JP5793757B2

JP5793757B2 - Cervical spine

Info

Publication number: JP5793757B2
Application number: JP2010294662A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 勉坂本; 明信坂本; 方哉野村
Original assignee: 株式会社リハビテック
Priority date: 2010-12-10
Filing date: 2010-12-10
Publication date: 2015-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-10
Also published as: JP2012125525A

Description

本発明は、頚椎装具に関するもので、具体的には、顎の支持高さを調節できるところの頚椎装具に関する。 The present invention relates to a cervical spine, and more particularly to a cervical spine in which the support height of the jaw can be adjusted.

従来にあって、頚椎装具は、脊椎の中立状態への姿勢矯正のために開発されてきたものであり、患者の個々の体型スペック（顎の位置等）に合わせた固有のサイズの装具或いは微調整可能な構成のものが必要とされる。
このような個々の患者の体型に合わせた装具を準備するとなると、非常なコスト高となり、そこで、最近においては、顎の支持位置を調節できるような機能を備えた頚椎装具の開発が提案されている。Conventionally, the cervical spine has been developed to correct the posture of the spine to the neutral state, and the cervical spine has a unique size or small size according to the patient's individual body specs (such as the position of the jaw). An adjustable configuration is required.
It would be very expensive to prepare an orthosis tailored to the individual patient's body, and recently, the development of a cervical spine with a function that can adjust the support position of the jaw has been proposed. Yes.

こうした顎の高さ調節が可能な頚椎装具の従来技術としては、例えば、次の文献を挙げることができる。
特開平７−２５０８５４特開２０００−１４６８６特表２００９−５０２３２６ As a conventional technique of the cervical spine that can adjust the height of the jaw, for example, the following documents can be cited.
JP-A-7-250854 JP2000-14686A Special table 2009-502326

上記特許文献１においては、ターンバックル型調整支持杆を備えて顎受部を傾動させ、高さを調節できるように構成されている。また、特許文献２についても、下顎受体の高さ調節を可能にしたものである。更に、特許文献３については、単一の動作で左右の顎支持部材の高さを調節できるようにするもので、その為に、ラックピニオン式調整機構を備え、ピニオンを回動し、ラックでもって顎支持部材を移動させて顎の支持高さを調整出来るように構成されている。 In the said patent document 1, it is comprised so that a chin rest part can be tilted and a height can be adjusted by providing a turnbuckle type adjustment support rod. Further, Patent Document 2 also makes it possible to adjust the height of the lower jaw receiver. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 is to enable the height of the left and right jaw support members to be adjusted by a single operation. For this purpose, a rack and pinion type adjustment mechanism is provided, and the pinion is rotated to Thus, the chin support member can be moved to adjust the chin support height.

しかし、こうした従来技術、例えば、特許文献１にあっては、ターンバックル型調整手段を用いるが故に、縦軸周りに棒状のバックルを回転操作しなければならず、操作が行い難いというだけでなく、１回転させてもネジの１ピッチ分しか長さ変位できず、頚椎高さ調節のために必要な数センチを変位させるには、多数回転の操作を要するのであり、非常に使い勝手が悪い。 However, in such a prior art, for example, Patent Document 1, since the turnbuckle type adjusting means is used, the rod-shaped buckle has to be rotated around the vertical axis, and the operation is difficult. Even if it is rotated once, only one pitch of the screw can be displaced in length, and in order to displace several centimeters necessary for adjusting the height of the cervical vertebra, many rotation operations are required, which is very inconvenient.

また、特許文献３のように、ラックとピ二オンを用いる場合、一つの回転操作具で操作できる点は好ましいが、長尺物（直線又は湾曲もの）にラックを刻設しなければならず、製作上もコストがかかると共に基本的にギアの噛み合いであるので、固定可能な位置としては１ピッチ毎の変位となり、１ピッチ以下の中間位置では定置させられず、無段階変位の操作を行い難く、無段階変位を得るようにギアピッチを小さくすれば、工作が難しくなり、コストアップにつながる。 In addition, when using a rack and a pinion as in Patent Document 3, it is preferable that it can be operated with a single rotary operation tool, but the rack must be engraved on a long object (straight or curved). Since it is costly to manufacture and basically meshes with the gears, the position that can be fixed is displaced by one pitch, and it is not fixed at an intermediate position below one pitch, and a stepless displacement operation is performed. It is difficult, and if the gear pitch is reduced to obtain a stepless displacement, the work becomes difficult and the cost increases.

そこで、本発明者等は、簡単な構造のカム作用機構と作動変換機構を設けることで、頚椎装具における顎支持部材の高さ調節を、簡単な回転操作でもって無段階調整できるようにした頚椎装具を、特願２０１０−１７５７７７号において提案した。 Therefore, the present inventors have provided a simple cam operation mechanism and an action conversion mechanism, and thus the height adjustment of the jaw support member in the cervical spine orthosis can be adjusted steplessly by a simple rotation operation. A brace was proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-175777.

上述した本発明者等のなした改良発明は、其れまでの従来技術では得られなかった簡便な操作性でもって頚椎装具の顎の高さ調節を行い得た点において優れたものであったが、その簡便な操作性を得るための構成としては未だ複雑なものであって、製作コストも高く、複雑構造故のトラブル発生の頻度も低いとは言い難いものであり、更なる改善が要求されるものであった。 The above-described improved invention made by the present inventors was excellent in that the height of the cervical orthosis jaws could be adjusted with a simple operability that was not possible with the prior art. However, the configuration for obtaining the simple operability is still complicated, the production cost is high, and it is difficult to say that the frequency of troubles due to the complicated structure is low, and further improvement is required. It was to be done.

本発明は、かかる問題点に鑑み、簡単な構造でありながら、顎位置の調節を操作性良く行い得るところの頚椎装具を提供することを目的とする。 In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a cervical spine that has a simple structure and can adjust the jaw position with good operability.

本発明にかかる頚椎装具は、上記目的を達成するために、頚部に装着し、且つ、顎載置部材（４）の高さを調節可能とした頚椎装具であって、
頚部を前方側から囲うように平面視略Ｕ字状を呈する支持本体（１）と、
弾性を有する合成樹脂素材により形成され、前記支持本体（１）の内側に位置し、且つ、その左右後端部近傍で、その一端部が夫々枢支ピン（８），（８）により回動自在に枢着された左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）と、
該顎支持部材（２），（３）の前端部（２Ａ），（３Ａ）に設けられた顎載置用部材（４）とからなり、
前記支持本体（１）の少なくとも一側部に、上下の方向で、且つ、前記枢支ピン（８）を中心とした円弧状の調節係止孔（６）が設けられると共に該調節係止孔（６）には複数段部（６Ａ）が形成され、
前記左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）の少なくとも一方に、前記複数段部（６Ａ）に係合可能な係合突起（５）を備えた係合部材（９）が舌片状に切り出し成形で設けられると共に該係合部材（９）が、その顎支持部材（２）の弾性により常時前記支持本体（１）の側に附勢されて前記調節係止孔（６）に係合するように構成され、
前記係合部材（９）の前記調節係止孔（６）に対する弾性係合を解除する解除機構（７）が設けられている、
ことを特徴とする。In order to achieve the above object, the cervical spine according to the present invention is a cervical spine that is attached to the neck and the height of the jaw placement member (4) can be adjusted.
A support body (1) having a substantially U shape in plan view so as to surround the neck from the front side;
It is made of a synthetic resin material having elasticity, is located inside the support body (1), and its one end is rotated by pivot pins (8) and (8) in the vicinity of its left and right rear ends, respectively. A pair of left and right jaw support members (2), (3), which are pivotally attached,
The jaw support member (2), and (3) the front end (2A), (3A) provided on the jaw placement member (4),
At least one side portion of the support body (1) is provided with an arc-shaped adjustment locking hole (6) in the vertical direction and centering on the pivot pin (8), and the adjustment locking hole (6) is formed with a plurality of steps (6A),
An engagement member (9) provided with an engagement protrusion (5) engageable with the plurality of step portions (6A) on at least one of the pair of left and right jaw support members (2), (3) is a tongue-like shape. The engagement member (9) is always urged toward the support body (1) by the elasticity of the jaw support member (2) and is engaged with the adjustment locking hole (6). Configured to match
A release mechanism (7) for releasing the elastic engagement of the engagement member (9) with respect to the adjustment locking hole (6) is provided.
It is characterized by that.

本発明に言う頚椎装具とは、人体の頚部に装備し、顎を適正高さに支持して脊椎を正しい姿勢（配列状態）に矯正し、維持させるためのものであって、原因となる頚椎のトラブルの種類自体（原因乃至治療目的）は問題としない。
また、上述の係合部材（９）の切り出し成形とは、顎支持部材の一部を舌片状に利用することを意味し、実施例では成形工程時に切り目が形成されているが、その成形後に切れ目が付加されてもよい。また、この係合部材（９）が常時前記支持本体（１）の側に附勢される構成は、舌片状の係合部材（９）を塑性変形させて附勢状態を現出するようにしているが、熱付加により所定量変位させた後に塑性変形を解消する工程を付加して完成するようにしてもよい。The cervical spine according to the present invention is a device for cervical vertebrae that is mounted on the neck of a human body, supports the jaw at an appropriate height, and corrects and maintains the spine in the correct posture (arranged state). The type of trouble (cause or purpose of treatment) is not a problem.
In addition, the above-described cut-out molding of the engaging member (9) means that a part of the chin support member is used in the form of a tongue, and in the embodiment, a cut is formed during the molding process. A cut may be added later. In addition, the configuration in which the engaging member (9) is always urged toward the support body (1) causes the tongue-like engaging member (9) to be plastically deformed so that an urging state appears. However, it may be completed by adding a step of eliminating plastic deformation after being displaced by a predetermined amount by heat application.

本発明にかかる頚椎装具によれば、支持本体側に、複数段部が形成され調節係止孔を形成し、他方、係合突起を備えた係合部材を顎支持部材の切り出し成形で設け、その顎支持部材の合成樹脂の弾性を利用して、支持本体との係合状態を解除し、容易に所望の高さ位置に回動調整することができ、極めて簡略な構造でありながら、顎支持部材の高さ調節を、簡単な操作でもって調整でき、安価に製造出来ながら優れた高さ調整機能を発揮できる効果を奏する。
本発明にかかるその他の効果は、以下の実施例の説明から明らかとなろう。According to the cervical spine according to the present invention, a plurality of steps are formed on the support body side to form an adjustment locking hole, and on the other hand, an engagement member provided with an engagement protrusion is provided by cutting out the jaw support member, By utilizing the elasticity of the synthetic resin of the chin support member, it is possible to release the engaged state with the support body and easily adjust the rotation to a desired height position. The height adjustment of the support member can be adjusted with a simple operation, and an excellent height adjustment function can be exhibited while being manufactured at low cost.
Other effects according to the present invention will be apparent from the following description of examples.

本発明においては、前記複数段部（６Ａ）が形成された調節係止孔（６）が前記支持本体（１）の両側部に同様に設けられ、前記複数段部（６Ａ）に係合可能な係合突起（５）も前記左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）の両方に同様に設けられているのが好ましい。
このように、左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）において、その高さ調節を行うようにすることで、調節された左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）の位置を安定良く固定することができる。In the present invention, the adjustment locking holes (6) in which the plurality of steps (6A) are formed are similarly provided on both sides of the support body (1), and can be engaged with the plurality of steps (6A). It is preferable that the engaging protrusions (5) are similarly provided on both the pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3).
Thus, by adjusting the height of the pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3), the positions of the adjusted pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3) are adjusted. It can be fixed stably.

更に、前記左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）には、前記係合部材（９）よりも前記枢支ピン（８），（８）の側に、該枢支ピン（８），（８）を中心とした円弧状の後側ガイド孔（１０），（１０）が形成されると共に該ガイド孔（１０）にはガイドピン（１１），（１１）が挿通され、且つ、前記支持本体（１）の前記調節係止孔（６）よりも前側に、前記枢支ピン（８），（８）を中心とした円弧状の前側ガイド孔（１２），（１２）が形成されると共に該ガイド孔（１２），（１２）にはガイドピン（１３），（１３）が挿通されていることが好ましい。
これによって、左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）の回動変位が、スムースに行い得る。Further, the pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3) are provided on the side of the pivot pins (8) and (8) with respect to the engagement member (9). , (8) and arcuate rear guide holes (10), (10) are formed, and guide pins (11), (11) are inserted into the guide holes (10), and Arc-shaped front guide holes (12), (12) centered on the pivot pins (8), (8) are formed in front of the adjustment locking holes (6) of the support body (1). In addition, it is preferable that guide pins (13) and (13) are inserted into the guide holes (12) and (12).
Thereby, the rotational displacement of the pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3) can be performed smoothly.

或いは、前記支持本体（１）の前部近傍位置に、前記左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）の前部をガイドする溝状ガイド部（１４），（１４）が形成され、前記左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）の前記枢支ピン（８），（８）を中心とした回動を案内支持するように構成されていることが好ましい。
このように構成した場合にも、左右一対の顎支持部材（２），（３）の回動変位が、スムースに行い得る。Alternatively, groove-shaped guide portions (14) and (14) for guiding the front portions of the pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3) are formed at positions near the front portion of the support body (1). It is preferable that the pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3) is configured to guide and support the pivoting about the pivot pins (8) and (8).
Even in such a configuration, the rotational displacement of the pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3) can be performed smoothly.

また、前記解除機構（７）が、前記係合部材（９）に設けられ、前記調節係止孔（６）に挿通される保持部材（９Ａ）と、前記支持本体（１）の外側に位置され、前記保持部材（９Ａ）に螺合する回動操作用ノブ（９Ｂ）と、該回動操作用ノブ（９Ｂ）を貫通し、前記保持部材（９Ａ）に嵌合する止めピン（９Ｃ）とから構成され、前記回動操作用ノブ（９Ｂ）の一方向回動によって前記係合部材（９）の弾性変形を可能にして、前記係合突起（５）の前記複数段部（６Ａ）に対する係合を一時解除し、その他方向回動によって前記係合部材（９）の弾性復元を可能にして前記係合突起（５）の前記複数段部（６Ａ）に対する係合を行うように構成されていることが好ましい。このように構成したことで、前記複数段部（６Ａ）の調節係止孔（６）に対する係合解除、固定が、回動操作用ノブ（９Ｂ）の簡単な回動操作でもって行い得る。
The release mechanism (7) is provided on the engagement member (9) and is positioned outside the support body (1) and the holding member (9A) inserted through the adjustment locking hole (6). is, a knob for rotating operation to be screwed to said holding member (9A) (9B), the pivoting operation knob (9B) through a stop pin which fits into the holding member (9A) (9C) The engagement member (9) can be elastically deformed by one-way rotation of the rotation operation knob (9B), and the plurality of steps (6A) of the engagement protrusion (5) The engagement is temporarily released, and the engagement member (9) can be elastically restored by rotating in the other direction so that the engagement protrusion (5) is engaged with the plurality of steps (6A). It is preferable that With this configuration, the engagement and release of the plurality of steps (6A) with respect to the adjustment locking hole (6) can be performed by a simple turning operation of the turning operation knob (9B).

本発明にかかる頚椎装具の正面図。The front view of the cervical vertebra orthosis concerning this invention. 本発明にかかる頚椎装具の一側面。1 is a side view of a cervical spine orthosis according to the present invention. 本発明にかかる頚椎装具の要部の分解図。The exploded view of the principal part of the cervical vertebra orthosis concerning this invention. 本発明にかかる頚椎装具の一作用状態を示す要部の拡大縦断側面図。The expanded vertical side view of the principal part which shows the action state of the cervical spine orthosis concerning this invention. 本発明にかかる頚椎装具の一作用状態を示す要部の拡大縦断側面図。The expanded vertical side view of the principal part which shows the action state of the cervical spine orthosis concerning this invention. 本発明にかかる頚椎装具の一作用状態を示す要部の側面図。The side view of the principal part which shows one action state of the cervical spine orthosis concerning this invention. 本発明にかかる頚椎装具の一作用状態を示す要部の側面図。The side view of the principal part which shows one action state of the cervical spine orthosis concerning this invention. 本発明にかかる頚椎装具の別態様を示す全体斜視図。The whole perspective view which shows another aspect of the cervical spine orthosis concerning this invention. 本発明にかかる頚椎装具の別態様を示す図８のＡ−Ａ矢視断面図。FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 8 showing another embodiment of the cervical spine according to the present invention.

本発明にかかる頚椎装具の好適実施例について、図面を参照して以下詳述する。
図１は、頚椎装具の全体の正面図であり、図２は、その一側面図、図３は、要部の分解図である。
図１乃至図３に示すように、この頚椎装具は、頚部に装着し、且つ、顎載置部材４の高さを調節可能とした頚椎装具であって、頚部を前方側から囲うように平面視略Ｕ字状を呈する支持本体１と、弾性を有する合成樹脂素材、ここでは、をポリアセタール用いて形成され、前記支持本体１の内側に位置し、且つ、その左右後端部近傍で、その一端部が夫々枢支ピン８，８（ピン側と受け部側からなる）により回動自在に枢着された、略平板状の左右一対の顎支持部材２，３と、該顎支持部材２，３の前端部２Ａ，３Ａに、これらを繋ぐように、連結ピン１５，１５により連結して設けられた平板状の顎載置用部材４とからなる。A preferred embodiment of a cervical spine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the entire cervical spine orthosis, FIG. 2 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a main part.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, this cervical vertebra is a cervical vertebra that is attached to the cervix and the height of the chin rest member 4 is adjustable, and is flat so as to surround the cervical from the front side. A support body 1 having a substantially U-shape and a synthetic resin material having elasticity, here, formed using polyacetal, located inside the support body 1 and in the vicinity of its left and right rear ends, A pair of left and right jaw support members 2, 3 having one end portion pivotally supported by pivot pins 8, 8 (consisting of a pin side and a receiving portion side), and the jaw support member 2 , 3 and the front end portions 2A, 3A of the chin, 3 is provided with a plate-like jaw mounting member 4 that is connected by connecting pins 15, 15 so as to connect them.

そして、前記支持本体１の両側部に、上下の方向で、且つ、前記枢支ピン８，８を中心とした円弧状の調節係止孔６，６が設けられると共に該調節係止孔６，６には複数段部６Ａ，６Ａ、ここでは、調節係止孔６の内周の対抗辺に４段の段部が対向して形成され、４段階の高さ調節（ここでは全高約４５ｍｍ程度を４段階で行う）ができるように構成されている。そして、前記左右一対の顎支持部材２，３の両方に、前記複数段部６Ａ，６Ａが係合可能な係合突起５，５を備えた係合部材９，９が舌片状に切り出し成形で設けられると共に該係合部材９，９が、その顎支持部材２，３の弾性により常時前記支持本体１の側に附勢されて前記調節係止孔６，６に係合するように構成されている。前述の切り出し成形とは、切り込みを新たに入れるという意味ではなく、その顎支持部材２，３の一部が利用されているという意味においてこのような表現としているに過ぎない。 Further, on both side portions of the support body 1, arc-shaped adjustment locking holes 6 and 6 centering on the pivot pins 8 and 8 are provided in the vertical direction and the adjustment locking holes 6 and 6 are provided. 6 has a plurality of step portions 6A, 6A, here, four step portions are formed to face the opposite side of the inner periphery of the adjustment locking hole 6, and four steps of height adjustment (here, the total height is about 45 mm) Is performed in four stages). Then, engaging members 9 and 9 having engaging projections 5 and 5 with which the plurality of stepped portions 6A and 6A can engage are cut out in a tongue-like shape on both of the pair of left and right jaw support members 2 and 3. And the engaging members 9, 9 are always urged toward the support body 1 by the elasticity of the jaw support members 2, 3, and engage with the adjustment locking holes 6, 6. Has been. The aforementioned cut-out molding does not mean that a new cut is to be made, but merely such an expression in the sense that a part of the jaw support members 2 and 3 is used.

即ち、ここでは、前記複数段部６Ａが形成された調節係止孔６が前記支持本体１の両側部に同様に設けられ、前記複数段部６Ａに係合可能な係合突起５も前記左右一対の顎支持部材２，３の両方に同様に設けられているのである。
そして、前記係合突起５，５の主要部は、ここでは、略直方体を成すもので、前記係合部材９，９から前記支持本体１の側に向けて突出するように設けられており（装着状態からすると前後方向に向けて突出）、矩形状をなす前記複数段部６Ａ，６Ａの一つの段部（前後両側の段部）に嵌合する構造とされている。しかし、前記複数段部６Ａ，６Ａが矩形状でなく、三角、丸形等の形状であれば、前記係合突起５，５は、これに嵌合する対応した形状に構成されてよい。That is, here, the adjustment locking holes 6 in which the plurality of step portions 6A are formed are similarly provided on both side portions of the support body 1, and the engagement protrusions 5 that can be engaged with the plurality of step portions 6A are also provided on the left and right sides. It is similarly provided on both of the pair of jaw support members 2 and 3.
The main portions of the engagement protrusions 5 and 5 here are substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and are provided so as to protrude from the engagement members 9 and 9 toward the support body 1 ( From the mounted state, it protrudes in the front-rear direction), and is configured to fit into one step portion (step portions on both front and rear sides) of the plurality of step portions 6A, 6A having a rectangular shape. However, if the plurality of step portions 6A, 6A are not rectangular but triangular, round, or the like, the engagement protrusions 5, 5 may be configured in a corresponding shape to be fitted thereto.

また、舌片状の前記係合部材９，９は、上方が顎支持部材２，３に一体的に連続しており、下方がフリーの状態となった矩形状を呈するが、その顎支持部材２，３の弾性により常時前記支持本体１の側に附勢される構成とされている。ここでは、成型時に舌片を外側に向けて変形させ（係合状態を現出する）、その位置から原位置への変形が弾性変形により可能とされている（係合解除状態を現出する）。しかし、成型後に所定量変形させたのち加熱工程を付加し、その塑性変形を全部或いは一部解消して脆性を緩和するようにしてもよい。しかし、この種の頚椎装具は、特定患者の体形に対して一旦高さ調節を行うと、頻繁に高さ調節を行う必要がないところから、こうした付加工程は通常必要としない。 The tongue-like engagement members 9 and 9 have a rectangular shape in which the upper part is integrally continuous with the chin support members 2 and 3 and the lower part is in a free state. It is configured to be always urged toward the support body 1 by a few elasticity. Here, at the time of molding, the tongue piece is deformed outward (appears the engaged state), and the deformation from the position to the original position is made possible by elastic deformation (appears the disengaged state). ). However, after a predetermined amount of deformation after molding, a heating step may be added to alleviate all or part of the plastic deformation to alleviate brittleness. However, this type of cervical orthosis does not normally require such an additional step because once the height of a particular patient's body shape is adjusted, there is no need for frequent height adjustment.

また、前記係合部材９の前記調節係止孔６に対する弾性係合を解除する解除機構７，７が、左右に夫々設けられている。
この解除機構７の具体構成は、図４及び図５にも示すように、前記係合部材９に起立状態で設けられ、且つ前記調節係止孔６に挿通されるところの保持部材９Ａと、前記支持本体１の外側に位置され、前記保持部材９Ａに外嵌状態で螺合する回動操作用ノブ９Ｂと、該回動操作用ノブ９Ｂを貫通し、前記保持部材９Ａに挿入され、弾性嵌合する止めピン９Ｃとから構成され（縮径で挿入、拡径で嵌合）、前記回動操作用ノブ９Ｂの一方向回動によって前記係合部材９の弾性変形を可能にして、前記係合突起５の前記複数段部６Ａに対する係合を一時解除し、その他方向回動によって前記係合部材９の弾性復元を可能にして前記係合突起５の前記複数段部６Ａに対する係合を行うように構成されているものである。 Further, release mechanisms 7 and 7 for releasing the elastic engagement of the engagement member 9 with respect to the adjustment locking hole 6 are provided on the left and right, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the specific structure of the release mechanism 7 includes a holding member 9 </ b> A provided in an upright state on the engagement member 9 and inserted through the adjustment locking hole 6. A rotation operation knob 9B that is positioned outside the support body 1 and is screwed to the holding member 9A in an externally fitted state, and passes through the rotation operation knob 9B, is inserted into the holding member 9A, and is elastic. The engaging member 9 is configured to be elastically deformed by one-way rotation of the knob 9B for rotation operation. The engagement projection 5 is temporarily disengaged from the plurality of step portions 6A, and the engagement member 9 can be elastically restored by rotating in the other direction so that the engagement projection 5 is engaged with the plurality of step portions 6A. Is configured to do.

更に、前記左右一対の顎支持部材２，３には、前記係合部材９よりも前記枢支ピン８，８の側に、該枢支ピン８，８を中心とした円弧状の後側ガイド孔１０，１０が形成されると共に該ガイド孔１０にはガイドピン１１，１１（ピン側と受け部側）が挿通され、且つ、前記支持本体１の前記調節係止孔６よりも前側に、前記枢支ピン８，８を中心とした円弧状の前側ガイド孔１２，１２が形成されると共に該ガイド孔１２，１２にはガイドピン１３，１３（ピン側と受け部側）が挿通されている。これらの前側ガイド孔１２，１２及び後側ガイド孔１０，１０は、出来るだけ前記調節係止孔６に近い方が好ましい。これによって、前記調節係止孔６の前記複数段部６Ａに対する係合突起５の係合が安定する。 Further, the pair of left and right jaw support members 2, 3 are arranged on the side of the pivot pins 8, 8 with respect to the engagement member 9, and are arcuate rear guides centered on the pivot pins 8, 8. Holes 10 and 10 are formed, and guide pins 11 and 11 (pin side and receiving portion side) are inserted into the guide hole 10, and in front of the adjustment locking hole 6 of the support body 1, Arc-shaped front guide holes 12, 12 centered on the pivot pins 8, 8 are formed, and guide pins 13, 13 (pin side and receiving side) are inserted into the guide holes 12, 12. Yes. The front guide holes 12 and 12 and the rear guide holes 10 and 10 are preferably as close to the adjustment locking hole 6 as possible. As a result, the engagement of the engagement protrusion 5 with the plurality of step portions 6A of the adjustment locking hole 6 is stabilized.

（作用）
この頚椎装具の顎支持部材２，３の高さ調節は、次のようにして行われる。ここでは、便宜上、一側方の顎支持部材２について説明する。
この頚椎装具の非装着時（常時）は、次の状態となっている。即ち、前記係合突起５が、前記複数段部６Ａの適宜の位置に嵌合して、所定の高さ位置で固定させている。この場合、図４、図６に示すように、最下段位置或いは図７に示すような最上段位置に位置されていてもよい。(Function)
The height adjustment of the chin support members 2 and 3 of the cervical spine orthosis is performed as follows. Here, for convenience, the one side chin support member 2 will be described.
When this cervical spine is not worn (always), it is in the following state. That is, the engagement protrusion 5 is fitted at an appropriate position of the plurality of step portions 6A and fixed at a predetermined height position. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, it may be located at the lowest position or the highest position as shown in FIG.

こうした状態（図４及び図６に示す最下段位置の状態が好ましい）から、先ず、患者の頚部に対して前方側から装置を装着し、その患者の顎の高さに合致させるべく、前記解除機構７の回動操作用ノブ９Ｂを一方向（ここでは、左ｏｒ反時計回り方向）に回動させ、前記顎支持部材２と支持本体１との締め付け状態を解除する。次いで、図５に示すように、回動操作用ノブ９Ｂを矢印の方向（頚部側方向）に押し付けて、これに螺合、連結された前記保持部材９Ａを介して、舌片状の前記係合部材９を弾性変形させる。この際、前記顎支持部材２が板状体であるので、その合成樹脂の弾性により、この前記顎支持部材２自体も僅かに変形することになる。尤も、この顎支持部材２は、前記両ガイドピン１１，１３によって、前記支持本体１に対して位置保持されているので、両ガイドピン１１，１３との間での僅かの変形がもたらされることになる。
From this state (the lowermost position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is preferable), the device is first attached to the patient's neck from the front side, and the release is performed to match the height of the patient's jaw. The knob 9B for rotation operation of the mechanism 7 is rotated in one direction (here, left or counterclockwise direction), and the tightened state of the jaw support member 2 and the support body 1 is released. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotating knob 9B is pressed in the direction of the arrow (neck portion side direction), and is screwed into and connected to the tongue-like engagement member 9A. The joint member 9 is elastically deformed. At this time, since the jaw support member 2 is a plate-like body, the jaw support member 2 itself is slightly deformed by the elasticity of the synthetic resin. However, since the chin support member 2 is held in position with respect to the support body 1 by the guide pins 11 and 13, slight deformation between the guide pins 11 and 13 is brought about. become.

これにより、この前記係合部材９に設けられた係合突起５の前記複数段部６Ａの特定位置への係合が解除され、前記顎支持部材２の前記枢支ピン８を中心とした回動変位（上方向への移動）を可能にする。尚、図５は、全体が縦断面である図４とは異なり、係合突起５を示すために、係合部材９の舌片状外縁に沿った位置で外形が現れる部分断面で描いている。
そして、患者の顎位置にフィットする位置まで、その顎支持部材２を、前記枢支ピン８を中心として上方に回動変位させるのである。この場合、図７に示す最大上昇位置まで調節可能である。As a result, the engagement projection 5 provided on the engagement member 9 is disengaged from the specific position of the plurality of stepped portions 6A, and the jaw support member 2 is rotated around the pivot pin 8. Allows dynamic displacement (upward movement). Note that FIG. 5 differs from FIG. 4, which is a longitudinal section as a whole, in order to show the engagement protrusion 5, with a partial cross section where the outer shape appears at a position along the tongue-like outer edge of the engagement member 9. .
Then, the jaw support member 2 is rotationally displaced upward about the pivot pin 8 to a position that fits the patient's jaw position. In this case, it can be adjusted to the maximum ascending position shown in FIG.

このようにして、前記顎支持部材２が所定高さ位置に調節されると、前記回動操作用ノブ９Ｂに加えていた押し付け力を解除する。すると、前記係合突起５が、前記係合部材９の素材の弾性復元力により、前記複数段部６Ａの特定位置の段部に再び係合される。
その後、前記回動操作用ノブ９Ｂを他方向（ここでは、右ｏｒ時計回り方向）に回転させ、前記顎支持部材２と支持本体１との締め付け状態を、図４に示すように再現し、調節した高さ位置を固定するのである。Thus, when the chin support member 2 is adjusted to a predetermined height position, the pressing force applied to the turning operation knob 9B is released. Then, the engagement protrusion 5 is re-engaged with the step portion at a specific position of the plurality of step portions 6A by the elastic restoring force of the material of the engagement member 9.
Thereafter, the turning operation knob 9B is rotated in the other direction (here, right or clockwise direction), and the tightened state of the chin support member 2 and the support body 1 is reproduced as shown in FIG. The adjusted height position is fixed.

（一部変形例）
図８及び図９に示すように、ここでは、上記顎支持部材２，３のスムース、且つ安定した回動変位を得るために、上述した実施例の後側ガイド孔１０，１０及び前側ガイド孔１２，１２に代え，溝状ガイド部１４，１４が採用される。
即ち、前記支持本体１の前部近傍位置に、前記左右一対の顎支持部材２，３の前部をガイドする溝状ガイド部１４，１４が形成され、前記左右一対の顎支持部材２，３の前記枢支ピン８，８を中心とした回動を案内支持するように構成されている。
上述した、溝状ガイド部１４，１４は、支持本体１の成型時に形成されるが、その成型後に、接着、溶着でもって付設される方式で構成されてもよい。
尚、上記実施例と同一部材については、同じ番号を引用するが、便宜上その説明は省略する。(Some variations)
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, here, in order to obtain a smooth and stable rotational displacement of the jaw support members 2 and 3, the rear guide holes 10 and 10 and the front guide hole of the embodiment described above. Instead of 12, 12, groove-shaped guide portions 14, 14 are employed.
That is, groove-like guide portions 14 and 14 for guiding the front portions of the pair of left and right jaw support members 2 and 3 are formed at positions near the front portion of the support body 1. The pivot pins 8 are configured to guide and support the rotation about the pivot pins 8.
The groove-shaped guide portions 14 and 14 described above are formed at the time of molding the support body 1, but may be configured by being attached by adhesion and welding after the molding.
In addition, although the same number is quoted about the same member as the said Example, the description is abbreviate | omitted for convenience.

Industrial application fields

本発明にかかる頚椎装具は、頚椎姿勢の矯正、保持の装具として操作面、コスト面でも優れたもので、その適用範囲は広いものである。 The cervical spine according to the present invention is excellent in terms of operation and cost as a device for correcting and holding a cervical vertebra posture, and its application range is wide.

１：支持本体
２：一方の顎支持部材
２Ａ：一方の顎支持部材の前端部
３：他方の顎支持部材
３Ａ：他方の顎支持部材の前端
４：顎載置部材
５：係合突起
６：調節係止孔
６Ａ：複数段部
７：解除機構
８：枢支ピン
９：係合部材
９Ａ：保持部材
９Ｂ：回動操作用ノブ
１０：後側ガイド孔
１１：ガイドピン（後側）
１２：前側ガイド孔
１３：ガイドピン（前側）1: Support body 2: One jaw support member 2A: Front end portion of one jaw support member: The other jaw support member 3A: Front end of the other jaw support member 4: Jaw placement member 5: Engaging protrusion 6: Adjustment locking hole 6A: Multiple steps 7: Release mechanism 8: Pivoting pin 9: Engaging member 9A: Holding member 9B: Knob 10 for rotation operation: Rear guide hole 11: Guide pin (rear side)
12: Front guide hole 13: Guide pin (front side)

Claims

A cervical spine that is attached to the neck and the height of the jaw placement member (4) is adjustable,
A support body (1) having a substantially U shape in plan view so as to surround the neck from the front side;
It is made of a synthetic resin material having elasticity, is located inside the support body (1), and its one end is rotated by pivot pins (8) and (8) in the vicinity of its left and right rear ends, respectively. A pair of left and right jaw support members (2), (3), which are pivotally attached,
The jaw support member (2), and (3) the front end (2A), (3A) provided on the jaw placement member (4),
At least one side portion of the support body (1) is provided with an arc-shaped adjustment locking hole (6) in the vertical direction and centering on the pivot pin (8), and the adjustment locking hole (6) is formed with a plurality of steps (6A),
An engagement member (9) provided with an engagement protrusion (5) engageable with the plurality of step portions (6A) on at least one of the pair of left and right jaw support members (2), (3) is a tongue-like shape. The engagement member (9) is always urged toward the support body (1) by the elasticity of the jaw support member (2) and is engaged with the adjustment locking hole (6). Configured to match
A release mechanism (7) for releasing the elastic engagement of the engagement member (9) with respect to the adjustment locking hole (6) is provided.
Cervical spine orthosis characterized by that.

Adjustment protrusion holes (6) formed with the plurality of step portions (6A) are similarly provided on both side portions of the support body (1), and engaging protrusions (6A) that can be engaged with the plurality of step portions (6A). The cervical orthosis according to claim 1, wherein 5) is also provided on both the pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3) in the same manner.

The pair of left and right jaw support members (2) and (3) are provided on the side of the pivot pins (8) and (8) with respect to the engagement member (9). 8) Arc-shaped rear guide holes (10), (10) centering on 8) are formed, and guide pins (11), (11) are inserted into the guide holes (10), and the support Arc-shaped front guide holes (12), (12) centering on the pivot pins (8), (8) are formed in front of the adjustment locking holes (6) of the main body (1). The cervical spine according to claim 2, wherein guide pins (13) and (13) are inserted through the guide holes (12) and (12).

Groove-shaped guide portions (14), (14) for guiding the front portions of the pair of left and right jaw support members (2), (3) are formed at positions in the vicinity of the front portion of the support body (1). The pair of jaw support members (2), (3) are configured to guide and support the rotation about the pivot pins (8), (8) of the pair of jaw support members (3). Cervical orthosis.

The release mechanism (7) is provided on the engagement member (9) and is positioned outside the support body (1), a holding member (9A) inserted through the adjustment locking hole (6), with the rotational operation knob screwed to said holding member (9A) (9B), through the the pivoting operation knob (9B), because stop pin and (9C) to be fitted to the holding member (9A) The engagement member (9) can be elastically deformed by one-way rotation of the rotation operation knob (9B), and the engagement protrusion (5) is engaged with the plurality of steps (6A). The engagement is temporarily released and the engagement member (9) can be elastically restored by rotating in the other direction so that the engagement protrusion (5) is engaged with the plurality of steps (6A). The cervical spine according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the cervical spine is provided.