JP5418796B2 - Sleep apnea syndrome treatment device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sleep apnea syndrome treatment device attached to the head or neck to treat an apnea syndrome occurring during sleep.

  Sleep apnea syndrome includes obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, central sleep apnea syndrome, and mixed sleep apnea syndrome, which are a mixture of these. Most of them are obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. It is said that there is.

  And it is said that this obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is mainly caused by the tongue base portion and the soft palate being lowered due to muscle relaxation during sleep to block the airway. Snoring is also a similar cause.

  In order to treat these obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and snoring, various mouthpieces to be worn in the oral cavity have been proposed and practiced (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5). These are installed in the oral cavity, and by pulling the lower jaw forward mainly with respect to the upper jaw, the depressed tongue base that causes airway obstruction is lifted forward together with the lower jaw bone to restore normal breathing. It is.

JP 2006-95245 A JP 2006-20986 A JP 2005-312853 A JP 2004-73473 A Patent No. 4482302

  However, the mechanical load of the mouthpiece does not act directly on the maxilla and mandible, but regulates the position of the maxilla and mandible through the teeth. There is a possibility that the positional relationship with the teeth planted there will change.

  When a weak force is continuously applied to the teeth, the teeth move by bone resorption and addition by the action of osteoclasts and osteoblasts appearing in the periodontal ligament.

  In orthodontic treatment in dental treatment, it is well known from research that the minimum force required to move a tooth is a sustained force of about 17 g.

Therefore, the continuous force by the mouthpiece changes the positional relationship between the skeleton and the dentition,
The bite may be displaced.

  Also, since the mouthpiece is worn in the oral cavity, there is a sense of incongruity at the time of wearing, and it cannot be comfortably worn.

  Furthermore, even when the mouth is closed physiologically, the upper and lower teeth are not bitten, and there is a gap defined as a normal position 2-3 mm resting gap. However, since the mouthpiece has a thickness of about 2 mm even if it is thin, the mouthpiece invades the resting space when it is vertically aligned.

  For example, when swallowing saliva, swallowing the upper and lower teeth is a physiological phenomenon. However, the thickness of the mouthpiece increases the speed of the occlusal contact, and the trigeminal nerve that controls the masticatory muscles, one of the cranial nerves. There is a risk of applying a load.

Next, the present invention is also effective as a treatment device for temporomandibular disorders.
The temporomandibular joint mechanism at the time of opening or chewing is not a hinge movement but a combined movement of forward sliding movement and rotational movement. When opening, the mandible of the mandible that fits in the glenoid fossa of the left and right temporal bones slides forward to a region that deviates from the anterior wall of the glenoid while rotating.

  Further, during mastication, the lower jaw head opposite to the mastication side mainly rotates and slides forward to move the lower jaw laterally.

Many temporomandibular disorders are caused by the limited forward sliding of these, but the product of the present invention is also effective as a device that relaxes these restrictions.
Mouthpieces cannot be eaten as they are, and conversation is inconvenient, so they can only be used at bedtime, but because the product of the present invention can be used every day, temporomandibular disorders It is also effective as a therapeutic device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and does not adversely affect occlusion, is not uncomfortable at the time of wearing, can be easily attached and detached, and is used for treatment of temporomandibular disorders. It aims to provide a sleep apnea treatment device that is also useful.

  The invention according to claim 1 is the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device attached to the head or neck to treat sleep apnea syndrome, wherein the intermediate portion extends along the head or neck, and the left end side is Located near the left ear, the right end side is located near the right ear, an elastic headband, the left end side of the headband, and a holding part attached to the right end side, and attached to the holding part And a pressurizing body that urges the lower edge of the mandibular branch forward by pressing the lower part of the left ear and the lower part of the right ear based on the elasticity of the headband. To do.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the therapeutic device for sleep apnea syndrome according to claim 1, wherein the headband has the intermediate portion extending along the neck, and the holding portion follows the lower edge of the lower jaw body. It has the contact part contact | abutted like this, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to the first aspect, the headband has the intermediate portion extending along the neck and is attached to the holding portion. It has an auxiliary pressurizing body which urges the lower mandibular lower edge of the mandible diagonally upward and forward based on elasticity.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the headband has the intermediate portion extending along the neck, and the headband is A left ear hook whose lower end side is connected to the left holding portion and whose upper end side is hooked to the left ear, and a right ear hook whose lower end side is connected to the right holding portion and whose upper end side is hooked to the right ear. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the headband has a length adjusting mechanism in the intermediate portion.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the therapeutic device for sleep apnea syndrome according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one of the pressurizing body and the auxiliary pressurizing body is the holding portion. On the other hand, it is attached so that position adjustment is possible.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the therapeutic device for sleep apnea syndrome according to claim 1, wherein the headband has the intermediate portion extending along the head, and the headband extends to the holding portion. It has an adjustment mechanism.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to claim 7, wherein one end is connected to the left half of the headband, and the intermediate part passes through the frontal or occipital region, The other end has an auxiliary band connected to the right half of the headband.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the treatment device for sleep apnea syndrome according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the headband has the intermediate portion located near the top of the head, and the left end side is the left ear. The left end of the right ear extends downward from the upper left and is positioned below the left ear, and the right end extends from the upper right to the lower right and is positioned below the right ear.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the headband has the intermediate portion positioned near the top of the head, and the left end side is the left ear. The front end of the right ear extends downward from the upper left and is positioned below the left ear, and the right end extends from the upper front to the lower front and is positioned below the right ear.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the headband has the intermediate portion located in the frontal region of the head, and the left end side being the left ear. It is located below the left ear so as to be hung behind the right ear, and is located below the right ear so that the right end side is hung behind the right ear.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the mandibular body is attached to the holding portion and is based on the elasticity of the headband. It has an auxiliary pressurizing body that urges the lower edge diagonally upward to the front side.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the pressurizing body and the auxiliary pressurizing body is positionally adjustable with respect to the holding portion. It is attached and is characterized by the above.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the therapeutic device for sleep apnea syndrome according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the pressurizing body is formed of an ultra-soft urethane resin, urethane foam, or low-resilience urethane. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the therapeutic device for sleep apnea syndrome according to any one of claims 3 to 6, claim 12 or 13, wherein the auxiliary pressurizing body is an ultra-soft urethane resin, urethane foam, or It is formed of low-resilience urethane.

  According to the invention of claim 1, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device is attached to the head or neck and pressed under the ear with a pressurizing body, so that the mandibular trailing edge of the mandible is moved forward. Since it can be urged, obstruction of the airway due to the tongue base or soft palate can be prevented. Moreover, since the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device is worn on the head or neck, unlike the device worn in the oral cavity, it can be easily worn without a sense of incongruity. Furthermore, it can be worn not only during sleep but also in the daytime, and it is possible to eat and drink while wearing it. Moreover, it is useful for treating temporomandibular disorders.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the middle part of the headband extends along the neck, the length of the headband when compared with the whole is compared with the case of extending along the head, for example. It can be shortened, there is little uncomfortable feeling at the time of mounting, and the adjustment of the pressing force by the pressurizing body is easy. In addition, since the holding part has an abutting part that abuts so as to follow the lower edge of the lower jaw body, this abutting part fits the lower edge of the lower jaw body and improves the feeling of wearing the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device In addition, the positioning accuracy of the pressurizing body can be increased.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the middle part of the headband extends along the neck, the length of the headband when compared with, for example, the whole is compared with the case of extending along the head. It can be shortened, there is little uncomfortable feeling at the time of mounting, and the adjustment of the pressing force by the pressurizing body is easy. Further, since the lower edge of the lower jaw body can be biased obliquely upward to the front side by the auxiliary pressure body, the entire lower jaw can be efficiently biased forward together with the pressure body. Further, the lower edge of the lower jaw branch is urged by the pressure body, and the lower edge of the lower jaw body is urged by the auxiliary pressure body, and one of the pressure body and the auxiliary pressure body positions the other. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved as compared with the case of using only the pressure member.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the headband can be supported by the left and right ear hooks, it is easy to appropriately set the pressing force of the pressurizing body by the headband. In other words, when there is no ear hook, in addition to generating the pressing force of the pressurizing body based on the elasticity of the headband, it is necessary to prevent the headband from falling, resulting in a high pressing force as a result. However, since it is not necessary to consider prevention of falling, it is possible to set an appropriate pressing force for biasing the mandible.

  According to the invention of claim 5, for a user having a different head size and neck thickness, the length of the intermediate portion of the headband is adjusted by the adjusting mechanism, so The pressure body can be arranged at a suitable position.

  According to invention of Claim 6, with respect to the user from which the magnitude | size of a head and the thickness of a neck part differ, these are arrange | positioned in a suitable position by adjusting the position of a pressurization body or an auxiliary pressurization body. can do.

  According to the invention of claim 7, since the intermediate portion extends along the head portion, the headband can easily support the weight of the headband as compared with the case where the headband extends along the neck portion. Easy to adjust the pressing force by the body. In addition, since the headband has a length adjustment mechanism at the left end portion and the right end portion, by adjusting the length using this, that is, by adjusting the position of the pressurizing body, Unlike pieces, it can be used by multiple users with different head sizes.

  According to invention of Claim 8, the position of a pressurization body can be reliably hold | maintained with an auxiliary | assistant band.

  According to the invention of claim 9, the headband can be formed in a simple shape like a general headphone. Moreover, since there is no headband in the back of the head, for example, it does not get in the way when sleeping upwards.

  According to the invention of claim 10, the headband can have a simple shape like a general headphone, and the left end and the right end are located in front of the left ear and the right ear. So, for example, it is difficult to get in the way when sleeping sideways. Furthermore, since there is no headband in the back of the head, for example, it does not get in the way when sleeping upward.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the left end portion and the right end portion are configured to hang behind the left ear and the right ear, respectively, thereby enhancing the fit of the headband with respect to the head and the position of the pressurizing body. It can be held securely. Moreover, since there is no headband in the back of the head, for example, it does not get in the way when sleeping upwards.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the lower edge of the lower jaw body can be biased obliquely upward to the front side by the auxiliary pressure body, so that the entire lower jaw can be efficiently biased forward together with the pressure body. Further, the lower edge of the lower jaw branch is urged by the pressure body, and the lower edge of the lower jaw body is urged by the auxiliary pressure body, and one of the pressure body and the auxiliary pressure body positions the other. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved as compared with the case of using only the pressure member.

  According to the invention of claim 13, by adjusting the positions of the pressurizing body and the auxiliary pressurizing body for users having different head sizes and neck thicknesses, these are arranged at suitable positions. can do.

  According to the invention of claim 14, since the pressurizing body is formed of super soft urethane resin, foamed urethane, or low-resilience urethane, when the mandible is urged through the facial skin, It can follow the shape well and can be urged efficiently.

  According to the invention of claim 15, since the auxiliary pressurizing body is made of ultra-soft urethane resin, foamed urethane, or low-resilience urethane, when the mandible is urged through the facial skin, The shape can be imitated well and can be urged efficiently.

(A) is a front view of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 in a state of being mounted on the user's head H, and (B) is a right side view of the same. (A) is a figure explaining the positional relationship between the pressing position P1 of the pressurizing body 20 and the mandible JD in a state where the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 is not worn, and (B) is a sleep apnea. It is a figure explaining the positional relationship of the pressing position P1 of the pressurization body 20, and the mandible JD in the state with which the syndrome treatment tool 1 was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view explaining the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 2 of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 3 of Embodiment 3. FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 of Embodiment 4 from the front left diagonal upper direction. It is a right view which shows the state which mounted | wore with the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 of Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a right view which shows typically the effect | action of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 of Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a right view which shows typically the effect | action of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4A which is the 1st modification of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4. FIG. It is a right view which shows typically the effect | action of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4B which is the 2nd modification of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4. FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 5 of Embodiment 5 from diagonally right above. It is the perspective view which looked at the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 6 of the wearing state from the back right diagonally upward. It is a right view which shows the state which mounted | wore the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4C of the modification 3. It is the figure which looked at the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4C from diagonally right above, and is a figure explaining the position of the contact parts 74 and 75. FIG. (A), (B), (C) is a figure explaining the contact part 75 which each differs.

Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the member etc. which attached | subjected the same code | symbol are the things of the same or similar structure, The duplication description about these shall be abbreviate | omitted suitably. Moreover, in each drawing, members and the like that are not necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate.
<Embodiment 1>

  With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 to which this invention is applied is demonstrated. Among these, FIG. 1 (A) is a front view of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 in a state of being mounted on the user's head H, and FIG. 1 (B) is also a right side view thereof. FIG. 2 (A) is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the pressing position P1 of the pressurizing body 20 and the mandible JD in a state where the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 is not worn, and FIG. It is a figure explaining the positional relationship of the pressing position P1 of the pressurization body 20, and the mandible JD in the state with which the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 1 was mounted | worn.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 includes a headband 10 and left and right pressurizing bodies (pads) 20 and 20. In the example shown, auxiliary bands 31 and 32 are further provided.

  The headband 10 is formed, for example, by bending a thin plate-like member so that a front view shape (a shape seen from the front) is a substantially horseshoe shape that follows the outer shape of the head H.

  When the headband 10 is worn on the user's head H, the intermediate portion 11 is disposed in the vicinity of the top portion HT, and the left holding portion 12 extends leftward from the upper left side of the left ear YL downward. Located below the ear YL, the right holding portion 13 extends from the upper side to the lower side on the right side of the right ear YR and is positioned below the right ear YR. If these holding parts 12 and 13 are configured not to contact the left ear YL and the right ear YR, respectively, it is possible to reduce a sense of incongruity and annoyance when worn on the head H.

  The headband 10 is configured to have elasticity (flexibility), for example, by bending a synthetic resin plate into a horseshoe shape as described above. For example, a metal plate can be used outside the synthetic resin plate. In this case, a contact portion of the metal plate with the head H may be covered with a cushioning material such as urethane.

  The holding parts 12 and 13 are formed separately from the intermediate part 11, and the length can be adjusted by an annular part (length adjusting mechanism) 14. The holding portions 12 and 13 are formed in a substantially strip shape, and annular portions 14 and 14 are respectively provided at two places having different positions in the longitudinal direction. The holding portions 12 and 13 are supported by the intermediate portion 11 by inserting the left end and the right end of the intermediate portion 11 into the annular portions 14 and 14. Accordingly, the holding portions 12 and 13 can be adjusted in length by sliding with respect to the left end and the right end of the intermediate portion 11.

  The left and right pressure bodies 20 and 20 are attached to the inner surfaces of the front end portions (lower end portions) of the holding portions 12 and 13 of the headband 10 so as to face inward. In the illustrated example, the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 are formed in a teardrop shape, and are fixed to the inner surfaces of the distal end portions of the holding portions 12 and 13 with a pointed portion facing inward. The left and right pressure bodies 20 and 20 are members that can efficiently press the lower ears YL and right ears YR under the elasticity (flexibility) of the headband 10 described above, such as a low-rebound cushioning material, Soft rubber or the like can be preferably used.

  The shape of the pressurizing body 20 includes a cone shape, a pyramid shape, a truncated cone shape, a truncated pyramid shape, and a hemispherical shape in addition to the above-described teardrop shape. The right and left pressure bodies 20 and 20 are predetermined to be pressed below the left ear YL and below the right ear YR by adjusting the lengths of the holding portions 12 and 13 of the headband 10 described above. It is possible to arrange at the pressing position P1 (see FIG. 2).

  The upper auxiliary band 31 is constituted by two band-shaped surface fasteners 33 and 34. The hook-and-loop fasteners 33 and 34 are connected to the intermediate portion 11 of the headband 10 at the base end portions (rear end portions), and the front end portions (front end portions) are overlapped with the front head (forehead) HF. As a result, the headband 10 is arranged at a suitable position, and unnecessary movement of the headband 10 after being mounted on the head H is suppressed.

  The lower auxiliary band 32 is constituted by two band-shaped surface fasteners 35 and 36. The hook-and-loop fasteners 35 and 36 are connected at their base end portions (front end portions) below the above-described upper auxiliary band 31 in the intermediate portion 11 of the headband 10, and have their respective front end portions (rear end portions) at the back of the head. By overlapping and engaging with the HR, the headband 10 is arranged at a suitable position, and unnecessary movement of the headband 10 after being mounted on the head H is suppressed.

  As described above, since the auxiliary band 31 is constituted by the hook-and-loop fasteners 33 and 34 and the auxiliary band 32 is constituted by the hook-and-loop fasteners 35 and 36, the engagement and detachment (detachment) with respect to the head H is easy.

  The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 having the above-described configuration is worn on the head H as follows. With the hook-and-loop fasteners 33 and 34 of the auxiliary band 31 and the hook-and-loop fasteners 35 and 36 of the auxiliary band 32 removed, the headband 10 is extended with the left and right hands in the vicinity of the holding parts 12 and 13 respectively. Through, the intermediate part 11 of the headband 10 is hung near the top of the head HT, the holding part 12 passes through the side of the left ear YL, and the left pressure body 20 is positioned below the left ear YL. The part 13 passes through the side of the right ear YR so that the right pressure body 20 is positioned below the right ear YR.

  And the holding parts 12 and 13 are slid with respect to the intermediate part 11, the position of the pressurization bodies 20 and 20 is adjusted, and it arrange | positions to the press positions P1 and P1. When the position adjustment of the pressure bodies 20 and 20 is completed, the surface fasteners 33 and 34 of the auxiliary band 31 and the surface fasteners 35 and 36 of the auxiliary band 32 are engaged to fix the headband 10. As a result, the left and right pressure bodies 20, 20 press the pressing positions P1, P1 below the left ear YL and the right ear YR. The pressing force at this time is preferably about 150 to 400 g.

  The pressing position P1 by the left pressing body 20 at this time is a portion indicated by an ellipse in FIG. 2A, and the pressing position P1 by the right pressing body 20 is not shown, but the head H The left pressing position P1 and the target position with the center as a reference. That is, the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 are pushed by the left and right pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 into the gap G between the skull HA and the lower jaw branch trailing edge JD1 from the outer side (surface side) of the head H. Then, the gap G is widened to urge the mandibular trailing edge JD1 of the mandible JD forward, whereby the entire mandible JD can be moved forward as shown in FIG. 2B. Along with this, the tongue T (see FIG. 3) supported by the mandible JD also moves forward, opens the airway closed by the tongue base, allows breathing, and treats apnea syndrome. At the same time, snoring can be prevented.

  As described above, the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 push the mandible JD forward from the outside of the head H while expanding the gap G so as to be pushed into the gap G. , 20 is effective to sharpen the tip side (site located inside).

  Further, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 also has a stretching effect below the left ear YL and the right ear YR by the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20, and as an accompanying effect, the mandible JD moves forward in the right and left direction equally. Will come to do.

  Further, unlike the conventional mouthpiece, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 is attached to the outside of the head H, and is easy to put on and take off. Can be used for treatment. Moreover, since the annular portion (length adjusting mechanism) 14 for adjusting the position of the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 is provided, the position of the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 is adjusted using the annular portion 14. A plurality of users having different sizes and shapes of the head H can use the same sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1.

  In addition, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 is useful for treating temporomandibular disorders.

  In the present embodiment, if the headband 10 is configured such that the holding portions 12 and 13 do not contact the left ear YL and the right ear YR, the uncomfortable feeling and annoyance when the headband 10 is worn are reduced. can do.

In the present embodiment, for example, when the user puts a pillow (not shown) on the occipital region HR and sleeps in a supine posture, the user does not get caught between the occipital region HR and the pillow. Therefore, the headband 10 does not disturb sleep.
<Embodiment 2>

  With reference to FIG. 3, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 2 according to Embodiment 2 to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the figure, a part of the human body is broken to show the inside of the human body.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 2 is different from the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 1 of Embodiment 1 described above in the mounting position of the headband 40 with respect to the head H. That is, the headband 40 has an intermediate portion 41 disposed in the vicinity of the crown HT, the left holding portion 42 extends through the front of the left ear YL and below the left ear YL, and the right holding portion 43 It is configured to extend through the front of the right ear YR to below the right ear YR.

  The front side auxiliary band 37 and the rear side auxiliary band 38 have base ends connected to substantially the same position in the headband 40, and the former front side auxiliary band 37 has an intermediate part at the front side. The latter auxiliary band 38 on the rear side is hung on the head HF, and the middle part is hung on the back head HR.

  Note that the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 2 has the configuration for adjusting the lengths of the holding portions 42 and 43 and the configuration of the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 with the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 1 described above. Since it is the same, illustration of an annular part (length adjustment mechanism) etc. is omitted.

The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 2 according to the present embodiment has functions and effects of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and the holding portions 42 and 43 of the headband 40 Since it passes through the front of the ear YL and the right ear YR, for example, when sleeping sideways, it is possible to prevent the holding unit 42 from hitting the left ear YL or the holding unit 43 from hitting the right ear YR.
<Embodiment 3>

  With reference to FIG. 4, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 3 according to Embodiment 3 to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the figure, a part of the human body is broken to show the inside of the human body.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 3 is different from the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 1 of Embodiment 1 described above in the mounting position of the headband 50 with respect to the head H. That is, the headband 50 is bent so that the intermediate part 51 is hung near the frontal head HF, the left holding part 52 is hung behind the left ear YL, and extends below the left ear YL. The right holding portion 53 is configured to bend behind the right ear YR and extend to below the right ear YR. That is, the holding parts 52 and 53 are hung on the left ear YL and the right ear YR so as to hang a frame of general glasses. The front auxiliary band 39 has a base end connected to the headband 50 and an intermediate portion hung below the intermediate portion 51 of the headband 50 in the frontal head HF. Further, the rear side auxiliary band 61 is connected to the vicinity of the tip of the intermediate part 51 of the headband 50 at the base end part, and the intermediate part is hung near the boundary between the occipital part HR and the neck part N. .

  Note that the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 3 is configured to adjust the length of the holding portions 52 and 53 and the configuration of the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 is the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 1 described above. Thus, the length adjusting mechanism and the like are not shown.

  The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 3 according to the present embodiment has functions and effects of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 1 according to Embodiment 1 described above, and further, the holding portions 52 and 53 of the headband 50 are provided on the left. Since it is configured to be placed behind the ear YL and the right ear YR, the fit of the headband 50 with respect to the head H can be enhanced, and the positions of the pressurizing bodies 20 and 20 can be reliably held. Moreover, since the headband 50 is not present in the back of the head HR, for example, it does not interfere with sleeping upward.

  In the above description, the portions of the headband 50 that are applied to the left ear YL and the right ear YR have been described as the holding portions 52 and 53. However, instead of this, an intermediate portion of the headband 50 is used. 51 may be a part.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the auxiliary bands 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 61 are configured by hook-and-loop fasteners has been described as an example, but instead, it may be configured by rubber bands. In this case, the configuration can be simplified. However, when using a rubber band, it is necessary to provide an adjustment mechanism separately when adjusting the length.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the shape of the headbands 10, 40, and 50 is a shape obtained by curving the belt-like member, but the shape of the headbands 10, 40, and 50 is described below. It is not limited to this. For example, a rod-like stay extending substantially downward may be fixed to the left end and the right end of the headband, and the pressure member 20 may be fixed to the lower end of the stay. In this case, it can be considered that the headband is configured including the stay. Thus, the shape of the headband can be any shape as long as the pressurizing body 20 can be effectively arranged at the predetermined position.

  Here, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment devices 1 to 3 according to the present invention exemplified in the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3 are also effective as a temporomandibular disorder treatment apparatus. The temporomandibular joint is not a hinge movement, but a mechanism in which the mandibular head slides through the temporal bone joint fossa. When opening, it is normal opening movement that the head opens while sliding forward until it deviates from the glenoid. Further, during mastication, the left mandibular head especially slides greatly to the front in right chewing, and the right mandibular head especially slides to the front in left chewing.

  However, in many temporomandibular disorders, opening and mastication disorders occur due to the limited smooth sliding of the mandibular head forward.

  Therefore, in the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to the present invention, since the basic structure is to push the lower jaw branch forward, it can be expected to improve the sliding disorder of the temporomandibular joint, so only the improvement of apnea syndrome It is also effective as a treatment device for temporomandibular disorders.

In fact, in a dental clinic managed by the inventor, when it was used for a temporomandibular disorder patient, its effectiveness could be confirmed.
<Embodiment 4>

  With reference to FIGS. 5-9, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4,4A, 4B which concerns on Embodiment 4 to which this invention is applied is demonstrated.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 as seen from diagonally upward on the front left side. FIG. 6 is a right side view showing a state where the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 is worn. FIG. 7 is a right side view schematically showing the operation of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4. FIG. 8 is a right side view schematically showing the operation of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4A, which is a first modification of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4. FIG. FIG. 9 is a right side view schematically showing the operation of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4B, which is a second modification of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 includes a headband 70, holding portions 72 and 73, and pressurizing bodies 21 and 21. In the unused state shown in FIG. 5, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 is in a state where the front side (the holding portions 72 and 73 side) is closed inward due to the elasticity of the headband 70 described later. . The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 according to the present embodiment is used such that the intermediate part 71 of the headband 70 follows the rear part of the neck N of the user, that is, the rear part of the neck N is turned. Is.

  In the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 shown in the figure, a headband 70 having an intermediate portion 71, a left holding portion 72, and a right holding portion 73 are integrally configured.

  The headband 70 has an intermediate portion 71, a left holding portion 72, and a right holding portion 73, and a spring member W as a core material (framework) is replaced with a cloth-like member CL as a covering material. It is formed by covering. The intermediate portion 71 is formed in a curved belt shape, and the holding portions 72 and 73 are formed in a disk shape.

  On the inner surface side (inner side) of the right holding portion 73, one side 73 a of a circular surface fastener having substantially the same shape as the holding portion 73 is provided. Similarly, on the inner surface side (inner side) of the left holding portion 72, one side 72 a of a circular surface fastener substantially the same shape as the holding portion 73 is provided.

  For example, the spring member W is entirely constituted by a single bar-shaped spring, the intermediate portion Wc is curved along the rear portion of the neck N, and the holding portions 72 and 73 are formed in a circular shape. The spring member W has an intermediate portion Wc that passes through the upper end of the intermediate portion 71 of the headband 70, the left end side portion W1 reaches the holding portion 72 as it is, makes a full circle along the holding portion 72, and the right end side portion W2 It reaches the holding portion 73 as it is, and makes a round along the holding portion 73. In the present embodiment, the left end portion W1 and the right end portion W2 of the spring member W are configured such that their upper end sides are inclined outward with respect to the lower end side. However, the holding portions 72 and 73 are also inclined in the same direction, so that the holding portions 72 and 73 are fitted closer to the lower jaw angle JD3 (see FIG. 7) when the user wears them.

  The pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 are substantially hemispherical in the illustrated example. The other sides 21b and 21b of the substantially circular surface fasteners are attached to the bottom surfaces of the pressure bodies 21 and 21. That is, the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 can be adjusted in position with respect to the holding portions 72 and 73 by attaching and detaching the other sides 21b and 21b of the surface fasteners to the surface fasteners 72a and 73a of the holding portions 72 and 73. It can be done. In addition, by preparing a plurality of types of pressure bodies 21 having different sizes, the pressure body 21 suitable for the size of the user's head H can be selected and easily attached. .

  In addition, the pressurizing body 21 is not limited to a hemispherical shape, and may have other shapes such as a cone, a pyramid, a truncated cone, and a truncated pyramid. As the material of the pressurizing member 21, an ultra-soft urethane resin, a foamed urethane or a low-resilience urethane can be suitably used. However, the material is not limited to these, and a soft / hard rubber or a general synthetic resin. It may be sex. However, since the pressurizing body 21 is in direct contact with the user's skin, it is more preferable to use a coating agent such as isocyanate having a good touch, for example, an ultra-soft urethane resin and butyl acetate as a solvent. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 has a headband 70, an intermediate part 71 of which is located on the rear side of the neck N, and a left holding part 72 substantially below the left ear YL. It is mounted so that the right holding part 73 is positioned substantially below the right ear YR. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the left pressure body 21 is positioned so as to correspond to the left mandibular branch rear edge JD1 of the mandible JD, and the right pressure body 21 is positioned on the right side of the mandible JD. The lower jaw branch is positioned so as to correspond to the trailing edge JD1. Then, the left and right mandibular branch trailing edges JD1 are urged forward by the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 mainly by the elastic force (spring force) of the intermediate portion 71 of the headband 70, whereby the mandible JD The whole can be biased forward.

  At this time, the pressing force of the pressurizing body 21 is preferably 100 to 500 g, preferably 200 to 400, and more preferably 250 to 350 g. In other words, the user can use the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 without a particular sense of incongruity, and when the effect of use is taken into consideration, the pressing force of the pressurizing body 21 is set within these numerical ranges. Good.

  FIG. 8 shows a sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 </ b> A, which is a modified example 1 of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4.

  The sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4A includes pressurization bodies 21 and 21 on the lower side and front side of the pressurization bodies 21 and 21 inside the holding portions 72 and 73 of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 described above. Substantially the same auxiliary pressure bodies 22 and 22 are attached.

  The auxiliary pressurizing bodies 22 and 22 press the left and right lower mandibular lower edges JD2 of the mandible JD and urge them diagonally forward when the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4A is worn. Can do.

  According to the first modification, the mandible JD can be urged forward with a large force by the pressurizing body 21 and the auxiliary pressurizing body 22 more reliably.

  Furthermore, according to the first modification, the pressing body 21 and the auxiliary pressing body 22 are in contact with the lower jaw branch trailing edge JD1 and the lower jaw body lower edge JD2 through the skin with the lower jaw angle JD3 interposed therebetween, Since one of the pressurizing body 21 and the auxiliary pressurizing body 22 serves as a positioning reference for the other, it is possible to press a predetermined portion with higher accuracy than when the auxiliary pressurizing body 22 is not provided. It becomes.

  In FIG. 9, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4B which is the modification 2 of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 is shown.

  In the second modification, a broad bean-shaped pressurizing body 23 is used in place of the hemispherical pressurizing body 21 used in the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 described above. In the pressing body 23, the concave portion 23a presses the lower jaw angle JD3, the upper portion 23b presses the lower jaw branch trailing edge JD1, and the front portion 23c presses the lower jaw body lower edge JD2.

  According to the second modification, the positioning accuracy of the pressurizing body 23 is not required to be higher than that of the pressurizing body 21 of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 described above.

  With reference to FIGS. 12-14, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4C which is the modification 3 of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 is shown. FIG. 12 is a right side view showing a state in which the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4C of Modification 3 is mounted. FIG. 13 is a diagram of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 </ b> C as viewed from the upper right and illustrates the positions of the contact portions 74 and 75. FIGS. 14A, 14 </ b> B, and 14 </ b> C are diagrams illustrating different contact portions 75.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 </ b> C extends forward from the front end sides of the holding portions 72 and 73 of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. Extension portions 72b and 73b are provided, and contact portions 74 and 75 are provided on the inner surface side (inner side) of the holding portions 72 and 73 including the extension portions 72b and 73b.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the abutting portions 74 and 75 are abutted so as to follow the lower jaw body lower edge JD2, and the left abutting portion 74 is placed on the left lower jaw body lower edge JD2. The right abutting portion 75 is in contact with the right lower jaw body lower edge JD2 from the lower right to the upper left. These contact parts 74 and 75 are for improving the fit of the headband 70, and the length in the front-rear direction is set appropriately.

  14A to 14C show an example of the contact portion 75. FIG. The same applies to the contact portion 74. The contact portion 75 shown in FIG. 6A has a shape that is bent so that the plate-like member 75A is substantially “L” -shaped (“ku” -shaped) when viewed from the front (arrow X direction). . The plate-like member 75A can be formed of a material having a hardness sufficient to maintain its shape, for example, a hard synthetic resin, and the inner surface has a shape that follows the lower jaw body lower edge JD2. Good. The vicinity of the bent portion 75a contacts the lower jaw body lower edge JD2.

  The contact portion 75 in FIG. 14B is formed by a member 75B that is easily deformable, such as ultra-soft urethane resin, foamed urethane, low-rebound urethane, or the like. The member 75B is deformed as indicated by a portion 75c in the X-ray arrow view, following the shape of the vicinity of the lower mandibular lower edge JD2, as a result of the vicinity of the portion 75b coming into contact with the lower jaw lower edge JD2. .

  The contact portion 75 in FIG. 14C bends a part of the right end side portion W2 of the spring member W (see FIG. 13), which is the core material of the headband 70, and provides a bent portion W3. The shape of the arrow view is substantially “L” -shaped (“ku” -shaped). By providing such a bent portion W3, the contact portion 75 is formed on the inner surface of the holding portion 73 including the extension portion 73b.

By providing the contact portion 75 as exemplified in the above (A) to (B), the fit of the headband 70 can be enhanced.
<Embodiment 5>

  With reference to FIG. 10, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 5 of Embodiment 5 to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 5 as viewed from the upper right side.

  The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 5 includes a headband 80, a left holding part 82, a right holding part 83, and pressurizing bodies 21 and 21. The headband 80 is of a type that rotates the back side of the neck N as in the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 4 of the fourth embodiment.

  The headband 80 has an intermediate portion 81 located behind the neck N, a left ear hook 84 and a right ear hook 85.

  The intermediate portion 81 includes a spring member 81a, a left slider 81b, and a right slider 81c, and constitutes a length adjustment mechanism as a whole. The spring member 81a includes an arc-shaped plate spring 81d and a holder 81e fixed to the intermediate portion thereof, and the left end side and the right end side of the plate spring 81d protrude from the left end side and the right end side of the holder 81e. The left end side of the leaf spring 81d is inserted so as to be able to enter and exit the left slider 81b, and the right end side is inserted so as to be able to enter and exit the right slider 81c. Thereby, the left slider 81b and the right slider 81c are slidable with respect to the left end side and the right end side of the leaf spring 81d. That is, the intermediate portion 81 including the spring member 81a, the left slider 81b, and the right slider 81c is extendable and adjustable as a whole.

  The lower ends 84a and 85a of the left ear hook 84 and the right ear hook 85 are fixed to the front ends 81b1 and 81c1 of the left slider 81b and the right slider 81c. Instead of fixing, the lower ends 84a and 85a may be swingably attached to the front ends 81b1 and 81c1. According to this, the positioning accuracy of the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 to be described later can be increased. The upper end 84b, 85b side of the left ear hook 84 and the right ear hook 85 is formed in a semi-circular shape so that it can be hooked from the rear with respect to the left ear YL and the right ear YR.

  A through hole 84c is formed in the vicinity of the lower end 84a of the left ear hook 84, and supports the holding portion 82 in a swingable manner. The holding portion 82 is formed as a long plate-like arm, and a disc-like convex portion 82a that can be fitted into the above-described through hole 84c is formed at the base end portion. This fitting can be swung with respect to the positive rocking motion of the user with respect to the holding portion 82, but is set so as to be stationary in other cases. A lock screw (not shown) for prohibiting the swinging movement of the holding portion 82 may be provided.

  The vicinity of the lower end 85a of the right ear hook 85 is configured in the same manner as the vicinity of the lower end 84a of the left ear hook 84 described above. That is, the lower end 85a of the right ear hook 85 has a through hole (not shown) similar to the through hole 84c, and supports the holding portion 83 so as to be swingable. The holding portion 83 is formed as a long plate-like arm, and a disc-like convex portion (not shown) that can be fitted into the above-described through hole (not shown) is formed at the base end portion. . This fitting can be swung with respect to the user's positive rocking motion with respect to the holding portion 83, but is set so as not to move otherwise. A lock screw (not shown) for prohibiting the swinging operation of the holding portion 83 may be provided.

  Pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 are slidably attached to the holding portions 82 and 83, respectively. The pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 are formed in a hemispherical shape, and a slide base 21a (the slide base of the left pressurizing body is not shown) that can be fitted to the holding portions 82 and 83 is fixed on the back surface side. ing. The fitting is such that the pressurizing body 21 is slid by an aggressive sliding operation by the user but is not easily moved to an unnecessary outline. In addition, you may make it provide the lock screw (not shown) for prohibiting the slide operation | movement of the pressurization bodies 21 and 21. FIG. For example, the lock screw may be configured such that a female screw portion (not shown) penetrating the slide base 21 is provided and screwed into the female screw portion (not shown) so that the tip contacts the holding portions 82 and 83.

  Further, the holding portions 82 and 83 may be formed long, and the auxiliary pressurizing body 22 may be attached to the distal end side thereof. The auxiliary pressure body 22 may be configured similarly to the pressure body 21, for example. Further, in this case, a configuration in which the holding portions 82 and 83 can be bent at a portion of the holding portions 82 and 83 located between the pressure bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressure bodies 22 and 22. May be provided. As a result, the positions of the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressurizing bodies 22 and 22 can be individually adjusted, so that the positioning accuracy of the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressurizing bodies 22 and 22 is further increased. Get higher.

  According to this configuration, the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressurizing bodies 22 and 22 can be easily replaced. ) And a plurality of different materials can be prepared, and the user can select a suitable one and attach it to the holding portions 82 and 83.

  The holding portions 82 and 83 are formed to be long at first in order to accommodate various users having different sizes such as the head H, and after the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 are attached, When attaching the pressure bodies 22 and 22, after attaching the pressurization bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressurization bodies 22 and 22, you may make it excise the unnecessary part of the front end side.

  The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 5 of the present embodiment adjusts the length of the intermediate portion 81 of the headband 80, so that the left ear hook 84 is placed at a position suitable for the user's left ear YL and right ear YR. The position of the right ear hook 85 can be set. Next, the holding portions 82 and 83 are swung with respect to the left ear hook 84 and the right ear hook 85, and the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressurizing bodies 22 and 22 are further moved with respect to the holding portions 82 and 83. By sliding, the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressurizing bodies 22 and 22 can be set at positions suitable for the left ear hook 84 and the right ear hook 85.

  That is, the pressurizing bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressurizing bodies 22 and 22 can be positioned at positions optimal for the user as the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 5 as a whole. Therefore, the lower jaw LD of the user can be effectively urged forward by the pressure bodies 21 and 21 and the auxiliary pressure bodies 22 and 22 thus positioned.

In addition, you may make it abbreviate | omit the above-mentioned auxiliary | assistant pressurization bodies 22 and 22 when there is no necessity especially. In this case, the length of the holding portions 82 and 83 may be cut to an appropriate length accordingly.
<Embodiment 6>

  With reference to FIG. 11, the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 6 of Embodiment 6 to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device 6 in a worn state as viewed from obliquely upward on the rear right.

  The sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 6 is configured by combining the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 4 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and the headband 80 of the sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool 10 shown in FIG. Yes. In addition, about the member already demonstrated, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  A cylindrical holder 70a is attached to a position corresponding to the holder 81e, the right slider 81c, and the left slider 81b (see FIG. 10) of the headband 80 among the upper ends of the headband 70. These holders 70a are movably inserted through the intermediate portion of the holder 81e, the rear end side of the right slider 81c, and the rear end side of the left slider 81b. Accordingly, the headband 70 is supported by the headband 80 and the left ear hook 84 and the right ear hook 85 can be slid.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool of Embodiment 1 2 Sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool of Embodiment 2 3 Sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool of Embodiment 3 4 Sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool of Embodiment 4 5 Implementation Sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool of form 5 6 Sleep apnea syndrome treatment tool of embodiment 5, 10, 40, 50, 70, 80 Headband 11, 41, 51, 71 Intermediate part 12, 42, 52, 72, 82 holding part 13, 43, 53, 73, 83 holding part 14 annular part (length adjusting mechanism)
20, 21, 23 Pressurizer 22 Auxiliary pressurizer 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 61 Auxiliary band 81 Intermediate part (length adjusting mechanism)
H Head HF Frontal Head HR Rear Head JD Mandible JD1 Mandibular posterior margin of mandible JD2 Mandibular lower margin of mandible JD3 Mandibular angle of mandible YL Left ear YR Right ear

Claims (7)

In the sleep apnea syndrome treatment device attached to the neck to treat sleep apnea syndrome, the middle part extends along the neck, the left end side is located near the left ear, and the right end part is located near the right ear An elastic headband positioned; a holding portion attached to the left end side and the right end side of the headband; and an attachment of the left ear based on the elasticity of the headband attached to the holding portion. A pressing body that urges the lower edge of the mandibular branch of the mandible forward by pressing down and below the right ear, and the headband is connected to the holding portion on the left side at the lower end side. A left ear hook whose upper end side is hooked to the left ear, and a right ear hook whose lower end side is connected to the right holding portion and whose upper end side is hooked to the right ear,
A sleep apnea syndrome treatment device characterized by that. The holding portion has a contact portion that is contacted so as to follow the lower edge of the lower jaw body,
The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to claim 1. The headband has an auxiliary pressurizing body attached to the holding portion and biasing the lower edge of the mandibular body of the mandible obliquely upward and forward based on the elasticity of the headband.
The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to claim 1. The headband has a length adjustment mechanism in the intermediate portion,
The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. At least one of the pressurizing body and the auxiliary pressurizing body is attached to the holding portion so as to be position-adjustable.
The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to claim 3. The pressurizing body is formed of ultra-soft urethane resin, urethane foam or low-resilience urethane,
The sleep apnea syndrome therapeutic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The auxiliary pressurizing body is formed of super soft urethane resin, urethane foam or low-resilience urethane,
The sleep apnea syndrome treatment device according to claim 3.

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