Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
[DESCRIPTION]
[Invention Title]
SCOLIOSIS BRACE
[Technical Field]
The present invention relates to a scoliosis brace capable of restoring
curvature of a
spine to be normal.
[Background Art]
In general, scoliosis refers to a condition in which a spine is curved
sideways, rotated,
and deformed as shown in FIG. 1. When an angle at which the spine is curved
sideways is about 200 to 40 , a brace worn to pressurize a flank region as
indicated
by arrows in FIG. 1 is preferred for a treatment instead of a surgery.
Meanwhile, most of conventional scoliosis braces (e.g., Milwaukee type braces,
Boston type braces, and tiso type braces) have a container-like structure
having a
frame made of a hard plastic material. Thus, the container-like brace tightly
covers the
entire chest region so that a user who wears the brace cannot even pick up
objects on
a floor while sitting down. In this case, the user has various difficulties
when the user
wears the brace, such as breathing difficulties and feeling bloated after a
meal.
Due to characteristics of the scoliosis brace, the brace has to be worn for
almost 24
hours for obtaining an effect, and thus the user feels very pain because of
sweat
rashes that appear when wearing this type of brace all day, even in winter. In
particular,
adolescent who have to wear such a brace for 24 hours may be desperate for the
future, leading to severe depression.
Even though such a brace is worn for a long time despite these difficulties,
it is hard
to correct a position of the spine with a strength of the hard plastic. Such a
brace
pressurizes a curved region of the spine with the same intensity, the brace
seems
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effective in an early stage, but when the brace is worn for a longtime, the
brace serves
only as a supporter.
A band-type brace, which is developed to compensate for the obvious
shortcomings,
continues to press the curved region of the spine with a hard band, such that
it is more
effective in reducing the degree of curvature of the spine than the
conventional braces.
However, the band-type brace causes great discomfort to users in their daily
lives
because of a structure covering from the shoulder to the thigh. For example, a
band,
which crosses four times from the shoulder to the back, is fixed by two
buttons
provided at the buttock and two buttons provided at a portion between the
navel and
the reproductive organ. Thus, whenever the users go to the bathroom, they feel
uncomfortable because of repetition of tying and untying the band.
Furthermore, the
users cannot wear tight clothing including tops and bottoms because the band
is fixed
up to the thigh and feel uncomfortable when walking.
As described above, the users take a large amount of time and effort to wear
the band-
type brace and are cumbersome when wearing the band-type brace, such that the
users are unwilling to wear such a band-type brace for 24 hours.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
The present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problems,
and
an object of the present invention is to provide a scoliosis brace that is
easily worn.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a scoliosis brace
capable of
adjusting a length of a support part and a degree of compression according to
a degree
of curvature of the spine or a body region.
[Technical Solution]
The object of the present invention can be accomplished by providing a
scoliosis brace
including: a first support part configured to support a lumbar region of a
body; a first
connecting part having one end coupled to an upper end of the first support
part and
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an opposite end extending toward a chest region while encompassing one side of
an
axilla; a second support part having an upper end coupled to the opposite end
of the
first connecting part and configured to support chest and abdominal regions;
and a
second connecting part having one end coupled to a lower end of the second
support
part and an opposite end coupled to a lower end of the first support part
while
encompassing an opposite side of a waist.
According to one feature of the present invention, the first support part may
include a
0 _1 )th
support part and a (1-2)th support part each of which has a plurality of
fastening
holes formed therethrough and which are coupled to each other in a
longitudinal
direction, and a length of the first support part may be adjustable by a
fastening
member which is screw-coupled into the fastening holes of the (1-1)th support
part and
the (1-2)th support part.
According to another feature of the present invention, the scoliosis brace may
further
include a first connecting member coupled between the first support part and
the first
connecting part and having a plurality of fastening holes formed therethrough.
According to still another feature of the present invention, the scoliosis
brace may
further include a first compression band having one end coupled to an upper
end part
of the first support part and an opposite end coupled to an upper end part of
the second
support part while encompassing an other side of the axilla.
According to still another feature of the present invention, the scoliosis
brace may
further include a second compression band having one end coupled to a lower
end
part of the first support part and an opposite end coupled to a lower end part
of the
second support part while encompassing one side of the waist.
According to still another feature of the present invention, a locking hook
may be
provided on the opposite end of the first compression band, and a locking part
may be
formed on the second support part so that the locking hook is correspondingly
coupled
to the locking part.
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According to still another feature of the present invention, a first coupling
member may
be provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first compression band, and
a second
coupling member may be provided on an opposite end of the first compression
band
extending through the locking hook so that the second coupling member is
correspondingly coupled to the first coupling member.
[Advantageous Effects]
The scoliosis brace according to the present invention can treat scoliosis by
pressurizing a curved region of a lumbar through a band having both ends
connected
to a pair of support parts, respectively.
In addition, the scoliosis brace according to the present invention can be
easily worn
by using a detachable band and allow free of activity when wearing, so that it
does not
cause cumbersomeness to a user.
[Description of Drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a condition of a spine that is curved due
to scoliosis.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a scoliosis brace according to one embodiment
of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 shows states of use of a first support part according to one embodiment
of the
present invention.
FIG. 5 shows states of use of a first coupling member according to one
embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows states of use of a locking hook according to one embodiment of
the
present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a front side of a body wearing the
scoliosis brace
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a back side of the body wearing the
scoliosis brace
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
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FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an automatic storage system of the scoliosis brace
according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Best Mode]
[Mode for Invention]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail
with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments are provided
only to help one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention
pertains to
easily understand and carry out the present invention, and thus it should be
understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited
to the
embodiments. In addition, in describing various embodiments of the present
invention,
like reference numerals denote components with identical technical features.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a scoliosis brace according to one embodiment
of the
present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a scoliosis brace 100 according to one embodiment
of
the present invention includes a first support part 200 supported on a back
region of
a body, a second support part 300 supported on a chest region of the body, and
first
and second connecting parts 410 and 420 configured to connect the first
support part
200 and the second support part 300 and pressurize a side region of the body.
The first support part 200 is made of a metal material and serves to support a
lumbar
region of the body, and includes a (1-1)th support part 210 and a (1-2)th
support part
220 in a form of a rectangular bar as a whole. The (1-1)th support part 210
and the
(1-2)th support part 220 are coupled to each other in a longitudinal
direction, and a
plurality of fastening holes 230 are formed through the (1-1)th support part
210 and
the (1-2)th support part 220. In this case, the plurality of fastening holes
230 are
formed in a plurality of rows along the longitudinal direction of each of the
(1-1)th
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support part 210 and (1-2)th support part 220, and screw grooves are formed in
inner
peripheral surfaces of the fastening holes 230 so that a fastening member such
as a
bolt B can be screw-coupled.
FIG. 4 shows states of use of the first support part according to one
embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a user may overlap one end of the
(1-1)th
support part 210 with one end of the (1-2)th support part 220 to communicate
with
each of the fastening holes 230, and then fastens the fastening member such as
the
bolt B, thereby coupling the (1-1)th support part 210 and the (1-2)th support
part 220
to each other. In this case, a length in which the (1-1)th support part 210 is
overlapped
with the (1-2)th support part 220 is adjusted, such that the entire length of
the first
support part 220 may be adjusted according to a body size of each individual.
Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the second support part 300 is made of a
metal
material and serves to support the chest region and an abdominal region of the
body,
and the second support part 300 may be disposed in symmetrical with the first
support part 200. The second support part 300 includes a (2-1)th support part
310
and a (2-2)th support part 320 in a form of a rectangular bar as a whole. The
(2-1)th
support part 310 and the (2-2)th support part 320 are coupled to each other in
a
longitudinal direction, and a plurality of fastening holes 330 are formed
through the
(2-1)th support part 310 and the (2-2)th support part 320. In this case, the
plurality of
fastening holes 330 are formed in a plurality of rows along the longitudinal
direction
of each of the (2-1)th support part 310 and (2-2)th support part 320, and
screw grooves
are formed in inner peripheral surfaces of the fastening holes 330 so that a
fastening
member such as a bolt B can be screw-coupled.
That is, as an example of the first support part 200 described with reference
to FIG.
4, the user overlaps one end of the (2-1)th support part 310 with the (2-2)th
support
part 320 to communicate with each of the fastening holes 330, and then fastens
the
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fastening member such as the bolt B, thereby coupling the (2-1)th support part
310
and the (2-2)th support part 320 to each other. In this case, a length in
which the (2-
1)th support part 310 is overlapped with the (2-2)th support part 320 is
adjusted, such
that the entire length of the second support part 300 may be adjusted
according to a
body size of each individual.
The first support part 200 supported on the lumbar region of the body and the
second
support part 300 supported on the chest region and the abdominal region of the
body
may be coupled to each other by a plurality of connecting parts that connect
the first
support part 200 and the second support part 300 to each other.
For example, one end of the first connecting part 410 may be coupled to an
upper
end of the first support part 200 and the other end may extend to the chest
region
while encompassing one side of an axilla, such that the first connecting part
410 may
be coupled to the upper end of the second support part 300. In addition, one
end of
the second connecting part 420 may be coupled to a lower end of the second
support
part 300 and the other end may extend to the lumbar region while encompassing
the
other side of a waist, such that the second connecting part 420 may be coupled
to
the lower end of the first support part 200.
The first and second connecting parts 410 and 420 include a support plate 430
made
of a flexible material and having a belt shape, an elastic layer 440 put over
the inside
of the support plate 430, and an outer sheath 450 coupled to encompass outer
peripheries of the support plate 430 and the elastic layer 440.
For example, the support plate 430 may be made of a material such as a metal
or
plastic that may be bent according to a shape of the body, and the elastic
layer 440
may be made of a material that reduces impacts, such as cotton, sponge, or
foam.
In addition, the outer sheath 450 may be made of soft natural fiber or
synthetic fiber
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capable of absorbing sweats, and may be made of material of cloth, leather, or
synthetic resin, if necessary
The first connecting part 410 and the second connecting part 420 may be
directly
coupled to the first support part 200 or the second support part 300 by the
fastening
member such as the bolt B. As another example, as shown in the drawing, the
first
connecting part 410 and the second connecting part 420 may be coupled to the
first
and second support parts 200 and 300, respectively through a separate
connecting
member.
In this case, the connecting member has a form of a rectangular plate in which
a
plurality of fastening holes are formed therethrough, and screw grooves are
formed
in inner peripheral surfaces of the fastening holes to facilitate coupling
between the
first and second support parts 200 and 300 and the first and second connecting
parts
410 and 420, and also serve to extend the entire length of the first and
second
connecting parts 410 and 420.
FIG. 5 shows states of use of a first connecting member according to one
embodiment of the present invention, in which a first connecting member 510 is
coupled between the (1-1)th support part 210 and the first connecting part
410. In this
case, one end of the first connecting part 410 may be rivet-coupled to one end
of the
first connecting member 510, and the other end of the first connecting member
510
may be coupled to an upper end of the (1-1)th support part 210 by the
fastening
member such as a bolt.
In addition, a second connecting member 520 may be coupled between the first
connecting part 410 and the (2-1)th support part 310, the other end of the
first
connecting part 410 may be rivet-coupled to one end of the second connecting
member 520, and the other end of the second connecting member 520 may be
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coupled to an upper end of the (2-1)th support part 310 by the fastening
member such
as a bolt.
In addition, a third connecting member 530 may be coupled between the (1-2)th
support part 220 and the second connecting part 420, one end of the second
connecting part 420 may be rivet-coupled to one end of the third connecting
member
530, and the other end of the third connecting member 530 may be coupled to a
lower
end of the (1-2)th support part 220 by the fastening member such as a bolt.
In addition, a fourth connecting member 540 may be coupled between the second
connecting part 420 and the (2-2)th support part 420, the other end of the
second
connecting part 420 may be rivet-coupled to one end of the fourth connecting
member 540, and the other end of the fourth connecting member 540 may be
coupled
to a lower end of the (2-2)th support part 320 by the fastening member such as
a bolt.
In this case, a coupling position of each connecting part for each support
part is
adjusted, such that it is needless to say that the entire length of each
connecting part
extending between the first and second support parts 200 and 300 may be
adjusted.
Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first compression band 600 is coupled to
connect
the (1-1)th support part 210 and the (2-1)th support part 310. In this case,
the first
compression band 600 may include a plurality of compression bands that are
vertically spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance.
For example, as shown in the drawing, the first compression band 600 may
include
a (1-1)th compression band 610 and a (1-2)th compression band 620 that are
vertically
spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance, one ends the (1-1)th
compression band 610 and the 1-2 compression band 620 are coupled to one end
of
the (1-1)th support part 210 and the other ends are coupled to the other end
of the (2-
1)th support part 310 while encompassing the other end of the axilla.
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In this case, the first compression band 600 may include a hook part 630
coupled to
the (1-1)th support part 210 by a fastener such as a bolt, a connection ring
640 having
one side rotatably coupled to the hook part 630, a first band part 650 having
one end,
which passes through the other end of the connection ring 640, stitch-coupled
and
the other end extending to a side opposite to the connection ring 640, and a
locking
hook 660 provided on the other end of the first band part 650, and a through-
hole
661 is formed in one side of the locking hook 660 to pass through the other
end of
the first band part 650.
In this case, the hook part 630 may be made of a material of leather,
synthetic fiber,
or synthetic resin, and the connection ring 640 and the locking hook 660 may
be
made of a material of metal or plastic having excellent rigidity. In addition,
the first
band part 650 may be made of a flexibility material having elasticity, such as
fiber or
synthetic resin, a first coupling member 670 is provided on an outer
peripheral
surface of the first band part 650, and a second coupling member 680 is
provided on
an outer peripheral surface of the other end of the first band part 650 so
that the
second coupling member 680 is coupled to the first coupling member 670. In
case of
the embodiment shown in the drawing, although a Velcro tape is used as the
first and
second coupling members 670 and 680 by way of example, this is merely an
example
of the present invention, and it is obvious that other types of male and
female coupling
members, such as snap buttons, may be applied, if necessary.
Meanwhile, a second compression band 700 is coupled to connect the (1-2)th
support
part 220 and the (2-2)th support part 320. The second compression band 700 may
include a plurality of compression bands vertically spaced apart from each
other at a
predetermined distance, and extends in a direction opposite to the second
connecting
part 420 as described above.
[51]
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For example, as shown in the drawing, the second compression band 700 may
include a (2-1)th compression band 710 and a (2-2)th compression band 720
vertically
spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance, and one ends of the
(2-
1)th compression band 710 and the (2-2)th compression band 720 are coupled to
one
end of the (1-2)th support part 220, and the other ends are coupled to the (2-
2)th
support part 320 while encompassing one side of the waist.
The second compression band 700 may be made of a material the same as that of
the first compression band 600 as described above. For example, the second
compression band 700 may include a hook part 730, a connection ring 740, a
second
band part 750, and a locking hook 760. In this case, a through-hole 761 is
formed in
one side of the locking hook 760 to pass through the other end of the second
band
part 750, and a first coupling member 770 is provided on an outer surface of
the
second band part 750. In addition, a second coupling member 780 is provided on
an
outer surface of the other end of the second band part 750 so that the second
coupling member 780 is coupled to the first coupling member 770.
A plurality of locking parts 340 are formed on outer peripheral surfaces of
the (2-1)th
support part 310 and the (2-2)th support part 320 so that the locking hooks
660 and
760 of the first and second compression bands 600 and 700 are coupled to the
locking parts 340. A locking part 340 may be made of a material the same as
that of
the hook parts 630 and 730 of the first and second compression bands 600 and
700.
For example, the locking part 340 may be folded in half to form a locking hole
341 in
one side thereof, such that a portion of the other end of the locking hole 341
may be
coupled to each of the 2-1 support part 310 and the (2-2)th support part 320
by the
fastener such as a bolt.
FIG. 6 shows states of use of the locking hook according to one embodiment of
the
present invention, in which the user inserts the locking hooks 660 and 670 of
the first
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and second compression bands 600 and 700 into the locking hole 341 of the
locking
part 340, so as to easily mount the first and second compression bands 600 and
700.
In this case, the first and second compression bands 600 and 700 pressurize an
axilla
region or a waist region of the body on a side opposite to the first and
second
connecting parts 410 and 420, and press a convexly curved region of the
lumbar.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a front side of the body wearing the
scoliosis
brace according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a
schematic view showing a back side of the body wearing the scoliosis brace
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the user wears the scoliosis brace 100
according
to one embodiment of the present invention, the first support part 200
supports the
lumbar region of the body, and the second support part 300 comes into close
contact
with the chest region and the abdominal region of the body.
In this case, both ends of the first connecting part 410 are coupled to upper
ends of
the (1-1)th support part 210 and the (2-1)th support part 310, respectively,
while
encompassing a left axilla, and both ends of the second support part 420 are
coupled
to lower ends of the (1-2)th support part 220 and the (2-2)th support part 320
while
encompassing a right waist.
The first compression band 600 is coupled between the (1-1)th support part 210
and
the (2-1)th support part 310 while encompassing a right axilla on a side
opposite to
the first connecting part 410, and the second compression band 700 is coupled
between the (1-2)th support part 220 and the (2-2)th support part 320 while
encompassing a left waist on a side opposite to the second connecting part
420. In
this case, the compression is continuously applied to the right axilla and the
left waist
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region by an elastic force of the first and second compression bands 600 and
700,
thereby pressing the curved region of the lumbar.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an automatic storage system of the scoliosis brace
according
to one embodiment of the present invention, in which specifications and shapes
of
various frames such as the support parts and connecting parts of the scoliosis
brace
100 may be automatically generated and stored in the following order.
First, an X-ray is attached to a body modeling generated using pre-processing
data
without any size distortion (S10). In this case, through an optical character
recognition
(OCR) technology, a Cl spine region is positioned at a top of the body
modeling, and
an L4 spine region is positioned at a bottom of the body modeling.
Next, the lowermost portion of a front center frame of the scoliosis brace 100
is
positioned at an L5 spine region, and the uppermost portion of a rear center
frame of
the scoliosis brace 100 is positioned at the Cl spine region (S20).
Next, a custom frame is generated according to a body curvature, and then the
system is terminated (S40).
The embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, it
should
be understood that the present invention may be modified in various forms by
one of
ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains within the
scope of the
appended claims of the present invention.
[Industrial Applicability]
The scoliosis brace according to the present invention can be easily worn and
allow
free of activity when wearing so that it does not cause cumbersomeness to a
user,
and can treat scoliosis by pressurizing the curved portion of the lumbar
through the
band.
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