Wheelchair rehabilitation aids and rehabilitation methods

Abstract

To solve a problem that, since a wheelchair is not specialized for rehabilitation and is merely a substitute for legs, rehabilitation using a wheelchair is not assumed, and therefore, while daily life becomes convenient by using a wheelchair, rehabilitation becomes more inconvenient, which causes a situation where the rehabilitation does not proceed.SOLUTION: Time consumed by moving using a wheelchair is used for effective rehabilitation time, and rehabilitation becomes more effective.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Provided are a rehabilitation assistive device for a wheelchair and a rehabilitation method when rehabilitation of a paralyzed foot is required for those who have difficulty walking on their own due to illness, injury, etc. and use a wheelchair as a substitute for their normal feet.

Background Art

[0002] In a situation where it is difficult to walk on one's own due to illness, injury, etc. and a wheelchair is used as a substitute for the feet, rehabilitation is performed to restore the function of the paralyzed foot. However, the wheelchair often gets in the way of rehabilitation, and rehabilitation often does not progress as expected.

[0003] Wheelchairs are not specialized for rehabilitation and are merely substitutes for human feet. Although they are suitable for users to move around in, rehabilitation using a wheelchair is not assumed.

[0004] In Constraint - induced Movement therapy (CI therapy) and modified CI therapy that restrict non - paralyzed movements and preferentially use the paralyzed side, the paralyzed hand or foot is rehabilitated by frequently using the paralyzed hand or foot in daily life, and moving while sitting in a wheelchair is no exception.

[0005] If rehabilitation is not carried out using a wheelchair, the time spent moving around in a wheelchair in daily life, such as going to the toilet, cafeteria, or bath, will be wasted, and the moving time using the wheelchair, which is precious, cannot be used for rehabilitation in CI therapy or modified CI therapy.

[0006] Therefore, while using a wheelchair is convenient for movement and other aspects, there are many inconveniences, and a situation where rehabilitation does not progress occurs.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication 2007-520310 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-337307 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The aim is to improve the efficiency of rehabilitation by eliminating wasted time and enabling more effective rehabilitation for individuals who have become disabled in their legs due to illness or injury and are forced to use a wheelchair.

[0009] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-52031 describes an invention that improves the efficiency of rehabilitation using specialized equipment, but it fundamentally differs from the present invention in that it uses specialized equipment.

[0010] Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-337307 describes a set of assistive devices equipped with a backrest and a table, which can be used for rehabilitation, but it is clearly different from the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The time previously wasted using a wheelchair for mobility can be reallocated to effective rehabilitation methods such as CI therapy and modified CI therapy, resulting in even greater rehabilitation effectiveness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] An example of a user using the present invention while seated in a wheelchair. [Figure 2] An example of the present invention [Modes for carrying out the invention] [Examples]

[0013] The details of this invention will be explained using a representative diagram.

[0014] The horizontal plate 1 and separator 2 are arranged in a cross shape, with the upper half of separator 2 having a depth from the user's chest to near the user's knees, and a height from the seat 4 of wheelchair 3 to near the user's chest, covering just enough height to block the view of the left leg with the right eye and the right leg with the left eye, and the lower half of separator 2 having a depth from the seat 4 of wheelchair 3 to near the user's knees, and a height that covers from the seat 4 of wheelchair 3 to the user's ankles, and the user 5 places the horizontal plate 1 on the seat 4 of wheelchair 3 and sits on it, stabilizing the invention by sandwiching separator 2 between wheelchair 3, the user's right thigh 6a and left thigh 6b of user 5.

[0015] At this time, user 5 removes both footrests from wheelchair 3, so that the paralyzed foot and non-paralyzed foot are in direct contact with the floor.

[0016] Even if, unfortunately, both of the user's feet are paralyzed and immobile, it is still advisable to remove both of the aforementioned footrests in order to allow for rehabilitation of the foot that can move slightly.

[0017] By installing the aforementioned separator 2, the vision of the right and left eyes is separated, allowing the user 5 to see only the right foot with their right eye and only the left foot with their left eye, and they cannot directly see the left foot with their right eye or the right foot with their left eye.

[0018] From the perspective of user 5, the right and left eyes, separated by separator 2, are separate images that do not overlap except in some areas. However, user 5 interprets them as a single image. This is because user 5's brain combines the images from the right and left eyes into one, so even with separator 2 present and the field of vision restricted for the right and left eyes, they are recognized as a single image.

[0019] By doing so, the images of the right and left feet seen by the eyes become one, and the right and left feet naturally have to be in a predetermined position, and the original directions of the right and left feet become correct.

[0020] Normally, one of the right and left is dominant by the so-called dominant eye, which is dominant between the right and left eyes. However, when the dominant eye is eliminated by the separator 2, the right and left feet lose their dominance. As a result, the right and left feet are in the original direction and are correctly corrected to the position.

[0021] With the present invention, the left and right feet settle into the original direction and position. After a few days, when the separator 2 is removed, the left and right feet are corrected to the original direction and position compared to before using the separator 2.

[0022] As a result, the left and right feet will settle into the original direction and position without illness or injury.

[0023] Assume a case where the right foot is ill or injured and cannot move and requires rehabilitation.

[0024] The left foot used for driving is a non-paralyzed foot that is not ill or injured and cannot move, so it can move forward and backward normally.

[0025] When moving the wheelchair forward with the non-paralyzed left foot, (1) Lift the left foot into the air. (2) Push the left foot forward in the air. (3) Place the left foot on the ground. (4) Kick the ground backward with the left foot. (5) Lift the left foot into the air. (6) Return the left foot to its original position. Perform these as one movement and repeat (1) to (6).

[0026] At this time, as a reaction to (4) kicking the ground backward with the left foot, the wheelchair will move forward.

[0027] Similarly, when moving the wheelchair backward with the non-paralyzed left leg, (1) Lift your left leg into the air. (2) Bring your left leg behind you while it's in the air. (3) Place your left foot on the ground. (4) Kick the ground forward with your left foot. (5) Lift your left leg into the air. (6) Return your left foot to its original position. This is performed as a single action, and the wheelchair moves backward as a reaction to (4) kicking the ground forward with the left foot.

[0028] Due to the presence of the aforementioned separator 2, when moving the wheelchair back and forth with the left foot, the left eye actually only sees the action performed by the left foot, while the right eye only sees the aforementioned separator 2 and the right foot.

[0029] The human brain combines information from the left eye and the right eye to create a single spatial perception, resulting in a spatial perception that is as if seen with both eyes.

[0030] The situation is different with the right leg. When moving a wheelchair forward or backward, the leg used for propulsion is paralyzed due to illness or injury, making it difficult to move as desired.

[0031] Even with the paralyzed right leg, just like with the left leg, (1) Lift your right leg into the air. (2) Push your right foot forward in the air. (3) Place your right foot on the ground. (4) Kick the ground behind you with your right foot. (5) Lift your right foot into the air. (6) Return your right foot to its original position. The same series of movements are necessary as with the non-paralyzed left leg, but at least one of these movements becomes impossible, and the same applies when moving backward.

[0032] Therefore, he is unable to move the wheelchair forward or backward with his right foot. Initially, it seems impossible for him to perform the series of actions independently using only his paralyzed right foot without using his non-paralyzed left foot, but eventually he is able to move the wheelchair forward and backward normally with his paralyzed right foot.

[0033] This makes sense because the brain's neural pathways can use alternative pathways to move the wheelchair forward or backward, and in CI therapy and modified CI therapy, the paralyzed right leg is actively used, and everyday operations are performed with the paralyzed right leg as much as possible, avoiding the non-paralyzed left leg. This itself is very advantageous for reconstructing the brain's neural pathways.

[0034] A concrete example is varus.

[0035] This condition occurs when, while standing and putting weight on both feet, at least one ankle bends, causing the front foot to get stuck before touching the ground, making it impossible to continue standing on one's own.

[0036] Unable to support their own weight, and with this inversion of the foot, daily activities such as using the toilet, dining, and bathing become extremely difficult without a wheelchair.

[0037] Currently, the only methods of rehabilitation are either having a physical therapist accompany the patient during rehabilitation, or having the patient perform rehabilitation independently on-site using handrails or other support.

[0038] While rehabilitation typically refers to the period from entering to leaving the rehabilitation facility, the time spent traveling from the bed or sleeping area to the rehabilitation facility, and from the rehabilitation facility back to the bed or sleeping area, are not counted as part of the rehabilitation time or distance.

[0039] In the wheelchair rehabilitation aid of the present invention, the travel time from the usual bed or sleeping place to the rehabilitation area, and the travel time from the usual bed or sleeping place after completing a set of rehabilitation exercises, can be allocated to further rehabilitation time.

[0040] Furthermore, the time spent using a wheelchair for daily activities such as going to the toilet, dining room, or bath can be allocated to self-directed rehabilitation time, thus allowing for even more rehabilitation time to be gained.

[0041] Furthermore, in CI therapy and modified CI therapy, which restrict the movement of non-paralyzed individuals and prioritize the use of wheelchairs by paralyzed individuals, wheelchairs are also suitable because they prioritize the use of wheelchairs by paralyzed individuals when moving them.

[0042] Although the additional rehabilitation time spent in places like the toilet, dining room, and bath each day is only a short period, repeating this daily has the same effect as dedicating a considerable amount of time to rehabilitation. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] Previously, wheelchairs were simply used for transportation, but now they can be used for leg rehabilitation, allowing for more effective rehabilitation training.

[0044] Although I have explained using only one example, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel aspects and effects of the present invention. Therefore, such modifications are included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 horizontal plate 2 Separators 3 Wheelchair 4 Seat 5 User 6a Right thigh 6b Left thigh

Claims

[Claim 1] It is equipped with a horizontal plate on which the user's buttocks rest, The separator is arranged so that the aforementioned horizontal plate and cross pattern are present. The aforementioned horizontal board is placed on top of the wheelchair seat. The aforementioned user sits on the aforementioned horizontal board which is placed on top of the aforementioned seat of the aforementioned wheelchair, The aforementioned separator is divided into an upper half and a lower half at the aforementioned seat position of the wheelchair. The aforementioned upper half of the separator has a depth that covers from the user's chest to around the user's knees, and a height that covers from the aforementioned seat of the wheelchair to around the user's chest. A wheelchair rehabilitation aid characterized by the fact that the depth of the lower half of the aforementioned separator extends from the aforementioned seat of the wheelchair to the vicinity of the user's knees, and its height covers from the aforementioned seat of the wheelchair to the user's ankle.

Images