Posterior neck supporter for alleviating symptom of sleep-related respiratory disorder

Abstract

This posterior neck supporter 100 makes it possible to sleep in a state in which an airway is secured even in a supine position. An approximately rectangular sheet member 10 has a plurality of air sealing parts 11 that are formed along the longitudinal direction thereof and formed at intervals in the lateral direction. The sheet member 10 is wound in the lateral direction to form a columnar shape.

Description

Neck supporter for alleviating symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorders

[0001] The present invention relates to a neck supporter for alleviating symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorders.

[0002] For example, sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea syndrome or snoring are caused in part by the jaw dropping and the airway being blocked when going to bed in the supine position. Therefore, it is considered desirable for people with sleep-related breathing disorders to go to bed in the lateral position where it is easier to secure the airway.

[0003] As a bedding for alleviating the symptoms of conventional sleep-related breathing disorders, for example, a backrest as shown in Patent Document 1 is considered. This backrest consists of an air cushion and a fixture for fixing the air cushion to the back of clothing, and it is said that by fixing the backrest to the back of clothing, the lateral position during sleep can be stably maintained.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-68482

[0005] However, the backrest for maintaining the lateral position has a problem that the load on the shoulders due to the user's own weight and the fixture is large.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable a person with sleep-related breathing disorders to go to bed with the airway secured even in the supine position.

[0007] That is, the neck supporter according to the present invention supports the back of the neck of a user having sleep-related breathing disorders when the user goes to bed in the supine position and alleviates the symptoms of the sleep-related breathing disorders. It consists of a sheet member having a substantially rectangular shape, and the sheet member has a plurality of air encapsulation portions formed along its longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the short side direction, and the sheet member is wound in the short side direction to form a cylindrical shape.

[0008] This neck support prevents the chin from dropping when the user sleeps in a supine position by supporting the posterior neck, thus ensuring an open airway even in this position. Furthermore, the cylindrical shape of the neck support allows it to conform to the user's neck, making it less likely to come off during sleep. Since the neck support is constructed by wrapping a sheet material around it, it is easy to adjust to the height of the user's neck. Moreover, because this neck support supports only the posterior neck, the head does not lift, making it easier to maintain an open airway. In addition, because it has multiple air-filled sections, the weight of the user's neck is distributed among these sections, preventing the entire neck support from becoming excessively distorted, stably supporting the posterior neck, and maintaining a posture where the chin does not drop.

[0009] The posterior neck support of the present invention preferably further comprises a retaining member that holds the sheet member in a cylindrical shape when it is wound around it. With this configuration, the sheet member can maintain its cylindrical shape while sleeping.

[0010] In order for the posterior neck support of the present invention to properly support the user's posterior neck, it is desirable to form the sheet member into a cylindrical shape by winding it around a core material having a predetermined rigidity. With this configuration, even when used on soft bedding, the posterior neck support will not bend easily, and the cylindrical shape of the sheet member will not be lost during use.

[0011] In the posterior neck support of the present invention, it is preferable that the sheet member is formed by sealing air between overlapping airtight resin sheets. With this configuration, it is easy to clean and use while maintaining hygiene, and because it is lightweight, it can be easily carried. Furthermore, since mass-produced air cushioning material can be used as the sheet member, it can be manufactured inexpensively and easily, and because it is easy to cut, it can be easily adjusted to the user's desired size.

[0012] For the posterior neck support of the present invention to properly support the user's posterior neck, it is desirable that the diameter of the plurality of air-filled portions of the sheet member be in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm, and the number of the plurality of air-filled portions of the sheet member be in the range of 4 to 10. With this configuration, a posterior neck support that fits the user's posterior neck can be made, and the pillow will be less likely to come off during sleep.

[0013] According to the present invention configured in this way, a person with sleep-related respiratory disorder can sleep with their airway open, even when lying on their back.

[0014] This is a side view showing the use of a posterior neck support according to one embodiment of the present invention. (a) A plan view, (b) A front view, (c) A side view, and (d) A perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the sheet member according to the same embodiment. (a) A plan view, (b) A side view, and (c) A perspective view schematically showing the posterior neck support according to the same embodiment.

[0015] <An Embodiment of the Present Embodiment> An embodiment of the posterior neck support 100 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, all of the following figures are schematically depicted with appropriate omissions or exaggerations for clarity. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the posterior neck support 100 of this embodiment is used by a user U who has, for example, sleep apnea syndrome or other sleep-related breathing disorders such as snoring, when sleeping in a supine position. Here, the posterior neck support 100 is placed between the user U's posterior neck N and the bedding B, and supports the posterior neck N so as to conform to the shape of the posterior neck N.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the posterior neck support 100 of this embodiment comprises a generally rectangular sheet member 10 and a holding member 20 that holds the sheet member 10 in a wound state.

[0018] The sheet member 10 forms the main body of the posterior neck support 100. Specifically, the sheet member 10 is formed along its longitudinal direction and has a plurality of air-filled sections 11 formed at intervals of, for example, 1 to 3 mm in the transverse direction. These air-filled sections 11 are filled with air at a predetermined pressure. The air-filled sections 11 are generally identical in shape to each other. Each air-filled section 11 is generally cylindrical in shape, with a length of, for example, 360 mm and a diameter in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm. In addition, the number of air-filled sections 11 is in the range of 4 to 10.

[0019] This sheet member 10 is formed by sealing air between overlapping airtight resin sheets 13, and has a sealing portion 12 that surrounds each air-sealed portion 11. Here, the sealing portion 12 is formed by pressing the overlapping resin sheets 13 together. In other words, the multiple air-sealed portions 11 are spaces partitioned by the sealing portion 12 in which air is sealed. The resin sheets 13 are made of polyethylene, for example, but may be made of other resins. The thickness of the resin sheets 13 is, for example, 70 μm.

[0020] The holding member 20 holds the sheet member 10 in a cylindrical shape after it has been wound, and is provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical sheet member 10. The sheet member 10 is wound in its short direction, and as shown in Figure 3(b), a plurality of air-filled sections 11 are arranged circumferentially. In other words, the plurality of air-filled sections 11 are wound so as to form a single bundle. At this time, the outer surfaces of adjacent air-filled sections 11 are in contact with each other.

[0021] Therefore, the retaining member 20 is provided to tighten the cylindrical sheet member 10 in the circumferential direction. This retaining member 20 may be, for example, a rubber ring or a tape, and its form and material are not limited. If the retaining member 20 covers only a part of the cylindrical sheet member 10, it is desirable that it be provided in a part other than the central part. This central part refers to the part of the cylindrical sheet member 10 that comes into contact with the posterior neck N (for example, within 100 mm from the center in the longitudinal direction toward both ends). In this case, if the retaining member 20 is provided to tighten the part of the cylindrical sheet member 10 other than the central part, the internal pressure in the central part of the multiple air-filled parts 11 that support the posterior neck N increases, increasing the repulsive force and providing the effect of stably supporting the posterior neck N.

[0022] <Effects of this Embodiment> With the posterior neck support 100 of this embodiment, when the user U sleeps in a supine position, the posterior neck N is supported, preventing the chin from dropping, thus ensuring an open airway even in a supine position. Furthermore, by positioning the cylindrical posterior neck support 100 along the posterior neck N, the posterior neck support 100 is less likely to come off the posterior neck N during sleep. Here, since the sheet member 10 is wrapped around, it is easy to adjust it to the height of the user U's posterior neck N. Moreover, since the posterior neck support 100 supports only the posterior neck N, the head does not lift, making it easier to ensure an open airway. Furthermore, since there are multiple air-filled sections 11, the load on the user U's posterior neck N is distributed among the multiple air-filled sections 11, so the entire posterior neck support 100 does not become significantly distorted, stably supporting the posterior neck N and maintaining a posture where the chin does not drop.

[0023] Since the sheet member 10 is made of a polyethylene resin sheet 13, it is easy to clean and can be used while maintaining hygiene, and because it is lightweight, it is also easy to carry. Furthermore, because polyethylene sheets are easy to process, they can be easily adjusted to fit the posterior neck N of the user U.

[0024] Furthermore, by providing the retaining member 20, not only can the sheet member 10 maintain its cylindrical shape, but the resilience of the posterior neck supporter 100 is increased, resulting in the effect of stably supporting the posterior neck N.

[0025] <Modified Embodiments of the Invention> However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0026] The retaining member 20 may, for example, cover the entire cylindrical sheet member 10. For example, by wrapping the cylindrical sheet member 10 in a thin cloth such as a towel, or by placing it in a cloth bag sized to fit the outer circumference of the cylindrical sheet member 10, the moisture absorption will be increased and the feel against the skin will also be improved. Furthermore, by providing a retaining member 20 that covers the entire cylindrical sheet member 10, the posterior neck support 100 will become less likely to slip and will not shift from the posterior neck N, so the posterior neck support 100 can be used in a stable state.

[0027] For example, when forming the sheet member 10 into a cylindrical shape, it may be wound along a rigid core material. Alternatively, the sheet member 10 may be wound into a cylindrical shape first, and then a rigid core material may be inserted into the center of the winding. In this case, it is desirable that the core material be made of a material with sufficient rigidity, such as a wooden stick, so as not to break or bend under the weight of the user U's neck. With this configuration, even if the bedding B is soft, the posterior neck support 100 will not bend easily, and the sheet member 10 can be used without losing its cylindrical shape.

[0028] Furthermore, a core material with a cooling effect, such as a cooling pack, may be used. With such a posterior neck support 100, the posterior neck N can be cooled while maintaining the airway of the user U. Similarly, a hot water bottle or heat storage material may be used as the core material, or a material that emits magnetic fields may be used. By using such a posterior neck support 100, it is expected that the thermal effect or magnetic therapeutic effect of the core material will promote blood circulation in the posterior neck N and its surrounding areas, improve metabolism, and so on.

[0029] Furthermore, the sheet member 10 may be, for example, a mass-produced air cushioning material for transporting materials. In this case, the sheet member 10 may be configured to have an opening with a check valve for sealing in air in a part of the sealing portion 12 (specifically, one end in the longitudinal direction), and air may be sealed in through this opening. With this configuration, there is no need to prepare a device for sealing the opening after air is sealed in, and the posterior neck supporter 100 can be easily manufactured.

[0030] Furthermore, the posterior neck support 100 can also be used as a back pain prevention support if it is placed between the bedding or floor and the user's waist while sleeping.

[0031] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit.

[0032] According to the present invention, a person with sleep-related respiratory disorder can sleep with their airway open, even when lying on their back.

[0033] U...User N...User's neck B...Bedding 100...Neck support 10...Sheet material 11...Air-filled part 12...Seal part 13...Resin sheet 20...Retaining member

Claims

1. A posterior neck support for a user with sleep-related respiratory disorder, which supports the posterior neck of the user when the user sleeps in a supine position and alleviates the symptoms of the sleep-related respiratory disorder, comprising a sheet member having a generally rectangular shape, the sheet member having a plurality of air-filled portions formed along its longitudinal direction and spaced apart in its short direction, and the sheet member being rolled up in its short direction to form a cylindrical shape.

2. The posterior neck support according to claim 1, further comprising a holding member that maintains the wound state of the sheet member.

3. The posterior neck support according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet member is wound around a core material having a predetermined rigidity to form a cylindrical shape.

4. The posterior neck support according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet member is formed by sealing air between overlapping airtight resin sheets.

5. The posterior neck support according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diameter of the plurality of air-filled portions of the sheet member is in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm, and the number of the plurality of air-filled portions of the sheet member is in the range of 4 to 10.

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