JP2021083444A - Ion introduction device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress stimulation to a living body when removing electric charge accumulated on the living body.SOLUTION: An ion introduction device includes: an output part having a pair of electrodes; a power supply circuit having a first switch for controlling power supply to the output part; a discharge circuit having a second switch for controlling short-circuiting of the pair of electrodes; and a control part for controlling the first switch and the second switch. The control part repeats a power supply period Ta for turning the first switch on and outputting an electric current to the living body from the output part, and a non-power supply period Tb for turning the first switch off. The control part gradually discharges electric charge accumulated on the living body by causing the second switch to repeat being turned on and off by a pulse group S21 for discharge having a plurality of pulses for discharge in the non-power supply period Tb.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an iontophoresis apparatus.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 and Non-Patent Document 1 describe an iontophoresis device that introduces an ionized component into a living body by passing an electric current through the living body using a pair of electrodes. Non-Patent Document 2 describes that a living body has a capacitance like a capacitor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-234092 Japanese Patent No. 4171646

"Drug Delivery System VOL.13 NO.5 SEPTEMBER 1998" P.I. 353-357 "Medical Electronics and Bionics Vol. 21, No. 7" P. 37-44

Since the iontophoresis device introduces an ionization component into the living body, a direct current corresponding to the polarity of the ions is passed through the living body. Since a direct current is passed through the living body, even if the current is low and weak, the electric charge is accumulated in the living body due to the capacitance of the living body, and as a result, discomfort, pain, and burns may be induced. is there. Therefore, it is desirable to remove the electric charge accumulated in the living body.

In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a large number of pulses for introducing an ionized component into a living body are output, and then pulses having opposite polarities are output. However, when a pulse having opposite polarity is applied as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the voltage difference due to the reversal of the positive and negative voltages of the electrodes is large, there is a risk of giving a strong stimulus to the living body.

In Non-Patent Document 1, a living body (skin or mucous membrane) is expressed as two parallel electric circuits of a resistance part and a capacitor part, and the circuit is short-circuited when the living body is not energized and a current is not applied to the living body, thereby accumulating in the capacitor part. The charge is being discharged. However, in Non-Patent Document 1, when the circuit is short-circuited, a large discharge current may flow at one time, which may give a strong stimulus to the living body.

An object of the present invention is to suppress irritation to a living body when removing the electric charge accumulated in the living body.

The main invention for achieving the above object is an output unit having a pair of electrodes, an energization circuit having a first switch for controlling energization of the output unit, and a second switch for controlling a short circuit between the pair of electrodes. The control unit includes a discharge circuit having the above and a control unit for controlling the first switch and the second switch, and the control unit has an energization period in which the first switch is turned on and a current is output from the output unit to the living body. The living body is formed by repeating a non-energized period in which the first switch is turned off and causing the second switch to be repeatedly turned on / off by a discharge pulse group having a plurality of discharge pulses during the non-energized period. It is an ion introduction device characterized by gradually discharging the electric charge accumulated in the device.

Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description of the description and drawings described later.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress irritation to a living body when removing the electric charge accumulated in the living body.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a basic configuration of the iontophoresis apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an equivalent circuit of the biological resistance Z. 3A and 3B are explanatory views of the basic operation of the iontophoresis apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the operation when energized. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the operation at the time of discharging. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of various signals of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of various signals for one cycle of the present embodiment. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of the second control signal S2 of the first modification. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of the second control signal S2 of the second modification. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram of the second control signal S2 of the third modification. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of the iontophoresis apparatus 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of the iontophoresis device 1 of the modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the iontophoresis apparatus 1 of the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of various signals of the comparative example.

At least the following matters will be clarified from the description of the specification and drawings described later.

An energization circuit having an output unit having a pair of electrodes, a first switch for controlling energization of the output unit, a discharge circuit having a second switch for controlling a short circuit of the pair of electrodes, the first switch, and the like. The control unit includes a control unit that controls the second switch, and the control unit has an energization period in which the first switch is turned on to output a current from the output unit to the living body and a non-energization period in which the first switch is turned off. The charge accumulated in the living body is gradually discharged by repeating on / off of the second switch by a discharge pulse group having a plurality of discharge pulses during the non-energization period. The ion introduction device characterized by the above will be clarified. According to such an iontophoresis device, stimulation to the living body can be suppressed by passing the discharge current in a plurality of times.

The control unit outputs the discharge pulse group to the second switch during the non-energized period, and then turns on the second switch for a time width wider than the pulse width of the discharge pulse to turn on the second switch. It is desirable to discharge the charge accumulated in. As a result, the electric charge remaining in the living body can be quickly discharged.

It is desirable that the discharge circuit has a discharge resistor that limits the current during discharge. This makes it possible to suppress irritation to the living body.

It is desirable that the discharge pulse group is composed of a plurality of the discharge pulses having a constant pulse width with a predetermined period. As a result, the configuration of the control unit can be simplified.

It is desirable that the discharge pulse group is composed of a plurality of the discharge pulses whose duty ratio gradually increases. As a result, in the first half of the discharge in which a large discharge current tends to flow, the frequency of stimulating the living body can be reduced, and in the latter half of the discharge, the electric charge remaining in the living body can be quickly discharged.

It is desirable that the discharge pulse group is composed of a plurality of the discharge pulses whose pulse widths gradually increase. Alternatively, it is desirable that the discharge pulse group is composed of a plurality of the discharge pulses whose periods are gradually shortened. As a result, in the first half of the discharge in which a large discharge current tends to flow, the period for stimulating the living body can be shortened, and in the latter half of the discharge, the electric charge remaining in the living body can be quickly discharged.

It is desirable that the discharge circuit has a negative power supply. As a result, the electric charge accumulated in the living body can be quickly discharged.

It is desirable that the discharge circuit has a changeover switch for switching the selection / non-selection of the negative power supply. This makes it possible to suppress the peak of the discharge current.

It is desirable that the control unit controls at least one of the first switch and the second switch according to the discharge current. As a result, efficient iontophoresis can be realized.

=== 1st Embodiment ===
<Basic configuration>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a basic configuration of the iontophoresis apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Reference numeral Z in the figure is resistance of a living body (for example, a human body). FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an equivalent circuit of the biological resistance Z.

The iontophoresis device 1 is a device that introduces an ionized component into a living body. The iontophoresis device 1 applies a direct current to the living body to introduce an ionized component contained in, for example, a drug, a beauty essence, a cosmetic liquid, or the like into the living body. The medium containing the ionized component is, for example, a drug, a beauty essence, a cosmetic liquid, or the like, and may be a liquid, a gel, or a paste. A medium such as a drug containing an ionized component, a beauty essence, or a cosmetic liquid may be applied directly to the skin, or may be applied to the skin by permeating the sheet member such as a pad and attaching the sheet member to the skin. You may. Introducing an ionized component into a living body by electric energy is sometimes called "iontophoresis".

As shown in FIG. 2, the living body has electrical characteristics having skin impedance and spreading resistance. The current flowing from the electrodes spreads in the living body through the skin. Since the area of the electrode is usually small, it has a relatively large resistance in the vicinity of the electrode due to the concentration of current, and the resistance in the vicinity of this electrode corresponds to the spread resistance Rsp in the figure. Although it depends on the dry state of the skin, the resistance Rc in the figure is ^{about 50 KΩ / cm 2} , the capacitance Cc is ^{about 0.15 μF / cm 2} , and the spread resistance Rsp is about 150 Ω when the electrode radius is 0.5 cm. Is. As described above, the living body (particularly the skin) mainly has an electrical characteristic in which a relatively large resistance Rc and a relatively large capacitance Cc are arranged in parallel.

Since the iontophoresis device 1 introduces an ionization component into the living body, a direct current corresponding to the polarity of the ions is passed through the living body. When a direct current is passed through a living body, electric charges are accumulated in the capacitance component of the living body (capacitance Cc in the figure) even if the current is low and weak. Accumulation of electric charge in the volume components of a living body may induce discomfort and pain. Therefore, the iontophoresis device 1 of the present embodiment has not only a function of passing a direct current through the living body but also a function of discharging the electric charge accumulated in the living body.

The iontophoresis device 1 includes an output unit 11, a power supply unit 13, an energization circuit 20, a discharge circuit 30, and a control unit 40.

The output unit 11 is an electrode that outputs electrical energy to the living body. The output unit 11 of the present embodiment is composed of a pair of electrodes (first electrode 11A and second electrode 11B), and outputs a weak current (direct current) to the living body. The output unit 11 is built in a guide (for example, an adhesive pad, a suction pad, a guide in the shape of a metal rod or a glove) that comes into contact with the living body, and outputs electrical energy to the living body via the guide. However, the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11 may be brought into direct contact with the living body.

The power supply unit 13 is a member that supplies electric power. The power supply unit 13 of this embodiment is composed of a DC power supply (DC power supply).

The energization circuit 20 is a circuit that controls energization of the output unit 11. The energizing circuit 20 has a first switch 21 and a first resistor 22.

The first switch 21 is a switch that controls energization of the output unit 11. In other words, the first switch 21 is a switch that turns on / off the power supply to the output unit 11. The first switch 21 is composed of, for example, a switching circuit using a transistor. When the first switch 21 is turned on, a voltage is applied to the output unit 11, and a current flows through the output unit 11 (a pair of electrodes) to the living body. When the first switch 21 is turned off, the energization of the output unit 11 is stopped. As will be described later, when the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11 are short-circuited (when the electric charge accumulated in the living body is discharged), the first switch 21 is turned off. Here, the first switch 21 is arranged between the power supply unit 13 and the first electrode 11A. However, the arrangement of the first switch 21 is not limited to this, and for example, the first switch 21 may be arranged between the power supply unit 13 and the second electrode 11B. The first switch 21 is controlled to be turned on / off by the first control signal S1 of the control unit 40.

The first resistor 22 is a resistor (current limiting resistor) for limiting the current flowing through the living body. In other words, the first resistor 22 is a resistor that constitutes a constant current circuit. The first resistor 22 is arranged between the power supply unit 13 and the output unit 11. Here, the first resistor 22 is arranged between the power supply unit 13 and the first electrode 11A. However, the arrangement of the first resistor 22 is not limited to this, and for example, the first resistor 22 may be arranged between the power supply unit 13 and the second electrode 11B.

The discharge circuit 30 is a circuit that controls a short circuit between a pair of electrodes of the output unit 11, and is a circuit that controls the discharge of the electric charge accumulated in the living body. The discharge circuit 30 has a second switch 31 and a second resistor 32. Specifically, the discharge circuit 30 is configured by arranging the second switch 31 and the second resistor 32 in series. The discharge circuit 30 is arranged between the first electrode 11A and the second electrode 11B, and is arranged so as to be in parallel with the living body.

The second switch 31 is a switch that controls discharge. In other words, the second switch 31 is a switch that controls a short circuit between the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11. The second switch 31 is composed of, for example, a switching circuit using a transistor. When the second switch 31 is turned on, the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11 are short-circuited, and the electric charge accumulated in the living body is discharged. When the second switch 31 is turned off, the short-circuit circuit (discharge circuit 30) of the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11 is disconnected. The second switch 31 is arranged in series with the second resistor 32. When the first switch 21 is on, the second switch 31 is off. In other words, when the output unit 11 is energized, the second switch 31 is turned off. When the second switch 31 is turned on, the first switch 21 is turned off. The second switch 31 is controlled to be turned on / off by the second control signal S2 of the control unit 40.

The second resistor 32 is a resistor (discharge resistance) for limiting the current at the time of discharge. As will be described later, the second resistor 32 is a resistor for limiting the current (discharge current) that flows when the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11 are short-circuited. In other words, the second resistor 32 is a resistor for limiting the current flowing when discharging the electric charge accumulated in the living body. If there is no second resistor 32, or if the resistance value of the second resistor 32 is too small, the peak current at the time of discharge becomes large, which may give a strong stimulus to the living body. On the other hand, if the resistance value of the second resistor 32 is too large, the electric charge accumulated in the living body may be difficult to be discharged. The second resistance 32 is set to a resistance value that can suppress irritation to the living body and that can quickly discharge the electric charge accumulated in the living body.

The control unit 40 is a member that controls the first switch 21 and the second switch 31. In other words, the control unit 40 is a member that controls the energization circuit 20 and the discharge circuit 30. The control unit 40 outputs the first control signal S1 and the second control signal S2. The first control signal S1 is a control signal for controlling the energization circuit 20, specifically, a control signal for controlling the first switch 21. The second control signal S2 is a control signal for controlling the discharge circuit 30, specifically, a control signal for controlling the second switch 31. The control unit 40 controls the energization of the output unit 11 by controlling the on / off of the first switch 21 by the first control signal S1. Further, the control unit 40 controls the short circuit of the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11 by controlling the on / off of the second switch 31 by the second control signal S2, and controls the discharge of the electric charge accumulated in the living body. To do.

The control unit 40 has a processing device and a storage device (not shown). The processing device is, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device is, for example, a memory (storage medium) such as a ROM or RAM, and a program is stored in the storage device non-temporarily. The processing device generates the first control signal S1 and the second control signal S2 as described later by executing the program stored in the storage device.

<Basic operation (energization operation / discharge operation)>
3A and 3B are explanatory views of the basic operation of the iontophoresis apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the operation when energized. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the operation at the time of discharging. In the figure, the current flowing through the living body is shown as I2. In the following description, the value of the current I2 may be shown with the current I2 shown in FIG. 3A as a plus and the current I2 shown in FIG. 3B as a minus.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the ionization component is introduced into the living body (at the time of iontophoresis), the control unit 40 turns on the first switch 21 and turns off the second switch 31. As a result, electric power is supplied to the output unit 11, and a direct current I2 flows through the living body. The direct current I2 flowing through the living body facilitates the introduction of ionized components into the living body. On the other hand, when the direct current I2 flows through the living body, electric charges are accumulated in the capacitance component of the living body (the capacitance Cc in FIG. 2 is charged).

In the following description, the period during which the first switch 21 is on may be referred to as "energization period Ta". Further, the operation of the control unit 40 turning on the first switch 21 may be referred to as an "energization operation". The control unit 40 turns off the first switch 21 when the living body is not energized. In the following description, the period during which the first switch 21 is off may be referred to as "non-energized period Tb". Further, the operation in which the control unit 40 turns off the first switch 21 may be referred to as a "non-energized operation".

As shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 40 turns off the first switch 21 and turns on the second switch 31 when removing the electric charge accumulated in the living body. As a result, the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11 are short-circuited, and the electric charge accumulated in the living body is discharged. The control unit 40 turns off the first switch 21 when discharging. That is, the discharge is performed during the non-energized period Tb. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, since the second switch 31 is repeatedly turned on / off during the non-energized period Tb, the discharge is not performed in all of the non-energized period Tb (the second switch 31 is turned on). Discharge is performed only when it becomes). In the following description, the operation in which the control unit 40 turns on the second switch 31 may be referred to as a “discharge operation”.

As will be described later, in the present embodiment, when the first control signal S1 output by the control unit 40 is H level, the first switch 21 is turned on, and when the first control signal S1 is L level, the first switch is turned on. 21 turns off. That is, when the first control signal S1 is at the H level, it is the “energized period Ta”, and when the first control signal S1 is at the L level, it is the “non-energized period Tb”. However, when the first control signal S1 is at the L level, the first switch 21 may be turned on, and when the first control signal S1 is at the H level, the first switch 21 may be turned off. Further, in the present embodiment, when the second control signal S2 output by the control unit 40 is H level, the second switch 31 is turned on, and when the second control signal S2 is L level, the second switch 31 is turned off. become. However, when the second control signal S2 is at the L level, the second switch 31 may be turned on, and when the second control signal S2 is at the H level, the second switch 31 may be turned off.

<Comparative example>
First, a comparative example will be described before the present embodiment is described.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of various signals of the comparative example. On the upper side of FIG. 9, a graph showing the time change of the voltage V2 (solid line) and the current I2 (dotted line) is shown. The horizontal axis in the figure indicates time. The vertical axis in the figure indicates voltage or current. The voltage V2 is a voltage applied to the living body (voltage between electrodes of the output unit 11), and is shown by a solid line. The current I2 is a current flowing through the living body and is shown by a dotted line. Further, below the graph of the voltage V2 (solid line) and the current I2 (dotted line) in the figure, a graph showing the time change of the first control signal S1 and the second control signal S2 is shown.

In the comparative example, when the first control signal S1 is at the L level, the second control signal S2 is at the H level. That is, in the comparative example, the non-energized period Tb (the period when the first switch 21 is off) and the period when the second switch 31 is turned on (the period during which the discharge is performed) are substantially the same. In the comparative example, the state in which the second switch 31 is turned on continues during the non-energized period Tb. Further, in the comparative example, the second resistance 32 (discharge resistance) is set to 0.01Ω (nearly zero).

As shown in FIG. 9, during the energization period Ta, a direct current I2 flows through the living body, and electric charges are accumulated in the living body (the voltage V2 shown by the dotted line rises). After the energization period Ta, the first control signal S1 changes from the H level to the L level, and becomes the non-energization period Tb. When the non-energized period Tb is reached, the second control signal S2 changes from the L level to the H level, the second switch 31 is turned on, and the electric charge accumulated in the living body is discharged (the voltage V2 shown by the dotted line drops). To do).

In the comparative example, since the second switch 31 continues to be on during the non-energized period Tb, a large discharge current flows at one time during the discharge operation (in the comparative example, the peak of the current I2 (maximum absolute value). ) Is about 16.5 mA). Further, in the comparative example, since the second resistance 32 (discharge resistance) is set to 0.01Ω (nearly zero), a large discharge current flows (as the peak of the current I2 becomes large) and a sudden voltage change occurs. Occurs. Therefore, in the comparative example, there is a risk of giving a strong stimulus to the living body.

<Discharge operation of this embodiment>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of various signals of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of various signals for one cycle of the present embodiment. Since the waveform in the time zone of the first cycle is disturbed for the convenience of simulation, various signals for one cycle after the second cycle are shown in FIG.

A graph showing the time change of the voltage V2 (solid line) and the current I2 (dotted line) is shown on the upper side of each of FIGS. 4 and 5. Further, below the graph of the voltage V2 (solid line) and the current I2 (dotted line) in the figure, a graph showing the time change of the first control signal S1 and the second control signal S2 is shown.

The control unit 40 outputs the first control signal S1 whose H level and L level change in a predetermined cycle T. In the present embodiment, the period for one cycle (cycle T) is 6 ms (corresponding to a frequency of about 167 Hz), the H level period in one cycle is 4 ms, and the L level period in one cycle is 2 ms. That is, in the present embodiment, there is a 4 ms energization period Ta (a period in which the first switch 21 is on) and a 2 ms non-energization period Tb (a period in which the first switch 21 is off) in one cycle. However, the period of one cycle, the energization period Ta, and the non-energization period Tb are not limited to 6 ms, 4 ms, and 2 ms.

As shown in FIG. 4, during the energization period Ta, the first switch 21 is turned on, and a direct current I2 flows through the living body. During the energization period Ta, the first switch 21 continues to be on, so that the direct current I2 continues to flow through the living body during the energization period Ta. As a result, during the energization period Ta, electric charges are accumulated in the living body (the voltage V2 shown by the dotted line rises).

After the energization period Ta, the first control signal S1 changes from the H level to the L level, and becomes the non-energization period Tb. In the non-energized period Tb, the first switch 21 is turned off, the power supply unit 13 and the output unit 11 are cut off, and the energization of the living body is stopped.

The control unit 40 of the present embodiment outputs the discharge pulse group S21 and the discharge signal S22 to the second switch 31 during the non-energized period Tb. That is, the second control signal S2 of the present embodiment has the discharge pulse group S21 and the discharge signal S22 during the non-energized period Tb. In the following description, of the non-energized period Tb, the period during which the discharge pulse group S21 appears in the second control signal S2 may be referred to as "first period Tb1". Further, among the non-energized periods Tb, a period other than the first period Tb1 (the period after the first period Tb1) may be referred to as a "second period Tb2". The discharge signal S22 will appear in the second period Tb2.

The discharge pulse group S21 is a signal composed of a plurality of discharge pulses P. The discharge pulse P is a signal that turns on the second switch 31 for a short time (pulse width time). In other words, the discharge pulse P is a signal that short-circuits the pair of electrodes of the output unit 11 for a short time, and is a signal that discharges the electric charge accumulated in the living body for a short time. In the present embodiment, the pulse width (H level pulse width) of the discharge pulse P is 50 μs. However, the pulse width of the discharge pulse P is not limited to this. Further, in the present embodiment, the repetition period of the discharge pulse P in the discharge pulse group S21 is 100 μs (duty ratio 50%). However, the repetition period of the discharge pulse P is not limited to this, and the duty ratio of the discharge pulse P in the discharge pulse group S21 is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the discharge pulse group S21 having a plurality of discharge pulses P is output to the second switch 31, so that the second switch 31 switches on / off for a short time during the non-energized period Tb. It will be repeated many times. In the present embodiment, since the short circuit (short-time discharge) is repeated for a short time, the electric charge accumulated in the living body can be gradually discharged (the voltage V2 shown by the dotted line gradually drops). Further, in the present embodiment, each time the discharge pulse P is output to the second switch 31, the peak of the current I2 when the discharge pulse P is output to the second switch 31 gradually becomes smaller. According to the present embodiment as described above, by flowing the discharge current in a plurality of times, the stimulation can be suppressed as compared with the case where the discharge current flows at one time as in the comparative example.

Further, in the present embodiment, the discharge pulse group S21 is composed of a plurality of discharge pulses P having a constant pulse width with a predetermined period (here, 100 μs). Therefore, the configuration of the control unit 40 can be simplified (in other words, the discharge pulse group S21 can be generated by a simple program).

In this embodiment, the second resistance 32 (discharge resistance) is set to 2 kΩ, and the resistance value of the second resistance 32 is larger than that of the comparative example. This is because if the resistance value of the second resistor 32 is too small as in the comparative example, the discharge current I2 that flows when the second switch 31 is turned on by the first discharge pulse P becomes large, which is a strong stimulus to the living body. This is because there is a risk of giving. The peak of the current I2 is about 16.5 mA in the comparative example, whereas it is about 6.5 mA in the present embodiment, and the peak of the current I2 is suppressed in the present embodiment. Therefore, it is desirable that the second resistor 32 is set so that the peak of the current I2 can be gradually reduced by the plurality of discharge pulses P. In other words, it is desirable that the pulse width of the discharge pulse P and the second resistance 32 are set so that the electric charge accumulated in the living body is not completely discharged by the single discharge pulse P. As a result, in the present embodiment, as compared with the comparative example, it is possible to suppress the flow of a large discharge current and the occurrence of a sudden voltage change.

The discharge signal S22 is a signal that turns on the second switch 31 after the discharge pulse group S21 with a time width wider than the pulse width of the discharge pulse P. In the present embodiment, the period of the discharge signal S22 coincides with the second period Tb2. In other words, in the present embodiment, the state in which the second switch 31 is turned on continues for the second period Tb2 by the discharge signal S22. However, the discharge signal S22 may be a signal that turns on the second switch 31 only for a part of the second period Tb2.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the discharge signal S22 of the second control signal S2 is output to the second switch 31 during the second period Tb2, so that the second switch 31 is turned on during the second period Tb2. Continues, so the current I2 (discharge current) continues to flow in the second period Tb2. As a result, the electric charge accumulated in the living body is rapidly discharged to the second period Tb2, and the discharge is completed before the next energization period Ta is reached (the voltage V2 indicated by the dotted line drops to almost 0V).

By the way, as already described, the pulse width of the discharge pulse P and the second resistance 32 are set so that the electric charge accumulated in the living body is not completely discharged by one discharge pulse P. Therefore, if the discharge pulse P is output to the second switch 31 and discharged, the electric charge remains in the living body. As a result, immediately after the output of the plurality of discharge pulses P of the discharge pulse group S21, the electric charge remains in the living body (the voltage V2 shown by the dotted line is higher than 0 V). If the next energization period Ta is reached with the electric charge remaining in the living body, the electric charge will continue to be accumulated in the living body, which may cause discomfort or pain to the living body. Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the discharge pulse group S21 is output, the second switch 31 is turned on in the second period Tb2 by the discharge signal S22 to discharge the electric charge remaining in the living body. Since the discharge signal S22 is an H level signal having a time width wider than the pulse width of the discharge pulse P, it is possible to discharge the remaining charge by discharging with the discharge pulse P.

Since the discharge signal S22 is an H-level signal having a time width wider than the pulse width of the discharge pulse P, it is compared with the case where the electric charge remaining in the living body is discharged by the plurality of discharge pulses P. The discharge can be completed quickly. In other words, in the present embodiment, the second period Tb2 can be shortened by the discharge signal S22 having a time width wider than the pulse width of the discharge pulse P, and the non-energized period Tb (first period Tb1 and the first period Tb1 and the first). It is possible to shorten the period (the period in which Tb2 is added for two periods).

Further, since a part of the electric charge accumulated in the living body is discharged to the first period Tb1, in the stage immediately after the first period Tb1 (the stage immediately before the second period Tb2), the stage immediately before the first period Tb1 (the stage immediately before the first period Tb2). Compared to the stage immediately after the energization period Ta), the electric charge accumulated in the living body is reduced. Therefore, even if the second switch 31 is turned on in a relatively wide time width during the second period Tb2, a large discharge current as in the comparative example does not flow, and stimulation to the living body can be suppressed as compared with the comparative example. .. Therefore, it is permissible to output the discharge signal S22, which has an H level in a relatively wide time width, to the second switch 31 during the second period Tb2.

In this embodiment, as shown by the dotted lines in FIGS. 4 and 5, the voltage V2 is always 0 V or higher. That is, in the present embodiment, the voltage of opposite polarity is not applied to the living body. In the present embodiment, since the voltage of opposite polarity is not applied to the living body at the time of discharge, the peak of the discharge current can be suppressed. If a voltage of opposite polarity is applied to the living body, the ions introduced into the living body may be pulled back. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since a voltage having the opposite polarity is not applied to the living body, it is possible to efficiently introduce ions into the living body.

<Modification example>
In the above embodiment, the second control signal S2 has a discharge pulse group S21 and a discharge signal S22. As a result, in the above embodiment, the control unit 40 outputs the discharge pulse group S21 to the second switch 31 during the non-energized period Tb, and then outputs the discharge signal S22 to the second switch 31. The second switch 31 was turned on for a time width wider than the pulse width of the discharge pulse P to discharge the electric charge accumulated in the living body. However, the second control signal S2 does not have to have the discharge signal S22.

FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of the second control signal S2 of the first modification. The second control signal S2 of the first modification has no discharge signal S22 during the non-energized period Tb, and has only the discharge pulse group S21. Also in the first modification, the control unit 40 can gradually discharge the electric charge accumulated in the living body during the energization period Ta by repeatedly turning on / off the second switch 31 by the discharge pulse group S21. .. However, in the first modification, since a large number of discharge pulses P are required to complete the discharge, the time required to complete the discharge becomes long (as a result, the non-energized period Tb becomes long). The repetition cycle T of the energizing operation becomes longer).

The discharge pulse group S21 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A is composed of a plurality of discharge pulses P having a constant pulse width with a predetermined period (here, 100 μs). However, the plurality of discharge pulses P constituting the discharge pulse group S21 are not limited to the form shown in FIG.

FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of the second control signal S2 of the second modification. The discharge pulse group S21 of the second control signal S2 of the second modification is composed of a plurality of discharge pulses P whose pulse width gradually increases. As shown in FIG. 6B, the pulse width of the first discharge pulse P of the discharge pulse group S21 is set to be relatively narrow. This is because at the stage when the first discharge pulse P of the discharge pulse group S21 is output to the second switch 31, a large discharge current tends to flow because the electric charge accumulated in the living body is relatively large. That is, by making the pulse width of the first discharge pulse P of the discharge pulse group S21 relatively narrow, the period during which the discharge current flows is shortened, the period for stimulating the living body is shortened, and the load applied to the living body is reduced. I'm letting you. On the other hand, the pulse width of the discharge pulse P in the latter half of the discharge pulse group S21 is set to be relatively wide. At the stage where the discharge pulse P in the latter half is output to the second switch 31, the electric charge accumulated in the living body is relatively small, so that the load applied to the living body is small even if the discharge current flows for a long period of time. It is permissible to make the pulse width of the discharge pulse P relatively wide. Further, by setting the pulse width of the discharge pulse P in the latter half to be relatively wide, it is possible to quickly discharge the electric charge remaining in the living body. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, it is desirable that the discharge pulse group S21 is composed of a plurality of discharge pulses P whose pulse width gradually increases.

The discharge pulse group S21 of the second modification is composed of a plurality of discharge pulses P whose duty ratio gradually increases due to pulse width modulation. The discharge pulse group S21 is composed of a plurality of discharge pulses P whose duty ratio gradually increases. As a result, the frequency of stimulating the living body decreases in the first half of the discharge. Since a large discharge current tends to flow in the first half of the discharge, the load applied to the living body can be reduced by reducing the frequency of stimulating the living body. On the other hand, in the latter half of the discharge, the charge remaining in the living body can be quickly discharged by increasing the frequency of the discharge. In the latter half of the discharge, since the discharge current is not large, the load applied to the living body is small even if the frequency of discharge is increased, so that it is permissible to increase the frequency of discharge. However, the plurality of discharge pulses P for gradually increasing the duty ratio are not limited to those by pulse width modulation.

FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram of the second control signal S2 of the third modification. The discharge pulse group S21 of the second control signal S2 of the second modification is composed of a plurality of the discharge pulses P whose period is gradually shortened. In other words, in the third modification, the discharge pulse group S21 is configured so that the densities of the plurality of discharge pulses P having a constant pulse width gradually become denser. That is, in the third modification, the discharge pulse group S21 is composed of a plurality of discharge pulses P whose duty ratio gradually increases due to pulse density modulation. Also in the third modification, the discharge pulse group S21 is formed by the plurality of discharge pulses P whose duty ratio gradually increases. As a result, in the first half of the discharge in which a large discharge current tends to flow, the frequency of stimulating the living body can be reduced, and in the latter half of the discharge, the electric charge remaining in the living body can be quickly discharged.

=== Second embodiment ===
FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of the iontophoresis apparatus 1 of the second embodiment.

Also in the second embodiment, the iontophoresis device 1 includes an output unit 11, a power supply unit 13, an energization circuit 20, a discharge circuit 30, and a control unit 40. The discharge circuit 30 of the second embodiment includes a second switch 31, a second resistor 32, and a negative power supply 33. The negative power supply 33 is a power supply for promoting discharge. The positive terminal of the negative power supply 33 is connected to the side of the second electrode 11B (in contrast, the positive terminal of the power supply unit 13 is on the side of the first electrode 11A). The negative power supply 33 does not have to have the same voltage as the power supply unit 13.

Also in the second embodiment, the control unit 40 outputs the first control signal S1 and the second control signal S2 as shown in FIG. That is, also in the second embodiment, the control unit 40 causes the living body to repeatedly turn on / off the second switch 31 by the discharge pulse group S21 having a plurality of discharge pulses P during the non-energized period Tb. The accumulated charge is gradually discharged. As a result, even in the second embodiment, by flowing the discharge current in a plurality of times, the stimulation can be suppressed as compared with the case where the discharge current flows at one time as in the comparative example (however, in the first embodiment). Compared to, the peak of the discharge current becomes larger). Further, in the second embodiment, since the discharge is promoted by the negative power supply 33, the electric charge accumulated in the living body can be quickly discharged.

FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of the iontophoresis device 1 of the modified example of the second embodiment.

The discharge circuit 30 of the iontophoresis device 1 of the modified example has a second switch 31, a second resistor 32, a negative power supply 33, and a changeover switch 34. The changeover switch 34 is a switch for switching the selection / non-selection of the negative power supply 33. The changeover switch 34 will be controlled by the third control signal output from the control unit 40.

Also in the modified example, the control unit 40 outputs the first control signal S1 and the second control signal S2 as shown in FIG. Further, in the modified example, the control unit 40 deselects the negative power supply 33 in the first period Tb1 of the non-energized period Tb, and in the second period Tb2 (or the period in which the discharge signal S22 appears in the second control signal S2). The changeover switch 34 is controlled by the third control signal so as to select the negative power supply 33. That is, in the modified example, in the first period Tb1 in which the peak of the discharge current tends to be relatively large, the peak of the discharge current can be suppressed by discharging without using the negative power supply 33. On the other hand, in the second period Tb2 in which the peak of the discharge current is relatively small, the electric charge remaining in the living body can be quickly discharged by discharging using the negative power supply 33.

=== Third Embodiment ===
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the iontophoresis apparatus 1 of the third embodiment.

Also in the third embodiment, the iontophoresis device 1 includes an output unit 11, a power supply unit 13, an energization circuit 20, a discharge circuit 30, and a control unit 40. The discharge circuit 30 of the third embodiment includes a second switch 31, a second resistor 32, and a current detection unit 35. The current detection unit 35 is a detection unit that detects the discharge current flowing through the discharge circuit 30. For example, the current detection unit 35 detects the discharge current by detecting the voltage across the second resistor 32 (discharge resistance). Further, the current detection unit 35 can be configured by a converter that converts the detected discharge current into a readable voltage signal of the control unit 40.

Also in the third embodiment, the control unit 40 outputs the first control signal S1 and the second control signal S2 as shown in FIG. That is, also in the third embodiment, the control unit 40 causes the living body to repeatedly turn on / off the second switch 31 by the discharge pulse group S21 having a plurality of discharge pulses P during the non-energized period Tb. The accumulated charge is gradually discharged. As a result, even in the third embodiment, by flowing the discharge current in a plurality of times, the stimulation can be suppressed as compared with the case where the discharge current flows at one time as in the comparative example.

Further, in the third embodiment, the control unit 40 controls the first switch 21 and the second switch 31 based on the discharge current detected by the current detection unit 35. For example, when the discharge current becomes almost zero during the non-energized period Tb, the control unit 40 turns off the second switch 31 and turns on the first switch 21 to start the energizing operation. As a result, the non-energized period Tb can be shortened, and efficient iontophoresis can be realized.

In the third embodiment as well, the discharge circuit 30 may have a negative power supply 33 as in the second embodiment. In this case, the control unit 40 may prevent the voltage of opposite polarity from being applied to the living body by turning off the second switch 31 when the discharge current becomes almost zero during the non-energized period Tb. good. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ions introduced into the living body from being pulled back.

=== Others ===
The above embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes an equivalent thereof.

1 Iontophoresis device, 11 output unit,
11A 1st electrode, 11B 2nd electrode, 13 power supply,
20 Energizing circuit, 21 1st switch, 22 1st resistor,
30 discharge circuit, 31 second switch,
32 2nd resistor, 33 Negative power supply,
34 changeover switch, 35 current detector,
40 Control unit,
S1 first control signal, S2 second control signal,
S21 discharge pulse group, P discharge pulse P, S22 discharge signal,
Ta energized period, Tb non-energized period,
Tb1 1st period, Tb2 2nd period

Claims (10)

An output unit with a pair of electrodes and
An energization circuit having a first switch for controlling energization of the output unit, and an energization circuit.
A discharge circuit having a second switch that controls a short circuit between the pair of electrodes,
A control unit that controls the first switch and the second switch is provided.
The control unit
The energization period in which the first switch is turned on to output a current from the output unit to the living body and the non-energization period in which the first switch is turned off are repeated, and the energization period is repeated.
Ions characterized by gradually discharging the electric charge accumulated in the living body by repeatedly turning on / off the second switch by a discharge pulse group having a plurality of discharge pulses during the non-energized period. Introduction device. The iontophoresis apparatus according to claim 1.
The control unit outputs the discharge pulse group to the second switch during the non-energized period, and then turns on the second switch for a time width wider than the pulse width of the discharge pulse to turn on the second switch. An iontophoresis device characterized by discharging the electric charge accumulated in the pulse. The iontophoresis apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The discharge circuit is an iontophoresis device characterized by having a discharge resistance that limits a current during discharge. The iontophoresis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The discharge pulse group is an iontophoresis device characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of discharge pulses having a predetermined cycle. The iontophoresis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The discharge pulse group is an iontophoresis device characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of the discharge pulses whose duty ratio gradually increases. The iontophoresis apparatus according to claim 5.
The discharge pulse group is an iontophoresis device characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of the discharge pulses whose pulse widths gradually increase. The iontophoresis apparatus according to claim 5.
The discharge pulse group is an iontophoresis device characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of the discharge pulses whose periods are gradually shortened. The iontophoresis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The discharge circuit is an iontophoresis device characterized by having a negative power supply. The iontophoresis apparatus according to claim 8.
The discharge circuit is an iontophoresis device including a changeover switch for switching selection / non-selection of the negative power supply. The iontophoresis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The control unit is an iontophoresis device that controls at least one of the first switch and the second switch according to a discharge current.

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