阅读说明：本技术 电极穿戴构件以及电刺激用穿戴物 (Electrode wearing member and wearing article for electrical stimulation ) 是由 神谷章平 土屋秀敏 只野俊汰 于 2019-06-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：目的在于提供一种难以产生因通电时的过电流而引起的疼痛的电刺激用穿戴物。本发明的电极穿戴构件,为了在人体的不同的两个部位之间流过给与电刺激的电流而穿戴,缠绕穿戴在人体的不同的两个部位中的至少一个部位,具有带状电极,所述带状电极是使用碳纤维制的纱线织成的具有导电性的织物。(An object is to provide a wearing article for electrostimulation in which pain due to overcurrent at the time of energization is less likely to occur. The electrode wearing member of the present invention is worn by being wound around at least one of two different parts of a human body so that an electric current for applying an electric stimulus flows between the two different parts of the human body, and has a band-shaped electrode made of a conductive fabric woven using a yarn made of carbon fiber.)

1. An electrode wearing member worn so as to be worn by being wound around at least one of two different parts of a human body for passing a current for giving an electric stimulus between the two different parts of the human body,

the tape electrode is a conductive fabric woven by using yarns made of carbon fibers.

2. The electrode wearing member according to claim 1, having:

a strip to which the strip electrode is fixed and which is provided with a first connection portion;

a band provided with a second connecting portion detachably connected to the first connecting portion, the band being disposed inside an outer edge of the band in a connected state of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion;

the first connecting part is arranged at one end of the binding belt; and

and a second connecting portion provided at the other end of the strap, having an adjustment opening portion for adjusting the lengths of the strap and the strap, and detachably connected to the first connecting portion in a worn state of the electrode device member.

3. The electrode wearing member according to claim 1,

comprising:

a strip to which the strip-shaped electrode is fixed and which is provided with a first connecting portion at one end side, an

A band having a plurality of holes formed at one end for adjusting the length of the electrode wearing member and a second connecting portion formed at the other end;

the second connecting portion penetrates and extends in the thickness direction of the band, and has a first protruding portion protruding from one side surface of the band and a second protruding portion protruding from the other side surface of the band,

the first protruding portion is detachably connected to the first connecting portion,

the second protruding portion is fitted in the hole portion having a length corresponding to the wound portion of the human body.

4. An electrical stimulation wearing article having a plurality of the electrode wearing members according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrode wearing member and an electrical stimulation wearing article, and more particularly to a technique for transmitting an electrical signal output from an electrical signal output device to a human body and applying electrical stimulation thereto.

Background

As an electrostimulator for applying electrostimulation to a living body, there is known an electrostimulation pad electrode having a laminated structure in which a conductive gel, an electrode element, an electric wire, an adhesive layer, and a support base material are laminated in this order, and having an impedance of 20 Ω to 100 Ω, wherein the electrode element is a carbon material having a surface resistance of 80 Ω to 1200 Ω and a resistance in the thickness direction of 1 to 20k Ω · cm, and wherein a core material of the electric wire is a carbon fiber (see patent document 1). In patent document 1, as the electrode element, a carbon fiber sheet, a carbon spacer material, a carbon-impregnated film, and the like are given. It is described that the carbon fiber sheet contains a woven fabric of carbon fibers. Further, it is described that the carbon fiber sheet has high electrical resistance in the thickness direction and is hard as a property of the carbon fiber sheet. As is clear from the above description, patent document 1 discloses a carbon fiber sheet formed by forming carbon fibers into a woven fabric and then curing the woven fabric with an epoxy resin or the like.

Conventionally, in the medical and sports industries, electrical muscle stimulation (hereinafter also referred to as EMS) for inducing contraction of skeletal muscles has been performed for muscle augmentation, incontinence management, spinal deformity management, spasm management, and the like. According to this EMS technique, it is possible to contribute to treatment such as promotion of muscle enlargement and metabolism without forcing excessive exercise for people who have insufficient exercise due to long-term exercise deficiency, obesity, plastic surgery diseases, and the like, and patients who are forced to restrict exercise due to organ damage such as diabetic complications, cardiovascular complications, and the like.

As an electrode device used in EMS, a so-called charged electrode is known. Unlike a pad electrode worn at only one point of the human body, the band electrode is worn so as to surround the entire circumference of a predetermined portion of the human body.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-202336

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the EMS technique, when the adhesion between an electrode for electrical stimulation and a human body is poor, the current distribution in the electrode varies, and as a result, local overcurrent flows through the human body, causing discomfort in feeling pain. In particular, the problem is more pronounced because the charged electrode is wound so as to surround a predetermined portion of the human body. That is, since the surface of the human body has irregularities and the way of stretching muscles varies from person to person, the ratio of the contact area of the electrode contact varies from person to person. When electrical stimulation is performed in a state where the ratio of the contact area is small, the current density at the contact portion becomes high, and thus pain may be accompanied. This problem is more pronounced in cases where high intensity muscle movement is required to obtain good therapeutic results. Therefore, even if the carbon fiber sheet disclosed in patent document 1 is used as a charged electrode, the carbon fiber sheet is hard and hard to bend, and therefore the above problem cannot be solved.

In view of the above-described particularity of the electrode, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode wearing member having high adhesion to a human body.

Means for solving the problems

(1) The electrode wearing member of the present invention is worn by being wound around at least one of two different parts of a human body so that an electric current for applying an electric stimulus flows between the two different parts of the human body, and is characterized by comprising a band-shaped electrode made of a conductive fabric woven using a carbon fiber yarn.

(2) The electrode wearing member according to the above (1), comprising: a strip to which the strip electrode is fixed and which is provided with a first connection portion; a band provided with a second connecting portion detachably connected to the first connecting portion, the band being disposed inside an outer edge of the band in a connected state of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; the first connecting part is arranged at one end of the binding belt; and a second connecting portion provided at the other end of the strap, having an adjustment opening portion for adjusting the lengths of the strap and the strap, and detachably connected to the first connecting portion in a worn state of the electrode device member.

(3) The electrode wearing member according to the above (1), comprising: a strap to which the band-shaped electrode is fixed and which is provided with a first connecting portion at one end side, and a band in which a plurality of hole portions for adjusting the length of the electrode wearing member are formed at one end side and a second connecting portion is provided at the other end side; the second connecting portion extends through the band in the thickness direction thereof, and has a first protruding portion protruding from one side surface of the band and a second protruding portion protruding from the other side surface of the band, the first protruding portion being detachably connected to the first connecting portion, and the second protruding portion being fitted in the predetermined hole portion corresponding to the length of the wound portion of the human body.

(4) An electrical stimulation wearing article comprising a plurality of the electrode wearing members described in any one of (1) to (3).

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, an electrode wearing member having high adhesion to a human body can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a development view of an electrostimulation clothing and an external perspective view of an electric signal output device in the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the side opposite to the side shown in fig. 1 of each part of the clothing for electrical stimulation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view a-a in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a wearing method of the electrode wearing member in the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a view showing an example of a wearing position of the electrostimulation clothing according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electric signal output device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an output mode of an electric signal of the electric signal output device in the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a first dressing tape in a modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method of using the first conductive strip and the first dressing tape in the modification of the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a circuit.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(first embodiment)

Fig. 1 to 9 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a development view of an electrical stimulation clothing and an external perspective view of an electrical signal output device. Fig. 2 is a development view of the clothing for electrostimulation and an external perspective view of the electric signal output device, showing the side of each part of the clothing for electrostimulation opposite to the side shown in fig. 1.

The electrical stimulation clothing 1 gives electrical stimulation to a human body using an electrical signal output from the electrical signal output device 5. The electrical stimulation wearing article 1 has a first electrode wearing member 10 and a second electrode wearing member 20. As described later, the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 are worn around different positions of the human body. In a state where the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 are worn on the human body, the electric signal output device 5 is operated, whereby an electric current can be caused to flow through the human body between the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 (i.e., electrical stimulation is given).

The first electrode wearing member 10 includes a first conductive strip 11 and a first wearing band 12. As described later, the first electrode wearing member 10 is constituted by connecting the first conductive strip 11 with the first wearing band 12. The first conductive strip 11 is a belt-like member for passing current through the human body, and comes into contact with the human body when the first electrode wearing member 10 is worn. The first dressing band 12 is a band-shaped member for holding the first conductive band 11 in a state of abutting against a human body.

The first conductive strip 11 will be explained. The first conductive strip 11 has a strip 111, a strip electrode 112 (corresponding to a first electrode), an electrode cover 113, a strip electrode housing 114, a conductive plate 115, and a connection terminal 116 (corresponding to a first connection portion). The band 111 is formed in a band shape, and has a length that can be wound around a predetermined portion of a human body. The strip-shaped electrode 112 is an electrode for applying the electric signal output from the electric signal output device 5 to the human body, and is formed in a strip shape. The strip electrode 112 can be configured as a positive electrode or a negative electrode. As described later, the belt-shaped electrode 112 is a cloth made of conductive carbon fibers (hereinafter also referred to as a carbon fiber cloth). More specifically, the belt electrode 112 is a woven fabric formed by weaving yarns made of carbon fibers.

Here, the weaving method of the carbon fiber includes twill weaving, plain weaving, and skip-stitch (knitted) weaving. The twill weaving includes three-line twill weaving and four-line twill weaving, and the three-line twill weaving is characterized in that a process of passing a warp yarn below one weft yarn after passing two weft yarns is repeated, and the four-line twill weaving is characterized in that a process of passing a warp yarn below one weft yarn after passing three weft yarns is repeated, and any mode can be preferably used. The twill knitting is characterized in that the crossing position of the yarn is inclined, the elasticity is excellent, and the cost is low. The plain weave is characterized in that warp yarns and weft yarns are alternately woven to form a bilaterally symmetric pattern. However, the stretch is inferior to twill knitting and jump stitch knitting. The skip-stitch knitting is a knitting method in which a surface is formed while forming continuous stitches with a yarn, and is excellent in stretchability. However, the cost is higher than that of twill weave and plain weave. Therefore, considering the balance between cost and stretch, the method of weaving the carbon fibers is preferably plain weave or skip stitch (knitted fabric), and more preferably twill weave.

The carbon fiber is not particularly limited, and PAN (polyacrylonitrile) -based carbon fiber can be preferred. The tensile modulus of the carbon fiber is not particularly limited, but is preferably 200 to 280 GPa. The tensile strength of the carbon fiber is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2500MPa or more. That is, carbon fibers of the standard modulus type are preferably used. Such parameters can provide the effects of the present invention at a low cost.

The number of filaments of the carbon fiber is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1000 to 12000. The fineness tex of the carbon fiber is not particularly limited, but is preferably 66 to 800(g/1000 m).

The strip electrode 112 of the present embodiment is formed by weaving carbon fibers, and therefore, the resistance value can be reduced. Specifically, the resistance value can be suppressed to less than 100 Ω. This makes the current distribution in the entire strip electrode 112 more uniform, and therefore makes the stimulation feeling more uniform, and enables the most suitable electrotherapy. The resistance values described herein can be measured by a digital multimeter by providing arbitrary points a and B on the strip electrode 112 at intervals of 400 mm. Hereinafter, the resistance value is referred to as the surface resistance of the electrode.

The electrode cover 113 is a conductive portion for receiving a current from the strip electrode 112 and making contact with a human body to conduct current. The electrode cover 113 is configured to cover the strip electrode 112. The outer edge portion of the electrode cover 113 is sewn to the strip 111. Thereby, a space can be formed between the strip 111 and the electrode cover 113, and the strip electrode 112 can be accommodated in the space (i.e., the strip electrode accommodating portion 114).

The conductive plate 115 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the strip 111. The conductive plate 115 is accommodated in the strip electrode accommodating portion 114 together with the strip electrode 112. Specifically, the conductive plate 115 is accommodated between the strip 111 and the strip electrode 112 in the strip electrode accommodating portion 114. The conductive plate 115 is electrically connected and fixed to the strip electrode 112. The connection method is not particularly limited, and for example, the connection may be made by sewing the strap electrode 112 using a buttonhole provided on the conductive plate 115, or may be connected to the conductive plate 115 by welding to the strap electrode 112.

The connection terminal 116 is electrically connected to and fixed to the conductive plate 115 in the strip-shaped electrode housing 114. The connection method is not particularly limited, and for example, the connection terminal 116 and the conductive plate 115 may be welded to each other. As shown in fig. 2, the connection terminals 116 extend in a coil shape from the conductive plate 115, and protrude from the surface of the strip 111 opposite to the surface on which the strip electrodes 112 are provided. As described later, the connection terminal 116 can be connected to the contact 1231 (the contact 123) of the first dressing tape 12. For example, the connection terminal 116 is configured as a female buckle or a male buckle corresponding to the contact 1231. The conductive plate 115 and the connection terminal 116 are each formed of a conductive material and can be electrically connected to the strip electrode 112. However, the conductive plate 115 may be omitted by directly electrically connecting the connection terminal 116 and the strip electrode 112.

The first dressing tie 12 is illustrated. The first dressing tape 12 includes a tape 121, a connecting member 122, and a contact 123 (corresponding to a second connecting portion). The band 121 is formed in a band shape, and has a length that can be wound around a predetermined portion of a human body. The contact 123 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the strap 121. The contact 123 is formed of a conductive metal. As described later, the connection terminal 116 and the lead 51 of the electrical signal output device 5 are connected to the contact 123. The contact 123 protrudes from one side (see fig. 1) and the other side (see fig. 2) of the strap 121. That is, the contact 123 penetrates the band 121 in the thickness direction and extends in a protruding shape. Hereinafter, a portion of the contact 123 protruding from one side surface of the band 121 is referred to as a contact 1231, and a portion of the contact 123 protruding from the other side surface of the band 121 is referred to as a contact 1232.

The connection terminal 116 of the first conductive strip 11 is connected to the contact 1231. For example, the contact 1231 is configured as a male or female buckle corresponding to the connection terminal 116. If the connection terminal 116 is connected to the contact 1231, the first conductive strip 11 is disposed on one side of the strap 121. At this time, the first conductive strip 11 and the strap 121 are overlapped to constitute the first electrode wearing member 10. That is, in the connected state of the contact 1231 and the connection terminal 116, the first conductive strip 11 is disposed inside the outer edge of the strap 121. Here, the connection terminal 116 and the contact 1231 are detachably connected to each other. Therefore, the first conductive strap 11 and the first dressing tie 12 can be easily attached to or detached from each other.

The lead 51 extending from the electrical signal output device 5 is connected to the contact 1232. For example, the contact 1232 may be configured as a male snap connected to a female snap formed at the tip of the lead 51 or a female snap connected to a male snap formed at the tip of the lead 51. The contact 123 may be connected to the lead 51 and the connection terminal 116 and electrically connected to the strip electrode 112.

The first electrode wearing member 10 is worn around a predetermined portion of the human body. At this time, the first electrode wearing member 10 is fixed at a wearing position (described later) using the joint 122. The link 122 can use, for example, a side release buckle or a front release buckle. The following description will be made by taking a side release buckle as an example, but the coupling member 122 is not limited thereto.

The connecting member 122 includes a male member 122a (corresponding to a first connecting portion), a female member 122b (corresponding to a second connecting portion), and an adjuster 122 c. The male member 122a is fixed to one end of the twist tie 121 in the longitudinal direction (in other words, the end of the twist tie 121 on the side where the contact 123 is provided). For example, the male member 122a is sewn to one end in the length direction of the twist tie 121.

The male member 122a and the female member 122b are configured in shapes corresponding to each other. Thereby, the male member 122a and the female member 122b can be coupled to or separated from each other. That is, the male member 122a and the female member 122b can be detachably coupled. For example, the male member 122a has an opening corresponding to the female member 122 b. Thus, the female member 122b can be coupled to the male member 122a by inserting and fitting the female member 122b into the male member 122 a.

The adjuster 122c is used to adjust the length of the first electrode wearing member 10 (described later) when the first electrode wearing member 10 is worn. The adjuster 122c is provided on the female member 122 b. The adjuster 122c has two openings (corresponding to adjustment opening portions) separated by the column portion 122 d. As described later, the other end of the first conductive strap 11 and the other end of the bandage 121 pass through the two openings of the adjuster 122c when the first electrode wearing member 10 is worn. Further, the adjuster 122c may be provided not on the female member 122b but on the male member 122 a. In this case, the male member 122a is not fixed to one end of the strap 121, and the female member 122b is fixed to one end of the strap 121. That is, the adjuster 122c may be provided on either one of the male member 122a and the female member 122 b.

Here, referring to fig. 3, the first conductive strip 11 is explained. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view a-a of the first conductive strip 11 of fig. 1. As shown in fig. 3, in the first conductive stripe 11, a stripe 111, a band-shaped electrode 112, and an electrode cover 113 are arranged in layers.

The electrode cover 113 has a cloth 113a and water absorbent fibers 113 b. The cloth 113a forms a surface that contacts the human body, and covers the water-absorbent fibers 113 b. One side surface of the water-absorbent fiber 113b is in contact with the cloth 113a, and the other side surface is in contact with the belt-like electrode 112. The water-absorbent fibers 113b can contain a liquid such as water, and thus can easily supply electricity to the human body. The water-absorbing fibers 113b can be made of a material having water-absorbing properties and water-retaining properties. For example, LANSEAL (registered trademark) can be used as the water absorbent fiber 113 b. Further, the water-absorbent fibers 113b may be woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, or the like. The first conductive tape 11 is used (worn) in a state where the water-absorbent fibers 113b are impregnated with a liquid.

The cloth 113a covers the water-absorbent fibers 133b, thereby making it difficult for the liquid impregnated in the water-absorbent fibers 113b to flow out. The cloth 113a is made of a material having high durability such as friction because it is in contact with the human body. For example, the cloth 113a can be formed of polyester fibers.

Here, since the band-shaped electrodes 112 are made of carbon fiber cloth, the band-shaped electrodes 112 and the water-absorbent fibers 113b can be impregnated with a liquid. This enables a more uniform current to flow between the band electrode 112 and the water-absorbing fibers 113b during energization, and thus an overcurrent is less likely to occur. Thus, by suppressing the overcurrent, pain due to the overcurrent when the current is applied to the human body is less likely to occur.

The strip 111 can be made of a material having water resistance such as synthetic leather. This prevents the liquid impregnated in the water-absorbent fibers 113b and the band-shaped electrodes 112 from seeping out and flowing out through the band 111.

Fig. 4 is a view for explaining a wearing method of the first electrode wearing member 10. First, the first conductive strip 11 is connected at one end side in the length direction of the bandage 121 (first dressing bandage 12) through the connection terminal 116 and the contact 1231. At this time, as described above, the first electrode wearing member 10 is formed in a single band shape with the first conductive tape 11 overlapping with the bandage 121. As shown in fig. 4, the first conductive strip 11 and the other end side of the twist tie 121 pass through the two openings of the regulating member 122c in an overlapped state. Thus, the first conductive strip 11 and the strap 121 pass through the two openings of the adjuster 122c and are folded back at the post portion 122 d. In this state, the first electrode wearing member 10 can be worn by wrapping the first electrode wearing member 10 around a predetermined portion of the human body and coupling the male member 122a and the female member 122 b. That is, the first electrode wearing member 10 can be fixed at the wearing position by the joint 122.

However, in the first electrode wearing member 10, if the length from the position folded back at the pillar portion 122d to the other end of the first electrode wearing member 10 is made long, the length wound around a predetermined portion of the human body can be made short. In the first electrode wearing member 10, if the length from the position folded back at the pillar portion 122d to the other end of the first electrode wearing member 10 is short, the length wound around the predetermined portion of the human body can be made long. In other words, in the first electrode wearing member 10, the length of the first electrode wearing member 10 wound around the predetermined portion of the human body can be adjusted by the folded-back position of the first electrode wearing member 10 determined by the pillar portion 122 d.

By providing the adjuster 122 in this way, the length of the first electrode wearing member 10 wound around a predetermined portion of the human body can be adjusted. That is, by using the adjuster 122c, the length of the first electrode wearing member 10 can be changed according to the size of a desired wearing portion (the length in the circumferential direction of a portion to be worn). Further, by changing the length of the first electrode wearing member 10, the tightening strength can be changed when wearing. The adjuster 122c may be anti-slip processed so that the first conductive band 11 and the strap 121 that pass through the two openings do not slip and the tightening degree of the wearing portion does not loosen.

The belt-like electrode 112 of the present invention is a carbon fiber cloth having conductivity. Since the carbon fiber cloth is a woven fabric woven using yarns made of carbon fibers, the band-shaped electrode 112 of the present invention has high flexibility as compared with a metal plate and a metal wire which are generally used as an electrode. Therefore, when the first electrode wearing member 10 is worn, the band-shaped electrode 112 is deformed in accordance with the unevenness of the body, which is the wearing portion of the first electrode wearing member 10, and thus is more likely to be in close contact with the body than an electrode using a metal plate or a metal wire. That is, the band-shaped electrode 112 of the present invention has higher adhesiveness to the body than an electrode using a metal plate or a metal wire. Therefore, according to the strip-shaped electrode 112, it is possible to suppress generation of a gap between the electrode cover 113 and the body, or suppress contact pressure bias of the electrode cover 113 to the body. This makes it difficult for variations in resistance and current distribution to occur during energization, and as a result, local generation of an overcurrent between the first electrode wearing member 10 (electrode cover 113) and the body can be suppressed, and pain during energization can be made difficult to occur.

The second electrode wearing member 20 shares the structure with the first electrode wearing member 10 except for the points described below, and therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted. The second electrode wearing member 20 includes a second conductive strip 21 corresponding to the first conductive strip 11 and a second wearing band 22 corresponding to the first wearing band 12. That is, reference numerals 111, 112, 113a, 113b, 114, 115, and 116 of the first conductive strip 11 correspond to reference numerals 211, 212, 213a (not shown), 213b (not shown), 214, 215, and 216 of the second conductive strip 21, respectively. That is, reference numerals 121, 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d, 123, 1231, 1232 of the first dressing bandage 12 correspond to 221, 222a, 222b, 222c, 222d, 223, 2231, 2232 of the second dressing bandage 22, respectively.

The strip electrode 212 (corresponding to a second electrode) has a polarity different from that of the strip electrode 112, and is composed of a negative electrode or a positive electrode. The connection terminal 216 and the lead 52 of the electrical signal output device 5 are connected to the contact 223. That is, the connection terminal 216 is connected to the contact 2231 of the second dressing tie 22. That is, the lead 52 extending from the electric signal output device 5 is connected to the contact 2232. The first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 are different in polarity only between the strip electrode 112 and the strip electrode 212, and have the same structure. Hereinafter, the first electrode wearing member 10 will be described in the same manner, and the description of the second electrode wearing member 20 will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

The electrostimulation wearing article 1 may include a plurality of pairs of the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20. In this case, the electric signal output device 5 is provided with the number of lead wires corresponding to the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20. This allows electrical stimulation to be simultaneously applied to a plurality of parts of the human body. In addition, one electrode-worn member may be a positive electrode (negative electrode) and two electrode members may be negative electrodes (positive electrodes).

When the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 are worn, the leads 51 and 52 are connected to the contact 123 and the contact 223, respectively, and the electric signal output device 5 is operated, it is possible to cause an electric current to flow from one of the strip-shaped electrode 112 and the strip-shaped electrode 212 to the other. Thereby, an electrical stimulus can be given to the muscle between the wearing position of the first electrode wearing member 10 and the wearing position of the second electrode wearing member 20. The electric signal output device 5 outputs an electric signal having a predetermined frequency range (for example, 4 to 20(Hz)) to the strip electrode 112 and the strip electrode 212, respectively.

Fig. 5 is a view showing an example of a wearing position of the electrical stimulation wearing article. Fig. 5 (a) is a front view of the human body, and fig. 5 (B) is a rear view of the human body. For example, as shown in fig. 5, the first electrode wearing member 10 can be worn on the inguinal portion of the right leg of the human body in the pair of the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20. The second electrode wearing member 20 can be worn above the knee of the right leg of the human body. This allows electrical stimulation of the muscles of the right leg of the human body (between the inguinal region of the right leg and the upper side of the knee). The groin refers to the position of the origin of the quadriceps femoris. Note that the above-knee position refers to the position of the quadriceps femoris interception portion.

In the example of fig. 5, the electrostimulation wearing article 1 further includes a pair of first electrode wearing members 10 'and a second electrode wearing member 20'. In this case, as shown in fig. 5, the first electrode wearing member 10 'can be worn on the inguinal portion of the left leg of the human body, and the second electrode wearing member 20' can be worn above the knee of the left leg of the human body. This allows electrical stimulation of the muscles of the left leg (between the groin and above the knee of the left leg) of the human body shown in fig. 5. Thus, according to the example shown in fig. 5, electrical stimulation can be simultaneously performed on both legs. Wherein the channel of the electrical signal may be independent for each site to which electrical stimulation is administered. That is, the stimulation intensity may be independently adjusted for each site to which electrical stimulation is applied. For example, in the example shown in fig. 5, the channels can be made independent in the right and left legs.

Further, the wearing positions of the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 (the first electrode wearing member 10 'and the second electrode wearing member 20') are not limited to the wearing positions shown in fig. 5. For example, the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 may be worn on the wrist (right wrist, left wrist) or waist of the human body. That is, the user can select a site to which the electrical stimulation is applied according to the wearing position.

Next, the structure of the electric signal output device 5 will be described. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electric signal output device 5.

The electric signal output device 5 has a control circuit 501, a power supply circuit 502, a low-frequency output driver 503, a resonator 504, an operation mode selection switch 505, a reset circuit 506, an output adjustment main controller 507, and an amplification circuit 508.

The control circuit 501 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and executes control of the entire electric signal output device 5. The power supply circuit 502 supplies operating power to the electrical signal output device 5. The low-frequency output driver 503 outputs a pulse signal of a low frequency based on a control signal of the control circuit 501. The resonator 504 supplies a clock signal of a predetermined frequency to the control circuit 501. The operation mode selection switch 505 is operated to select a stimulation mode (described later) generated by an electric signal output from the electric signal output device 5. The reset circuit 506 supplies a reset signal to the control circuit 501.

The signal output from the low-frequency output driver 503 is subjected to stepless adjustment by the output adjustment main controller 507 and is output to the amplifier circuit 508. The amplifier circuit 508 amplifies the signal output from the low-frequency output driver 503, and the amplified signal is output to the electrical stimulation wearing article 1. In addition, when the channels are independent for each part (for example, right leg and left leg) to which the electrical stimulation is given, it is preferable that the amplification circuits 508 be provided for each part (for example, for the right leg and for the left leg), and the output adjustment sub-controllers be provided for individually adjusting the intensities of the signals output from the amplification circuits 508.

The control circuit 501 is driven based on the power supply of DC6V generated by the power supply circuit 502 and a clock signal of, for example, 20MHz excited by the resonator 504, and outputs a control signal to the low-frequency output driver 503. The low-frequency output driver 503 outputs a low-frequency pulse signal based on the voltage of DC6V supplied from the power supply circuit 502 and the control signal from the control circuit 501.

The operation mode selection switch 505 is switched between a first output mode and a second output mode, which will be described below, in accordance with an instruction input by a user operating an operation unit, not shown. That is, the operation mode selection switch 505 outputs an instruction signal for instructing one of the first output mode and the second output mode to the control circuit 501 in accordance with the selection of the user. The control circuit 501 outputs a control signal for generating one of the first output mode and the second output mode to the low-frequency output driver 503 in accordance with an instruction signal from the operation mode selection switch 505. The low-frequency output driver 503 generates an electric signal having a frequency and an output timing corresponding to the first output mode or the second output mode indicated by the control signal from the control circuit 501, based on the voltage of the DC6V supplied from the power supply circuit 502.

Next, an output mode of the electric signal by the electric signal output device 5 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an output mode of the electric signal by the electric signal output device 5. Fig. 7 (a) is a diagram showing an output mode of the first output mode of the electric signal output device 5. Fig. 7 (B) is a diagram showing an output mode in the second output mode.

The first output mode is a mode for stimulating a human body in such a manner that output and stop of a pulse signal are alternately repeated. The output time and the stop time of the pulse signal can be arbitrarily set. Similarly, the frequency of the pulse signal can be set arbitrarily. For example, in the first output mode, as shown in fig. 7 (a), a stimulation mode in which the output of the pulse signal having the frequency of 20(Hz) is stopped for 5 seconds and then the output is stopped for 2 seconds is repeatedly performed.

The second output mode is a mode for stimulating the human body in an output manner of continuously outputting a pulse signal. That is, in the second output mode, there is no time to stop the output of the pulse signal. In addition, the frequency of the pulse signal can be set arbitrarily, as in the first output mode. For example, in the second output mode, as shown in (B) of fig. 7, a pulse signal having a frequency of 4(Hz) is continuously output.

Further, a third output mode different from the first output mode and the second output mode may be selectable. As shown in fig. 7C, the third output pattern is configured such that the polarities of the strip electrodes 112 of the first electrode wearing member 10 and the strip electrodes 212 of the second electrode wearing member 20 are alternately switched with each other at a predetermined cycle (in other words, polarity inversion is performed). That is, the third output mode has a special stimulation mode in which an increasing mode for gradually increasing the voltage value and a constant voltage mode for maintaining the voltage at a constant value are continued, and polarities of the special stimulation modes adjacent to each other with the stimulation stop time therebetween are different from each other.

For example, when the first electrode wearing member 10 is worn on the right leg and the second electrode wearing member 20 is worn on the left leg, the polarity is reversed, so that electrical stimulation can be alternately applied to the left and right legs. As another method of electrically stimulating the left and right legs, a two-channel structure of the waist and the right leg, and the waist and the left leg may be considered. According to the present embodiment, two different stimulation sites can be electrically stimulated by the single channel configuration, and therefore the electrode can be easily worn.

When the polarity is reversed, pain is likely to occur in the human body due to the voltage difference (in other words, the reverse pulse) between before and after the polarity reversal. According to the present embodiment, the band-shaped electrode 112 is formed of a woven fabric made of carbon fibers, and deforms in accordance with the irregularities of the body, and thus is more likely to adhere to the body than an electrode using a metal plate or a metal wire. Thus, pain, which is a problem in the case where polarity inversion is performed, can be reduced.

The stimulation time of the special stimulation mode is preferably 2 seconds to 6 seconds, and more preferably 3 seconds or 5 seconds. The stimulation rest time is preferably 1 to 3 seconds, and more preferably 2 seconds. The time ratio of the incremental mode and the pressure holding mode constituting the special stimulation mode varies depending on the frequency, and is not particularly limited. Preferably, each of the pulse waves constituting the special stimulation pattern is constituted by a smooth square wave formed by smoothing a square wave so that a voltage value gradually increases toward a target voltage value.

Next, a method of using the electrical stimulation clothing 1 and the electrical signal output device 5 will be described.

(1) In step 1, first, the user impregnates the electrode cover 113 and the strip electrode 112 of the first conductive strip 11 (the electrode cover 213 and the strip electrode 212 of the second conductive strip 21) with a liquid. Thereafter, the user wears the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 by the method illustrated in fig. 4. That is, the first electrode wearing member 10 is formed by combining the first conductive strip 11 and the first wearing band, and the second electrode wearing member 20 is formed by combining the second conductive strip 21 and the second wearing band. Then, the user wears the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 around a predetermined portion. At this time, the user wears the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20 at positions across the site to which the electrical stimulation is applied.

(2) In step 2, the user connects the lead 51 extending from the electric signal output device 5 to the contact 1232 (contact 123) of the first electrode wearing member 10, and connects the lead 51B extending from the electric signal output device 5 to the contact 2232 (contact 223) of the second electrode wearing member 20.

(3) In step 3, the user operates the operation unit of the electric signal output device 5 to turn on the electric signal output device 5, selects one of the first output mode and the second output mode, and operates the electric signal output device 5. The electric signal output from the electric signal output device 5 is transmitted to the human body via the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20. That is, an electric current flows between the first electrode wearing member 10 and the second electrode wearing member 20, and an electric stimulus is given to a muscle between a portion where the first electrode wearing member 10 is worn and a portion where the second electrode wearing member 20 is worn.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the band-shaped electrode 112 is formed by using the cloth woven by the carbon fiber yarn having higher flexibility than the conductive metal plate and the metal wire, the electrode cover 113 of the first conductive band 11 is easily attached to the body in conformity with the unevenness of the body when worn. In other words, according to the strip-shaped electrode 112, it is difficult to form a gap between the electrode cover 113 and the body, and thus pain due to an overcurrent generated by the gap can be made difficult.

In the present embodiment, since the connection terminal 116 and the contact 1231 (the contact 123) are configured to be detachable from each other, the first conductive strip 11 can be detached from the first dressing tape 12. Therefore, when the first conductive strip 11 is dirty (particularly, when the electrode cover 113 that contacts the body is dirty due to sebum or the like), only the first conductive strip 11 can be detached and cleaned (for example, washed). In addition, in the case where the first conductive strip 11 is aged over time, it is possible to replace only the first conductive strip 11 and reuse the first dressing tape 12.

Further, since the first conductive strip 11 can be extended as a single body, the first dressing tape 12 can be used by changing it to a dressing tape having another shape. For example, the first dressing tape 12 may be changed to the first dressing tape 12' described in the following modification.

(modification example)

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a first dressing tape 12' in a modification of the present embodiment. Fig. 8 (a) is a view showing one side face of the first dressing tape 12 ', and fig. 8 (B) is a view showing the other side face of the first dressing tape 12'. The first dressing tape 12' corresponds to the tape 121 of the first dressing tape 12 described above, and is used together with the first conductive strip 11 (described later). The first dressing tie 12 ' is formed in a band shape, and is provided with a contact point 123 ' and a plurality of hole portions 124 '.

The contact 123' corresponds to the contact 123 described above. The contact point 123 'is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first dressing tape 12'. A plurality of hole portions 124 ' are provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the first dressing tape 12 ' from the other end side of the first dressing tape 12 '.

The contact point 123 'protrudes from one side surface (see fig. 8 a) and the other side surface (see fig. 8B) of the first dressing tape 12'. Among them, a portion of the contact 123 'protruding from one side surface of the first dressing tape 12' is referred to as a contact 1231 '(corresponding to the first protruding portion), and a portion of the contact 123' protruding from the other side surface of the first dressing tape 12 'is referred to as a contact 1232' (corresponding to the second protruding portion). The contact 1231' corresponds to the contact 1231, and the contact 1233 corresponds to the contact 1232. Since the contact 123' shares the structure with the contact 123, the detailed description thereof is omitted and replaced with the above description. As described later, the first electrode wearing member 10 ' can be constituted by combining the first conductive strip 11 and the first wearing band 12 ' using the connection terminal 116 and the contact 123 '.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a method of using the first conductive strap 11 and the first dressing tie 12'. First, the connection terminal 116 of the first conductive strap 11 is connected to the contact 1231 'of the first dressing tie 12'. Thus, one end of the first conductive strip 11 is connected to one end of the first dressing tape 12 ', and the first electrode-dressing member 10' having a band shape shown in fig. 9 (a) can be configured.

Fig. 9 (B) to 9 (D) show the wearing sequence of the first electrode wearing member 10'. First, the first conductive tape 11 is wound while the electrode cover 113 is sequentially brought into contact with a predetermined portion of the human body from the other end side (the side where the connection terminal 116 is not provided) in the longitudinal direction of the first conductive tape 11, thereby bringing the state shown in fig. 9 (B). Next, as shown in fig. 9 (C), the first dressing tape 12' is overlapped and wound with the first conductive strip 11. Then, as shown by an arrow of a chain line of (C) in fig. 9, the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the first dressing tape 12 '(the side where the plurality of hole portions 124' are provided) is wound. After that, the contact 1232 'is inserted through any one of the hole portions 124', and thereby the state shown in fig. 9 (D) is obtained. In other words, when the contact 1232 ' is fitted to any one of the holes 124 ', the first electrode fitting member 10 ' can be held at the fitting position. Thus, the first electrode wearing member 10' is fixed at the wearing position. Further, since the plurality of hole portions 124 'are provided, the user may appropriately select any hole portion 124'. For example, the user may select any hole 124' according to the tightening degree when wearing the garment. When the first electrode wearing member 10 ' is worn, the contact 1232 ' protrudes from the hole 124 ' and can be connected to the tip of the lead wire 51.

As described above, in the modified example, if only the plurality of holes 124 'provided in the first dressing band 12' are used, the first electrode dressing member 10 'can be worn with a simpler configuration by using the holes 124' provided in the first dressing band 12 'and the contacts 1232', without using the coupling 122 as in the first electrode dressing member 10.

In addition, in the case where the length of the first electrode wearing member 10 is not suitable for the circumference of the portion to be worn, the length needs to be adjusted before winding the first electrode wearing member 10 or after winding the first electrode wearing member 10 using the adjuster 122 c. On the other hand, the first electrode wearing member 10' of the modified example is sequentially wound around the first conductive tape 11 and worn while the electrode cover 113 is brought into contact with the portion to be worn. Therefore, the length of the first electrode wearing member 10 'is determined in accordance with the circumference of the portion to be worn, so that the user does not need to adjust the length of the first electrode wearing member 10'.

(examples)

The present invention will be described more specifically below with reference to examples. The maximum voltage value (Vpeak) and the effective current value (Irms) of the conventional tape rubber electrode (comparative example) and the tape carbon electrode (example) were measured and compared for two subjects a and B having different physiques. The tape-type rubber electrode of the comparative example was formed by attaching silicone rubber extending in a tape-like shape to a tape. The ribbon-type carbon electrode is formed by weaving carbon fibers made of T300-3000 (product number) of TORAYCA (registered trademark) in a twill weave to form a sheet shape. The tape rubber electrode and the tape carbon electrode were immersed in water for a predetermined time to carry out a water-containing treatment, and then were worn on a subject.

In the electric signal output device, a pulse training machine manufactured by home agency ION research was used. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a connection circuit for electrically connecting an electric signal output device to a subject. The maximum voltage value (Vpeak) and the effective current value (Irms) were measured at the seat by winding a tape electrode of one polarity above the knee of the right leg and a tape electrode of the other polarity above the knee of the left leg of the subject a (b). The circumferences of the subject a above the knees of the left leg and the right leg were 40.5cm and 40cm, respectively. The circumferences of the subject B above the knees were 52cm and 52.5cm, respectively.

The electric stimulation was intermittently performed at a frequency of 20Hz for 3 minutes, and the maximum voltage value (Vpeak) and the effective current value (Irms) between them were measured. Specifically, according to the mode (polarity inversion mode) shown in fig. 7, the mode is set to the incremental mode: 3570mSec, pressure maintaining mode: 2930mSec, stimulation stop time: 500mSec, electrical stimulation was performed. The test was performed 3 times, the maximum voltage value (Vpeak) and the effective current value (Irms) in each test were obtained, and then the arithmetic average value was obtained. TDS-2024B manufactured by Tektronix was used as the voltmeter. The ammeter used VOAC22 manufactured by Kawasaki (IWATSU). The test results are shown in table 1.

[ Table 1]

From the results shown in table 1, it is understood that the ribbon-type carbon electrode has a higher current value at a lower voltage than the ribbon-type rubber electrode. Therefore, it is considered that the tape-type carbon electrode can realize strong muscle movement with a more gentle stimulation feeling than the tape-type rubber electrode. In other words, the ribbon carbon electrode was found to have a lower resistance value than the ribbon rubber electrode.

Description of the reference numerals

1 an electrical stimulation wearing article,

10 a first electrode wearing member,

11 a first conductive strip,

111 strips,

112 strip-shaped electrodes,

113 an electrode cover,

114 strip-shaped electrode accommodating parts,

115 a conductive plate,

116 a connection terminal,

12 a first dressing bandage,

121 strips,

122a connecting member,

122a male member,

122b female member,

122c regulating part,

123 contact point,

12' a first dressing bandage,

123' contact point,

124' aperture portion.