JP2004174007A

JP2004174007A - Human body orthosis

Info

Publication number: JP2004174007A
Application number: JP2002344896A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Shigeru Morinaka; 茂森中
Original assignee: SHIYOMI GISHI SEISAKUSHO KK
Current assignee: SHIYOMI GISHI SEISAKUSHO KK
Priority date: 2002-11-28
Filing date: 2002-11-28
Publication date: 2004-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-28
Also published as: JP3826882B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a human body orthosis with which a user can walk nearly naturally for a long period of time without restriction of plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, and rotation load can be adjusted depending on each individual and a physical condition. <P>SOLUTION: The human body orthosis where one human body protective member 2 is constituted freely rotatable with respect to the other human body protective member 1 is provided with: a rotation load setting means 8 for setting a rotation load to one rotating direction of the human body protective member 2 constituted rotatably to be larger than that to the other rotating direction; and a changing means capable of changing the amount of the rotation load set by the rotation load setting means 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、特に内反尖足に対する矯正用人体補装具として有効で、上下方向で隣接する人体保護部材のうちの一方の人体保護部材に対して他方の人体保護部材をそれらの隣接方向と垂直な方向の軸芯周りで回転可能に構成した人体補装具に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
内反尖足（内反足）とは、足が内側に曲がることにより、足の裏が内のほうに向くと共に、足首をコントロールできず足の指先側（以下、足先という）が下方に垂下しているため、歩行時に足先を地面に引っ掛けて躓きやすい歩行機能の障害のことをいう。
そして、上記のように歩行時に躓かないようにするためには、足先を上方に矯正することで足先が下方に垂下しないようにすることが一般的であり、それを行うための人体補装具としては、従来から各種のものが提案されている。尚、図５に示すように、垂直方向と平行な姿勢の脚に対して直交する水平方向と平行に足が位置している状態（実線で示す）を通常の状態とし、この状態から踝（図示せず）を中心に足を仮想線（２点鎖線）で示すように上方に持ち上げる場合を背屈といい、前記通常の状態から下方に下げる場合を底屈という。
従来の人体補装具では、例えば上下方向で隣接する上側の人体保護部材に対して下方の人体保護部材を回転自在に構成し、前記通常の状態から背屈側に所定角度（例えば４５度）の間でのみ下方の人体保護部材を回転自在に設定して、通常状態から底屈することがないようにしながらも、背屈が行えるようにしたものである。
【０００３】
従来の人体補装具を用いて水平地を歩行する場合には、健康側の脚を一歩踏み出して人体保護部材側の足を持ち上げる直前に脚が前方に少し傾斜した状態になるため（図６（ｂ）参照）、背屈側に回転している下側の人体保護部材が足が持ち上がると同時に足の重みで前記通常の状態に戻ることになり、足先が下方に垂下している場合に比べると躓くことを少なくすることができる。しかし、下り傾斜地を歩行する場合には、脚側（上側）の人体保護部材に対して足側（下側）の人体保護部材を底屈側に回転させる必要があるが、前記構成では底屈が行えず、前傾姿勢での不安定な歩行となり、自然に近い状態での歩行が困難になる不都合がある。又、上り傾斜地を歩行する際に足を着地させることにより、足を載置支持している下側の人体保護部材を背屈させることができるものの、背屈状態の足を持ち上げる場合に、足の重みで下側の人体保護部材が水平姿勢に戻ってしまい、足先を傾斜地に接触させて躓いてしまうことがあった。尚、下り傾斜地において底屈が行える回転角度を有する構成に変更することによって、下り傾斜地を歩行することができるのであるが、下り傾斜地から水平地や上り傾斜地にその構成では歩行することができないことから、非常に扱いにくいものであった。
【０００４】
そこで、底屈や背屈が制限されることなく、自然に近い状態での歩行が行える人体補装具を本願発明者が既に提案している。これは、足の裏の一部又は全部を載置支持する足底板と、脚の一部又は全部を保護する脚保護板とを回転自在に連結し、回転自在に構成した足底板の一方の回転方向に対する回転負荷を他方の回転方向に対する回転負荷よりも大きく設定するための回転負荷設定手段を設けて、人体補装具を構成し、この人体補装具を用いて歩行する場合に、底板を着地させるときに加わる負荷により足底板をそれの底面が地面と平行となるように回転させ、足底板を持ち上げるときには足底板及び脚保護板を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持することができるように構成されたものである。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
国際公開第０２／３９９３４号パンフレット
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記特許文献１の人体補装具では、足底板をそれの底面が地面と平行となるように回転させてからその姿勢に維持させる力が人体補装具に加わる個人の足の重量の違いなどにより異なるため、回転自在に構成した足底板の一方の回転方向に対する回転負荷、つまり足底板をそれの底面が地面と平行となる姿勢に維持させる回転負荷を個人別に一々設定しなければならないだけでなく、一旦回転負荷を設定してしまうと、体調などによりその回転負荷を変更したい場合に変更することができず、非常に取扱難いものであった。
また、回転負荷を摩擦部材などにより設定する場合には、人体補装具の使用に伴って摩擦部材が摩耗するため、人によっては早期に回転負荷が所定の負荷から大きく低下してしまい、使用し難くなることもあり、改善の余地があった。
【０００７】
本発明が前述の状況に鑑み、解決しようとするところは、底屈や背屈が制限されることなく、自然に近い状態での歩行が長期間に渡って行えるだけでなく、個人別や体調などによって回転負荷を調節することができる人体補装具を提供する点にある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の人体補装具は、前述の課題解決のために、上下方向で隣接する複数の人体保護部材のうちの一方の人体保護部材に対して他方の人体保護部材を回転自在に構成した人体補装具において、前記回転自在に構成した人体保護部材の一方の回転方向に対する回転負荷を他方の回転方向に対する回転負荷よりも大きく設定するための回転負荷設定手段を設け、前記回転負荷設定手段により設定される回転負荷の大きさを変更可能な変更手段を設けたことを特徴としている。
従って、回転負荷設定手段にて底屈側への回転負荷を背屈側への回転負荷よりも大きく設定することによって、着地させた足を持ち上げるときにその持ち上げる直前の足の角度に人体補装具にて保持させた状態にすることができる。又、足を着地させることにより体重の一部が加わる負荷が人体保護部材を回転させる回転力に変換されるため、回転負荷が大きく設定されていても、人体保護部材をスムーズに回転させることができる。しかも、回転負荷設定手段により設定される回転負荷の大きさを変更可能な変更手段を設けてあるので、個人別又は体調あるいは使用に伴い回転負荷が低下した場合などにより回転負荷の大きさを変更して所望の回転負荷に調節することができる。
【０００９】
前記変更手段が、前記一方の人体保護部材の回転に対して回転負荷となる摩擦力を付与するための摩擦部材と、この摩擦部材を前記一方の人体保護部材と他方の人体保護部材との間に形成の空間内に押し込むための押圧部材とを備え、前記空間を前記摩擦部材の押し込み方向奥側ほど狭くなるように構成している。
回転する側の人体保護部材の回転負荷を大きくしたい場合には、摩擦部材を押圧部材にて押し込み方向奥側へ押し込み操作することになる。尚、回転する側の人体保護部材の回転負荷を小さくしたい場合には、摩擦部材に対する押圧部材の押圧力が小さくなる側に押圧部材を操作するのである。
【００１０】
前記人体保護部材が、足の裏の一部又は全部を載置支持する足底板と、脚の一部又は全部を保護する脚保護板とからなり、これらの隣接側端部同士を前記回転負荷設定手段を介して連結して、下肢装具を構成している。
【００１１】
前記脚保護板と足底板とからなる人体保護部材を用いて歩行を行う場合に、前記足底板を着地させるときに加わる負荷により前記足底板をそれの底面が地面と平行となるように回転させ、足底板を持ち上げるときに該足底板及び前記脚保護板を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持するように前記回転負荷の大きさを設定することが好ましい。
上記のように回転負荷を設定することによって、足を持ち上げる場合に足先を傾斜地に接触させて躓くことを回避することができるだけでなく、足底板を着地させる場合には、着地させるときに加わる負荷（体重の一部）によりスムーズに足底板を回転させることができる。
【００１２】
前記脚保護板をふくらはぎを保護する下腿後面カフからなり、前記足底板の後面の踵骨部及び前記下腿後面カフの下端部後面のアキレス腱部を開放型に構成している。
強度面において問題にならない足底板の後面の踵骨部及び前記下腿後面カフの下端部後面のアキレス腱部を開放型に構成することによって、軽量にすることができるだけでなく、靴を履き易くすることができる。又、足底板及び下腿後面カフの可撓性の調節をも行うことができる。
【００１３】
前記下腿後面カフの回転中心を人体生理学的足関節軸の上下高さ位置とほぼ同一高さに設定することによって、人体の足関節軸と下腿後面カフの回転中心や足底板の回転中心とを略同一にすることができるから、人体の足関節軸が動き易くなる。
【００１４】
前記下腿後面カフの上下中間部に開口を形成することによって、更に軽量化を図ることができると共に可撓性の向上を図ることができる。
【００１５】
前記下腿後面カフの左右の前端同士又は足底板の左右の上端同士に渡って人体を該下腿後面カフ又は足底板に固定するための固定部材を設けることによって、歩行中に人体補装具が外れることを回避することができる。
【００１６】
前記回転負荷設定手段が前記回転自在に構成した人体保護部材の回転軸部に設けたワンウェイベアリングで構成することによって、一方側（例えば背屈側）への回転負荷を可能な限り無くすことができ、他方側（例えば底屈側）への回転負荷を足底板へ載せている足の重量で足底板が回転することがない程度の大きさに設定することが可能になる。
【００１７】
前記足の裏の一部又は全部を載置支持する足底板と、脚の一部又は全部を保護する脚保護板とを回転自在に構成した人体補装具を用いて歩行を行う場合に、前記足底板を着地させるときに加わる負荷により該足底板をそれの底面が地面と平行となるように回転させ、前記足底板を持ち上げるときに該足底板及び前記脚保護板を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持するように前記脚保護板に固定される回転軸部にワンウェイベアリングを設け、前記ワンウェイベアリングとこれの外側に回転自在に保持され、かつ、前記足底板に固定される回転部材との間に空間を形成し、前記空間内に入り込んで前記ワンウェイベアリングに摩擦抵抗を付与するための摩擦部材を設け、前記空間内への前記摩擦部材の入り込み量が多くなればなるほど摩擦抵抗が大きくなるように該空間を奥側ほど狭く形成して、人体補装具を構成することによって、前述のように一方側（例えば背屈側）への回転負荷を可能な限り無くすことができ、他方側（例えば底屈側）への回転負荷を足底板へ載せている足の重量で足底板が回転することがない程度の大きさに設定することができるから、底屈や背屈が制限されることなく、より一層自然に近い状態での歩行を行うことができる。しかも、空間内への摩擦部材の入り込み量を変更するだけで、足底板の回転を阻止するための摩擦抵抗を容易に増減させることができる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１及び図２に、本発明の人体補装具を示している。この人体補装具は、すねの後面のふくらはぎを保護する平面視ほぼ円弧状に湾曲形成され（後側へ湾曲突出され）た下腿後面カフ（脚保護板）１と、足（足首より下の部分）を載置支持するために水平面を備えた載置部２Ａとこの載置部２Ａの左右両側から立ち上がった左右一対の立上げ部２Ｂ，２Ｂとを備えた正面視ほぼＵ字状の足底板２の２つの人体保護部材を主要構成部材とし、これら上下方向で隣合う下腿後面カフ１と足底板２とを水平軸芯Ｘ周りで回転自在に連結している。図に示す２本のベルト３，４により膝から下の部分の下肢を人体補装具に固定できるようにしている。前記固定部材であるベルト３，４は、いずれも締め付け位置を無段階に調節することができるように一対の面ファスナーを備えたものからなっているが、面ファスナーのないゴム製のベルトや紐等から構成してもよいし、下腿後面カフ１及び足底板２自体に下肢を保持する保持力がある場合にはベルトなどは無くてもよい。前記下腿後面カフ１の横一側の前端に前記一方のベルト３の一端が固定され、かつ、該下腿後面カフ１の横他側の前端に該ベルト３の他端（先端）を通すための孔１Ｋが形成されている。前記ベルト３の先端に２つに折った二つ折り部３Ａを備えさせてあり、この二つ折り部３Ａを掴んでベルト３を容易に外すことができるようにしている。尚、図に示す５は、前記ベルト３の後面に着脱自在に取り付けられると共に足の脛を受け止める軟質性パットであるが、無くてもよい。又、前記足底板２の横一側の前側上部に前記もう一方のベルト４の一端が固定され、かつ、該足底板２の他一側の前側上部に該もう一方のベルト４の他端（先端）を通すための孔２Ｋが形成されている。本発明の人体補装具は、下腿後面カフ１と足底板２とからなる短下肢装具を示しているが、下腿後面カフ１の上端に大腿前面カフの下端を水平軸芯周りで回転自在に連結した長下肢装具（図示せず）であってもよいし、大腿前面カフと下腿後面カフとからなる膝装具（図示せず）としてもよく、人体補装具の形状及び具体構成は自由に変更できる。前記足底板２の底面（下面）に滑り止め用のシート部材を貼り付けて実施することもできる。
【００１９】
前記下腿後面カフ１及び足底板２は、可撓性を有するようにポリエチレン等の各種合成樹脂やこれら各種の合成樹脂に合成ゴムや金属等の他物を一部混入して構成することによって、軽量化を図ることができながらも、長時間使用の疲労による変形や変質等がなく、しかも歩行中に体から受ける捻じれ荷重を良好に吸収することができるとともに、荷重が作用していないときには元の形に復元することができる利点があるが、合成樹脂以外の材料で構成することもできる。
【００２０】
図２に示すように、前記下腿後面カフ１の下端部後面のアキレス腱部１Ａ及び足底板２の後面の踵骨部２Ｃを開放型に構成することにより、人体補装具全体の軽量化を図ることができるとともに、靴を履き易くすることができ、更には下腿後面カフ１及び足底板２の可撓性の調節をも行うことができる。図では、靴を省略している。図に示す１Ｂ，１Ｂは、前記下腿後面カフ２の後側部分に上下方向に沿って形成した左右一対の開口部であり、人体補装具全体の軽量化をより図ることができるようにしているが、開口部の個数及び大きさは自由に変更することができるし、又、場合によっては開口部を形成しないで実施することもできる。
【００２１】
前記下腿後面カフ１の下端の左右両側と足底板２の上端の左右両側とを回転自在に支持する支持構造について説明する。尚、左右いずれの支持構造も同一であるため、一方のみ説明する。
図３及び図４に示すように、前記下腿後面カフ１の下端の左右両側に円形の開口１Ｃを形成し、その開口１Ｃに外側からフランジ６Ａを挿入方向ほぼ中央位置に備えた金属製（合成樹脂等剛性のあるものであればどのような材料であってもよい）の内方側円筒部材６を挿入して該フランジ６Ａと下腿後面カフ１とを複数のビスＢ１により固定している。又、前記足底板２の上端に円形の開口２Ｄを形成し、その開口２Ｄに内側から一端側が開放され、かつ、その開放端にフランジ７Ａを備えると共に他端側が閉じられた有底円筒状で金属製（合成樹脂等剛性のあるものであればどのような材料であってもよい）の外方側部材７を挿入して該フランジ７Ａと足底板２とを外側から複数のビスＢ２により固定している。そして、前記外方側部材７の外側に位置する底板部の中心に内方側に突出形成された円形の回転軸部７Ｃに回転負荷設定手段としての環状のワンウェイベアリング８を外嵌し、このワンウェイベアリング８の外面と外方側部材７の円筒部内面との空間（隙間）に内方側円筒部材６のフランジ６Ａを挟んで外側に位置する外側の円筒部を挿入した状態で該外方側部材７の円筒部内面に形成のねじ部７Ｎに該内方側円筒部材６の円筒部外面に形成のねじ部６Ｎをねじ込んで両者部材６，７を一体化し、前記ワンウェイベアリング８の外面に一体回転するように外嵌される金属製の円筒状部材９とこれの外側に一体回転するように外嵌されるプラスチック製の円筒部材１０とを前記内方側円筒部材６の内部に配置し、前記円筒部材１０の外面１０Ａと内方側円筒部材６の円筒部内面６Ｂとの間に形成される空間Ｓ（図では第２空間Ｓ２）内に、前記一方の人体保護部材１が取り付けられた内方側円筒部材６の回転に対して回転負荷となる摩擦力を付与するためのシリコーン（摩擦力を確実に付与できるものであれば合成樹脂やゴムなど、どのような材料であってもよい）からなる円筒状で断面形状が矩形状（図では長方形であるが正方形でもよいし、あるいは三角形や台形など、どのような形状のものでもよい）の摩擦部材１１を配置して、後述のように足底板２を底屈させる底屈側方向Ａ２（図５参照）に対する回転負荷を足底板２を持ち上げるときに足底板２及び下腿後面カフ１を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持できる程度の大きさに設定することができるように空間Ｓ２の大きさ及び摩擦部材１１の大きさを設定している。尚、前記２つの部材６，７をねじ込んで一体化した後、それらを下腿後面カフ１及び足底板２にそれぞれビスＢ１及びＢ２によりねじ込み固定することによって、組み付けを容易迅速に行うことができる。
【００２２】
前記空間Ｓは、円筒部材１０の外面１０Ａと内方側円筒部材６の円筒部内面６Ｂとの間隔の大きさが内外方向（回転軸芯方向）で同一となる第１空間Ｓ１と、この第１空間Ｓ１の回転軸芯方向外方側端部から摩擦部材１１の回転軸芯方向外方側ほど狭くなる第２空間Ｓ２とからなり、前記摩擦部材１１を前記第２空間Ｓ２側へ押し込むための金属製（摩擦部材１１を押圧操作できるものであれば合成樹脂やゴムなど、どのようなものでもよい）の押圧部材１２の外面に形成のねじ部１２Ａを前記内方側円筒部材６のフランジ６Ａを挟んで回転軸芯方向内方側に位置する内側の円筒部内面に形成のねじ部６ｎに螺合させることにより、該押圧部材１２を備えさせ、押圧部材１２を回転操作することにより摩擦部材１１を前記空間Ｓ内で移動させることにより、ワンウェイベアリング８への摩擦力を増減させることができ、一方の人体保護部材２の回転負荷の大きさを変更することができるようにしている。従って、前記摩擦部材１１と、押圧部材１２と、第２空間Ｓ２とから、前記回転負荷設定手段であるワンウェイベアリング８により設定される人体保護部材２の回転負荷の大きさを変更可能な変更手段を構成している。ここでは、内方側円筒部材６の外側の円筒部の内面のうち、回転軸芯方向内端からほぼ中央までをほぼ水平面に形成し、回転軸芯方向ほぼ中央から外端までを外端側ほど内方側円筒部材６の径方向内方に位置する傾斜面に形成しているが、例えば円筒部材１０の外面のうち、回転軸芯方向ほぼ中央から外端までの外面を外端側ほど円筒部材１０の径方向外方に位置するテーパ面に形成することもできる。図に示す１３は、前記回転軸部７Ｃに外嵌されたワンウェイベアリング８や円筒状部材９，１０が回転軸芯方向内方側へ大きく移動することを阻止するための円盤状のストッパー部材であり、前記回転軸部７Ｃに前記回転軸芯Ｘとは異なる回転軸芯Ｙ上にビス１４により固定して、人体保護部材の回転によりビス１４が緩むことがないようにしている。又、図に示す１５は、前記摩擦部材１１と押圧部材１２との間に大きな摩擦力が発生しないように両者間に配置したリング部材であり、又、１６は、自重などで一方の人体保護部材１が他方の人体保護部材２に対して不測に回転することがないように前記押圧部材１２に周方向に形成の複数個の貫通孔１２Ａのうちの特定の貫通孔１２Ａに係止する突出部１６Ａを備えた係止部材であり、基端部がビスＢ３により人体保護部材２に固定されている。
【００２３】
従って、前記ワンウェイベアリング８を設けることによって、一方の回転方向、つまり前記足底板２を背屈させる背屈側方向Ａ１（図５参照）に対する回転負荷を０又は０に近い状態にすることができ、かつ、他方の回転方向、つまり前記足底板２を底屈させる底屈側方向Ａ２（図５参照）に対する回転負荷を足底板２を持ち上げるときに足底板２及び下腿後面カフ１を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持できる程度の大きさに設定することができるようにしている。そして、使用に伴い摩擦部材１１が摩耗してしまい、回転負荷が初期設定したときの回転負荷よりも小さくなってきたとき、つまり足底板２を持ち上げるときに足底板２及び下腿後面カフ１を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持できないときや体調や人の好みなどによって回転負荷を調節したい場合には、前記押圧部材１２を回転操作することによって、第１空間Ｓ１側（奥側）へ摩擦部材１１を入り込ませて、体調や人の好みによって摩擦抵抗を大きくしたり、使用により初期設定時に比べて小さくなってきた回転負荷を元の回転負荷に戻すことができる。尚、前記のようにスムーズな歩行を行う上において回転負荷を足底板２を持ち上げるときに足底板２及び下腿後面カフ１を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持できる程度の大きさに設定することが最適であるが、足底板２を持ち上げるときに足底板２及び下腿後面カフ１を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持でき、かつ、足底板２を着地させるときに脚から加わる負荷により足底板２をそれの底面が接地面（地面）と平行になる又は沿った姿勢になるように回転させることができる大きさに回転負荷を設定してもよく、回転負荷はどのような大きさに設定してもよい。又、ここでは、回転負荷設定手段として、ワンウェイベアリング８を用いているが、一方向の回転負荷が他方向の回転負荷よりも大きくすることができる各種のベアリング又は摩擦機構等を用いて実施することもできる。
【００２４】
前記下腿後面カフ１の回転中心Ｘを、図１に示すように、人体生理学的足関節軸（距腿関節軸ともいう）の上下高さ位置Ｈと同一高さに設定するとともに、図１で示す垂直線と交わる位置、つまり前後方向略中央位置に設定している。このように下腿後面カフ１の回転中心Ｘを図のように設定することが最適であるが、多少ずれた位置に設定してもよい。
【００２５】
前記人体補装具を装着して歩行を行う場合の人体保護部材２の回転許容範囲を、図５に示している。この場合、足関節０度の状態、足Ｂと脚Ａとがほぼ９０度となる状態（実線で示している）から足底板２が、底屈側に約２０度（Ｃ１の角度範囲）で、背屈側に４５度（Ｄ１の角度範囲）回転することができるようにしているが、この回転許容範囲は、自由に変更することができる。そして、この回転許容範囲は、前記外方側部材７と内方側円筒部材６とをねじ込んで一体化するときのねじ込み深さによって変更することができるようになっているが、ストッパー機構などを用いることによって、人体補装具を製作した後のいつでも回転許容範囲を変更することができるようにしてもよい。
【００２６】
前記のように構成された人体補装具を患部側に装着して歩行する場合を説明する。まず、地面が水平な平坦路を歩行する場合には、図６（ａ）に示すように健康側の左足と人体補装具が装着された右足が側面視において揃った状態から、健康側の左足を一歩踏み出すと、図６（ｂ）に示すように、補装具側の右足の脚Ａが垂直から１５度（図６（ｂ）のＥ１の角度）傾いた姿勢になる。このとき、背屈側への回転負荷が０又は０に近い状態であるから、下腿後面カフ１がスムーズに脚Ａの角度になるように回転することができる。続いて、補装具側の右足を一歩踏み出すために地面から持ち上げると、図６（ｃ）に示すように、持ち上げる直前の状態の姿勢（前記右足の脚Ａが垂直姿勢から前方に１５度傾いた姿勢）を保持したまま右足を移動させることができ、右足の足先が前方に下がって地面に足先が引っ掛かることがない。そして、前記地面から持ち上げた右足を地面に着地させると、その着地させたときに足から加わる荷重により足底板２が底屈側に１５度（図６（ｄ）のＥ２の角度）回転し、足底板２をそれの底面が地面と平行となるように姿勢変更するのである。
【００２７】
次に、登り坂（上り傾斜地）を歩行する場合を説明すれば、図７（ａ）に示すように、健康側の左足と人体補装具が装着された右足が側面視において揃った状態、詳しくはいずれの足に対しても脚が垂直姿勢から前方に１５度（図７（ａ）のＦ１の角度）傾斜した傾斜姿勢から、健康側の左足を一歩踏み出すと、図７（ｂ）に示すように、補装具側の右足の脚Ａが前記前傾姿勢からさらに１５度傾いて３０度（図７（ｂ）のＦ２の角度）傾いた前傾姿勢になる。このとき、背屈側への回転負荷が０又は０に近い状態であるから、下腿後面カフ１がスムーズに脚Ａの角度に合致するように回転することができる。続いて、補装具側の右足を一歩踏み出すために地面から持ち上げると、図７（ｃ）に示すように、持ち上げる直前の状態の姿勢（前記右足の脚Ａが前方に３０度傾いた姿勢）を保持したまま右足を移動させることができ、右足の足先が前方に下がって地面に足先が引っ掛かることがない。そして、前記地面から持ち上げた右足を地面に着地させると、その着地させたときに足から加わる荷重により足底板２が底屈側に３０度（図７（ｄ）のＦ３の角度）回転し、足底板２をそれの底面が地面と平行となるように姿勢変更するのである。
【００２８】
最後に、下り坂を歩行する場合を説明すれば、図８（ａ）に示すように、健康側の左足と人体補装具が装着された右足が側面視において揃った状態、詳しくはいずれの足に対しても脚が垂直姿勢から後方に１５度（図８（ａ）のＧ１の角度）傾斜した傾斜姿勢から、健康側の左足を一歩踏み出すと、図８（ｂ）に示すように、補装具側の右足の脚Ａが前記後傾姿勢から前方に傾斜して、地面に対して垂直姿勢になる。このとき、背屈側への回転負荷が０又は０に近い状態であるから、下腿後面カフ１がスムーズに脚Ａの角度に合致するように回転することができる。続いて、補装具側の右足を一歩踏み出すために地面から持ち上げると、図８（ｃ）に示すように、持ち上げる直前の状態の姿勢（前記右足の脚Ａが地面に対して垂直になる姿勢）を保持したまま左足を移動させることができ、右足の足先が前方に下がって地面に足先が引っ掛かることがない。そして、前記地面から持ち上げた右足を地面に着地させると、その着地させたときに足から加わる荷重により足底板２が底屈側に３０度（図８（ｄ）のＧ２の角度）回転し、足底板２をそれの底面が地面と平行となるように姿勢変更するのである。
【００２９】
【発明の効果】
請求項１の発明によれば、回転負荷設定手段にて底屈側への回転負荷を背屈側への回転負荷よりも大きく設定することによって、着地させた足を持ち上げるときにその持ち上げる直前の足の角度に人体補装具にて保持させた状態にすることができるから、足を持ち上げると同時に足先が下方を向いて地面に足先を引っ掛けてしまうことがないだけでなく、背屈側へは軽快かつスムーズに回転させることができる。又、足を着地させることにより体重の一部が加わる負荷が人体保護部材を回転させる回転力に変換されるため、回転負荷が大きく設定されていても、人体保護部材をスムーズに回転させて従来不可能とされていた底屈を行うことができる。従って、水平地は勿論のこと、（上り及び下り）傾斜地の他、水平地から傾斜地への歩行又は傾斜地から水平地への歩行等どのような場所（変化する路面の状況）においても、底屈や背屈をスムーズに行いながら、自然に近い状態での歩行が行える人体補装具を提供することができる。しかも、回転負荷設定手段により設定される回転負荷の大きさを変更可能な変更手段を設けてあるので、個人別又は体調あるいは使用に伴い回転負荷が低下した場合などにより回転負荷の大きさを変更して所望の回転負荷に調節することができ、従来のように多種類の人体補装具を製造することが不要になり、コスト面において有利になるだけでなく、長期間に渡って良好かつ便利に使用することができる耐久面及び使用面のいずれにおいても有利な人体補装具とすることができる。
【００３０】
請求項２の発明によれば、一方の人体保護部材の回転に対して回転負荷となる摩擦力を付与するための摩擦部材と、この摩擦部材を前記一方の人体保護部材と他方の人体保護部材との間に形成の空間内に押し込むための押圧部材とを備え、空間を前記摩擦部材の押し込み方向奥側ほど狭くなるようにして変更手段を構成することによって、複雑なブレーキ機構を設けるものに比べて部品点数の削減化による組み立て作業面やコスト面において有利になる。
【００３１】
請求項４の発明によれば、足底板を着地させるときに加わる負荷により足底板をそれの底面が地面と平行となるように回転させ、足底板を持ち上げるときに足底板及び前記脚保護板を持ち上げる直前の状態に維持するように回転負荷の大きさを設定することによって、足を持ち上げる場合に足先を傾斜地に接触させて躓くことを回避することができるだけでなく、足底板を着地させる場合には、着地させるときに加わる負荷（体重の一部）によりスムーズに足底板を回転させることができ、より一層扱い易い人体補装具に構成することができる。
【００３２】
請求項５の発明によれば、強度面において問題にならない足底板の後面の踵骨部及び前記下腿後面カフの下端部後面のアキレス腱部を開放型に構成することによって、軽量にすることができるだけでなく、靴を履き易くすることができる。又、足底板及び下腿後面カフの可撓性の調節をも行うことができ、患者に対応した人体補装具に構成することができる。
【００３３】
請求項６の発明によれば、下腿後面カフの回転中心を人体生理学的足関節軸の上下高さ位置とほぼ同一高さに設定することによって、人体の足関節軸と下腿後面カフの回転中心や足底板の回転中心とを略同一にすることができるから、人体の足関節軸が動き易くなり、より一層扱い易い人体補装具を構成することができる。
【００３４】
請求項７の発明によれば、下腿後面カフの上下中間部に開口を形成することによって、更に軽量化を図ることができると共に可撓性の向上を図ることができ、どのような患者にも最適な人体補装具を構成することができる。
【００３５】
請求項８の発明によれば、下腿後面カフの左右の前端同士又は足底板の左右の上端同士に渡って人体を該下腿後面カフ又は足底板に固定するための固定部材を設けることによって、歩行中に人体補装具が外れることを回避することができ、歩行を良好に行うことができる利点がある。
【００３６】
請求項９の発明によれば、回転負荷設定手段が回転自在に構成した人体保護部材の回転軸部に設けたワンウェイベアリングで構成することによって、一方側（例えば背屈側）への回転負荷を可能な限り無くすことができ、他方側（例えば底屈側）への回転負荷を足底板へ載せている足の重量で足底板が回転することがない程度の大きさに設定することができ、より一層自然な（スムーズな）歩行を行うことができる。
【００３７】
請求項１０によれば、一方側（例えば背屈側）への回転負荷を可能な限り無くすことができ、他方側（例えば底屈側）への回転負荷を足底板へ載せている足の重量で足底板が回転することがない程度の大きさに設定することができるから、底屈や背屈が制限されることなく、より一層自然に近い状態での歩行を行うことができる人体補装具を提供することができる。また、請求項１と同様に回転負荷設定手段により設定される回転負荷の大きさを変更可能な変更手段を設けてあるので、個人別又は体調あるいは使用に伴い回転負荷が低下した場合などにより回転負荷の大きさを変更して所望の回転負荷に調節することができ、従来のように多種類の人体補装具を製造することが不要になるだけでなく、長期間に渡って良好かつ便利に使用することができる耐久面及び使用面のいずれにおいても有利な人体補装具とすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】人体補装具の側面図である。
【図２】人体補装具の正面図である。
【図３】下腿後面カフと足底板とを回転自在に支持するための各種構成部品を示す分解斜視図である。
【図４】下腿後面カフと足底板とを回転自在に支持するための支持構造を示す要部の断面図である。
【図５】人体補装具の回転許容範囲を示す説明図である。
【図６】本発明の人体補装具にて平坦路を歩行する場合を示し、（ａ）は、両足を揃えた状態を示し、（ｂ）は左足を一歩踏み出した状態を示し、（ｃ）は右足を踏み出して着地する直前の状態を示し、（ｄ）は踏み出した右足が着地した状態を示している。
【図７】本発明の人体補装具にて登り坂を歩行する場合を示し、（ａ）は、両足を揃えた状態を示し、（ｂ）は左足を一歩踏み出した状態を示し、（ｃ）は右足を踏み出して着地する直前の状態を示し、（ｄ）は踏み出した右足が着地した状態を示している。
【図８】本発明の人体補装具にて下り坂を歩行する場合を示し、（ａ）は、両足を揃えた状態を示し、（ｂ）は左足を一歩踏み出した状態を示し、（ｃ）は右足を踏み出して着地する直前の状態を示し、（ｄ）は踏み出した右足が着地した状態を示している。
【符号の説明】
１下腿後面カフ（脚保護板、人体保護部材）
１Ａ張り出し部
１Ｂアキレス腱部１Ｃ開口部
１Ｋ開口
２足底板（人体保護部材）
２Ａ載置部２Ｂ立上げ部
２Ｃ踵骨部２Ｄ開口
２Ｋ開口３，４ベルト
５軟質性パット６内方側円筒部材
６Ａフランジ６Ｂ円筒部内面
６ｎねじ部
７外方側部材７Ａフランジ
７Ｂ凹部７Ｃ回転軸部
７Ｄ突出部７Ｎねじ部
８ワンウェイベアリング（回転負荷設定手段）
９，１０円筒状部材１１摩擦部材
１２押圧部材１２Ａ貫通孔
１３ストッパー部材
１４ビス１５リング部材
１６係止部材１６Ａ突出部
Ａ脚Ｂ足
Ｂ１，Ｂ２，Ｂ３ビスＡ１背屈側方向
Ａ２底屈側方向
Ｃ１，Ｄ１角度範囲Ｅ１，Ｅ２角度
Ｆ１，Ｆ２，Ｆ３角度Ｇ１，Ｇ２角度
Ｈ位置Ｓ空間
Ｓ１第１空間Ｓ２第２空間
Ｘ水平軸芯（回転中心）Ｙ回転軸芯[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is particularly effective as a human body orthosis for correction of club foot, and one of the human body protection members vertically adjacent to one another is perpendicular to the adjacent direction. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a human body assisting device configured to be rotatable around an axis in various directions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Clubfoot (varus foot) means that the sole of the foot turns inward when the foot is bent inward, and the ankle cannot be controlled, and the toe side of the foot (hereinafter referred to as the toe) is downward. Because of the drooping, it refers to an obstacle to the walking function that tends to trip over when the feet are hooked on the ground during walking.
In order to prevent the stumbling during walking as described above, it is general to correct the toes upward so that the toes do not sag downward. Various types of orthoses have been conventionally proposed. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, a state in which the foot is positioned parallel to the horizontal direction orthogonal to the leg in a posture parallel to the vertical direction (shown by a solid line) is a normal state, and from this state the ankle ( A case where the foot is lifted up as indicated by a virtual line (not shown) around a center (not shown) is called dorsiflexion, and a case where the foot is lowered from the normal state is called plantarflexion.
In a conventional human body assisting device, for example, a lower human body protecting member is configured to be rotatable relative to an upper human body protecting member adjacent in the vertical direction, and a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) from the normal state to the dorsiflexion side. The lower part of the human body protection member is rotatably set only between the members so that dorsiflexion can be performed while preventing plantar flexion from a normal state.
[0003]
When walking on a level ground using the conventional human body orthosis, the leg is slightly inclined forward just before the leg on the healthy side is stepped forward and the leg on the human body protection member side is lifted (FIG. 6 ( b)), the lower human body protection member rotating to the dorsiflexion side will return to the normal state with the weight of the foot at the same time as the foot is lifted, and when the toe is hanging down, In comparison, it is possible to reduce a tripping. However, when walking on a downward slope, it is necessary to rotate the foot-side (lower) human body protection member to the plantar flexion side with respect to the leg-side (upper) human body protection member. Cannot be performed, resulting in unstable walking in a forward leaning posture, which makes it difficult to walk in a state close to nature. Also, by landing the foot when walking on an upward slope, it is possible to dorsiflex the lower human body protection member that supports the foot, but when lifting the dorsiflexed foot, Due to the weight, the lower human body protection member may return to the horizontal posture, and the foot may come into contact with the sloping ground and trip. In addition, by changing to a configuration having a rotation angle that allows plantar flexion on a downward slope, it is possible to walk on a downward slope, but it is not possible to walk from a downward slope to a horizontal ground or an upward slope. Was very cumbersome.
[0004]
Therefore, the present inventor has already proposed a human assistive device that can walk in a state close to nature without restricting plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. This means that a sole plate for placing and supporting a part or all of the sole of the foot and a leg protection plate for protecting a part or all of the legs are rotatably connected, and one of the sole plates configured to be rotatable. A rotational load setting means for setting a rotational load in the rotational direction larger than a rotational load in the other rotational direction is provided to constitute a human body assisting device, and when walking using the human body assisting device, the bottom plate lands. The sole plate is rotated so that the bottom surface of the sole plate becomes parallel to the ground by a load applied when the sole plate is lifted, and when the sole plate is lifted, the sole plate and the leg protection plate can be maintained in a state immediately before lifting. Things.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
WO 02/39934 pamphlet
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the body prosthesis of Patent Document 1, the force for rotating the sole plate so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground and then maintaining the posture is different depending on a difference in weight of an individual's foot applied to the body prosthesis. Therefore, not only the rotational load in one rotation direction of the sole plate that is configured to be rotatable, that is, the rotational load that keeps the sole plate in a posture in which the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground, must not only be set individually for each individual, Once the rotational load has been set, it cannot be changed when it is desired to change the rotational load due to physical condition or the like, which has been very difficult to handle.
In addition, when the rotational load is set by a friction member or the like, the friction member wears with the use of a human body assist device, and the rotational load is greatly reduced from a predetermined load early for some people. In some cases, there was room for improvement.
[0007]
In view of the above situation, the present invention seeks to solve the problem that not only plantar flexion and dorsiflexion are not restricted, walking in a state close to nature can be performed for a long time, but also individual and physical condition. It is an object of the present invention to provide a human body orthosis that can adjust a rotational load by, for example, rotation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the human body orthosis of the present invention is a human body prosthesis in which one of a plurality of vertically adjacent human body protection members is rotatable with respect to the other human body protection member. In the brace, a rotational load setting unit for setting a rotational load of the rotatable human body protection member in one rotational direction to be larger than a rotational load in the other rotational direction is provided, and the rotational load setting unit sets the rotational load. A change means capable of changing the magnitude of the rotating load is provided.
Therefore, by setting the rotational load on the plantar flexion side to be larger than the rotational load on the dorsiflexion side by the rotational load setting means, when lifting the landed foot, the angle of the foot immediately before lifting the human body orthosis Can be held. In addition, since a load applied to a part of the weight by landing the foot is converted into a rotational force for rotating the human body protection member, the human body protection member can be smoothly rotated even if the rotational load is set to be large. it can. In addition, since there is provided a changing means capable of changing the magnitude of the rotating load set by the rotating load setting means, the magnitude of the rotating load is changed depending on the individual, physical condition, or when the rotating load is reduced due to use. Thus, the desired rotational load can be adjusted.
[0009]
A friction member for applying a frictional force serving as a rotational load to the rotation of the one human body protection member, and a friction member between the one human body protection member and the other human body protection member; And a pressing member for pushing into the space formed in the friction member.
If it is desired to increase the rotational load of the rotating human body protection member, the friction member must be pushed by the pressing member to the back in the pushing direction. When it is desired to reduce the rotational load of the rotating human body protection member, the pressing member is operated on the side where the pressing force of the pressing member against the friction member is reduced.
[0010]
The human body protection member includes a sole plate for placing and supporting part or all of the sole of the foot, and a leg protection plate for protecting part or all of the leg. The lower limb brace is constituted by being connected via setting means.
[0011]
When walking using a human body protection member composed of the leg protection plate and the sole plate, the sole plate is rotated by a load applied when landing the sole plate so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground. It is preferable that the magnitude of the rotation load is set so as to maintain the state immediately before lifting the sole plate and the leg protection plate when lifting the sole plate.
By setting the rotational load as described above, it is possible not only to avoid a stumbling by contacting the tip of the foot with an inclined ground when lifting the foot, but also to add a touch when landing the sole plate when landing. The sole can be smoothly rotated by the load (part of the weight).
[0012]
The leg protection plate includes a lower leg cuff for protecting a calf, and a heel bone portion on a rear surface of the sole plate and an Achilles tendon portion on a lower rear surface of a lower end portion of the lower leg cuff are configured to be open.
By making the heel bone portion on the rear surface of the sole plate and the Achilles tendon portion on the rear surface of the lower end portion of the lower leg cuff that are not problematic in the strength surface open, not only the weight can be reduced but also the shoes can be easily worn. Can be. It is also possible to adjust the flexibility of the sole plate and the rear cuff cuff.
[0013]
By setting the rotation center of the lower leg rear cuff to be substantially the same as the vertical height position of the human body physiological ankle axis, the ankle joint axis of the human body and the rotation center of the lower leg rear cuff and the rotation center of the sole plate are adjusted. Since they can be made substantially the same, the ankle joint axis of the human body becomes easy to move.
[0014]
By forming openings in the upper and lower middle portions of the lower leg cuff, the weight can be further reduced and the flexibility can be improved.
[0015]
By providing a fixing member for fixing the human body to the lower leg rear cuff or sole plate across the left and right front ends of the lower leg rear cuff or the left and right upper ends of the sole plate, the human body prosthesis comes off during walking. Can be avoided.
[0016]
Since the rotation load setting means is constituted by a one-way bearing provided on the rotation shaft of the rotatable human body protection member, the rotation load on one side (for example, the dorsiflexion side) can be reduced as much as possible. In addition, the rotation load on the other side (for example, the plantar flexion side) can be set to a size that does not allow the sole plate to rotate due to the weight of the foot placed on the sole plate.
[0017]
When walking using a human body orthosis configured to be rotatable, a sole plate for placing and supporting part or all of the sole of the foot, and a leg protection plate for protecting part or all of the leg, The load applied when landing the sole plate rotates the sole plate so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground, and maintains the state immediately before lifting the sole plate and the leg protection plate when lifting the sole plate. A one-way bearing is provided on a rotating shaft fixed to the leg protection plate so that a space is provided between the one-way bearing and a rotating member rotatably held outside the one-way bearing and fixed to the sole plate. Is formed, and a friction member is provided for entering the space to apply frictional resistance to the one-way bearing, and the frictional resistance increases as the amount of the friction member entering the space increases. By forming the space so as to become narrower toward the back side to form a human body orthosis, the rotational load on one side (for example, the dorsiflexion side) can be reduced as much as possible, and the other side can be formed. The rotation load on the plantar flexion (for example, the plantar flexion side) can be set to such a size that the sole plate does not rotate with the weight of the foot placed on the sole plate, so that plantar flexion and dorsiflexion are limited. Without this, it is possible to walk in a more natural state. Moreover, the frictional resistance for preventing the rotation of the sole plate can be easily increased or decreased only by changing the amount of the friction member entering the space.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 and 2 show a human body orthosis of the present invention. The human body orthosis includes a lower leg cuff (leg protection plate) 1 which is formed in a substantially arc shape in plan view (curved and protrudes rearward) to protect the calf on the rear surface of the shin, and a leg (part below the ankle). ), And a substantially U-shaped sole plate in front view including a mounting portion 2A having a horizontal surface for mounting and supporting the mounting portion, and a pair of right and left rising portions 2B, 2B rising from both left and right sides of the mounting portion 2A. The two lower body cuffs 1 and the foot sole plate 2 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are rotatably connected around the horizontal axis X. The lower limbs below the knees can be fixed to the human body orthosis by the two belts 3 and 4 shown in the figure. Each of the belts 3 and 4, which are the fixing members, is provided with a pair of hook-and-loop fasteners so that the tightening position can be adjusted steplessly. The belt may not be provided if the lower leg back cuff 1 and the sole plate 2 themselves have a holding force for holding the lower limb. One end of the one belt 3 is fixed to the front end of one side of the lower leg cuff 1, and the other end (tip) of the belt 3 passes through the front end of the lower side cuff 1 on the other side. A hole 1K is formed. The front end of the belt 3 is provided with a two-folded portion 3A which is folded in two, so that the belt 3 can be easily removed by grasping the two-folded portion 3A. A soft pad 5 shown in the figure is detachably attached to the rear surface of the belt 3 and receives the shin of the foot, but may be omitted. In addition, one end of the other belt 4 is fixed to the front upper portion on one side of the sole plate 2, and the other end of the other belt 4 is fixed to the front upper portion on the other side of the sole plate 2. A hole 2K for passing the tip) is formed. The prosthesis for human body of the present invention shows a short leg support consisting of a cuff rear cuff 1 and a sole plate 2. The lower end of the thigh front cuff is rotatably connected to the upper end of the lower leg cuff 1 around a horizontal axis. It may be a long leg brace (not shown) or a knee brace (not shown) including a front thigh cuff and a rear thigh cuff, and the shape and specific configuration of the human body orthosis can be freely changed. . A non-slip sheet member may be attached to the bottom surface (lower surface) of the sole plate 2.
[0019]
The lower back cuff 1 and the sole plate 2 are made by mixing various synthetic resins such as polyethylene or these various synthetic resins with a synthetic rubber or a metal or the like to partially have flexibility. Despite being able to reduce weight, there is no deformation or deterioration due to fatigue during long-time use, and it can well absorb the torsional load received from the body during walking, and when no load is acting It has the advantage that it can be restored to its original shape, but it can be made of a material other than synthetic resin.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the Achilles tendon 1A at the lower rear portion of the lower leg cuff 1 and the calcaneal portion 2C at the rear surface of the sole plate 2 are configured to be open, thereby reducing the weight of the entire human body orthosis. In addition to being able to easily wear shoes, the flexibility of the cuff rear cuff 1 and the sole plate 2 can be adjusted. In the figure, shoes are omitted. 1B, 1B shown in the figure are a pair of left and right openings formed in the rear part of the lower leg cuff 2 along the vertical direction, so that the weight of the entire human body orthosis can be further reduced. However, the number and size of the openings can be freely changed, and in some cases, the embodiment can be carried out without forming the openings.
[0021]
A support structure for rotatably supporting the left and right sides of the lower end of the lower leg cuff 1 and the left and right sides of the upper end of the sole plate 2 will be described. Since both the left and right support structures are the same, only one will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a circular opening 1C is formed on each of the left and right sides of the lower end of the lower cuff 1 of the lower leg, and a flange 6A is provided in the opening 1C from the outside at a substantially central position in the insertion direction. The flange 6A and the cuff rear cuff 1 are fixed to each other by a plurality of screws B1 by inserting the inner cylindrical member 6 of any material having rigidity such as resin. Further, a circular opening 2D is formed at the upper end of the sole plate 2, and one end side is opened from the inside in the opening 2D, and a flange 7A is provided at the open end and the other end side is closed. The outer side member 7 made of metal (which may be any material having rigidity such as synthetic resin) is inserted, and the flange 7A and the sole plate 2 are fixed from outside by a plurality of screws B2. are doing. Then, an annular one-way bearing 8 as a rotational load setting means is externally fitted to a circular rotating shaft portion 7C which is formed to protrude inward at the center of the bottom plate portion located on the outside of the outer side member 7. The outer cylindrical portion located outside the flange 6A of the inner cylindrical member 6 is inserted into the space (gap) between the outer surface of the one-way bearing 8 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the outer member 7 in the outer direction. A screw portion 6N formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the inner cylindrical member 6 is screwed into a screw portion 7N formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the side member 7, and the members 6 and 7 are integrated. A metal cylindrical member 9 fitted externally so as to rotate integrally and a plastic cylindrical member 10 fitted externally so as to rotate integrally with the metal cylindrical member 9 are arranged inside the inner cylindrical member 6. Outer surface 10A of the cylindrical member 10 The rotation of the inner cylindrical member 6 to which the one human body protection member 1 is attached is in a space S (a second space S2 in the drawing) formed between the inner cylindrical member 6 and the inner surface 6B of the cylindrical portion. A cylindrical cross-section made of silicone for applying a frictional force that is a rotational load to the material (any material such as synthetic resin or rubber may be used as long as it can reliably apply the frictional force) A friction member 11 having a rectangular shape (a rectangular shape in the figure, but may be a square shape, or a triangular shape or a trapezoidal shape may be used) is arranged, and the plantar plate 2 is plantar-flexed as described later. A space is set so that the rotational load in the plantar flexion direction A2 (see FIG. 5) can be set to a size that can be maintained when lifting the sole plate 2 and the state immediately before lifting the sole plate 2 and the rear cuff 1 of the lower leg. The size of S2 and It has set the size of the friction member 11. After the two members 6 and 7 are screwed and integrated, they are screwed and fixed to the back cuff 1 of the lower leg and the sole plate 2 with screws B1 and B2, respectively, thereby facilitating the assembly.
[0022]
The space S includes a first space S1 in which the size of the space between the outer surface 10A of the cylindrical member 10 and the inner surface 6B of the cylindrical portion of the inner cylindrical member 6 is the same in the inward and outward directions (the rotation axis direction). The second space S2 is narrower from the outer end of the space S1 in the direction of the rotational axis to the outer side in the direction of the rotational axis of the friction member 11, and the friction member 11 is pushed into the second space S2. A screw portion 12A formed on the outer surface of a pressing member 12 made of a metal (any material such as a synthetic resin or rubber that can press the friction member 11) can be used as a flange of the inner cylindrical member 6. The pressing member 12 is provided by screwing into the screw portion 6n formed on the inner surface of the inner cylindrical portion located on the inner side in the direction of the rotation axis with the 6A interposed therebetween. Moving the member 11 in the space S It makes it possible to increase or decrease the frictional force to the one-way bearing 8, so that it is possible to change the magnitude of the rotation load of the one body protecting member 2. Therefore, the changing means capable of changing the magnitude of the rotational load of the human body protection member 2 set by the one-way bearing 8 as the rotational load setting means from the friction member 11, the pressing member 12, and the second space S2. Is composed. Here, of the inner surface of the cylindrical portion on the outer side of the inner cylindrical member 6, a portion from the inner end in the direction of the rotation axis to almost the center is formed in a substantially horizontal plane, and a portion from the center to the outer end in the direction of the rotation axis is the outer end side. The inner surface of the cylindrical member 6 is formed on an inclined surface located radially inward of the inner cylindrical member 6. It may be formed on a tapered surface located radially outward of the cylindrical member 10. Numeral 13 shown in the drawing is a disk-shaped stopper member for preventing the one-way bearing 8 and the cylindrical members 9 and 10 fitted to the rotary shaft portion 7C from moving largely inward in the direction of the rotary shaft center. In addition, the screw 14 is fixed to the rotation shaft portion 7C on a rotation axis Y different from the rotation axis X so that the screw 14 is not loosened by rotation of the human body protection member. Reference numeral 15 denotes a ring member disposed between the friction member 11 and the pressing member 12 so that a large frictional force is not generated between the friction member 11 and the pressing member 12. A protrusion that locks into a specific through-hole 12A among a plurality of through-holes 12A formed in the circumferential direction in the pressing member 12 so that the member 1 does not unexpectedly rotate with respect to the other human body protecting member 2. This is a locking member having a portion 16A, and a base end portion is fixed to the human body protection member 2 with a screw B3.
[0023]
Therefore, by providing the one-way bearing 8, the rotational load in one rotation direction, that is, the dorsiflexion side direction A1 (see FIG. 5) for dorsiflexion of the sole plate 2 can be set to 0 or a state close to 0. When the sole plate 2 is lifted, the rotational load in the other rotation direction, that is, the plantar flexion side direction A2 (see FIG. 5) for plantar flexion of the sole plate 2 immediately before lifting the sole plate 2 and the cuff rear cuff 1 It can be set to a size that can be maintained in a state. Then, when the friction member 11 wears out with use and the rotational load becomes smaller than the rotational load at the time of the initial setting, that is, when the sole plate 2 is lifted, the sole plate 2 and the lower leg cuff 1 are lifted. When it is not possible to maintain the state immediately before, or when it is desired to adjust the rotational load depending on the physical condition or the preference of the person, the friction member 11 enters the first space S1 side (back side) by rotating the pressing member 12. Thus, it is possible to increase the frictional resistance depending on the physical condition and the preference of the person, or to return the rotational load that has been reduced by use to the original rotational load as compared with the initial setting. In addition, in performing smooth walking as described above, it is optimal to set the rotation load to a size that can be maintained in a state immediately before lifting the sole plate 2 and the lower cuff 1 when lifting the sole plate 2. However, when the sole plate 2 is lifted, it can be maintained in a state immediately before lifting the sole plate 2 and the rear cuff 1 of the lower leg, and when the sole plate 2 lands, the sole plate 2 is lifted by the load applied from the legs. The rotation load may be set to a size that can be rotated so as to be parallel to or along the ground plane (ground), and the rotation load may be set to any size. Also, here, the one-way bearing 8 is used as the rotational load setting means, but the present invention is implemented using various types of bearings or friction mechanisms capable of making the rotational load in one direction greater than the rotational load in the other direction. You can also.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the rotation center X of the lower leg cuff 1 is set to the same height as the vertical height position H of the ankle joint axis (also referred to as the thigh axis) as shown in FIG. It is set at a position that intersects the vertical line shown, that is, at a substantially central position in the front-rear direction. Thus, it is optimal to set the rotation center X of the lower leg cuff 1 as shown in the figure, but it may be set at a slightly shifted position.
[0025]
FIG. 5 shows the permissible rotation range of the human body protection member 2 when walking while wearing the human body assisting device. In this case, from a state where the ankle joint is at 0 degree and a state where the foot B and the leg A are substantially at 90 degrees (shown by a solid line), the sole plate 2 is moved to the plantar flexion side at about 20 degrees (an angle range of C1). , It is possible to rotate the dorsiflexion side by 45 degrees (the angle range of D1), but this rotation allowable range can be freely changed. The allowable rotation range can be changed depending on the screwing depth when the outer member 7 and the inner cylindrical member 6 are screwed and integrated, but a stopper mechanism or the like is required. By using this, the rotation allowable range may be changed at any time after the production of the human assistive device.
[0026]
A description will be given of a case in which the human body orthosis configured as described above is worn on the affected part side when walking. First, when walking on a flat road with a horizontal ground, as shown in FIG. 6A, the left foot on the healthy side and the right foot on which the human body orthosis is attached are aligned in a side view, and then the left foot on the healthy side is changed. 6A, the leg A of the right foot on the assistive device side is inclined by 15 degrees (the angle of E1 in FIG. 6B) from the vertical, as shown in FIG. 6B. At this time, since the rotation load on the dorsiflexion side is 0 or close to 0, the lower leg back cuff 1 can rotate smoothly so as to have the angle of the leg A. Subsequently, when the right foot on the assistive device side is lifted off the ground to take one step, as shown in FIG. 6C, the posture immediately before the lifting (the leg A of the right foot is tilted 15 degrees forward from the vertical posture) Posture), the right foot can be moved, and the toe of the right foot does not fall forward and the foot does not catch on the ground. When the right foot lifted from the ground lands on the ground, the sole plate 2 rotates 15 degrees (the angle E2 in FIG. 6D) to the plantar flexion side due to the load applied from the foot when the right foot is landed. The posture of the sole plate 2 is changed so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground.
[0027]
Next, a case of walking on an uphill (uphill) will be described. As shown in FIG. 7A, a state in which the left leg on the healthy side and the right leg on which the human body orthosis is mounted is aligned in a side view. Fig. 7 (b) shows that when the leg is stepped from the vertical posture by 15 degrees (the angle of F1 in Fig. 7 (a)) forward from the vertical posture, the left leg on the healthy side takes one step. As described above, the leg A of the right foot on the assistive device side is inclined forward by 30 degrees (the angle of F2 in FIG. 7B) by further 15 degrees from the forward inclined position. At this time, since the rotation load on the dorsiflexion side is 0 or close to 0, the lower leg cuff 1 can be rotated so as to smoothly match the angle of the leg A. Subsequently, when the right foot on the assistive device side is lifted off the ground in order to take one step, as shown in FIG. 7C, the posture immediately before the lifting (the posture in which the leg A of the right foot is inclined forward by 30 degrees) is taken. The right foot can be moved while being held, and the toe of the right foot does not fall forward and the toe does not catch on the ground. When the right foot lifted from the ground lands on the ground, the load applied from the foot when the right foot is grounded causes the sole plate 2 to rotate 30 degrees to the plantar flexion side (the angle of F3 in FIG. 7D), The posture of the sole plate 2 is changed so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground.
[0028]
Finally, a case of walking downhill will be described. As shown in FIG. 8A, a state in which the left foot on the healthy side and the right foot on which the human body orthosis is mounted is aligned in a side view, Also, when the left leg on the healthy side takes one step from an inclined posture in which the leg is inclined backward by 15 degrees (the angle of G1 in FIG. 8A) from the vertical posture, as shown in FIG. The leg A of the right foot on the orthosis inclines forward from the rearwardly inclined posture to a vertical posture with respect to the ground. At this time, since the rotation load on the dorsiflexion side is 0 or close to 0, the lower leg cuff 1 can be rotated so as to smoothly match the angle of the leg A. Subsequently, when the right foot on the assistive device side is lifted off the ground to take one step, as shown in FIG. 8C, the posture just before the lifting (the posture in which the leg A of the right foot is perpendicular to the ground) The left foot can be moved while holding the toe, and the toe of the right foot does not fall forward and the toe does not catch on the ground. When the right foot lifted from the ground lands on the ground, the sole plate 2 rotates 30 degrees (the angle of G2 in FIG. 8D) to the plantar flexion side due to the load applied from the foot when the right foot is landed. The posture of the sole plate 2 is changed so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the rotational load on the plantar flexion side is set to be larger than the rotational load on the dorsiflexion side by the rotational load setting means, when the landed leg is lifted, the leg immediately before lifting is lifted. Because it can be held at the angle of the foot with a human body orthosis, not only does it not only prevent the foot from pointing down and catching the foot on the ground, but also the dorsiflexion side Can be rotated lightly and smoothly. In addition, since the load to which a part of the weight is applied by landing the foot is converted into the rotational force for rotating the human body protection member, even if the rotational load is set to be large, the human body protection member can be smoothly rotated to achieve the conventional rotation. Can perform plantar flexion, which was considered impossible. Therefore, in addition to sloping terrain, as well as sloping terrain (up and down), the plantar flexion is not limited to any location (changing road surface conditions) such as walking from sloping ground to sloping terrain or walking from sloping terrain to level lands. It is possible to provide a human body orthosis that can walk in a state close to nature while smoothly performing dorsiflexion. In addition, since there is provided a changing means capable of changing the magnitude of the rotating load set by the rotating load setting means, the magnitude of the rotating load is changed depending on the individual, physical condition, or when the rotating load is reduced due to use. The rotational load can be adjusted to a desired value, and it is not necessary to manufacture various types of human assistive devices as in the related art, which is advantageous not only in terms of cost but also good and convenient for a long time. It can be a human body assisting device that is advantageous in both the durable surface and the use surface that can be used.
[0030]
According to the invention of claim 2, a friction member for applying a frictional force serving as a rotational load to the rotation of the one human body protection member, and the friction member is connected to the one human body protection member and the other human body protection member. And a pressing member for pushing into the space formed between the friction member and the friction member in the pushing direction deeper in the pushing direction to constitute the changing means, thereby providing a complicated brake mechanism. This is advantageous in terms of assembly work and cost due to the reduction in the number of parts.
[0031]
According to the invention of claim 4, the sole plate is rotated by the load applied when landing the sole plate so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground, and the sole plate and the leg protection plate are lifted when the sole plate is lifted. By setting the magnitude of the rotational load to maintain the state just before lifting, not only can the foot contact the sloped ground when lifting the foot and avoid stumbles, but also when landing the sole plate Therefore, the sole plate can be smoothly rotated by the load (a part of the weight) applied when the vehicle lands, and the human body orthosis can be configured to be more easily handled.
[0032]
According to the invention of claim 5, the heel bone portion on the rear surface of the sole plate and the Achilles tendon portion on the lower rear portion of the lower cuff rear cuff, which are not problematic in terms of strength, are configured to be open, so that the weight can be reduced only. Instead, the shoes can be easily worn. Further, the flexibility of the sole plate and the rear cuff of the lower leg can be adjusted, so that a human body orthosis corresponding to a patient can be configured.
[0033]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the rotation center of the lower leg cuff is set to be substantially the same as the vertical height position of the human body physiological ankle axis, whereby the rotation center of the human ankle axis and the lower leg cuff is set. And the center of rotation of the sole plate can be made substantially the same, so that the ankle joint axis of the human body can easily move, and a human body prosthesis that is easier to handle can be configured.
[0034]
According to the invention of claim 7, by forming an opening in the upper and lower middle part of the cuff rear surface cuff, it is possible to further reduce the weight and improve the flexibility, so that it can be applied to any patient. An optimal human body orthosis can be configured.
[0035]
According to the invention of claim 8, walking is provided by providing a fixing member for fixing the human body to the rear cuff or sole plate of the lower leg over the right and left front ends of the rear cuff or the right and left upper ends of the sole plate. There is an advantage that the human body assisting device can be prevented from being detached inside, and walking can be performed well.
[0036]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the rotational load setting means is constituted by a one-way bearing provided on the rotation shaft of the human body protection member rotatably configured, so that the rotational load on one side (for example, the dorsiflexion side) can be reduced. It can be eliminated as much as possible, and the rotational load on the other side (for example, the plantar flexion side) can be set to a size that the sole plate does not rotate with the weight of the foot placed on the sole plate, Even more natural (smooth) walking can be performed.
[0037]
According to the tenth aspect, the rotational load on one side (for example, the dorsiflexion side) can be reduced as much as possible, and the weight of the foot resting the rotational load on the other side (for example, the plantar flexion side) on the sole plate. Can be set to a size that does not allow the sole plate to rotate, so that plantar flexion and dorsiflexion are not limited, and a human body orthosis that can walk in a more natural state Can be provided. Further, since a change means capable of changing the magnitude of the rotation load set by the rotation load setting means is provided similarly to the first aspect, the rotation may be reduced when the rotation load is reduced due to individual or physical condition or use. By changing the size of the load, it is possible to adjust to a desired rotational load, and it is not only unnecessary to manufacture various kinds of human assistive devices as in the past, but also it is good and convenient for a long time. An advantageous human body assisting device can be obtained in any of a durable surface and a use surface that can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a human body orthosis.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the human body assistive device.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing various components for rotatably supporting a rear cuff cuff and a sole plate.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a support structure for rotatably supporting a rear cuff cuff and a sole plate.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an allowable rotation range of a human body assisting device.
6A and 6B show a case of walking on a flat road with the human body orthosis of the present invention, FIG. 6A shows a state in which both feet are aligned, FIG. 6B shows a state in which the left foot is stepped one step, and FIG. Indicates a state immediately before the user depresses the right foot and lands, and (d) indicates a state where the right foot depressed lands.
7A and 7B show a case where the human body orthosis of the present invention is used to walk on an uphill, wherein FIG. 7A shows a state in which both feet are aligned, FIG. 7B shows a state in which the left foot is stepped one step, and FIG. Indicates a state immediately before the user depresses the right foot and lands, and (d) indicates a state where the right foot depressed lands.
8A and 8B show a case in which the human body orthosis of the present invention is used for walking downhill, FIG. 8A shows a state in which both feet are aligned, FIG. 8B shows a state in which the left foot is stepped one step, and FIG. Indicates a state immediately before the user depresses the right foot and lands, and (d) indicates a state where the right foot depressed lands.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 cuff rear cuff (leg protection plate, human body protection member)
1A Overhang
1B Achilles tendon 1C Opening
1K aperture
2 sole plate (human body protection member)
2A Placement section 2B Start-up section
2C heel bone 2D opening
2K opening 3,4 belt
5 Soft pad 6 Inner cylindrical member
6A Flange 6B Inner surface of cylinder
6n screw part
7 Outer side member 7A Flange
7B recess 7C rotating shaft
7D Projection 7N Screw
8 One-way bearing (rotational load setting means)
9,10 Cylindrical member 11 Friction member
12 Pressing member 12A Through hole
13 Stopper member
14 Screw 15 Ring member
16 Locking member 16A Projection
A leg B foot
B1, B2, B3 Screw A1 Dorsiflexion side direction
A2 plantar flexion side direction
C1, D1 Angle range E1, E2 Angle
F1, F2, F3 Angle G1, G2 Angle
H position S space
S1 first space S2 second space
X Horizontal axis center (rotation center) Y Rotation axis center

Claims

In a human body prosthesis in which the other human body protection member is configured to be rotatable relative to one of a plurality of human body protection members vertically adjacent to each other, one of the rotatable human body protection members may be rotated. A rotational load setting unit for setting a rotational load in the direction larger than a rotational load in the other rotational direction; and a changing unit capable of changing a magnitude of the rotational load set by the rotational load setting unit. A human body orthosis characterized by the following.

A friction member for applying a frictional force serving as a rotational load to the rotation of the one human body protection member; and a friction member between the one human body protection member and the other human body protection member. 2. A human body assisting device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member for pushing the space into the space formed, wherein the space becomes narrower as the friction member pushes in the pushing direction.

The human body protection member includes a sole plate for placing and supporting part or all of the sole of the foot, and a leg protection plate for protecting part or all of the leg. The human body orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the human limb orthosis is connected to the human body through setting means.

When walking using a human body protection member consisting of the leg protection plate and the sole plate, the sole plate is rotated so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground by a load applied when landing the sole plate. 4. The human body orthosis according to claim 3, wherein the magnitude of the rotational load is set so as to maintain the state immediately before lifting the sole plate and the leg protection plate when lifting the sole plate.

4. The leg protection plate comprising a cuff rear cuff for protecting a calf, wherein a heel bone portion on a rear surface of the sole plate and an Achilles tendon portion on a rear surface of a lower end portion of the rear cuff are open. Or the human body assisting device according to 4.

6. The human body prosthesis according to claim 5, wherein a rotation center of the lower leg cuff is set to be substantially the same as a vertical position of a human body physiological ankle axis.

The human body orthosis according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an opening is formed in an upper and lower middle portion of the lower leg cuff.

The human body prosthesis according to claim 5, further comprising a fixing member for fixing the human body to the lower leg cuff or the sole plate over the left and right front ends of the lower leg cuff or the left and right upper ends of the sole plate.

2. The human body prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said rotational load setting means is a one-way bearing provided on a rotation shaft portion of said rotatable human body protection member.

When walking using a human body orthosis configured to be rotatable, a sole plate for placing and supporting part or all of the sole of the foot, and a leg protection plate for protecting part or all of the leg, The load applied when landing the sole plate rotates the sole plate so that the bottom surface thereof is parallel to the ground, and maintains the state immediately before lifting the sole plate and the leg protection plate when lifting the sole plate. A one-way bearing is provided on a rotating shaft fixed to the leg protection plate so that a space is provided between the one-way bearing and a rotating member rotatably held outside the one-way bearing and fixed to the sole plate. Is formed, and a friction member is provided for entering the space to apply frictional resistance to the one-way bearing, and the frictional resistance increases as the amount of the friction member entering the space increases. Artificial limb joint device comprising a the space and narrower as the inner side so.