DE102005033831B4 - Electrode of an electrostimulation device - Google Patents

Abstract

electrode (10) a device for electrical stimulation, comprising an electrical Ladder in the form of a textile surface, which consists of carbon fibers (12), wherein the textile surface (12) is arranged between two cover layers (14) and at least one Covering layer (14) for the contact with the body provided by the user, characterized in that the textile area (12) is sewn to the cover layers (14).

Description

The The present invention relates to at least one electrode of a device for electrostimulation of particular muscles of the human or animal body, wherein the electrode is disposed at a predetermined location of the body.

A Such device generates current pulses to the electrode be forwarded to specifically stimulate muscle stimulation to reach. Devices for electrostimulation of muscles are in various versions known.

The Electrostimulation is used in medical rehabilitation and as training support in the Competitive sports used in particular muscle physiology to influence and coordination and control of the muscles to improve. In the areas of rehabilitation, sports and fitness a variety of applications.

The Principle of electrical stimulation assumes that when normal conducted Movement generates a bioelectric impulse in the cerebral cortex and over the Pyramidal tracts to the spine is directed. Here, the impulse is switched to nerve fibers, which is in many branches divide and supply the muscle fibers. The pulse arriving here leads to a contraction of the muscles.

at The electrical stimulation will be from the outside, acting through the skin Current pulses used to stimulate those nerves provide one or more specific muscles. The muscle can not between a voluntary contraction triggered by the brain and an electrically induced contraction, he contracts, doing work, consuming energy etc.

The Muscle contraction is determined by the factors current strength, pulse duration and frequency of the pulses which are usually applied to the devices are adjustable for electrostimulation. The factors mentioned cause different effects in the stimulated muscle.

Low (1-10 Hz) frequencies at long pulse times have for example the Effect by single contractions detoxifying and relaxing too Act. At the same time the blood circulation in the treated Muscle improves and removes metabolic end products is supported. The Oxygenation of the muscle is improved.

in the Contrary to this medium (20-50 Hz) Frequencies due to fast consecutive contractions for a high Provide and promote muscle strain thus the muscle building.

The Electrical muscle stimulation can therefore be used to warm up the Musculature, for Muscle endurance training, to increase muscle mass and improve the muscle power, for muscle fastness training, muscle relaxation, muscle detoxification, for the regeneration by improving the blood circulation of the muscles, to improve the metabolism, for rehabilitation after injury / illness, as Pain therapy by blocking the pain impulses, lymph drainage and massage, as bodyshaping, to tighten the tissue in problem areas as well as for the treatment of cellulite. Devices for electrostimulation also find application in cosmetics.

The usual electrodes used in electrostimulation have the disadvantage that they are common cause allergic reactions. Many users experience massive skin irritations in the area of the electrodes, in particular to strong redness and strong swelling. In addition to these skin changes occur frequently also emotional disorders, especially severe itching, in the area of the electrodes.

Known are as well Electrodes that are reusable. The durability of these electrodes but is dependent limited by the skin texture to about 20-25 applications.

From the US 2004/0225343 A1 For example, an electrode of an electrostimulation device is known which comprises an electrical conductor in the form of a textile surface consisting of carbon fibers, the textile surface being arranged between two cover layers and at least one cover layer being provided for contact with the body of the user. The electrode has the disadvantage that it is unsuitable for successive use by different users, as it can only be incompletely cleaned. The use by various users, in which the electrode comes into contact with and absorbs the respective sweat of the user, is unhygienic and disgusting. Although disposable electrodes are a solution, they are far too expensive for large carbon fiber electrodes.

Further electrodes for electrostimulation are in the DE 202 19 604 U1 , of the DE 25 52 197 A1 , of the US 2005/0033397 A1 and the DE 199 18 963 A1 disclosed.

The invention is based on the object To further develop an electrode of an apparatus for electrical stimulation such that it can be brought into a hygienically perfect condition after use and is available for reuse.

According to the invention solves this problem by that the textile surface Sewn with the cover layers is.

Thereby is surprising easy way that achieves the use of the state of the art the technique usually used adhesives can be dispensed with, which in turn In particular, the washability of the electrodes is made possible. The electrodes are accordingly brought before each use in a hygienic condition.

Of the Dispensing with adhesives also has the Advantage that allergic reactions of the user to adhesives or their solvents be prevented. This is also advantageous in the production the electrodes no more harmful solvent vapors on.

carbon fibers usually have a carbon content that exceeds 80% lies. They are formed by carbonation of suitable carbonaceous Fabrics such as polyacrylonitrile or viscose. In the Carbonization becomes a complex process of molecular chains by heat treatment if possible many substances removed, leaving mostly Carbon left over remains. Carbon fibers have a heat resistance up to 4000 ° C. carbon fibers become common to reinforce Plastics used in aircraft, machinery and sports equipment.

The The present invention takes advantage of the finding that carbon fibers metal-free and yet electrically conductive. This will be the occurrence allergic reactions, as with the use of metals or metal alloys occur prevented.

It has become shown that the solution pressure in the prior art as electrical conductors in electrodes used metals or metal alloys, especially in current flow in connection with the human or animal sweat, the quasi also as acid works, that causes the electrical conductor dissolves, which then in the form of metal ions in contact with the human or animal body comes and can lead to allergic reactions.

carbon fibers on the other hand are chemically resistant and do not oxidize. They are corrosion resistant. An impairment the conductivity, as with an electrical conductor made of metal or a metal alloy is not to be feared. Thereby is advantageously ensures a long life of the electrodes.

carbon fibers also show at a very low weight a very high strength and are extremely resilient. This will also work under dynamic load a trouble-free Use of the electrode according to the invention guaranteed. Such formed electrodes are durable and advantageous reusable.

One Another advantage of the extreme load capacity of carbon fibers consists in that the electrodes are washable without affecting the To fear electrode function is. The washability of the electrode is desirable because this with the Skin and the sweat of the User comes into contact.

The electrodes according to the invention are characterized by a good electrical conductivity, a good mechanical strength, which is the burden of their Application and withstands washing, and by a high chemical Resistance, which excludes allergic reactions of the user.

Thereby, that the carbon fibers are formed as a textile surface, is a consistently lower, especially flat Resistance received. So can individual electrical impulses, especially in very low Intensity, be applied.

Advantageous let yourself such a textile surface very easy to edit and crop. This allows a variety of Electrode shapes are produced. The precise machinability guaranteed a trouble-free use.

When Particularly suitable here is the execution of the textile surface as Fabric, in particular with plain weave or twill weave, or exposed as a felt.

This allows the production of very large Electrodes that are beneficial to low the current density hold. The choice of electrode size is next to the right one Placing the electrodes on the body is a crucial and essential factor for the effectiveness of electrostimulation.

The Invention provides that the textile surface between two cover layers is arranged, wherein at least one cover layer for contact with the body provided by the user.

The cover layer for contact with the The body of the user is usually a conductive foil. This is usually formed high impedance, so it has only a low conductivity.

Of the Diameter of the film is preferably 0.1 to 1 mm, more preferably 0.5-0.7 mm.

The Combination of the cover layer with a textile surface Carbon fibers has the advantage that the current density evenly over the film area is distributed and the electricity is not just punctually or along a Line supplied is, so that a correspondingly uneven current density distribution in the film results.

Thereby, that the textile surface is sewn at least with one of the outer layers, it is achieved that to the use of the prior art usually used adhesives because of their required water resistance disadvantageous solvent-containing are, can be waived. Also, this will be allergic Responses of the user to adhesives or their solvents prevented. Advantageously, no such occur even in the production of the electrodes harmful solvent vapors more on.

Especially however, this makes the washability of the electrodes possible.

Farther it is provided that the electrode can also be used as a measuring electrode is.

The Electrode thus not only serves to transmit electrical impulses on the body the user, but can also be used to measure a nerve impulse or voltage signal used by a body site of the user become.

Farther it is provided that the electrode is a connection part made of metal includes in the manner of a ring screw, wherein for fastening the connection part on the textile surface a part of this textile surface passed through the ring is.

By such a formed connection part becomes a long durability and durability ensure the electrode, because a simple tearing of the Connecting part of the textile surface is not possible.

Preferably is the textile guided through the ring area formed as a separate strip-like piece whose ends connected to the textile surface, preferably sewn are.

Thereby the attachment of the connection part is much easier. At first, you can in a simple way, the textile surface in the desired shape and size. Only then is a separate strip-like piece of the textile surface through the Led ring of the connection part and with the other textile surface connected. Again, this is a very secure attachment.

A Development of the invention provides that the connection part at least partly from a heat wrapped shrink tubing is wrapped.

Thereby will prevent the body of the User come directly into contact with the metal of the connection part can. About that In addition, the risk of corrosion of the connection part through Contact with sweat or Reduced water.

Besides that is provided that the connection part outside with the body in Contact coming cover layer is arranged.

It has been shown to penetrate into the top layer human or animal sweat for Lead to corrosion of the connection part can. dissolved Metal ions can then again cause allergic reactions in the user.

following The invention will be explained with reference to an embodiment, the is shown in the drawing. In this shows

1 a schematic representation of the electrode according to the invention.

In the 1 represented electrode 10 a device for electrical stimulation comprises as electrical conductor a textile surface 12 in the form of a fabric of carbon fibers. The textile surface 12 is here between two cover layers 14 arranged, which are connected to each other, preferably sewn together, in the present case for the sake of representability, only the lower cover layer 14 is shown.

The textile surface 12 This is at least one of the outer layers 14 sutured. This can either be done separately or when joining the two cover layers 14 respectively. In 1 is purely schematically a corresponding seam 22 shown.

The electrode 10 also includes a connector 16 made of metal in the manner of a ring screw, wherein for fastening the connection part 16 on the textile surface 12 , a separate strip-like piece 20 a textile surface of carbon fibers through the ring 18 is guided, whose ends with the textile surface 12 connected, preferably sewn.

The connection part 16 serves to detach the electrode with the device not shown here to connect to electrostimulation.

Claims (7)

Electrode ( 10 ) an apparatus for electrical stimulation, comprising an electrical conductor in the form of a textile surface made of carbon fibers ( 12 ), the textile surface ( 12 ) between two cover layers ( 14 ) and at least one cover layer ( 14 ) is intended for contact with the body of the user, characterized in that the textile surface ( 12 ) with the cover layers ( 14 ) is sewn. Electrode ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile surface ( 12 ) is a woven fabric, in particular plain weave or twill weave, or a felt. Electrode ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the electrode ( 10 ) is usable as a measuring electrode. Electrode ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrode ( 10 ) a connection part ( 16 ) comprises metal in the manner of a ring screw, wherein for fastening the connecting part ( 16 ) on the textile surface ( 12 ), a part of this textile surface ( 12 ) through the ring ( 18 ) is guided. Electrode ( 10 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that through the ring ( 18 ) guided textile surface as a separate strip-like piece ( 20 ) is formed whose ends with the textile surface ( 12 ), preferably sewn. Electrode ( 10 ) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the connecting part ( 16 ) is at least partially covered by a contracted under heat shrink tubing. Electrode ( 10 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the connecting part ( 16 ) outside of the body-contacting cover layer ( 14 ) is arranged.