JP2012210375A - Body composition improving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a body composition improving device capable of imparting optimum low frequency electric stimulation suited to the body composition of a user by measuring the body composition of the user.SOLUTION: The body composition improving device includes a body composition measuring unit 100, a stimulation current application unit 200 and a main control unit 300. The body composition measuring part 100 includes a body composition measuring electrode 500 which comes into contact with a user, and the stimulation current application unit 200 includes a stimulation current applying electrode 500 which comes into contact with the user. The main control unit 300 determines application conditions of a stimulation current to be applied to the user on the basis of body composition information obtained by the body composition measuring unit 100 using the body composition measuring electrode 500, and applies the stimulation current corresponding to the application conditions to the stimulation current applying electrode 500.

Description

  The present invention relates to a body composition improving device for maintaining and improving health.

  As an example of a conventional body composition improving device, there is an electric muscle stimulation belt as disclosed in JP 2010-172562 A (Patent Document 1). This electric muscle stimulation belt is applied with low-frequency electrical stimulation to the muscles to force the muscles to contract and relax, increasing the amount of muscle activity (energy consumption) and increasing the amount of muscles. It also increases metabolism and changes the body to make it easier to diet.

JP 2010-172562 A

  However, in such a body composition improving apparatus, the intensity of the low-frequency electrical stimulation is adjusted based on the subjective judgment of the user and may not be an appropriate intensity for improving the body composition. In addition, the intensity pattern of the low frequency electrical stimulation must be selected in advance in the body composition improving apparatus, and may not be suitable for the body composition of the user. As a result, effective body composition improvement may not be obtained.

  This invention was made in order to improve such a subject, and the body which enables the provision of the optimal low frequency electrical stimulation according to a user's body composition by measuring a user's body composition. The object is to provide a composition improving apparatus.

  The body composition improving apparatus according to the present invention comprises a body composition measuring unit for measuring a body composition of a living body, a stimulation current applying unit for applying a stimulation by current to the living body, and a control unit. The composition measuring unit includes a body composition measuring electrode that comes into contact with the living body when measuring the body composition of the living body, and the stimulation current applying unit applies the current to the living body when applying stimulation by the current to the living body. The control unit determines a condition for applying the stimulation current to be applied to the living body based on the body composition information obtained by the body composition measurement unit using the body composition measurement electrode. Then, a stimulation current according to the application condition is applied to the stimulation current application electrode.

  In another embodiment, the body composition improving apparatus further includes a storage unit that records a change with time of the body composition of the living body.

  In another embodiment, the control unit determines the application condition based on information on a temporal change in body composition recorded in the storage unit.

  In another embodiment, the body composition improving apparatus further includes a display unit that displays a change with time of the body composition recorded in the storage unit.

  In another form, the body composition information is a body fat related amount or a lean body related amount of the living body, and the stimulation current strength, stimulation time, and electrode interval are determined as the application conditions.

  In another embodiment, the body composition measurement electrode and the stimulation current application electrode are the same biological contact electrode, and the control unit uses the biological contact electrode as the body composition measurement electrode, A switching unit for switching between the case where the contact electrode is used as the stimulation current application electrode is included.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the body composition improvement apparatus which enables provision of the optimal low frequency electrical stimulation according to a user's body composition by measuring a user's body composition.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the user's mounting | wearing state of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a block diagram of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a front view of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a side view of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a top view of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the abdominal part electrode and back part electrode of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the body composition improvement flow of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the bioimpedance measurement example at the time of the body composition measurement using the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment (back | dorsal bioimpedance measurement example). It is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of the application of the low frequency stimulation current using the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific judgment criteria of the user's body shape of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting of the stimulation current of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example (basic way of thinking) of the setting of the stimulation intensity | strength at the time of respond | corresponding to the obesity state of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example (combination of subcutaneous fat type obesity and visceral fat type obesity) of the setting of the stimulation intensity | strength at the time of responding to the obesity state of the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the time-dependent change of body composition improvement at the time of using the body composition improvement apparatus in embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the abdominal part electrode and back part electrode of the body composition improvement apparatus in other embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the abdominal part electrode and back part electrode of the body composition improvement apparatus in other embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrode of the body composition improvement apparatus in other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a body composition improving apparatus according to an embodiment based on the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, amount, and the like, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, and the like unless otherwise specified. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol points out the same or an equivalent part, and the overlapping description may not be repeated.

  First, prior to describing each embodiment of the present invention, terms representing a body part are defined. The “torso” is a portion excluding the head, neck and limbs of the body, and corresponds to a so-called trunk. “Back” means a portion of the torso located on the back side, and corresponds to a portion of the torso excluding the abdominal portion and the chest portion. “Back surface” means the entire body surface of the back, and refers to the entire body surface of a portion that is visible when the user is observed from the back side. The “body axis” refers to an axis located along the extending direction of the torso, that is, an axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cross section of the user's torso.

(Body composition improvement device 1)
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the body composition improvement apparatus 1 in this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a wearing state of the user 1000 of the body composition improving apparatus 1, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the body composition improving apparatus 1.

  This body composition improving apparatus 1 has a belt member 10 and is used by being worn on the trunk of a user 1000. The body composition improving apparatus 1 includes a body composition measuring unit 100 and a stimulation current applying unit 200. The body composition measurement unit 100 includes a control unit 110, an abdominal shape measurement unit 120, and a bioimpedance measurement unit 130. The stimulation current applying unit 200 includes a control unit 210 and a stimulation waveform generation unit 220.

  The body composition improving apparatus 1 includes a main control unit 300, an electrode switching unit 400, an electrode unit 500, an operation unit 600, a display unit 700, and a storage unit 800.

  The electrode unit 500 is connected to the electrode switching unit 400, and the electrode switching unit 400 is connected to the bioimpedance measurement unit 130 and the stimulation waveform generation unit 220. The abdominal shape measurement unit 120 and the bioelectrical impedance measurement unit 130 are connected to the control unit 110 of the body composition measurement unit 100. The stimulation waveform generation unit 220 is connected to the control unit 210 of the stimulation current applying unit 200.

  Further, the electrode switching unit 400, the control unit 110 of the body composition measurement unit 100, and the control unit 210 of the stimulation current application unit 200 are connected to the main control unit 300. An operation unit 600, a display unit 700, and a storage unit 800 are also connected to the main control unit 300.

  Based on the body composition information obtained by the body composition measuring unit 100 using the electrode unit 500, the main control unit 300 determines the conditions for applying the stimulation current to be applied to the user 1000. Thereafter, in the electrode switching unit 400, the connection of the electrode unit 500 is switched from the body composition measurement unit 100 to the stimulation waveform generation unit 220, and a stimulation current corresponding to the application condition is applied from the stimulation waveform generation unit 220 to the electrode unit 500. .

(Place electrode)
Next, a specific electrode arrangement of the body composition improving apparatus 1 using the belt member 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a front view of the body composition improving apparatus 1, FIG. 4 is a side view of the body composition improving apparatus 1, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the body composition improving apparatus 1, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | positioning state of abdominal part electrode and back part electrode.

  With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a plurality of abdominal electrodes 510 and back electrodes 520 are arranged as the electrode unit 500 in the belt member 10. On the abdomen side, a total of eight abdominal electrodes 510 are arranged in four rows along the periphery of the trunk and two rows along the body axis direction. Similarly, a total of eight back electrodes 520 are arranged on the back side, four rows along the periphery of the trunk and two rows along the body axis direction.

The abdominal electrode 510 and the back electrode 520 are made of stainless steel having a surface area of about 3 to 80 cm ^2, metals commonly used as bioelectrodes such as titanium-based metals, and white metals, and further an electrolyte is applied to these surfaces. A liquid, gel, or paste applied or pasted is used. The arrangement interval (dimension W in FIG. 8) will be described in the setting of stimulation current described later.

(Body composition improvement flow)
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the body composition improvement flow using the body composition improving apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a body composition improvement flow of the body composition improving apparatus 1. In each block in FIG. 7, the double frame indicates the operation on the user side, and the single frame indicates the operation on the body composition improving apparatus 1 side.

  First, the body composition improving apparatus 1 is attached to the user's torso using the belt member 10. Next, the power of the body composition improving apparatus 1 is turned on using a power switch (not shown) provided in the operation unit 600 (step 10, hereinafter referred to as S10). Next, initial setting is performed on the body composition improving apparatus 1 side (S20).

  Next, a stimulus menu is selected from the operation unit 600 of the body composition improving apparatus 1 (S30). Next, body composition is measured on the body composition improving apparatus 1 side (S40). Specifically, measurement of abdominal shape measurement (S41) and bioimpedance measurement (S42) are performed.

  Next, the stimulation pattern suitable for the user is generated based on the body composition obtained by the measurement of the abdominal shape and the measurement of the bioelectrical impedance (S50). In the generation of the stimulation pattern, the stimulation pattern application condition is based on the information on the temporal change of the body composition recorded in the storage unit 800 that records the temporal change of the body composition of the user 1000. It is determined by the control unit 110 of the composition measuring unit and the control unit 210 of the stimulation current applying unit.

  Next, the electrode is switched from the bioelectrical impedance measurement state to the stimulation current application state (S60). Thereafter, a current having a stimulation waveform is generated and applied to the electrode (S70). The elapse of a predetermined time is measured (S80), and after the elapse of the predetermined time, application of a current having a stimulation waveform to the electrode is terminated (S90).

(Measurement of abdominal shape and bioimpedance)
Next, measurement of the abdominal shape and measurement of bioimpedance will be described. First, the measurement of the abdomen shape includes a method of measuring the trunk circumference (so-called waist length) using a belt, and a method of measuring the width and length of the trunk. These abdominal shape data are sent to the control unit 100.

  Next, measurement of bioimpedance will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a bioimpedance measurement example (a dorsal bioimpedance measurement example) during body composition measurement using the body composition improving apparatus.

  In the measurement of the bioimpedance at the time of measuring the body composition of the user, in the case of the bioimpedance measurement on the dorsal side, a constant current is applied using the two pairs of back electrodes 520 located on the inside, and the outside 2 is located. A backside voltage measurement is performed using a pair of back electrodes 520. Similarly, the voltage on the ventral side is also measured. Based on the voltage value on the back side and the voltage value on the ventral side thus detected, the bioelectrical impedance of the whole body is calculated.

(Applying current with stimulus waveform)
Next, application of a current having a stimulation waveform will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state at the time of applying a low-frequency stimulation current using the body composition improving apparatus. After the electrode is switched from the bioimpedance measurement state to the stimulation current application state, a current having a stimulation waveform is generated and applied to the back electrode 520 so that the current penetrates the user's abdomen from the back electrode 520. It will flow toward the abdominal electrode 510.

(Stimulation pattern generation)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, generation of a stimulation pattern in the main control unit 300 (see FIG. 2) will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating specific criteria for determining the body shape of the user, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting of the stimulation current, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating setting of the stimulation intensity when corresponding to the obesity state. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example (basic concept), and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting of stimulation intensity (a combination of subcutaneous fat-type obesity and visceral fat-type obesity) corresponding to the obesity state.

(Specific criteria for body shape)
Specific criteria for determining the user's body shape will be described. The determination of obesity is determined to be obesity when BMI> 25. Here, BMI is a numerical value obtained by weight (kg) / (height (m)) ² .

The determination of “visceral fat type obesity” is determined as “visceral fat type obesity” when the visceral fat area is 100 cm ² or more or the V / S ratio is 0.4 or more. Here, V is the visceral fat area, and S is the subcutaneous fat area. The determination of “subcutaneous fat type obesity” is determined as “subcutaneous fat type obesity” when BMI> 25 and the abdominal circumference is less than a reference value (85 cm for men and 90 cm for women). The above is a body fat related amount, but a method of classifying by a lean body related amount (muscle mass) is also included.

Referring to FIG. 10, “visceral fat type obesity” or “subcutaneous fat type obesity” is roughly classified into “mild”, “medium”, and “severe”, respectively. For "visceral fat obesity", if the visceral fat area is less than 100 cm ² are "mild", if the visceral fat area is 100cm ² ~150cm ² is "moderate", visceral fat area is 150 cm ² or more In this case, the judgment is “severe”.

For "subcutaneous fat type obesity", subcutaneous fat area is less than 180cm ^2, "mild" when bioelectrical impedance from the abdomen body surface is less than 10 [Omega, subcutaneous fat area is a 180cm ² ~250cm ² When the bioimpedance from the abdominal body surface is 10Ω to 15Ω, “medium”, and when the subcutaneous fat area is 250 cm ² or more and the bioimpedance from the abdominal body surface is 15Ω or more, “severe”. Judgment is made.

  In addition, when classifying by muscle mass as a lean mass-related quantity, the whole body bioimpedance (mainly reflecting muscle mass) is “less” if it is 10Ω or more, the whole body bioimpedance (mainly reflecting muscle mass) ) Is 5Ω to 10Ω, “normal” is determined, and when the whole body bioelectrical impedance (mainly reflecting muscle mass) is less than 5Ω, “high” is determined.

(Stimulation current setting)
Next, the setting of the stimulation current will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the standard body type, “stimulation current strength” is 20 mA, “stimulation time” is 10 minutes, and “stimulation electrode interval” is 5 cm. On the other hand, in the case of the obese body type, in the case of the “mild” obese body type, the “stimulation current strength” is 40 mA (slightly stronger), the “stimulation time” is 15 minutes (slightly longer), and “stimulation electrode interval” "Is 10 cm (slightly wider). In the case of the “medium” obesity type, the “stimulation current strength” is 60 mA (strong), the “stimulation time” is 20 minutes (long), and the “stimulation electrode interval” is 15 cm (wide). In the case of “severe” obesity, “stimulation current strength” is 80 mA (strongest), “stimulation time” is 30 minutes (longest), and “stimulation electrode interval” is 20 cm (widest).

  In this embodiment, the interval between the stimulation electrodes is adjusted such that, for example, the distance between the pair of electrodes is 5 cm from a plurality of electrodes 510 and 520 arranged in a grid pattern at an interval of 5 cm (W = 5 cm in FIG. 8). Selection is made to be 10 cm and 15 cm. As for “stimulation current”, there are individual differences in the way the user feels the stimulation. Therefore, for users who are not good at strong stimulation current, the value of “stimulation current” is weaker than the setting. However, it is possible to set the “stimulation time” longer than the setting.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, an example (basic concept) of setting the stimulation intensity when dealing with an obese state will be described. In the case of “visceral fat obesity”, if it is “mild”, “stimulation current strength” is “standard”, “stimulation time” is “slightly long”, and “electrode spacing” is “standard (5 cm)”. , “Stimulation current strength” is “standard”, “stimulation time” is “long”, “electrode spacing” is “standard (5 cm)”, and “severe” “Stimulation current” is “standard”, “stimulation time” is “longest”, and “electrode interval” is “standard (5 cm)”.

  In the case of “subcutaneous fat type obesity”, if it is “mild”, “stimulation current” is “slightly stronger”, “stimulation time” is “slightly longer”, “electrode interval” is “slightly wide”, “ If it is “medium”, “stimulation current” is “strong”, “stimulation time” is “long”, “electrode interval” is “wide”, and if it is “severe”, “stimulation current” is “strongest” , “Stimulation time” is “longest”, and “electrode interval” is “widest”.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, an example of the setting of the stimulation intensity in the case of corresponding to the obesity state (combination of subcutaneous fat-type obesity and visceral fat-type obesity) will be described. When “Visceral fat type obesity” is “Mild” and “Subcutaneous fat type obesity” is “Mild”, “Stimulation current” is “Slightly stronger”, “Stimulation time” is “Slightly longer”, “Electrode” If “interval” is “slightly wide” and “medium”, “stimulation current” is “strong”, “stimulation time” is “long”, “electrode interval” is “wide”, and “severe”. For example, “stimulation current” is “strongest”, “stimulation time” is “longest”, and “electrode interval” is “widest”.

  If “visceral fat type obesity” is “medium” and “subcutaneous fat type obesity” is “mild”, “stimulation current” is “slightly stronger” and “stimulation time” is “slightly longer”. , “Electrode interval” becomes “Slightly wide”, and if “Medium”, “Stimulation current” becomes “Strong”, “Stimulation time” becomes “Longest”, “Electrode interval” becomes “Wide”, “Severe” "Stimulation current" is "strongest", "stimulation time" is "longest", and "electrode interval" is "widest".

  In addition, when “visceral fat type obesity” is “severe” and “subcutaneous fat type obesity” is “mild”, “stimulation current” is “slightly stronger”, “stimulation time” is “longest”, “ “Spacing electrode” is “slightly wide”. If it is “medium”, “stimulation current” is “strong”, “stimulation time” is “longest”, “electrode spacing” is “wide” and “severe”. If present, the “stimulation current” is “strongest”, the “stimulation time” is “longest”, and the “electrode interval” is “widest”.

  Next, referring to FIG. 14, the “visceral fat area (BIA method)”, “weight”, “waist circumference”, and “body composition” of the user using the body composition improving apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The average rate of change from before weight loss is shown. The graph shown in FIG. 14 is a change over time of the body composition recorded in the storage unit 800, and is continuously displayed for each measurement date on the display unit 700 (see FIG. 2) of the body composition improving apparatus 1.

  In the body composition improving apparatus 1, when the user has improved the body composition, after the body composition of the user is measured in advance, the body composition of the user is maintained while the body composition improving apparatus 1 is worn. The appropriate “stimulation current”, “stimulation time” and “electrode spacing” are set. As a result, it is possible to apply an optimal low-frequency electrical stimulation according to the body composition of the user, and as shown in FIG. 14, the visceral fat area (BIA method), “weight”, “waist circumference”, and Each parameter of “body composition” can be effectively reduced.

  Moreover, since the user can confirm the decrease of each said parameter with the display part 700, he can maintain the motivation which continues a body composition improvement.

  Thus, according to the body composition improving apparatus 1 based on the present invention, by knowing the user's body composition by measuring the user's bioimpedance, based on the bioimpedance value and the body composition data obtained from them, It becomes possible to improve the body composition according to the user's physical condition and purpose. In addition, since the electrode for applying the stimulation current can be used as the electrode for body composition measurement, an increase in the size of the apparatus can be suppressed. In addition, changes over time in the body composition improving effect are displayed.

  As a result, body composition measurement and body composition improvement can be performed with a single device, body composition can be improved with an optimum set value, and the effect of body composition improvement can be maximized. In addition, the effect of improving the body composition is easily understood by the user, and the motivation for improving the body composition is improved, and the success rate of improving the body composition is increased.

  Note that the arrangement of the abdominal electrode 510 and the back electrode 520 on the belt member 10 is not limited to the arrangement pattern shown in FIG. 6, and as shown in FIG. It is also possible to arrange a total of four abdominal electrodes 510 in four rows and one row around the abdomen. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the abdominal electrode 510 may be arranged at a total of five positions including a position corresponding to four corners of a quadrangle and a position where diagonal lines intersect. .

  Moreover, although the case where the electrode part 500 is arrange | positioned around an abdominal part using a belt member is demonstrated, as shown in FIG. 17, as a stimulation electrode, stimulation electrodes 530 and 540 are provided on the leg, arm, or back. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which

  In the above embodiment, the case where the body composition measurement electrode and the stimulation current application electrode use the same biological contact electrode by providing the electrode switching unit 400 has been described, but without providing the electrode switching unit 400, the body It is also possible to employ a configuration in which a composition measurement electrode and a stimulation current application electrode are provided.

  Moreover, although the belt member 10 was mounted | worn to the abdomen and the improvement of the body composition in an abdomen was demonstrated, it is not limited to an abdomen. For example, it is possible to improve the body composition for each part by wrapping the belt member 10 for each part of the body such as the upper arm or the thigh.

  Thus, the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body composition improvement apparatus, 10 Belt member, 100 Body composition measurement part, 110,210 Control part, 120 Abdominal shape measurement part, 130 Bioimpedance measurement part, 200 Stimulation current provision part, 220 Stimulus waveform generation part, 300 Main control part , 400 electrode switching unit, 500 electrode unit, 510 abdominal electrode, 520 back electrode, 530, 540 stimulation electrode, 600 operation unit, 700 display unit, 800 storage unit, 1000 user.

Claims (6)

A body composition measurement unit for measuring the body composition of a living body;
A stimulation current applying unit for applying stimulation by current to the living body;
A main control unit,
The body composition measurement unit includes a body composition measurement electrode that contacts the living body when measuring the body composition of the living body,
The stimulation current application unit includes a stimulation current application electrode that comes into contact with the living body when applying stimulation by current to the living body,
The main control unit determines a condition for applying a stimulation current to be applied to the living body based on body composition information obtained by the body composition measuring unit using the body composition measuring electrode, and according to the application condition A body composition improving apparatus for applying a stimulation current to the stimulation current application electrode.   The body composition improving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that records a temporal change in the body composition of the living body.   The body composition improving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the main control unit determines the application condition based on information on a temporal change in body composition recorded in the storage unit.   The body composition improving apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit that displays a change with time of the body composition recorded in the storage unit. The body composition information is a body fat related amount or a lean related amount of the living body,
The body composition improving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein as the application condition, the intensity of the stimulation current, the stimulation time, and the electrode interval are determined. The body composition measurement electrode and the stimulation current application electrode are the same biological contact electrode,
6. The main control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that switches between a case where the biological contact electrode is used as the body composition measurement electrode and a case where the biological contact electrode is used as the stimulation current application electrode. 2. The body composition improving apparatus according to 1.

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