JP4288369B2 - Moisturizer for dry eye prevention - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for ameliorating dry eye symptoms by humidifying the periphery of an eye via the exhalation of a wearer.

  For the treatment of dry eye patients, which are said to be 15 million people, the use of eye drops to prevent dryness, wearing goggles with a moisturizing function, tears to prevent dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva on the surface of the eye, and tears An operation to close the punctum is being performed to close the way. However, eye drops need to be frequently instilled 6 to 8 times a day, which is troublesome for patients, and corneal / conjunctival disorders due to preservatives and drug components contained in eye drops. There was a problem that side effects may occur. Further, in the operation of closing the punctum for closing the lacrimal passage, there have been problems such as complications due to the operation.

  For goggles with a moisturizing function, for example, an eye protection cover as shown in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. However, since such an eye protection cover has a very noticeable appearance, there is a problem in that there are very many examples where wearing is avoided for aesthetic reasons. In addition, it is difficult to wear an eye protection cover when wearing glasses, and for patients prescribed eye drops, in addition to the trouble of eye drops, it is necessary to attach and detach goggles each time. Has the problem of becoming more complicated.

For this reason, dry eye prevention devices that can be used without the risk of side effects due to eye drops or complications due to surgery, and without aesthetic resistance have been eagerly desired for dry eye patients.
JP 2004-216034

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and one object of the present invention is that there is no need for eye drops or surgery, and therefore there are no side effects or complications. An object of the present invention is to provide a moisturizer for preventing dry eye that can prevent the conjunctiva from drying. Another object of the present invention is to provide a moisturizer for preventing dry eye that can be easily worn without any aesthetic resistance when worn.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention covers the periphery of the nose and mouth in a substantially hermetically sealed manner so that the wearer's exhalation 50 is unlikely to leak out, and the upper edges 22a, 22b so as not to cover the eyes. The cover body 20 is set in the vicinity of the lower eye lid , and the inside of the cover body 20 is opened at a position near the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover body and near the eyes when worn. includes one or a plurality of holes 32a, 32b to the expiration 50 of the wearer's space emitted toward the vicinity of the eye, and the hole 32a, through the wearer's breath emitted from 32b, the atmosphere humidity of the eye near Is made up of a moisturizer 10 for preventing dry eyes, which is characterized by maintaining a high level at all times.

Further, the present invention covers the periphery of the nose and mouth in a substantially hermetically sealed manner so that the wearer's exhalation 50 is unlikely to leak out, and the upper edges 22a and 22b are set near the lower eyelid so as not to cover the eyes. The cover main body 20 is provided at a position near the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover main body and near the eyes when worn, and a part of the vicinity of the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover main body is moved forward. One or a plurality of wall bodies 34a, 34b made of a material harder than the cover body 20 and formed with an air passage for projecting so as to release the exhaled air 50 toward the vicinity of the eyes. , And maintains the atmospheric humidity in the vicinity of the eyes to some extent constantly through the exhalation of the wearer released from the air passage formed by the wall bodies 34a, 34b. Consists of

  At that time, the chin lower surface abutment is tightly abutted on the chin lower surface side of the wearer so that the cover body 20 can pass only upward without leaking air from the lower edges 24a, 24b side. The portion 40 may be included.

  In the apparatus according to the present invention, the entire moisturizer 10 may be integrally formed, or the entire moisturizer 10 may be formed of a nonwoven fabric.

  According to the moisturizer for dry eye prevention of the present invention, the cover body that can cover at least the nose and mouth of the wearer, and the upper edge of the cover body or the vicinity thereof are provided, An expiratory guide section that guides the air to be discharged toward the vicinity, and the atmospheric humidity in the vicinity of the eyes is constantly maintained to a certain extent through the wearer's expiratory air discharged from the expiratory guide section. By wearing a moisturizer, it is possible to prevent drying of the cornea / conjunctiva on the surface of the eye without the need for eye drops or surgery, and without any side effects or complications. In addition, since it is not worn on the eyes, it can be worn casually without any aesthetic resistance when worn.

  In addition, the cover body has a chin lower surface abutting portion that is in close contact with the wearer's chin lower surface side so as to allow only the upper part to pass without exhaling breath from the lower edge side. Since exhaled air is released to the vicinity of the eye without any loss that leaks to the chin side, drying of the cornea / conjunctiva on the surface of the eye can be prevented.

  In addition, since the breath guide unit is configured to be one or a plurality of holes that are opened near the upper edge of the cover body, providing the hole near the lower eyelid makes it more reliable for the surface of the eye. Can prevent corneal / conjunctival drying. In addition, since the structure is simple, there is little uncomfortable feeling when worn, and creation and cost reduction can be achieved.

  In addition, the exhalation guide part is provided in the vicinity from the upper edge of the cover part main body and has a wall body stiffer than the cover part main body so as to allow the exhalation to pass upward. Since it is released upward along the wall body, providing the wall body in the vicinity of the lower eyelid can supply more exhaled air to the vicinity of the eye and prevent the cornea / conjunctiva on the surface of the eye from being dried. it can. Moreover, there is little sense of incongruity at the time of wearing, and creation creation and cost reduction can be achieved.

  In addition, the exhalation guide unit is provided in the vicinity thereof from the upper edge of the cover body, and has one or more cylindrical bodies that are open at both ends so that the exhalation can be passed upward. Since most of the exhaled air is released upward along the wall body, by providing the wall body in the vicinity of the lower eyelid, more exhaled air can be supplied to the eye area, and the cornea / conjunctiva on the surface of the eye Can prevent drying.

  In addition, since the entire moisturizer is integrally formed, it is easy to carry and requires less storage space.

  In addition, since the entire moisturizer is made of non-woven fabric, it feels good and has little resistance to wear even for patients with sensitive skin. In addition, since it can be folded compactly, it is easy to carry and requires less storage space.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. A dry eye preventing moisturizer 10 (hereinafter referred to as “moisturizer 10”) of the present embodiment includes a cover body 20 and an expiration guide section. 30 and an ear hook 60. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it is possible to cover a required area covering the nose, mouth, and chin with the cover body 20, and wear the ear hook 60 on the ear and wear it on the face.

In the present embodiment, the cover body 20 is a mask body made of a flexible and flexible material for covering the nose, cheeks, mouth, chin, and chin from the vicinity of the lower eyelid when the moisturizer 10 is worn. . As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cover body 20 of the present embodiment includes a chin lower surface contact portion 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the moisturizer 10 is worn, the cover body 20 covers the face area from the vicinity of the lower eyelid to the nose, cheeks, mouth, and chin. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover body 20 is integrally formed by joining two sheet-like bodies 21 a and 21 b having a substantially trapezoidal shape in the same shape symmetrically by sewing on the bottom side thereof. . Then, the upper side of the sheet-like body is a joint portion (hereinafter referred to as “joint portion B”) 28a, 28b between the ear hooking portion 60 and the sheet-like body, and the upper side of the sheet-like body is the cover portion main body 20. The upper edges 22a and 22b are formed, and the lower side edges of the sheet-like body are the lower edges 24a and 24b of the cover body 20, and the lower surface abutting portion 40 is joined to the lower edges.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover main body 20 when worn are worn in close contact from the vicinity of the nasal root to the vicinity of the lower eyelid and the temple. Further, the joint portions B28a and 28b at the time of wearing are continuously attached in close contact from the vicinity of the temple to the vicinity of the base of the chin. In addition, the lower edges 24a and 24b of the cover main body 20 when worn are attached in contact with each other continuously from the vicinity of the base of the jaw to the vicinity of the tip of the jaw. Further, the joint portion 26 (hereinafter referred to as “joint portion A”) between the sheet-like bodies 21a and 21b serves as a ridge line portion from the wearer's nose root to the back of the nose, the nose tip and the chin tip.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the cover body 20 is substantially hexagonal as viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 3, but is not limited to the shape of the present embodiment, and can cover at least the nose and mouth of the wearer. In this case, the shape may be a rectangle, a triangle, an ellipse or the like when viewed from the front. In the present embodiment, the size of the cover part main body 20 is formed to have a required dimension that can cover the required face area from the vicinity of the lower eyelid of the wearer to the nose, cheek, mouth, and chin. In the present embodiment, the cover body 20 is formed of a nonwoven fabric, but is not limited to this embodiment, and may be made of gauze, paper, synthetic fiber, or synthetic resin. Further, in the present embodiment, the cover body 20 is formed by sewing two sheet-like bodies, but may be joined by pasting as long as the airtight state can be maintained to some extent. Moreover, even if it is not what joined the sheet-like body of 2 sheets, it may be formed by 1 sheet.

  In this embodiment, the chin lower surface contact part 40 is a chin lower surface contact part which contact | abuts closely on the wearer's chin lower surface side. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the chin lower surface contact portion 40 is an abbreviation having a line connecting the cover portion main body lower edge end points 241a and 241b as a base and a joint portion A lower end point 27 of the cover portion main body 20 as a vertex. It is formed of a triangular sheet. In the present embodiment, the sheet-like bodies 21a and 21b are formed integrally with the cover body 20 by joining two sides other than the bottom sides thereof to the cover body lower edges 24a and 24b, respectively. When the moisturizer 10 is worn, the lower edges 24a, 24b of the cover body and the chin lower surface contact portion are integrated and brought into close contact with the chin and the lower surface of the chin so It is possible to prevent leakage from 24a and 24b. The shape of the chin lower surface abutting portion 40 is not limited to the shape of the present embodiment, but is a rectangle or an ellipse as long as it is in close contact with the wearer's chin lower surface and does not leak exhalation from the lower edge side of the cover body. Or the like. The chin lower surface contact portion 40 of the present embodiment is formed of a stretchable nonwoven fabric, but is not limited to a nonwoven fabric, and may be made of gauze, synthetic fiber, synthetic resin, or paper.

  The exhalation guide part 30 is a guide part for guiding and releasing the exhalation 50 in the cover part main body 20 toward the vicinity of the eyes. In the present embodiment, the exhalation guide part 30 is located at a position closer to the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover part main body 20. The left and right holes 32a and 32b are formed. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, an oval hole having a major axis of approximately the size of an eyeball is formed near the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover body 20 and in the vicinity of the left and right lower eyelids. Provided. The hole is not limited to the position, size and shape of the hole as the breath guide part of the present embodiment, but may be a hole having a required position, size and shape that can discharge the breath toward the vicinity of the eye. Further, the number of holes is not limited to two in the present embodiment, but may be one or three or more.

  In this embodiment, the ear hooking portion 60 is a portion that is hung on both ears of the wearer when the moisturizer 10 is worn on the face. As shown in FIG. 5, the ear hooking portion 60 extends rearward from the connection portions B28a and 28b of the cover main body 20 and is provided with an ear hooking hole 62 so that it can be hooked on the ear. ing. In the present embodiment, the cover body 20, the chin lower surface contact portion 40, and the ear hook 60 are formed integrally, but the ear hook 60 is provided with, for example, a locking hole provided in the cover main body 20. It may be provided so as to be detachably locked to. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the moisturizer 10 whole is formed with a nonwoven fabric, only the cover part main body 20 may be formed with the nonwoven fabric, or even if only the chin lower surface contact part 40 is formed with the nonwoven fabric. Good. Moreover, only the ear hook part 60 may be formed with the nonwoven fabric. Moreover, not only a nonwoven fabric but a gauze, a synthetic fiber, a synthetic resin, or paper may be sufficient.

  Next, the operation of the moisturizer for preventing dry eye according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the ear-hanging portion 60 is hung on both ears, and the dry eye preventing moisturizer 10 is worn on the face. At that time, as described above, the cover body 20 abuts on the face area at the periphery thereof, and comes into close contact with the chin lower surface at the chin lower surface abutting portion 40. Therefore, it is possible to form a substantially sealed space where it is difficult for exhalation to escape from the space surrounded by the contact portion and the cover body 20. At that time, since the entire moisturizing device 10 is formed of a non-woven fabric, the non-woven fabric can be stretched so that the contact force can be increased to some extent, and the face and the complex shape of the chin can be flexibly supported. Since it can be in close contact with each other, the sealed state can be maintained even if there is some movement of the face and chin.

  Next, in the present embodiment, since the exhaled air staying in the substantially sealed space is unlikely to leak out from the close contact portion, the exhalation guide unit 30 provided near the upper edges 22a, 22b of the cover body 20 Then, the gas is guided through the substantially sealed space and discharged from the breath guide unit 30 toward the vicinity of the eyes. Therefore, the exhaled breath always covers the vicinity of the eyes, so that the atmospheric humidity in the vicinity of the eyes can be kept high to a certain extent at all times, and there is no need for eye drops or surgery, so there are no side effects or complications. Can prevent the cornea / conjunctiva from drying on the surface of the eye. Moreover, since it is not what is worn to eyes, when it wears, it can wear casually without the aesthetic resistance.

  Next, a second embodiment of the moisturizer for preventing dry eye according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be made. Description is omitted. In the present embodiment, the dry eye prevention moisturizer (hereinafter referred to as “humidity retainer”) 10 includes a cover body 20, an exhalation guide 30, and an ear hook 60. The difference from the first embodiment is only the exhalation guide unit 30.

  In the present embodiment, the exhalation guide unit 30 is the same as the first embodiment in that the exhalation guide unit 30 is a guide part for guiding and releasing the exhalation 50 in the cover body 20 toward the vicinity of the eyes. 6 and 7, the breath guide part 30 of the present embodiment is provided in the vicinity of the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover part main body, and is a substantially inverted half-conical truncated right and left wall 34a that is harder than the cover part main body 20. , 34b. That is, the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover main body and a part of the vicinity thereof are formed by the left and right wall bodies 34a and 34b that protrude forward in a substantially inverted half-conical truncated cone shape. More specifically, the portions 341a and 341b corresponding to the bottom surface of the substantially inverted half truncated cone shape of the wall body are located in the vicinity of both lower eyelids, respectively, on the upper surface of the substantially inverted half truncated cone shape of the wall body. The corresponding portions 342a and 342b are provided symmetrically about the joint portion 26 so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the wearer's nose wings. Further, the diameters of the portions 341a and 341b corresponding to the bottom surface of the substantially inverted half truncated cone shape of the wall body are formed substantially in the width of the eyeball. In the present embodiment, the wall body 34 is sandwiched between upper and lower molds that form the substantially inverted semi-conical frustoconical wall bodies 34a, 34b, for example, in the vicinity of the upper edges 22a, 22b of the cover body 20 and is plastic. By molding together with the resin, it is possible to form hollow substantially inverted half-conical truncated cone-shaped wall bodies 34 a and 34 b that are harder than the cover body 20.

  Next, in the moisturizing device according to the present embodiment, when the moisturizing device 10 is first worn, the cover body 20 contacts the face region at the periphery thereof, and the face lower surface contact portion 40 contacts the face and the lower surface of the chin. Although it is in contact with each other to form a substantially sealed space, the wall portions 34a and 34b are convex portions and are not in contact with the face. Therefore, the gap formed between the inside of the wall bodies 34a and 34b and the face serves as a guide path for the expiration, so that the expiration is reliably guided. That is, the exhaled air discharged from the nostrils is guided upward through the guide passages from the portions 342a and 342b corresponding to the upper surface of the substantially inverted semi-conical frustoconical shape of the wall near the nose wing. It is discharged from the portions 341a and 341b corresponding to the bottom surface of the inverted semi-conical truncated cone to the vicinity of the eye. At that time, since the breath guide part 30 has wall bodies 34a and 34b that are harder than the cover body 20, the wall bodies 34a and 34b are not deformed even if a certain amount of tension is applied to the cover body 20. The structure of the exhalation guide 30 can be maintained. In the present embodiment, the breath guide part 30 is formed with a pair of left and right hollow substantially inverted half-conical truncated cone-shaped wall bodies, but may be a hollow triangular prism or a cylindrical shape. Good. A plurality of pairs may be provided in a required range.

  Next, a third embodiment of the dry eye preventing moisturizer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The same members as those in the first and the first embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the details thereof will be described. The detailed explanation is omitted. In this embodiment, the dry eye preventing moisturizer (hereinafter referred to as “moisturizer”) 10 includes a cover body 20, an exhalation guide 30, and an ear hook 60. The difference from the first and second embodiments is only the exhalation guide unit 30.

  In the present embodiment, the breath guide unit 30 is the same as the first and second embodiments in that it is a guide part for guiding and releasing the breath 50 in the cover body 20 toward the vicinity of the eyes. is there. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the breath guide part 30 of the present embodiment is provided with two cylindrical bodies 36a, 36b which are provided in the vicinity of the upper edges 22a, 22b of the cover body and open at both ends. Is done. That is, hollow elliptical cylinders 36a and 36b having a major axis with a substantially wide eyeball width, which are open at both ends, from the upper edges 22a and 22b of the cover main body to the inner side in the vicinity thereof are symmetric about the joint 26. Provided. The hollow elliptic cylinders 36a and 36b have upper surfaces 361a and 361b positioned near both lower eyelids, and lower surfaces 362a and 362b of the hollow elliptic cylinders 36a and 36b are positioned near both nose wings. It is provided as follows. In the present embodiment, the hollow elliptic cylinders 36a and 36b are elastic synthetic resins having such rigidity that the hollows of the hollow elliptic cylinders 36a and 36b are not crushed even if a certain amount of force is applied. Made of made. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical body is formed of a hollow elliptical cylinder, but may be a triangular prism or any shape that is easy to wear as long as the cylindrical shape can be maintained. Moreover, you may provide this cylindrical body in the cover part main body 20 so that attachment or detachment is possible. By doing so, the hollow ellipsoidal column bodies 36a and 36b can be provided as necessary, and the moisturizer can be used.

  Next, in the moisturizing device according to the present embodiment, when the moisturizing device 10 is first worn, the cover body 20 contacts the face region at the periphery thereof, and the face lower surface contact portion 40 contacts the face and the lower surface of the chin. A substantially sealed space is formed in contact with the hollow elliptic cylinders 36a and 36b, and communicates with the outside. Therefore, exhalation is reliably guided using the hollow portions of the hollow elliptic cylinders 36a and 36b as guide passages. That is, the exhaled air discharged from the nostrils is guided upward through the guide passages from the lower surface 362a, 362b side of the hollow elliptic cylinders 36a, 36b in the vicinity of the nose wings, and the hollow elliptic cylinders 36a, 36b. Are released from the upper surfaces 361a and 361b to the vicinity of the eye. In the present embodiment, the hollow elliptic cylinders 36a and 36b are provided inside the cover body 20 and are difficult to visually recognize from the outside. can do.

  The dry eye prevention moisturizer of the present invention described above is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment alone, and can be modified arbitrarily without departing from the essence of the present invention described in the claims. You may go.

  The moisturizer for dry eye prevention according to the present invention works not only for dry eye patients but also in a work environment in which the number of blinks such as VDT work on a personal computer and precision work with a microscope is reduced and dry eyes are likely to occur. It can be used widely for the purpose of preventing dry eyes and reducing eye strain. Moreover, it can be used without difficulty from adults to children even in ordinary households.

It is a front view showing the state where the moisturizer concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention was worn. It is a right view which shows the state which wore the moisturizer which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which omitted a part of moisturizer concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which omitted a part of moisturizer concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the moisturizer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the moisturizer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted some moisturizers concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the moisturizer according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted some moisturizers concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Moisturizer 20 for dry eye prevention Cover part main body 22a, 22b Cover part main body upper edge 24a, 24b Cover part main body lower edge 30 Exhalation guide part 32a, 32b Hole 34a, 34b Wall body 36a, 36b Cylindrical body 40 Chin lower surface Contact 50 Exhalation

Claims (5)

Covering the periphery of the nose and mouth in a substantially sealed manner so that the exhalation of the wearer is difficult to leak out, and a cover body whose upper edge is set near the lower eyelid so as not to cover the eyes ,
One or a plurality of holes that are opened near the upper edge of the cover body and near the bottom of the eye when worn, and release the breath of the wearer in the inner space covered by the cover body toward the eye And including
Through the wearer's exhaled air is released from the hole, dry eye prevention coercive Shimegu, characterized in that at all times to maintain a certain degree high atmospheric humidity of the eye near. Covering the periphery of the nose and mouth in a substantially sealed manner so that the exhalation of the wearer is difficult to leak out, and a cover body whose upper edge is set near the lower eyelid so as not to cover the eyes,
Located near the upper edge of the cover body and near the bottom of the eye when worn, a part of the upper edge of the cover body protrudes forward and expiratory air near the face One or a plurality of walls formed of a material harder than the cover main body, and forming an air passage that guides the air to be discharged toward the cover,
A moisturizer for preventing dry eyes, characterized in that the atmospheric humidity in the vicinity of the eyes is constantly maintained at a certain level via the wearer's breath released from the air passage formed by the wall. The cover main body has a chin lower surface abutting portion that is in close contact with the chin lower surface side of the wearer so that exhalation can be passed only upward without leaking from the lower edge side thereof. Item 3. A moisturizer for dry eye prevention according to item 1 or 2 . 4. The moisturizer for preventing dry eyes according to claim 1, wherein the entire moisturizer is integrally formed . The moisturizer for preventing dry eye according to claim 1, wherein the entire moisturizer is formed of a non-woven fabric .

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