimulus having a frequency of 20 Hz.

Further, by appropriately selecting the basic waveforms B1 to B5 in the 1 st to 3 rd output patterns stored in the output pattern storage unit 405a as the duration storage unit and the basic waveforms B1 to B5 stored in the output pattern storage unit 405a, it is possible to combine the burst waves constituting the predetermined frequency. First, as shown in table 1, the 1 st output mode is a warm-up mode, and is configured to sequentially perform the following 1 st state to 4 th state in order. The conditions for each state are as follows:

(1) in the 1 st state, 100% output is performed for 20 seconds with the 1 st burst (2 Hz). As shown in fig. 9, the output voltage is gradually increased from 0% to 100% in the first 5 seconds of the 1 st state, that is, so-called soft start is performed.

(2) In the 2 nd state, 100% output is performed for 20 seconds with the 2 nd burst (4 Hz).

(3) In the 3 rd state, 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with the 3 rd burst (8 Hz).

(4) In the 4 th state, 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with the 4 th burst (16 Hz).

The duration of the 1 st output mode (i.e., the total of the durations of the 1 st to 4 th states) is 1 minute. In the 1 st output mode, the frequency of the burst pulse wave is increased in a stepwise manner from 2Hz to 16Hz, and therefore the 1 st output mode is referred to as a warm-up mode.

[ TABLE 1 ]

(Table 1)

Output mode 1 (preheat mode)

Next, as shown in table 2, the 2 nd output mode is a training mode configured to sequentially perform the following 1 st to 4 th states in order. The conditions for each state are as follows:

(1) in the 1 st state, after the 100% output is performed for 3 seconds with the 5 th burst (20Hz), the no output is maintained for 2 seconds. This was repeated for 5 minutes.

(2) In the 2 nd state, after the 100% output is performed for 3 seconds with the 5 th burst wave (20Hz), the 100% output is performed for 2 seconds with the 2 nd burst wave (4 Hz). This was repeated for 5 minutes.

(3) In the 3 rd state, 100% output is performed for 4 seconds with the 5 th burst wave (20Hz), and then 100% output is performed for 2 seconds with the 2 nd burst wave (4 Hz). This was repeated for 5 minutes.

(4) In the 4 th state, after 100% output is performed for 5 seconds with the 5 th burst wave (20Hz), 100% output is performed for 2 seconds with the 2 nd burst wave (4 Hz). This was repeated for 5 minutes.

As shown in fig. 9, in the 2 nd output mode, the output voltage is gradually increased from 0% to 100%, that is, so-called soft start is performed, within the first 5 seconds of each of the 1 st state to the 4 th state.

The duration of the 2 nd output mode is 20 minutes. In the 2 nd output mode, the 5 th burst pulse wave having a frequency of 20Hz is maintained for a predetermined period, and then the 2 nd burst pulse wave having no output or a frequency of 4Hz is maintained for a predetermined period. The 2 nd output mode is therefore referred to as the training mode.

[ TABLE 2 ]

(Table 2)

Output mode 2 (training mode)

Next, as shown in table 3, the 3 rd output mode is a cooling mode, and is configured to sequentially perform the following 1 st to 4 th states in order. The conditions for each state are as follows:

(1) in the 1 st state, the output is performed for 10 seconds with the 4 th burst (16 Hz).

(2) In the 2 nd state, the output is performed for 10 seconds with the 3 rd burst (8 Hz).

(3) In the 3 rd state, the output is performed for 20 seconds with the 2 nd burst (4 Hz).

(4) In the 4 th state, the 1 st burst (2Hz) is output for 20 seconds.

In the 3 rd output mode, as shown in fig. 9, the output in each state is gradually decreased to 100% at the start of the 1 st state and 50% at the end of the 4 th state.

The duration of the 3 rd output mode is 1 minute. In the 3 rd output mode, the frequency of the burst pulse wave is reduced in a stepwise manner from 16Hz to 2Hz, and therefore the 3 rd output mode is referred to as a cooling mode.

[ TABLE 3 ]

(Table 3)

Output mode 3 (cooling mode)

As described above, the total time for continuously performing the 1 st output mode (warm-up mode), the 2 nd output mode (training mode), and the 3 rd output mode (cooling mode) is 22 minutes. In this example, as shown in fig. 9, 2-second rest periods are provided at four places in total between the 1 st output mode and the 2 nd output mode and between the respective states in the 2 nd output mode. Therefore, the total time of the full stroke including the rest period is 22 minutes and 8 seconds.

Next, the mode of use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 in this example will be described in detail below.

The main operation flow S100 shown in fig. 10 will be described. In the main operation flow S100, first, "+" of the operation surface 54 is pressed for 2 seconds (S101). Thereby, the power of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 is turned on to activate the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1, and at the same time, a notification sound ("beep") for notifying that activation has been made is emitted from the speaker 43 (S102). Thereafter, the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 enters the output standby state, and the output level is 0, while the input of the operation unit 50 is invalidated (S103).

Next, whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode section 30 is detected by the skin detection section 402 (S104). When the skin detection unit 402 detects that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (yes in S104), the operation unit 50 is enabled (S105). Then, the output level is input through the operation unit 50 (S106). The input of the output level is performed from the operation surface 54 of the operation unit 50. The output level increases by one step each time "+" of the operation surface 54 of the operation unit 50 is pressed, and decreases by one step each time "-" of the operation surface 54 is pressed. When the output level is set, an output start signal is transmitted from the control unit 40 to the timer 404, and the timer 404 starts measurement (S107). The output level can be operated as needed during the use time (from when the operation unit 50 is activated to when the power supply is turned off).

The output mode of the electrode section 30 is the 1 st output mode (warm-up mode) from the time when the timer 404 starts measuring (elapsed time is 0) to the elapsed time is 1 minute (S108). When the elapsed time reaches 1 minute, the output mode of the electrode unit 30 is switched to the 2 nd output mode (training mode) by the output mode switching unit 405 as the frequency setting unit, and is maintained for 20 minutes until the elapsed time reaches 21 minutes (S109). When the elapsed time reaches 21 minutes, the output mode of the electrode section 30 is switched to the 3 rd output mode (cooling mode) by the output mode switching section 405 as the frequency setting section, and is maintained for 1 minute until the elapsed time reaches 22 minutes (S110). When the elapsed time reaches 22 minutes, the measurement of the timer 404 is ended (S111). Then, the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 is stopped (S112). In this way, by performing steps S108 to S111, the 1 st output mode (warm-up mode), the 2 nd output mode (training mode), and the 3 rd output mode (cooling mode) are performed in a set, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the skin detection unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (no in S104), a notification sound ("beep, or beep") is emitted from the speaker 43 to notify that (S113). Then, the control unit 40 transmits a count start signal to the power off timer 403, and starts measuring the elapsed time in the power off timer 403 (S114).

Next, whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode section 30 is detected by the skin detection section 402 (S115). When the skin detection unit 402 detects that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30, the process returns to step S103 and enters the output standby state (yes in S115). On the other hand, when the skin detection unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (no in S115), it determines whether or not the elapsed time in the power off timer 403 has exceeded 2 minutes (S116). When determining that the elapsed time in the power-off timer 403 has not exceeded 2 minutes (no in S116), the process returns to S115 again, and the skin detection unit 402 detects whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30. On the other hand, if it is determined in S116 that the elapsed time in the power off timer 403 has exceeded 2 minutes (yes in S116), the power supply to the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 is turned off (S117).

Next, the embedding process of the priority process inserted between S105 to S110 in the above-described main operation flow S100 will be described. As shown in fig. 11, as the 1 st embedding process, a skin detection embedding process S200 is performed. The skin detection embedding process S200 is used as a function of automatically turning off the power supply when the electrode is detached from the human body during use. In the skin detection embedded process S200, first, the skin detection unit 402 detects whether the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (S201). When the skin detection unit 402 detects that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (yes in S201), the flow returns to the original flow in the main operation flow S100. On the other hand, when the skin detection unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (no in S201), a notification sound ("beep, or beep") is emitted from the speaker 43 to notify that (S202). Then, the control unit 40 transmits a count start signal to the power off timer 403, and the power off timer 403 starts measuring the elapsed time (S203).

Next, whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode portion 30 is detected by the skin detection portion 402 (S204). When the skin detection unit 402 detects that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30, the flow returns to step S103 of the main operation flow S100 (yes in S204). On the other hand, when the skin detection unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (no in S204), it is determined whether or not the elapsed time in the power-off timer 403 has exceeded 2 minutes (S205). If it is determined that the elapsed time in the power-off timer 403 has not exceeded 2 minutes (no in S205), the process returns to S204 again, and the skin detection unit 402 detects whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30. On the other hand, if it is determined in S205 that the elapsed time in the power off timer 403 has exceeded 2 minutes (yes in S205), the power supply to the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 is turned off (S206).

Next, as shown in fig. 12, the battery voltage lowering process S300, which is the 2 nd embedding process of the priority process inserted between S105 to S110 in the main operation flow S100, will be described. The battery voltage drop processing S300 is a function of automatically turning off the power supply when the battery voltage of the battery 21 drops. This makes it possible for the user to easily recognize the need to deal with the need for replacing the battery. First, the battery voltage detection unit 406 determines whether or not the detected battery voltage V of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20 is lower than a predetermined threshold Vm (S301). When it is determined that the battery voltage V is not lower than the predetermined threshold value Vm (no in S301), the flow returns to the original flow in the main operation flow S100. On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery voltage V is lower than the threshold value Vm, a notification sound ("beep, or beep") for notifying this is emitted from the speaker 43 (S302). Then, the control unit 40 transmits a count start signal to the power off timer 403, and starts measuring the elapsed time in the power off timer 403 (S303).

Next, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time in the power off timer 403 has exceeded 2 minutes (S304). If it is determined that the elapsed time in the power-off timer 403 has not exceeded 2 minutes (no in S304), the process returns to S304 again. If it is determined that the elapsed time in the power off timer 403 exceeds 2 minutes (yes in S304), the power supply of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 is turned off (S305).

Next, as shown in fig. 13, the interrupt process S400, which is the 3 rd embedding process of the priority process inserted between S105 to S110 in the main operation flow S100, will be described. First, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the time for pressing the "-" button on the operation surface 54 of the operation unit 50 is 2 seconds or more (S401). If it is determined that the time for pressing the "-" button is not 2 seconds or longer (no in S401), the flow returns to the original flow in the main operation flow S100. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time for pressing the "-" button is 2 seconds or longer (yes in S401), a notification sound ("beep") is emitted from the speaker 43 to notify that the power supply of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 is turned off and ended (S402). Then, the power is turned off (S403).

The operation and effect of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 in this example will be described in detail below.

In the muscle electrostimulation device 1 of the present example, the 1 st to 5 th burst pulses for forming electrostimulation output a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 with an output stop time N1 to N5 in the pulse group output period P. Therefore, in the pulse train output period P, the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are divided into a plurality of pieces. Thus, as compared with the case where the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are continuously output without being divided in the pulse group output period P, the pulse width of each of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 can be reduced while the total output time of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 is made the same. As a result, the user's pain can be reduced while maintaining the electrical stimulation output from the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 and flowing through the muscle or the nerve connected to the muscle, and therefore the physical sensation during the use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 can be improved.

In the burst pulse wave (the basic waveforms B1 to B5), the pulse group output period P is configured such that the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output with the output stop times N1 to N5 interposed therebetween, but the pulse output period P is the same as a burst pulse wave having a pulse output period in which output is continuously performed, which is the same as the period of the pulse group output period P. Therefore, even with a burst pulse wave having a pulse group output period P with an interval between output stop times N1 to N5, a physical sensation similar to that of a burst pulse wave having a pulse output period without an interval between output stop times can be obtained.

In addition, since the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output with the interval of the output stop times N1 to N5 in the burst output period P, the duration of the burst output period P is the sum of the pulse widths of the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 and all the output stop times N1 to N5. Therefore, compared to the case where the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are continuously output without being divided during the duration of the pulse train output period P, the actual pulse signal output time is shortened by the amount of the output stop times N1 to N5 while the duration of the pulse train output period P is made the same, and therefore, power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, the driving can be performed even with a low-capacity power supply, which is advantageous for downsizing the device.

The burst pulse wave for forming the electrical stimulation is formed by the pulse group output period P and the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5, and the duration of the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 is longer than the output stop times N1 to N5 in the pulse group output period P. Since the burst wave includes the burst output interruption periods R1 to R5, the frequency of the burst wave can be easily set to a desired value simply by changing the duration of the burst output interruption periods R1 to R5 to a predetermined length without changing the burst output period P. This makes it easy to control, and thus, it is possible to output an electric stimulus formed of a burst pulse wave having a frequency suitable for contracting and relaxing muscles, and to efficiently stimulate muscles.

The plurality of repetitive burst pulses (B1 to B5) include positive rectangular wave pulse signals S1, S3, and S5 and negative rectangular wave pulse signals S2 and S4. This reduces the deviation of the electric charge, thereby reducing the pain of the user. As a result, the physical sensation and ease of use during use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 can be improved.

In this example, the positive rectangular wave pulse signals S1, S3, and S5 and the negative rectangular wave pulse signals S2 and S4 are included in the same pulse group output period P. This makes it easy to eliminate the charge deviation in one burst pulse wave (basic waveforms B1 to B5), and therefore, the pain of the user can be further reduced. As a result, the physical sensation and ease of use during use of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 can be further improved.

Further, as in this example, when the five rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 outputted in the 1 st pulse group output period P in the 1 st burst wave are outputted in the order of "positive, negative, and positive", the five rectangular wave pulse signals outputted in the 2 nd pulse group output period in the 2 nd burst wave coming after the 1 st burst wave can be outputted in the order of "negative, positive, and negative". In this case, since the charge deviation generated in the 1 st burst can be surely eliminated by the 2 nd burst, the pain of the user can be further reduced. Further, in the 2 nd pulse group output period, only the polarities of the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 outputted in the 1 st pulse group output period P may be inverted (the potentials are inverted), and therefore, compared with a case where the polarities of the respective rectangular wave pulse signals in the respective pulse group output periods are individually controlled, the control load can be reduced.

In this example, the positive rectangular wave pulse signals S1, S3, and S5 and the negative rectangular wave pulse signals S2 and S4 are included in the same pulse group output period P, but the positive rectangular wave pulse signal may be included in the 1 st burst pulse wave and the negative rectangular wave pulse signal may be included in the 2 nd burst pulse wave different from the 1 st burst pulse wave among the plurality of burst pulse waves. For example, the polarities of all the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the 1 st pulse group output period P of the 1 st burst pulse wave may be set to positive, the polarities of all the rectangular wave pulse signals in the 2 nd pulse group output period of the 2 nd burst pulse wave after the 1 st burst pulse wave and after the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 may be set to negative, and the 1 st burst pulse wave and the 2 nd burst pulse wave may be repeated. In this case, the polarity of the rectangular wave pulse signal is the same in each pulse group output period, but the rectangular wave pulse signals having different polarities are included in the entire repeatedly output burst pulse wave. Even in this case, since the charge deviation generated in the 1 st burst can be surely eliminated by the 2 nd burst, the pain of the user can be further reduced.

In this example, the duration of the burst output interruption periods R1 to R5 is longer than the duration (1ms) of the burst output period P. Thus, the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 can sufficiently secure the interval of the pulse group output period P in which the burst pulse wave is repeatedly output, and thus it is easy for the user to recognize the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the pulse group output period P as one electrical stimulus. As a result, the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 having a high frequency (in this example, a frequency of 5000Hz) can be easily output as burst pulse waves having a low frequency (in this example, 2 to 20Hz), and electrical stimulation suitable for muscle stimulation can be output.

In this example, the following are provided: a burst type storage unit (output pattern storage unit 405a) which stores in advance a plurality of burst types (basic waveforms B1 to B5) having different frequencies by making the duration of the burst output period P the same and making the durations of the burst output interruption periods R1 to R5 different; a frequency setting unit (output pattern switching unit 405) that sets the frequency of the burst pulse wave in the electrical stimulation by selecting any one of the plurality of burst pulse wave types (basic waveforms B1 to B5) stored in the burst pulse wave type storage unit (output pattern storage unit 405 a). Thus, since a plurality of burst types (basic waveforms B1 to B5) of predetermined frequencies are stored in advance in the burst type storage unit (output pattern storage unit 405a), when the frequency of the burst is changed, the frequency setting unit (output pattern switching unit 405) may select a predetermined type from the burst types stored in the burst type storage unit (output pattern storage unit 405a), and the frequency of the burst is easily changed. This makes the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 suitable for efficiently stimulating muscles.

In this example, the pulse widths and output stop times N1 to N5 of the rectangular pulse signals S1 to S5 in the burst wave are constant. This makes it easy to change the electrical stimulation applied to the muscle according to the frequency of the burst pulse wave. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the electrical stimulation based on the frequency of the burst wave, and it is easy to output the electrical stimulation suitable for effective stimulation of the muscle.

In this example, the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 is configured by: the main body 10, a plurality of electrode units 30 for outputting electrostimulation, a power supply unit 20 for supplying power to the electrode units 30, a control unit 40 for controlling the power supply of the power supply unit 20, and an operation unit 50 configured to be capable of changing the control method of the control unit 40, wherein the power supply unit 20 is built in the main body 10. This eliminates the need to prepare the power supply to the power supply unit 30 externally, and therefore, the power supply unit can be easily used outdoors or outdoors where it is difficult to secure the power supply. Further, since a wire or the like for connecting a power supply is not required, the convenience in use can be improved, and the portability is excellent.

In the present embodiment, the electrode portion 30 is formed on a thin plate-like base material 33 extending from the main body 10, and includes: a plurality of electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323, and lead portions 311a to 313a, 321a to 323a electrically connecting the electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323 and the power supply portion 20 via the control portion 40. Thus, the electrode portion 30 is formed on the thin plate-like base material 33 extending from the main body 10, and the main body 10 and the electrode portion 30 can be integrated. Therefore, an electric wire or the like for connecting the main body 10 and the electrode portion 30 is not required, and the portability can be improved while improving the convenience in use.

In this example, the electrode portion 30 has three or more electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323. As described above, since the power consumption is reduced by including the output stop time N1 to N5 in the pulse group output period P, sufficient electrical stimulation can be applied even with the configuration including three or more electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. This allows electrical stimulation to be applied to a wide range of muscles, and therefore allows efficient stimulation of muscles.

In this example, the power supply unit 20 is provided with a replaceable battery 21. Thus, the electric power can be replenished only by replacing the battery 21, and therefore, the battery can be used easily for a long time exceeding the battery capacity. This eliminates the need to excessively house a large-capacity power supply, thereby reducing the size of the device.

Also, in this example, the battery 21 is a button cell battery. Thus, the battery 21 is small, which is advantageous for downsizing the muscle electrostimulator 1. Further, since the weight reduction can be achieved along with the downsizing of the muscle electrostimulator 1, the electrode section 30 is less likely to be peeled or detached from the body of the user, and the convenience in use and portability are improved. Further, since the battery 21 is also thin, it is advantageous for the thinning of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1. Further, by making the muscle electrostimulator 1 thin, the user can wear clothes thereon while mounting the muscle electrostimulator 1. Therefore, the muscle electrostimulation device 1 can be used in the middle of work, work such as housework and work, and other various situations. In addition, the button cell battery has stable discharge characteristics at a higher operating voltage than other dry cells and the like, and thus the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 can be operated stably for a longer period of time.

The battery 21 may be a battery having a rated voltage of 3.0 to 5.0V, and in this example, the battery 21 having a rated voltage of 3.0V is used. Since the driving voltages of the electronic components 42, the speaker 43, and the like provided in the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 are the same, it is not necessary to separately provide a step-down circuit and a step-up circuit for driving these electronic components 42, 43. This is advantageous for miniaturization.

Instead of the replaceable battery 21, a rechargeable battery may be incorporated in the power supply unit 20. The battery charging device may be provided with a terminal for power supply connectable to an external power supply, or may be provided with a non-contact power supply unit using electromagnetic induction. In this case, since the battery can be repeatedly used, the number of consumables can be reduced as compared with the case of using a non-rechargeable battery.

As described above, according to this example, it is possible to provide the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 capable of enhancing the physical sensation during use and efficiently stimulating the muscles.

In this example, the 2 nd output mode (training mode) is executed based on the 1 st to 4 th states shown in table 2. As described in modification 1 shown below, in the 1 st to 4 th states equivalent to this example, the 2 nd state shown in table 4 may be executed between the 2 nd state and the 3 rd state, and the 3 rd state shown in table 4 may be executed between the 3 rd state and the 4 th state, instead of the above-described states.

[ TABLE 4 ]

(Table 4)

Output mode 2 (training mode)

Modification 1 is shown in table 4. The 2 nd state and the 3 rd state are performed as follows.

(2a) In the 2a state, 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with the 2 nd burst wave (4Hz), then 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with the 3 rd burst wave (8Hz), and then 100% output is further performed for 10 seconds with the 4 th burst wave (16 Hz).

(3a) In the 3a state, 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with the 2 nd burst (4Hz), then 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with the 3 rd burst (8Hz), and then 100% output is further performed for 10 seconds with the 4 th burst (16 Hz).

Since the 2 nd state and the 3 rd state are added to modification 1 in comparison with the 2 nd output mode (see table 2) in this example, the total time for continuously performing the 1 st output mode (warm-up mode), the 2 nd output mode (training mode), and the 3 rd output mode (cooling mode) shown in table 4 is 23 minutes.

Since the 2 nd state is configured such that the frequency of the burst pulse wave increases in a stepwise manner from 4Hz to 16Hz, the frequency change at the time of switching from the 2 nd state to the 3 rd state is smooth. Similarly, the frequency change when switching from the 3 rd state to the 4 th state is smooth. In modification 1, the number of states 2a and 3a is increased compared to the case of embodiment 1, and thus the type of electrical stimulation in the 2 nd output mode (training mode) is changed greatly. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in physical sensation caused by the user becoming accustomed to the electrical stimulation, and to stimulate the rectus abdominis more effectively. Further, by providing the 2 nd state and the 3 rd state, the effect of discharging the fatigue substance in the fatigue muscle can be also obtained by applying the electric stimulation. In modification 1 in which the 2 nd output mode (training mode) is set in this manner, the same operational effects as those of embodiment 1 can be obtained.

In example 1, the six electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 are provided, but the number is not limited to this, and two or more electrodes may be provided. For example, as shown in fig. 14 and 15, in modification 2, the electrodes are configured in the same manner as the electrodes 311 and 321 in embodiment 1, but two electrodes 311 and 321 each having one larger turn are provided. In modification 2, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Even in this case, the same operational effects as those of embodiment 1 can be obtained. Further, according to the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 in modification 2, since the number of the electrodes 311 and 321 is smaller than that in the case where the number of the electrodes is six (see fig. 2), the power consumption per electrode can be increased, and therefore, the electrodes 311 and 321 are increased by one turn. This increases the range in which electrical stimulation can be applied by one electrode, and facilitates stimulation of muscles in most regions such as the wrist and the thigh.

In embodiment 1, when changing the frequency of the burst wave, the frequency setting unit (output pattern switching unit 405) selects a predetermined type from the burst wave types stored in the burst wave type storage unit (output pattern storage unit 405 a). Instead of this, the following modification 3 may be adopted. As shown in fig. 16, modification 3 includes: an operation surface 54a as a frequency selection unit that selects the frequency of the burst pulse wave, an interrupt period duration calculation unit 405b, and an interrupt period duration setting unit 405 c.

The interruption period duration calculation unit 405b calculates the duration of the pulse train output interruption period based on the frequency selected by the frequency selection unit (operation surface 54 a).

The interrupt period duration setting unit 405c sets the duration of the pulse burst output interrupt period based on the duration calculated by the interrupt period duration calculation unit 405 b.

In modification 3, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

According to this modification 3, since the frequency of the burst pulse wave can be set to a desired frequency by the frequency selection unit (operation surface 54a), the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 can perform more efficient muscle stimulation for each user by appropriately setting the frequency of the burst pulse wave in accordance with the preference of the user (the intensity of contraction, and the interval between contraction and relaxation). In addition, in modification 3, the same operational effects as those of embodiment 1 can be exhibited in addition to the operational effects related to the manner of changing the frequency of the burst wave.

Claims (9)

1. A muscle electrical stimulation device is characterized in that,

the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus applies electrical stimulation to a muscle, wherein,

the electrical stimulation is formed by repeatedly outputting burst pulse waves formed by a pulse group output period in which a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals are output with an output stop time interposed therebetween and a pulse group output interruption period in which the output of the rectangular wave pulse signals is interrupted for a time longer than the output stop time;

the plurality of repeated burst pulses include the rectangular wave pulse signal of positive polarity and the rectangular wave pulse signal of negative polarity.

2. The muscle electro-stimulation device as claimed in claim 1,

the duration of the burst output interruption period is longer than the duration of the burst output period.

3. The muscle electrostimulation device according to claim 2, characterised in that it has:

a burst wave type storage unit that stores a plurality of burst wave types having different frequencies by making the pulse group output periods identical in duration and making the pulse group output interruption periods different in duration;

and a frequency setting unit that sets the frequency of the burst pulse wave in the electrical stimulation by selecting any one of the plurality of burst pulse wave types stored in the burst pulse wave type storage unit.

4. A muscle electro-stimulation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is formed from:

the electric stimulation device includes a main body, an electrode unit that outputs the electric stimulation, a power supply unit that supplies power to the electrode unit, a control unit that controls power supply of the power supply unit, and an operation unit configured to be capable of changing a control mode of the control unit, and the power supply unit is built in the main body.

5. The muscle electro-stimulation device as claimed in claim 4,

the electrode unit has a plurality of electrodes and a lead unit formed on a thin plate-like base material extending from the main body unit, and the lead unit electrically connects the electrodes to the power supply unit via the control unit.

6. The muscle electro-stimulation device as claimed in claim 4,

the electrode unit has three or more electrodes.

7. The muscle electro-stimulation device as claimed in claim 5,

the electrode unit has three or more electrodes.

8. The muscle electro-stimulation device as claimed in claim 4,

a replaceable battery is provided in the power supply section.

9. The muscle electro-stimulation device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7,

a replaceable battery is provided in the power supply section.