Orthosis and holding member for orthosis

Abstract

To provide an orthosis capable of appropriately assisting a user's general grip motion such as using a tool by gripping the tool with the user's thumb and index finger.SOLUTION: An orthosis 10 includes an orthosis body 11 mounted to the hand 91 and the wrist of a user and assists use of a tool 40 including a long part 41 by the user. The orthosis body 11 includes a portion 15 covering a crotch part 94 between the thumb 92 and the index finger 93 of the hand 91 of the user. A holding part 21 attachably and detachably holding the long part 41 is fixed to an outer surface of the portion 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an appliance and a retaining member for the appliance. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, prosthetic devices have been developed for users who have difficulty in stably holding various tools due to a decrease in grip strength caused by paralysis or other reasons, and which assist such users in using the tools.

[0003] An example of such an appliance is a writing aid disclosed in Patent Document 1. The writing aid described in Patent Document 1 aids the user in using a writing implement. This writing aid includes a base body attached to the index finger and middle finger of the hand, a butt portion extending from the base body toward the tip of the finger, and a long pen holder portion for holding a writing implement. The base body includes a first support portion in contact with the vicinity of the back surface of the MP joints of the index finger and middle finger, a joint support portion in contact with the palm surface of the PIP joints of the index finger and middle finger, and a second support portion in contact with the vicinity of the back surface of the DIP joints of the index finger and middle finger. The pen holder portion is fixed to the portion of the outer circumferential surface of the base body on the tip side of the user's index finger. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-168742 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of the writing aid described in Patent Document 1, the writing implement is held away from the index finger of the user by the pen holder. Therefore, the user cannot hold the writing implement between his / her thumb and index finger. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of appropriately assisting the use of the writing implement.

[0006] It should be noted that these problems are not limited to assistive devices that assist in the use of writing implements, but similarly arise in devices that assist in the use of implements having long parts, including cutlery such as spoons. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Various aspects of the brace for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] An orthosis comprising an orthosis body attached to at least one of a user's hand and wrist, the orthosis assisting the user in using an instrument having a long portion, The device main body has a portion covering a crotch portion between a thumb and an index finger of the user's hand, A holding part is fixed to the outer surface of the part, the holding part detachably holding the long part so that the device is positioned between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the index finger. Orthotics.

[0008] According to this configuration, when the orthosis main body is attached to at least one of the user's hand and wrist and the long portion of the device is held by the holding portion, the holding portion is located on the outer surface of the portion covering the crotch portion between the thumb and index finger of the user's hand. Also, the device is located between the fingertips of the thumb and index finger. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the device with their thumb and index finger. This can appropriately assist a user in a general grasping action of grasping and using the device with their thumb and index finger.

[0009] [Aspect 2] A holding member having the holding portion; A joining member is interposed between the holding member and the outer surface of the portion and joins the holding member and the outer surface of the portion. 2. The appliance of embodiment 1.

[0010] According to this configuration, the brace is constructed by joining the retaining member to the outer surface of the above-mentioned portion of the brace body via a joining member. Therefore, since the retaining member is formed separately from the brace body, it is possible to set the position and orientation at which the retaining member is fixed to the brace body as appropriate for each user. In addition, since the retaining member is formed separately from the brace body, it is possible to mass-produce the retaining member using a mold or the like while custom-making the brace body for each user using a 3D printer or by hand. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the entire brace compared to when both the brace body and the retaining member are custom-made. In addition, it is possible to provide a brace that is suitable for each user compared to when both the brace body and the retaining member are mass-produced using a mold or the like.

[0011] [Aspect 3] The holding portion is made of resin and detachably holds the long portion by its own elastic restoring force. The appliance of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2.

[0012] According to this configuration, the configuration of the holding portion can be simplified. [Aspect 4] The holding portion has a fitting portion into which the elongated portion is fitted along the longitudinal direction of the elongated portion. The appliance of embodiment 3.

[0013] According to this configuration, the long portion of the instrument is held by the holding portion by fitting the long portion of the instrument into the fitting portion of the holding portion along the longitudinal direction, so that the instrument can be easily attached to the holding portion.

[0014] [Aspect 5] An orthosis having an orthosis main body that is worn on at least one of a user's hand and wrist, the orthosis being adapted to assist the user in using an appliance having a long portion, the orthosis holding member being joined to the orthosis main body, The holding portion is made of resin and detachably holds the long portion by its own elastic restoring force, When the front side and the rear side of the instrument in a state in which the elongated portion is held by the holding portion are defined as the front side and the rear side, respectively, The holding portion is A front holding portion that holds the long portion; a rear holding portion provided rearward of the front holding portion and spaced apart from the front holding portion, the rear holding portion holding the long portion; A connecting portion that connects an outer surface of the front holding portion and an outer surface of the rear holding portion, A retaining member for an appliance.

[0015] According to this configuration, the brace is constructed by joining the holding member to the brace main body. The brace main body is attached to at least one of the hand and wrist of the user, and the long portion of the device is held by the holding portion, thereby assisting the use of the device by a user who has difficulty gripping the device due to an obstacle or the like. In detail, the front holding portion and the rear holding portion are provided at a distance from each other in the front and rear directions, and the outer surface of the front holding portion and the outer surface of the rear holding portion are connected by a connecting portion. Therefore, if the rear holding portion is joined to the brace main body, while the front holding portion is not joined to the brace main body, when a load acts on the front holding portion through the device during use, the connecting portion is deflected and deformed by the load, and the load is easily absorbed. This prevents the load from being transmitted from the brace main body to the user, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[0016] In addition, according to the above configuration, since the holding member is formed separately from the device body, the position and orientation at which the holding member is joined to the device body can be set appropriately for each user. This allows a user with a disability such as paralysis in the hand to use the device in a position that corresponds to the position of the device when gripping the long portion of the device if the user did not have the disability.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, since the retaining member is formed separately from the brace body, the brace body can be made to order for each user using a 3D printer or by hand, while the retaining member can be mass-produced using a mold or the like. This reduces the cost of making the entire brace compared to when both the brace body and the retaining member are made to order. Also, compared to when both the brace body and the retaining member are mass-produced using a mold or the like, a brace suitable for each user can be provided. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately assist a user in carrying out a general gripping action, such as gripping an instrument with his or her thumb and index finger and using the instrument. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the brace according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the brace of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holding member of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the brace of the first embodiment is used. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is another perspective view showing the brace of the first embodiment in use. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the brace according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the brace according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the brace according to the second embodiment is used. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the brace according to the second embodiment is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, a right-handed appliance 10 that assists in the use of a spoon as a tool 40 will be illustrated.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the brace 10 comprises an brace main body 11 that is worn on the user's hand 91 and wrist 90, an brace holding member (hereinafter referred to as holding member 20) that holds the appliance 40, and a joining member 30 that joins the holding member 20 and the brace main body 11.

[0022] Next, each component of the brace 10 will be described in detail. <Brace body 11> As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, the brace main body 11 includes a cuff 12, an extension member 14, and a band 19.

[0023] Cuff 12 covers the area including wrist 90 of the user from the back side of hand 91, and has a C-shaped cross section with an opening 12a that is open on the palm side. The cuff 12 is made of a thermoplastic resin material. The resin material is preferably a low-temperature thermoplastic resin material that softens in hot water at 65° C. to 75° C. and hardens at room temperature.

[0024] The extension member 14 has a first extension portion 14a, a second extension portion 14b, and a support portion 14c. The first extension portion 14a and the second extension portion 14b have base ends joined to each other at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1) on the outer circumferential surface of the cuff 12, and extend toward the fingertips of the hand 91 (upward in FIGS. 1 and 2). The portions of the extension member 14 other than the base ends have a generally circular cross section. The base ends of the first extension portion 14a and the second extension portion 14b are flattened against the outer circumferential surface of the cuff 12.

[0025] 5 and 6, the first extension portion 14a extends toward a crotch portion 94 between a thumb 92 and an index finger 93 of a hand 91. The first extension portion 14a has a portion 15 that covers the crotch portion 94.

[0026] The second extension portion 14b extends toward the little finger ball 95 of the hand 91. The support portion 14c connects the tips of the first extension portion 14a and the second extension portion 14b to each other, and supports the palm of the user.

[0027] A disk-shaped pressing portion 16 is joined to the outer surfaces of the base ends of the first extension portion 14a and the second extension portion 14b. The extension member 14 and the pressing portion 16 are formed from the same resin material as the cuff 12.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, a pair of hook sheets 13 are adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the base end (lower part in Fig. 1) of cuff 12. A large number of hooks (not shown) are provided on the outer surface of hook sheet 13. The pair of hook sheets 13 are provided on both ends of cuff 12 in the circumferential direction.

[0029] 5 and 6, a number of loops (not shown) are provided on the band 19. A hook-and-loop fastener is formed by the hooks of the hook sheet 13 and the loops of the band 19. The band 19 is detachably attached to the pair of hook sheets 13.

[0030] <Retaining member 20> 3 and 4, the holding member 20 is made of resin and has a holding part 21 that detachably holds the long part 41 of the tool 40 by its own elastic restoring force. In this embodiment, the long part 41 corresponds to the handle of a spoon.

[0031] Hereinafter, the front and rear sides of the instrument 40 in a state in which the long portion 41 is held by the holding portion 21 will be referred to as the front and rear sides, respectively, and the front-to-rear direction will be referred to simply as the front-to-rear direction L. In addition, two directions that are perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction L and perpendicular to each other will be referred to as the width direction W and the height direction H.

[0032] The holding portion 21 has a front holding portion 22 that holds the long portion 41, a rear holding portion 23 that is located rearward of and separated from the front holding portion 22 and holds the long portion 41, and a connecting portion 24 that connects the outer surface of the front holding portion 22 and the outer surface of the rear holding portion 23.

[0033] The front holding portion 22 and the rear holding portion 23 each have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape in which the dimension in the height direction H is smaller than the dimension in the width direction W. The front holding portion 22 has a front insertion hole 22a penetrating therethrough in the front-rear direction L.

[0034] The rear holding portion 23 has a rear insertion hole 23a that opens forward. The rear insertion hole 23a does not penetrate the rear holding portion 23 in the front-rear direction L. The front insertion hole 22a and the rear insertion hole 23a each have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape with a dimension in the height direction H smaller than the dimension in the width direction W. The dimension in the height direction H of the front insertion hole 22a and the rear insertion hole 23a is slightly smaller than the thickness of the long portion 41. The dimension in the width direction W of the front insertion hole 22a and the rear insertion hole 23a is slightly larger than the width of the long portion 41.

[0035] The connecting portion 24 protrudes in the height direction H from the outer surfaces of the front holding portion 22 and the rear holding portion 23, and is provided straddling the front holding portion 22 and the rear holding portion 23. The thickness of the connecting portion 24 in the height direction H is greater than the thickness of the connecting portion 24 in the width direction W. The connecting portion 24 in this embodiment is generally isosceles triangular in side view, and the dimension in the height direction H is greatest at a position between the front holding portion 22 and the rear holding portion 23 in the front-rear direction L.

[0036] 3 to 6, the long portion 41 of the instrument 40 is fitted from the front into the front fitting hole 22a along the longitudinal direction of the long portion 41, and is also fitted into the rear fitting hole 23a, whereby the instrument 40 is held by the holding portion 21. The front fitting hole 22a and the rear fitting hole 23a in this embodiment correspond to the fitting portion in the [Means for solving the problem] section.

[0037] <Joint member 30> 1, 2, 5, and 6, the joining member 30 joins the rear holding portion 23 of the retaining member 20 to the outer surface of the portion 15 of the first extension portion 14a of the device main body 11. In detail, the outer surface of the rear holding portion 23 opposite to the outer surface from which the connecting portion 24 protrudes is joined to the outer surface of the portion 15 by the joining member 30. The joining member 30 does not join the front holding portion 22 of the retaining member 20 to the device main body 11.

[0038] The holding member 20 detachably holds the long portion 41 in the above-mentioned portion so that the device 40 is positioned between the tip of the thumb 92 and the tip of the index finger 93 . The joining member 30 is formed from the same resin material as the cuff 12 .

[0039] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The brace 10 includes a brace main body 11 that is attached to a user's hand 91 and wrist 90, and assists the user in using an appliance 40 having a long portion 41. The brace main body 11 has a portion 15 that covers a crotch portion 94 between a thumb 92 and an index finger 93 of the user's hand 91. A holding portion 21 that detachably holds the long portion 41 is fixed to the outer surface of portion 15 so that the appliance 40 is positioned between the tip of the thumb 92 and the tip of the index finger 93.

[0040] According to this configuration, when the orthosis main body 11 is worn on the hand 91 and wrist 90 of the user and the long portion 41 of the device 40 is held by the holding portion 21, the holding portion 21 is located on the outer surface of the portion 15 covering the crotch portion 94 between the thumb 92 and index finger 93 of the user's hand 91. Also, the device 40 is located between the fingertip of the thumb 92 and the fingertip of the index finger 93. This makes it easier for the user to grip the device 40 with his or her thumb 92 and index finger 93. This can appropriately assist the user in a general gripping action of gripping and using the device 40 with his or her thumb 92 and index finger 93.

[0041] (2) The brace 10 comprises a retaining member 20 having a retaining portion 21 and a joining member 30 interposed between the retaining member 20 and the outer surface of the portion 15 and joining the retaining member 20 to the outer surface of the portion 15 .

[0042] According to this configuration, the brace 10 is constructed by joining the retaining member 20 to the outer surface of the portion 15 of the brace main body 11 via the joining member 30. Therefore, since the retaining member 20 is formed separately from the brace main body 11, it is possible to appropriately set the position and orientation at which the retaining member 20 is fixed to the brace main body 11 for each user. In addition, since the retaining member 20 is formed separately from the brace main body 11, it is possible to mass-produce the retaining member 20 using a mold or the like while custom-making the brace main body 11 for each user using a 3D printer or by hand. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the entire brace 10 compared to the case where both the brace main body 11 and the retaining member 20 are custom-made. In addition, it is possible to provide a brace 10 that is suitable for the user compared to the case where both the brace main body 11 and the retaining member 20 are mass-produced using a mold or the like.

[0043] (3) The holding portion 21 is made of resin and detachably holds the long portion 41 by its own elastic restoring force. According to this configuration, the holding portion 21 holds the long portion 41 by its own elastic restoring force, so that the configuration of the holding portion 21 can be simplified.

[0044] (4) The holding portion 21 has a front insertion hole 22a and a rear insertion hole 23a into which the elongated portion 41 is inserted along the longitudinal direction of the elongated portion 41. According to this configuration, the long portion 41 of the instrument 40 is held by the holding portion 21 by fitting the long portion 41 of the instrument 40 along the longitudinal direction into the front fitting hole 22a and the rear fitting hole 23a of the holding portion 21. Therefore, the long portion 41 of the instrument 40 can be easily attached to the holding portion 21.

[0045] (5) The front holding part 22 and the rear holding part 23 are provided at a distance from each other in the front and rear directions, and the outer surface of the front holding part 22 and the outer surface of the rear holding part 23 are connected by the connecting part 24. The rear holding part 23 is connected to the appliance body 11 via the connecting member 30, while the front holding part 22 is not connected to the appliance body 11. As a result, when a load acts on the front holding part 22 through the appliance 40 during use of the appliance 40, the connecting part 24 is flexibly deformed by the load, and the load is easily absorbed. As a result, the load is prevented from being transmitted from the appliance body 11 to the user, and therefore discomfort to the user can be prevented. Therefore, the use of the appliance 40 by the user can be appropriately assisted.

[0046] (6) Since the thickness of the connecting portion 24 in the height direction H is greater than the thickness of the connecting portion 24 in the width direction W, the connecting portion 24 is less likely to flex and deform in the height direction H than in the width direction W. This allows the connecting portion 24 to flex and deform in the width direction W, while suppressing the flex and deformation of the connecting portion 24 in the height direction H. This makes it possible to suppress the tip portion 42 of the instrument 40 from moving in the height direction H against the user's intention.

[0047] (7) The components of the brace 10 other than the band 19 that is detachably attached to the hook sheet 13 are made of resin, so that cleaning, such as washing with water, can be easily performed.

[0048] <Second embodiment> Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0049] In this embodiment, the configuration of the appliance main body 111 is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, configurations that are the same as or correspond to those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0050] 7 to 10, the brace 110 includes a brace body 111, a retaining member 20, and a joint member 30. The configurations of the retaining member 20 and the joint member 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0051] The orthosis main body 111 is worn on the hand 91 of the user, and has a first support portion 112, a second support portion 113, a third support portion 114, and a receiving portion 118. The first support part 112 extends along the direction in which the index finger 93, middle finger 96, ring finger 97, and little finger 98 of the user are arranged, and supports the backs of the parts between the MP joints and the PIP joints of the index finger 93, middle finger 96, ring finger 97, and little finger 98. The first support part 112 has a part 115 that covers the crotch part 94. A first end of the first support part 112 is located on the front surface of the base end of the index finger 93. A second end of the first support part 112 is located on the front surface of the base end of the index finger 93.

[0052] The holding member 20 is joined to the portion 115 via a joining member 30. In detail, the outer surface of the rear holding portion 23 opposite to the outer surface from which the connecting portion 24 protrudes and the outer surface of the portion 115 are joined by the joining member 30, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0053] The second support portion 113 extends along the direction in which the index finger 93, middle finger 96, ring finger 97, and little finger 98 of the user are arranged, and supports the back of the hand 91. A first end of the second support portion 113 is connected to a first end of the first support portion 112. A second end of the second support portion 113 is connected to a second end of the first support portion 112.

[0054] The third support portion 114 connects a connecting portion 116 between the first ends of the first extension portion 14a and the second extension portion 14b and a connecting portion 117 between the ends of the first extension portion 14a and the second extension portion 14b, and supports the palm of the user.

[0055] The receiving portion 118 protrudes from the connecting portion 116 and supports the long portion 41 from below in front of the holding member 20. The device main body 111 is made of the same resin material as the cuff 12 of the first embodiment.

[0056] According to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the effects (1) to (7) of the first embodiment. <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows, for example. The present embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0057] The holding portion 21 is not limited to the front insertion hole 22a and the rear insertion hole 23a into which the long portion 41 is inserted along the longitudinal direction of the long portion 41. The holding portion 21 may be one into which the long portion 41 is inserted along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long portion 41. In this case, the front holding portion 22 and the rear holding portion 23 may have, for example, a C-shaped cross section.

[0058] The shape of the connecting portion 24 is not limited to that exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, the thickness of the connecting portion 24 in the width direction W and the thickness in the height direction H may be the same. Also, the thickness of the connecting portion 24 in the width direction W may be greater than the thickness in the height direction H.

[0059] The holding portion 21 is not limited to having the front holding portion 22 and the rear holding portion 23. For example, the front holding portion 22 may be omitted. The rear holding portion 23 may also be omitted. When the rear holding portion 23 is omitted, the front holding portion 22 may be fixed to the device main body 11 via the joining member 30.

[0060] The brace 10 is not limited to one that includes the joining member 30. For example, the brace main body 11 and the holding portion 21 may be integrally formed. The orthosis main body 11 is not limited to being worn on both the user's hand 91 and wrist 90. The orthosis main body 11 may be worn only on the hand 91 or only on the wrist 90.

[0061] The tool 40 is not limited to a spoon, and may be other cutlery such as a fork. The tool 40 may also be a writing implement such as a pen, or a backscratcher. In short, the tool 40 may be anything that has the long portion 41. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10,110…Brace 11,111…Brace body 12…Cuff 12a...Open part 13…Hook sheet 14, 54...Extension member 14...1st extension section 14…Second extension section 14...Support part 15...part 16…Pressing part 19…Band 20...Retaining member 21...Holding part 22...Front holding part 22a...Front insertion hole 23...Rear holding part 23a…Rear insertion hole 24...Connection part 30...Jointing material 40...Equipment 41…Long section 42...Tip 90…Wrist 91...Hand 92…Thumb 93...index finger 94...crotch 95…Pinkie Ball 96...middle finger 97...Ring finger 98…Little finger 112...First support part 113...Second support part 114…Third support part 115...part 116,117...Connection part 118…Receiving part

Claims

1. An orthosis comprising an orthosis body attached to at least one of a user's hand and wrist, the orthosis assisting the user in using an instrument having a long portion, The device main body has a portion covering a crotch portion between a thumb and an index finger of the user's hand, A holding part is fixed to the outer surface of the part, the holding part detachably holding the long part so that the device is positioned between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the index finger. Orthotics.

2. A holding member having the holding portion; A joining member is interposed between the holding member and the outer surface of the portion and joins the holding member and the outer surface of the portion. The appliance of claim 1.

3. The holding portion is made of resin and detachably holds the long portion by its own elastic restoring force. The appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The holding portion has a fitting portion into which the elongated portion is fitted along the longitudinal direction of the elongated portion. The appliance of claim 3.

5. An orthosis having an orthosis main body that is worn on at least one of a user's hand and wrist, the orthosis being adapted to assist the user in using an appliance having a long portion, the orthosis holding member being joined to the orthosis main body, The holding portion is made of resin and detachably holds the long portion by its own elastic restoring force, When the front side and the rear side of the instrument in a state in which the elongated portion is held by the holding portion are defined as the front side and the rear side, respectively, The holding portion is A front holding portion that holds the long portion; a rear holding portion provided rearward of the front holding portion and spaced apart from the front holding portion, the rear holding portion holding the long portion; A connecting portion that connects an outer surface of the front holding portion and an outer surface of the rear holding portion, A retaining member for an appliance.

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