JP4292252B2 - Continuous passive motion device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) device that prevents contracture by continuously exercising joints such as arms and legs, that is, a continuous passive motion device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The conventional continuous passive motion apparatus prevents joint contracture by, for example, driving a bending and stretching support apparatus that supports a patient's leg or the like by a driving force of an electric motor and continuously moving the joint of the leg. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-51297
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional continuous movement apparatus, since the bending / stretching support apparatus is driven by the driving force of the electric motor, the entire apparatus becomes large and expensive. In addition, since the apparatus is increased in size, it is difficult to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of joints are moved simultaneously. Furthermore, since the apparatus is large and heavy, it is difficult to move the apparatus from the installation room, and the patient has to move to the installation room.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a continuous passive motion apparatus capable of reducing the overall size and weight.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the continuous passive motion apparatus according to the present invention, the first and second frame bodies have a plurality of air tubes arranged in the width direction thereof, and fluid is supplied to the inside of the air tubes. Therefore, the air tube is flexible when the fluid is discharged, and the number of arrangement layers of the air tubes is larger than the center in the width direction of the first and second frame bodies. The actuators are arranged on both sides in the width direction of the first and second frame bodies.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
In the first embodiment, an apparatus for causing the elbow to bend and extend will be described.
1 is a plan view showing a continuous passive motion apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main part of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an operational state of the continuous passive motion apparatus of FIG. FIG.
[0008]
In the figure, a frame device 1 on which a user's arm is placed is a first frame body 2 and a second frame body 3 that is rotatable (bendable) relative to the first frame body 2. And a joint portion 4 disposed between the first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3. The first and second frame bodies 2, 3 have a cloth exterior material 5 and a plurality of air tubes 6 disposed in the exterior material 5.
[0009]
The air tubes 6 are made of a flexible material such as rubber or vinyl, and are arranged in parallel to each other. Further, the number of layers of the air tubes 6 arranged in the thickness direction of the frame device 1 is larger at both ends in the width direction than in the center of the frame device 1 in the width direction. That is, two layers of air tubes 6 are arranged at both ends in the width direction of the frame device 1, and one layer of air tubes 6 is arranged at other locations. All the air tubes 6 are connected to each other by a connecting pipe (not shown) so that air can be supplied and discharged from a common supply port.
[0010]
The joint portion 4 includes a cloth exterior material 5 and a cushion member 7 embedded in the exterior material 5. The cushion member 7 is made of, for example, a sponge. In use, the user's upper arm is applied to the first frame body 2, the user's forearm is applied to the second frame body 3, and the user's elbow is applied to the joint portion 4.
[0011]
The first and second frame bodies 2 and 3 have a predetermined rigidity when air is supplied into the air tube 6 at a predetermined pressure, and are flexible when the air is discharged from the air tube 6. . The predetermined rigidity is a rigidity (strength) enough to support a load of a human body part to be driven, here, a load of an arm, and not to be deformed by the load.
[0012]
A fluid pressure type generating a driving force for rotating the second frame body 3 relative to the first frame body 2 between the first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3. A pair of tube-type air actuators 8 as actuators (pneumatic actuators) are provided. Specifically, the tube-type air actuator 8 is disposed on both sides in the width direction of the first and second frame bodies 2 and 3.
[0013]
The tube-type air actuator 8 is reduced in length by the supply / discharge of air, and generates a driving force (tensile force) at the time of reduction. One end of the tube-type air actuator 8 is fixed to the first frame body 2, and the other end of the tube-type air actuator 8 is fixed to the second frame body 3.
[0014]
A portable control box 9 is connected to the air tube 6 and the tube-type air actuator 8 via a cable 10. The control box 9 includes an air supply unit, a pressure controller, an output selector, a control computer, and the like.
[0015]
The pressure of the air supplied from the air supply unit to the air tube 6 and the tube-type air actuator 8 and the timing of supply / discharge are controlled by a control computer. One or a plurality of operation programs are stored in the control computer.
[0016]
4 is a side view showing the tube-type air actuator 8 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing an expanded state of the tube-type air actuator 8 of FIG. In FIGS. 4 and 5, a part of the mesh sleeve is cut away to show the internal structure.
[0017]
In the figure, a supply / exhaust pipe 15 for supplying / extracting air as fluid to / from the inner tube 12 is connected to one end of the inner tube 12 as an expansion / contraction body in the length direction. A bush (not shown) is inserted into the other end portion in the length direction of the inner tube 12 and is airtightly closed. The inner tube 12 is made of an elastic body such as butyl rubber.
[0018]
The outer periphery of the inner tube 12 is covered with a mesh sleeve 13 which is a net-like covering. The mesh sleeve 13 is made of, for example, a wire material such as high-tensile fiber that does not have stretchability. Both ends in the length direction of the mesh sleeve 13 are fastened by fastening tools 14 a and 14 b, and are thereby fixed to both ends of the inner tube 12.
[0019]
The inner tube 12 is expanded by supplying air therein. At this time, since the wire constituting the mesh sleeve 13 does not have elasticity, the expansion of the inner tube 12 is converted into a reduction in the length of the entire actuator. That is, the tube-type air actuator 8 is reduced in length while being increased in diameter when air is supplied. Due to the reduction in length, the tube-type air actuator 8 generates a driving force (tensile force).
[0020]
Next, the operation will be described. The user places the upper arm and the forearm on the frame device 1 while sleeping on the bed 20, for example, as shown in FIG. In a non-operating state, that is, in a state where air is discharged from all the air tubes 6, the frame device 1 is planar. From this state, by supplying air to all the air tubes 6, the first and second frame bodies 2 and 3 have a predetermined rigidity, and the first and second frames are different depending on the number of layers of the air tubes 6. The frame bodies 2 and 3 are deformed so as to wrap the arms.
[0021]
When the frame device 1 is in close contact with the arm in this way, air is supplied to and discharged from the tube-type air actuator 8 so that the second frame body 3 is moved from the first frame body 2. To rotate. By such reciprocating motion of the second frame body 3, the elbow can be bent and extended. In addition, by selectively supplying and discharging air to either one of the pair of tube-type air actuators 8, it is possible to perform a motion accompanied by a twist such as a pronation or supination motion of the forearm.
[0022]
According to such a continuous passive motion apparatus, the air is supplied to the inside to have a predetermined rigidity, and when the air is discharged, the flexible first and second frame bodies 2 and 3 are placed. Since it is used, the overall size and weight can be reduced. In particular, when not in use, the frame bodies 2 and 3 can be folded, so that they can be easily carried and the space for storage and transportation can be reduced. In addition, it can be easily attached to and detached from the human body.
[0023]
Further, since the tube-type air actuator 8 is used as a drive source, the overall size can be further reduced in size and weight. Therefore, the continuous passive motion apparatus can be easily carried to the place of use, and can be used even when the user is lying on the bed, for example.
[0024]
Further, since the plurality of air tubes 6 are arranged in parallel in the first and second frame bodies 2, 3, they can be folded more compactly when not in use.
Furthermore, since the first and second frame bodies 2 and 3 are deformed so as to wrap the arms by supplying air, the adhesion to the human body is improved and a part of the human body is driven more reliably. be able to. Moreover, the position shift with respect to a human body can be suppressed.
[0025]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, FIG. 7 is a side view showing a usage state of the continuous passive motion apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, a frame device 21 includes a waist sheet 22 on which a waist is placed, a first frame body 23 connected to the waist sheet 22 so as to be rotatable (bendable), and a first frame body 23. The second frame body 24 is connected to the second frame body 24 so as to be capable of being bent (can be bent), and the foot seat 25 is connected to the second frame body 24 so as to be rotatable (bendable).
[0026]
The basic configuration of the first and second frame bodies 23 and 24 is the same as that of the first and second frame bodies 2 and 3 in the first embodiment. However, since the support site is different, the size and rigidity during use are different from those of the first embodiment. Between the first and second frame bodies 23, 24, tube-type air that generates a driving force for rotating (bending) the second frame body 24 relative to the first frame body 23. An actuator 8 is provided. The basic configuration of the tube-type air actuator 8 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0027]
According to such a continuous passive motion apparatus, it is possible to cause the knee to bend and extend with a small and lightweight configuration.
[0028]
In addition, the material of the exterior material which comprises the surface of the 1st and 2nd frame body should just be a flexible material, and may be not only cloth but vinyl etc.
In addition, the tube-type air actuator can be disposed in a cylinder formed of, for example, a frame body exterior material.
Further, in the first and second embodiments, the air tube 6 is provided on the first and second frame bodies 2 and 3, but only one of them may be used depending on the application.
Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the first and second frame bodies 2 and 3 are provided with the air tube 6, but the shape of the portion into which the air is introduced is not limited to the tube shape. Good. In this case, the exterior material is not necessarily provided.
In the first and second embodiments, the continuous passive motion apparatus that drives only one joint is shown. However, by changing the number and arrangement of the frame bodies and actuators, a plurality of joints can be driven simultaneously. May be.
Furthermore, in the said Embodiment 1, 2, although air was used as a fluid, you may use other fluids, such as oil, for example.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the continuous passive motion apparatus according to the present invention, at least one of the first frame body and the second frame body has a predetermined rigidity by supplying a fluid therein, Since it is flexible in a state where the gas is discharged, the overall size and weight can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a continuous passive motion apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an operating state of the continuous passive motion apparatus of FIG. 1;
4 is a side view showing the tube-type air actuator of FIG. 1; FIG.
5 is a side view showing an expanded state of the tube-type air actuator of FIG. 4. FIG.
6 is a side view showing a use state of the continuous passive motion apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a usage state of the continuous passive motion apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2,23 1st frame body, 3,24 2nd frame body, 8 tube type air actuator (fluid pressure actuator), 12 inner tube (expansion and contraction body), 13 mesh sleeve (covering body).

Claims (3)

A first frame body; a second frame body rotatable with respect to the first frame body; and an actuator for rotating the second frame body relative to the first frame body. A continuous passive motion apparatus for causing a part of a human body to exercise by rotating the second frame body with respect to the first frame body,
The first and second frame bodies have a plurality of air tubes arranged in the width direction thereof, and have a predetermined rigidity by supplying fluid into the air tubes . It is flexible when the fluid is discharged,
The number of arrangement layers of the air tubes is larger at both ends in the width direction than the centers in the width direction of the first and second frame bodies,
2. The continuous passive motion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is disposed on both sides of the first and second frame bodies in the width direction.   The actuator includes an expansion / contraction body that expands / contracts when fluid is supplied / discharged, and a net-like covering body that covers an outer periphery of the expansion / contraction body, and the expansion / contraction body expands to length. 2. The continuous passive motion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator that generates a driving force by being reduced.   At least one of the first and second frame bodies is planar when the fluid is discharged, and is deformed so as to wrap a part of the human body by supplying the fluid. The continuous passive motion apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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