TWI835454B - Vacuum splinting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a vacuum splinting apparatus, comprising an air-tight bag, a support member in the air-tight bag, a gas valve connected to the air-tight bag and regulating air quantity inside the air-tight bag to control vacuum force and a fixation assembly to set and secure the air-tight bag to be in contact with a body portion of a user at a certain degree of tightness wherein the fixation assembly is mounted to the air-tight bag or surrounds the air-tight bag, the support member includes a carrier, the carrier has at least one support block at a plurality specified positions, the support blocks are polymer resins formed on the surfaces of the carrier, the fixation assembly includes one length adjustment member, and the tightness of the vacuum splinting apparatus surrounding the body portion of the user is adjusted using the fixation assembly and the vacuum force.

Description

Vacuum support device

The present invention relates to a vacuum support device, and in particular to a vacuum support device that utilizes vacuum force for shaping.

Traditional vacuum fixtures, such as the fixtures or vacuum-formed structures disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,657,003 or 3,745,998, usually include an airtight bag, plastic particles in the airtight bag, and an air valve, which is used to discharge the airtight bag. The air inside makes the plastic particles in the bag tightly combined to achieve shaping and support effects. There have been various improvements in the type, size and distribution of plastic particles in the bag (such as No. 3,762,404). However, due to the tight binding force of the particles, the support strength is insufficient when the size is large, that is, the support strength cannot be extended to sufficient Length, such fixtures are usually only used for fixation and are difficult to serve as support devices at the same time.

On the other hand, such vacuum fixation devices can also be used to limit activities, support the trunk, correct posture, increase abdominal pressure, assist muscle support or prevent the deterioration of injured parts, etc., such as belts, back braces and other types of spinal orthoses. , spinal assist devices or support devices.

Due to technological advancements in microspine surgery, orthotics such as braces used after spine surgery have gradually changed from completely rigid to semi-rigid, that is, from supporting the need for fixation devices to having a certain degree of flexibility or elasticity. Auxiliary devices. However, in traditional correction of spinal deformities or fixation of fractures, aluminum metal strips coated with foam materials or soft plastics are mostly used as the main component to support or correct the spine. For example, the spinal orthosis disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,572,705 uses aluminum. Metal frame to support The spine, because the human body will change posture, and when the spine bends, it will hit the metal bar and cause discomfort. The aluminum metal frame needs to avoid the middle spine, and cannot only be worn with an aluminum metal frame. Therefore, in the spinal orthosis disclosed in the aforementioned US patent, the aluminum frame The surface must be covered with soft plastic or foam material, or most commercially available spinal orthoses use foam-coated metal brackets.

Furthermore, in order to adapt to different body shapes and different supporting parts, traditional assistive devices or orthotics generally use elastic bands or use pre-shaping of materials, that is, they are provided to the wearer in a customized manner to achieve the best results. Best results. Vacuum support devices shaped by vacuum force can quickly meet the needs of postoperative patients clinically. However, existing vacuum support devices use filled plastic particles to achieve a fixed effect, and the support effect is insufficient.

On the other hand, for purposes of increasing abdominal pressure, assisting muscle support, or preventing the deterioration of injured areas, support devices that are quickly reshaped, have a certain degree of mobility, are highly compliant, breathable, lightweight, and simple are expected. The so-called high compliance refers to the property of being flexible and resilient, deforming to a certain extent after applying force, and recovering after the force disappears.

The present invention is in view of the above-mentioned problem of insufficient support effect. In order to improve the functions of vacuum force shaping, fixation, support and assistance, it is found that through the characteristics of the material of the novel vacuum support device, it can provide simple design, rapid shaping, The vacuum support device has a certain degree of mobility, high compliance, breathability, lightness, reusability, and reshaping, and the vacuum support device of the present invention is a vacuum support device with adjustable support level. The vacuum support device of the present invention can be used as an auxiliary support, a limb fixation device, a sports belt, a belt support, a spine support frame, etc.

The present invention includes the following items.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum support device is disclosed, which is provided with: an airtight bag; a support member located in the airtight bag; the support member includes a carrier with a mesh structure, and a plurality of parts of the carrier There is at least one support block at a designated position, and the support block of the carrier is composed of a polymer resin layer directly formed on the surface of the carrier; an air valve is connected to the airtight bag, and the air valve adjusts the airtightness The amount of air in the bag body is used to adjust the vacuum force; and a fixing component is connected to the edge of the air-tight bag body or covers the air-tight bag body to fix the vacuum support device to a user so that the air-tight bag body Surrounding a part of the user, the fixing component includes an adjustment member with an adjustable length. The fixing component uses vacuum force to exhaust the air in the airtight bag, so that the vacuum support device can surround the user with appropriate tightness. The part of the person that you want to support.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the above vacuum support device can be used as a limb fixation device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned vacuum support device can be used as a spinal assist device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum support device further comprises: a thoracic vertebra auxiliary member, the thoracic vertebra auxiliary member comprising a support plate for supporting the user's thoracic vertebra and a connecting member connecting the support plate to the lumbar vertebra auxiliary member.

The above-mentioned carrier can be a three-dimensional fabric. The polymer resin of the polymer resin layer may include polyester or polyurethane. The above-mentioned support plate may include a thermoplastic plate or a composite material plate, and the above-mentioned support plate may have a mesh structure. The above-mentioned carrier may have a mesh structure, and the above-mentioned support block may have a mesh structure. The connecting member may have an adjustable length, and may be composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of fasteners, fleece belts, fleece pads, hook pads, buckles, and elastic bands. The above-mentioned support plate may be thermoplastic. The above-mentioned support block may include two or more types of polymer resin layers. The above-mentioned block-supporting The surface hardness can be below 90A (Shore hardness). In one embodiment, the above-mentioned supporting member may include a plurality of carriers.

The above-mentioned air valve has a first end and a second end. The first end outlet is connected to the inside of the airtight bag, and the second end outlet is connected to the outside of the airtight bag. When the air valve is in a closed state Blocking air from entering and exiting the airtight bag body, the air valve can allow air to enter and exit the airtight bag body when in an open state.

The traditional vacuum fixation device mainly consists of an airtight bag and particles filled in the airtight bag. By exhausting the air in the bag, that is, exhausting the air between the particles, the particles are tightly combined. The position of the airtight bag will not move. The airtight bag will harden over a large area to achieve the effect of shaping, shaping and fixing. The vacuum fixation device is usually used through fixing belts or tightening belts. First, the airtight bag Cover the part of the user to be fixed (such as the upper or lower limbs, trunk, etc.), and then discharge the air in the bag through the air valve (or air nozzle) connected to the airtight bag, and then the air between the particles is discharged. The particles will not move, the particles are tightly combined, and the airtight bag as a whole becomes hard, thereby fixing the user's limbs or lower limbs, trunk, etc.

In contrast, the vacuum support (or fixing) device of the present invention does not use the method of filling particles compared to the traditional vacuum fixing device. A supporting member is set in the airtight bag body. The supporting member has multiple hard supporting blocks and the soft area of the original carrier material. That is, the airtight bag body containing the supporting member is flat in a large range and can cover and surround any part. After the air in the bag is discharged through the air valve (or air nozzle) connected to the airtight bag, the air in the soft area of the carrier material is discharged, shortening the distance between the hard supporting blocks to achieve the effect of shaping, shaping and supporting.

Furthermore, according to the vacuum support device of the present invention, the support member has a mesh structure, so there is no need to provide a special gas channel to assist the discharge of gas. In addition, since no plastic particles are used particles, and there is no problem of uniform distribution of particles in the bag. The traditional vacuum fixing device has the problem of insufficient support effect due to the use of multiple layers of particles that are closely arranged and combined. However, the vacuum support device of the present invention changes the design of the support block and can achieve the support effect required for various uses.

According to the present invention, a vacuum support device that is simple in design, quickly shaped, has a certain degree of mobility, high compliance, breathable, lightweight, reusable, and reshapeable can be provided. By changing the shape, arrangement, and quantity of the support blocks, as well as changing the thickness of the polymer resin layer and the thickness and quantity of the carrier, the support characteristics and softness and hardness of the vacuum support device can be easily adjusted. Through the support member of the present invention, compared with the traditional vacuum fixation device filled with plastic particles, the vacuum support device of the present invention has excellent variable support and adjustable support characteristics and softness and hardness.

10,11,12: Vacuum support device

20,21: Airtight bag body

30,31: Support components

30a, 31a: carrier

30b, 31b, 30b’: support blocks

40,41:Air valve

40a: 1st end of air valve

40b: 2nd end of air valve

AA: hatch line

22, 42, 42’, 42”: support block

50,51: Fixed components

51a, 51b: with components

51d:Buckle

51c: fur belt

60: Thoracic spine auxiliary components

61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e: connecting components

62a, 62b: connecting components

63:Shoulder strap

66:Support board

[Fig. 1] is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vacuum support device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vacuum support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 3] is a schematic diagram showing an example of the supporting member of the vacuum supporting device shown in Fig. 1.

[Fig. 4] is a schematic diagram showing an example of the supporting member of the vacuum supporting device shown in Fig. 2.

[Fig. 5] is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vacuum support device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] is a schematic diagram showing an example of the thoracic spine auxiliary member of the vacuum support device shown in Fig. 5.

[Fig. 7] is a schematic diagram showing the front and back of a user wearing the vacuum support device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the supporting member of the vacuum supporting device shown in Fig. 1.

[Fig. 9] is a schematic diagram showing another modified example of the supporting member of the vacuum supporting device shown in Fig. 1.

The aforementioned and other technical contents, features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. Directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front or back, etc., are only for reference to the directions in the attached drawings. Accordingly, the directional terms used are illustrative and not limiting of the invention. In addition, the term "A layer (or component) is disposed on B layer (or component)" is not limited to the state in which layer A directly contacts the surface of layer B. For example, there are other layers between layer A and layer B. Layers are also covered by this term. In the figures, the same components are represented by the same symbols. Furthermore, in order to clearly present the components, the proportions of the components are not necessarily shown according to the actual proportions.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum support device is disclosed, which is provided with an airtight bag, a support member, an air valve and a fixing component. The support member is located in the airtight bag. The support member includes a carrier with a mesh structure and at least one support block at a plurality of designated positions of the carrier. The support block of the carrier is a polymer resin layer. formed directly on the surface of the carrier. The air valve is connected to the air-tight bag body, and the air valve adjusts the amount of air in the air-tight bag body, thereby adjusting the vacuum force. The fixing component is connected to the edge of the airtight bag or covers the airtight bag, and fixes the vacuum support device to a user so that the airtight bag surrounds a part of the user. The fixing component includes a removable The adjusting member that adjusts the length uses the fixing component and vacuum force to discharge the air in the airtight bag, so that the vacuum support device can surround the part of the user to be supported with appropriate tightness.

The above-mentioned vacuum support device can be used as a limb fixation device, a spinal auxiliary device, etc.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned vacuum support device may further include: a thoracic spine auxiliary component. The thoracic spine auxiliary component includes a support plate that supports the user's thoracic spine and a connecting member that connects the support plate to the lumbar spine auxiliary component. .

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vacuum support device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum support device 10 includes an airtight bag 20 , a support member 30 , an air valve 40 and a fixing assembly 50 . The cross-sectional view of this part is shown at the position of the cross-section line AA, showing the supporting member 30 in the airtight bag 20 . The vacuum support device 10 may be used, for example, as a limb immobilization device, for example for the immobilization of a wrist joint.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vacuum support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum support device 11 includes an airtight bag 21 , a support member 31 , an air valve 41 and a fixing assembly 51 . The shape of the supporting member 31 in the airtight bag 21 is similar to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 .

The fixing assembly includes a bag carrying the airtight bag body 21 and fixing members 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, and can be made of conventional parts. For example, it may be composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of fasteners, fleece belts, fleece pads, hook pads, mouth rings, buckles, and elastic bands. The fixing members 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d shown in Figure 2 are composed of a fleece belt 51c, a buckle 51d, belt assemblies 51a, 51b, and a hook pad (not shown) on one end of the fleece belt 51c. The fixed component is constituted as a labor-saving fastener with adjustable length. Furthermore, the vacuum support device 10 can have matted pads and hooked pads at both ends of the belt components 51a and 51b respectively to form a set of fasteners connected to each other as the first fixing member, and through the matted belts 51c, buckle 51d (second fixing member) adjusts the tightness.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the support member 30 of the vacuum support device 10 shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the supporting member 31 of the vacuum supporting device 11 shown in FIG. 2 .

The support members 30 and 31 include carriers 30a and 31a. The carriers 30a and 31a have a mesh structure and have a plurality of support blocks 30b and 31b on the carriers 30a and 31a. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, along the carriers 30a and 31a, The length or width direction of 31a is arranged at unequal intervals or at the same interval. The shapes of the plurality of support blocks 30b and 31b can be different, and their lengths can also be different. For example, the length near the lumbar vertebrae can be about 100 lumbar vertebrae. The length, for example, about 10~12 cm. Specifically, the spacing distance of the support blocks 30b and 31b and the area size of the support blocks 30b and 31b can be designed according to the desired support intensity. The support blocks 30b and 31b are composed of a polymer resin layer directly formed on the surface of the carrier. The polymer resin of the polymer resin layer is, for example, polyester or polyurethane. By changing the type or number of layers of polymer resin, the mechanical properties of the support blocks 30b and 31b can also be adjusted.

The method of forming the support block can use various conventional coating methods, such as microgravure coating, dip coating, flow coating, spin coating, cast transfer printing, spray coating, and dispensing coating. method or various printing methods, etc., and then heated and baked. Furthermore, when the support block has a structure that protrudes from the main plane of the carrier, it can be formed by printing with a three-dimensional printer (or 3D printer). Furthermore, when the support block includes two or more types of polymer resins, the polymer resin layer may be two or more layers, or may be a layer formed by mixing two or more types of polymer resins. Furthermore, when the support block is composed of two or more polymer resin layers, the above-mentioned methods of forming the support block, that is, the coating method and the printing method, can be combined. Each polymer resin layer can be different. shape, mechanical strength. Specifically, for example, a high-hardness polymer resin is first used to form a first polymer resin layer with high mechanical strength and high toughness, and then a low-hardness polymer resin is used to form a second polymer resin layer as a soft surface layer thereon. . In addition, for example, a three-dimensionally soft third polymer resin layer may be formed at a position corresponding to the lumbar vertebrae. The surface hardness of the low-hardness polymer resin layer may be, for example, 90A or less (Shore hardness), 80A or less, 70A or less, or 65A or less.

As mentioned above, the plurality of support blocks directly formed on the carrier, due to the staggered arrangement of soft areas and hard areas on the carrier, improves the overall compliance of the support member, that is, no shaping is required, and both support and high performance can be achieved. Activity effects. The support member of the vacuum support device in this embodiment is compared with the traditional support belt that uses aluminum strips or hard plastic strips as the support member. The traditional support belt has a combination of a hard member (aluminum strip or hard plastic strip) and a soft member (elastic belt). There is a sense of discomfort (or dissonance) between them, but the support block of the present invention is relatively light and is integrally formed with the carrier. It is seamlessly connected at the interface between the soft area and the hard area of the present invention, coupled with the shaping of the vacuum force. , good coverage and full comfort.

The carrier may be, for example, a three-dimensional fabric, the support member may include a plurality of carriers, and the carrier may be a laminate of three-dimensional fabrics. The thickness of the carrier is not particularly limited and can be 1~10mm. The width of the carrier is also not limited and varies depending on the use and purpose. The material, thickness and structure of the carrier will affect the support and protection functions of the vacuum support device, and can also provide different softness.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the support member of the vacuum support device shown in FIG. 1 . The support blocks 30 b on the carrier 30 a have a different arrangement and shape from the support blocks shown in FIG. 3 . The carrier may have a mesh structure, and the support block may have a mesh structure like the carrier.

As shown in Figure 1, the air valve 40 is connected to the airtight bag 20, and the air valve regulates the air in the airtight bag, thereby adjusting the vacuum force. The air valve 40 can use any conventional air valve. The air valve 40 has a first end 40a and a second end 40b. The outlet of the first end 40a is connected to the inside of the airtight bag 20, and the outlet of the second end 40b is connected to the outside of the airtight bag 20. The air valve is in a closed state. When the air valve is open, air can be blocked from entering and exiting the air-tight bag. Furthermore, the air valve can also be a combination of a check valve, an air suction valve and an exhaust valve, as long as it can selectively allow air to enter and exit the airtight bag or maintain the airtight state of the airtight bag. The method of discharging the air inside the airtight bag can use any conventional method through the air valve. Use an electric air extractor or a manual air exhauster to exhaust the air in the bag to the outside. The method for air to enter the airtight bag body is to use atmospheric pressure to naturally allow air to enter the bag body when the air valve is open. In one embodiment, the position where the first end of the air valve communicates with the airtight bag body is on the support block in the airtight bag body.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the vacuum support device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum support device 12 in Fig. 5 is composed of the vacuum support device 11 shown in Fig. 2 and the thoracic spine auxiliary member 60. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the thoracic spine auxiliary member 60 of the vacuum support device 12 in FIG. 5 . The thoracic spine auxiliary member 60 includes a support plate 66 that supports the user's thoracic spine and connecting members 61a, 61b (left and right shoulder straps), 61c (buckles) that connect the support plate 66 to the fixation assembly 51 (the waist fixation member included in the fixation assembly). , 61d (fur surface pad), 61e (hook surface belt), 62a, 62b (lower connecting belt). The support plate 66 may include a thermoplastic plate or a composite material plate, and the support plate 66 may have a mesh structure. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the front and back of a user wearing the vacuum support device 12 shown in FIG. 5 . Since the vacuum support device 12 in FIG. 5 is further equipped with the thoracic spine auxiliary component 60, it is suitable as a thoracolumbar and abdominal support device (TLSO), and is suitable for use by patients after spinal surgery or osteoporosis.

According to the vacuum support device of the present invention, the support member has a mesh structure, so there is no need to provide a special gas channel to assist the discharge of gas. In addition, since no plastic particles are used, there is no problem of uniform distribution of particles in the bag. The traditional vacuum fixing device has the problem of insufficient support effect due to the use of multiple layers of particles that are closely arranged and combined. However, the vacuum support device of the present invention changes the design of the support block and can achieve the support effect required for various uses.

According to the present invention, a vacuum support device with a simple design, no need for shaping, a certain degree of mobility, high compliance, breathability, light weight, reusability, and reshaping can be provided. By changing the shape, arrangement and number of supporting blocks, and then changing the thickness and loading of the polymer resin layer Depending on the thickness and number of bodies, the support characteristics and softness of the vacuum support device can be easily adjusted. Through the support member of the present invention, compared with the traditional vacuum fixation device filled with plastic particles, the vacuum support device of the present invention has excellent variable support and adjustable support characteristics and softness and hardness. The vacuum support device of the present invention is suitable for restricting activities, supporting the trunk, correcting posture, increasing abdominal pressure, assisting muscle support or preventing the deterioration of injured parts, etc., and is a useful auxiliary for osteoporosis, spinal injuries or post-operative patients. device.

Although the present invention is described above with specific embodiments, it does not limit the scope of the present invention. As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications or changes can be made without departing from the intention and scope of the present invention. For example, the support member 30 in the airtight bag 20 shown in FIG. 9 has a plurality of carriers. The vacuum support device can change the shape of its airtight bag and support members. By changing the shape of the support block, the type and thickness of the polymer resin layer, etc., the support location and support strength can be adjusted. In addition, any embodiment or patentable scope of the present invention does not need to achieve all the purposes, advantages or features disclosed in the present invention. In addition, the abstract section and title are only used to assist in searching patent documents and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

10: Vacuum support device

20: Airtight bag body

30: Support components

40:Air valve

40a: 1st end of air valve

40b: 2nd end of air valve

50: Fixed components

Claims (11)

A vacuum support device, equipped with: an airtight bag; a support member located in the airtight bag; the support member includes a carrier with a mesh structure and at least one support block at a plurality of designated positions of the carrier , the support block of the carrier is composed of a polymer resin layer directly formed on the surface of the carrier; an air valve is connected to the airtight bag body, and the air valve regulates the air in the airtight bag body, thereby adjusting the vacuum force ; And a fixing component, connecting the edge of the airtight bag or covering the airtight bag, fixing the vacuum support device to a user, so that the airtight bag surrounds a part of the user, the fixing component It includes an adjustment member with adjustable length, and uses the fixing component and vacuum force to discharge the air in the airtight bag, so that the vacuum support device can surround the part of the user to be supported with appropriate tightness. The vacuum support device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is a three-dimensional fabric. The vacuum support device of claim 1, wherein the air valve has a first end and a second end, the first end outlet is connected to the inside of the airtight bag, and the second end outlet is connected to the airtight bag. The air valve is connected to the outside of the body. When the air valve is closed, it blocks air from entering and exiting the air-tight bag. When the air valve is open, it allows air to enter and exit the air-tight bag. The vacuum support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer resin of the polymer resin layer contains polyester or polyurethane. The vacuum support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support block contains more than two types of polymer resin layers. The vacuum support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support block has a mesh structure and a surface hardness below 90A (Shore hardness). The vacuum support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member includes a plurality of carriers. The vacuum support device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the position where the first end communicates with the airtight bag is on the support block in the airtight bag. The vacuum support device of claim 1, wherein the fixation component includes a waist fixation member that covers the airtight bag and fixes the vacuum support device on a user's waist. The vacuum support device of claim 9 further includes: a thoracic spine auxiliary component, the thoracic spine auxiliary component includes a support plate that supports the user's thoracic spine and a connecting member that connects the support plate to the lumbar fixation component. The vacuum support device of claim 10, wherein the connecting member has an adjustable length adjustment member, and the connecting member is selected from the group consisting of fasteners, fleece belts, fleece pads, hook pads, buckles, The support plate is composed of at least one of a group of elastic bands, the support plate includes a thermoplastic plate or a composite material plate, and the support plate has a mesh structure.

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