JP2013121429A - Knee orthotic and knee orthotic pad - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knee orthotic and knee orthotic pad, which can prevent the deterioration of a proprioception function and can treat pain.SOLUTION: There is provided the knee orthotic 11 including: a body part 12 attached to a body; a projection part 13 arranged on a body side X of the body part 12, which projects to the body side X; and a recess/projection part 14 arranged on the body side X of the projection part 13, which stimulates a feeling receptor of body skin. The recess/projection part 14 rubs a skin surface and efficiently and continuously imparts frictional stimulation to the feeling receptor existing in the skin surface and skin grooves by being pressed by the projection part 13. Thus, the knee orthotic 11 can prevent the deterioration of the proprioception of a knee joint in cooperation with the projection part 13 and the recess/projection part 14.

Description

  The present invention relates to a knee brace and a knee brace pad. More specifically, the present invention relates to a knee brace and a knee brace pad that are used for reducing, preventing, or treating knee joint pain.

  An example of a disease relating to the knee joint is osteoarthritis of the knee. It is generally known that a so-called knee osteoarthritis patient suffering from this knee osteoarthritis has a lower knee propensity to be described later with age. Moreover, as an example of other diseases related to the knee joint, there is ligament damage caused by damage of the ligament due to external force or the like. Pain due to these diseases is known to occur around the patella.

  There are known knee braces for the purpose of prevention, treatment, pain relief, and the like of diseases related to the knee joint such as knee osteoarthritis and ligament damage.

  As an example of this knee brace, for example, there is a knee brace as shown in Patent Document 1. This knee brace prevents the movement of the patella, the dislocation of the patella, and the like by using a pad member disposed around the lower half of the hole into which the patella is inserted, thereby reducing pain.

JP-A-63-51855

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a knee brace capable of preventing a decrease in proprioceptive function and preventing pain and a pad for a knee brace (applicable also to a general knee brace). Let it be an issue.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a body portion to be worn on the body, a convex portion that is disposed on the body side of the main body portion, protrudes toward the body side, and is disposed on the body side of the convex portion. There is provided a knee brace comprising a concavo-convex portion for stimulating a sensory receptor on the skin.

Here, the “convex portion” means a portion that protrudes from the body-side surface to the body side with respect to the body-side surface of the main body portion and applies a pressing load to the body. When a member is provided on the body side surface of the main body part or a convex part is formed by projecting a part of the cloth of the main body part, the body side surface of the main body part (with respect to the surface of the main body part) The vertical direction). Moreover, when the other part (giving a pressing load to the body) is embedded in the fabric of the main body part to form a convex part, the other part and the part project to the body side of the main body part. Say dough. In such a case, the other part refers to a part including even the “whole” of the other parts although it is partially inserted into the body side of the main body.
Note that “surface fasteners” with the purpose of “wearing (fixing) the orthosis” are different from the purpose of the convex part “pressing a part of the body”. Although it is a member protruding from the body side to the body side), it is not included in the convex part.

  In addition, “the uneven portion disposed on the body side of the convex portion” means that when the knee brace of the present invention is “weared”, there is an uneven portion on the body side of the convex portion, and the uneven portion and the convex portion are Means overlapping. For example, an uneven portion is configured on the body side of the convex portion, and the uneven portion is configured at a position different from the convex portion in addition to the uneven portion positioned on the body side of the “always” convex portion. When the knee brace “when worn” is included, the uneven portion is first arranged on the body side (inner side) of the convex portion, and the convex portion and convex portion overlap each other.

The conventional knee orthosis is intended to alleviate the actual pain, and has no measures to prevent further worsening of pain. This pain is induced by “decrease in knee joint sensation (function of joint movement that combines position and movement sensation)”, and this knee joint sensation is inside the body around the patella. Therefore, it has been extremely difficult to apply some kind of stimulus directly from the outside world and to prevent a decrease in the uniqueness of the knee joint. Therefore, paying attention to the sensory receptors present in the skin under the same innervation area as the proprioceptive sense of the knee joint, and stimulating the sensory receptor to prevent the proprioception of the knee joint from decreasing did.
However, sensory receptors are present on the surface of skin and fine grooves (skin grooves, etc.) of skin, and simply pressing a member against the body from the outside sufficiently stimulates sensory receptors. It was difficult. Therefore, the present invention employs a configuration that is arranged on the body side of the convex part, has an uneven part at a position overlapping with the convex part when worn, and protrudes and presses the uneven part that stimulates the sensory receptor of the skin. did. As a result, the uneven part can provide a stimulus for rubbing the skin surface (friction stimulus) and a stimulus for stretching the skin (extension stimulus) with high efficiency, and a sensory receptor present in the skin surface, skin groove, etc. Can be stimulated with high efficiency. As a result, the concavo-convex part (protruded by the convex part) can stimulate the specific sensation of the knee joint under the same innervation area as the sensory receptor existing in the skin with high efficiency and continuously. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the uniqueness of the joint. In other words, the present invention can realize an unprecedented effect of preventing a decrease in the uniqueness of the knee joint by combining the convex portion and the concave and convex portion.
From the above, the present invention, combined with the convex and concave portions, not only prevents the pain occurring at the present time, but also prevents the position sensation that presupposes this pain, a decrease in the sense of movement, Further worsening of pain induced in the future can be prevented.

In this knee brace, it is preferable that at least a part of the concavo-convex part is provided on the surface of the convex part on the body side.
In this knee brace, it is also preferable that the concavo-convex part is arranged at a position different from the convex part, is arranged on the body side of the convex part when worn, and overlaps the convex part. In this case, it is preferable that the concavo-convex part is configured as a separate body from the main body part, and the concavo-convex part is arranged on the body side of the convex part when worn and overlaps the convex part. Further, in this case, the concavo-convex part is provided at a position different from the convex part arranged on the body side of the main body part, and the concavo-convex part is arranged on the body side of the convex part at the time of wearing and overlaps the convex part. A configuration is also preferable.
In this knee brace, the concavo-convex portion is preferably a fabric containing fibers having a diameter in the range of 500 nm to 1000 nm. In this case, it is preferable that the concavo-convex portion is a fabric containing fibers having a surface friction coefficient in the range of 0.35 ± 0.04.
In this knee brace, the convex part has a polymer body, and the polymer body has a thickness (t ₁ ) after a load of 55 g / cm ² is applied for 24 hours. It is preferable that the material exhibits 90% or more of the thickness (t ₀ ) of the polymer body before the treatment.
In this knee brace, the convex portion is preferably disposed around the patella of the body.
Furthermore, the present invention is used on the body side of the knee brace, and is provided on the body side of the knee brace, and on the body side of the convex portion, and has a diameter in the range of 500 nm to 1000 nm. Provided is a knee brace pad comprising a fiber and an uneven portion that is a fabric that stimulates sensory receptors on the skin of the body.
In this knee brace pad, the concavo-convex portion is preferably a fabric containing fibers having a surface friction coefficient in the range of 0.35 ± 0.04.
In this knee brace pad, the convex portion has a polymer body, and the polymer body has a thickness (t ₁ ) after a load of 55 g / cm ² is applied for 24 hours. It is preferable that the material shows 90% or more of the thickness (t ₀ ) of the polymer body before loading.

  According to the knee brace and the knee brace pad of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the wearer's specific sense function from being lowered and to prevent pain.

It is a typical top view explaining knee orthosis 11 concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is the elements on larger scale of the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 1 explaining the knee orthosis 11 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the mounting state of the knee brace 11 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing of the wearing condition of the knee orthosis which concerns on embodiment of this invention of the BB arrow of FIG. It is typical sectional drawing explaining the knee orthosis 21 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing explaining the knee orthosis 31 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a typical top view explaining the knee orthosis 41 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing of the mounting state of the knee orthosis 41 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the uneven | corrugated | grooved part (lower winding material) 54 used for the knee orthosis 51 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing of the mounting state of the knee orthosis 51 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a typical sectional view explaining knee orthosis 61 concerning other embodiments of the present invention. It is the fragmentary figure of the typical top view explaining the knee orthosis which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the knee brace 81 which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the relationship between a knee osteoarthritis and a ligament injury patient, and a proper sense. It is a schematic diagram explaining the generation | occurrence | production location of pain.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described. In addition, embodiment described below shows an example of typical embodiment of this invention, and, thereby, the range of this invention is not interpreted narrowly. In addition, redundant description of configurations and materials common to the embodiments is omitted.

  First, as a premise to describe the knee orthosis in detail, a disease targeted by the knee orthosis, a mechanism in which the disease occurs, and the like will be briefly described.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the relationship between knee osteoarthritis and ligament injury patients and proprioception. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a location where pain occurs.
An example of a disease relating to the knee joint is osteoarthritis of the knee. This knee osteoarthritis is caused by weakness in muscle strength, aging, obesity, etc., resulting in a decrease in knee joint function, loosening of the joints of knee cartilage and meniscus, deformation, tearing, etc. It is a painful illness with excessive retention of joint fluid. Moreover, as an example of other diseases related to the knee joint, there is ligament damage caused by damage of the ligament due to external force or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a so-called knee osteoarthritis patient (OA: solid line arrow) suffering from knee osteoarthritis generally has a decrease in knee joint propensity described later with aging. Known (reference numeral 1). This "joint sense of identity" refers to the function of joint motion that combines position and motion. Position sense is a function that detects the bending state and its position and motion, and motion sense detects joint motion acceleration. Means the function to Due to the decrease in the proper sense, the spatial and temporal cooperation between the position sense and the motion sense is lowered (reference numeral 2). If this condition further deteriorates, not only will the propriety be further deteriorated (see reference numeral 3), but it may cause further knee deformity and pain (reference numerals 4, 5), which may further deteriorate osteoarthritis of the knee. There is.

  As shown in FIG. 15, it is known that pain occurs in a wide range along the outer periphery of the patella 8 (see all the ○ marks including the ○ mark of 9). The “patella” is also called a knee plate and refers to the bone in front of the knee joint. The “patellar periphery” refers to a portion on the skin surface around the patella 8 shown in FIG. It shall mean a location along the patella outer edge 8a. The location along the patella outer edge 8a includes the vicinity of the outer edge in addition to the patella outer edge 8a. Specifically, the vicinity of the outer edge includes an inner patella outer edge located on the patella 8 and inside the patella outer edge 8a, and an outer patella outer edge 8b outside the patella outer edge 8a and not located on the patella. Of these, a point close to the outer edge 8a of the patella (generally, a position within 5 cm from the outer edge of the patella inward or outward) is indicated.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, a so-called ligament injury patient (Li: broken line arrow) who received ligament damage, which is an example of another disease related to the knee joint, also received the ligament damage (reference numeral 6), and then the mechano receptor. Abnormalities / disappearances (reference 7), not only lowering performance such as motor function, but also worsening the above-mentioned proper sense (reference 3), possibly causing pain and joint deformation (references 4, 5) ). As a result, it is known that there is an extremely high risk that the above-mentioned osteoarthritis of the knee will also occur.

  The inventor fully examined the above-mentioned disease and the mechanism of the occurrence of this disease, and the convexity and irregularity combined to prevent a decrease in proprioception, and the pain that has occurred at the present time and the future induced We have created a knee brace that prevents further worsening of pain. Below, this knee orthosis is explained in full detail.

1 to 4 are schematic diagrams illustrating a knee orthosis 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a deployed state of a knee brace 11 according to the embodiment as viewed from the body side, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a region R1 in the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the mounting state of the knee brace 11 on the foot (right foot) L, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mounting state of the knee brace 11 taken along line BB in FIG. is there. In FIG. 4, the belt 15 and the hook-and-loop fastener 16 are not shown for convenience of explanation.

  The knee brace 11 includes a main body 12 to be attached to the body (foot) L, a convex portion 13 that is disposed on the body side X (see the arrow direction in FIG. 2) of the main body 12 and projects to the body side X, And a concavo-convex portion 14 that is disposed on the body side X of the portion 13 and stimulates the sensory receptors on the skin of the body L (see FIGS. 1 and 2). That is, the knee brace 11 mainly has a main body portion 12, a convex portion 13, and an uneven portion 14.

  Hereinafter, the main body part 12, the convex part 13, and the concavo-convex part 14 which are main components of the knee brace 11 will be described in detail.

  The main body 12 mainly includes a back surface portion 12A, a left side surface portion 12B, a right side surface portion 12C, and a belt 15 (in this embodiment, two: a thigh belt 15A and a crus belt 15B). The main body 12 has a length (a length in the axial direction) covering the thigh L1 proximal to the knee joint L2 to the lower leg L3 proximal to the knee joint L2 (see FIG. 3). The thigh belt 15A has one end fixed to the lower leg L3 side (lower side) of the non-body side surface of the right side surface portion 12C and is configured toward the thigh L1 side (upper side), and the other end of the thigh belt 15A has a hook-and-loop fastener 17A. Is configured. The lower leg belt 15B has one end fixed to the thigh L1 side (upper side) of the opposite body surface of the right side surface portion 12C and is configured toward the lower leg L3 side (lower side), and the other end of the lower leg belt 15B has a hook-and-loop fastener 17B. Is configured. The crus belt 15B is designed to pass so as to be in contact with the end of the convex portion 13 described later on the side opposite to the patella (lower side).

  As shown in FIG. 3, when mounting the main body 12 (of the knee brace 11), first, the back surface 12A is held on the back side of the knee joint L2, and the upper side 12a of the main body 12 is connected to the thigh L1. It arrange | positions so that the lower side 12b of the part 12 may be located in the crus L3. Then, the left side surface portion 12B is arranged on the body side (moved to the patella P1 side), and the right side surface portion 12C is superimposed on the opposite side of the left side surface portion 12B (outside in the radial direction Y). The main body portion 12 is fixed by a hook-and-loop fastener 16 provided on the side surface portion 12C. In order to make this fixing more reliable, the main body 12 is tightened by a belt 15 provided on the opposite side (outside) of the main body 12.

  Next, the convex part 13 and the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 14 are explained in full detail.

  The convex portion 13 is disposed on the body side X of the main body portion 12 (see the arrow direction in FIG. 2) and protrudes toward the body side X. The “convex portion” refers to a member that protrudes from the surface to the body side with respect to the body-side surface of the main body portion and applies a pressing load to the body.

  In the present embodiment, the member 13 is disposed on the main body 12 and protrudes from the body-side surface 121 to the body side X with reference to the surface of the body-side surface 121 of the main body 12. ].

The convex portion 13 protruding to the body side X is disposed around the patella P1 of the body L.
In the present embodiment, when the knee brace 11 is worn, the convex portion 13 is a lower part of the patella (P1 (FIG. 3), P2 (FIG. 4)) of the wearer's body L and along the patella P1. (See FIG. 15 for details). Moreover, the convex part 13 has roundness in the four corners of the convex part 13, and excludes the excessive irritation | stimulation to the body L. FIG.

The convex portion 13 has a polymer body, and the polymer body has a thickness (t ₁ ) after applying a load of 55 g / cm ² for 24 hours. It is a material showing 90% or more (that is, (t ₁ × 100 / t ₀ ) ≧ 90%) of the thickness (t ₀ ) of the molecular body.

In the present embodiment, the product name “Neoplane” manufactured by Yamamoto Chemical Co., Ltd. was used as the convex portion 13. For “Neoplane”, a test piece of 10 cm × 10 cm was manufactured, a weight of 1146 g with a contact area of 3.5 cm × 6.0 cm was placed on this test piece, and the thickness of the polymer when left overnight was measured. It was measured and compared with the thickness of the polymer body before the test. As a result of this test, “Neoprene” had a (polymer thickness after test / polymer thickness before test) of 94%.
The thickness of the convex portion 13 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the main body portion) is 4 mm. In addition, about the thickness of a convex part, 2-6 mm is preferable.

In addition, as a product of the polymer body of the convex part, a product name “Fit Cell” manufactured by Toyo Chemitech Co., Ltd. (compression permanent strain specified in JIS K6301 (equivalent to JIS K6262 at present) is less than 20%), Co., Ltd. Trade name “Transform 500S” (Daiichi Kagaku Co., Ltd./1.1% compression set as defined in JIS K6767), trade name “Toraypefu” (Registered trademark of Toray Industries, Inc./compression set as defined in JIS K6767 is 6%), trade name “Polon” manufactured by Roger Sinoac Co., Ltd. (compression residual strain as defined in JIS K6401 is 3.1%) Etc. may be used.
As a result of performing the above test (the same test as that performed on the above-mentioned “Neoplane”) on the above-mentioned products, “fit cell” and “polon” (Thickness / thickness of polymer body before test) was 100%, “Transform 500S” was 98%, and “Tolepef” was 95%.

That is, the convex part has a polymer body, and the polymer body has a thickness (t ₁ ) after applying a load of 55 g / cm ² for 24 hours before the load is applied. It is a material showing 90% or more of the thickness (t ₀ ) of the polymer. More preferably, the thickness of the polymer body after the test (t ₁ ) / the thickness of the polymer body before the test (t ₀ ) is 94% or more.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the convex part 13 has a hardness of 17 measured by an Asker C hardness meter (Japan Rubber Association Standard SRIS0101). In addition, it is preferable that the hardness of a convex part is 5-40, and it is more preferable that it is 10-30.

  In addition, as the material of the polymer having the convex portion, natural rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, styrene / butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) ) Polymers such as resins, olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, styrene thermoplastic elastomers, polyester thermoplastic elastomers may be used. Further, a foamed material (foam) made of the above-mentioned material or a polyolefin foam such as polyethylene may be used. Of these materials, silicone rubber, polyurethane foam, polyolefin foam, and EVA foam are preferable.

The concavo-convex part 14 is arranged on the body side X of the convex part 13 and stimulates the sensory receptors on the skin of the body L.
The concavo-convex portion 14 is disposed on the body-side surface 131 of the convex portion 13 that applies a pressing load to the body L, and overlaps the convex portion 13. That is, the concavo-convex part 14 is disposed on the body side X of the convex part 13. In other words, when the center of the cross-section of the wearer's body (more specifically, the foot) L is the axis Z, the concavo-convex part 14 and the convex part 13 from the axis Z toward the radial direction Y. The concavo-convex part 14 and the convex part 13 are arranged in a superimposed manner (see FIG. 4).
More specifically, at least a part of the concavo-convex portion 14 is provided on the surface 131 of the convex portion 13 on the body side X. The convex portion 13 is disposed on the body-side surface 121 of the main body 12, and the four side surfaces in the vertical direction with respect to the body-side surface 131 of the convex portion 13 and the body-side surface 131 (of the convex portion 13). 132 is covered by the uneven portion 14. The concavo-convex portion 14 is sewn to the main body portion 12 and is fixed in a state where the concavo-convex portion 14 is in contact with the convex portion 13.

  In this embodiment, the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 14 is the fabric containing the fiber which exists in the range of diameter 500nm-1000nm. Moreover, the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 14 is the fabric containing the fiber which has a surface friction coefficient in the range of 0.35 +/- 0.04. The surface friction coefficient of the concavo-convex portion 14 is the amount of vertical movement (relative to the surface of the concavo-convex portion 14) of the measurement terminal of the tester using an automated surface tester (KESFB4-AUTO-A) manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd. It was measured by.

  In addition, you may use another natural fiber and a chemical fiber as a material of an uneven | corrugated | grooved part. Chemical fibers include synthetic fibers (polyester-based synthetic fibers, polyamide-based synthetic fibers, polyurethane-based synthetic fibers, polyacrylonitrile-based synthetic fibers, polyolefin-based synthetic fibers) and semi-synthetic fibers (cellulose-based semi-synthetic fibers and protein-based semi-synthetic fibers). Fiber), regenerated fiber (cellulosic regenerated fiber), inorganic fiber (glass fiber / carbon fiber) and the like may be used. Of these, polyester-based synthetic fibers are preferred.

  Next, the operational effects of the knee brace 11 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

The knee brace 11 includes a main body 12 that is mounted on the body L, a convex portion 13 that is disposed on the body side X of the main body 12, protrudes toward the body side X, and a body side X of the convex portion 13 (more specifically, Is provided on the body-side surface 131), and has a concavo-convex portion 14 for stimulating sensory receptors on the skin of the body L. Moreover, in this embodiment, the polymer body of the convex portion 13 has a thickness of the polymer body after the test (t ₁ ) / the thickness of the polymer body before the test (t ₀ ) of 90% or more (more specifically, Is a material showing 94%), the convex portion 13 is not easily deformed, and the concave-convex portion 14 can be continuously pressed. Furthermore, since the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 14 is the fabric containing the fiber which exists in the range of the diameter of 500 nm-1000 nm, it can enter not only the skin surface but the inside of the skin groove, etc.
Combined with these configurations, the concavo-convex part 14 is pressed by the convex part 13 and rubs against the skin surface (of the body L) and becomes a sensory receptor present inside the skin surface and the skin groove (of the skin). On the other hand, “friction stimulation” can be given continuously with high efficiency. As a result, the concavo-convex portion 14 can efficiently and continuously stimulate the specific sensation of the knee joint L2 under the same innervation region as the sensory receptor existing on the skin (of the body L), and the knee joint L2 It is possible to prevent a decrease in the sense of properness. In other words, the knee brace 11 can prevent a decrease in the specific sensation of the knee joint L2 due to the combination of the convex portion 13 and the concave and convex portion 14.

  In the present embodiment, the belt 15B that travels toward the lower leg L3 of the main body portion 12 passes so as to be in contact with the anti-patella side (lower side) end portion of the design convex portion 13; 15B can push up the convex part 13 to the patella side (upper side). Thereby, the belt 15B can perform stimulation of the sensory receptor of the skin by the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 14 (projected by the convex part 13) more continuously.

  From the above, the knee orthosis 11 not only prevents the pain in the knee joint L2 currently generated by the convex portion 13, but also prevents the position sense and the motion sensation that are the premise of the pain in the knee joint L2. In addition, further worsening of pain induced in the future can be prevented.

  Further, the knee orthosis 11 of the present embodiment can be attached to both the left and right legs (body) L with the same knee orthosis 11 by fixing the position of the convex portion 13. Furthermore, the size development can be facilitated, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the mass production can be facilitated. Since the concavo-convex portion 14 is made of a material having good hygroscopicity and air permeability, sweat or the like is discharged from between the concavo-convex portion 14 and the convex portion 13, and it is possible to prevent skin problems of the wearer.

  In addition, the member by which the uneven | corrugated | grooved part (14) in the said embodiment is equipped with the body side surface (131) of a convex part (13), what is called a pad for knee orthosis distribute | circulates as a single member, and (the said embodiment) The knee brace 11 may be used as a replacement part, or may be used for a general knee brace that does not have a knee brace pad as an accessory.

The knee brace pad is used on the body side of the knee brace, and is provided on the body side of the knee brace, and on the body side of the convex portion, and has a diameter of 500 nm to 1000 nm. And an uneven portion that is a fabric that stimulates sensory receptors on the skin of the body. The concavo-convex portion is a fabric including fibers having a surface friction coefficient in the range of 0.35 ± 0.04. The convex part has a polymer body, and the polymer body has a thickness (t ₁ ) after applying a load of 55 g / cm ² for 24 hours, before the load is applied. It is a material showing 90% or more of the thickness (t ₀ ) of the polymer.

  By setting the knee brace pad as a component independent of the knee brace, the attachment position of the knee brace pad can be changed corresponding to various pain points. In addition, if a plurality of knee brace pads of different sizes, shapes, thicknesses, etc. are prepared, the wearer may change the knee brace pad appropriately according to the symptoms of the knee joint, the degree of pain, etc. it can.

  In addition, because the knee brace pad can be attached to and detached from the knee brace, for example, patients with ligament injury may have a convex part after surgery and the affected part may be compressed, causing pain. Remove the knee brace pad for a while after the operation, and when it reaches the rehabilitation stage, attach the knee brace pad to the knee brace to increase the stimulation intensity for sensory receptors and promote the improvement of proper sense You can also. That is, it is possible to adjust the stimulation intensity with the knee brace pad according to the degree of recovery of the damaged part after surgery.

  In addition, the attachment method of the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 14 in the said embodiment is not specifically limited. For example, the concavo-convex part may be sewn on the body side surface of the main body part after covering the entire convex part with the concavo-convex part. Moreover, you may fix an uneven | corrugated | grooved part to a convex part or a main-body part via a hook_and_loop | surface fastener, an adhesive agent, etc.

  In addition, if the uneven | corrugated | grooved part is arrange | positioned at the body side of a convex part, it does not necessarily need to be arrange | positioned at the whole body side surface of a convex part, and is arrange | positioned at a part of body surface of a convex part. It may be a configuration. In short, the surface area on the body side (the side in contact with the body) of the concavo-convex part may be larger or smaller than the surface area of the convex part on the body side.

  Next, another embodiment will be described.

  In this embodiment, the convex part and the uneven | corrugated | grooved part in a knee brace are comprised by one member. This configuration will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a knee orthosis 21 according to another embodiment.

  The knee orthosis 21 is disposed on the body side 22 of the body portion 22, the convex portion 23 protruding to the body side X of the main body portion 22 (see the arrow direction in FIG. 5), and the body side X of the convex portion 23. And a concavo-convex part 24 for stimulating the sensory receptors of the skin (see FIG. 5).

  In the case where both the “convex portion” and the “concave portion” are configured as one member, the respective portions are defined in view of the purpose of both portions. The term “uneven portion” refers to the surface (surface layer portion) on the body side of this member in order to stimulate sensory receptors on the skin of the body. The “convex portion” refers to a portion other than the body-side surface of the member (in other words, a portion other than the concavo-convex portion) in order to apply a pressing load to the body.

In this embodiment, the convex part 23 and the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 24 are comprised with the silicone rubber which is one member. Of this silicone rubber, the surface (surface layer portion) on the body side X is the “concave portion” 24, and the portion other than the surface on the body side X is the “convex portion” 23.
Considering the positional relationship between the “convex portion” 23 and the “concavo-convex portion” 24, also in this embodiment, the uneven portion 24 is arranged on the body side X of the convex portion 23. More specifically, the concavo-convex portion 24 is provided on the surface of the convex portion 23 on the body side X.

In this embodiment, the hardness measured by the Asker C hardness meter of the silicone rubber (the convex portion 23 and the concave and convex portion 24 are configured) is 20. In addition, it is preferable that the hardness measured with the Asker C hardness meter of a convex part (silicone rubber) is 5-40, More preferably, it is 10-30.
Further, the surface friction coefficient (MIU) of the convex portion 23 (silicone rubber) (measured by an automated surface testing machine (KESFB4-AUTO-A) manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd.) is 0.124 or more, and the friction variable The fluctuation (MMD) is 0.01 or more. Moreover, in this embodiment, the thickness (length in the direction perpendicular to the body side surface) of the convex portion (silicone rubber) 23 is 4 mm. In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of a convex part (silicone rubber) is 2-10 mm, More preferably, it is 3-5 mm.

  The main body 22 (of the knee brace 21) in the present embodiment has the same configuration as the main body 12 (of the knee brace 11) in the above embodiment.

In the knee brace 21 in the present embodiment, the uneven portion 24 is disposed on the body side X of the convex portion 23 (provided on the body side X surface of the convex portion 23), and the uneven portion 24 is made of silicone rubber (surface friction coefficient: 0.124 or more). Since the silicone rubber of the concavo-convex part 24 has a body surface friction coefficient of 0.124 or more, the concavo-convex part 24 (projected and pressed by the convex part 23) is in close contact with the wearer's skin and stretches the skin. Can stimulate sensory receptors present on the skin surface of the body. In other words, the knee brace 21 can apply a so-called “extension stimulus” to the sensory receptor with high efficiency. As a result, the specific sensation of the knee joint under the same innervation area as the sensory receptor present on the skin surface can be stimulated with high efficiency and continuously, and the decrease in the specific sensation of the knee joint can be prevented. .
In other words, the knee brace 21 can realize the effect of preventing the decrease in the uniqueness of the knee joint by combining the convex portion 23 and the concave and convex portion 24. As a result, the knee orthosis 21 not only prevents the knee joint pain currently generated by the convex portion 23 and the concave and convex portion 24, but also prevents a decrease in position sense and motion sense that are the premise of the pain of the knee joint. In addition, further worsening of pain induced in the future can be prevented.

  In the above-mentioned other embodiments, in the knee brace 21, the convex portion 23 and the concave-convex portion 24 are configured by “one” member, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the knee brace 31 of FIG. As described above, the convex portion 33 and the concave and convex portion 34 may be constituted by “separate” members. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the knee brace 31. Specifically, the convex portion 33 protruding on the body side X (see the arrow direction in FIG. 6) and the concave and convex portion 34 arranged on the body side X of the convex portion 33 may be configured by separate members. . In the other embodiments described above, the convex portion is not limited to silicone rubber, and other polymer bodies may be used.

  In addition to the surface 331 on the body side X of the convex portion 33, the uneven portion 34 may also be configured on a side surface 332 positioned in a direction perpendicular to the surface 331 on the body side X of the convex portion 33. The uneven part 34 may be provided on a part of the body-side surface 331 of the convex part 33. The thicknesses of the convex portions 33 and the concave and convex portions 34 may also be changed according to, for example, a stimulus amount (skin stretch amount) for stretching the skin.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the concavo-convex portions 14 and 24 are “always” provided on the body-side X surface of the convex portions 13, 23, and 33 and overlap the convex portions 13 and 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the concave and convex portions may be arranged at “a position different from (before wearing)” from the convex portion, arranged on the body side of the convex portion when “attached”, and overlap the convex portion. . In short, it is not necessary for the uneven part to be “always” arranged on the body side of the convex part, and when the wearer “wears the knee brace”, the uneven part is arranged on the body side of the convex part. It is only necessary to be arranged so as to overlap the convex portion.

  For example, the concavo-convex part is provided at a position different from the convex part arranged on the body side of the main body part, and the concavo-convex part is on the body side of the convex part when worn and overlaps the convex part. Good. This configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view of the deployed state of the knee brace 41 as viewed from the body side. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the wearing state of the knee brace 41. In FIG. 8, for convenience of explanation, the belt 45 and the hook-and-loop fastener 46 (shown in FIG. 7) are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the concavo-convex part 44 is provided at a position different from the convex part 43 “located on the body side of the main body part 42”. Specifically, the convex portion 43 is provided on the right side surface portion 42 </ b> C side of the body portion 42 on the body side. The uneven portion 44 is provided on the left side surface portion 42 </ b> B on the body side of the main body portion 42, and is provided at a position different from the convex portion 43 (arranged on the body side of the main body portion 42).

  In the above-mentioned definition, “an uneven portion disposed on the body side of the convex portion” means that when “the knee brace is worn”, there is an uneven portion on the body side of the convex portion, and the uneven portion and the convex portion overlap. Means that That is, in addition to the convex and concave portions being configured on the body-side surface of the convex portion (as shown in the above embodiment), the concave and convex portion is configured at a position different from the convex portion, and when the knee brace is worn, A configuration in which the concavo-convex portion is located on the body side (inside) of the convex portion for the first time (a configuration in which the concavo-convex portion and the convex portion overlap) is also included.

  In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, when the knee brace 41 is worn, first, the left side surface portion 42B having the uneven portion 44 is disposed on the body side (moved toward the patella side), and then (left side The right side surface portion 42C having the convex portion 43 is mounted in a superimposed manner on the opposite side surface of the side surface portion 42B. That is, when the knee brace 41 is worn, the concavo-convex portion 44 is positioned on the body side of the convex portion 43 (a configuration in which the concavo-convex portion 44 and the convex portion 43 overlap). In other words, the knee brace 41 is configured to include “an uneven portion disposed on the body side of the convex portion”. In the knee brace 41 as well, the convex portion 43 and the concave and convex portion 44 (as in the above embodiment) are disposed below the patella (P3 (FIG. 8)).

Further, the uneven portion may be “configured as a separate body from the main body portion”, and the uneven portion may be disposed on the body side of the convex portion and overlapped with the convex portion when worn. This configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a mounting state of the uneven portion (lower winding material) 54 used for the knee brace 51, and FIG. 10 shows the main body portion 52 from above the uneven portion (lower winding material) lower wound material 54 of FIG. It is typical sectional drawing showing the mounting state of the knee orthosis 51 at the time of mounting | wearing.

In the knee orthosis 51, a convex portion 53 is formed on the body side of the main body portion 52. The uneven portion 54 is a lower winding material 54 configured as a separate body from the main body portion 52. In the knee brace 51, as a premise for mounting the main body 52, first, the uneven portion (lower winding material) 54 is placed around the patella, more specifically, around the patella (P4 (FIG. 9), P5 (FIG. 10)). Wear from thigh to lower leg.
From the opposite side of the concavo-convex portion 54 (so as to cover the concavo-convex portion 54), the main body 52 having the convex portion 53 is attached. When the main body 52 is mounted, the convex portion 53 and the concave and convex portion 54 arranged on the body side of the main body portion 52 overlap. That is, when the knee brace 51 is worn, the concavo-convex portion 54 is disposed (mounted) on the body side of the convex portion 53.

  With the above-described configuration, the knee brace 41 (FIGS. 7 and 8) and the knee brace 51 (FIGS. 9 and 10) are configured with the uneven portions 44 and 54 over a wide range. By doing so, stimulation of sensory receptors can be promoted over a wide range, and as a result, the specific sense can be improved with high efficiency. Further, the uneven portions 44 and 54 provided over a wide range allow the wearer to recognize the displacement of the main body portions 42 and 52 (including the uneven portion 54 for the knee brace 51) more quickly. Can correct the deviation of the uneven portion 54 and the main body portions 42 and 52), and the uneven portion 54 and the main body portions 42 and 52 can always be held at the optimum positions.

  Further, since the knee braces 41 and 51 do not require the sewing of the concave and convex portions 44 that cover the convex portions 43 and 53, the attaching work of the convex portions 43 and 53 (including the concave and convex portions 44 for the knee brace 41) is easy. As a result, mass production can be facilitated.

  In addition, the uneven part 54 in the knee brace 51 may be configured as a part of the body side surface (inner circumference) 541 of the lower wound material, or on the anti-body side surface (outer circumference) 542 in addition to the body side surface 541. It may be configured.

  In addition, about the shape of the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 54 (of the knee braces 41 and 51 shown in FIGS. 7-10) etc., you may use not only the said embodiment but another structure. The shape, arrangement position, number, and size of the concavo-convex portions are not particularly limited as long as the concavo-convex portions are arranged on the body side of the convex portions and are overlapped with the convex portions “when worn”.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the convex portion 13 is provided on the body-side surface 121 of the main body portion 12. For example, as shown in FIG. It may be embedded in the dough. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a knee brace 61 according to a modification of the embodiment.

  “Protrusions” refers to the other parts and the cloth protruding to the body side of the main body by the other parts when the other parts are embedded in the main body. . In such a case, in light of the purpose of the convex part that gives a pressing load to the body, the "whole" part of the other part (although it partially enters the body side of the main body part) The part which also contains.

In the knee brace 61, the pressing member 67 is another component that applies a pressing load to the body. That is, the convex portion 63 is on the “whole” of the pressing member (other parts) 67 and on the body side 671 of the pressing member 67, and protrudes toward the body side X (see the arrow direction in FIG. 11) by the pressing member 67. A portion including the fabric 622 of the main body 62.
In this case, since the pressing member 67 is embedded in the cloth of the main body portion 62 in advance, it is unnecessary to sew the uneven portion 64 that covers the pressing member 67 while maintaining the position of the pressing member 67 in the main body portion 62. The attachment work of the concavo-convex portion 64 disposed on the body side X of the member 67 is facilitated, and as a result, mass production can be facilitated.

  Further, the convex portion 63 is not a material having the polymer body in the above embodiment, but is configured by using other members or by locally extending a part of the fabric of the main body portion 62 toward the body side X. May be. By using an inexpensive convex part, the manufacturing cost of the knee brace can be further reduced.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the shape, the arrangement position, the number, the formation angle, and the like of the convex portions are not limited to any of the above embodiments. 12A to 12D are schematic plan views of a knee brace for explaining a modification example of the shape, arrangement position, number, formation angle, and the like of the convex portion, and the left side surface portion of the main body portion 72. FIG. 2 is a partial view (corresponding to reference numeral 12B in FIG. 1). For example, the shape may be a circular convex portion 73A (see FIG. 12A), and the arrangement position may be the upper or left and right portions of the patella (see FIGS. 12B to 12D: convex). As for the number of the portions 73B, 73C, and 73D), a plurality of convex portions (specifically, two: the convex portions 73B and 73C) may be provided (see FIG. 12C). You may make it cover most of the outer periphery of a patella like the part 73D (refer FIG.12 (D)). Thereby, a convex part can be arrange | positioned in the optimal shape or position according to the breadth degree of a pain location, the position of a pain location, etc.

  Moreover, although not shown in figure, as a structure which arrange | positions a convex part on the body side of a main-body part, and arranges an uneven | corrugated | grooved part on the body side of this convex part, the pocket provided with the uneven | corrugated | grooved part on the body side side in the body side of a main-body part. It is good also as a structure which accommodates a convex part in this pocket. This makes it easy to replace the protrusions, easily replace the protrusions with different thickness, size, hardness, etc., and the degree of pain that can be applied to the knee brace (having protrusions and irregularities) The degree of freedom can be increased.

  In addition, about the main body part (comprising a convex part and an uneven | corrugated | grooved part) in the said embodiment (refer FIG. 1), the left side part (12B) and the right side part (12C) are piled up from the state which the patella side opened. As shown in FIG. 13, a so-called cylindrical configuration (having the left and right side portions shown in FIG. 1) is provided that covers the entire circumference of the knee joint. Alternatively, the knee joint side may not open. FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the knee brace 81, and FIG. 13B is a top view of the knee brace 81. The cylindrical main body 82 eliminates the need for the belt (15) and the hook-and-loop fastener (16) provided on the main body (12) in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 1), thereby reducing the number of parts of the main body 82. The product cost of the knee brace 81 can be reduced.

  The knee brace and the knee brace pad of the present invention can be suitably used for prevention and treatment of diseases related to the knee joint, pain relief, and the like.

11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 81 Knee orthosis 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82 Main body 12A, 42A Back surface 12B, 42B Left side surface 12C, 42C Right side surface 12a , 42a Upper side 12b, 42b Lower side 121, 221, 321, 421, 521, 621, 821 Body side surface 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73 A to D, 83 Convex part 131, 331 Convex part Body side surfaces 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64 Concavities and convexities 15A, 45A Thigh belts 15B, 45B Lower leg belts 16, 17A, 17B, 46, 47A, 47B Surface fastener X Body side Y Radial direction Z Axis center

Claims (12)

A body part to be worn on the body;
A convex portion disposed on the body side of the main body and projecting toward the body side;
An uneven portion that is disposed on the body side of the protrusion and stimulates sensory receptors on the skin of the body;
A knee brace characterized by comprising: The knee brace according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the uneven portion is provided on a surface of the convex portion on the body side. The knee orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the uneven portion is disposed at a position different from the convex portion, is disposed on the body side of the convex portion when worn, and overlaps the convex portion. . The uneven portion is configured as a separate body from the main body portion,
The knee orthosis according to claim 3, wherein the uneven portion is arranged on the body side of the convex portion and overlaps with the convex portion when worn. The concavo-convex part is provided at a position different from the convex part arranged on the body side of the main body part,
The knee orthosis according to claim 3, wherein the uneven portion is arranged on the body side of the convex portion and overlaps with the convex portion when worn. The knee orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the concavo-convex portion is a fabric including a fiber having a diameter in a range of 500 nm to 1000 nm. The knee orthosis according to claim 6, wherein the uneven portion is a fabric including fibers having a surface friction coefficient in a range of 0.35 ± 0.04. The convex part has a polymer,
In the polymer, the thickness (t ₁ ) of the polymer after applying a load of 55 g / cm ² for 24 hours is 90% of the thickness (t ₀ ) of the polymer before applying the load. The knee orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the knee orthosis is a material exhibiting at least%.   The knee orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is disposed around the patella of the body. Used on the body side of the knee brace,
A convex portion protruding toward the body side of the knee brace;
An uneven portion which is provided on the body side of the convex portion and includes a fiber having a diameter in a range of 500 nm to 1000 nm and which stimulates a sensory receptor on the skin of the body. Features knee pads. The pad for a knee brace according to claim 10, wherein the uneven portion is a fabric including a fiber having a surface friction coefficient in a range of 0.35 ± 0.04. The convex part has a polymer,
In the polymer, the thickness (t ₁ ) of the polymer after applying a load of 55 g / cm ² for 24 hours is 90% of the thickness (t ₀ ) of the polymer before applying the load. The knee brace pad according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the pad is a material exhibiting at least%.

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