Attachable body design assistance device, attachable body design assistance method, attachable body design assistance program, and attachable body

Abstract

This attachable body design assistance device 10 assists in designing an attachable body to be attached to a living body constituent surface that is a surface of a part constituting a living body. The attachable body design assistance device 10 comprises a hardness information acquisition unit 107 and an attachable body shape information generation unit 108. The hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information that is information showing the hardness of the living body constituent surface. The attachable body shape information generation unit 108 generates, on the basis of the acquired hardness information, attachable body shape information showing the three-dimensional shape of the attachable body such that an attachment surface that is a part of the surface of the attachable body that is to be attached to the living body constituent surface has a plurality of recesses or protrusions.

Description

Wearing body design support device, wearing body design support method, wearing body design support program, and wearing body

[0001] The present invention relates to a wear body design support device, a wear body design support method, a wear body design support program, and a wear body.

[0002] A wearable body design support device that supports the design of a wearable body to be attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body, is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a wearable body in which the attachment surface, which is the part of the surface of the wearable body that is attached to the biological surface, has a plurality of recesses or protrusions (see, for example, Patent Document 2, Non-Patent Document 1, or Non-Patent Document 2).

[0003] With this attachment, when the attachment is attached to the surface of a bone, for example, a part of the attachment surface is separated from the surface of the bone, which makes it possible to prevent the blood flow or vascularization from being inhibited in the superficial layer of the bone (for example, the periosteum).

[0004] Patent No. 7141779 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0059965

[0005] A. Antabak, 7 others, “Reducing damage to the periodal capillary network caused by internal fixation plating: An "Experimental Study", Injury International Journal of the Care of the Injured, Elsevier Ltd. , November 2015, 46S (2015), S18-S20S. M. Perren, “Evolution of the internal fixation of long bone fractures. The scientific basis of biological internal fixation: choosing a new balance between stability and biology”, The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (Br), British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery, November 2002, Volume 84-B, No. 8, p. 1093-p. 1110

[0006] However, when bones are soft, the protrusions on the attachment surface tend to bite into the bone when the attachment is attached to the bone surface. This tends to reduce the area of ​​the attachment surface that is separated from the bone surface. As a result, blood flow or new blood vessels are inhibited in the surface layer of the bone.

[0007] Increasing the total area of ​​the tips of the multiple protrusions on the attachment surface makes it less likely that the protrusions on the attachment surface will bite into the bone. However, if the bone is hard, if the total area is too large, the area of ​​the attachment surface that is separated from the bone surface will be unnecessarily small.

[0008] Thus, the appropriate shape and arrangement of the multiple recesses or protrusions on the attachment surface varies depending on the hardness of the biological surface, such as the surface of a bone. However, for example, the attachment body design support device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to design an attachment body whose attachment surface has multiple recesses or protrusions that are appropriately provided according to the hardness of the biological surface. Note that this type of problem also arises in the design of attachment bodies to be attached to biological surfaces other than the surface of a bone.

[0009] One of the objects of the present invention is to easily design a mounting body having a mounting surface with a plurality of appropriately arranged recesses or protrusions.

[0010] In one aspect, the attachment design support device supports the design of an attachment to be attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body. The attachment design support device includes a hardness information acquisition unit and an attachment shape information generation unit. The hardness information acquisition unit acquires hardness information, which is information representing the hardness of the biological surface. The attachment shape information generation unit generates attachment shape information, based on the acquired hardness information, which represents the three-dimensional shape of the attachment so that the attachment surface, which is the part of the surface of the attachment that is attached to the biological surface, has a plurality of concave or convex portions.

[0011] In another aspect, a method for supporting design of a mounting body supports the design of a mounting body to be mounted on a biological surface, which is a surface of a part that constitutes a living body. The method for supporting design of a mounting body includes: acquiring hardness information that is information that represents the hardness of the biological surface; and generating, based on the acquired hardness information, mounting body shape information that represents the three-dimensional shape of the mounting body so that a mounting surface, which is a part of the surface of the mounting body that is mounted on the biological surface, has a plurality of concave or convex portions.

[0012] In another aspect, a mounting body design support program causes a computer to execute a process for supporting the design of a mounting body to be mounted on a biological surface, which is a surface of a part that constitutes a living body, the process including: acquiring hardness information that is information representing the hardness of the biological surface; and generating, based on the acquired hardness information, mounting body shape information that represents the three-dimensional shape of the mounting body so that the mounting surface, which is the part of the surface of the mounting body that is mounted on the biological surface, has a plurality of concave or convex portions.

[0013] In another aspect, the attachment body is attached to a living body surface, which is a surface of a part that constitutes a living body, and the attachment surface of the attachment body has a plurality of recesses or protrusions such that the softer the hardness of the living body surface, the larger the contact area between the living body surface and the attachment surface, which is the part of the surface of the attachment body that is attached to the living body surface.

[0014] A mount can be easily designed whose mounting surface has a plurality of appropriately positioned recesses or protrusions.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the three-dimensional shape of a basic surface of a living body configuration displayed by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the three-dimensional shape of a basic surface of a living body configuration displayed by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a first specimen position and a projection position used by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the first specimen position and the projection position used by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the projection position and the auxiliary position used by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the projection position, the auxiliary position, and a smooth curved surface used by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a smooth curved surface and a first moving solid used by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a smooth curved surface, a first moving solid, and a second moving solid used by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an intersecting solid used by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an intersecting solid used by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view in which a part of a contact surface of the three-dimensional shape of the wearable body of the first embodiment is enlarged. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view in which a part of a contact surface of the three-dimensional shape of the wearable body of the first embodiment is enlarged. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the wearable body design support device of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view of the wearable body of the first embodiment, as seen from the wearing surface side. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of the wearable body design support device of a first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the wearable body design support device of the first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view of the wearable body of the first modified example of the first embodiment, as seen from the wearing surface side. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the wearable body design support device of the second embodiment. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a plurality of filling solids are closest packed on an arrangement surface in the attachment design support device of the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view in which a part of a contact surface of the three-dimensional shape of the attachment of the third embodiment is enlarged.10 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by an attachment design support device according to a third embodiment.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of a wear body design support device, a wear body design support method, a wear body design support program, and a wear body of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0017] <First Embodiment> (Overview) A wearable body design support device according to a first embodiment supports the design of a wearable body to be attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body. The wearable body design support device includes a hardness information acquisition unit and a wearable body shape information generation unit. The hardness information acquisition unit acquires hardness information, which is information representing the hardness of the biological surface. The wearable body shape information generation unit generates wearable body shape information, based on the acquired hardness information, which represents the three-dimensional shape of the wearable body so that the attachment surface, which is the portion of the surface of the wearable body that is attached to the biological surface, has a plurality of concave or convex portions.

[0018] This makes it possible to easily design a mounting body having a mounting surface with a plurality of recesses or protrusions that are appropriately provided according to the hardness of the surface of the living body.

[0019] The attachment body of the first embodiment is attached to a living body surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body. The attachment body has a plurality of recesses or protrusions on the attachment surface so that the softer the hardness of the living body surface, the larger the contact area between the living body surface and the attachment surface, which is the part of the surface of the attachment body that is attached to the living body surface.

[0020] According to this, the softer the hardness of the biological constituent surface, the larger the contact area between the biological constituent surface and the attachment surface. Therefore, when the attachment body is attached to the biological constituent surface, the area of ​​the attachment surface separated from the biological constituent surface can be made sufficiently large according to the hardness of the biological constituent surface. As a result, it is possible to suppress the inhibition of blood flow or vascularization near the biological constituent surface. Next, the attachment body design support device and attachment body of the first embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0021] 1, the wearable body design support device 10 includes a processing device 11, a storage device 12, an input device 13, and an output device 14, which are connected to one another via a bus BU1. For example, the wearable body design support device 10 is configured by a computer (in other words, an information processing device). The computer may be a server computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. The computer may also be at least a part of a stationary game console, a portable game console, a television set, a smartphone, or the like. The wearable body design support device 10 may also be configured by multiple devices connected to one another so as to be able to communicate with one another.

[0022] The processing device 11 executes a program stored in the storage device 12 to control the storage device 12, the input device 13, and the output device 14. In this way, the processing device 11 realizes the functions described below.

[0023] In this example, the processing device 11 is a central processing unit (CPU). Note that the processing device 11 may include a micro processing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP) instead of or in addition to the CPU.

[0024] In this example, the storage device 12 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, such as at least one of a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a semiconductor memory, an organic memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD).

[0025] The input device 13 inputs information from outside the wear body design support device 10. In this example, the input device 13 includes a keyboard and a mouse. The input device 13 may also include a microphone.

[0026] The output device 14 outputs information to the outside of the wearable body design support device 10. In this example, the output device 14 includes a display. The output device 14 may also include a speaker. Furthermore, the wearable body design support device 10 may also include a touch panel display that constitutes both the input device 13 and the output device 14.

[0027] (Function) The attachment design support device 10 supports the design of an attachment to be attached to a biological component surface, which is the surface of a biological component that is a part that constitutes a living body. In this example, the biological component is a bone that includes a fractured portion. In this example, the attachment is a bone fusion plate. Note that the biological component may also be a bone, ligament, tendon, or skin that does not include a fractured portion. Furthermore, for example, the attachment may also be an orthosis or an exercise aid for assisting exercise.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2 , the functions of the attachment design support device 10 include a biological component shape information storage unit 101, a biological component basic surface shape information generation unit 102, a reference direction information reception unit 103, a position information reception unit 104, a projection position information acquisition unit 105, a smooth curved surface information acquisition unit 106, a hardness information acquisition unit 107, and an attachment shape information generation unit 108.

[0029] The biological component shape information storage unit 101 stores biological component shape information that represents the three-dimensional shape of a biological component. In this example, the biological component shape information is stored in advance in the storage device 12. Note that the biological component shape information may be input to the wearable body design support device 10 via a recording medium or a communication line.

[0030] In this example, the shape information of the body components is acquired using a technology called CT (Computed Tomography). For example, the shape information of the body components is information that complies with a standard called DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine).

[0031] The biological component shape information may be acquired using a technique called MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CR (Computed Radiography), or DR (Digital Radiography).

[0032] The biometric basic surface shape information generating unit 102 generates biometric basic surface shape information that represents the three-dimensional shape of the biometric basic surface. In this example, the biometric basic surface is a surface on the surface of a biometric component or in the vicinity of the surface of a biometric component, where the CT value matches a preset reference value. For example, the reference value is a CT value corresponding to cortical bone. In this example, the biometric basic surface may be expressed as a bone isosurface. In this example, the biometric basic surface shape information generating unit 102 generates the biometric basic surface shape information based on the biometric component shape information stored in the biometric component shape information storage unit 101.

[0033] The reference direction information receiving unit 103 and the position information receiving unit 104 display the three-dimensional shape of the biomechanical basic surface BS represented by the biomechanical basic surface shape information generating unit 102 via the output device 14, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 show the biomechanical basic surface BS viewed from different directions. The biomechanical basic surface BS includes the fractured area BR.

[0034] The reference direction information receiving unit 103 receives reference direction information representing a reference direction RD, which is a reference direction relative to the basic plane BS of the living body. The position information receiving unit 104 receives position information representing the position of a wearing body corresponding area AR, which is an area corresponding to the wearing body, on a reference plane PL, which is a plane perpendicular to the reference direction RD.

[0035] The wearing body corresponding area AR has a rectangular shape. In this example, the wearing body corresponding area AR is the smallest rectangular shape that includes the shape of the wearing body. The shape of the wearing body may be set based on information input by the user of the wearing body design support device 10 via the input device 13. The shape of the wearing body may also be set in advance. In this example, the position information and the reference direction information are input by the user of the wearing body design support device 10 via the input device 13.

[0036] The projection position information acquisition unit 105 acquires projection position information based on the biological configuration basic surface shape information generated by the biological configuration basic surface shape information generation unit 102, the reference direction information accepted by the reference direction information accepting unit 103, and the position information accepted by the position information accepting unit 104.

[0037] 5 and 6, the projection position information represents N projection positions PP-1 to PP-N obtained by projecting N first specimen positions SP-1 to SP-N within the mounting body corresponding area AR on the reference plane PL onto the biological body configuration basic plane BS in the reference direction RD. N represents an integer equal to or greater than 4. In this example, N represents 15.

[0038] In this example, the N first sample positions SP-1 to SP-N are arranged in a grid pattern. In this example, the N first sample positions SP-1 to SP-N are arranged at equal intervals in the short side direction of the attachment corresponding area AR at predetermined intervals in the short side direction, and are also arranged at equal intervals in the long side direction of the attachment corresponding area AR at predetermined intervals in the long side direction. In this example, the intervals in the short side direction and the long side direction are different from each other. Note that the intervals in the short side direction and the long side direction may be equal to each other.

[0039] As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7141779, the projection position information acquisition unit 105 may correct the projection position information representing the N projection positions PP-1 to PP-N.

[0040] The smooth surface information acquisition unit 106 acquires auxiliary position information based on the projection position information acquired by the projection position information acquisition unit 105. The auxiliary position information represents M auxiliary positions, where M represents an integer of 2 or greater. In this example, M represents a number (20 in this example) obtained by adding the number (16 in this example) of first sample positions SP-n located on the four sides that form the outer edge of the wearing body corresponding area AR to the number (4 in this example) of first sample positions SP-n located at the corners that form the outer edge of the wearing body corresponding area AR.

[0041] In this example, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the M auxiliary positions consist of a short side extension auxiliary position group consisting of six short side extension auxiliary positions SU-1, SU-2, SU-3, SD-13, SD-14, and SD-15, a long side extension auxiliary position group consisting of ten long side extension auxiliary positions SR-3, SR-6, SR-9, SR-12, SR-15, SL-1, SL-4, SL-7, SL-10, and SL-13, and a corner extension auxiliary position group consisting of four corner extension auxiliary positions SC-1, SC-3, SC-13, and SC-15.

[0042] As shown in Figure 9, the smooth surface information acquisition unit 106 acquires smooth surface information representing a smooth surface SS, which is a smooth surface defined by using, as a control point group, N projection positions PP-1 to PP-N represented by the projection position information acquired by the projection position information acquisition unit 105 and M auxiliary positions SU-1, SU-2, SU-3, SD-13, SD-14, SD-15, SR-3, SR-6, SR-9, SR-12, SR-15, SL-1, SL-4, SL-7, SL-10, SL-13, SC-1, SC-3, SC-13, SC-15 represented by the acquired auxiliary position information.

[0043] In this example, the smooth surface SS is a B-Spline surface. Note that the smooth surface may be a spline surface other than a B-Spline surface (for example, a NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) surface) or a Bezier surface.

[0044] In addition, the smooth surface information acquisition unit 106 may acquire smooth surface information representing a smooth surface SS, which is a smooth surface defined by using only N projection positions PP-1 to PP-N as control point groups, without using auxiliary positions as control point groups.

[0045] The hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information, which is information representing the hardness of the biological component surface, based on the biological component shape information stored in the biological component shape information storage unit 101, the reference direction information accepted by the reference direction information accepting unit 103, and the position information accepted by the position information accepting unit 104.

[0046] The biological component surface is the surface of the biological component. In this example, the hardness of the biological component surface is represented by the CT value at the position where the second sample position in the attachment corresponding area AR on the reference plane PL is projected onto the biological component surface in the reference direction RD. The larger the CT value, the harder the biological component surface.

[0047] The hardness information may be information representing bone density estimated based on the CT value instead of the CT value. For example, the bone density V ＢＭＤ is expressed by the following formula 1 and the CT value V ＣＴ The bone density may be estimated based on the following equation. The higher the bone density, the harder the biological surface becomes.

[0048] In this example, the hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information for each of a plurality of second sample positions within the attachment corresponding area AR on the reference plane PL. In this example, the plurality of second sample positions used by the hardness information acquisition unit 107 respectively coincide with the N first sample positions SP-1 to SP-N used by the projection position information acquisition unit 105.

[0049] At least some of the multiple second sample positions used by the hardness information acquisition unit 107 may be positions different from the N first sample positions SP-1 to SP-N used by the projection position information acquisition unit 105. Furthermore, the number of second sample positions used by the hardness information acquisition unit 107 may be different from the number of first sample positions used by the projection position information acquisition unit 105. Furthermore, the hardness information acquisition unit 107 may acquire hardness information for only one second sample position within the attachment corresponding area AR on the reference plane PL.

[0050] The attachment shape information generation unit 108 generates attachment shape information representing the three-dimensional shape of the attachment based on the smooth surface information acquired by the smooth surface information acquisition unit 106 and the hardness information acquired by the hardness information acquisition unit 107.

[0051] Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the attachment shape information generation unit 108 generates first moving three-dimensional information representing the three-dimensional shape of a first moving three-dimensional solid MC1 formed by moving the smooth curved surface SS a first distance along the reference direction RD (in this example, in the direction opposite to the reference direction RD).

[0052] Next, as shown in Figure 11, the wearable body shape information generation unit 108 generates second moving three-dimensional information representing the three-dimensional shape of a second moving three-dimensional body MC2 formed by moving the wearable body corresponding area AR along the reference direction RD (in this example, toward the reference direction RD) a second distance that is longer than the first distance.

[0053] 12 and 13, the attachment shape information generation unit 108 generates intersection solid information representing the three-dimensional shape of an intersection solid CC generated by the intersection of the first moving solid MC1 and the second moving solid MC2 based on the generated first moving solid information and second moving solid information. In this example, the intersection solid CC corresponds to a basic solid having no concave or convex portions, and the intersection solid information corresponds to basic solid information representing the basic solid.

[0054] Next, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 generates wearing body shape information based on the hardness information acquired by the hardness information acquiring unit 107 and the generated intersection solid information so that the wearing surface has a plurality of convex portions. The wearing surface is the portion of the surface of the wearing body that is attached to the biological structure surface. Note that the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 may generate wearing body shape information so that the wearing surface has a plurality of concave portions instead of a plurality of convex portions.

[0055] In this example, the convex portions are frustum-shaped. In this example, the multiple convex portions are arranged in a square lattice pattern. For example, the centers of the multiple convex portions are located at multiple intersections of multiple first straight lines that are parallel to the short sides of the attachment corresponding area AR and are equally spaced apart in the long side direction of the attachment corresponding area AR, and multiple second straight lines that are parallel to the long sides of the attachment corresponding area AR and are equally spaced apart in the short side direction of the attachment corresponding area AR.

[0056] The plurality of protrusions may have positions where the plurality of intersections are rotated by a predetermined rotation angle around a rotation axis along the reference direction RD. The plurality of protrusions may also be positioned in a diamond lattice pattern, a hexagonal lattice pattern, or a rectangular lattice pattern.

[0057] The convex portion may also be in the shape of a quadrangular pyramid. In this case, for example, the top surface of the convex portion (in other words, the tip surface) may be rectangular with short sides parallel to the short sides of the attachment-accommodating region AR and long sides parallel to the long sides of the attachment-accommodating region AR. Note that the short sides of the top surface of the convex portion and the long sides of the top surface of the convex portion may extend in directions rotated by a predetermined rotation angle around a rotation axis along the reference direction RD with respect to the short sides of the attachment-accommodating region AR and the long sides of the attachment-accommodating region AR, respectively.

[0058] In this example, the plurality of protrusions protrude a predetermined distance in the reference direction RD from the surface of the intersecting solid body CC that is closer to the biological body surface. In this example, the top surfaces of the plurality of protrusions are located within a curved surface obtained by moving the surface of the intersecting solid body CC that is closer to the biological body surface by the predetermined protrusion distance in the reference direction RD.

[0059] The top surface of each convex portion may be located in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction at the center of the convex portion on the surface of the intersection solid CC that is closer to the biological surface, or may form part of the surface of a sphere or ellipsoid.

[0060] The corners or edges (in other words, edges) of the recessed or protruding portions may be rounded (in other words, they may have a shape that has been filleted). For example, the edges of the top surface of each protruding portion may be rounded.

[0061] In this example, the attachment shape information generation unit 108 first obtains a representative value of the hardness represented by the hardness information obtained for the plurality of second sample positions. In this example, the representative value is the average value for the plurality of second sample positions. Note that the representative value may be the minimum value, the maximum value, the median value, or a value intermediate between the maximum and minimum values.

[0062] Next, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 determines concave-convex shape parameters based on the acquired representative values. The concave-convex shape parameters are information that specify the shapes and positions of multiple convex portions. In this example, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 determines the concave-convex shape parameters so that the contact area between the biological surface and the wearing surface increases as the hardness represented by the acquired representative values ​​becomes softer.

[0063] In this example, the concave-convex shape parameters include the distance between adjacent convex portions, which is the distance between adjacent convex portions, and the diameter of the top surface of each convex portion. In this example, the attachment shape information generation unit 108 determines the concave-convex shape parameters so that the distance between convex portions becomes shorter (in other words, the total number of convex portions increases) as the hardness represented by the acquired representative value becomes softer, and the diameter of the top surface of each convex portion remains constant regardless of the hardness represented by the acquired representative value. In this example, the diameter of the top surface of each convex portion and the height of each convex portion (in other words, the protrusion distance) are each set to a predetermined value.

[0064] For example, the distance between the protrusions is 1 mm to 10 mm, the diameter of the top surface of each protrusion is 0.1 mm to 5 mm, and the height of each protrusion is 0.3 mm to 2 mm.

[0065] The attachment shape information generating unit 108 may determine the concave-convex shape parameters so that the diameter of the top surface of each convex portion increases as the hardness represented by the acquired representative value decreases, and the distance between convex portions remains constant regardless of the hardness represented by the acquired representative value. The attachment shape information generating unit 108 may also determine the concave-convex shape parameters so that the diameter of the top surface of each convex portion increases and the distance between convex portions decreases as the hardness represented by the acquired representative value decreases.

[0066] Next, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 generates wearing body shape information based on the generated intersection solid information and the determined uneven shape parameters. In this example, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the wearing body shape information represents a three-dimensional shape in which convex-portion-constituting solids CP corresponding to each of a plurality of convex portions having shapes and positions specified by the uneven shape parameters are added to the intersection solid CC on a surface CS of the intersection solid CC represented by the intersection solid information that is closer to the biological surface.

[0067] 14 and 15 are partially enlarged views of the contact surface of the three-dimensional shape of the attachment body. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the three-dimensional shape of the attachment body. Fig. 15 is a view of the three-dimensional shape of the attachment body viewed in the direction opposite to the reference direction RD.

[0068] In this example, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 generates wearing body shape information representing the three-dimensional shape of the wearing body by adding convex-portion-constituting solids corresponding to each of the plurality of convex portions to the intersection solid CC. The wearing body shape information generating unit 108 may generate wearing body shape information representing the three-dimensional shape of the wearing body whose surface has a plurality of convex portions by removing, from the intersection solid CC, a portion of the intersection solid CC near the surface that is closer to the living body constituting surface.

[0069] When generating the attachment shape information, the attachment shape information generating unit 108 may perform a process of rounding at least a part of the portion corresponding to the corner of the intersection solid CC (in other words, fillet processing). The description of the functions of the attachment design support device 10 may be supplemented by the following description of the operation of the attachment design support device 10.

[0070] (Operation) Next, the operation of the wearable body design support device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. The wearable body design support device 10 executes the process shown in Fig. 16 in accordance with an execution instruction input by a user of the wearable body design support device 10 via the input device 13. First, the wearable body design support device 10 generates biological component basic surface shape information based on biological component shape information stored in the storage device 12 (step S101 in Fig. 16).

[0071] Next, the wearing body design support device 10 displays the three-dimensional shape of the body configuration basic surface BS represented by the body configuration basic surface shape information generated in step S101 via the output device 14 (step S102 in FIG. 16).

[0072] Next, the wearable body design support device 10 waits until it receives position information indicating the position of the wearable body corresponding area AR on the reference plane PL and reference direction information indicating the reference direction RD (the "No" route of step S103 in FIG. 16).

[0073] When position information and reference direction information are input to the wearable body design support device 10 via the input device 13, the wearable body design support device 10 accepts the position information and reference direction information, determines "Yes" in step S103, and proceeds to step S104.

[0074] Next, the wearable body design support device 10 acquires projection position information and auxiliary position information based on the basic surface shape information of the biological structure generated in step S101 and the position information and reference direction information received in step S103 (step S104 in FIG. 16).

[0075] Next, the attachment design support device 10 acquires smooth curved surface information based on the projection position information and auxiliary position information acquired in step S104 (step S105 in FIG. 16).

[0076] Next, the wearable body design support device 10 acquires first moving three-dimensional information and second moving three-dimensional information based on the smooth surface information acquired in step S105 and the position information and reference direction information accepted in step S103 (step S106 in FIG. 16).

[0077] Next, the wearable body design support device 10 generates intersection three-dimensional information based on the first moving three-dimensional information and the second moving three-dimensional information acquired in step S106 (step S107 in FIG. 16).

[0078] Next, the attachment design support device 10 acquires hardness information based on the biological component shape information stored in the storage device 12 and the position information and reference direction information received in step S103 (step S108 in FIG. 16).

[0079] Next, the wearable body design support device 10 determines unevenness shape parameters based on the hardness information acquired in step S108 (step S109 in FIG. 16 ). Next, the wearable body design support device 10 generates wearable body shape information based on the intersection solid information generated in step S107 and the unevenness shape parameters determined in step S109 (step S110 in FIG. 16 ). Next, the wearable body design support device 10 ends the processing in FIG. 16 .

[0080] The processes of steps S108 and S109 may be executed at any timing between the process of step S103 and the process of step S110.

[0081] For example, the attachment may be manufactured using a technique called 3D printing or three-dimensional modeling. In this example, as shown in Fig. 17, the attachment 1 is manufactured by inputting attachment shape information generated by the attachment design support device 10 into a 3D printer, and the 3D printer forms the three-dimensional shape represented by the attachment shape information.

[0082] The wearing body 1 is attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body. The wearing body 1 has an attachment surface 1a, which is the portion of the surface of the wearing body 1 that is attached to the biological surface. The wearing body 1 has multiple concave or convex portions on the attachment surface 1a so that the softer the biological surface is, the larger the contact area between the biological surface and the attachment surface 1a becomes. Figure 17 is a front view of the wearing body 1 as seen from the attachment surface 1a side. In Figure 17, the multiple concave or convex portions are represented by a dot pattern to simplify the illustration.

[0083] As described above, the wearable body design support device 10 of the first embodiment supports the design of a wearable body to be attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body. The wearable body design support device 10 includes a hardness information acquisition unit 107 and a wearable body shape information generation unit 108. The hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information, which is information that represents the hardness of the biological surface. The wearable body shape information generation unit 108 generates wearable body shape information, based on the acquired hardness information, that represents the three-dimensional shape of the wearable body so that the attachment surface, which is the portion of the surface of the wearable body that is attached to the biological surface, has a plurality of concave or convex portions.

[0084] This makes it possible to easily design a mounting body having a mounting surface with a plurality of recesses or protrusions that are appropriately provided according to the hardness of the surface of the living body.

[0085] Furthermore, in the wearable body design support device 10 of the first embodiment, the wearable body shape information generation unit 108 generates wearable body shape information so that the softer the hardness represented by the acquired hardness information, the larger the area of ​​contact between the biological structure surface and the wearable surface.

[0086] This makes it easy to design a mounting body having a mounting surface with multiple recesses or protrusions that are arranged so that the area of ​​contact between the living body surface and the mounting surface increases as the hardness of the living body surface becomes softer.

[0087] The wearable body design support device 10 of the first embodiment generates wearable body shape information based on intersection solid information and concave-convex shape parameters. Note that, instead of the intersection solid information, the wearable body design support device 10 may use basic solid information representing a basic solid that is stored in advance in the wearable body design support device 10 or basic solid information representing a basic solid that is input to the wearable body design support device 10.

[0088] The attachment body 1 of the first embodiment is attached to a living body surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body. The attachment body 1 has a plurality of recesses or protrusions on the attachment surface 1a so that the softer the hardness of the living body surface, the larger the contact area between the living body surface and the attachment surface 1a, which is the part of the surface of the attachment body that is attached to the living body surface.

[0089] According to this, the softer the hardness of the living body surface, the larger the contact area between the living body surface and the attachment surface 1a. Therefore, when the attachment body 1 is attached to the living body surface, the area of ​​the attachment surface 1a separated from the living body surface can be made sufficiently large according to the hardness of the living body surface. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of blood flow or vascularization near the living body surface.

[0090] The mounting surface 1a of the mounting body 1 of the first embodiment is curved. However, the entire mounting surface 1a of the mounting body 1 or a part of the mounting surface 1a may be flat.

[0091] <First Modification of First Embodiment> Next, a wearable body design support device according to a first modification of the first embodiment will be described. The wearable body design support device according to the first modification of the first embodiment differs from the wearable body design support device according to the first embodiment in that it is possible to set an area on the wearable surface that does not have a recess or protrusion. The following description will focus on the differences. Note that in the description of the first modification of the first embodiment, components that are assigned the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are the same or substantially similar.

[0092] 18 , the functions of the wearable body design support device 10A according to the first modified example of the first embodiment include, in addition to the functions of the wearable body design support device 10 according to the first embodiment, a non-convexo-concave region information receiving unit 109. In this example, the non-concave region information receiving unit 109 corresponds to the region information acquiring unit.

[0093] The non-convexo-concave region information receiving unit 109 receives non-concave region information that indicates a non-concave region that is a region of the mounting surface that does not have a concave or convex portion. The non-concave region information receiving unit 109 acquires the non-concave region information by receiving the non-concave region information.

[0094] In this example, the unevenness-free region information is acquired by input by a user of the attachment design support device 10 via the input device 13. Note that the unevenness-free region information may be acquired by the attachment design support device 10 generating the information based on biological component shape information, instead of by input by the user. For example, the unevenness-free region is a region of the attachment surface that corresponds to the vicinity of the fractured part BR.

[0095] The wearing body shape information generation unit 108 of the first variant of the first embodiment generates wearing body shape information so that the wearing surface does not have any concave or convex parts in the non-convex area represented by the non-convex area information acquired by the non-convex area information receiving unit 109.

[0096] In other words, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 generates the wearing body shape information so that the wearing surface has no concave or convex portions in the non-concave region represented by the non-concave region information acquired by the non-concave region information receiving unit 109, and has multiple concave or convex portions in regions of the wearing surface other than the non-concave region. The description of the functions of the wearing body design support device 10A of the first modified example of the first embodiment may be supplemented by the following description of the operation of the wearing body design support device 10A.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 19, the attachment design support device 10A of the first modified example of the first embodiment executes the processing of step S107 in FIG. 16, and then executes the processing of steps S201A, S108, S109, and S110A in FIG. 19.

[0098] The attachment body design support device 10A waits until it receives the unevenness-free region information ("No" route in step S201A in FIG. 19).

[0099] When the unevenness-free area information is input to the wearable body design support device 10A via the input device 13, the wearable body design support device 10A accepts the unevenness-free area information, determines "Yes" in step S201A, and proceeds to step S108.

[0100] Next, the attachment design support device 10A acquires hardness information based on the biological component shape information stored in the storage device 12 and the position information and reference direction information received in step S103 of FIG. 16 (step S108 of FIG. 19).

[0101] Next, the attachment design support device 10A determines the concave-convex shape parameters based on the hardness information acquired in step S108 (step S109 in FIG. 19 ). Note that the attachment design support device 10A may determine the concave-convex shape parameters based only on the hardness information for positions other than the concave-convex region represented by the concave-convex region information received in step S201A, among the acquired hardness information.

[0102] Next, the wearable body design support device 10A generates wearable body shape information based on the intersection solid information generated in step S107 of Fig. 16, the unevenness-free region information received in step S201A, and the unevenness shape parameters determined in step S109 (step S110A of Fig. 19). Next, the wearable body design support device 10A ends the processing of Fig. 19.

[0103] The processes of step S201A, step S108, and step S109 may be executed at any timing between the process of step S103 and the process of step S110A.

[0104] For example, the attachment may be manufactured using a technique called 3D printing or three-dimensional modeling. In this example, as shown in Fig. 20, attachment shape information generated by the attachment design support device 10A is input to a 3D printer, and the 3D printer forms the three-dimensional shape represented by the attachment shape information, thereby manufacturing the attachment 1A.

[0105] For example, as shown in Fig. 20, in the first modified example of the first embodiment, the mounting body 1A has no recesses or protrusions in the non-relief region NPR on the mounting surface 1Aa, and has multiple recesses or protrusions in regions PR1 and PR2 of the mounting surface 1Aa other than the non-relief region NPR. Fig. 20 is a front view of the mounting body 1A as seen from the mounting surface 1Aa side. Note that in Fig. 20, the multiple recesses or protrusions are represented by a dot pattern for simplicity. Note that the mounting body 1A may have multiple non-relief regions NPR.

[0106] The wearable body design support device 10A of the first modified example of the first embodiment achieves the same effects and advantages as the wearable body design support device 10 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the wearable body design support device 10A of the first modified example of the first embodiment includes a region information acquisition unit (in this example, a non-convexo-concave region information receiving unit 109) that acquires region information (in this example, non-concave region information) that represents a region included in the wearable surface. The wearable body shape information generation unit 108 generates wearable body shape information such that the wearable surface does not have any concave or convex portions in the region represented by the acquired region information.

[0107] This makes it easy to design the mounting body 1A having a mounting surface 1Aa provided with an area having a plurality of recesses or protrusions and an area having no recesses or protrusions.

[0108] Second Embodiment Next, a wearable device design support device of a second embodiment will be described. The wearable device design support device of the second embodiment differs from the wearable device design support device of the first embodiment in that it determines concave-convex shape parameters for each of a plurality of divided regions. The following description will focus on the differences. In the description of the second embodiment, components that are assigned the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are the same or substantially similar.

[0109] The hardness information acquisition unit 107 of the attachment design support device 10 of the second embodiment generates a plurality of divided regions by dividing the attachment corresponding region AR (in other words, divides the attachment corresponding region AR into a plurality of divided regions). In this example, the number of divided regions is four. However, the number of divided regions may be two, three, five or more.

[0110] In this example, the hardness information acquisition unit 107 divides the attachment corresponding area AR at equal intervals in the long side direction of the attachment corresponding area AR. Note that the hardness information acquisition unit 107 may divide the attachment corresponding area AR at equal intervals in the short side direction of the attachment corresponding area AR instead of or in addition to the long side direction of the attachment corresponding area AR.

[0111] The hardness information acquiring unit 107 may also divide the attachment corresponding area AR based on the hardness information. In this case, the hardness information acquiring unit 107 may divide the attachment corresponding area AR so that the hardness information acquired for the positions included in each divided area indicates similar hardness.

[0112] The hardness information acquisition unit 107 may also receive divided region information input by a user of the attachment body design support device 10 via the input device 13. The divided region information represents a plurality of divided regions.

[0113] The hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information for each of the generated divided regions. In this example, the hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information for each of the multiple second sample positions in each divided region. Note that the hardness information acquisition unit 107 may acquire hardness information for only one second sample position in each divided region.

[0114] In this example, the area where each divided area is projected onto the biological surface in the reference direction RD corresponds to the area included in the biological surface. Therefore, in this example, when the hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information for a divided area, the hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information for the divided area that corresponds to the divided area and is included in the biological surface.

[0115] The attachment shape information generating unit 108 determines a concave-convex shape parameter for each of the plurality of divided regions based on the hardness information acquired for that divided region. In this example, the attachment shape information generating unit 108 determines a concave-convex shape parameter for each of the plurality of divided regions such that the softer the hardness represented by the representative value acquired for that divided region, the higher the contact rate with the region corresponding to that divided region and included in the biological surface.

[0116] The contact rate for a region included in the living body surface is the ratio of the area of ​​contact between the region and the region-facing portion of the attachment surface that faces the region to the area of ​​the region-facing portion.

[0117] The contact area between the region included in the biological tissue surface and the attachment surface of the attachment body may vary depending on the hardness of the region, so the contact rate may be determined based on the shape of the attachment surface of the attachment body.

[0118] For example, the contact rate for a region included in the biological surface is the ratio of the sum of the areas of the top surface neighboring regions of multiple convex portions included in the region-facing portion, which is the portion of the attachment surface facing the region, to the area of ​​the region-facing portion. The region near the top surface of a convex portion is a region consisting of the top surface of the convex portion and the portion of the side surface between the top surface of the convex portion and the top surface neighboring curved surface.

[0119] The top-surface-neighboring curved surface is a curved surface obtained by moving a curved surface formed by the top surfaces of multiple convex portions (in this example, the surface of the intersecting solid body CC that is closer to the biological surface by a predetermined protruding distance in the reference direction RD) by a predetermined neighboring distance in the opposite direction to the reference direction RD. For example, the neighboring distance is a length between 0 μm and 300 μm. In this example, the neighboring distance is 200 μm.

[0120] Also, for example, the contact rate with respect to an area included in the biological structure surface may be the ratio of the sum of the areas of the top surfaces of multiple convex portions included in the area-facing portion, which is the portion of the attachment surface that faces the area, to the area of ​​the area-facing portion.

[0121] In this example, the attachment shape information generation unit 108 determines the unevenness shape parameters for each of the multiple divided regions so that the distance between the convex portions becomes shorter as the hardness represented by the representative value obtained for that divided region becomes softer, and the diameter of the top surface of each convex portion remains constant regardless of the hardness represented by the representative value.

[0122] The attachment shape information generating unit 108 may determine the concave-convex shape parameters for each of the plurality of divided regions such that the diameter of the top surface of each convex portion increases as the hardness represented by the representative value acquired for that divided region decreases, and the distance between convex portions remains constant regardless of the hardness represented by the representative value. The attachment shape information generating unit 108 may also determine the concave-convex shape parameters for each of the plurality of divided regions such that the diameter of the top surface of each convex portion increases as the hardness represented by the representative value acquired for that divided region decreases, and the distance between convex portions remains constant.

[0123] The wearing body shape information generating unit 108 generates wearing body shape information based on the generated intersection solid information and the unevenness shape parameters determined for each of the multiple divided regions. In this example, the wearing body shape information represents a three-dimensional shape in which, for each of the multiple divided regions, convexity-constituting solids corresponding to each of multiple convexities having shapes and positions specified by the unevenness shape parameters are added to the intersection solid in a region of the surface of the intersection solid represented by the intersection solid information that is closer to the biological structure surface, corresponding to the divided region. The description of the functions of the wearing body design support device 10 of the second embodiment may be supplemented by the description of the operation of the wearing body design support device 10 below.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 21, the attachment design support device 10 of the second embodiment executes the processing of step S107 in FIG. 16, and then executes the processing of step S301B, step S108B, step S109B, and step S110B in FIG. 21.

[0125] The wearer design support device 10 generates a plurality of divided regions by dividing the wearer corresponding region AR (in other words, divides the wearer corresponding region AR into a plurality of divided regions) (step S301B in FIG. 21).

[0126] Next, the attachment design support device 10 acquires hardness information for each divided area generated in step S301B based on the biological component shape information stored in the storage device 12 and the position information and reference direction information received in step S103 of FIG. 16 (step S108B of FIG. 21).

[0127] Next, the attachment body design support device 10 determines the concave-convex shape parameters for each divided region generated in step S301B based on the hardness information acquired in step S108B (step S109B in FIG. 21).

[0128] Next, the wearable body design support device 10 generates wearable body shape information based on the intersection solid information generated in step S107 of Fig. 16 and the concave-convex shape parameters for each divided area determined in step S109B (step S110B of Fig. 21). Next, the wearable body design support device 10A ends the processing of Fig. 21.

[0129] The processes of step S301B, step S108B, and step S109B may be executed at any timing between the process of step S103 and the process of step S110B.

[0130] For example, the attachment body may be manufactured using a technique called 3D printing or three-dimensional modeling. In this example, as shown in Fig. 22, attachment body shape information generated by the attachment body design support device 10 is input to a 3D printer, and the 3D printer forms the three-dimensional shape represented by the attachment body shape information, thereby manufacturing the attachment body 1B.

[0131] For example, as shown in Figure 22, the mounting body 1B of the second embodiment corresponds to multiple (four in this example) divided regions, and the mounting surface 1Ba has multiple recesses or protrusions in each of the multiple regions DR1 to DR4 included in the mounting surface 1Ba.

[0132] Fig. 22 is a front view of the attachment 1B as viewed from the attachment surface 1Ba side. In Fig. 22, the recesses or protrusions are represented by a dot pattern for the sake of simplicity, and the darker the color of the dot pattern, the higher the contact rate.

[0133] In this example, it is assumed that the hardness of the biologically constituted surface to which region DR1 is attached is the softest, the hardness of the biologically constituted surface to which region DR4 is attached is the hardest, and the hardness of the biologically constituted surface to which regions DR2 and DR3 are attached is between the hardness of the biologically constituted surface to which region DR1 is attached and the hardness of the biologically constituted surface to which region DR4 is attached.

[0134] Therefore, in this example, the attachment surface 1Ba of the attachment body 1B has a plurality of convex portions with the highest contact rate in region DR1, a plurality of convex portions with the lowest contact rate in region DR4, and a plurality of convex portions in regions DR2 and DR3 with contact rates between the contact rate in region DR1 and the contact rate in region DR4. Note that the attachment body 1B may have at least one non-convex / concave region.

[0135] The wearable body design support device 10 of the second embodiment achieves the same effects and advantages as the wearable body design support device 10 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the wearable body design support device 10 of the second embodiment, the contact rate for a region included in the biological structure surface is the ratio of the area of ​​contact between the region and a region-opposing portion of the wearable surface, which is a portion of the wearable surface facing the region, to the area of ​​the region-opposing portion. Additionally, the hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information for each of the first region and the second region included in the biological structure surface. When the hardness represented by the hardness information for the first region is softer than the hardness represented by the hardness information for the second region, the wearable body shape information generation unit 108 generates wearable body shape information such that the contact rate for the first region is higher than the contact rate for the second region.

[0136] This makes it possible to easily design the attachment body 1B in which the attachment surface 1Ba has a plurality of recesses or protrusions that are provided so as to have different contact rates with a plurality of regions included in the living body surface.

[0137] Furthermore, in the attachment design support device 10 of the second embodiment, when the hardness represented by the hardness information for the first region is softer than the hardness represented by the hardness information for the second region, the attachment shape information generation unit 108 generates attachment shape information so that the distance between the convex portions in the first region is shorter than the distance between the convex portions in the second region.

[0138] This reduces the processing load for generating the attachment shape information compared to when the contact rate is changed by changing the shape of the convex portion.

[0139] Furthermore, the wearing body 1B of the second embodiment achieves the same effects and advantages as the wearing body 1 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the wearing body 1B of the second embodiment, the contact rate with respect to a region included in the biological constituting surface is the ratio of the area of ​​contact between the region and a region-facing portion of the wearing surface 1Ba that faces the region to the area of ​​the region-facing portion. The multiple concave or convex portions are configured so that when the hardness of the biological constituting surface in a first region included in the biological constituting surface is softer than the hardness of the biological constituting surface in a second region included in the biological constituting surface, the contact rate with the first region is higher than the contact rate with the second region.

[0140] This allows the area of ​​the attachment surface 1Ba separated from the bioconstituting surface to be sufficiently large in accordance with the hardness of the bioconstituting surface, even if the hardness of the bioconstituting surface varies considerably among multiple regions included in the bioconstituting surface, thereby preventing the obstruction of blood flow or vascularization near the bioconstituting surface.

[0141] <Third Embodiment> Next, a wearing body design support device of a third embodiment will be described. The wearing body design support device of the third embodiment differs from the wearing body design support device of the first embodiment in that the positions of multiple convex portions are determined based on the distribution of hardness of a biological surface. The following description will focus on the differences. In the description of the third embodiment, parts that are assigned the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are the same or substantially similar.

[0142] The hardness information acquisition unit 107 of the third embodiment acquires hardness distribution information based on the biological component shape information stored in the biological component shape information storage unit 101, the reference direction information accepted by the reference direction information acceptance unit 103, and the position information accepted by the position information acceptance unit 104.

[0143] In this example, the hardness distribution information includes hardness information representing the hardness of the biological surface at each of a plurality of distribution positions included in the biological surface, which correspond to a plurality of positions obtained by projecting a plurality of third sample positions within the attachment corresponding area AR on the reference plane PL onto the biological surface in the reference direction RD.

[0144] In this example, the third specimen positions are located in a square lattice pattern in the wearing body corresponding area AR. Note that the third specimen positions may be located such that the third specimen positions within the wearing body corresponding area AR on the reference plane PL are projected in the reference direction RD onto a surface of the intersecting solid CC that is closer to the biological body surface, and the projected positions are located in a square lattice pattern on the surface.

[0145] The attachment shape information generation unit 108 generates attachment shape information representing the three-dimensional shape of the attachment based on the smooth curved surface information acquired by the smooth curved surface information acquisition unit 106 and the hardness distribution information acquired by the hardness information acquisition unit 107.

[0146] First, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 generates intersection solid information representing the intersection solid CC based on the smooth surface information, as in the first embodiment. In this example, the intersection solid CC corresponds to a basic solid having no concave or convex portions, and the intersection solid information corresponds to basic solid information representing the basic solid. In this example, of the surfaces of the intersection solid CC, the surface closest to the biological body configuration surface constitutes a part of the wearing surface.

[0147] Next, the attachment shape information generating unit 108 generates attachment shape information so that the attachment surface has a plurality of convex portions based on the hardness distribution information acquired by the hardness information acquiring unit 107 and the generated intersection solid information. The attachment surface is the portion of the surface of the attachment that is attached to the biological structure surface.

[0148] In this example, the convex portions are frustum-shaped. Alternatively, the convex portions may be frustum-shaped. In this example, the multiple convex portions protrude a predetermined protrusion distance in the reference direction RD from the surface of the intersecting solid CC that is closer to the biological surface. In this example, the top surfaces of the multiple convex portions are located within a curved surface obtained by moving the surface of the intersecting solid CC that is closer to the biological surface by the predetermined protrusion distance in the reference direction RD.

[0149] The top surface of each convex portion may be located in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction at the center of the convex portion on the surface of the intersection solid CC that is closer to the biological surface, or may form part of the surface of a sphere or ellipsoid.

[0150] In this example, first, the attachment shape information generation unit 108 determines the positions of multiple filling solids by closely packing the multiple filling solids on the placement surface, which is the surface of the intersecting solid CC that is closer to the biological configuration surface.

[0151] In this example, the filling solid is a sphere. The center of the filling solid is located within the placement surface. The volume of the filling solid becomes smaller as the hardness information obtained for the distribution position closest to the center of the filling solid and included in the biological surface becomes softer. In this example, the diameter of the filling solid becomes smaller as the hardness information obtained for the distribution position closest to the center of the filling solid and included in the biological surface becomes softer.

[0152] 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which multiple filling solids FS are closely packed on the placement surface. In FIG. 23, the darker the color, the harder the stiffness of the biological constituent surface BD. As shown in FIG. 23, in this example, the attachment shape information generating unit 108 determines the positions of the multiple filling solids FS so that the distance between the centers FSC of the filling solids FS becomes shorter as the stiffness of the biological constituent surface BD becomes softer.

[0153] For example, the method of determining the positions of a plurality of filling solids by closest packing the plurality of filling solids may be a method called a bubble mesh method. Note that the filling solids may be ellipsoids, rectangular parallelepipeds, or the like. In this case, the attachment shape information generating unit 108 may use the positions of the centers of gravity of the filling solids instead of the positions of the centers of the filling solids.

[0154] Next, the attachment shape information generating unit 108 determines the positions of the plurality of protrusions based on the determined positions of the plurality of filling solids. In this example, the attachment shape information generating unit 108 determines the positions of the centers of the determined plurality of filling solids as the positions of the centers of the plurality of protrusions. In this example, the diameter of the top surface of each protrusion and the height of each protrusion (in other words, the protrusion distance) are each set to a predetermined value.

[0155] For example, the distance between the protrusions is 1 mm to 10 mm, the diameter of the top surface of each protrusion is 0.1 mm to 5 mm, and the height of each protrusion is 0.3 mm to 2 mm.

[0156] Next, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 generates wearing body shape information based on the generated intersection solid information and the determined positions of the plurality of convex portions. In this example, the wearing body shape information represents a three-dimensional shape in which convex-portion-constituting solids CP corresponding to each of the plurality of convex portions having the determined positions of the plurality of convex portions are added to the intersection solid CC on the surface of the intersection solid CC represented by the intersection solid information that is closer to the biological surface.

[0157] Fig. 24 is a partially enlarged view of a contact surface of the three-dimensional shape of the attachment, as viewed in the direction opposite to the reference direction RD.

[0158] In this example, the wearing body shape information generating unit 108 generates wearing body shape information representing the three-dimensional shape of the wearing body by adding convex-portion-constituting solids corresponding to each of the plurality of convex portions to the intersection solid CC. The wearing body shape information generating unit 108 may generate wearing body shape information representing the three-dimensional shape of the wearing body whose surface has a plurality of convex portions by removing, from the intersection solid CC, a portion of the intersection solid CC near the surface that is closer to the living body constituting surface.

[0159] When generating the attachment shape information, the attachment shape information generating unit 108 may perform a process of rounding at least a part of the portion corresponding to the corner of the intersection solid body CC (in other words, fillet processing).

[0160] Furthermore, the wearing body shape information generation unit 108 may generate the wearing body shape information so that the wearing surface has multiple recesses instead of multiple convex portions. In this case, the wearing body shape information generation unit 108 determines the positions of multiple recesses instead of the positions of multiple convex portions. In this case, it is preferable that the volume of the filling solid increases as the hardness represented by the hardness information acquired for the distribution configuration position opposite the center position of the filling solid and closest to the position included in the biological configuration surface becomes softer. The description of the functions of the wearing body design support device 10 of the third embodiment may be supplemented by the following description of the operation of the wearing body design support device 10.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 25, the attachment design support device 10 of the third embodiment executes the processing of step S107 in FIG. 16, and then executes the processing of step S108C, step S109C, and step S110C in FIG.

[0162] The attachment design support device 10 acquires hardness distribution information based on the biological component shape information stored in the storage device 12 and the position information and reference direction information received in step S103 of FIG. 16 (step S108C of FIG. 25).

[0163] Next, the attachment design support device 10 generates attachment shape information based on the intersection solid information generated in step S107 of Fig. 16 and the hardness distribution information acquired in step S108C (step S110C of Fig. 25). Next, the attachment design support device 10 ends the processing of Fig. 25.

[0164] For example, the attachment may be manufactured using a technology called 3D printing or three-dimensional modeling. In this example, the attachment shape information generated by the attachment design support device 10 is input to a 3D printer, and the 3D printer forms the three-dimensional shape represented by the attachment shape information, thereby manufacturing the attachment.

[0165] For example, as shown in Figure 24, the attachment body of the third embodiment has multiple convex portions on the attachment surface so that the distance between the convex portions becomes shorter as the hardness of the biological structure surface at the position opposite the attachment surface becomes softer.

[0166] In other words, in the attachment of the third embodiment, when the hardness of the bioconstituting surface in a first region included in the bioconstituting surface is softer than the hardness of the bioconstituting surface in a second region included in the bioconstituting surface, the multiple convex portions are configured so that the contact rate with the first region is higher than the contact rate with the second region. The contact rate with a region included in the bioconstituting surface is the ratio of the area of ​​contact between the region and the region-facing portion of the attachment surface that faces the region to the area of ​​the region-facing portion. The attachment may have at least one non-convex region.

[0167] The wearable body design support device 10 of the third embodiment achieves the same effects and advantages as the wearable body design support device 10 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the wearable body design support device 10 of the third embodiment, the hardness information acquisition unit 107 acquires hardness information for each of a plurality of positions (distribution positions in this example) included in the biological body surface. The wearable body shape information generation unit 108 determines the positions of a plurality of filling solids by closely packing a plurality of filling solids on the surface (arrangement surface in this example) of a basic solid that forms part of the wearable surface and has no concave or convex portions. The unit then determines the positions of a plurality of convex portions based on the determined positions of the filling solids, and generates wearable body shape information based on the determined positions of the plurality of convex portions and basic solid information representing the basic solid. The volume of the filling solid becomes smaller as the hardness represented by the hardness information acquired for a position opposite the position of the filling solid and included in the biological body surface becomes softer.

[0168] This makes it easy to design a mounting body in which the distance between the convex portions changes smoothly in accordance with the distribution of hardness of the tissue surface.

[0169] The wearable body design support device 10 of the third embodiment acquires hardness distribution information in advance and closely packs a plurality of filling solids based on the acquired hardness distribution information. Note that, instead of acquiring hardness distribution information in advance, the wearable body design support device 10 may be configured to acquire hardness information for positions where the filling solids are to be placed when closely packing a plurality of filling solids.

[0170] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art may be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0171] The corners or edges (in other words, edges) of the concave or convex portions of the attachment bodies 1, 1A, and 1B may be rounded (in other words, they may have a filleted shape). For example, the edges of the top surface of each convex portion may be rounded. Furthermore, the corners or edges of the attachment bodies 1, 1A, and 1B at the portion corresponding to the intersecting solid CC may be rounded. This makes it possible to prevent excessive stress in the biological component caused by the attachment bodies 1, 1A, and 1B coming into contact with the biological component surface BD.

[0172] 1, 1A, 1B Wearing body 1a, 1Aa, 1Ba Wearing surface 10, 10A Wearing body design support device 11 Processing device 12 Storage device 13 Input device 14 Output device 101 Living body constituent part shape information storage unit 102 Living body constituent basic surface shape information generation unit 103 Reference direction information reception unit 104 Position information reception unit 105 Projection position information acquisition unit 106 Smooth curved surface information acquisition unit 107 Hardness information acquisition unit 108 Wearing body shape information generation unit 109 Concave-convex area information reception unit AR Wearing body corresponding area BD Living body constituent surface BS Living body constituent basic surface BU1 Bus CC Intersecting solid CP Convex part constituent solid CS Surface FS Filling solid FSC Center MC1 First moving solid MC2 Second moving solid NPR Concave-convex area PL Reference plane PP-1 to PP-N Projection position RD Reference direction SC-1, SC-3, SC-13, SC-15 Corner extension auxiliary position SP-1 to SP-N First sample position SR-3, SR-6, SR-9, SR-12, SR-15, SL-1, SL-4, SL-7, SL-10, SL-13 Long side extension auxiliary position SS Smooth surface SU-1, SU-2, SU-3, SD-13, SD-14, SD-15 Short side extension auxiliary position

Claims

1. A wearable body design support device that supports the design of a wearable body to be attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body, comprising: a hardness information acquisition unit that acquires hardness information, which is information that represents the hardness of the biological surface; and a wearable body shape information generation unit that generates wearable body shape information that represents the three-dimensional shape of the wearable body based on the acquired hardness information, so that the wearable surface, which is the part of the surface of the wearable body that is attached to the biological surface, has a plurality of concave or convex parts.

2. A wearable body design support device as described in claim 1, wherein the wearable body shape information generation unit generates the wearable body shape information so that the area of ​​contact between the biological structure surface and the wearable body surface becomes larger as the hardness represented by the acquired hardness information becomes softer.

3. A wearable body design support device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the contact rate for a region included in the biological constituent surface is a ratio of the area of ​​contact between a region opposing portion of the wearable surface that is the portion opposing the region and the region, to the area of ​​the region opposing portion; the hardness information acquisition unit acquires the hardness information for each of a first region and a second region included in the biological constituent surface; and the wearable body shape information generation unit generates the wearable body shape information so that the contact rate for the first region is higher than the contact rate for the second region when the hardness represented by the hardness information for the first region is softer than the hardness represented by the hardness information for the second region.

4. A wearable body design support device as described in claim 3, wherein the wearable body shape information generation unit generates the wearable body shape information so that, when the hardness represented by the hardness information for the first region is softer than the hardness represented by the hardness information for the second region, the distance between the convex portions in the first region is shorter than the distance between the convex portions in the second region.

5. A wearing body design support device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hardness information acquisition unit acquires the hardness information for each of a plurality of positions included in the biological body constituting surface, the wearing body shape information generation unit determines the positions of the plurality of filling solids by closely packing the plurality of filling solids on a surface of a basic solid that constitutes a part of the wearing surface and has no concave or convex portions, thereby determining the positions of the plurality of convex portions based on the determined positions of the plurality of filling solids, and generates the wearing body shape information based on the determined positions of the plurality of convex portions and basic solid information representing the basic solid, and the volume of the filling solid becomes smaller as the hardness represented by the hardness information acquired for a position opposite to the position of the filling solid and included in the biological body constituting surface becomes softer.

6. A wearable body design support device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an area information acquisition unit that acquires area information representing an area included in the wearable surface, and the wearable body shape information generation unit generates the wearable body shape information such that the wearable surface does not have the concave or convex portion in the area represented by the acquired area information.

7. A method for supporting design of a wearable body to be attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body, comprising: acquiring hardness information that is information representing the hardness of the biological surface; and generating, based on the acquired hardness information, wearable body shape information that represents the three-dimensional shape of the wearable body so that the attachment surface, which is the part of the surface of the wearable body that is attached to the biological surface, has a plurality of concave or convex portions.

8. A wearable body design support program that causes a computer to execute a process to support the design of a wearable body to be attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body, the process including: acquiring hardness information that is information that represents the hardness of the biological surface; and generating wearable body shape information that represents the three-dimensional shape of the wearable body based on the acquired hardness information so that the attachment surface, which is the part of the surface of the wearable body that is attached to the biological surface, has a plurality of concave or convex portions.

9. A mounting body to be attached to a biological surface, which is the surface of a part that constitutes a living body, wherein the mounting surface has a plurality of concave or convex portions such that the softer the hardness of the biological surface, the larger the area of ​​contact between the biological surface and a mounting surface, which is the part of the surface of the mounting body that is attached to the biological surface.

10. A wearing body as described in claim 9, wherein the contact rate with respect to a region included in the bioconstitutive surface is the ratio of the area of ​​contact between a region-facing portion of the wearing surface that faces the region and the region to the area of ​​the region-facing portion, and the multiple concave or convex portions are configured such that when the hardness of the bioconstitutive surface in a first region included in the bioconstitutive surface is softer than the hardness of the bioconstitutive surface in a second region included in the bioconstitutive surface, the contact rate with the first region is higher than the contact rate with the second region.