TWM642797U - Vacuum splinting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a vacuum splinting apparatus, comprising an air-tight bag, a support member in the air-tight bag, a gas valve connected to the air-tight bag and regulating air quantity inside the air-tight bag to control vacuum force and a fixation assembly to set and secure the air-tight bag to be in contact with a body portion of a user at a certain degree of tightness wherein the fixation assembly is mounted to the air-tight bag or surrounds the air-tight bag, the support member includes a carrier, the carrier has at least one support block at a plurality specified positions, the support blocks are polymer resins formed on the surfaces of the carrier, the fixation assembly includes one length adjustment member, and the tightness of the vacuum splinting apparatus surrounding the body portion of the user is adjusted using the fixation assembly and the vacuum force.

Description

Vacuum support device

The invention relates to a vacuum support device, in particular to a vacuum support device that utilizes vacuum force to shape the shape.

Conventional vacuum fixtures, such as the fixtures or vacuum-formed structures disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,657,003 or No. 3,745,998, usually include an airtight bag, plastic particles in the airtight bag and an air valve, by discharging the airtight bag The inner air makes the plastic particles in the bag tightly combined to achieve shaping and supporting effects. There are various improvements in the type, size and distribution of plastic particles in the bag (such as No. 3,762,404), but the support strength is insufficient when the size is large due to the tight binding force of the particles, that is, the support strength cannot be extended to a sufficient Length, such a fixing device is usually only used for fixing purposes, and it is difficult to be used as a supporting device at the same time.

On the other hand, such vacuum immobilization devices can also be applied to restrict activities, support the trunk, correct posture, increase abdominal pressure, assist muscle strength support or prevent the deterioration of injured parts, such as various types of spinal orthotics such as waist belts and back frames , spinal assist device or support device.

Due to the technical progress of micro-spine surgery, orthotics such as back frames used after spinal surgery have gradually changed from completely rigid to semi-rigid, that is, from the need for supporting and fixing devices to a certain degree of flexibility or elasticity. assisting equipments. However, in the traditional correction of spinal deformity or fixation of fractures, most of them use foamed materials or soft plastics to coat aluminum metal strips as the main components for supporting or correcting the spine. For example, the spinal orthosis disclosed in US Patent No. 9,572,705 uses aluminum metal frame to support Spine, because the human body will change its posture, and when the spine bends, it will touch the metal strip and cause discomfort. The aluminum metal frame needs to avoid the middle spine, and you cannot only wear the aluminum metal frame. Therefore, the aluminum frame in the spinal orthosis disclosed in the aforementioned US patent The surface must be coated with soft plastic or foam material, or most commercially available spinal orthotics use foam coated metal brackets.

Furthermore, in order to adapt to different body shapes and different supporting parts, traditional assistive devices or orthotics generally use elastic bands or pre-shape materials, that is, provide them to the wearer in a tailor-made way to achieve the best fit. good effect. Vacuum support devices shaped by vacuum force can quickly meet the needs of postoperative patients clinically. However, the existing vacuum support devices use filled plastic particles to achieve the fixation effect, and the support effect is insufficient.

On the other hand, for purposes of increasing intra-abdominal pressure, assisting muscular support, or preventing deterioration of an injured area, support devices that quickly shape, have a degree of mobility, are highly compliant, breathable, lightweight, and simple are desired. The so-called high compliance (compliance) refers to the property of flexibility (pliable) and resilience (resilience), which will deform to a certain extent after applying force, and will recover after the force disappears.

This creation is based on the problem of insufficient support effect mentioned above. In order to improve the functions of vacuum force shaping, fixing, supporting and assisting, it is found that the characteristics of the material of the novel vacuum support device can provide simple design, rapid shaping, The vacuum support device has a certain degree of mobility, high compliance, breathability, light weight, reusability, and reshapeability, and the vacuum support device of the present invention is a vacuum support device with adjustable support degree. The vacuum support device of this creation can be used as an auxiliary wood, a limb immobilization device, a sports belt, a waist support belt, a back support frame and the like.

This creation includes the following items.

According to an implementation aspect of the present invention, a vacuum support device is disclosed, comprising: an airtight bag body; a support member located in the airtight bag body, the support member includes a carrier with a mesh structure, and a plurality of the carrier A designated position has at least one support block, the support block of the carrier is made of a polymer resin layer directly formed on the surface of the carrier; an air valve is connected to the airtight bag, and the air valve adjusts the airtight The amount of air in the bag, thereby adjusting the vacuum force; and a fixing component, connected to the edge of the airtight bag or covering the airtight bag, fixing the vacuum support device to a user, so that the airtight bag Surrounding a part of the user, the fixing component includes an adjusting member whose length can be adjusted, through which the fixing component and the vacuum force are used to discharge the air in the airtight bag, so that the vacuum support device surrounds the user with an appropriate degree of tightness. The part that the person wants to support.

According to another implementation aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned vacuum support device can be used as a limb immobilization device.

According to another implementation aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned vacuum support device can be used as a spinal assisting device.

According to another embodiment of the present creation, the vacuum support device further includes: a thoracic auxiliary component, the thoracic auxiliary component includes a support plate supporting the user's thoracic spine and a connecting member connecting the support plate to the lumbar auxiliary component.

The above-mentioned carrier can be a three-dimensional fabric. The polymer resin of the polymer resin layer may include polyester or polyurethane. The above-mentioned support plate may comprise a thermoplastic plate or a composite material plate, and the above-mentioned support plate may have a mesh structure. The above-mentioned carrier may have a mesh structure, and the above-mentioned support block may have a mesh structure. The above-mentioned connecting member may have a member whose length can be adjusted, and the above-mentioned connecting member may be composed of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a fastening piece, a fur belt, a fur pad, a hook pad, a buckle, and an elastic band. The above-mentioned support plate may have thermoplasticity. The support block may include two or more types of polymer resin layers. The above support blocks The surface hardness may be below 90A (Shore hardness). In one embodiment, the above-mentioned supporting member may include a plurality of carriers.

The above air valve has a first end and a second end, the outlet of the first end communicates with the inside of the airtight bag, and the outlet of the second end communicates with the outside of the airtight bag, when the air valve is in a closed state Air is prevented from entering and exiting the airtight bag, and the air valve can allow air to enter and exit the airtight bag when it is in an open state.

The composition of the traditional vacuum fixing device mainly includes an airtight bag and particles filled in the airtight bag. By discharging the air in the bag, that is, the air between the particles, the particles are tightly combined and the particles The position of the vacuum fixture will not move, and the airtight bag will harden in a large area to achieve the effect of shaping, shaping and fixing. Cover the part to be fixed by the user (such as upper or lower limbs, torso, etc.), and then discharge the air in the bag through the air valve (or air nozzle) connected to the air-tight bag, and the air between the particles is discharged. The particles do not move, the particles are closely combined, and the airtight bag becomes hard as a whole, so the user's limbs or lower limbs, torso, etc. are fixed.

Relatively, compared with the traditional vacuum fixture, the vacuum support (or fixation) device of this creation does not use the method of filling particles, and the support member is arranged in the airtight bag body, and the support member has a plurality of hard support blocks and the original The soft area of the carrier material, that is, the airtight bag body with the built-in support member is flat on a large scale as a whole, and can be wrapped around any part, and discharged into the bag through the air valve (or air nozzle) connected to the airtight bag After the air is released, the air existing in the soft area of the carrier material is discharged, shortening the distance between the hard support blocks to achieve the effect of setting, shaping and supporting.

Furthermore, according to the vacuum supporting device of the present invention, the supporting member has a mesh structure, so there is no need to specially arrange gas passages to assist the discharge of gas. In addition, since no plastic pellets are used particles, and there is no problem of uniform distribution of particles in the bag. Traditional vacuum fixtures have the problem of insufficient support effect due to the use of multi-layered particles closely arranged and combined. However, the vacuum support device of this invention changes the design of the support block to achieve the support effect required for various purposes.

According to the invention, a vacuum support device that is simple in design, quickly shaped, has a certain degree of mobility, is highly compliant, breathable, lightweight, reusable, and reshapeable can be provided. By changing the shape, arrangement and quantity of the supporting blocks, together with changing the thickness of the polymer resin layer and the thickness and quantity of the carrier, the supporting characteristics and hardness of the vacuum supporting device can be easily adjusted. With the support member of the present invention, the vacuum support device of the present invention has excellent variable support, and adjustable support characteristics and hardness compared with the traditional vacuum fixtures filled with plastic particles.

10,11,12: Vacuum support device

20,21: airtight bag body

30,31: Support components

30a, 31a: carrier

30b, 31b, 30b': support blocks

40,41: air valve

40a: The first end of the air valve

40b: The second end of the air valve

AA: hatching

22,42,42’,42”: support blocks

50,51: fixed components

51a, 51b: with components

51d: Buckle

51c: Hairy belt

60: Thoracic auxiliary component

61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e: connection members

62a, 62b: connecting member

63: shoulder strap

66: Support board

[FIG. 1] is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vacuum support device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 2] is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vacuum support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[ FIG. 3 ] is a schematic view showing an example of a supporting member of the vacuum supporting device shown in FIG. 1 .

[FIG. 4] is a schematic view showing an example of a supporting member of the vacuum supporting device shown in FIG. 2.

[FIG. 5] is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vacuum support device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 6] is a schematic diagram showing an example of a thoracic vertebra auxiliary member of the vacuum support device shown in FIG. 5. [FIG.

[FIG. 7] is a schematic diagram showing the front and back of a user wearing the vacuum support device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 8] is a schematic view showing a modified example of the support member of the vacuum support device shown in FIG. 1. [FIG.

[FIG. 9] is a schematic view showing another modified example of the support member of the vacuum support device shown in FIG. 1. [FIG.

The aforementioned and other technical contents, features and effects of this creation will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as: up, down, left, right, front or back, etc., are only directions referring to the attached drawings. Accordingly, the directional terms used are for illustration and not for limitation of the present invention. In addition, the term "A layer (or component) is placed on B layer (or component)" is not limited to the aspect that A layer directly touches the surface of B layer, for example, there is another layer between A layer and B layer. Layers are also covered by this term. In the illustrations, the same elements are represented by the same symbols, and in order to present each element clearly, the proportion of each element is not necessarily displayed according to the actual scale.

According to an implementation aspect of the present invention, a vacuum support device is disclosed, which includes an airtight bag body, a support member, an air valve and a fixing component. The support member is located in the airtight bag, the support member includes a carrier with a network structure, at least one support block is provided at a plurality of designated positions of the carrier, and the support block of the carrier is a polymer resin layer formed directly on the surface of the carrier. The air valve is connected with the airtight bag body, and the air valve adjusts the air volume in the airtight bag body, thereby adjusting the vacuum force. The fixing component is connected to the edge of the airtight bag body or wraps the airtight bag body, fixes the vacuum support device on a user so that the airtight bag body surrounds a part of the user, and the fixing component includes a The adjusting member for adjusting the length uses the fixing component and vacuum force to discharge the air in the airtight bag, so that the vacuum supporting device can surround the user's desired supporting part with proper tightness.

The vacuum support device described above can be used as a limb immobilization device, a spinal assist device, and the like.

According to another embodiment of the present creation, the above-mentioned vacuum support device may further include: a thoracic auxiliary component, the thoracic auxiliary component includes a support plate supporting the user's thoracic spine and a connecting member connecting the support plate to the lumbar auxiliary component .

Hereinafter, this creation will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vacuum support device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum support device 10 includes an airtight bag body 20 , a support member 30 , an air valve 40 , and a fixing unit 50 . A cross-sectional view of this portion is shown at the position of section line AA, showing the support member 30 inside the airtight bag body 20 . The vacuum support device 10 can be used, for example, as a limb immobilization device, for example for the immobilization of a wrist joint.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vacuum support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum support device 11 includes an airtight bag body 21 , a support member 31 , an air valve 41 , and a fixing unit 51 . The form of the supporting member 31 inside the airtight bag body 21 is similar to the sectional view shown in FIG. 1 .

The fixing assembly includes a bag carrying the airtight bag body 21 and fixing members 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, and can be made of conventionally known parts. For example, it may be composed of at least one member selected from the group consisting of fastening fasteners, wool straps, wool pads, hook pads, mouth rings, buckles, and elastic bands. Fixing member 51a as shown in Figure 2, 51b, 51c, 51d is by the hook surface pad (not shown) on the one end portion of wool surface belt 51c by wool surface belt 51c, buckle 51d, belt assembly 51a, 51b. Constructed as a fixing member of an adjustable-length labor-saving fastener. Furthermore, the vacuum support device 10 can have a mat and a hook pad at the two ends of the belt components 51a, 51b respectively, forming a group of fastening parts connected to each other, as the first fixing member, and then by the mat belt. 51c, buckle 51d (second fixing member) to adjust tightness.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the support member 30 of the vacuum support device 10 shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the support member 31 of the vacuum support device 11 shown in FIG. 2 .

The support members 30 and 31 include carriers 30a, 31a, the carriers 30a, 31a have a mesh structure, and there are a plurality of supporting blocks 30b, 31b on the carriers 30a, 31a, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, along the carriers 30a, 31a, The length or width direction of 31a is arranged at different intervals or at the same interval. The shapes of the plurality of support blocks 30b, 31b can be different, and their lengths can also be different. For example, the length at the position close to the lumbar spine can be about lumbar The length, for example about 10 ~ 12 centimeters. Specifically, the distance between the support blocks 30b, 31b and the area size of the support blocks 30b, 31b can be designed according to the desired support strength. The supporting blocks 30b, 31b are composed of a polymer resin layer directly formed on the surface of the carrier. The polymer resin of the polymer resin layer is, for example, polyester or polyurethane. The mechanical properties of the supporting blocks 30b, 31b can also be adjusted by changing the type of polymer resin or the number of layers.

The method of forming the support block can use various known coating methods, such as micro gravure coating method, dip coating method, flow coating method, spin coating method, casting transfer printing method, spray coating method, dispensing coating method or various printing methods, etc., and then heat and bake. Furthermore, in the case where the supporting block has a structure protruding from the main plane of the carrier, it can be formed by printing with a three-dimensional printer (or 3D printer). Furthermore, when the supporting block includes two or more kinds of polymer resins, the polymer resin layer may be two or more layers, or may be a layer formed by mixing two or more kinds of polymer resins. Furthermore, in the case where the support block is composed of two or more layers of polymer resin layers, the above methods for forming the support block can be combined, that is, the coating method and the printing method are formed, and each polymer resin layer can be different. shape, mechanical strength. Specifically, for example, a high-hardness polymer resin is first used to form a first polymer resin layer with high mechanical strength and high toughness, and then a low-hardness polymer resin is used to form a second polymer resin layer as a soft surface layer. . In addition, for example, a three-dimensionally soft third polymer resin layer may be formed at a position corresponding to the lumbar spine. The surface hardness of the polymer resin layer having low hardness may be, for example, 90A or less (Shore hardness), 80A or less, 70A or less, or 65A or less.

As mentioned above, the plurality of support blocks directly formed on the carrier, due to the staggered arrangement of soft regions and hard regions on the carrier, improves the overall compliance of the support member, that is, without shaping, and can achieve both support and high The effect of activity. The support member of the vacuum support device of this embodiment is compared with the traditional waist support belt that uses aluminum strips or hard plastic strips as the support member. There is a sense of discomfort (or disobedience), but the support block of this creation is relatively light and integrally formed with the carrier, and it is seamlessly connected at the interface between the soft area and the hard area of this creation, coupled with the shaping of the vacuum force , with good coverage and full comfort.

The carrier may be, for example, a three-dimensional fabric, the supporting member may contain a plurality of carriers, and the carrier may be a laminate of three-dimensional fabrics. The thickness of the carrier is not particularly limited, it can be 1-10mm, and the width of the carrier is also not limited, depending on the application and purpose. The material, thickness and structure of the carrier will affect the support and protection functions of the vacuum support device, and can also provide different softness.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the supporting member of the vacuum supporting device shown in FIG. 1 , and the supporting blocks 30 b have an arrangement and shape different from the supporting blocks shown in FIG. 3 on the carrier 30 a. The carrier may have a mesh structure, and the support block may have a mesh structure like the carrier.

As shown in FIG. 1 , an air valve 40 is connected to the airtight bag body 20 , and the air valve regulates the air in the airtight bag body, thereby adjusting the vacuum force. The air valve 40 can use any conventionally known air valve. The air valve 40 has a first end 40a and a second end 40b, the outlet of the first end 40a communicates with the inside of the airtight bag body 20, the outlet of the second end 40b communicates with the outside of the airtight bag body 20, and the air valve is in a closed state The air is blocked from entering and exiting the airtight bag body, and the air valve can allow air to enter and exit the airtight bag body when the air valve is in an open state. Furthermore, the air valve can also be a combination of a check valve, an air intake valve and an exhaust valve, as long as it can selectively let air in and out of the airtight bag or maintain the airtight state of the airtight bag. The method for discharging the air in the airtight bag body can use any traditionally known method through the air valve. Use an electric suction machine or a manual exhaust machine to discharge the air in the bag to the outside. The method of air entering the airtight bag can utilize atmospheric pressure to allow air to enter the bag naturally when the air valve is opened. In one embodiment, the position where the first end of the air valve communicates with the airtight bag is on the supporting block in the airtight bag.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a vacuum support device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum support device 12 in FIG. 5 is composed of the vacuum support device 11 shown in FIG. 2 and the thoracic auxiliary member 60 . FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the thoracic auxiliary member 60 of the vacuum support device 12 in FIG. 5 . The thoracic auxiliary member 60 includes a support plate 66 for supporting the user's thoracic spine, and connecting members 61a, 61b (left and right shoulder straps), 61c (buckles) connecting the support plate 66 to the fixing assembly 51 (the waist fixing member included in the fixing assembly). , 61d (hair surface pad), 61e (hook surface belt), 62a, 62b (bottom connecting belt). The support sheet 66 may comprise a thermoplastic sheet or a composite sheet, and the support sheet 66 may have a mesh structure. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the front and back of a user wearing the vacuum support device 12 shown in FIG. 5 . The vacuum support device 12 in Fig. 5 is equipped with a thoracic auxiliary component 60, so it is suitable as a thoracic, back, lumbar and abdominal support device (TLSO), and is suitable for spinal surgery or osteoporosis patients.

According to the vacuum supporting device of the present invention, the supporting member has a mesh structure, so there is no need to specially arrange gas passages to assist the discharge of gas. In addition, since no plastic particles are used, there is no problem of uniform distribution of particles in the bag. Traditional vacuum fixtures have the problem of insufficient support effect due to the use of multi-layered particles closely arranged and combined. However, the vacuum support device of this invention changes the design of the support block to achieve the support effect required for various purposes.

According to the present invention, a vacuum support device can be provided that is simple in design, does not require shaping, has a certain degree of mobility, is highly compliant, is breathable, is lightweight, is reusable, and is reshapeable. By changing the shape, arrangement and quantity of the supporting blocks, and then changing the thickness and loading of the polymer resin layer The thickness and quantity of the body can easily adjust the support characteristics and hardness of the vacuum support device. With the support member of the present invention, the vacuum support device of the present invention has excellent variable support, and adjustable support characteristics and hardness compared with the traditional vacuum fixtures filled with plastic particles. The vacuum support device of this creation is suitable for restricting activities, supporting the trunk, correcting posture, increasing abdominal pressure, assisting muscle support, or preventing deterioration of injured parts, etc. It is a useful aid for osteoporosis patients, spinal injury patients or patients after surgery device.

Although the creation has been described above with specific embodiments, the scope of the creation is not limited thereto. As long as it does not depart from the gist of the creation, those familiar with the art understand that various deformations or changes can be made without departing from the intention and scope of the creation. For example, the supporting member 30 in the airtight bag body 20 shown in FIG. 9 has a plurality of carriers. The vacuum support device can change the shape of its airtight bag body and support member. By changing the shape of the support block, the type and thickness of the polymer resin layer, etc., the support position and support strength can be adjusted. In addition, any embodiment or scope of patent application of this creation does not need to achieve all the purposes or advantages or characteristics disclosed by this creation. In addition, the abstract part and the title are only used to assist in the search of patent documents, and are not used to limit the scope of rights of this creation.

10: Vacuum support device

20: airtight bag body

30: Support components

40: air valve

40a: The first end of the air valve

40b: The second end of the air valve

50: Fixed components

Claims (11)

A vacuum support device, comprising: an airtight bag body; a support member located in the airtight bag body, the support member includes a carrier with a mesh structure, and at least one support block is provided at a plurality of designated positions of the carrier , the supporting block of the carrier is composed of a polymer resin layer directly formed on the surface of the carrier; an air valve is connected to the airtight bag, and the air valve adjusts the air in the airtight bag, thereby adjusting the vacuum force ; and a fixing component, connected to the edge of the airtight bag or covering the airtight bag, fixing the vacuum support device to a user so that the airtight bag surrounds a part of the user, the fixing component It includes an adjustment member with adjustable length, through which the fixing component and the vacuum force are used to discharge the air in the airtight bag, so that the vacuum support device can surround the user's desired support part with proper tightness. The vacuum support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier is a three-dimensional fabric. The vacuum supporting device as described in Claim 1, wherein the air valve has a first end and a second end, the outlet of the first end communicates with the inside of the airtight bag, and the outlet of the second end communicates with the airtight bag The outside of the body is connected, the air valve prevents air from entering and exiting the airtight bag when it is closed, and allows air to enter and exit the airtight bag when the air valve is in an open state. The vacuum supporting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer resin of the polymer resin layer comprises polyester or polyurethane. The vacuum supporting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting block comprises two or more polymer resin layers. The vacuum supporting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting block has a mesh structure and has a surface hardness of 90A or less (Shore hardness). The vacuum support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of carriers. The vacuum supporting device according to claim 3, wherein the position where the first end communicates with the airtight bag is on the support block in the airtight bag. The vacuum support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing component includes a waist fixing member, the waist fixing member wraps the airtight bag and fixes the vacuum support device on a user's waist. The vacuum support device as claimed in claim 9 further includes: a thoracic auxiliary component, the thoracic auxiliary component includes a support plate supporting the user's thoracic spine and a connecting member connecting the support plate to the lumbar fixing member. The vacuum supporting device as described in claim 10, wherein the connecting member has an adjusting member whose length can be adjusted, and the connecting member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a fastening piece, a rough surface belt, a rough surface pad, a hook surface pad, a buckle, At least one of the groups of elastic bands is formed, the support plate includes a thermoplastic plate or a composite material plate, and the support plate has a mesh structure.

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