JPS6282963A - Heating and cooling medical treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a hot and cold treatment device that can periodically perform hot and cold treatments using a single treatment tool.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, so-called physical therapy devices have been used to treat pain, etc. in affected areas by heating or cooling acupuncture points on the human body, or meridians dotted with many acupuncture points, to stimulate sensory nerves. There are various structures.

When using these existing physical therapy devices,
The user arbitrarily determines the stimulation temperature and stimulation time based on his/her own perception, and repeatedly applies heat and cold to the affected area to treat the affected area.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention The above-mentioned conventional physical therapy devices (warm and cold therapy devices) include a temperature control means for keeping the temperature of the probe constant and optimal stimulation temperature for the affected area, and an optimal stimulation time. There is no timer control means for controlling this.

Therefore, when performing treatment, the user has to judge the stimulation temperature and stimulation time based on his or her own perception, resulting in disadvantages such as burns or frostbite on the affected area.

In addition, conventional hot and cold treatment devices are all dedicated types for hot and cold therapy, and are not single treatment devices that function for both hot and cold purposes. Therefore, when performing a treatment that promotes blood circulation by repeating hot and cold therapy alternately, it is necessary to prepare two treatment tools and exchange them each time, which has been a major obstacle during treatment.

This invention solves the above-mentioned problems of conventional treatments, performs hot and cold therapy at an optimal cycle using a single treatment device, and performs treatment at optimal stimulation temperature and stimulation time. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a hot and cold treatment device that can perform hot and cold treatment.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve this object, the hot and cold treatment device of the present invention has the following configuration.

The hot/cold treatment device consists of a thermionic element that heats and cools the hot/cold probe, a sensor that measures the surface temperature of the hot/cold probe, and a current flowing to the thermionic element that controls the current flowing to the thermionic element according to the temperature information of this sensor. It is composed of a thermal control section that adjusts the temperature of the cold probe to an optimum temperature, and a periodic control section that converts the polarity of the thermionic element and alternately heats and cools the hot/cold globe at regular intervals.

(E) Function In the hot/cold treatment device having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, when the thermionic element heats the hot/cold probe during treatment, the affected area that comes into contact with the hot/cold probe is heated. On the other hand, at the same time as the heating of the thermionic element starts, a periodic control timer is activated to measure the stimulation time of the thermal treatment.The heating temperature of the hot/cold probe is constantly measured by a sensor, and this measured temperature information is The thermal control section controls the thermionic element accordingly,
The temperature of the hot/cold probe is maintained within the optimal temperature range (45 degrees), and stimulation is applied for a predetermined time (T1 hour).

Then, when the heat treatment time has timed out, the period control section converts the polarity of the thermionic element and shifts to cold treatment. At this time, the heat control unit similarly adjusts the cooling temperature to the optimum temperature range (
5 degrees), and the stimulation is applied for a predetermined period of time (72 hours) using a timer.

Furthermore, when the cold treatment is completed, the treatment shifts to heat treatment again. In this way, heat and cold treatments are automatically repeated at the optimum temperature and for the optimum time on the affected area at regular intervals.

(F) Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a specific embodiment of the hot and cold treatment apparatus according to the present invention.

The hot/cold treatment device has a cylindrical case body 1 with a tapered tip and air intake/exhaust holes 11 opened at appropriate locations on the peripheral wall.A hot/cold probe 2 is disposed at the tapered tip of the case body 1, includes a thermionic element 3, a thermal control section 41, and a periodic control section 42, which are connected to the hot/cold probe 2.
(central processing unit) 4 and a motor-directly connected fan 5 for heat dissipation.

As the thermionic element 3, a so-called Peltier element that produces a Peltier effect is used in the embodiment. This element 3 is the second
As shown in the exploded view in the figure, dissimilar metal plates 31 and 31 are made inseparable through countless columnar chips 32, and heat is generated or absorbed depending on the direction of current flow. . This element 3 is sandwiched between a coupling block 6 and a heat radiation block 7.

The coupling block 6 and the heat dissipation block 7 have similar structures, and both have a rectangular parallelepiped bearing part 62.72 protruding within the plane of a rectangular flat electric heating board 61.71, and this bearing is inserted into the part. Including 663.73 is drilled.

In this coupling block 6, the bearing portion 62 is connected to the main body 1.
The receiver, which has a U-shaped cross section, is fixed to the main body 1 via a tool 12 while facing toward the tip side (the side where the probe 2 is disposed). Further, the heat dissipation block 7 is fixed to the main body 1 via the bearing 12 with the bearing portion 72 facing toward the rear side of the main body 1 (the side where the fan 5 is disposed).

The thermionic element 3 interposed between the coupling block 6 and the heat dissipation block 7 is, for example, connected to each electric heating board 61, 71.
It is fixed between both substrates 61 and 71 by fastening screw holes 64 and 74 provided in the substrates with bolts.

The hot/cold probe 2 is formed into a hemispherical shape using a material with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, and has a pivot foot 21 protruding from the flat back surface, and this pivot foot 21 is inserted into the shaft of the coupling block 6. A hemispherical probe main body is inserted into the hole 63 and fixed so as to protrude from the main body 1, and a temperature sensor 9 is fitted into a recessed portion on the back surface of the probe main body.

Furthermore, in the shaft insertion hole 73 of the heat dissipation block 7,
One end of a tubular heat converter 8 is inserted and fixed, and a plurality of substantially disc-shaped heat sinks 81 are inserted through the heat converter 8. The heat converter 8 is fixed by a support 13 connected to the inner wall of the main body 1.

The CPU 4 is electrically connected to a power switch 14, a thermionic element 3, a fan 5, and a sensor 9, respectively,
A lead wire 15 of the power switch 14 is drawn out from the main body 1.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the hot and cold treatment device according to the present invention.

The CPU 4 includes a heat control section 41 and a cycle control section 42, and executes temperature control to maintain the temperature of the hot/cold probe 2 at an optimal temperature, and repeatedly executes heat and cold treatment at a constant cycle. , and the stimulation time is optimally controlled.

The thermal control unit 41 controls the current flowing to the thermionic element 3 according to temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 9 provided in the hot/cold probe 2, and maintains the temperature of the hot/cold probe 2 at an optimum state.

Further, the period control unit 42 measures the hot/cold stimulation time using a timer, changes the polarity of the thermionic element 3 according to the time-up, and alternately switches between hot and cold therapy. When the polarity is further changed and cold therapy is started to cool the probe 2, the fan drive unit 51 is driven to dissipate the heat generated by the heat radiation block 7 and heat converter 8 connected to the thermionic element 3. Rotate 5.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of this thermal treatment device.

When the power switch 14 is turned on, the heat therapy time (for example, T1 is 10 seconds) and the cold therapy time (for example, T2 is 5 seconds) are set.
seconds), maximum temperature during hyperthermia (e.g. t.

is 45 degrees Celsius), the lowest temperature during cooling (for example, t2 is 5 degrees Celsius), and the polarity of the thermionic element 3 is set to positive (probe heating) (step 1, hereinafter referred to as ST).

In Sr2, it is determined whether the polarity of the thermionic element 3 is positive or not. Since this polarity is now set to positive during the initialization of the STI, this determination becomes "YES", and current is immediately applied to the thermionic element 3 to enter thermotherapy, and the probe 2 is heated.

At the same time, a timer that measures the stimulation time of thermotherapy starts (Sr3). Then, in Sr1, it is determined whether or not the set thermotherapy time T1 has timed out. now,
Since the timer has just been started and 10 seconds have not yet elapsed, this determination is "YES", and in the next step Sr5, the temperature sensor 9 provided in the probe 2 measures the temperature of the probe and inputs the temperature information to the CPU 4. And with Sr6,
It is determined whether this temperature t is higher than t, and if it is lower, the determination becomes "No" and current is further passed through the thermionic element 3 to continue heating.

However, if this measured temperature t is higher than t, this determination becomes "YES", and the current to the thermionic element 3 is controlled by the thermal control section 41 so as not to heat the thermionic element 3 above this temperature. controlled by. Here, the probe 2 maintains an almost constant optimum temperature range (45 degrees or less) during thermotherapy.

In this way, the heat therapy continued, and now the time for heat therapy was
Assuming that the time has elapsed (10 seconds have elapsed), the determination of Sr1 becomes "YES", and the period control unit 42 switches the polarity of the thermionic element 3 to negative, the hyperthermia ends, and at the same time transitions to cold therapy ( S'T8).

At the same time, the period control section 42 drives the fan motor 51 to rotate the heat dissipation fan 5.

Then, at the same time as the probe 2 is cooled, a timer count of the cooling time is started (STIO), and it is determined at 5TII whether or not the set cooling time has elapsed. If this time has not yet elapsed, this determination is "No" and the temperature of the probe 2 is measured (ST12), and then this measured temperature is set as the lowest temperature t2 of the cold therapy. It is determined whether the temperature is below (5 degrees), and if it is below, the probe 2 is further cooled, and if it is above, the current to the thermionic element 3 is controlled by 5T14, and the probe 2 is not cooled any further. controlled as follows.

During this time, one end of the thermionic element 3 (on the heat radiation block 7 side) generates heat, making the main body 1 high in temperature, but this heat is transferred to the heat converter 8.
The air in the main body 1 is cooled while being conducted through the fan 5.
Safety during use is ensured by dissipating heat through rotation.

And when the cold therapy time (5 seconds) timed up,
5TII becomes "YES", the polarity of the thermionic element 3 is switched to positive by the period control section 42, the cold therapy is completed, and at the same time, the fan drive motor 51 is turned off.

In this way, heat therapy and cold therapy are similarly repeatedly performed alternately at regular intervals.

(g) Effects of the invention As described above, in this invention, a thermionic element that exhibits both heat generation and heat absorption by polarity conversion is used in a single treatment device, and the temperature of the probe is optimized by the heat control section. In addition to maintaining the stimulation temperature within the stimulation temperature range, the polarity of the thermionic element was changed by the period control section to alternately perform hyperthermia and cold therapy at regular intervals.

According to this invention, heat treatment and cold treatment can be performed repeatedly and alternately with a single treatment device, eliminating the disadvantages of conventional treatment devices such as the need for two treatment devices for hot and cold treatment. It was done.

Moreover, in this invention, since the temperature of the probe is maintained within the optimal stimulation range by the heat control section, during treatment,
There is no risk of the user accidentally getting burns or frostbite.

In addition, in this invention, since the stimulation time of cold therapy and heat therapy is controlled by the cycle control section, the heat and cold therapy with the highest effectiveness can be performed at an appropriate cycle, etc.
It has an excellent effect of achieving the purpose of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a partially cut away state of the hot and cold treatment device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the interior of the treatment device, and FIG. 3 is a treatment device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the device, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating temperature changes of the probe showing a state in which hot and cold therapy is repeated, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the treatment device. 1: Device case body, 2 Nib rope, 3: Thermionic element, 9: Temperature sensor 41: Thermal control section, 42
:Cyclic control section. Patent applicant Tateishi Electric Co., Ltd. Agent
Patent Attorney Shigeru Nakamura Shindai 3=

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A thermionic element that heats and cools the hot/cold probe, a sensor that measures the surface temperature of the hot/cold probe, and a current flowing to the thermionic element that controls the current flowing to the hot/cold probe according to the temperature information of this sensor. A hot/cold treatment device comprising: a thermal control section that adjusts the temperature to an optimum temperature; and a periodic control section that converts the polarity of the thermionic element and alternately heats and cools the hot/cold probe at a constant cycle. (2) The hot and cold treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermionic element uses a Peltier element. (3) The thermal/cold treatment according to claim 1, wherein the period control unit drives a fan for heat dissipation when cooling the thermal/cold probe by converting the polarity of the thermionic element. Device.