JP2009297372A - Load transmission apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technique for freely setting a load direction. <P>SOLUTION: The load of a loading device is added to the first movable member 111 of a load input part 110. The load input part 110 converts the load, along the circular arcuate operating direction of the loading device, into the load, along the linear operating direction of a cable 120. The cable 120 is extended from the load input part 110 to a load output part 130, and transmits the load converted by the load input part 110 to the load output part 130 along the extending direction. The load output part 130 adds the load transmitted from the cable 120 from a pressure plate 131 to a hard tissue, such as a bone, while loosening the twist of the cable 120. The load input part 110 is fixed to a measurement table, etc. and used. The position and direction of the load output part 130 are freely set within a range to be allowed by the cable 120. Consequently, the direction of the load to be added to the hard tissue, such as the bone, is freely set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a load transmission device that applies a load to hard tissue such as bone.

  In order to diagnose bone metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis, determination of easy fracture, and quantitative diagnosis of bone healing after fracture treatment, simple and quantitative measurement of mechanical properties such as bone strength is desired. Yes.

  Evaluation of bone formation and bone union greatly depends on X-ray photographs, but it is difficult to quantitatively diagnose bone strength with X-ray photographs. Although a strength test of a sample bone to be measured is known as a conventional method for measuring bone strength, a sample bone removal operation is required and is invasive. Further, as a method for measuring bone mass and bone density, use of general-purpose X-ray CT, a DXA (dual energy absorption measurement method) apparatus, and the like have been put into practical use. However, these are merely means for measuring bone mass, and bone strength cannot be evaluated. Moreover, it cannot be said that it is noninvasive in the point which irradiates an X-ray.

  Other attempts to quantitatively evaluate bone strength include a strain gauge method in which a strain gauge is attached to an external fixator and the strain of the fixator is measured, and vibration that evaluates the natural frequency by applying external vibration to the bone. Examples of the existing method include a wave method and an acoustic emission method for detecting a sound wave generated from a bone having yield stress. However, these methods still have problems in terms of the limitation of applicable treatment methods, the need to invade bones, and evaluation accuracy.

  Against this background, the inventors of the present application have proposed an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that non-invasively and quantitatively evaluates the mechanical characteristics of bone (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-152079 A

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 1 forms a plurality of ultrasound beams on a bone, acquires a plurality of echo signals corresponding to each ultrasound beam, and corresponds to the bone surface for each echo signal. A surface point to be identified is specified, and characteristic information reflecting the mechanical characteristics of the bone is generated based on a plurality of surface points obtained from a plurality of echo signals. Then, the mechanical characteristics of the bone when an external action is exerted on the bone are evaluated. This is an epoch-making technique that allows non-invasive and quantitative evaluation of bone mechanical properties in vivo from surface point data on the bone surface based on echo signals.

  The inventors of the present application have further studied the technique for further improving the epoch-making technique described in Patent Document 1 and evaluating the mechanical characteristics of hard tissues such as bones with higher accuracy. In particular, the technology for applying a load to hard tissue has been improved.

  The present invention has been made in such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of freely setting the direction of the load.

  In order to achieve the above object, a load transmission device according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes a load input portion to which a load is input from the load device, a cable portion that is connected to the load input portion and transmits the load, A load output unit that is connected to the cable unit and outputs a load, and the load input unit converts a load along an operation direction of the load device into a load along an operation direction of the cable unit. The cable portion is extended from the load input portion to the load output portion, and transmits the load converted by the load input portion to the load output portion along the extension direction. The load output portion is connected to the cable output portion. A load transmitted from the cable part is applied to the hard tissue while loosening the twist of the part.

  In a preferred aspect, the load input unit includes a first movable member that moves along an arcuate operation direction of the load device, a second movable member that moves along a linear operation direction of the cable unit, and a first And a connecting member that connects the movable member and the second movable member.

  In a desirable aspect, the connecting member and the first movable member are bendably connected, the connecting member and the second movable member are bendably connected, and the movement of the first movable member causes the connecting member to move. The load along the arcuate operation direction of the load device is converted into the load along the linear operation direction of the cable portion by being transmitted to the second movable member through the cable. .

  In a preferred aspect, the cable portion includes an inner cable attached to the second movable member of the load input portion and interlocking with the second movable member, and an outer cable covering the inner cable.

  In a preferred aspect, the load output unit includes a pressure member that is attached to the inner cable of the cable portion and interlocks with the inner cable, and a case that is attached to the outer cable of the cable portion and covers the pressure member. It is characterized by that.

  In a desirable mode, the inner cable is attached to the pressure member so as to be rotatable about the axis of the inner cable, and the outer cable is attached to the case so as to be rotatable about the axis of the outer cable, A load is applied to the hard tissue through the pressure member while twisting of the inner cable and the outer cable is removed by rotation of each of the inner cable and the outer cable.

  In order to achieve the above object, a load system according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a load system including the load transmission device and a load device for inputting a load to the load transmission device, wherein the load The apparatus includes a support member, a swing arm that performs a seesaw motion with an axis supported by the support member as a fulcrum, and a pressure that is attached to the swing arm and that is generated by the seesaw motion and is input to the load device. And a mechanism.

  According to the present invention, when a load is applied to a hard tissue such as bone, the direction of the load can be freely set.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a load transmission device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration thereof. 1 includes a load input unit 110, a cable 120, and a load output unit 130.

  The load input unit 110 receives a load from a load device (not shown). The load of the load device is applied to the first movable member 111. Then, the load input unit 110 converts a load along the operation direction of the load device into a load along the operation direction of the cable 120.

  The cable 120 extends from the load input unit 110 to the load output unit 130 and transmits the load converted by the load input unit 110 to the load output unit 130 along the extension direction.

  The load output unit 130 applies the load transmitted from the cable 120 to the hard tissue such as bone from the pressure plate 131 while loosening the twist of the cable 120.

  A load device (not shown) and the load input unit 110 are used by being fixed to, for example, a table or a measurement table. Since the load output unit 130 is connected to the load input unit 110 via the cable 120, the position and direction of the load output unit 130 can be freely set within a range allowed by the cable 120. That is, the load transmission device 100 in FIG. 1 can freely set the direction of the load applied to the hard tissue such as bone.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the load input unit 110. 2 (I) is a side view of the load input unit 110, and FIG. 2 (II) is a cross-sectional view of the load input unit 110 along the cutting line AA in FIG. 2 (I).

  The load input unit 110 includes a first movable member 111 that moves along the operating direction of a load device (not shown), a second movable member 112 that moves along the operating direction of the cable 120, the first movable member 111, and the second movable member. 112 is provided with a connecting member 113 for connecting 112. The second movable member 112 is inserted into the case 114 of the load input unit 110, and the inner cable 121 of the cable 120 is fixedly connected to the second movable member 112. The inner cable 121 is covered with an outer cable 122.

  The first movable member 111 and the connecting member 113 are connected at the axis P1 and can be bent with the axis P1 as a bending point. Similarly, the second movable member 112 and the connecting member 113 are connected at the axis P2, and can be bent with the axis P2 as a bending point.

  A load device (not shown) and the load input unit 110 are fixed to, for example, a table or a measurement table, and a pressurizing mechanism of the load device is fixedly connected to the first movable member 111. The pressurizing mechanism of the load device operates in the vertical direction of FIG. 2 along, for example, an arc. As a result, the first movable member 111 also operates in the vertical direction along the arc.

  The second movable member 112 is movable in the vertical direction of FIG. 2 along a straight line in the case 114. Therefore, the movement of the first movable member 111 along the arc is transmitted to the second movable member 112 via the connecting member 113, whereby the second movable member 112 is moved linearly. Then, following the linear movement of the second movable member 112, the inner cable 121 also moves in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 along the straight line.

  In this way, the load input unit 110 converts the load along the arcuate operation direction of the load device into a load along the linear operation direction of the cable 120. The cable 120 is further extended from the lower end of FIG. 2, and the inner cable 121 is slid along the extending direction of the cable 120, and a load is transmitted along the extending direction of the cable 120. It is desirable that the inner cable 121 does not expand and contract as much as possible.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the load output unit 130, and FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the load output unit 130. A cable 120 extended from the load input unit 110 (FIG. 2) is connected to the load output unit 130.

  The load output unit 130 includes a bearing case 134, a pressure bar 133 fixed to the bearing case 134, a load cell 132 provided at the tip of the pressure bar 133, and a pressure plate. 131 is provided.

  The inner cable 121 of the cable 120 is connected to the bearing case 134 at its tip 121 ′. When the inner cable 121 is moved by the load input unit 110 (FIG. 2), the bearing case 134 is moved in the vertical direction in the drawing according to the movement of the inner cable 121. Further, the pressure rod 133, the load cell 132, and the pressure plate 131 fixedly provided on the bearing case 134 are also moved in the vertical direction. Thereby, a load is applied from the pressure plate 131 to hard tissue such as bone (not shown). The load cell 132 measures the magnitude of the load applied to the hard tissue from the pressure plate 131.

  The case 135 is provided with a window W at the tip thereof, and the position of the load cell 132 and the pressure plate 131 can be visually confirmed from the window W. If visual confirmation is unnecessary, the window W may be omitted.

  A bearing is provided in the bearing case 134. A front end 121 ′ of the inner cable 121 is connected to a bearing case 134 via a bearing. That is, the inner cable 121 is attached to the bearing case 134 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the inner cable 121. Then, the inner cable 121 rotates with respect to the bearing case 134 to remove the twist of the inner cable 121. The inner cable 121 can also rotate with respect to the outer cable 122.

  A bearing is also provided at the upper end of the case 135, and the tip 122 ′ of the outer cable 122 is connected to the case 135 through the bearing. That is, the outer cable 122 is attached to the case 135 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the outer cable 122. Then, when the outer cable 122 rotates with respect to the case 135, the twist of the outer cable 122 is removed. The outer cable 122 can also rotate with respect to the inner cable 121.

  As described above, the load output unit 130 can apply the load transmitted from the cable 120 to the hard tissue while loosening the twist of the cable 120. When a load is applied to a bone or the like, the pressure plate 131 is installed at a site to be measured, and the case 135 is placed in the load direction so that the end surface S of the case 135 and the end surface of the pressure plate 131 are substantially in the same plane. (Up and down direction in FIG. 3). In this state, the position of the case 135 is fixed and a load is applied.

  Next, a load device suitable for configuring a load system in combination with the load transmission device 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a load device 10 suitable for combination with the load transmission device 100 of FIG. 1. 4 includes a support 20 and a swing arm 30 that performs a seesaw motion with a swing shaft 32 supported by the support 20 as a fulcrum.

  The support column 20 includes an inner column portion 22, an outer cylinder portion 24, and a swing base 26. A magnet is provided on the bottom surface side of the inner column portion 22, and the load device 10 can be fixed in a state where the column 20 is erected on a base having a metallic plate, for example. The outer cylinder portion 24 can move along the longitudinal direction with respect to the inner column portion 22, whereby the height of the swing base 26 that supports the swing shaft 32 is adjusted, and the pressurizing mechanism 52 applies pressure. The pressure position is adjusted. The movement of the outer cylinder part 24, that is, the adjustment of the height may be performed manually by the user, for example, or may be performed by providing a pump mechanism or the like inside the column 20 and the pump mechanism.

  A rotating arm 40 and a pressurizing mechanism 52 are provided on one end side of the swing arm 30. One end of the rotary arm 40 is rotatably attached to the swing arm 30, and a load weight 80 is placed on the other end of the rotary arm 40. As the rotating arm 40 rotates, the magnitude of the force applied by the load weight 80 applied to the pressurizing mechanism 52 is adjusted.

  A support shaft 60 that supports the adjustment weight 90 is provided on the other end side of the swing arm 30. The weight for adjustment 90 adjusts the weight balance between the one side and the other side of the swing arm 30.

  The tip 50 of the pressurizing mechanism 52 is fixedly connected to the first movable member 111 of the load transmission device 100 of FIG. Then, according to the seesaw motion of the swing arm 30 about the swing shaft 32, the tip 50 of the pressurizing mechanism 52 operates in the vertical direction along the arc, and accordingly, the load transmission device 100 of FIG. The first movable member 111 also operates in the vertical direction along the arc. Thus, a load is applied from the load device 10 in FIG. 4 to the load transmission device 100 in FIG. 1.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above and its effect are only a mere illustration in all points, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes various modifications without departing from the essence thereof.

It is a perspective view showing the whole load transmission device composition concerning the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a load input part. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a load output part. It is a figure for demonstrating a suitable load apparatus for a combination with a load power transmission apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  10 load device, 100 load transmission device, 110 load input unit, 120 cable, 130 load output unit.

Claims (7)

A load input unit to which a load is input from a load device;
A cable part connected to the load input part for transmitting a load;
A load output unit connected to the cable unit and outputting a load;
Have
The load input unit converts a load along the operating direction of the load device into a load along the operating direction of the cable unit,
The cable part is extended from the load input part to the load output part, and transmits the load converted by the load input part to the load output part along the extension direction,
The load output part applies a load transmitted from the cable part to the hard tissue while loosening the twist of the cable part,
A load transmission device characterized by that. The load transmission device according to claim 1,
The load input unit includes a first movable member that moves along an arcuate operation direction of the load device, a second movable member that moves along a linear operation direction of the cable unit, a first movable member, A connecting member that connects the two movable members;
A load transmission device characterized by that. The load transmission device according to claim 2,
The connecting member and the first movable member are connected to be bendable, and the connecting member and the second movable member are connected to bendable,
When the movement of the first movable member is transmitted to the second movable member via the connecting member, the load along the arcuate operation direction of the load device is along the linear operation direction of the cable portion. Converted into
A load transmission device characterized by that. In the load transmission device according to claim 2 or 3,
The cable portion includes an inner cable that is attached to the second movable member of the load input portion and interlocks with the second movable member, and an outer cable that covers the inner cable.
A load transmission device characterized by that. The load transmission device according to claim 4,
The load output portion includes a pressure member attached to the inner cable of the cable portion and interlocked with the inner cable, and a case to which the outer cable of the cable portion is attached and covers the pressure member.
A load transmission device characterized by that. In the load transmission device according to claim 5,
The inner cable is attached to the pressure member so as to be rotatable around the axis of the inner cable, and the outer cable is attached to the case so as to be rotatable around the axis of the outer cable,
While the twist of the inner cable and the outer cable is removed by the rotation of each of the inner cable and the outer cable, a load is applied to the hard tissue through the pressure member.
A load transmission device characterized by that. The load transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A load device for inputting a load to the load transmission device;
A load system comprising:
The load device is
A support member;
A swing arm that performs seesaw motion with an axis supported by the support member as a fulcrum;
A pressurizing mechanism that is attached to a swing arm and inputs a load generated by the seesaw motion to the load device;
Comprising
A load system characterized by that.

Images