Abstract:
An electrical stimulation device is provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical stimulation device for applying an electrical stimulation to the skin of a user comprises: a patch layer, which is a single patch layer and makes contact with the skin of the user when the electrical stimulation device is worn by or attached to the user; and a plurality of patch segments formed to be spaced apart from each other on the patch layer and transmitting current to the patch layer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. filed PCT/KR2015/010607 filed Oct. 7, 2015, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority to Korea Patent Application No. 10-2014-0143228 filed on Oct. 22, 2014. 
         [0002]    The disclosures of the above-listed applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein relate to an electrical stimulation device, and more particularly, relate to an electrical stimulation device for monitoring voltage or current supplied to a user if electrical stimulation is provided to the user using the electrical stimulation device. 
         [0004]    It has been known that technology for brain electrical stimulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective to increase cognitive abilities and treat mental diseases such as depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 
         [0005]    Therefore, if the technology for brain electrical stimulation is used in everyday life, brain functions may be improved. Mental disorders may be cured by continuously stimulating or suppressing connections between nerves. 
         [0006]    However, a conventional electrical stimulation device may only stimulate a head of a user based on voltage or current set for brain stimulation. It may fail to be prepared for a case where electrical stimulation progresses using voltage or current which is higher than set voltage or current since a problem is encountered in the electrical stimulation device. Therefore, if the user uses the conventional electrical stimulation device, there are fears that burns will occur on skin of the user due to unexpected high voltage or current. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the inventive concepts provide an electrical stimulation device for dividing a patch layer into a plurality of areas to control the plurality of areas. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an electrical stimulation device for preventing a burn from occurring on skin of a user due to high voltage or high current using a monitoring unit which may monitor voltage or current supplied to each of a plurality of patch segments. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an electrical stimulation device for minutely verifying a region to which high voltage or high current is supplied by measuring voltage or current supplied to a plurality of segments formed to be spaced apart from each other on a patch layer which is in contact with skin of a user. 
         [0010]    The technical problems to be solved by the present inventive concept are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood from the following description by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of an embodiment, an electrical stimulation device for providing electrical stimulation to skin of a user may include a patch layer configured to be a single patch layer and be in contact with the skin of the user if the electrical stimulation device is worn or attached to the user and a plurality of patch segments configured to be formed to be spaced apart from each other on the patch layer and transmit current to the patch layer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]    The above and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a patch layer and a plurality of patch segments included in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are drawings illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a drawing illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a drawing illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are drawings illustrating schematic configurations of electrical stimulation devices according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Hereinafter, a description will be given in detail of exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages, features, and methods of accomplishing the same will become apparent with reference to embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the inventive concept is not limited by embodiments disclosed hereinafter, and may be implemented in various forms. Rather, these embodiments are provided to so that this disclosure will be through and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the inventive concept will only be defined by the appended claims. Like reference denotations refer to like elements throughout the specification. 
         [0021]    Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the specification may have the same meaning that is generally understood by a person skilled in the art. Also, terms which are defined in a dictionary and commonly used should be interpreted as not in an idealized or overly formal detect unless expressly so defined. 
         [0022]    Terms used in the specification are used to describe embodiments of the inventive concept and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concept. In the specification, the terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless otherwise specified. The expressions “comprise” and/or “comprising” used herein indicate existence of one or more other elements other than stated elements but do not exclude presence of additional elements. 
         [0023]    Hereinafter, a description will be given of an electrical stimulation device according to embodiments of the inventive concept with reference to drawings. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a description will be given of an electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic configuration of the electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept is illustrated. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a patch layer  30  and a plurality of patch segments  40  included in  FIG. 2  are illustrated. 
         [0025]    First of all, referring to  FIG. 1 , the electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment may include a frame  10 , an electrode part  20  attached to the frame  10 , and the patch layer  30  which is in contact with skin of a user if he or she wears or attaches the electrical stimulation device. In detail, the electrode part  20  may be attached to an inner surface  10   a  of the frame  10 , and the patch layer  30  may be attached to one end of the electrode part  20 . If the user wears or attaches the electrical stimulation device to his or her head, the patch layer  30  may be in contact with his or her head. In the specification, an embodiment is exemplified as the electrical stimulation device which stimulates the head of the user. However, technique features of the inventive concept may be applied to an electrical stimulation device which simulates another body portion of the user except for the head. Further, the entire shape of the electrical stimulation device is not limited to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    Although not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , referring to  FIG. 2 , the plurality of patch segments  40  may be formed on the patch layer  30 . In detail, the patch layer  30  may include a first surface  30   a  which is in contact with skin of the user if he or she wears or attaches the electrical stimulation device and a second surface  30   b  opposite to the first surface  30   a.  The plurality of patch segments  40  may be formed on the second surface  30   b  of the patch layer  30 . 
         [0027]    The patch layer  30  may be a single thing, particularly, may be formed as a single layer. The patch layer  30  may include, for example, hydrogel and may be formed of high-resistivity material. Thus, since the patch layer  30  has high impedance, a current density of an edge portion of the patch layer  30  may be prevented from being increased due to an edge-effect. Therefore, a constant current density may be maintained in the entire region of the patch layer  30 , thus stably providing electrical stimulation using the electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0028]    In general, skip may contain dead skin cells having relatively high impedance and elements except for the dead skin cells, having relatively low impedance. Since current easily flows along the elements except for the dead skin cells, having the relatively low impedance, current may be concentrated on a constant region to flow. 
         [0029]    However, according to the electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the patch layer  30  may be formed of high-resistivity material and may have high impedance. Thus, an influence by an impedance difference between if current flows to dead skin cells via the patch layer  30  and if current flows to the elements except for the dead skin cells via the patch layer  30  may be reduced. Thus, current may be prevented from being concentrated on part of skin to flow, and a current density is evenly established in the entire region of skin which is in contact with the patch layer  30 . Thus, according to the electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, electrical stimulation may be stably provided via the patch layer  30 . 
         [0030]    Meanwhile, resistivity of material forming the patch layer  30  may be higher than that of material forming the plurality of patch segments  40 . However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. 
         [0031]    The patch layer  30  may include a chloride ion. Since the chloride ion is included in skin of the user, the skin of the user and the patch layer  30  which is in contact with the skin of the user may include a common ion. Therefore, since overpotential formed between the electrode part  20  and the skin of the user is reduced, stimulation of an unnecessary level may be prevented from being provided to the skin of the user. Thus, according to the electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, electrical stimulation may be stably provided via the patch layer  30 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the plurality of patch segments  40  may be formed to be spaced apart from each other on the patch layer  30 . There may be no limit to a shape of each of the plurality of patch segments  40  or an interval between the plurality of patch segments  40 . Since each of the plurality of patch segments  40  is electrically connected with the patch layer  30 , it may transmit current to the patch layer  30 . As described above, the plurality of patch segments  40  may be formed of low-resistivity material, thus efficiently transmitting current to the patch layer  30 . 
         [0033]    The plurality of patch segments  40  may fail to be elements which are in direct contact with skin of the user and may provide electrical stimulation to the user via the patch layer  30  by being formed on the single patch layer  30  and transmitting current to the patch layer  30 . Herein, since the plurality of patch segments  40  are formed on the patch layer  30 , each of the plurality of patch segments  40  may be controlled to obtain an effect of dividing the patch layer  30  into a plurality of portions to control the plurality of portions. 
         [0034]    Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a description will be given of an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. Herein, a description will be given of a difference with an electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept shown in  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a schematic configuration of the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept is illustrated. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept may further include a blocking and adjustment unit  50  for blocking or adjusting voltage or current supplied to each of a plurality of patch segments  40  and a controller  60  for controlling an operation of the blocking and adjustment unit  50 . 
         [0036]    The blocking and adjustment unit  50  may block or adjust voltage or current supplied to the specific patch segment  40  among the plurality of patch segments  40  based on control of the controller  60 . If necessary, the blocking and adjustment unit  50  may block or adjust voltage or current supplied to all of the plurality of patch segments  40 . Thus, the plurality of patch segments  40  may be separately controlled by the blocking and adjustment unit  50 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of the inventive concept is exemplified as the blocking and adjustment unit  50  is located between the power unit  70  and the plurality of patch segments  40 . However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, the blocking and adjustment unit  50  may be located between the plurality of patch segments  40  and the patch layer  30 . 
         [0038]    The blocking and adjustment unit  50  may include an element for blocking voltage or current, for example, a switch  51  and an element for adjusting voltage or current, for example, a variable resistor  52 . Herein, the element for blocking voltage or current is not limited to the switch  51 , and the element for adjusting voltage or current is not limited to the variable resistor  52 . In  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of the inventive concept is exemplified as the blocking and adjustment unit  50  includes both of the switch  51  and the variable resistor  52 . However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, the blocking and adjustment unit  50  may include any one of the switch  51  and the variable resistor  52 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the switch  51  may block voltage or current supplied to the patch segment  40  by being opened. The variable resistor  52  may adjust voltage or current supplied to the patch segment  40  by being changed in resistance level. 
         [0040]    The plurality of patch segment  40  may transmit current to the patch layer  30 . If voltage or current supplied to the specific patch segment  40  is blocked, a region of the patch layer  30 , which is in contact with the specific patch segment  40 , may fail to no longer receive current from the specific patch segment  40 . Further, if voltage or current supplied to the specific patch segment  40  is adjusted to be reduced, an amount of current transmitted from the specific patch segment  40  may be reduced in the region of the patch layer  30 , which is in contact with the specific patch segment  40 . 
         [0041]    Therefore, the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept may control an amount of current transmitted to a region of the patch layer  30 , which is in contact with each of the plurality of patch segments  40  by adjusting voltage or current supplied to each of the plurality of patch segments  40  using the blocking and adjustment unit  50 . In other words, the patch layer  30  may be divided into a plurality of regions to be controlled. 
         [0042]    Hereinafter, referring to  FIG. 5 , a description will be given of an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. Herein, a description will be given of a difference with an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept shown in  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , a schematic configuration of the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept is illustrated. 
         [0043]    [Voltage Monitoring] 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept may further include a monitoring unit  80  for measuring voltage or current supplied to each of the plurality of patch segments  40  and a connection selecting unit  90  for connecting the patch segment  40  to be measured to the monitoring unit  80 . Herein, in  FIG. 5 , the monitoring unit  80  may be shown as an element which may measure voltage supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40 . 
         [0045]    Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the electrical stimulation device may be implemented except a blocking and adjustment unit  50 . For convenience of description, in  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of the inventive concept is exemplified as the blocking and adjustment unit  50  is located between a plurality of patch segments  40  and a patch layer  50  contrary to  FIG. 4 . However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, the blocking and adjustment unit  50  may be located between the plurality of patch segments  40  and the power unit  70 . 
         [0046]    Meanwhile, the connection selecting unit  90  may be located between, for example, the plurality of patch segments  40  and the patch layer  30 . An operation of the connection selecting unit  90  may be controlled by a controller  60 . As a state where each of the plurality of patch segments  40  is connected with the patch layer  30  is maintained, the patch segment  40  to be measured among the plurality of patch segments  40  may be connected with the monitoring unit  80  by the connection selecting unit  90 . For example, the connection selecting unit  90  may have, but is not limited to, a configuration of a multiplexer. 
         [0047]    To measure voltage supplied to each of the plurality of patch segments  40 , one end of the monitoring unit  80  may be connected to the connection selecting unit  90 , and the other end of the monitoring unit  80  may be connected with an upper end of the plurality of patch segments  40 . Since the connection selecting unit  90  is connected with a lower end of the plurality of patch segments  40 , the monitoring unit  80  may measure voltage supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40  by connecting to upper and lower ends of the plurality of patch segments  40 . 
         [0048]    Herein, for the monitoring unit  80  to monitor all voltages supplied to the plurality of patch segments, the connection selecting unit  90  may continuously change the plurality of patch segments  40  connected with the monitoring unit  80 . For example, the controller  60  may control the connection selecting unit  90  such that each of the plurality of patch segments  40  measures voltage at a constant interval. 
         [0049]    If the monitoring unit  80  verifies that high voltage or high current is supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40 , the controller  60  may block voltage or current supplied to the plurality of patch segments for safety of a user. In this regard, a description will be given of various embodiments. Herein, the scope and spirit of the inventive concept is not limited by the exemplified embodiments. 
         [0050]    First, if voltage or current measured by the monitoring unit  80  is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage or current, the controller  60  may control the blocking and adjustment unit  50  to block voltage or current supplied to each of the plurality of patch segments  40 . In other words, if the voltage or current measured by the monitoring unit  80  is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage or current, since high voltage or high current is supplied to the plurality of patch segments and the patch layer  30 , there may be fears that a burn will occur on skin of the user, which is in contact with the patch layer  30 . Thus, the user may be protected by stopping electrical stimulation by the electrical stimulation device such that voltage or current is not supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40 . Thus, according to the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the user may stably use the electrical stimulation device without concern for burns. 
         [0051]    Second, if the voltage or current measured by the monitoring unit  80  is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage or current, the controller  60  may control the blocking and adjustment unit  50  to block or adjust voltage or current supplied to the patch segment  40  measured as the supplied voltage or current is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage or current. In other words, although high voltage or high current is supplied to some patch segments  40 , the controller  60  may block or adjust voltage or current supplied to some patch segments  40  in which a problem is encountered without blocking voltage or current supplied to all of the plurality of patch segments  40 . Therefore, efficiency may be increased in operating the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0052]    Third, if voltage or current supplied to the specific patch segment  40 , measured by the monitoring unit  80 , is greater than voltage or current supplied to the other patch segment  40 , measured by the monitoring unit  80 , by a predetermined rate or more, the controller  60  may prevent voltage or current from being supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40  or may block or adjust voltage or current supplied to the patch segment  40  to which relatively high voltage or current is supplied. 
         [0053]    In detail, if the plurality of patch segments  40  includes first and second patch segments, if voltage or current measured as being supplied to the first patch segment by the monitoring unit  80  is greater than voltage or current measured as being supplied to the second patch segment by the monitoring unit  80  by a predetermined rate or more, the controller  60  may control the blocking and adjustment unit  50  to block voltage or current supplied to each of the plurality of patch segments  40  or block or adjust voltage or current supplied to the first patch segment to which relatively high voltage or current is supplied. 
         [0054]    Lastly, if current which flows in the specific patch segment  40 , measured by the monitoring unit  80 , is greater than an average of voltages or currents supplied to the other patch segments  40 , measured by the monitoring unit  80 , by a predetermined rate or more, the controller  60  may control the blocking and adjustment unit  50  to block voltage or current supplied to each of the plurality of patch segments or block or adjust voltage or current supplied to the specific patch segment  40  to which relatively high voltage or current is supplied. 
         [0055]    Hereinafter, referring to  FIG. 6 , a description will be given of an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. Herein, a description will be given of a difference with an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept shown in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , a schematic configuration of the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept is illustrated. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept may have a difference with the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept shown in  FIG. 5  in that a blocking and adjustment unit  50  is located between a power unit  70  and a plurality of patch segments  40 . 
         [0057]    In detail, to measure voltage supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40 , one end of a monitoring unit  80  may be connected to a connection selecting unit  90 , and the other end of the monitoring unit  80  may be connected to the power unit  70 . Since the power unit  70  is connected with an upper end of the plurality of patch segments  40 , the monitoring unit  80  may measure voltage supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40  by being connected with both of upper and lower ends of the plurality of patch segments  40 . In some embodiments, the monitoring unit  80  may measure voltage supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40  by setting a level of a variable resistor  52  to “0”. 
         [0058]    Hereinafter, referring to  FIG. 7 , a description will be given of an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. Herein, a description will be given of a difference with an electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept shown in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , a schematic configuration of the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept is illustrated. 
         [0059]    [Current Monitoring] 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , elements which may allow a monitoring unit  80  to measure current supplied to the plurality of segments  40  are illustrated. 
         [0061]    In detail, as a state where each of the plurality of patch segments  40  is connected with the patch layer  30  is maintained, the patch segment  40  to be measured among the plurality of patch segments  40  may be connected with the monitoring unit  80  by a connection selecting unit  90 . Thus, the monitoring unit  80  may measure current supplied to each of the plurality of patch segments  40 . 
         [0062]    If the monitoring unit  80  verifies that high voltage or high current is supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40 , a controller  60  may block voltage or current supplied to the plurality of patch segments  40  for safety of a user. In this regard, various embodiments described in the above-mentioned voltage monitoring may be applied to the current monitoring. 
         [0063]    Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , descriptions will be given of electrical stimulation devices according to another embodiment of the inventive concept. Herein, a description will be given of a difference with an electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept shown in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , schematic configurations of the electrical stimulation devices according to another embodiment of the inventive concept are illustrated. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept may include a frame  10  and a patch layer  30  which is in contact with skin of a user if the electrical stimulation device is attached to him or her. Herein, contrary to the electrical stimulation device shown in  FIG. 1 , in the electrical stimulation device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the frame  10  may be of a band type. 
         [0065]    In detail, an electrode part  20  may be attached to an inner surface  10   a  of the frame  10 , and the patch layer  30  may be attached to one end of the electrode part  20 . If the user attaches the electrical stimulation device to his or her head, the patch layer  30  may be in contact with his or her head. Herein, in the specification, an embodiment of the inventive concept is exemplified as the electrical stimulation device which stimulates the head of the user. However, technical features of the inventive concept may be applied to an electrical stimulation device which stimulates another body portion of the user except for the head. 
         [0066]    According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, an electrical stimulation device may prevent a burn from occurring on skin of a user due to high voltage or high current by including a monitoring unit which may monitor voltage or current supplied to a patch segment. 
         [0067]    Further, the user may stably use the electrical stimulation device by stopping an operation of the electrical stimulation device if high voltage or high current is monitored by the monitoring unit. 
         [0068]    Further, the electrical stimulation device may divide a patch layer into a plurality of areas to control the plurality of areas as a plurality of patch segments are formed on the patch layer. 
         [0069]    While the inventive concept has been described with reference to embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, but illustrative.