The present invention relates to a spine immobilization device that immobilizes a person's spine.
Patent Literature 1 describes a corset that is worn around the waist. The corset described in this literature has a waist belt that is wrapped around the waist, a rear substrate that is fastened to a position of the waist belt that opposes the spine, and a reinforcing plate that is fastened to the rear substrate. When this corset is worn, the reinforcing plate is pressed against the spine by the clamping force of the waist belt.
[PLT 1] JP 2009-34453A
The corset described in Patent Literature 1 is able to immobilize the spine to a certain extent, by the reinforcing plate pressed against the spine. Therefore, this corset can also be used as a spine immobilization device for immobilizing the spine.
However, despite the spine being the region that is to be immobilized in the case of using this corset as a spine immobilization device, the whole circumference of the waist is covered by the corset. A large area of the body thus being covered by the spine immobilization device is a factor that intensifies the sense of discomfort caused by wearing the spine immobilization device.
The present invention was made in view of the above problem, and has an object to provide a spine immobilization device that is able to suppress the sense of discomfort felt when worn to a low level.
A spine immobilization device according to the present invention is a spine immobilization device for immobilizing a spine of a person and includes a sheet part configured to be stuck to a body surface, and a core part configured to be fastened to the sheet part and to extend along the spine so as to laterally support the spine.
With this spine immobilization device, the spine can be immobilized by the core part that laterally supports the spine. Moreover, this spine immobilization device can be worn on the body by sticking the sheet part to the body surface. Therefore, the spine immobilization device can be worn, without being wrapped around the body. The area of the body that is covered by the spine immobilization device is thereby narrowly limited, enabling the sense of discomfort felt when the spine immobilization device is worn to be suppressed to a low level.
According to the present invention, a spine immobilization device that is able to suppress the sense of discomfort felt when worn to a low level is realized.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the description of the drawings, like elements are denoted by like reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
The sheet part 10 has a sheet-like shape and is configured to be stuck to the body surface. Specifically, the sheet part 10 is configured to be stuck to a region of the body surface near the spine (lumbar spine). Therefore, an adhesive that has adhesive power on the body surface is applied to the back surface (surface on the side facing the body surface) of the sheet part 10. Note that
The core part 20 is fastened to the back surface of the sheet part 10. In the present embodiment, the core part 20 consists of a core part 22 (first core part) and a core part 24 (second core part). These core parts 22 and 24 are fastened to a single one of the sheet part 10. This fastening can, for example, be carried out by the adhesive power of the adhesive applied to the sheet part 10. Alternatively, the core parts 22 and 24 and the sheet part 10 may be fastened using a surface fastener. The core parts 22 and 24 are preferably attachable and detachable with respect to the sheet part 10. Here, being attachable and detachable means that the core parts 22 and 24 can be attached to or removed from the sheet part 10, without damaging the spine immobilization device 1.
The core parts 22 and 24 each have a rectangular columnar shape. The core parts 22 and 24 each preferably have a thickness d1 (refer to
As shown in
The core parts 22 and 24 have greater flexural rigidity in the right-left direction of the body (right-left direction in
Here, being deformable in the front-back direction of the body means that, when the spine immobilization device 1 is worn, the core parts 22 and 24 freely deform in the front-back direction of the body along the three-dimensional shape of the body surface, as shown in
The effects of the spine immobilization device 1 will be described. The spine immobilization device 1 is able to immobilize the spine, using the core part 20 that laterally supports the spine. That is, the spine is immobilized as a result of movement of the spine in the right-left direction of the body being restricted by the core part 20. Also, the effect of correcting distortion of the spine to the right and left is also obtained.
Moreover, the spine immobilization device 1 can be worn on the body by sticking the sheet part 10 to the body surface. Therefore, the spine immobilization device 1 can be worn, without being wrapped around the body. The area of the body that is covered by the spine immobilization device 1 is thereby narrowly limited, and the sense of discomfort felt when the spine immobilization device 1 is worn can be suppressed to a low level. In actuality in the present embodiment, the spine immobilization device 1 covers only a region of the back near the spine (refer to
In contrast, in the case of a spine immobilization device that is used by being wrapped around the waist, there are problems such as trousers and skirts being difficult to put on and movement of the entire waist being inhibited, when the spine immobilization device is worn. There is also the problem of stuffiness, particularly heat being exacerbated in summer. The spine immobilization device 1 is able to solve these problems. Also, the spine immobilization device 1 is comparatively compact, and thus is also suitable for carrying. If the user carries the spine immobilization device 1 with them, the spine immobilization device 1 can be put on immediately, in cases such as where lower back pain is experienced while away from home. The spine immobilization device 1 exhibits sufficient effects on mild lower back pain.
The core part 20 consists of the two core parts 22 and 24. Since the spine is thereby supported from both sides, the immobilizing and correcting effects of the core part 20 are enhanced.
The core parts 22 and 24 are fastened to a single one of the sheet part 10. The spine immobilization device 1 can thereby be worn such that the two core parts 22 and 24 are located on both sides of the spine, simply by sticking on a single one of the sheet part 10.
The core part 22 has greater flexural rigidity in the right-left direction of the body than in the front-back direction of the body. That is, the core part 22 flexes readily in the front-back direction of the body but does not flex readily in the right-left direction of the body. Because the core part 22 laterally supports the spine as mentioned above, the core part 22 not readily flexing in the right-left direction of the body is advantageous in firmly immobilizing the spine. The case where the core part 22 is not deformable in the right-left direction of the body is particularly advantageous in firmly immobilizing the spine. On the other hand, the core part 22 readily flexes in the front-back direction of the body, and thus readily deforms along the three-dimensional shape of the body surface. This is advantageous in supporting the curved spine laterally. The case where the core part 22 is deformable in the front-back direction of the body is particularly advantageous in supporting the curved spine laterally. This similarly applies to the core part 24.
In the case where the core parts 22 and 24 are attachable and detachable with respect to the sheet part 10, the spine immobilization device 1 is economical, since the core parts 22 and 24 can be reused, even when replacing the sheet part 10 with a new one, by being reattached to the new sheet part 10. Conversely, the sheet part 10 can also be reused, when replacing the core part 22 and/or the core part 24 with a new one. It is also possible to use the spine immobilization device 1, in a state in which only one of the core part 22 and the core part 24 is removed.
The core parts 22 and 24 laterally support the spine. Therefore, supporting the spine becomes difficult when the surface of the core parts 22 and 24 that opposes the spine is too small. From this point of view, the core parts 22 and 24 preferably have a thickness of 2 mm or more. On the other hand, when the core parts 22 and 24 are too thick, the spine immobilization device 1 tends to become a hindrance when worn. From this point of view, the core parts 22 and 24 preferably have a thickness of 5 mm or less.
In the case where the sheet part 10 has elasticity, the sheet part 10 expands and contracts with movement of the body surface, and thus body movement tends not to be unnecessarily inhibited even when wearing the spine immobilization device 1. Also, in the case where the sheet part 10 has breathability, clamminess tends not to occur in portions covered with the spine immobilization device 1.
In the case where the sheet part 10 can be repeatedly stuck to the body surface, the spine immobilization device 1 is economical, since the spine immobilization device 1 can be used any number of times.
Since the spine immobilization device 1 is for immobilizing the lumbar spine, the core parts 22 and 24 are required to have a certain length. From this point of view, the core parts 22 and 24 preferably have a length of 15 cm or more. Note that the spine immobilization device 1 may be for immobilizing the thoracic spine and/or the sacral spine, in addition to the lumbar spine.
The sheet part 30 is provided separately from the sheet part 10 and the core part 20. A hole 32 is formed in the sheet part 30. The hole 32 has a size that accommodates the sheet part 10. In the present embodiment, the size and shape of the hole 32 is approximately equal to the size and shape of the sheet part 10. Accordingly, the sheet part 10 can be accommodated within the hole 32 of the sheet part 30 with hardly any gap.
As shown in
The effects of the spine immobilization device 2 will be described. The spine immobilization device 2 is able to immobilize the spine, using the core part 20 that laterally supports the spine. Moreover, the spine immobilization device 2 can be worn on the body, by sticking the sheet parts 10 and 30 to the body surface. Therefore, the spine immobilization device 2 can be worn, without being wrapped around the body. The area of the body that is covered by the spine immobilization device 2 is thereby narrowly limited, enabling the sense of discomfort felt when the spine immobilization device 2 is worn to be suppressed to a low level.
The spine immobilization device 2 is provided with the sheet part 30, and the sheet part 30 is stuck to the body surface such that the sheet part 10 is located within the hole 32. Given that the sheet parts 10 and 30 also have a taping function (i.e., function of immobilizing the region to which the sheet parts 10 and 30 are stuck), the area over which this function extends can be expanded by sticking the sheet part 30 to the body surface in addition to the sheet part 10.
The sheet part 30 is provided separately from the sheet part 10. It is thereby possible to leave the sheet part 10 as is and remove only the sheet part 30 from the body surface. Such usage is useful in the case where, for example, lower back pain improves and the area over which the taping function is desired decreases. Also, usages such as leaving the sheet part 10 and replacing the sheet part 30 with a new one or leaving the sheet part 30 and replacing the sheet part 10 with a new one are also possible. Being able to thus replace only one of the sheet parts 10 and 30 is advantageous from an economic perspective and a hygiene perspective.
The sheet part 40 consists of an inner portion 40a (first portion) and an outer portion 40b (second portion) that is a portion peripheral to the inner portion 40a. The core part 20 is fastened to the inner portion 40a. The inner portion 40a is separable from the outer portion 40b. Specifically, a cutting line 42 is formed around the boundary between the inner portion 40a and the outer portion 40b. The cutting line 42 is a perforation, for example. The inner portion 40a and the outer portion 40b can be separated from each other, by sectioning the sheet part 40 along this cutting line 42. The remaining configuration of the sheet part 40 is similar to the configuration of the sheet part 10 described in the first embodiment.
The effects of the spine immobilization device 3 will be described. The spine immobilization device 3 is able to immobilize the spine, using the core part 20 that laterally supports the spine. Moreover, the spine immobilization device 3 can be worn on the body, by sticking the sheet part 40 to the body surface. Therefore, the spine immobilization device 3 can be worn, without being wrapped around the body. The area of the body that is covered by the spine immobilization device 3 is thereby narrowly limited, enabling the sense of discomfort felt when the spine, immobilization device 3 is worn to be suppressed to a low level.
The sheet part 40 consists of the inner portion 40a and the outer portion 40b that are separable from each other, it is thereby possible to leave the inner portion 40a as is, and remove only the outer portion 40b from the body surface. Also, usages such as leaving the inner portion 40a and replacing the outer portion 40b with a new one or leaving the outer portion 40b and replacing the inner portion 40a with a new one are also possible. Being able to thus replace only one of the inner portion 40a and the outer portion 40b is advantageous from an economic perspective and a hygiene perspective.
The sheet part 50 has a sheet-like shape and is configured to be stuck to the body surface. Specifically, the sheet part 50 is configured to be stuck to a region of the body surface near the spine (cervical spine). The sheet part 50 is configured to be stuck to the body surface so as to cover the spine. An opening 52 is formed in a portion of the region of the sheet part 50 that covers the spine. The sheet part 50 has, for example, a width (length of the right-left direction in
The core part 60 is fastened to the back surface of the sheet part 50. In the present embodiment, the core part 60 consists of a core part 62 (first core part) and a core part 64 (second core part). The core parts 62 and 64 each have a rectangular columnar shape. The core parts 62 and 64 each have a width d4 from 1 cm to 3 cm inclusive, for example. Also, the core parts 62 and 64 each preferably have a length of 5 cm or more. These core parts 62 and 64 extend parallel at a fixed interval d5. The interval d5 is from 1 cm to 3 cm inclusive, for example. The remaining configuration of the core parts 62 and 64 is similar to the configuration of the core parts 22 and 24 described in the first embodiment.
The effects of the spine in mobilization device 4 will be described. The spine immobilization device 4 is able to immobilize the spine, using the core part 60 that laterally supports the spine. Moreover, the spine immobilization device 4 can be worn on the body, by sticking the sheet part 50 to the body surface. Therefore, the spine immobilization device 4 can be worn, without being wrapped around the body. The area of the body that is covered by the spine immobilization device 4 is thereby narrowly limited, enabling the sense of discomfort felt when the spine immobilization device 4 is worn to be suppressed to a low level.
The opening 52 is formed in the sheet part 50. Given that the spine immobilization device 4 is for immobilizing the cervical spine, a comparatively large spinous process (spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebrae) exists in the cervical spine. When a portion of this spinous process is covered by the sheet part 50, movement of the neck will be inhibited to a large degree. In this respect, it is possible to stick the sheet part 50 to the body surface while avoiding this portion, as a result of the opening 52 being provided. That is, the sheet part 50 need only be stuck to the body surface such that this portion is located within the opening 52.
The spine immobilization device according to the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and various variations can be made. In the foregoing embodiments, examples were shown in which two core parts are provided on one sheet part. However, as shown in
In the foregoing embodiments, examples were shown in which two core parts are provided. However, a configuration may be adopted in which only one core part is provided.
In the foregoing embodiments, core parts having a rectangular cross-section (refer to
In the foregoing embodiments, core parts that consist of one rod-like member were illustrated. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the core part consists of a plurality of unit parts, as shown in
This structure enables the core part 80 to be folded up, thus improving the convenience with which the spine immobilization device can be stored and carried. Also, since the adjacent unit parts 82 lock when the angle formed thereby becomes greater than or equal to a certain value, the state in which the core part 80 extends along the spine can be maintained when the spine immobilization device is worn.
In the above embodiments, the core part may have shape memory with regard to the front-back direction of the body. In this case, the core part need only be formed using a shape memory material. A shape memory resin, a shape memory alloy, a shape memory nonwoven fabric, or shape memory paper, for example, is given as this material. In the case where the core part thus has shape memory, adhesion of the core part and hence the spine immobilization device to the body surface can be enhanced, by causing the core part to remember the shape along the three-dimensional shape of the body surface.
In the above embodiments, the sheet part may contain a compress solution. In this case, a spine immobilization device that also has a function as a compress is realized. Also, the sheet part may have a function of cooling or warming the body surface. For example, a cooling function can be given to the sheet part, by providing a hydrous gel layer on the back surface of the sheet part. That is, the body surface can be cooled by the evaporation latent heat of the moisture that is contained in the hydrous gel layer.
Alternatively, a warming function can be given to the sheet part, by configuring the sheet part with a dual structure consisting of a front sheet and a back sheet, and providing a heating part between the front sheet and the back sheet. The heating part consists of a heating element containing an oxidizable metal, active carbon and water, for example. The oxidizable metal is a metal that generates oxidation reaction heat. Iron, aluminum, zinc, manganese, magnesium or calcium, for example, can be used as the oxidizable metal.
1 spine immobilization device
2 spine immobilization device
3 spine immobilization device
4 spine immobilization device
10 sheet part
20 core part
22 core part (first core part)
24 core part (second core part)
30 sheet part (large sheet)
32 hole
40 sheet part
40
a inner portion (first portion)
40
b outer portion (second portion)
42 cutting line
50 sheet part
52 opening
60 core part
62 core part (first core part)
64 core part (second core part)
70 core part
72 side surface of groove
74 bottom surface of groove
80 core part
82 unit part
90 spine
This is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2014/073158 filed Sep. 3, 2014. The contents of this application are hereby incorporated, by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/JP2014/073158 | Sep 2014 | US |
Child | 15402841 | US |