JP2011115296A - Plantar flexion braking member and short lower limb orthosis using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plantar flexion braking mechanism with a simple structure, by which planter flexion is possible and one can walk in a natural condition, and to provide a short lower limb orthosis using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The plantar flexion braking member 41 is a member which is attached to an Achilles' tendon part 22 a foot mounting body 21 or to an Achilles' tendon part 12 of a lower limb support body 11 of the short lower limb orthosis 1, in which the foot mounting body 21 for mounting a sole of foot and the lower limb support body 11 for supporting a lower limb are connected in respective ankle parts 23, 13. The plantar flexion braking member 41 is constituted of a compression-deformable soft elastic material, is compressed, and plantar flexes an ankle joint by a predetermined angle after abutting on the Achilles' tendon part 12 of the lower limb support body 11 or the Achilles' tendon part 22 of the foot mounting body 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a plantar flexion braking member and a short leg brace using the same.

  There may be a case where the ankle joint cannot be moved freely by one's own intention due to stroke or the like. Patients with such disabilities should not be able to move weight smoothly during walking because their toes hang down (droops, paw), and they cannot walk well because their toes get caught on the floor. Therefore, a short leg brace is generally used as an auxiliary device.

  The conventional ankle leg orthosis has been mainly a fixed orthosis of the type in which the ankle is fixed in a bent state of approximately 90 °. However, such a fixed short leg brace cannot perform plantar flexion (bend in the direction that the toes hang down) and dorsiflexion (bend in the direction in which the toes are lifted). Was hindering. For this reason, recently, ankle foot orthosis that enables ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion during walking has been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a short leg brace that enables a bottom bending action and a dorsiflexion action by incorporating a spring into a joint that connects a foot resting body and a tibial appendage.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a short leg brace that allows a bottom bending action and a dorsiflexion action by incorporating a so-called hydraulic damper in a joint that connects a foot resting body and an inflated shin support.

JP-A-9-103443 JP 2004-166811 A

  In the short leg brace of Patent Document 1, the spring overhangs behind the Achilles tendon, so the spring is caught when going down the stairs and there is a risk of falling.

  The short leg prosthesis of Patent Document 2 has a problem of high cost because a hydraulic damper is used. When a person walks, a large load of about 60% of the body weight is applied for about 0.02 seconds when landing on the shore. In order to support this load and brake moderate buckling, a large hydraulic damper is required. The When a large hydraulic damper is incorporated, the weight of the short leg brace increases and hinders walking.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above matters, and the object of the present invention is a plantar flexion braking member having a simple structure capable of planting and allowing walking in a natural state, and a short leg apparatus using the same. It is to provide.

The buckling braking member according to the present invention is
Attach to the Achilles tendon portion of the footrest body or the Achilles tendon portion of the crus support of the short leg brace where the footrest body for placing the sole and the lower leg support body supporting the lower leg are connected at the respective hips A bent-bending braking member,
The plantar flexion braking member is formed of a flexible elastic material that can be compressed and deformed, and is compressed by a predetermined amount by being pressed by the Achilles tendon portion of the crus support and the Achilles tendon portion of the footrest, and the ankle joint is bottomed by a predetermined angle. It is characterized by bending.

  Moreover, it is preferable to bend 2-12 degrees.

  The flexible elastic material is preferably a sponge material.

  Moreover, you may be comprised combining the said some flexible elastic material from which hardness differs.

The short leg brace according to the present invention is:
A foot rest for placing the sole,
A lower leg support for supporting the lower leg;
A joint for connecting the buttocks of the footrest and the buttocks of the crus support;
The plantar flexion braking member according to any one of the above, which is installed in the Achilles tendon portion of the footrest or the Achilles tendon portion of the crus support.

  The plantar flexion braking member according to the present invention is made of a flexible elastic material that can be compressed and deformed, and is installed on the Achilles tendon portion of either the foot resting body or the lower leg support of the short leg brace. If the user wears this short leg brace and walks, the plantar flexion braking member is pressed by the Achilles tendon portions of the foot rest and the lower leg support at the time of landing, and is compressed and deformed by a predetermined amount. Due to this deformation, the ankle joint is bent at a predetermined angle, so that the impact upon landing is absorbed and smooth walking is realized.

It is a perspective view of a short leg brace. It is a rear view of a short leg brace. It is a side view of a short leg brace. It is a perspective view of a bottom bending braking member. It is a figure which shows a mode that it wears a short leg brace and walks. It is a figure which shows a mode that it wears a short leg brace and walks. It is a figure which shows a mode that it wears a short leg brace and walks. It is a figure which shows a mode that it wears a short leg brace and walks. It is a perspective view of another bottom bending braking member. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of FIG. 9. It is sectional drawing of another bottom bending braking member. It is sectional drawing of another bottom bending braking member. It is sectional drawing of another bottom bending braking member. It is a top view of another bottom bending braking member. It is sectional drawing of another bottom bending braking member. It is sectional drawing of another bottom bending braking member. It is a top view of another bottom bending braking member.

  Hereinafter, the plantar flexion braking member according to the present embodiment and a short leg brace using the same will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the rear view of FIG. 2, and the side view of FIG. 3, the ankle foot orthosis 1 mainly includes a crus support 11, a foot rest 21, a joint 31, and a plantar flexion braking member 41. Consists of Here, the short leg prosthesis 1 for the left foot will be described.

  The footrest 21 is a part on which a patient's sole is placed. The lower leg support 11 is a part that supports the lower leg by being applied to the patient's calf shin. The foot rest 21 and the lower leg support 11 are made of a synthetic resin such as plastic in accordance with each patient's foot.

  The heel portions 13 on both sides of the crus support 11 and the heel portions 23 on both sides of the footrest body 21 are connected to each other via joints 31. The joint 31 is made of a deformable elastic material rich in restoring force. The crus support 11 and the footrest 21 are configured such that the ankle joint is maintained at an angle of approximately 90 ° when the patient wears it.

  Since the joint 31 is an elastic material that can be bent, it can be bent freely, and after being bent back, it returns to its original state by the restoring force of the joint 31. Thus, the joint 31 is a part mainly responsible for dorsiflexion braking.

  Each belt 14, 15, 24 provided in the short leg brace 1 functions to fix each part of the patient's foot that is worn.

  The Achilles tendon portion 12 of the crus support 11 and the Achilles tendon portion 22 of the footrest body 21 both project rearward (back side), and the plantar flexion braking member 41 is located below the Achilles tendon portion 12 of the crus support 11. Is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom bending brake member 41 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape. A through hole 42 is formed in the bottom bending brake member 41. The plantar flexion braking member 41 is fixed to the Achilles tendon portion 12 of the crus support 11 by a fastener such as a screw 43 through the through hole 42. Note that a hole 25 larger than the head of the screw 43 is formed in the Achilles tendon part 22 so that the screw 43 and the Achilles tendon part 22 of the footrest body 21 do not interfere with each other.

  The bottom bending braking member 41 is made of a flexible elastic material that is compressed and deformable by a predetermined amount and has a restoring force. As the flexible elastic material, various sponge materials which are spongy rubber or resin are preferable. For example, polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, rubber sponge and the like can be mentioned.

  The plantar flexion braking member 41 is sandwiched between the Achilles tendon portion 22 of the footrest body 21 and the Achilles tendon portion 12 of the crus support body 11 when the heel lands during walking of a person. It is pressed by. Then, when the plantar flexion braking member 41 is compressed and deformed, it has a function of causing the ankle joint to buckle at a predetermined angle with the patient's heel as a fulcrum.

  In general, when a person walks, the ankle joint absorbs an impact by causing a buckling of about 10 ° during the time until the foot on the opposite side from the ground is separated from the ground (load response period). Smooth walking is possible. In addition, there is an individual difference in the plantar flexion angle of the ankle joint in the load response period, and it varies from person to person within a range of approximately 2 to 12 degrees, such as around 5 degrees or 2 to 3 degrees. For this reason, it is preferable that the bottom bending braking member 41 can bend the 2-12 ° ankle joint by compressive deformation.

  Next, a walking operation when the short leg brace 1 is attached to the left foot 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the walking cycle is divided into a stance phase and a swing phase. The stance phase refers to the time when the foot is on the ground during the walking cycle, and begins with initial contact (initial contact). The free leg period is the time when the foot in the walking cycle is away from the ground and the leg is carried forward by the swing. In the initial swing, that is, when the foot is away from the ground (toe off) Begins. Here, the walking motion in the stance phase of the left foot will be mainly described.

  First, FIG. 5 shows the left foot 51 landing on the ground, that is, the state of initial grounding, but since the ankle joint of the left foot 51 is supported at approximately 90 ° by the short leg brace 1, it does not land from the toe. , Landing on the ground 52 from the heel.

  At the beginning of the stance phase, generally, 60% of the body weight is added at a stroke in 0.02 seconds, and it is necessary to absorb the impact. Originally, it will absorb the impact with the bottom flexion of the ankle joint, the flexion of the knee joint, and the flexion of the hip joint, but when the bottom flexion of the ankle joint is limited, the shock absorption is not sufficiently performed, The knee joint is pushed forward by the crus support 11, which makes it difficult to walk.

  However, when the short leg brace 1 is worn, as shown in FIG. 6, after the heel has landed, the plantar flexion braking member is formed by the Achilles tendon portion 12 of the lower leg support 11 and the Achilles tendon portion 22 of the footrest 21. By pressing 41 and compressively deforming, the ankle joint is bent down. Since the bottom bending brake member 41 is made of a flexible elastic material, it has a characteristic that the reaction force gradually increases according to the load. For this reason, when the heel lands, the ankle joint does not buckle to a predetermined angle at a stretch, but gradually increases to a predetermined angle so as to follow the forward movement of the left foot 51 due to weight shift during walking. It will be bent down. Thereby, shock absorption in the initial stage of the stance phase is performed, and smooth walking is realized.

  Thereafter, when the walking motion proceeds, as shown in FIG. 7, the plantar braking member 41 is restored, and the entire sole comes in contact with the ground 52. Since the ankle joint is supported at approximately 90 ° by the short leg brace 1, stable single leg support by only the left foot 51 is realized.

  Since the joint 31 can be bent, as shown in FIG. 8, the ankle joint is bent back following the forward movement of the left foot 51, and kicking out by the toe can be performed smoothly.

  Thereafter, due to the restoring force of the joint 31, the ankle joint returns to about 90 ° and shifts to the swing phase. Then, after the swing leg period, the process proceeds to initial grounding again, and thereafter, this series of movements is repeated. By the dorsiflexion and plantar flexion braking of the short leg brace 1, the above-described series of walking motions are performed smoothly.

  Since the plantar flexion braking member 41 has a simple configuration as described above, the cost is low, and there is an advantage that it can be installed on various short leg braces by changing the shape and the like.

  The thickness of the plantar flexion braking member 41 is appropriately set according to the gap of the Achilles tendon portion of the short leg brace where the plantar flexion braking member 41 is installed. Further, the material of the bottom bending brake member 41 is appropriately set so that the patient's ankle joint is bent in the above range according to the physique such as the weight of the patient to be used.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the plantar flexion braking member 41 is installed in the Achilles tendon portion 12 of the crus support 11 may be installed in the Achilles tendon portion 22 of the footrest body 21.

  Further, the plantar flexion braking member 41 and the Achilles tendon portion 12 of the crus support 11 or the plantar flexion braking member 41 and the Achilles tendon portion 22 of the footrest 21 are fixed by screws 43 or an adhesive. Various fixing methods such as fixing are used.

  Moreover, although the semi-cylindrical plantar flexion braking member 41 corresponding to the shape of the Achilles tendon portion 12 of the crus support 11 and the Achilles tendon portion 22 of the footrest 21 has been described above, the shape of the short leg brace to be installed The shape may be changed as appropriate.

  Further, when walking, the ankle is inclined three-dimensionally inward or outward. However, since the plantar flexion braking member 41 has a sufficient width in the left-right direction of the foot, it can flexibly cope with such a three-dimensional movement and can smoothly walk.

  Also, a plurality of plantar flexion braking members 41 having different degrees of hardness and several degrees of hardness are prepared, and the hardness according to the appropriateness of the person who actually uses the short leg brace 1 is prepared. It is preferable that the bottom bending braking member 41 can be selected.

  Moreover, the bottom bending braking member 41 may be comprised from the some flexible elastic material from which hardness differs. For example, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 9 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, a plurality of flexible elastic materials 41a, 41b, and 41c having different hardnesses may be laminated in the vertical direction. Moreover, as shown in sectional drawing of FIG. 11, the some flexible elastic material 41a, 41b, 41c from which hardness differs may be laminated | stacked on the left-right direction.

  Moreover, when a patient is a pronation foot (valgus) or an supination foot (varus), it can contribute to smooth walking, protection of joints and the like by configuring as follows. A pronation foot refers to a foot with a rib or forefoot that is beyond the normal range. A certain amount of pronation is necessary to reduce the shock when the heel touches the ground and balance in the middle of walking, but if pronation becomes excessive, strong pressure is applied not only to the skeleton of the foot but also to the surrounding area. It affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc. of the skin, which is a major cause of foot disorders.

  In the case of such a pronation foot patient, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12, a flexible elastic material 41b that is harder than the outer flexible elastic material 41a is arranged on the inside. Good. Since the outer flexible elastic material 41a is softer and compressively deformed, excessive pronation of the ankle joint can be suppressed, and smooth walking can be realized.

  Further, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13, the configuration may be such that the flexible elastic material 41b is disposed on the inner upper portion and the flexible elastic material 41a is disposed diagonally on the outer lower portion. Since the outside of the bottom flexion braking member 41 is relatively soft and easily deformed, excessive pronation of the ankle joint can be suppressed as described above. Further, the same effect as described above can be obtained even in a configuration in which the flexible elastic material 41b is disposed on the inner lower portion and the flexible elastic material 41a is disposed diagonally on the outer upper portion. Moreover, as shown in the top view of FIG. 14, the bottom bending braking member 41 by which the hole 44 was formed in the outer side may be sufficient. Since the outer side of the buckling braking member 41 is more easily compressed and deformed than the inner side by the hole 44, the same effect as described above can be obtained. Note that the size, location, and number of the holes 44 may be arbitrarily set according to the patient, and the holes 44 may or may not penetrate.

  On the other hand, the supination foot is the opposite of the pronation foot, and refers to a foot that has a rib or forefoot that is beyond the normal range. Under normal supination conditions, the foot is more stable and the toes increase the force of kicking the contact surface, but when the supination becomes excessive, the ankles are displaced outwards to pull the muscles outside the lower limbs, Causes ankle damage. In addition, after a stroke, joints throughout the body gradually become stiff (spasticity increases), and paralyzed ankle joints often exhibit abnormal limb positions such as varus and apex. In such a case, the heel cannot be grounded at the initial grounding, but suddenly touches the entire sole, the knee is excessively extended (overextension), and the waist is pulled backwards, resulting in inefficient walking. Cause damage to the joints.

  In the case of such a patient with a supination foot, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 15, a flexible elastic material 41a that is softer than the flexible elastic material 41b on the outside is arranged on the inside. Good. Since the inner flexible elastic material 41a is softer and more likely to be compressed and deformed, it is possible to suppress excessive rotation of the ankle joint and realize smooth walking.

  Further, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 16, the flexible elastic material 41 a may be disposed on the inner lower portion, and the flexible elastic material 41 b may be disposed diagonally on the outer upper portion. Since the inside of the bottom flexion braking member 41 is relatively soft and easily deformed, it is possible to prevent the ankle joint from being excessively rotated as described above. In addition, the same effect as described above can be obtained even in a configuration in which the flexible elastic material 41a is disposed on the inner upper portion and the flexible elastic material 41b is disposed on the outer lower portion on a diagonal line. In addition, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 17, a buckling braking member 41 in which a hole 44 is formed inside may be used. Since the inside of the buckling braking member 41 is more easily compressed and deformed than the outside by the hole 44, the same effect as described above can be obtained. Note that the size, location, and number of the holes 44 may be arbitrarily set according to the patient, and the holes 44 may or may not penetrate.

(Verification example)
Five healthy subjects and one stroke patient as subjects were walked while wearing the short leg brace 1 according to the present embodiment, and a sensory test for ease of walking was performed. Moreover, as a reference, I walked with wearing a short leg brace equipped with the hydraulic damper of Patent Document 2.

  As a result, when all of the subjects walked with wearing the short leg brace 1 according to the present embodiment, they can walk more naturally than walking with the short leg brace equipped with a hydraulic damper. I got the impression.

  When walking with the short leg brace 1 attached, after the heel has landed, the ankle joint is bent flexibly following the movement of the foot moving forward. It was an impression.

  On the other hand, in the short leg brace with a hydraulic damper installed, the bottom flexion braking by the hydraulic damper is weak, and when the heel landed, it immediately bent down to the maximum bottom flexion angle without feeling a moderate load and stable. It was an impression that walking was difficult.

  The plantar flexion braking member is made of a flexible elastic material that can be compressed and deformed, and is installed on the Achilles tendon portion of either the foot resting body or the lower leg support of the short leg brace. If the user wears this short leg brace and walks, the plantar flexion braking member is pressed by the Achilles tendon portions of the foot rest and the lower leg support at the time of landing, and is compressed and deformed by a predetermined amount. Due to this deformation, the ankle joint is bent at a predetermined angle, so that the impact upon landing is absorbed and smooth walking is realized. Therefore, it can be used as an assisting device or a rehabilitation device for a patient having a disorder in which the ankle joint cannot be moved freely by his / her own intention due to stroke or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Short leg brace 11 Lower leg support body 12 Achilles tendon part 13 Hip part 14 Belt 15 Belt 21 Foot mounting body 22 Achilles tendon part 23 Hip part 24 Belt 25 Hole 31 Joint 41 Bottom bending braking member 41a Flexible elastic material 41b Flexible elastic material 41c flexible elastic material 42 through hole 43 screw 44 hole 51 left foot 52 ground

Claims (5)

Attach to the Achilles tendon portion of the footrest body or the Achilles tendon portion of the crus support of the short leg brace where the footrest body for placing the sole and the lower leg support body supporting the lower leg are connected at the respective hips A bent-bending braking member,
The plantar flexion braking member is formed of a flexible elastic material that can be compressed and deformed, and is compressed by a predetermined amount by being pressed by the Achilles tendon portion of the crus support and the Achilles tendon portion of the footrest, and the ankle joint is bottomed by a predetermined angle. Bend,
A buckling braking member characterized by that.   The bottom buckling braking member according to claim 1, wherein the bottom buckling member is bent by 2 to 12 degrees.   3. The buckling braking member according to claim 1, wherein the flexible elastic material is a sponge material.   4. The buckling braking member according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the flexible elastic materials having different hardnesses are combined. A foot rest for placing the sole,
A lower leg support for supporting the lower leg;
A joint for connecting the buttocks of the footrest and the buttocks of the crus support;
A plantar flexion braking member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is installed on the Achilles tendon portion of the footrest or the Achilles tendon portion of the lower leg support.

Images