Method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis and the equipment used therefor.

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis that reduces the burden on patients during physical measurement and allows for accurate and inexpensive production based on measurement data, as well as the manufacturing equipment used therein. [Solution] A method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis comprising the steps of: measuring the patient's body; creating a framework using manufacturing tools based on the measurement results; creating a mold by wrapping film wrap around the framework; molding a trunk orthosis to match the model; and replicating a durable positive model for molding plastic by taking a mold of the model using a plaster cast bandage. The method allows the patient to be measured while sitting or lying down, and by creating a framework using manufacturing tools from the measurement data and giving the trunk a three-dimensional shape, a trunk orthosis that fits the patient's body can be manufactured inexpensively.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis and an instrument used for the manufacture thereof. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, when manufacturing a trunk orthosis, firstly, a plaster bandage impregnated with water is wrapped around the trunk of a patient in an upright position to perform cast molding; after hardening, the bandage is cut with a knife or the like and removed to prepare a negative model. It is common practice to prepare a positive model for manufacturing from this negative model, and process and assemble plastic, metal, mesh, cloth or the like based on this positive model to manufacture the trunk orthosis.

[0003] However, in such a manufacturing method, the patient needs to maintain an upright or seated position for a long time during molding, which imposes a particularly heavy burden on patients who have pain in the lower back or other parts.

[0004] In addition, in order to reduce the burden on the patient as described above, methods have been implemented in which information is obtained by measurement instead of molding, and based on the measured dimensions, old models are reused, or three-dimensional shape models are prepared by cutting and pasting cardboard or the like. However, preparation of such a dimension-based model requires space for storing old models and years of experience and knowledge for craftsmanship, and also has the problem that an appropriate shape cannot necessarily be obtained.

[0005] In order to solve such problems, methods have recently been implemented in which measurement is performed using 3D scanning, and a positive model is manufactured from the obtained data using an NC cutting machine or a 3D printer. However, even in this case, the patient needs to stand upright during measurement, and in addition to the need to introduce expensive equipment, there are major cost-related problems such as the need to use expensive raw materials for the model. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-179210 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis that can be easily manufactured based on measurements taken while the patient is sitting or lying down, and that reduces manufacturing costs, as well as the manufacturing equipment used therein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis, comprising the steps of: measuring the patient's body; creating a framework using a manufacturing tool based on the measurement results of the measurements; creating a positive model by wrapping a film wrap around the framework; molding a trunk orthosis to match the model; and replicating a durable positive model for molding plastic by taking a mold of the model using a plaster cast bandage.

[0009] Furthermore, the process of creating the frame is characterized by using a bendable band-shaped device and a fixing device for placing this band-shaped device.

[0010] Furthermore, the band-shaped device is characterized by comprising a peripheral member, a vertical axis center member, and a vertical axis member, each having a metal plate covered with a cloth cover, a male hook-and-loop fastener on one side of the cloth cover surface, a female hook-and-loop fastener on the other side, and a scale on one side thereof.

[0011] Furthermore, the surrounding member is characterized by having a scale on at least one side.

[0012] Furthermore, the fixing device is characterized by comprising a base plate on which the surrounding members are placed, and side plates that rise substantially vertically from both ends of the base plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the method for manufacturing the trunk orthosis of the present invention, measurements can be taken while the patient is sitting or lying down, thus significantly reducing the burden on the patient.

[0014] Furthermore, with the manufacturing device of the present invention, a framework is first created based on the measurement results, and a negative model is then manufactured based on this framework. This allows for the accurate and easy manufacture of a trunk orthosis based on the measurements.

[0015] Furthermore, since the products are manufactured without the use of equipment such as 3D scanners, production costs can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a trunk orthosis. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a peripheral member, which is a manufacturing tool according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a part of a fixing member, which is a manufacturing tool according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a manufacturing process using the manufacturing equipment according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a manufacturing process using the manufacturing equipment according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a manufacturing process using the manufacturing equipment according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a manufacturing process using the manufacturing equipment according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a manufacturing process using the manufacturing equipment according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a trunk orthosis manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention. The trunk orthosis is intended for spinal support and body posture correction, and is used in the postoperative recovery process and rehabilitation.

[0018] Figs. 2 and 3 relate to the present invention production are diagrams showing an example of a manufacturing instrument, and Figs. 4 to 8 are diagrams showing an example of a manufacturing process using the manufacturing instrument according to the present invention.

[0019] The method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis of the present invention comprises the steps of: measuring a patient's body; creating a framework based on the measurement results of the measurement using a manufacturing instrument consisting of a band-shaped instrument and a fixing instrument; creating a mold by wrapping a film wrap around the framework; creating a model from the mold using a plaster cast bandage; and molding the trunk orthosis according to the model.

[0020] First, in the step of measuring the patient's body, measurement of the patient's body is performed using a measuring tape or the like. At this time, the measurement can be performed while the patient is in a sitting or lying position without requiring the patient to stand. Therefore, the burden on the patient can be greatly reduced. When performing measurement, depending on the diseased site of the patient, at least five locations including the upper chest circumference, chest circumference, abdominal circumference, lower abdominal circumference and hip circumference are measured, and the distance between each measurement site is also measured.

[0021] Next, based on the measurement values obtained by the measurement, peripheral members 11 to 15, which are band-shaped instruments, are formed into a circular shape. That is, based on the measured values of the upper chest circumference, chest circumference, abdominal circumference, lower abdominal circumference and hip circumference, the corresponding peripheral members 11 to 15 are each formed into a circular shape.

[0022] Here, the peripheral members 11 to 15 are each formed by covering an aluminum plate with a cloth cover, and are freely bendable. Further, a male hook-and-loop fastener is provided on one side of the surface of the cloth cover, and a female hook-and-loop fastener is provided on the other side. Therefore, by forming the member into a circular shape and engaging the fasteners, the circular shape can be maintained. Although an aluminum plate is used in this embodiment, it is not limited to this material as long as it is a material that can be bent by hand.

[0023] Furthermore, at least one side of the surrounding members 11 to 15 is provided with a scale, facilitating the formation of a circular shape according to the measured value.

[0024] The circular peripheral members 11 to 15 formed by the above process are each placed on fixing devices 31 arranged based on the distance between each measurement point.

[0025] The fixing device 31 consists of a base plate 32 on which the surrounding members 11 to 15 are placed, and side plates 33 and 34 that rise substantially vertically from both ends of the base plate 32. The base plate 32 has a width that matches the size of the surrounding members 11 to 15.

[0026] Furthermore, although the side plates 33 and 34 of the fixing device 31 have a partially missing shape, their shape is not particularly limited.

[0027] Although the fixing device 31 is made of metal, it is not limited to metal and can also be made of plastic or other materials.

[0028] After the above step, in order to fix the positional relationship of the surrounding members 11 to 15 placed on each fixing device 31, the band-shaped vertical axis central members 21 to 24 are engaged with the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the surrounding members 11 to 15, respectively.

[0029] Furthermore, multiple vertical axis members 25 to 28, which are also band-shaped devices, are similarly engaged between the vertical axis central members 21 to 24. Here, the vertical axis central members and vertical axis members, like the surrounding members, are made of aluminum plates covered with a fabric cover and are flexible. One side of the fabric cover surface is provided with a male hook-and-loop fastener, and the other side with a female hook-and-loop fastener. Therefore, they can be easily engaged with the surrounding members 11 to 15.

[0030] Figure 8 shows the frame 3 created by the above process with the wrap film 4 wrapped around it. By wrapping the wrap film 4 around the frame 3, the mold for manufacturing the torso orthosis is completed. By wrapping the wrap film 4 around the frame 3 in this way, the hook-and-loop fasteners of each component are protected while filling the gaps in the frame 3.

[0031] Then, based on the mold created in the above process, a model is made using a plaster cast bandage on the shoulder. Furthermore, a torso orthosis is manufactured to fit this model by plastic molding or the like.

[0032] Trunk orthosis production Regarding this, it is also possible to create a negative model based on the aforementioned model, pour plaster into this negative model to create a positive model, and then manufacture the positive model using plastic molding or the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1 Trunk orthosis 2 scales 3. Framework 4. Plastic wrap Type 5 11 Surrounding members 21 Vertical axis central member 25 Vertical axis member 31 Fixation devices

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis, comprising the steps of: taking measurements of a patient's body; creating a framework using manufacturing tools based on the measurement results of the measurements; creating a mold by wrapping film wrap around the framework; creating a model using plaster cast bandages on the mold; and molding a trunk orthosis to match the model.

2. The method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that a bendable band-shaped device and a fixing device for supporting the band-shaped device are used in the process of creating the aforementioned frame.

3. The aforementioned band-shaped device is a peripheral member, a vertical axis central member, and a vertical axis member, characterized in that the band-shaped device is made of a metal plate covered with a cloth cover, with a male hook-and-loop fastener on one side of the surface of the cloth cover and a female hook-and-loop fastener on the other side, and a scale on one side thereof, and is a manufacturing device used in the method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis according to the method described in 2.

4. The manufacturing tool used in the method for manufacturing a trunk orthosis according to claim 3, characterized in that the surrounding member has a scale on at least one side.

5. The fixing device is characterized by comprising a base plate on which the surrounding members are placed and side plates that rise substantially vertically from both ends of the base plate, and is used as a manufacturing device for the method of manufacturing a trunk orthosis according to

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