JP2018126232A - Lower jaw supporting tool and lower jaw supporting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support a mandible by using a mandibular support tool which can be easily worn, does not cause discomfort even when worn during sleep, and can support the mandible while allowing some movement. Provide a method. A mandibular support is formed of a series of rod-shaped members, and has an annular base portion 110 that is partially opened, a first support portion that supports the central portion of the lower jaw, and a second support that supports the lateral portion of the lower jaw. It has a part. The first support portion is composed of a left side first support member 121 and a right side first support member 122, and elastically deforms according to the vertical movement of the lower jaw. The mandibular support is formed by connecting the opening end of the base portion with the lower end of the first support portion, the upper end of the first support portion with the front end of the second support member. With this structure, when the base portion is placed on the shoulder, the first support portion is arranged below the central portion of the mandible, and the second support portion is arranged along the lateral portion of the mandible. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique related to support of the lower jaw, and more specifically to a support tool formed of a series of rod-shaped members and a support method using the support tool.

  Snoring during sleep is caused by constriction of the airway, especially when sleeping in a supine posture, the jaw muscles relax and the lower jaw retracts, causing the airway to become constricted and the soft palate to vibrate during breathing. It is said that. Moreover, it is thought that when the mandibular retreat further progresses and the airway is blocked, an apnea symptom (obstructive sleep apnea syndrome) is caused.

  In addition, elderly people have contractions in various parts of the body due to a decrease in physical function and muscle strength. In particular, when dementia progresses or cerebral infarction occurs and contracture occurs, joints and muscles may not be kept in the correct position (so-called positioning). If such a state continues, not only will nursing care be difficult, but it will also lead to a decrease in living functions of those who have contracture symptoms.

  Situations in which the position of the lower jaw cannot be controlled by one's own intention is naturally not desirable for the parties, and snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are involved as a trigger for situations in which positioning is difficult to maintain There are also indications. In order to improve snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, mandibular positioning is considered an important preventive measure, and various measures have been taken so far. For example, a method using a mouthpiece configured to push the mandible forward (sleep splint therapy), a method of wearing a small mask that sends air of appropriate pressure to the nose (CPAP therapy: Continuous Airway Pressure), etc. Neck supporters that support the lower jaw to reduce snoring are also available on the market.

  Further, Patent Document 1 positions snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome as a factor in the posture of lying on the back during sleep, and proposes a head-mounted device that can prevent this posture of lying on the back. A protrusion-like “bar-shaped elastic body” is attached to the back of this head-mounted device, and if this is mounted, the bar-shaped elastic body becomes an obstacle and cannot take a supine posture, resulting in snoring or obstruction. It is said that sleep apnea syndrome can be prevented.

  On the other hand, in order to improve the position of the lower jaw, rehabilitation for contracture improvement such as massage and stretching was performed, and measures such as placing a cushion on the flexion side to maintain posture were taken.

JP 2013-233188 A

  Although the technique shown in Patent Document 1 can avoid a supine posture, the head-mounted device covers the entire head, and the jaw is tightened with a “chin holding member”, so that it is comfortable for sleep. It will not be. Furthermore, since the “rod-like elastic body” is attached to the back of the head, it is difficult to turn over and it may wake up each time.

  In addition, problems can also be pointed out in the conventional methods for improving snoring and the like. Sleep splint therapy is worn in the mouth, so it feels a lot of foreign matter and may even develop temporomandibular disorders. Extruding the mandible forward in the long term means applying an unnatural force to the temporomandibular joint, resulting in temporomandibular disorders. CPAP therapy requires a large-scale device and may cause dryness of the airway and bleeding from the nose, so it is not suitable for all patients. The supporter that is attached to the neck and supports the lower jaw may come off from the structure during sleep, and in order to avoid this, it must be strongly tightened and attached. In this case, the user feels uncomfortable, and the temporomandibular joint continues to be pressurized, and temporomandibular disorders may develop as well as sleep splint therapy.

  Furthermore, the conventional technique for improving the contracture symptoms of the lower jaw can still point out the problem from the viewpoint of stable and flexible lower jaw positioning. In addition, rehabilitation cannot be carried out easily because it often requires an assistant, and it cannot be effective unless it is continued for a relatively long time. The measure of putting the cushion on the bent side to maintain the posture is also an emergency measure, and no fundamental improvement can be expected.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, i.e., it can be easily worn, does not become uncomfortable even when worn during sleep, and supports the lower jaw while allowing some movement And a method of supporting the lower jaw using the lower jaw support.

  The present invention was made with a focus on the point of forming a series of rod-shaped members and supporting the central part of the lower jaw while supporting the lower jaw side part, and was made based on an unprecedented idea. It is an invention.

  The lower jaw support device of the present invention is formed of a series of rod-shaped members, and includes a partially opened annular base portion, a first support portion supporting the lower jaw central portion, and a second support portion supporting the lower jaw side portion. It is provided. The first support portion is composed of a left first support member and a right first support member, and elastically deforms following the vertical movement of the lower jaw. The second support part is composed of a left second support member and a right second support member. The left end of the opening of the foundation (the left end constituting the opening) and the lower end of the left first support member are connected, and the upper end of the left first support member and the front end of the left second support member are connected to each other. The right end of the opening (the left end constituting the opening) and the lower end of the right first support member are connected, the upper end of the right first support member and the front end of the right second support member are connected, and the lower jaw A support is formed. By setting it as such a structure, when a base part is mounted on a shoulder, a 1st support part will be arrange | positioned under the lower jaw center part, and a 2nd support part will be arrange | positioned along the lower jaw side part.

  The lower jaw support tool of the present invention may include a flexible core material and a rod-like member constituted by a covering sheath that covers the core material.

  The lower jaw support tool of the present invention may include a left first support member and a right first support member that are formed to be convexly curved with respect to the movement axis of the lower jaw.

  In the lower jaw support of the present invention, the rear side of the left second support member is bent downward and the rear end is fixed to the base portion. Similarly, the rear side of the right second support member is bent downward and the rear end is the base portion. It can also be fixed to the part.

  The lower jaw support of the present invention may further include left and right connecting members. The left and right connecting members can bind the left first support member and the right first support member at an arbitrary interval.

  The lower jaw support tool of the present invention can also include a base portion composed of a left base portion and a right base portion. In this case, the left-side foundation part and the right-side foundation part are detachably connected to the foundation part.

  The lower jaw support device of the present invention is a method of supporting the lower jaw using the lower jaw support device, and is a method including an adjustment step and a mounting step. Of these, in the adjustment step, the lower jaw support is deformed in accordance with the shape of the lower jaw. In the mounting process, the base part of the lower jaw support tool deformed in the adjustment process is placed on the shoulder, the first support part is disposed below the central part of the lower jaw, and the second support part is provided along the lower jaw side part. Arrange. Thereby, while supporting the lower jaw side portion with the second support portion, the lower jaw central portion can be supported by the first support portion while elastically deforming following the vertical movement of the lower jaw.

  The lower jaw support tool of the present invention may be a method of placing the second support portion on the shoulder. Specifically, in the mounting step, the second support portion is placed on the shoulder, the first support portion is disposed below the lower jaw central portion, and the base portion is disposed along the lower jaw side portion. In this case, while supporting the lower jaw side portion by the base portion, the lower jaw central portion can be supported by the first support portion while elastically deforming following the vertical movement of the lower jaw.

The lower jaw support and the lower jaw support method of the present invention have the following effects.
(1) Snoring can be corrected, and symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome can be reduced.
(2) It can be used for positioning and posture maintenance of patients with contracture. As a result, not only can the patient's living function be improved, but aspiration during meals that occurs frequently in the elderly can be prevented, and the burden of care can be reduced.
(3) Since it can be formed mainly by a series of rod-like members, it can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.
(4) Since it is formed of a series of rod-like members, there is no discomfort such as a feeling of weight or pressure even if it is worn, and it can be easily carried.
(5) Since the lower jaw central portion is supported by the first support portion and the lower jaw side portion is supported by the second support portion, the lower jaw can be supported relatively stably. Further, since the first support portion elastically deforms following the vertical movement of the lower jaw, a certain degree of opening is possible, and meals and conversations can be performed freely.
(6) Because it supports the mandibular side partly (in a line form) rather than supporting the mandibular side area, it can be used in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, and even when used during sleep You can get a refreshing sense of sleep.

(A) is a perspective view of the lower jaw support of the present invention, (b) is a plan view of the lower jaw support of the present invention as viewed from above, and (c) is a side view of the lower jaw support of the present invention as viewed from the side. (D) is the rear view which looked at the lower jaw support tool of this invention from back. (A) is a front view showing a user wearing the lower jaw support of the present invention, (b) is a side view showing a user wearing the lower jaw support of the present invention, and (c) is a lower jaw support of the present invention. The rear view showing the user who mounted | wore. The front view showing the user who mounted | worn the lower jaw support tool provided with the right-and-left connection material. (A) is a perspective view of a lower jaw support device in which the rear end of the second support portion is fixed to the base portion, and (b) is a view of the lower jaw support device in which the rear end of the second support portion is fixed to the base portion from above. (C) is a side view of the lower jaw support with the rear end of the second support part fixed to the base part, and (d) is the side view of the second support part fixed to the base part. The rear view which looked at the lower jaw support tool from back. The wave form diagram which shows the audio | voice of the test subject who sleeps with a lower jaw support tool.

  An example of an embodiment of a lower jaw support tool and a lower jaw support method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The “mandibular support” of the present invention is used in the “mandible support method” of the present invention. Therefore, first, the lower jaw support tool will be described in detail, and then the lower jaw support method will be described.

1. 1 is a view showing a lower jaw support tool 100 of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view thereof, (b) is a plan view seen from above, and (c) is a side view seen from a side. (D) is a rear view seen from the rear. As shown in this figure, the lower jaw support tool 100 is formed of a series of rod-shaped members. The lower jaw support tool 100 is placed on the user's shoulder as shown in FIG. 2 to support the lower jaw. FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a usage state of the lower jaw support tool 100, where FIG. 2A is a front view showing a user wearing the lower jaw support tool 100, FIG. 2B is a side view thereof, and FIG. is there.

  Hereinafter, each main element constituting the lower jaw support 100 will be described. In the description of the lower jaw support tool 100, directions (up and down, left and right, front and rear) may be indicated. This is the direction when the lower jaw support tool 100 is in the state shown in FIG. For example, “upper and lower” is the upper or lower side of the lower jaw support 100 in the state of FIG. 1, “left and right” is the right hand side or the left hand side for the user in the state of FIG. Is the front (abdominal side) or the rear (back side) for the user in the state of FIG.

(Bar-shaped member)
As described above, the lower jaw support tool 100 is formed of a series of rod-shaped members. The “bar-shaped member” as used herein refers to a material having a shape whose dimension in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as “axial direction”) is significantly larger than the cross-sectional dimension. In addition, “series” means a state in which a material that is originally linear is processed (deformed) into a target shape, in other words, passes through the same point from one end of the rod-shaped member along the axial direction. It means a state where the other end of the rod-like member is reached without any problems.

  The rod-shaped member used for the lower jaw support tool 100 may be composed of a core material and a covering sheath. This core material is a material having a strength enough to support the lower jaw. Various materials conventionally used such as a metal material such as annealed iron wire (so-called wire) and a relatively high strength synthetic resin material are used. Can be used. Although the heartwood can be used as a rod-like member as it is, pain may be felt when the heartwood touches the user's skin directly. Therefore, the core material may be protected by a covering sheath that covers the outer periphery of the core material. Therefore, it is preferable to use a soft material for the covering sheath. For example, a silicone resin, a silicone resin foam, an EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) resin foam, a synthetic resin such as rubber, or a material such as cotton or nonwoven fabric may be used. .

  As will be described later, the lower jaw support tool 100 supports the lower jaw of the user, but naturally the lower jaw shape of the user is not uniform. The lower jaw support 100 can be formed firmly so as not to be easily deformed, but in this case, it is necessary to assume various lower jaw shapes, that is, the lower jaw support 100 having various sizes and shapes must be prepared in advance. I must. Therefore, it is desirable to form the lower jaw support 100 so that it can be easily deformed (adjusted) according to the shape of the lower jaw of the user. In this case, a material having flexibility is preferably used as the core material. The term “flexibility” as used herein refers to physical properties that are flexible but can be easily deformed (in this case, plastic deformation) without being cut by human force. The property to be determined. For example, when an annealed iron wire is used as the core material, a diameter having flexibility is selected.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 1, the lower jaw support tool 100 includes a base portion 110, a first support portion 120, and a second support portion 130. The base part 110 and the second support part 130 are arranged apart from each other in a vertical direction, so to speak, have a two-layer structure, and the first support part 120 erected in the vertical direction connects them.

(Basic part)
As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the base portion 110 has an annular shape with a part opened, and is so-called “C-shaped”. When the lower jaw support tool 100 is mounted, an opened portion (hereinafter referred to as “opening”) of the base portion 110 is inserted from the back of the user's neck, and the base portion 110 is placed at a predetermined position on the shoulder. Is placed. As a result, since the base portion 110 is mounted so as to wrap around the user's neck, the lower jaw support device 100 is stabilized, and the load acting on the neck lower jaw support device 100 is transmitted to the shoulder via the base portion 110. The

(First support part)
The 1st support part 120 is comprised by the left side 1st support material 121 and the right side 1st support material 122 as shown in FIG.1 (d), and is connected with the both ends of the base part 110 located in an opening part. Specifically, the left end (opening left end) of the opening of the base 110 and the lower end of the left first support member 121 are connected (continuous), and the right end (opening right end) and the right of the opening of the base 110 are connected. The lower end of the first support member 122 is connected (continuous).

  When the lower jaw support tool 100 is attached, as shown in FIG. 2A, the first support portion 120 is disposed below the central portion of the lower jaw of the user. More specifically, the left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122 are disposed so as to rise from the base portion 110 below the chin portion of the lower jaw. Thereby, the 1st support part 120 can support the lower jaw central part (namely, mental part).

  If the first support part 120 is a member that is difficult to deform (in this case, elastic deformation), the user cannot open it, that is, it is difficult to eat or talk. Therefore, the first support portion 120 may be a member that can be elastically deformed following the vertical movement of the lower jaw, and may have a structure that allows a certain degree of opening. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2C, the left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122 are moved forward with respect to an axis in which the lower jaw moves up and down (hereinafter referred to as “movement axis”). The shape is convexly curved. With such a shape, the left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122 are easily bent and deformed with respect to the load in the vertical direction, that is, the first support part 120 follows the vertical movement of the lower jaw. It becomes easy to elastically deform. The left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122 have a curved shape, and the left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122 have a spring structure (that is, the core material is coiled). By adopting various elastic deformation mechanisms conventionally used, the first support portion 120 can be a member that can be elastically deformed following the vertical movement.

  By the way, as can be seen from FIG. 2 (a), if the distance between the left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122 is too large, they are not arranged below the lower jaw central portion, that is, the lower jaw central portion is positioned. It becomes impossible to support properly. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a left and right coupling member for bundling (binding) the left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a user wearing the lower jaw support 100 provided with the left and right connecting members 140. The right and left connecting member 140 shown in this figure is a tape-like member having a hook-and-loop fastener, and one end thereof is wound around and attached to the left first support member 121. In order to bind using the left and right connecting members 140, the distance between the left first supporting member 121 and the right first supporting member 122 is pulled to a desired distance, and in this state, the free ends of the left and right connecting members 140 are moved to the right side. After being wound around the first support member 122, it is fixed with a hook-and-loop fastener. Of course, the right and left connecting members 140 may use either the right first support member 122 of the left first support member 121 as a free end according to the user's dominant hand (right handed or left handed). Further, the left and right connecting members 140 are not limited to the above-described hook-and-loop fastener type, but can adopt a hook type, a button type, and other various fixed types used conventionally.

(Second support part)
As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D, the second support part 130 includes a left second support material 131 and a right second support material 132, and is connected to the first support part 120. Specifically, the upper end of the left first support member 121 and the front end of the left second support member 131 are connected (continuous), and the upper end of the right first support member 122 and the front end of the right second support member 132 are connected. Connected (continuous).

  When the lower jaw support tool 100 is attached, the second support portion 130 is disposed along the lower jaw side portion of the user as shown in FIG. More specifically, the left second support member 131 is disposed along a line extending from the chin portion of the lower jaw to the lower left ear via the left lower jaw angle, and the right second support member 132 is similarly formed of the chin portion. From the right mandibular angle to the right ear and below the right ear. Thereby, the 2nd support part 130 can support the lower jaw side part (namely, a mental part-mandibular angle-ear ear).

  The rear end of the second support portion 130, which is also the both ends of the series of rod-like members, can be a free end that is not fixed elsewhere as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It can also be fixed to the base 110 as shown. 4A and 4B are views showing the lower jaw support 100 in which the rear end of the second support portion 130 is fixed to the base portion 110, wherein FIG. 4A is a perspective view thereof, FIG. 4B is a plan view viewed from above, and FIG. ) Is a side view seen from the side, and (d) is a rear view seen from the rear. Here, for convenience, the lower jaw support 100 having the rear end of the second support portion 130 as a free end is fixed to the base portion 110, particularly the “open type lower jaw support 100a” and the rear end of the second support portion 130. The lower jaw support tool 100 is particularly referred to as a “support type lower jaw support tool 100b”.

  In the open type lower jaw support tool 100a, one end (rear end) of the left second support member 131 and the right second support member 132 is a free end, that is, a cantilever (cantilever) structure. The second support member 131 and the right second support member 132 are mechanisms that are easily displaced in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the open-type lower jaw support tool 100a is mounted, the support of the lower jaw becomes relatively gentle, but the user can open relatively freely. The open-type lower jaw support 100a having such characteristics is not particularly resistant to use during sleep by the user, and is therefore particularly effective when used to improve snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Note that the rear ends of the left second support member 131 and the right second support member 132 may be protected with a cable end cap or the like so that the core material is not exposed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the support type lower jaw support 100 b bends the rear side of the second left support member 131 and the second right support member 132 downward, and the rear end, which is the tip, abuts on the base 110. Is fixed. In addition, although the back side of the left side 2nd support material 131 and the right side 2nd support material 132 which are shown in FIG. 4 is bent in the shape curved convexly, it is not restricted to this, It bends linearly (perpendicularly). You can also. Further, in order to fix the rear end of the second support portion 130 to the base portion 110, it has been conventionally used such as welding both core materials, welding the sheath sheaths, or binding the two with a thread-like material. Various methods can be employed. Alternatively, if the purpose is to support the second support portion 130, the rear end of the second support portion 130 can be simply placed on the base portion 110.

  Since the second support portion 130 of the support-type lower jaw support tool 100b has a beam structure that supports both ends, the left-side second support member 131 and the right-side second support member 132 are difficult to be displaced in the vertical direction. It has become. Therefore, when the support type lower jaw support tool 100b is mounted, the degree of freedom of opening is somewhat suppressed as compared with the open type lower jaw support tool 100a, but the lower jaw can be supported relatively firmly. The support-type lower jaw support tool 100b having such characteristics can stably hold the position of the lower jaw, and thus is particularly effective when used as a positioning or posture holding for a person with deformity contracture of the neck. .

(Dividable lower jaw support)
The lower jaw support tool 100 may be structured such that a part divided into a plurality of parts is assembled at the time of use. If the lower jaw support tool 100 can be divided, it is preferable because it is easy to carry and accommodate. For example, when the lower jaw support tool 100 is divided into two parts, the base part 110 includes a left base part and a right base part. That is, the lower jaw support tool 100 includes a left side part including the left base part, the left first support member 121, and the left second support member 131, and the right base part, the right first support member 122, and the right second support member 132. It is composed of right parts.

  The left base portion and the right base portion are separately formed at a connection end provided at an intermediate portion of the base portion 110. In other words, the left base portion and the right base portion each have a connection end, and the lower jaw support tool 100 is completed by connecting the connection ends, and the lower jaw support tool 100 is separated by releasing the connection. That is why.

  In order to connect the left base portion and the right base portion in a detachable manner, various conventionally used mechanisms can be employed. For example, a mechanism may be used in which screws are provided at both connection ends and connected by a ring-shaped coupler, or a mechanism in which one of the connection ends is a hollow tube and the other is inserted into the hollow tube. When one of the connection ends is inserted into the other, a cross-sectional shape in which the directionality of the left base portion and the right base portion is regulated is preferable because the lower jaw support tool 100 can be appropriately assembled. Further, when one of the connection ends is inserted into the other, a mechanism may be provided in which one of the connection ends is provided with a spring-fixed protrusion, and the other is provided with a small hole through which the protrusion penetrates. One connection end in a state where the protrusion is pushed in is inserted into the other connection end, the positions of the protrusion and the small hole are aligned, and the protrusion is inserted into the small hole by the action of a spring.

2. Next, a method for supporting the lower jaw of the present invention will be described. The method described here is a method of supporting the lower jaw using the lower jaw support device 100 described so far, and therefore, the description overlapping “1. lower jaw support device” is avoided, and is specific to the lower jaw support method. Only the contents will be explained. That is, the contents not described here are the same as those described in “1. Mandibular support”.

First, the lower jaw support 100 is deformed according to the shape of the lower jaw of the user. In particular,
The position is adjusted so that the first support portion 120 (the left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122) is disposed below the lower jaw central portion (that is, the chin portion). Further, the second support 130 (the second left support 131 and the right second support 132) is arranged so as to be disposed along the lower jaw side (that is, the chin portion-the lower jaw angle-the lower ear). The part 130 is deformed. Therefore, it is desirable that the core material of the lower jaw support tool 100 used here has flexibility.

  When the lower jaw support tool 100 can be deformed into a desired shape, the opening of the base 110 is inserted from the back of the user's neck, and the base 110 is placed at a predetermined position on the shoulder. Accordingly, the base portion 110 is disposed so as to wrap around the user's neck, the first support portion 120 is disposed below the central portion of the lower jaw, and the second support portion 130 is disposed along the lower jaw side portion. At this time, if the left and right connecting members 140 are provided, the left first support member 121 and the right first support member 122 may be bundled using this. As a result of mounting the lower jaw support tool 100 in this manner, the lower jaw side portion of the user is supported by the second support portion 130 and the lower jaw central portion is supported by the first support portion 120. As described above, the first support portion 120 elastically deforms following the vertical movement of the lower jaw, so that the user can open to some extent while the lower jaw is supported. And conversation is not hindered.

  By the way, the inventor has confirmed that the lower jaw support tool 100 is effective even if it is mounted upside down from the state shown in FIG. 2 as will be described later. Specifically, the lower support part 100 is mounted by placing the second support part 130 on the shoulder. In this case, the 2nd support part 130 is arrange | positioned so that it may wind around a user's neck, the 1st support part 120 is arrange | positioned under the lower jaw center part, and the base part 110 is arrange | positioned along the lower jaw side part. As a result of mounting the lower jaw support tool 100 in this manner, the lower jaw side portion of the user is supported by the base portion 110 and the lower jaw central portion is supported by the first support portion 120. When the lower jaw support tool 100 is mounted upside down, the left second support member 131 and the right second support member 132 may be used after adjusting along the shoulder of the user. Moreover, since there is a slight feeling of pressure at the time of use, it is more suitable for use during the day than at the time of sleep.

3. Experimental Results Hereinafter, experimental results performed by the inventors of the present application in order to confirm the effects of the present invention will be described.

(Experiment 1 to confirm the improvement effect of snoring 1)
When three people with a snoring habit sleep with the open-type lower jaw support 100a, snoring was reduced in all patients without disturbing sleep. Furthermore, snoring is reduced even if a person who wears the open-type lower jaw support 100a continuously for 6 months sleeps without wearing the open-type lower jaw support 100a.

(Experiment 2 to confirm the improvement effect of snoring)
A subject having the following symptoms slept while wearing the open-type lower jaw support tool 100a.
Symptoms: Snore intermittently throughout the night, and the sound was loud enough to be heard in a room away from the subject's bedroom.
Experiment contents: The voice of the subject who is sleeping with the open-type lower jaw support tool 100a is recorded with an IC (integrated circuit) recorder.
Result: FIG. 5 shows a recorded sound waveform. This waveform is displayed by using predetermined software (WavePad master version), and the waveform is displayed by selecting a gain 50 in order to facilitate discrimination between sleep and apnea. The waveform shown in FIG. 5 has some peaks, but when recorded audio was played back, there were things that were not snoring (such as sounds that relieve stuffy nose and sounds that nightclothes rub) . Therefore, these were judged as noise, and it was confirmed that the peaks at 2 hours 52 minutes and 3 hours 49 minutes after bedtime were snoring. For reference, analysis was performed using predetermined software (Wavesurfer), and the first waveform (2 hours 52 minutes) had a volume level of 52 dB, and the second waveform (3 hours 49 minutes) had a volume level of 49 dB. Even if it is considered that the noise level of snoring by the sound level meter is said to be 50 to 60 dB, the validity of snoring these two times can be confirmed. Since the snoring that occurred intermittently as described above was settled in two times, and the subject also reported a refreshing feeling when waking up, the wearing of the open type lower jaw support tool 100a was effective in improving the improvement of snoring It can be said that there is.

(Experiment to confirm improvement effect of apnea symptoms)
A subject having the following symptoms slept while wearing the open-type lower jaw support tool 100a.
Symptoms: During sleep, he had apnea symptoms ranging from 30 seconds to 60 seconds, complaining of poor awakening when waking up, and complaining of permanent nasal congestion.
Experiment contents: The voice of the subject who was sleeping with the open-type lower jaw support 100a was recorded with an IC recorder.
Result: As described above, when the volume level of snoring was determined after removing noise from the obtained waveform display, the magnitude was almost the same as before. However, when the recording was played back, the apnea condition was greatly reduced, and the subject reported that waking up at the time of waking was very neat. Thus, it can be confirmed that the attachment of the open-type lower jaw support tool 100a was effective in improving apnea symptoms for the subject. The improvement in snoring volume is probably due to the effect of nasal congestion. Therefore, it is assumed that the volume of the wrinkle is improved by the treatment for nasal congestion.

(Experiment to confirm the effect of positioning and posture maintenance of patients with contracture)
Table 1 shows a state after three persons with contracture symptoms wear the support type lower jaw support 100b. All patients showed improvement in posture maintenance positioning and posture maintenance.

(Experiment to confirm the effect when the mandible supporter is mounted upside down)
A person (94-year-old woman) with the following symptoms used the open-type lower jaw support 100a in an inverted state (from the state shown in FIG. 2).
History: Severe dementia due to amyloidosis, repeated emergency hospital transportation due to central apnea and loss of consciousness for half a year. On admission, general edema was prominent and incapable of eating. In addition, the eyes were closed all day, there was no speech, and communication was not possible.

  As a result of the use, hypoxemia was improved and edema was also markedly improved by the use of the open-type mandibular support 100a during the day and CPAP (Corrective Action) only during the night. In addition, it was possible to communicate with the opening of eyes and speech, and it was possible to eat without feeling anxiety of aspiration under the assistance because the basic posture easy to swallow was maintained.

  The lower jaw support tool and lower jaw support method of the present invention can be used to correct snoring, reduce symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, or position and maintain posture of patients with contracture. In addition, those who are prone to temporomandibular joint dislocation due to temporomandibular disorders can also be used to fix the lower jaw.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Mandibular support tool 100a Open type lower jaw support tool 100b Support type lower jaw support tool 110 Base part of lower jaw support tool 120 First support part 121 of lower jaw support tool Left side of first support part First support member 122 Right side first support member 130 (of the lower support) Second support portion 131 (of the lower support) Left side second support member 132 (of the second support portion) Right side Second support material 140 Left and right connecting material (for lower jaw support)

Claims (8)

A lower jaw support formed of a series of rod-shaped members,
A partially opened annular base, a first support that supports the central part of the lower jaw, and a second support that supports the side of the lower jaw,
The first support portion includes a left first support material and a right first support material,
The second support part includes a left second support material and a right second support material,
The left end of the opening of the base and the lower end of the left first support member are connected, and the upper end of the left first support member and the front end of the left second support member are connected,
The opening right end of the base and the lower end of the right first support member are connected, the upper end of the right first support member and the front end of the right second support member are connected,
When the base portion is placed on the shoulder, the first support portion is disposed below the lower jaw central portion, and the second support portion is disposed along the lower jaw side portion,
The first support part may be elastically deformed following the vertical movement of the lower jaw,
A lower jaw support device characterized by that. The rod-shaped member is composed of a flexible core material and a sheath covering the core material,
The lower jaw support according to claim 1, wherein: The left first support material and the right first support material are formed so as to be convexly curved with respect to the movement axis of the lower jaw.
The lower jaw support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The rear side of the left second support member is bent downward, and the rear end is fixed to the base portion,
The rear side of the right second support member is bent downward, and the rear end is fixed to the base portion.
The mandibular support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A left and right connecting material capable of binding the left first support material and the right first support material at an arbitrary interval;
The lower jaw support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The foundation is composed of a left foundation and a right foundation, and the left foundation and the right foundation are detachably connected.
The mandibular support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A method for supporting a lower jaw using a lower jaw support formed by a series of rod-like members each having a flexible core,
The lower jaw support is composed of a partially opened annular base, a first support composed of a left first support and a right first support, a left second support and a right second support. A left end of the opening of the base and the lower end of the left first support member, and an upper end of the left first support member and a front end of the left second support member. Is connected to the lower right end of the opening of the base and the lower end of the first right support member, and the upper end of the first right support member is connected to the front end of the second right support member. ,
An adjusting step for deforming the lower jaw support tool according to the shape of the lower jaw;
Of the lower jaw support tool deformed in the adjustment step, the base portion is placed on a shoulder, the first support portion is disposed below the central portion of the lower jaw, and the second support portion is disposed on the lower jaw side portion. And a mounting process arranged along,
While supporting the lower jaw side portion with the second support portion, supporting the lower jaw central portion with the first support portion while elastically deforming following the vertical movement of the lower jaw,
A method for supporting the lower jaw, which is characterized by the above. In the mounting step, the second support part of the lower jaw support is placed on a shoulder, the first support part is disposed below the central part of the lower jaw, and the base part is disposed along the lower jaw side part. And place
While supporting the lower jaw side part with the foundation part, following the vertical movement of the lower jaw and supporting the lower jaw central part with the foundation part while elastically deforming,
The method for supporting the lower jaw according to claim 7.

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