RU2738164C1 - Electric power energy control method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to medical equipment, in particular to methods for electric pulse exposure on a living body using SCENAR devices and similar, using to generate stimuli inductive power accumulator, and can be used for therapeutic, rehabilitation, preventive purposes, as well as in performing studies associated with studying the effect of electric stimulation on a living organism. Generation of stimuli includes a pumping stage and a stage of free oscillations in the circuit formed by inductance of the energy accumulator and impedance of interelectrode tissues. After contact with the skin is detected, a test series of stimuli with increasing energy is formed and the variation of Q of the above contour is evaluated. High intensity of the electric field in skin causes nonlinear effects in it, which increase as the energy of exposure increases, leading to an effect similar to electrical breakdown, which leads to a sharp decrease in Q-factor. If such a drop is detected during the test stimulus series, the energy increase is terminated, the achieved level is recorded and the further exposure is carried out at that level. To reduce the effect of mechanical factors, the testing stimulus series is formed with delay of 0.1-1.0 s after skin contact is detected, and in order to reduce the effect of electrochemical processes in the skin, the frequency of the stimuli in the testing series is selected within range of 30 to 350 Hz.

EFFECT: invention enables to establish a comfortable and safe level of electric impact.

11 cl, 23 dwg, 2 tbl

Description

Technology area

The invention relates to physiotherapy, in particular, to methods of electrical impulse impact on a living organism (hereinafter - electrical impact), and specifically to SCENAR therapy or other methods of electrical impact, in which an inductive energy storage is used to generate stimuli, and can be used for therapeutic, rehabilitation, prophylactic purposes, as well as when performing research related to the study of the effect of electrical stimulation on a living organism.

Prior art

There is a known method of electrical action on the tissue of a biological object with stimuli supplied through electrodes, revealing the response of tissues to stimuli and controlling the width and amplitude of stimuli depending on the detected response of the tissues of a biological object (see international application for invention WO0209809A1, A61N1 / 36, publ. 07.02.2002 ).

In this method of electrical impulse exposure, depending on the response of tissues, the width (duration) and amplitude of stimuli are controlled. The formation of stimuli without the use of an inductive energy storage device excludes the parametric dependence of their form on the actual state of the tissues of a biological object, which, together with the use of a predetermined form of stimuli, limits the possibilities of revealing the reaction of tissues.

The closest to the claimed one is the well-known SCENAR-therapy method adopted as a prototype, including the effect on the tissues of a biological object with stimuli formed using an inductive energy storage device and supplied to these tissues through electrodes, excitation due to the aforementioned effect of electrical oscillations in the tissues of a biological object between the electrodes and adaptive control of the duration of stimuli in accordance with the body's response to electrical impact with the exclusion of pain in the patient during SCENAR therapy (see patent RU 2355443, A61N1 / 36, publ. 20.05.2009).

In this method of SCENAR-therapy, the tissues of a biological object are exposed to single stimuli and the duration (or frequency and duration) of stimuli is controlled. The adaptation, stated in the description of the last invention, is reduced to providing the comfort of the impact by adjusting the duration of stimuli (in fact, the energy of the impact) according to a certain database, depending on the frequency or damping of free oscillations. One of the variants of the method involves the use of three different databases: the first is used for pediatrics, the second - for patients over 18 years old, and the third - for emergency treatment.

Since the use of SCENAR-type devices provides, in contrast to traditional methods of physiotherapy, multiple successive rearrangements of the electrodes, the task of setting the optimal energy level each time is very important.

A positive feature of the prototype is also the use of the dynamics (changes) of the parameters of free oscillations of stimuli to generate a signal about the end of exposure.

However, for the adaptation of the impact energy, the estimation of parameter changes is not used. From the description it follows that the databases store "optimal" values of the energy of the impact of single stimuli for several values of the "parameter characterizing the frequency of electrical oscillations of the electrostimulating signal." "Adaptation", in fact, comes down to a step-by-step increase in the energy of stimuli until the "optimal" value is reached, recorded in the corresponding database. That is, no individual characteristics, neither subjective nor objective, are taken into account for adaptation.

In addition, from the formula and the description of the method, it follows that the "adjustment" of the energy is provided during the exposure procedure. At the same time, for objective reasons, disclosed below, "the parameters characterizing the frequency of electrical oscillations of the electrostimulating signal", and specifically - the frequency, attenuation and amplitude of free oscillations, change multiple in a relatively short period of time. Obviously, the "optimal" energy will also change. However, as long-term practice shows, subjective sensations from exposure to one place with constant energy change insignificantly. That is, the idea of energy adaptation during the procedure does not find experimental confirmation.

Thus, the method proposed in the prototype has significant disadvantages. They are interrelated and caused by a relatively rapid change in the vibration parameters immediately after the installation of the electrodes.

It is impossible to determine the "optimal" level based on the parameters of the first stimulus, since these parameters not only change rapidly at the beginning of exposure, but also depend on the energy level. That is why the prototype method provides for an incremental (step-by-step) increase in energy. And from this follows the second drawback: with a slow change in energy, the influence of electrochemical processes under the electrode increases, which greatly depreciates the value of the mentioned "databases".

That is, the method of the prototype does not provide control of the optimal energy level due to the fact that the level is fixed with a significant spread of time after the installation of the electrode and the "optimality" of the energy level is assessed under substantially different conditions.

The essence of the invention

The problem to be solved by the claimed invention is to create a method for controlling the energy of stimuli in accordance with objective criteria. In addition, in order to minimize the influence of electrochemical processes on the choice of the optimal energy, this choice should be made rather quickly, but after establishing reliable contact of the electrodes with the skin.

The technical result when using the proposed method is to increase the comfort and safety of electrical impact, as well as to expand its functionality, especially for non-communicative patients, when it is impossible to set the impact energy according to subjective sensations - patients in an unconscious state, young children, etc. ...

The technical result is achieved by the fact that in the method of electric impact, including the formation of stimuli in two stages using an inductive energy storage device, the supply of stimuli to the tissues of a biological object through the electrodes, excitation due to the specified effect of electrical oscillations in the circuit formed by the inductance of the energy storage device and the impedance of these tissues, control of the energy of electric impact depending on the reaction of these tissues, the installation of electrodes on the tissues of a biological object is carried out with a minimum energy of stimuli, immediately after contact is detected with these tissues, a test series of stimuli with increasing energy is formed, the change in the quality factor of the specified circuit is estimated with an increase in the energy of the said stimuli, and detecting a drop in the specified quality factor, the increase in stimulus energy is stopped.

One of the variants of the method provides for the delivery of stimuli with a minimum energy for 0.1-1 s after the contact is detected, and the formation of a testing series of stimuli with increasing energy after a specified time interval.

The method provides that the repetition rate of the stimuli of the test series is from 30 to 350 Hz.

The quality factor of the circuit is estimated by the ratio of the amplitudes of one polarity of two oscillations, or by the ratio of the positive and negative amplitudes of one oscillation.

Also, the quality factor of the circuit can be estimated by the number of oscillations.

If it is necessary to adjust the stimulus energy, the method provides for the repeated formation of a testing series of stimuli with increasing energy, assessing the change in quality factor with increasing stimulus energy, and stopping the increase in stimulus energy when a decrease in the quality factor is detected.

As an inductive energy storage device, both the inductor itself and a transformer or autotransformer can be used.

Another variant of the method involves the use of dry electrodes.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention is illustrated by drawings, which depict:

- in Fig. 1 - functional diagram of the SCENAR device output stage and the electrical equivalent of biological object tissues;

- in Fig. 2 is a generalized view of the change in resistance and capacitance of the electric double layer;

- in Fig. 3 - oscillogram of a real stimulus;

- in Fig. 4 - oscillogram of the stimulus before placing the electrodes on the biological object;

- in Fig. 5 ÷ 7 - oscillograms of stimuli immediately after placing the electrodes on the biological object, 5 and 30 s after installation, respectively;

- in Fig. 8-10 oscillograms of stimuli of the SCENAR-1-NT apparatus at the equivalent of the impedance of tissues of a biological object at minimum, average and maximum stimulus energies, respectively;

- in Fig. 11-22 oscillograms of the stimuli of the SCENAR-1-NT apparatus on the tissues of a real biological object (skin) for a testing series of stimuli with energy increasing with a step of 5 units from 1 to 55.

- in Fig. 23 - oscillogram of a stimulus with a single oscillation.

Implementation of the invention

The functional diagram (Fig. 1) of an electrostimulator with an inductive energy storage device (SCENAR device and any similar device) includes an inductive energy storage device L (1) with an internal active resistance r _i (2), connected to a power source 3 through a switch 4 and to electrodes 5 and 6, which are installed on the tissue of a biological object. The electrical equivalent of tissues is represented by an RC-chain 7, which includes parallel-connected resistance R _p (8) and capacitance C (9) of the double layer and the resistance r _s (10) of the underlying tissues connected in series with them [Dorgan, SJ, & Reilly, RB (1999 ). A model for human skin impedance during surface functional neuromuscular stimulation. IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering, 7 (3), 341-348], [Keller, T., & Kuhn, A. (2008). Electrodes for transcutaneous (surface) electrical stimulation. Journal of Automatic Control, 18 (2), 35-45.].

The two-stage formation of stimuli using an inductive accumulator occurs as follows.

In the initial position, key 4 is open.

When the key 4 is closed, the voltage from the power source 3 is supplied to the inductive storage device 1 with active resistance 2, which causes a linearly growing current to flow and accumulate electromagnetic energy. This is the first stage 8 of stimulus formation, during which there is an accumulation, "pumping" of energy into the inductive storage 1, hence the name of the first stage of the stimulus - "pumping".

At this stage, parallel to the tissues of the biological object 7, an inductive storage unit 1 with an active resistance 2 is connected, as well as a power supply 3 connected in series with switch 4. Since the internal resistance of the power supply 3 and switch 4 (units or fractions of ohms, these resistances are not shown in the diagram ) is significantly less than the tissue impedance of the biological object 7, the shape of the stimulus during the first stage is practically independent of the tissue impedance.

After reaching a predetermined value of the accumulated energy, the inductive storage 1 is disconnected from the power source 3, opening the key 4. The second stage 12 of the stimulus formation begins - free oscillations, during which the energy accumulated by the inductive storage 1 through electrodes 5 and 6 is transferred to the tissues of the biological object 7 and excites free electrical oscillations in the oscillatory circuit formed by the inductance of the storage device 1 and the impedance of the tissues of the biological object 7. Now a small internal resistance 2 of the inductive storage device 1 is connected in series with the impedance of the tissues of the biological object 7, therefore the oscillation shape is determined by the impedance of the tissues of the biological object 7 and the inductance of the storage one.

This method of excitation of oscillations is known as "shock excitation", and the specified circuit is known as "shock excitation circuit". The specific design of the inductive storage - in the form of an inductor, a transformer or an autotransformer - is unimportant. Only the ability of the element connected to the electrodes to accumulate electromagnetic energy is important.

The described stages follow each other during the entire SCENAR-therapy procedure.

FIG. 3 shows an oscillogram of a real stimulus and denoted: 11 - the first stage of the stimulus (pumping); 12 - the second stage of the stimulus (free oscillations); 13 - positive amplitude of the first oscillation of the second stage of the stimulus (hereinafter - the amplitude of the stimulus); 14 - negative amplitude of the first oscillation; 15 - positive amplitude of the second vibration.

When carrying out procedures, the impact energy, as a rule, is established by subjective sensations [Bogolyubov V.M. Ponomarenko G.N "General physiotherapy" (1997 St. Petersburg), pp. 104-105]. There are the following exposure levels:

- subthreshold (impact is not felt at all);

- threshold (the impact is barely perceptible);

- comfortable (tingling sensation, vibration, pulsation);

- subcomfortable (already unpleasant, but still quite bearable);

- painful (intolerant sensations).

Appropriate levels are used for different clinical cases. So, in the treatment of chronic diseases, the effect is usually at a comfortable level or lower. And to relieve pain syndromes, higher levels of exposure are used.

However, there are many cases when the setting of the impact energy according to subjective sensations is impossible, for example, when treating patients in an unconscious state, with communication difficulties (post-stroke patients) or when treating young children. In such cases, it is necessary to set the impact energy according to objective criteria.

The method proposed in the prototype does not actually solve the problem, since in addition to the obvious dependence of sensations on humidity, thickness and "roughness" of the skin, there are also differences in individual sensitivity. That is, patients with approximately the same condition of the skin may have multiple differences in sensitivity to exposure.

In addition, due to the influence of electrochemical processes occurring at the metal-skin boundaries, it is important to quickly determine the energy level after the installation of the electrodes.

In the proposed method, as an objective criterion, a change in the quality factor of the contour, including the tissues of a biological object, with increasing energy is used.

For a pulsed current, the impedance of the tissues of a biological object is determined by the impedance of the electric double layer (resistance R _p (8) and capacitance C (9) of the double layer), and the resistance r _s (10) of the underlying tissues. In this case, the resistance R _p (8) and the capacitance C (9) change significantly during the formation of the double layer, and immediately after the installation of the electrodes on the tissue - also quite quickly. A generalized view of the change in R _p (8) and C (9) is shown in Fig. 2 [Methods of clinical neurophysiology. Ed. V.B. Grechina. L. Science. 1977, p. 7-8]. FIG. 2, the formation time of the double layer capacity is denoted by t1.

Since immediately after the installation of the electrodes on the tissue, rather rapid changes in the indicated parameters of the electric double layer occur (Fig. 2), the setting of the optimal energy should be made as soon as possible after the contact is detected.

Changes in the form and parameters of stimuli are shown in Fig. 4 ÷ 7 showing stimuli:

- in Fig. 4 - before installing the electrodes on the biological object;

- in Fig. 5 - immediately after the installation of the electrodes on the biological object;

- in Fig. 6 - 5 s after installation;

- in Fig. 7 - 30 seconds after installation.

As mentioned above, the most significant changes occur in the first seconds after the installation of the electrodes:

- Amplitude of stimuli

за первые 5 секунд упала с 228 до 90 В (более чем в 2,5 раза),

in the first 5 seconds fell from 228 to 90 V (more than 2.5 times),

за следующие 25 с - с 90 до 46 В (в 2 раза),

for the next 25 s - from 90 to 46 V (2 times),

а всего - в 5 раз;

and in total - 5 times;

- The duration of the first half-wave of the first swing

за первые 5 секунд возросла с 12 до 27 мкс (более чем в 2 раза),

in the first 5 seconds increased from 12 to 27 μs (more than 2 times),

за следующие 25 с - с 27 до 60 мкс (в 2 раза),

for the next 25 s - from 27 to 60 μs (2 times),

всего - в 5 раз;

total - 5 times;

- The number of half-wave oscillations

за первые 5 секунд уменьшилось с 16 до 4 (в 4 раза),

in the first 5 seconds decreased from 16 to 4 (4 times),

за следующие 25 с - практически не изменилось,

over the next 25 s - practically did not change,

всего - в 4 раза.

in total - 4 times.

On the other hand, if the electrodes are installed and pressed against the tissues not fast enough, it may turn out that at the first moment after the contact is detected, the electrodes are still not completely adherent to the skin and the contact area is small or the pressure is insufficient. Such localization of exposure can lead to pain and an underestimation of optimal energy. Therefore, it is advisable to introduce some delay between the detection of contact and the formation of a testing series of stimuli with increasing energy. During this delay, to check (confirm) the contact of the electrodes with the tissues of the biological object, stimuli with minimal energy are continued to be supplied. Long-term practice of using the algorithm for reliable contact detection has shown that the best results are obtained with a delay between the first detection and a reliable clamp in the range of 0.25-0.5 s. Taking into account the individual characteristics and skills of the operator, this range can be expanded to 0.1-1 s.

When the apparatus operates on a linear load (equivalent to the impedance of the tissues of a biological object), a change in the stimulus energy leads to a proportional change in the amplitude of free oscillations. This is so as long as the load parameters (resistance and capacitance) do not change due to the influence of the acting stimuli. In other words, as long as the impedance remains linear.

FIG. 8 ÷ 10 represent the oscillograms of the stimuli of the SCENAR-1-NT apparatus at the equivalent of the impedance of the tissues of a biological object at the minimum, average and maximum stimulus energies. The amplitude of the first positive oscillation is measured by the oscilloscope automatically (the result - Vmax - is marked on the measurement results panel, and the arrow indicates the measured object), the amplitude of the second is measured along the screen grid. The measurement results are indicated near the first and second amplitudes, respectively. In addition, in the upper right part of the oscillograms, the number of oscillation half-waves measured by the SCENAR-1-NT apparatus is shown. The results are summarized in Table 1.

The results, on the whole, are trivial and predictable: when the amplitude of the oscillations changes by almost 20 times, the ratio of the amplitudes of the first and second oscillations remains unchanged. The increase in the number of oscillation half-waves measured by the SCENAR-1-NT apparatus is explained by the finite sensitivity of the apparatus: at low amplitudes, not all oscillations are recorded.

When exposed to the tissues of a real biological object, the characteristics of the oscillations significantly differ from the linear load.

Indeed, at rather high amplitudes of stimuli, phenomena appear that are essentially close to electrical breakdown. Due to the significant difference in electrical conductivity of skin layers [Orjan G. Martinsen - Bioimpedance and Bioelectricity Basics (2008, Academic Press), pp. 110-112], most of the voltage is applied to fairly thin low-impedance layers, the total thickness of which is 75-150 microns (for the skin of palms and feet - 400-600 microns) ["Private histology of man" Bykov V.L. Sotis, St. Petersburg, 1999, pp. 56-57], therefore, even with relatively small amplitudes of stimuli (30-50 V), the electric field strength in these layers of the skin reaches

«Handbook of Electroporation» 2017 Springer Nature стр. 667-668)] и электропермеабилизация [Damijan Miklavcic at all «Handbook of Electroporation» (2017 Springer Nature), стр. 1170].which leads to non-linear effects at the tissue level. In addition, nonlinear effects occur at the level of cell membranes - the so-called reversible electroporation [Damijan

"Handbook of Electroporation" 2017 Springer Nature pp. 667-668)] and electropermeabilization [Damijan Miklavcic at all "Handbook of Electroporation" (2017 Springer Nature), p. 1170].

FIG. 11 ÷ 22 show oscillograms of the stimuli of the SCENAR-1-NT apparatus on the tissues of a real biological object (skin) for a testing series of stimuli with energy increasing with a step of 5 units from 1 to 55 (out of a total of 250). As before, the oscillograms show the values of the positive amplitudes of the first and second free oscillations, as well as the number of half-wave oscillations measured by the SCENAR-1-NT apparatus. The results are summarized in Table 2.

The ratio of the amplitudes of the first and second oscillations grows from the very beginning, however, up to an energy of 20 conventional units. the amplitude of the second oscillation also increases. Then, at energies of 20 ÷ 30 conventional units, the amplitude of the second vibration does not change, and after 35 conventional units. begins to fall, that is, there is no longer a relative, but an absolute drop in amplitude.

Starting with energy 25 conventional units. the measured number of half-waves also decreases.

Subjective sensations from the impact in this case are as follows:

- up to energy 20 ÷ 25 conventional units the impact is not felt,

- up to energy 45 ÷ 50 conventional units the effect is comfortable,

- starting from energy 50 ÷ 55 conventional units sensations are subcomfortable (that is, already unpleasant, but quite bearable).

The appearance of sensations corresponds to the energy at which the growth of the amplitude of the second vibration stops and the number of vibrations begins to decrease.

Discomfort occurs when the amplitude of the second vibration decreases in relation to its maximum amplitude, recorded with an increase in energy by a third or more, and the number of vibrations becomes less than with minimum energy.

Experiments carried out on more than 10 healthy people of different ages of both sexes, in general, confirmed the indicated dependence, despite the significant individual variation in sensitivity (in terms of energy - more than three times).

Both a decrease in the amplitude and a decrease in the number of oscillations are caused by a decrease in the quality factor of the oscillating circuit, which includes the tissues of a biological object.

The impulses in the test series followed with a frequency of 90 Hz, so the duration of a series of 12 stimuli was

The fact that this time interval is rather short in relation to the duration of the formation of the double layer is evidenced by the practically unchanged oscillation period of the first and last stimuli of the series. Indeed, the maximum of the second oscillation in the first stimulus (with the minimum energy, Fig. 11) is slightly less than 50 μs from the beginning of the second phase, and in the 12th stimulus (with an energy of 55, Fig. 22) - by 55 μs, then there is a period of fluctuations changed by about 10%.

The number of stimuli in the test series for the full range of energy (250 conventional units) and the installation step of 5 conventional units will be 50, and the duration of the testing series of stimuli in this case is 0.56 s. During this time, the parameters of the double layer will change quite significantly, which can affect the adequacy of energy control. Therefore, if high energy values are expected (areas with thick or too dry skin), a higher frequency should be used. The SCENAR device allows the use of frequencies up to 350 Hz, which reduces the duration of the test series by almost four times. This ensures a decrease in the influence of electrochemical processes under the electrode on the control of the energy of electric impact.

Further increase in frequency is impossible, since the duration of the second stage of stimuli (free oscillations) can reach 2.2-2.3 ms, which, taking into account the maximum duration of the first stage (pumping) of 0.5 ms, gives the limiting repetition period 2.7-2.8 ms and, frequency, respectively, 350-370 Hz.

The minimum frequency of SCENAR devices is 15, and in some versions - 0.6 Hz. The duration of the test series in these cases can reach 3 or even 80 s. This test duration is completely unacceptable, as is clear from FIG. 5 and 6, where within 5 s after the installation of the electrodes on the skin, the vibration parameters change 2-4 times. Therefore, to control the energy at low repetition rates, the test series of stimuli should be applied with an increased frequency. The duration of the series should not exceed 0.3-0.5 s, which for the full energy range gives a minimum frequency of 100 Hz, and for the most frequently used energy range 50 conventional units. - 30 Hz.

In some cases, the stimuli contain few oscillations (1-2) and it is impossible to measure the positive amplitude of the second oscillation, as well as the change in the number of oscillations. An oscillogram of a real stimulus with a single oscillation is shown in Fig. 19. For such stimuli, it is impossible to assess the quality factor either by the change in the number of phases or by the ratio of the positive amplitudes of the first and second oscillations. In this case, the ratio of the positive (13) and negative (14) amplitudes of the first vibration is used.

Sometimes during the procedure, areas with increased sensitivity are identified, or the sensitivity increases during exposure. In this case, the testing series of stimuli with increasing energy is started again and the energy is re-established according to the above algorithm. You can also trigger the formation of a test series of stimuli and control energy periodically.

As an inductive energy storage device, both the inductor itself and a transformer or autotransformer can be used. The first option is the simplest to implement, but it may not always provide the necessary flexibility with respect to the requirements for the power supply and for the parameters of stimuli. The use of an autotransformer allows you to select the parameters of the main winding depending on the power source, and the additional winding allows, independently of the main one, to control the parameters of stimuli (amplitude and period of oscillations). The transformer also provides galvanic isolation of the patient circuits from the supply circuits.

Most traditional methods of electrophysiology use wetted electrodes in one way or another to increase the electrical conductivity of the skin. The proposed method is applicable under these conditions, although with humidification, the amplitude of the acting stimuli decreases and nonlinear effects are smoothed out.

The proposed method is most effective in relation to stimulants with dry electrodes.

The claimed method is carried out as follows. The parameters of the impact are set (the number of stimuli in the burst, the delay between them, the repetition rate of the bursts of stimuli, modulation, etc.). Set the limit for the energy level. (For example, for work on the face, with children, for thin skin or for people with increased sensitivity to electrical effects, this level is in the range of 30-50 conventional units. For work on the back, soles of the feet, for getting out of a shock state - 150-250 units) The device calculates the repetition rate of stimuli in the testing series so that the duration of the series does not exceed 0.3-0.5 s.

Initially, the apparatus generates stimuli with minimal energy. The electrodes are applied to the skin in the affected area. Immediately after detecting contact with the skin, a testing series of stimuli with increasing energy and with a calculated repetition rate is formed. In this case, the change in the quality factor of the oscillations is assessed (by the change in the amplitudes of the oscillations or their number) and the increase in energy is stopped depending on the therapeutic task. For a comfortable level of exposure - as soon as the increase in the amplitude of the second oscillation stops or the number of oscillations begins to decrease. If a subcomfortable level is needed - as soon as the number of oscillations becomes less than at the minimum energy, or the amplitude of the second oscillation decreases by more than a third in relation to its maximum recorded with an increase in energy. After that, the device sets the preset parameters of the impact and the impact on the zone is carried out for the prescribed time.

When moving to a new zone (when replacing the electrode), depending on the methodological recommendations on the level of exposure, the energy can be re-installed, or the exposure is carried out with an already established level.

If necessary, the re-installation of the energy is carried out without removing the electrode from the skin, again starting the formation of the testing series of stimuli with increasing energy.

The device can form a testing series of stimuli with a delay of 0.1-1.0 seconds after detecting contact with the skin. Then, during the specified time interval, the apparatus continues to deliver stimuli with minimal energy, which ensures control of the contact of the electrodes with the skin.

These calculations can be performed by a microcontroller that provides the formation of stimuli, control and display of their parameters. Measurements of the amplitude of oscillations and their number can also be performed by this microcontroller using either on-chip periphery or using an additional analog-to-digital converter with a speed of more than 1 μs per measurement.

Industrial applicability

The proposed invention can be used to objectively control the energy level for various stimulants using a two-stage stimulus generation using an inductive energy storage device. The method eliminates the time spent on manually setting the energy level. The greatest effect from the application of the proposed method is achieved by setting the optimal level of exposure energy for non-communicative patients.

Claims (11)

1. A method for controlling the energy of electrical impact, including the formation of stimuli in two stages using an inductive energy storage device, the supply of these stimuli to the tissues of a biological object through the electrodes, excitation due to the specified effect of electrical oscillations in the circuit formed by the inductance of the indicated inductive energy storage device and the impedance of these tissues, control of the energy of electric impact depending on the reaction of these tissues, characterized in that the installation of electrodes on the tissue of a biological object is performed with a minimum energy of stimuli, immediately after contact with the said tissues is detected, a test series of stimuli with increasing energy is formed, the change in the quality factor of the specified circuit is assessed with increasing energy of the mentioned stimuli and when a drop in the specified quality factor is detected, the increase in stimulus energy is stopped. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that within 0.1-1 s after the contact is detected, the stimuli with the minimum energy are continued, and the testing series of stimuli with increasing energy is formed after the specified time interval. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the test series of stimuli with increasing energy is formed with a repetition rate from 30 to 350 Hz. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the quality factor of the circuit is estimated by the ratio of the amplitudes of one polarity of the two oscillations. 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the quality factor of the circuit is estimated by the ratio of the positive and negative amplitudes of one vibration. 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the quality factor of the circuit is estimated by the number of oscillations. 7. The method according to claim. 1, characterized in that during the procedure of electric exposure, a test series of stimuli with increasing energy is re-formed, the Q-factor change is assessed with an increase in the energy of said stimuli, and when a drop in said Q-factor is detected, the increase in the stimulus energy is stopped. 8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that an inductance coil is used as an inductive energy storage device. 9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a transformer is used as an inductive energy storage device. 10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that an autotransformer is used as an inductive energy storage device. 11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that dry electrodes are used.

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