Wireless low-frequency medical treatment device with pulse interruption based upon electrode contact with the body

• US 5,146,920 A
• Filed: 11/15/1990
• Issued: 09/15/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Fujiwara, Masakatsu, Tsuchida, Yasuyuki, Yuuchi, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US07/614,172
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 128/423 R, 128/421, 128/422, 128/734, 128/908, 128/903, 128/423
• US Class Current: 607/63
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/322 Electromedical brushes, combs, massage devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3603 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/908 Patient protection from electric shock

Abstract

A wireless low-frequency medical treatment device having a sending section for sending various data for low-frequency medical treatment and a pulse applying section for receiving the above data, for generating a low-frequency pulse corresponding to the data and for applying the pulse on a living body, the device being characterized in that the pulse applying section comprises a plurality of pulse applying bodies to be pasted on the living body; a low-frequency pulse generating device for generating a low-frequency pulse to be supplied to the pulse applying bodies in accordance with data sent from the sending section; a detecting device for detecting that at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off from the living body; a pulse stopping device for stopping generation of the low-frequency pulse when the detecting device detects that at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off from the living body; and a pulse recovery device for increasing a potential of the low-frequency pulse gradually from a low level to a predetermined high level when both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted on the living body after at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off once.

Claims

1. A wireless low-frequency medical treatment device having a sending section for sending various data for low-frequency medical treatment and a pulse applying section for receiving the above data, for generating a low-frequency pulse corresponding to the data and for applying the pulse on a living body, the device being characterized in that the pulse applying section comprises:

a plurality of pulse applying bodies to be pasted on the living body;

low-frequency pulse generating means for generating a low-frequency pulse to be supplied to the pulse applying bodies in accordance with data sent from the sending section;

detecting means for detecting if at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off from the living body;

pulse stopping means for stopping generation of the low-frequency pulse when the detecting means detects that at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off from the living body;

timer means for measuring a past time after the detecting means detects at least one of the pulse applying bodies having come off from the living body;

pulse recovery means for increasing a potential of the low-frequency pulse gradually from a low level to a predetermined high level when the pulse applying body once having come off from the living body is pasted again on the living body before a preset time of said timer means has passed;

state transition controlling means for transiting to a state to stop generation of the pulse after the preset time of said timer means has passed and to refuse the data sent from the sending section.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of pulse applying bodies comprises a first applying body and a second applying body, and said detecting means comprises means for supplying a detecting circuit to said first and second applying bodies, wherein said detecting means detects whether at least one of the pulse applying bodies has come off from the living body based on whether said detecting circuit flows through a detecting current path including the living body and the first and second pulse applying bodies.

15. A device according to claim 2, wherein the low-frequency pulse generating means comprises voltage pulse generating means for generating voltage pulses periodically for a length of time determined by the data sent from the sending section;

accumulating means for accumulating the voltage pulses; and

switching means for alternately turning on and off a pulse supplying path which extends from the accumulating means to the first pulse applying body in order to supply the accumulated voltage pulses.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the voltage pulse generating means comprises an inductor and means for periodically supplying a voltage to said inductor, and wherein the accumulating means comprises a capacitor.

17. A device according to claim 15, wherein the switching means comprises a first switching element which periodically applies the voltage pulses accumulated by the accumulating means to the first pulse applying body;

and a second switching element which remains conductive and keeps the second pulse applying body grounded while the first switching element applies the voltage pulses.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the detecting current path comprises a series circuit including a resistance for converting the detecting current into a voltage, the first pulse applying body, the living body, the second pulse applying body and the second switching element in this order.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the pulse stopping means comprises a control circuit means for stopping the operation of the voltage pulse generating means and for keeping the switching means off.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the pulse recovery means comprises judging means for judging that both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted back on the living body after at least one of the bodies comes off once;

and time length changing means for, when the judging means judges both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted back, turning on and off alternately the voltage pulse generating means for a time length and for gradually extending the time length until the time length reaches a predetermined level.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of pulse applying bodies comprises a first applying body and a second applying body;

said detecting means comprises means for supplying a detector current to said first and second applying bodies, wherein said detecting means detects whether at least one of the pulse applying bodies has come off from the living body based on whether said detecting current flows through a detecting current path including the living body and the first and second pulse applying bodies; and

said low-frequency pulse generating means comprises voltage pulse generating means for generating voltage pulses periodically for a length of time determined by the data sent form the sending section, accumulating means for accumulating the voltage pulses, first and second switch means for alternately turning on and off a pulse supplying path which extends from the accumulating means to the first pulse applying body in order to supply the accumulated voltage pulses, and control means for selectively turning active one of said first and second switching means.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the voltage pulse generating means comprises an inductor and means for periodically supplying a voltage to said inductor, and wherein the accumulating means comprises a capacitor.

23. A device according to claim 21, wherein:

said first and second switching means each comprises a first switching element which is turned on and off alternately when one of said first and second switching means is turned active by the control means and a second switching element which is kept conductive while one of said first and second switching means is active;

the first switching element of the first switching means supplies the voltage pulses accumulated by the accumulating means to the first pulse applying body when being turned on, and the first switching element of the second switching means supplies the voltage pulses accumulated by the accumulating means to the second pulse applying body when being turned on; and

the second switching element of the first switching means grounds the second pulse applying body when being conductive, and the second switching element of the second switching means grounds the first pulse applying body when being conductive.

24. A device according to claim 23, wherein the detecting current path comprises a series circuit which includes a first resistance for converting a detecting current into a voltage, the first pulse applying body, the living body, the second pulse applying body, and the second switching element of the first switching means in this order when the first switching means is active;

and comprises a series circuit which includes a second resistance for converting a detecting current into a voltage, the second pulse applying body, the living body, the first pulse applying body, and the second switching element of the second switching means in this order when the second switching means is active.

25. A device according to claim 24, wherein the pulse stopping means comprises a control circuit for stopping the operation of the voltage pulse generating means and for keeping the first and the second switching means off.

26. A device according to claim 25, wherein the pulse recovery mans comprises judging means for judging that both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted back on the living body after at least one of the bodies comes off once;

and time length changing means for, when the judging means judges both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted back, turning on a nd off alternately the voltage pulse generating means for a time length and for gradually extending the time length until the time length reaches a predetermined level.

3. A wireless low-frequency medical treatment device having a sending section for sending various data for low-frequency medical treatment and a pulse applying section for receiving the above data, for generating a low-frequency pulse corresponding to the data and for applying the pulse on a living body, the device being characterized in that the pulse applying section comprises:

a plurality of pulse applying bodies to be pasted on the living body, wherein said plurality of pulse applying bodies comprises a first applying body and a second applying body;

low-frequency pulse generating means for generating a low-frequency pulse to be supplied to the pulse applying bodies in accordance with data sent from the sending section, wherein the low-frequency pulse generating means comprises voltage pulse generating means for generating voltage pulses periodically for a length of time determined by the data sent from the sending section, accumulation means for accumulating the voltage pulses, and switching means for alternately turning on and off a pulse supplying path which extends from the accumulating means to the first pulse applying body in order to supply the accumulated voltage pulses;

detecting means for detecting if at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off from the living body, wherein said detecting means comprises means for supplying a detecting current to said first and second applying bodies, wherein said detecting means detects whether at least one of the pulse applying bodies has come off from the living body based on whether said detecting current flows through a detecting current path including the living body and the first and second pulse applying bodies;

pulse stopping means for stopping generation of the low-frequency pulse when the detecting means detects that at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off from the living body; and

pulse recovery means for increasing a potential of the low-frequency pulse gradually from a low level to a predetermined high level when the pulse applying body once having came off from the living body is pasted again on the living body.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the voltage pulse generating means comprises an inductor and means for periodically supplying a voltage to said inductor, and wherein the accumulating means comprises a capacitor.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the switching means comprises a first switching element which periodically applies the voltage pulses accumulated by the accumulating means to the first pulse applying body;

and a second switching element which remains conductive and keeps the second pulse applying body grounded while the first switching element applies the voltage pulses.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the detecting current path comprises a series circuit including a resistance for converting the detecting current into a voltage, the first pulse applying body, the living body, the second pulse applying body and the second switching element in this order.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the pulse stopping means comprises a control means for stopping the operation of the voltage pulse generating means and for keeping the switching means off.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the pulse recovery means comprises judging means for judging that both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted back on the living body after at least one of the bodies comes off once;

and time length changing means for, when the judging means judges both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted back, turning on and off alternately the voltage pulse generating means for a time length and for gradually extending the time length until the time length reaches a predetermined level.

9. A wireless low-frequency medical treatment device having a sending section for sending various data for low-frequency medical treatment and a pulse applying section for receiving the above data, for generating a low-frequency pulse corresponding to the data and for applying the pulse on a living body, the device being characterized in that the pulse applying section comprises:

a plurality of pulse applying bodies to be pasted on the living body, wherein said plurality of pulse applying bodies comprises a first applying body and a second applying body;

detecting means for detecting if at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off from the living body wherein said detecting means comprises means for supplying a detecting current to said first and second applying bodies, wherein said detecting means detects whether at least one of the pulse applying bodies has come off from the living body based on whether said detecting current flows through a detecting current path including the living body and the first and second pulse applying bodies;

low-frequency pulse generating means for generating a low-frequency pulse to be supplied to the pulse applying bodies in accordance with data send from the sending section, wherein said low-frequency pulse generating means comprises voltage pulse generating means for generating voltage pulses periodically for a length of time determined by the data sent from the sending section, accumulating means for accumulating the voltage pulses, first and second switching means for alternately turning on and off a pulse supplying path which extends from the accumulating means to the first pulse applying body in order to supply the accumulated voltage pulses, and control means for selectively turning active one of said first and second switching means;

pulse stopping means for stopping generation of the low-frequency pulse when the detecting means detects that at least one of the pulse applying bodies comes off from the living body; and

pulse recovery means for increasing a potential of the low-frequency pulse gradually from a low level to a predetermined high level when the pulse applying body once having come off from the living body is pasted again on the living body.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the voltage pulse generating means comprises an inductor and means for periodically supplying a voltage to said inductor, and wherein the accumulating means comprises a capacitor.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein:

said first and second switching means each comprises a first switching element which is turned on and off alternately when one of said first and second switching means is turned active by the control means and a second switching element which is kept conductive while one of said first and second switching means is active;

the first switching element of the first switching means supplies the voltage pulses accumulated by the accumulating means to the first pulses accumulated by the accumulating means to the first pulse applying body when being turned on, and the first switching element of the second switching means supplies the voltage pulses accumulated by the accumulating means to the second pulse applying body when being turned on; and

the second switching element of the first switching means grounds the second pulse applying body when being conductive, and the second switching element of the second switching means grounds the first pulse applying body when being conductive.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the detecting current path comprises a series circuit which includes a first resistance for converting a detecting current into a voltage, the first pulse applying body, the living body, the second pulse applying body, and the second switching element of the first switching means in this order when the first switching means is active;

and comprises a series circuit which includes a second resistance for converting a detecting current into a voltage, the second pulse applying body, the living body, the first pulse applying body, and the second switching element of the second switching means in this order when the second switching means is active.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the pulse stopping means comprises a control circuit means for stopping the operation of the voltage pulse generating means and for keeping the first and the second switching means off.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the pulse recovery means comprises judging means for judging that both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted back on the living body after at least one of the bodies comes off once;

and time length changing means for, when the judging means judges both of the pulse applying bodies are pasted back, turning on and off alternately the voltage pulse generating means for a time length and for gradually extending the time length until the time length reaches a predetermined level.