Cranial deformity correction helmet

Abstract

The present invention provides a cranial deformation correction helmet that can better restrict vertical movement at the locations of slits formed in the shell than conventional helmets. [Solution] The skull deformation correction helmet 1 comprises a shell 2 and a liner. The shell 2 has a slit 9 formed in the temporal region 12, extending from the upper edge 10 to the lower edge 11 of the shell 2. The opposing edges 13a and 13b that constitute the slit 9 are alternately provided with connecting recesses 14a to 14c and connecting protrusions 15a to 15c in the vertical direction. The connecting recesses 14a and 14b of edge 13a are formed to be connectable to the connecting protrusions 15b and 15c of edge 13b, and the connecting protrusion 15a of edge 13a is formed to be connectable to the connecting recess 14c of edge 13b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cranial deformation correction helmet that is used for correcting cranial deformation in infants and includes an outer shell and an inner liner disposed inside the shell.

Background Art

[0002] As is well known, as a treatment for infant cranial deformations such as plagiocephaly (a deformed shape where the cranium is not bilaterally symmetrical and is largely inclined to one side), brachycephaly (a deformed shape where the anteroposterior dimension of the cranium is significantly short), and dolichocephaly (a deformed shape where the anteroposterior dimension of the cranium is significantly long), a treatment mode is adopted in which a cranial shape correction helmet is fitted on the infant's cranium to guide the growth of the cranium in the direction in which the deformation is corrected. As a cranial shape correction helmet used in such a treatment mode, a cranial shape correction helmet using a hard outer shell and a soft inner liner is disclosed as in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the cranial shape correction helmet includes a non-foamed synthetic resin outer shell and a foamed synthetic resin inner liner disposed on the inner surface 3 of the shell, two connecting ribs are arranged on the temporal region of the shell, and a slit is formed at the center of the temporal region. By forming the slit, the shell is divided into front and rear parts, the front shell is provided with a concave coupling portion, and the rear shell is provided with a convex coupling portion (see FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in Patent Document 1, when the slit is open, the insertion of the convex coupling portion into the concave coupling portion is incomplete, which could cause vertical wobble between the front shell and the rear shell.

[0006] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the concave and convex connecting portions were formed to extend from the upper edge to the lower edge of a pair of opposing edges constituting the slit, and were therefore formed to be relatively long. When joining the front shell and the rear shell, it was necessary to insert the convex connecting portion into the concave connecting portion by aligning one end of the concave connecting portion with the other end of the concave connecting portion and the other end of the concave connecting portion with the other end of the concave connecting portion. As a result, it was difficult to insert the convex connecting portion into the concave connecting portion, and there was a risk that the workability when joining the pair of edges would be reduced.

[0007] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the structure connects the front shell and the rear shell by inserting a convex joint into a concave joint and fitting the concave and convex joints together. Therefore, in order to ensure the strength of the shell, the thickness at the slit is formed to be relatively thick. As a result, the weight of the shell increases, and there was a risk that the overall weight of the cranial deformation correction helmet would also increase.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and firstly, aims to provide a cranial deformation correction helmet that can better restrict vertical movement at the location of the slit formed in the shell than conventional helmets.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a cranial deformation correction helmet that can improve the workability of joining a pair of opposing edges that constitute a slit compared to conventional designs.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a cranial deformation correction helmet that is lighter than conventional helmets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention provides a skull deformation correction helmet comprising an outer shell made of non-foamed synthetic resin and an inner liner made of foamed synthetic resin disposed inside the shell, wherein the shell has a slit formed in at least one of the temporal regions, extending from the upper edge to the lower edge of the shell, and each of a pair of opposing edges constituting the slit is alternately provided with a coupling recess and a coupling protrusion in the vertical direction, the coupling recess in one edge is formed to be connectable to the coupling protrusion in the other edge, and the coupling protrusion in one edge is formed to be connectable to the coupling recess in the other edge.

[0012] According to the present invention as described above, each of the pair of opposing edges constituting the slit is alternately provided with connecting recesses and connecting protrusions in the vertical direction, and the connecting recess on one edge can be connected to the connecting protrusion on the other edge, and the connecting protrusion on one edge can be connected to the connecting recess on the other edge. As a result, the connecting recess on one edge is connected to the connecting protrusion on the other edge, and the connecting protrusion on one edge is connected to the connecting recess on the other edge. Consequently, vertical movement between the pair of edges of the slit is controlled more effectively than in the conventional invention.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, at least two sets of the connecting recess and the connecting protrusion are provided.

[0014] According to the present invention as described above, since at least two sets of connecting recesses and connecting protrusions are provided, the connecting recesses and connecting protrusions in each set are connected, thereby restricting vertical movement between a pair of edges of the slit more effectively than in the conventional method.

[0015] Furthermore, in the present invention, at least one pair of the coupling recess and coupling protrusion is provided with a guide portion formed so that the coupling recess and coupling protrusion can be fitted together with each other when they are coupled.

[0016] According to the present invention as described above, when the connecting recess and the connecting protrusion are connected, the guide portions of the connecting recess and the connecting protrusion fit together with each other, thereby restricting vertical movement between the pair of edges of the slit more effectively than in the conventional method.

[0017] Furthermore, in the present invention, the coupling recess has one tab, and the coupling projection has the other tab, and the one tab and the other tab are formed to overlap each other when the coupling recess and the coupling projection are coupled.

[0018] According to the present invention as described above, by overlapping one tab with the other tab, it becomes possible to connect the connecting recess and the connecting protrusion. As a result, compared to the conventional method, it becomes possible to improve the workability when connecting a pair of edges that constitute a slit.

[0019] Furthermore, in the present invention, one tab and the other tab are formed to have a thickness smaller than the average thickness of the shell.

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, since one tab and the other tab have a thickness smaller than the average thickness of the shell, the thickness of the shell at the slit is approximately equal to or less than the average thickness of the shell. As a result, it is possible to reduce the weight of the shell compared to conventional designs.

[0021] Furthermore, in the present invention, the shell is configured to be separable into a front shell and a rear shell by forming the slit, and the slit is configured to restrict the vertical displacement of the front shell and the rear shell by providing multiple sets of connecting recesses and connecting protrusions from the upper edge to the lower edge.

[0022] According to the present invention as described above, since a plurality of sets of coupling recesses and coupling protrusions are provided extending from the upper edge to the lower edge, the coupling recess and coupling protrusion in each set are coupled, and by restricting the front shell and the rear shell from shifting in the vertical direction, vertical wobble between the pair of edge portions of the slit is more favorably restricted as compared with the conventional art. Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, there is an effect that vertical wobble at the slit portion formed in the shell can be more favorably restricted than in the conventional art. Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that workability related to the coupling of the pair of opposing edge portions constituting the slit can be improved as compared with the conventional art.

[0024] In addition, according to the present invention, in addition to the above effects, the weight of the shell can be reduced, and as a result, there is an effect that the weight of the cranial deformation correction helmet can be reduced as compared with the conventional art. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a shell constituting a cranial deformation correction helmet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the slit of the shell in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is an enlarged side view showing the vicinity of the slit of the shell in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, a cranial deformation correction helmet according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the shell constituting a cranial deformation correction helmet according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the slit in the shell in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an enlarged side view showing the vicinity of the slit in the shell in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view between A and B in Figure 3.

[0028] <Overall configuration of the cranial deformity correction helmet> The cranial deformation correction helmet 1 according to this embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 4, comprises an outer shell 2 made of non-foamed synthetic resin and an inner liner (not shown) made of foamed synthetic resin disposed inside the shell 2. Hereinafter, each component of the cranial deformation correction helmet 1 according to this embodiment will be described, first the liner, and then the shell 2.

[0029] <About the liner> First, let me explain about Liner. The liner is formed from a foamed synthetic resin, preferably an open-cell foamed synthetic resin, and is disposed on the inner surface 3 of the shell 2. The liner is detachably attached to the inner surface 3 of the shell 2, for example, via double-sided adhesive tape, and can be replaced as needed when the helmet becomes contaminated with the wearer's sweat or when it is necessary to adjust it to the wearer's skull growth. Preferably, the liner is disposed over the entire surface of the inner surface 3 of the shell 2, excluding the peripheral reinforcement portion 6. Alternatively, the liner may be composed of multiple members and selectively attached to appropriate parts of the inner surface 3 of the shell 2.

[0030] The liner preferably has a thickness of 6 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and a ball rebound elasticity (ASTM D3574) of 15% or less. A suitable foamed synthetic resin for forming the liner is, for example, open-cell foamed polyurethane (open-cell foamed polyurethane sold under the product name "Memory Foam CF-45"). The liner, which is placed on the inner surface 3 of the shell 2, functions as a so-called cushioning material and also has the function of absorbing and releasing the wearer's sweat. The sweat absorbed by the liner evaporates through the top opening 5 and ventilation holes 7 described later, so the wearer can comfortably wear the skull deformation correction helmet 1.

[0031] <About the shell> Next, we will explain Shell 2. The shell 2 shown in Figure 1 is formed from a non-foamed synthetic resin and, in this embodiment, has a crown opening 5 and a peripheral reinforcement portion 6. The crown opening 5 is formed in a substantially annular shape in plan view and is the portion through which sweat is absorbed by the liner, evaporates, and passes. The peripheral reinforcement portion 6 is formed such that the thickness of the upper edge 10 and lower edge 11 of the shell 2 that define the crown opening 5 is greater than the thickness of the shell 2 excluding the peripheral reinforcement portion 6. The cross-sectional shape of the peripheral reinforcement portion 6 may be a substantially circular shape with a diameter of approximately 4 mm or more and 8 mm or less, a so-called circular border. The thickness of the shell 2 excluding the peripheral reinforcement portion 6 may be approximately 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the shell 2 has a plurality of ventilation holes 7, a pair of connecting ribs 8, and slits 9 on its outer surface 4.

[0033] The ventilation holes 7 are formed in a rectangular shape in plan view and are areas through which sweat is absorbed and evaporated by the liner, as well as areas for a doctor to palpate the wearer's head. The shape of the ventilation holes 7 may be approximately circular in plan view. By forming the ventilation holes 7, the shell 2 can be made more breathable when wearing the cranial deformation correction helmet 1, and the amount of resin used in forming the cranial deformation correction helmet 1 can be reduced.

[0034] The connecting ribs 8 are provided in pairs on each of the temporal regions 12 of the shell 2 and have the function of holding connecting members (not shown), such as hook-and-loop fasteners. By using connecting members on the connecting ribs 8, the tightness of the cranial deformation correction helmet 1 can be adjusted.

[0035] The slit 9 is formed on at least one of the temporal regions 12 of the shell 2, extending from the upper edge 10 of the shell 2 to the lower edge 11 of the shell 2. Here, "at least one of the temporal regions" means "either one of the left or right temporal regions," as well as "each of the left and right temporal regions." In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the slit 9 is formed on each of the left and right temporal regions 12, but this is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the slit 9 is formed on one of the left or right temporal regions 12, and a hinge is provided on the other of the left or right temporal regions 12, allowing the slit 9 to be opened and closed via the hinge. In this embodiment, the shell 2 is configured to be separable into a front shell 2a and a rear shell 2b by the formation of the slit 9.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, each of the pair of opposing edges 13a and 13b constituting the slit 9 is alternately provided with connecting recesses 14a, 14b, and 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, and 15c in the vertical direction. The connecting recesses 14a and 14b on one edge 13a are formed to be connectable to the connecting protrusions 15b and 15c on the other edge 13b, and the connecting protrusion 15a on one edge 13a is formed to be connectable to the connecting recess 14c on the other edge 13b.

[0037] The slit 9 is provided with at least two sets of connecting recesses 14a, 14b, and 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, and 15c. In this embodiment, three sets of connecting recesses 14a, 14b, and 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, and 15c are provided, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connecting recesses 14a, 14b, and 14c each have tabs 16a, 16b, and 16c on one side, and the connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, and 15c each have tabs 17a, 17b, and 17c on the other side. The tabs 16a, 16b, and 16c on one side and the tabs 17a, 17b, and 17c on the other side are formed to overlap each other when the connecting recesses 14a, 14b, and 14c and the connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, and 15c are connected.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, one tab 16a, 16b, 16c has one bonding surface 18a, 18b, 18c, and the other tab 17a, 17b, 17c has the other bonding surface 19a, 19b, 19c. The bonding surfaces 18a, 18b, 18c and the other bonding surfaces 19a, 19b, 19c are formed to face each other and be in surface contact with each other when the bonding recess 14c and bonding protrusion 15a are bonded together.

[0040] Tabs 16a, 16b, and 16c on one side and tabs 17a, 17b, and 17c on the other side are formed to have a thickness smaller than the average thickness of the shell 2.

[0041] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the slit 9 includes a guide recess 20 and a guide protrusion (not shown) formed so as to be able to fit together with each other when the coupling recess 14c and coupling protrusion 15a are coupled, in at least one pair of coupling recesses 14c and coupling protrusions 15a. Here, the "guide recess" and "guide protrusion" correspond to the "guide portion" in the claims. In this embodiment, the guide recess 20 is formed on one coupling surface 18a, 18b, 18c of one tab 16a, 16b, 16c, and the guide protrusion is formed on the other coupling surface 19a, 19b, 19c of the other tab 17a, 17b, 17c. Alternatively, the guide recess 20 may be provided on any one of the coupling surfaces 18a, 18b, 18c, and the guide protrusion that fits with the guide recess 20 may be provided on the other coupling surface 19a, 19b, 19c.

[0042] The slit 9, having the above configuration, is configured to restrict vertical displacement between the front shell 2a and the rear shell 2b by providing multiple sets of connecting recesses 14a, 14b, 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, 15c from the upper edge 10 to the lower edge 11.

[0043] As described above, the cranial deformation correction helmet 1 according to this embodiment has a configuration that allows the slits 9 to be appropriately separated in accordance with the growth of the infant's skull, thereby increasing the width of the slits 9 and increasing the inner dimensions of the cranial deformation correction helmet 1.

[0044] <About shell formation methods> Next, the method for forming the shell 2 in this embodiment will be described. The shell 2 of the cranial deformation correction helmet 1 according to this embodiment is formed by molding the shell 2 using a 3D printer based on the external shape of the deformed skull to be corrected. A preferred molding method is, for example, powder sintering additive manufacturing, in which resin powder is sintered with a laser beam or the like to form and layer the shell. The external shape of the deformed skull to be corrected can itself be determined by a well-known three-dimensional scanning method. In this embodiment, the thickness of the front shell 2a and the thickness of the rear shell 2b may be changed as appropriate. For example, by making the front shell 2a, which includes the forehead area with many sweat glands, thinner, it becomes possible to efficiently diffuse sweat.

[0045] Examples of synthetic resins that have relatively high rigidity include polyamide (nylon), polycarbonate, polyester, polyacetal, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polybutylene, ABS resin, cellulose resin, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, and fluororesin. However, from the viewpoint of moldability, strength, and hardness by powder sintering additive manufacturing, polyamide, particularly polyamide 12, is preferred. The Shore D hardness of the molded shell 2 shall be 70 or higher and 85 or lower, more preferably 75 or higher and 80 or lower.

[0046] <Regarding the effects and benefits obtained by this embodiment> According to this embodiment having the above configuration, in the present invention as described above, each of the pair of opposing edges 13a and 13b constituting the slit 9 is alternately provided with connecting recesses 14a, 14b, and 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, and 15c in the vertical direction, and the connecting recesses 14a and 14b on one edge 13a can be connected to the connecting protrusions 15b and 15c on the other edge 13b, and the connecting protrusion 15a on one edge 13a can be connected to the connecting recess 14c on the other edge 13b, so that the connecting recesses 14a and 14b on one edge 13a are connected to the connecting protrusions 15b and 15c on the other edge 13b, and the connecting protrusion 15a on one edge 13a is connected to the connecting recess 14c on the other edge 13b. As a result, vertical movement between the pair of edges 13a and 13b of the slit 9 is controlled more effectively than in the conventional method.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since at least two sets of connecting recesses 14a, 14b, 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, 15c are provided, the connecting recesses 14a, 14b, 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, 15c in each set are connected, thereby restricting vertical movement between the pair of edges 13a, 13b of the slit 9 more effectively than in the conventional design.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the connecting recess 14a and the connecting projection 15b, the connecting recess 14b and the connecting projection 15c, and the connecting recess 14c and the connecting projection 15a are connected, the guide recesses 20 and guide projections (not shown) of the connecting recesses 14a, 14b, 14c and the connecting projections 15a, 15b, 15c respectively fit together, so that vertical movement between the pair of edges 13a, 13b of the slit 9 is restricted more effectively than in the conventional method.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by overlapping one tab 16a, 16b, 16c with the other tab 17a, 17b, 17c, it becomes possible to connect the connecting recesses 14a, 14b, 14c with the connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, 15c. As a result, compared to the conventional method, it is possible to improve the workability when connecting the pair of edges 13a, 13b that constitute the slit 9.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since one set of tabs 16a, 16b, and 16c and the other set of tabs 17a, 17b, and 17c have a thickness smaller than the average thickness of the shell 2, the thickness of the shell 2 at the slit 9 is approximately equal to or less than the average thickness of the shell 2. As a result, it is possible to reduce the weight of the shell 2 compared to the conventional design.

[0051] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since multiple sets of connecting recesses 14a, 14b, 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, 15c are provided extending from the upper edge 10 to the lower edge 11, the connecting recesses 14a, 14b, 14c and connecting protrusions 15a, 15b, 15c in each set are connected, and by restricting the vertical displacement of the front shell 2a and the rear shell 2b, the vertical movement between the pair of edges 13a, 13b of the slit 9 is restricted more effectively than in the conventional design.

[0052] Based on the above, this embodiment has the effect of being able to better restrict vertical movement at the location of the slit 9 formed in the shell 2 than in the conventional method. Furthermore, this embodiment offers the advantage of improving the workability of joining the pair of opposing edges 13a and 13b that constitute the slit 9 compared to conventional methods.

[0053] In addition to the effects described above, this embodiment also allows for a reduction in the weight of the shell 2, resulting in a lighter cranial deformation correction helmet 1 compared to conventional designs.

[0054] The configuration described in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention, and the invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1…Cranial deformity correction helmet 2… Shell 2a... Front shell 2b... Rear shell 3…Inner self 4...External surface 5…Parietal opening 6… Peripheral reinforcement section 7…Ventilation holes 8…Connecting ribs 9... Slit 10…Upper edge 11…Lower edge 12…Temporal head 13a... One edge 13b...the other edge 14a, 14b, 14c... Joint recesses 15a, 15b, 15c... Connecting protrusions 16a, 16b, 16c... one tab 17a, 17b, 17c...the other tab 18a, 18b, 18c... one of the bonding surfaces 19a, 19b, 19c...the other bonding surface 20… Guide recess

Claims

1. A skull deformation correction helmet comprising an outer shell made of non-foamed synthetic resin and an inner liner made of foamed synthetic resin disposed inside the shell, The shell has a slit formed in at least one of its temporal regions, extending from the upper edge to the lower edge of the shell. Each of the pair of opposing edges constituting the slit is alternately provided with a connecting recess and a connecting protrusion in the vertical direction. A skull deformation correction helmet characterized in that the connecting recess on one edge is formed to be connectable to the connecting protrusion on the other edge, and the connecting protrusion on one edge is formed to be connectable to the connecting recess on the other edge.

2. The skull deformation correction helmet according to claim 1, wherein at least two sets of the connecting recesses and connecting protrusions are provided.

3. The skull shape correction helmet according to claim 1, further comprising guide portions formed in at least one pair of coupling recesses and coupling protrusions so as to be able to fit together with each other when the coupling recesses and coupling protrusions are coupled.

4. The coupling recess has one tab, and the coupling protrusion has the other tab. The skull shape correction helmet according to claim 1, wherein one tab and the other tab are formed to overlap each other when the connecting recess and the connecting protrusion are connected.

5. The cranial shape correction helmet according to claim 4, wherein one tab and the other tab are formed to have a thickness less than the average thickness of the shell.

6. The skull shape correction helmet according to claim 1, wherein the shell is configured to be separable into a front shell and a rear shell by forming the slit, and the slit is configured to restrict vertical displacement between the front shell and the rear shell by providing a plurality of sets of connecting recesses and connecting protrusions from the upper edge to the lower edge.

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