Implementing an Ear Massage Device by Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

• Main Authors: Min-Syuan Liou, 劉旻璇
• Other Authors: Chia-Chang Tong
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/m7an7u

碩士 === 建國科技大學 === 電機工程系暨研究所 === 106 === The purpose of this thesis is aimed to redesign a low frequency massager, which apply this technique on auricular. The auriculars are at the end of vascular circulation fully covered with peripheral blood vessels. According to traditional Chinese medicine therapy and acupuncture practice, auricular massage can promote lymph as well as blood circulation. In the commercial market, the low-frequency massages make use of the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) or neuromuscular electrical stimulator (NMES). These electrical stimulators use different ranges of frequency with high voltage, monophasic pulse but tiny current for treatment, often causing tingling sensation. These off-the-shelf low-frequency massagers use electrode pads to conduct electrical stimulations. These types of design are not suitable for auricular massage application. For the purpose of auricular massage, a new transcutaneous electrical massager is proposed. This device is redesigned with low voltage and tiny current, using symmetrical biphasic wave, to avoid tingling sensation. In this design, modulated wave (symmetrical polyphasic burst) with the frequency of 2500 Hz is used to effectively reduce dermal impedance and achieve deep penetration massage. Also, user friendly interface allows user to choose from different operating frequency or multi-mode composite electrical stimulation methods. In addition, earrings style of electrodes is specially designed to replace pads for auricular massage application. In order to confirm the effectiveness of auricular massager device, infrared thermograph is used to validate. Results confirm that this unique auricular massage can really promote body's blood circulation, especially peripheral vascular circulation.