JPH09253144A - Function recovery training device, and drive unit thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a safe and compact function recovery training device for a foot or hand which can be applied to complicated move of a human body, and a drive unit for that. SOLUTION: In a function recovery training device 1 for a foot, an air bag 3 is disposed to get in contact with a joint part of a foot. The air bag 3 is fixed on an ankle by a support band 4, and a loop of a tension band 5 is fixed on its upper surface to be would around the sole between the toes and the heel. As the air bag 3 is inflated, the tension band 5 pulls the foot as stretched to bent the joint part, while by contraction of the air bag 3, pulling force is eliminated, and withering muscles can be forcedly elongated/contracted by repeating above actions.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is capable of expanding and contracting the muscles of a foot or hand for a certain period of time by a patient having a functional disorder in his foot or hand due to an accident or the like, a chronic bedridden patient such as a bedridden elderly person, or by surgery. The present invention relates to a function recovery training tool and a drive device for the function recovery training tool, which are effective when applied to a patient who did not have it.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In patients who cannot walk or have difficulty walking, such as the above patients, the muscles of the legs may atrophy and joints such as the ankles may become difficult to bend. It may be difficult to move the wrist, palm, and fingers while bending inward. Such a condition is commonly called "contracture". In order to prevent or treat such a contracture state, it is necessary to perform a function recovery exercise for forcibly expanding and contracting the bending muscles of the joints of the foot or hand.

[0003] In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, training equipment for rehabilitating the function of the legs is already commercially available. Such an apparatus uses a gear motor as a driving source, and a leg supporting part made of a metal is placed 30 m above the floor.
It reciprocates horizontally at a height of cm50 cm higher, and places the lower part from the knee on top of it to bend or extend the legs (hip and knee joints) with the hip as the fulcrum. However, no device has been developed to extend the feet, ie the ankles and toes, or to spread the soles.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional device, the hand function recovery training tool similarly fixes a device having a gear motor as a drive source to a wrist, and a metal actuating rod is projected from the device, and the tip thereof is fixed. It fixes the fingertip and moves it in a piston motion to forcibly extend the bent finger.

[0005]

In the above-described leg or hand function recovery training tool, since the part that applies force to the human body is made of metal, a part of the human body is sandwiched by the metal driving parts, which may cause an injury. There is a danger of doing it. In addition, this kind of device needs a certain degree of freedom so that it can be changed according to the complicated movement of the joint, but in the above structure the movement is mechanical and monotonous, so it is difficult to adapt to the movement of the legs or hands. There is. Further, the hand function recovery training tool has a problem that it interferes with the training because it is composed of a combination of a gear motor and a metal component and is fixed to the wrist.
In addition, this device adds considerable weight to the hand,
It is a heavy burden for the debilitated patient and causes fatigue and discomfort unrelated to the patient's training.

The present invention solves such a problem.
The present invention provides a safe, lightweight and compact function recovery training tool and its drive device, which have a degree of freedom of deformation according to complicated movements of a foot or a hand.

[0007]

The present invention (Claim 1) includes:
It comprises an airbag arranged at a joint part of a human body, and a fixing member for fixing the airbag to the human body and applying an inflation deformation force of the airbag to the joint part as a joint bending force. In this configuration, when the airbag is inflated, a bending force is applied to the joint via the fixing member to extend or bend the joint, and when the airbag is contracted, the joint returns to its original state.

According to the present invention (claim 2), the airbag comprises an airbag arranged at the ankle portion on the instep side of the foot, and the fixing member is in a loop shape supported on the knee side of the ankle joint of the foot. A band of which a part is connected to the airbag and fixes the airbag at the ankle position; and a loop shape which is supported between the finger and the heel and is rotated to the sole of the foot. The part is composed of a tension band supported on the upper surface of the airbag, the air bag is supplied to and exhausted from the air bag to expand or contract, and the tension band is pulled.
Alternatively, the joint of the ankle is forcibly bent by loosening it. Usually, a foot in a contracted state has its toes extended forward due to atrophy of the muscles on the calf side (called a pointed foot). When air is supplied to the airbag and inflated in such a pointed state, the connecting band pulls the sole between the toes and the heel toward the body side, and the ankle is bent and the atrophied muscle is stretched. When the airbag contracts due to exhaustion, the stretched muscle contracts again and assumes the state of equinus. By inflating and deflating the airbag, the ankle is repeatedly bent and stretched to forcibly expand and contract the muscle to treat or prevent contracture symptoms.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 3), the airbag comprises an airbag which is inflated into a substantially spherical shape by air supply, and the fixing member secures the airbag to the palm at the wrist portion. And a hand fixing band for fixing the palm or fingers formed on the spherical surface of the airbag, inflating or contracting by supplying and exhausting the air to and from the airbag, and inflating the palm by the inflation of the airbag. It is the one that gives the hand the power to extend and extend the finger. With such a structure, when the airbag is inflated, its spherical surface is in close contact with the palm and fingers and tries to push it apart, so that the wrist and fingers are stretched accordingly.
The palms can be opened.

The present invention (claim 4) is a drive device for two function recovery training tools each having the above-mentioned airbag, wherein an air pump and air discharged from the air pump are recovered by the two function recovery. The training apparatus comprises an air switching section for alternately supplying and discharging to and from an airbag of a training tool, a drive source for driving the air switching section, and a control section for controlling driving of the air pump and the driving source. With such a configuration, the air discharged from the air pump is alternately supplied to and discharged from the air bag of the function recovery training tool attached to the left and right feet or hands through the air switching unit, and the flexion and extension movements of the joints of the foot or wrist are left and right. Alternated.

According to the present invention (claim 5), a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the air discharged from the air pump,
A pressure adjusting switch for adjusting the pressure of the air discharged from the air pump, wherein the control unit controls the discharge air pressure of the air pump by the signals from the pressure adjusting switch and the pressure sensor. is there. With such a configuration, the bending force by the fixing member is adjusted so that an appropriate extension force corresponding to the recovery of the function of the contracted muscle is obtained.

The present invention (claim 6) further comprises a cycle adjusting switch for adjusting the on / off cycle of the airbag.
The control unit controls the drive speed of the motor by a signal from the cycle adjustment switch. With such a configuration, an appropriate expansion / contraction cycle is set that corresponds to the recovery of the function of the atrophied muscle.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a training device for functional recovery of a foot, and a support member 2 and an airbag 3, which are made of elastic cloth mixed with rubber fibers or the like. Support band 4 for supporting and fixing airbag 3 to support member 2
And a tension band 5 that applies a tensile force to the sole of the foot. The support member 2 covers from the lower knee of the leg 6 to the vicinity of the finger,
It adheres to the skin with elasticity and is worn on the foot when used. The airbag 3 is made of a two-stage airbag having a substantially rectangular plane and connected to each other, and a flexible sheet having a nylon woven fabric as a core material and coated on both sides with a thermoplastic polyurethane resin can be used. Such a sheet has excellent confidentiality and strength, and is suitable as a material for this type of airbag. Such a sheet is cut into an appropriate size, and its periphery is bonded by high frequency welding to form an airbag. Reference numeral 7 denotes an air hose for supplying and exhausting air to and from the airbag 3.

Reference numeral 8 denotes three support band passing portions provided on the left and right sides and the center of the calf portion of the support member 2, through which a loop-shaped support band 4 is passed, and a part of the support band 4 is provided.
It is sewn and fixed to the upper end of the body side of the body. Reference numeral 9 denotes an intermediate position between the finger and the heel of the support member 2, particularly three tension band passing portions provided on the left and right of the position between the arch and the finger and the center of the sole side, through which the loop-shaped tension band 5 is passed, A part of it is sewn and fixed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the airbag 3. In the above structure, the support band 4 and the tension band 5 are respectively passed through the band passing members and fixed to the support member 2, but these bands may be fixed to the support member 2 by sewing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when a patient puts the support member 2 on his / her foot in a state in which the airbag 3 is contracted, the airbag 3 is on the ankle of the foot (acupuncture foot) in a contracted state. Located in. As shown in FIG. 3, when air is supplied to the airbag 3 and the airbag 3 is inflated, the portion of the tension band 5 where the airbag 3 is fixed is lifted, and as a result, the tension band 5 pulls the sole of the foot and a bending force is applied to the ankle joint. . This forces the joints to flex and extend the atrophied muscle. Thus, the inflation and deflation of the airbag 3 are repeated at an appropriate cycle, and the muscle is forcibly expanded and contracted to treat or prevent contracture.

FIG. 4 shows a modified example of the support member 2 in which the upper surface of the support member 2 is separated and the planar fastener 10 is attached to one of the separated portions. In this case, if the supporting member 2 is made of a quilted cloth, the planar fastener 10 can be bonded to the surface thereof. The support member 2 and the support member 2 according to the modified example described above are provided to make it easy for the patient or the caregiver to wear the function recovery training tool 1 on their feet. However, functional recovery training is possible. In this case, the support band 8 and the tension band 5 are only fixed to the airbag 3, and these bands come into direct contact with the patient's foot.

FIG. 5 shows a driving device 11 of the foot function recovery training tool 1 having the above structure, 12 is an air pump, 13 is an air switching portion into which air from the air pump 12 is introduced, and 14 is an air pump 12 and an air switching portion. A muffler interposed between the silencers 13 eliminates the air discharge sound of the air pump 12 and makes the pulsation of the air gentle. The air pump 12, the muffler 14, and the air switching unit 13 are connected by an air hose 15. Reference numeral 16 is a motor that serves as a drive source of the air switching unit 13, and 17 is a rotary cam driven by the motor 16. The cam 17 controls the air switching of the air switching unit 13. By driving the cam 17, the air is alternately discharged from the two air nozzles 13a and 13b of the air switching unit 13. 7a and 7b are air nozzles 13a and 13
The air hoses 3a and 3b connected to b are the airbags of the function recovery training device 1 described above, and two air hoses are prepared corresponding to the right and left feet. Although the motor 16 is used as the drive source of the air switching unit 13 in the above example, the air switching unit 13 may be driven by a combination of electromagnetic solenoids instead of the motor 16.

Reference numeral 18 is a control section for controlling the drive of the air pump 12 and the motor 16, 19 is a limit switch for detecting the rotational speed of the rotary cam 17, 20 is a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the air sent to the air switching section 13, Reference numeral 21 is a pressure adjusting switch for adjusting the pressure of the air discharged from the air pump 12, 22 is a cycle adjusting switch for adjusting the on / off cycle of the airbags 3a and 3b, that is, the rotational speed of the motor 16, and 23 is a power switch. As the pressure adjusting switch 21 and the cycle adjusting switch 22, both dial type switches using potentiometers are used. Detection signals of the limit switch 19 and the pressure sensor 20,
The signals from the pressure adjustment switch 21 and the cycle adjustment switch 22 are input to the control unit 18.

The pressure adjusting switch 21 variably adjusts the air pressure inside the airbags 3a and 3b in accordance with the severity of the contracture of the patient. If the air pressure is set to a large value, the tension band 5 (see FIG. 3 to 3), the tensile force generated becomes strong, and conversely, if the air pressure is set small, the tensile force generated becomes weak. The air pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 20, and when the detection signal reaches the value set by the pressure adjusting switch 21, the air supply to the airbag 3a or 3b is stopped.

The cycle adjustment switch 22 similarly inflates the airbags 3a and 3b in accordance with the severity of contraction of the patient.
The deflation cycle is variably adjusted, and the airbags 3a and 3b are inflated and contracted alternately in a cycle of about 2 to 15 minutes. This adjustment is performed by intermittently driving the motor 16, and this intermittent driving is controlled by a timer function built in the control unit 18.

FIG. 6 shows the waveforms of the inflation and deflation operations of the airbags 3a and 3b and the drive waveforms of the motor 16 and the air pump 12. When the power switch 23 is turned on, the air pump 12 and the motor 16 start driving. When the cam 17 is rotated by driving the motor 16, the limit switch 19 is turned off at a predetermined position, the motor 16 is stopped, and at the same time, the air supply to the airbag 3a is started. When the air pressure reaches a preset value p, this value is detected by the pressure sensor 20, the motor 16 is driven, the air supply to the airbag 3a is stopped, and this air supply state is maintained. When the cam 17 rotates by a predetermined angle, the limit switch 19 is turned on, the motor 16 is stopped, and at the same time, the air in the airbag 3a is rapidly exhausted. After that, the motor 16 turns the cycle adjustment switch 2
Stop for the time determined in 2. During this period, the airbags 3a and 3b are both in a contracted state.

After a lapse of a predetermined time, the motor 16 starts driving,
Limit switch 19 when cam 17 rotates by a predetermined angle
Is turned off, the motor 16 is stopped, and at the same time, air supply to the airbag 3b is started. When the air pressure reaches the set value p, it is detected by the pressure sensor 20 and the motor 16 is driven to stop the air supply. Thereafter, the air pressure in the airbag 3b is maintained. When the cam 17 is rotated by a predetermined angle by driving the motor 16, the limit switch 19 is turned on to stop the motor 16 and at the same time, the air in the airbag 3b is exhausted. After a lapse of a time determined by the cycle adjustment switch 22, the motor 16 starts driving, and when the limit switch 19 is turned off, the air supply to the airbag 3a is started and the second inflation is started. Thus the airbag 3
a, 3b alternately expand and contract alternately at a predetermined cycle.

7 and 8 show a hand function recovery training tool 24, and 25 is an airbag having a surface 26 that expands into a substantially spherical shape, which is similar to the constituent material of the airbag 3 (FIG. 1) described above. A flexible sheet is used. Two such circular sheets are stacked and the peripheral portion is adhered by high frequency welding to form an airbag 25 having a sealed structure. ,
Reference numeral 27 denotes a finger fixing band formed on the surface 26 of the airbag 25, which includes a finger fixing band 27a for fixing the thumb and a finger fixing band 27b for fixing the other four fingers. Two
Reference numeral 8 denotes a wrist band which is wrapped around the wrist and fixed by the planar fastener 29, and which fixes the airbag 25 together with the finger fixing band 27 to the hand. 30 is an airbag 25
It is an air hose that supplies and discharges air.

As shown in FIG. 9, the function recovery training tool 24 having the above-described structure is fixed to the hand 31 with the finger fixing band 27 and the wrist band 28 in the contracted state, and then the airbag 2
The air is supplied to the vehicle 5 through the air hose 30. As a result, the surface 26 of the airbag 25 expands into a spherical shape to extend the wrist and finger joints and to expand the palm. The normal function recovery training tool 24 is fixed to the left and right hands and operated alternately. The drive device 11 (FIG. 5) described above can be applied to the drive device for the two function recovery training tools 24.

[0025]

【Example】

(Airbags for foot functional recovery training equipment) Two airbags, each of which has a length of 20 cm and a width of 20 cm, are stacked and four sides are welded, the center is welded, and a hole is opened in the welded part of the center to form two airbags. The airbag 3 was constructed by communicating with each other. When air having a pressure of 0.05 to 0.25 kg / cm ² was enclosed in the airbag 3, the ankle of a patient in a contracted state could be bent with an appropriate force. Further, the airbags 3a and 3b are attached to the left and right feet, respectively, and when inflation and deflation are repeated every 5 minutes (inflation 1 minute, deflation 4 minutes), training can be performed without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. did it. The air pressure and the inflation and deflation cycles are set in accordance with the severity of contracture symptoms of the patient.

(Airbag in Hand Function Recovery Training Tool) Sheets having a diameter of 20 cm were overlapped and the periphery was welded to form an airbag 25. There is no pressure on this airbag 25.
When air of 05 to 0.20 kg / cm ² is filled, the air bag 25
The diameter was about 16 to 17 cm, and the thickness was 6 to 7 cm. With such pressure, the wrist and finger joints could be bent with an appropriate force, and the palm could be opened.

[0027]

According to the present invention (Claim 1), since the flexion force can be applied to the joint of the foot or hand by the inflation and contraction of the airbag, the flexion force can be forcibly bent. The contracted muscle can be expanded and contracted, and the contracted symptoms can be prevented and treated.

Further, according to the present invention (Claim 1), since the airbag which gives the joint bending force to the foot or hand is soft and easily deformed even when inflated, it is possible to perform complicated movement of the joint of the foot or hand. It is possible to deal with it without giving excessive force to the human body and causing little pain or discomfort to the patient.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 1), since a metal component is not required in a portion in contact with the human body, there is no danger of being injured by being sandwiched between mechanical components, and the conventional mechanical structure can be realized. It is safe compared to the device. Further, since the airbag is lightweight, it does not hinder the function recovery training, and the fatigue of the patient can be reduced.

According to the present invention (Claim 2), air is supplied to and discharged from the airbag arranged at the ankle portion on the instep side of the foot to inflate and deflate the airbag so that the tension band can be used for a pointed condition. It is possible to pull the leg at the position, bend the ankle joint, and expand and contract the contracted muscle, and treat and prevent the contracted foot.

According to the present invention (Claim 3), air is supplied to and exhausted from the air bag in contact with the palm of the hand, and the air bag is inflated and contracted to extend the wrist and finger joints.
Moreover, the palm can be expanded to forcibly expand and contract the muscle, and the hand with contracture symptoms can be treated and prevented.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 4), the function recovery training tool attached to the left and right feet or hands is alternately supplied and exhausted from the air pump through the air switching portion, so that one driving device is provided. You can perform function recovery training for both feet at the same time. In addition, since this drive device is configured separately from the function recovery training tool and is not directly attached to the human body, unnecessary weight is not applied to the human body and the function recovery training of the patient is facilitated. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention (Claim 5), since the pressure adjusting switch for adjusting the pressure of the air supplied to the airbag and the pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the air are provided, the inflation and deformation force of the airbag, that is, The joint bending force by the fixing member can be set according to the contracture symptom of the patient,
Function recovery training can be performed efficiently without causing pain or discomfort to the patient.

Further, according to the present invention (Claim 6), since the cycle adjusting switch for adjusting the cycle of inflation and contraction of the airbag is provided, the cycle is set in consideration of the lightness and physical strength of the patient's symptoms. Therefore, the function recovery training can be efficiently performed without giving fatigue to the patient.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a use state (an airbag contracted state) of a foot function recovery training device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a use state (airbag contraction state) of the foot function recovery training device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a use state (airbag inflated state) of the foot function recovery training device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a support member.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a drive device of the function recovery training tool.

FIG. 6 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the driving device.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the hand function recovery training tool (airbag inflated state) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a hand function recovery training tool (airbag inflated state) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a use state (airbag inflated state) of the hand function recovery training tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 24 ... Function recovery training tool 2 ... Support member 3, 3a, 3b, 25 ... Air bag 4 ... Support band 5 ... Tension band 6 ... Legs 7, 7a, 7b , 15, 30 ……… Air hose 8 ……… Support band threading section 9 ……… Tensile band threading section 10, 29 ……… Sheet fastener 11 ……… Driving device 12 ……… Air pump 13 ……… Air switching Part 14 ………… Muffler 16 ………… Motor 17 ………… Cam 18 ………… Control unit 19 ………… Limit switch 20 ………… Pressure sensor 21 ………… Pressure adjustment switch 22 ………… Cycle adjustment switch 23… ...... Power switch 27 ………… Finger fixing band 28 ………… Wrist fixing band

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A function recovery comprising an airbag arranged at a joint part of a human body, and a fixing member for fixing the airbag to the human body and applying an inflation deformation force of the airbag to the joint part as a joint bending force. Training equipment 2. The airbag comprises an airbag arranged at the ankle portion on the instep side of the foot, and the fixing member is a loop-shaped band supported on the knee side of the ankle joint of the foot. A support band having a portion connected to the airbag and fixing the airbag at the ankle position; and a loop shape supported between the finger and the heel and rotated around the sole, a part of which is the upper surface of the airbag. The function recovery according to claim 1, further comprising: a tension band supported by the air bag, the air bag being supplied to and exhausted from the air bag to inflate or contract the air bag, and the tension band is pulled or loosened to forcibly bend the joint of the ankle. Training equipment 3. The airbag comprises an airbag which is inflated into a substantially spherical shape when air is supplied, and the fixing member comprises:
The wrist band for fixing the airbag to the palm at the wrist portion, and the hand fixing band for fixing the palm or fingers formed on the spherical surface of the airbag, which is supplied to and exhausted from the airbag. The function recovery training tool according to claim 1, wherein the function recovery training tool is inflated or contracted, and the force for expanding the palm and extending the finger is applied to the hand by expanding the airbag. 4. A drive device for two function recovery training tools, each having the airbag, wherein an air pump and air discharged from the air pump are alternately supplied to the two function recovery training tool airbags. The drive of the function recovery training tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an air switching unit for supplying and discharging, a drive source for driving the air switching unit, and a control unit for controlling the drive of the air pump and the drive source. apparatus 5. A pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of air discharged from the air pump, and a pressure adjusting switch for adjusting the pressure of air discharged from the air pump,
The drive device for a function recovery training tool according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the discharge air pressure of the air pump by the signals from the pressure adjustment switch and the pressure sensor. 6. A cycle adjusting switch for adjusting an on / off cycle of the airbag is provided, and the control unit controls the drive of the motor by a signal from the cycle adjusting switch. Or a drive device for the function recovery training tool described in 5.