RU2366396C1 - Vertebral stretching apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to medical equipment and can be used correction and prevention of cervical and thoracic diseases by graduated stretching. An apparatus comprises a movable platform equipped with lock wheels and first mating elements, a stretch force sensor that comprises an electromechanical rotation to motion converter, an traction electric drive control assembly with its input connected to the stretch force sensor and its output connected to the electric input of the traction electric drive, first, second and third racks with first and second ones mounted respectively on the platform and the traction electric drive, a stretch angle regulator designed as a roller attached to a mobile clamp through a support arm mounted on the first rack, a flexible brace rod placed on the roller of the stretch angle regulator, a control panel, a rocker arm and fastening belts. The traction electric drive is mounted on the platform. The first rack is provided with the second mating elements. The second rack is L-shaped and provided in its horizontal part with the stretch force sensor that is connected to a ring nut. The third rack is fixed with its bottom to the platform, and in its top there is a control panel. The rocker arm in its centre comprises a hook, and the ends of the flexible brace rod supplied with a latch hook and a ring placed respectively on a ring of the ring nut and the rocker arm hook.

EFFECT: higher accuracy of stretching effort measurement, improved quality of vertebral treatment, as well as simplified design and maintained functionality of the apparatus.

3 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The invention relates to medical equipment, and more specifically to means for stretching the spine in violation of its functions, and can be used in neurology, physiotherapy, traumatology, orthopedics, for the treatment of diseases and injuries of the spine of a non-infectious nature, including lumbosacral radiculitis, scoliosis, spondylosis, kyphosis, osteochondrosis, dislocation, injuries with subluxation and other disorders of the location of the vertebrae, post-traumatic conditions, fractures using traction, for correction and prevention abolevany cervical and thoracic spine by dosed traction.

In the treatment of these diseases, special devices for stretching the spine are provided to perform the necessary manipulations. The main purpose of such devices is to enable the application of measured forces to the corresponding parts of the spine.

Establishment of prior art.

Based on an analysis of the materials of the patent and other scientific and technical literature stock in the field of medical technology, the applicant identified the following analogues of the claimed device.

A device for traction of the spine, containing a fixed base made in the form of a chair for accommodating a patient, a rack mounted on the base, a traction drive made in the form of a platform with a load, a traction force sensor made in the form of a dynamometer, and a neck traction unit, consisting of straps for attaching the cervical spine and the regulator of the angle of extension of the cervical spine, made in the form of a horizontal bar, placed on a rack and having a groove along the long line with a trapezoidal cross section a method in which a slider is located with a block through which a flexible connection is passed, one end of which is connected through a dynamometer to the cervical spine attachment straps, and the other end to a platform with a load [1].

This device is characterized by the following disadvantages:

1. It has narrow functional capabilities, as it does not allow additional traction of the thoracic spine.

2. The device has almost no automated operator work. The patient is not able to independently control the traction procedure.

3. The device is not suitable for indoor movement.

There is also known a device for traction of the spine, containing a fixed base made in the form of a chair for accommodating a patient, two racks mounted on the base, a carriage made to move along these racks and equipped with a manual traction drive made in the form of a “gear rack - gear” mechanism wheel "with a rotary handle, and a distributor of traction forces of the cervical spine, consisting of a rocker arm, to the ends of which are suspended by a dynamometer, and straps of attachment of the cervical spine nick suspended from the lower ends of the dynamometers [2].

This device is characterized by the following disadvantages:

1. It has narrow functional capabilities, as it does not allow additional traction of the thoracic spine.

2. The device has almost no automated operator work. The patient is not able to independently control the traction procedure.

3. The device is not suitable for indoor movement.

A device for spinal traction, described in [3], is also known. Such a device comprises a fixed base made in the form of a chair for accommodating a patient, two racks fixed to the base, a carriage made to move along these racks and equipped with a manual traction drive made in the form of a “gear rack - gear wheel” mechanism with a rotary handle , a two-arm lever, on one of the shoulders of which a traction force sensor is installed, made in the form of a dynamometer, and a cervical traction unit, consisting of a distributor of traction forces of the cervical spine, flaxen in the form of a rocker arm, placed on the other shoulder of the two shoulders of the lever, the fastening straps of the cervical spine, made in the form of a Glisson loop, and the first flexible connection, some ends of which are connected to the shoulders of the rocker arm, and the other to the straps of the cervical spine.

This device is characterized by the following disadvantages:

1. It has narrow functional capabilities, as it does not allow additional traction of the thoracic spine.

2. The device has almost no automated operator work. The patient is not able to independently control the traction procedure.

3. The device is not suitable for indoor movement.

Characterization and criticism of the prototype.

The closest invention to the proposed according to the greatest number of similar features, technical nature, circuit design and achieved by using the technical result is an invention designed to stretch the spine and described in [4].

Such an invention, selected as a prototype, contains a movable base equipped with wheels with a stopper, docking elements, a counterweight and / or a detachable platform for accommodating a patient, a traction force sensor made in the form of a strain gauge and mounted on the base, a traction electric drive made in the form of an electromechanical the rotation-displacement transducer and mounted on the traction force sensor, a control unit for the traction electric drive, the input of which is connected to the traction force sensor, and the output to to the electric input of the traction electric drive, the first rack mounted on the base, the carriage made to move along the first rack, the second rack, the lower end of which is mounted on the traction electric drive, and the upper end is pivotally connected to the carriage, the third rack, the lower end of which is mounted on the carriage and at its upper end horizontally fixed the first sleeve, equipped with a locking screw, a retractable rod located inside the first sleeve, on the end of which the second sleeve is fixed perpendicular to the stop with a screw inside which the rocker is mounted, a first bracket mounted on a carriage, an extension angle adjuster made in the form of a roller attached through a second bracket to a movable latch mounted on a first strut, and a flexible coupling placed on an extension angle adjuster roller and connected by one the end with fastening straps, and the other end with the first bracket, control panel and fastening straps for stretching the thoracic and cervical spine.

This device is characterized by the following disadvantages.

1. The design of the device is such that when stretching, for example, the thoracic spine, the force exerted by the force sensor acts according to the following kinematic chain: fastening belt (pos. 25) - flexible connection (pos. 20) - bracket (pos. 19) - carriage ( pos. 11) - stand (pos. 9) - “nut” (pos. 27) - “screw” (pos. 26) - sensor (pos. 6).

When the cervical spine is pulled, the force exerted on the force sensor "passes" along the following almost similar kinematic chain: fastening belt (pos. 18) - flexible connection (pos. 17) - rocker (pos. 16) - bushing (pos. 14) - retractable rod (pos. 13) - bushing (pos. 12) - strut (pos. 10) - carriage (pos. 11) - strut (pos. 9) - “nut” (pos. 27) - “screw” (pos. .26) - sensor (pos. 6).

In such long kinematic chains of transmission of the traction force to the sensor (pos. 6), deformation of the chain nodes and backlashes between them always take place, which reduces the accuracy of measuring the traction forces. In this case, the extension of the spine is a rather "delicate" process, requiring the application of a metered amount of traction ("avoid injury!"). Therefore, the relatively low accuracy of the measurement of traction is a significant disadvantage of the prototype, as it reduces the quality of treatment.

2. The device has a rather complex "mechanical" design. For example, it requires a counterweight, since there is a possibility of the device tipping over when the cervical spine is stretched.

The technical result and its achievement.

The invention is aimed at achieving such technical results as:

a) improving the accuracy of measuring the force of traction and, as a result, achieving a higher quality of treatment of the spine;

b) simplifying the design of the device while maintaining its functionality.

The achievement of these technical results is ensured by the fact that in the known device for traction of the spine [4], containing a movable base equipped with wheels with a stopper and the first connecting elements, a traction force sensor made in the form of a strain gauge, a traction electric drive made in the form of an “rotation” electromechanical converter -moving ", the control unit of the traction electric drive, the input of which is connected to the sensor of the traction force, and the output to the electrical input of the traction electric drive, first, the second and third racks, the first and second of which are mounted respectively on the base and the traction electric drive, a traction angle adjuster made in the form of a roller attached through a bracket to a movable latch mounted on the first strut, a flexible connection located on the traction angle adjuster roller, remote controls, rocker and attachment belts for traction of the thoracic and cervical spine, traction electric drive is installed on the base, the first rack is equipped with second docking elements, the second rack and it is made L-shaped, in the horizontal part of which a traction force sensor is installed, connected to the eye-nut, the third pillar is fixed with the lower end on the base, and the control panel is installed on its upper end, the beam in the middle part has a hook, and the ends of the flexible connection are equipped respectively a carabiner and a ring placed respectively on the ring of the eye-nut and the hook of the rocker arm.

In addition, the first rack is removable from the base, which has the form of a platform with the possibility of placing the patient on it in a standing or sitting position, and the control unit for the traction electric drive is equipped with a remote emergency button.

The authors also checked the compliance of the claimed invention with the three conditions (criteria) of patentability.

Verification of compliance of the claimed device with the patentability condition "novelty."

The main features that distinguish the claimed method from the closest analogue of the prototype are:

- installation of traction electric drive on the basis of,

- supply of the first rack with the second docking elements,

- the implementation of the second rack L-shaped,

- installation in its horizontal part of the sensor of the traction force connected to the eye-nut,

- fixing the third rack with the lower end on the base, installation on its upper end of the control panel,

- the presence of the rocker in the middle part of the hook,

- supplying the ends of the flexible connection, respectively, with a carabiner and a ring, located respectively on the ring of the eye-nut and the hook of the rocker arm.

Besides,

- the implementation of the first rack removable from the base,

- the implementation of the base in the form of a platform with the possibility of placing the patient on it in a standing or sitting position.

- supply control unit traction electric remote emergency button.

The presence of these features ensures that the entire set of essential features of the device meets the patentability condition of “novelty” under applicable law. At the same time, no devices were found in which technical results are achieved by a similar set of essential features.

Verification of compliance of the claimed device with the condition of patentability "inventive step".

To verify compliance with the requirements of inventive step, the applicant conducted an additional search and analysis of solutions in order to identify signs that match signs that are different from the selected prototype, the results of which showed that the claimed object does not explicitly follow from the prior art defined by the applicant.

In other words, a comparison of the claimed device not only with the prototype, but also with other technical solutions in this and related fields of medical technology showed that the latter do not contain features similar to those distinguishing the claimed technical solution from the prototype.

This allows us to conclude that the claimed device meets the patentability condition "inventive step" under the current law. A new set of essential features of the device allows to achieve:

a) improving the accuracy of measuring the force of traction and, as a consequence, a higher quality of treatment of the spine;

b) simplifying the design of the device while maintaining its functionality, eliminating its overturning when stretching the cervical spine;

c) reducing the likelihood of spinal injury by including an emergency button in the device.

It should also be noted that there is a causal relationship between the totality of the essential features of this device and the technical results achieved, since distinctive features were not identified in any of the analogues, and the technical results achieved are achieved only when all known and distinctive features are used together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is illustrated by drawings.

Figure 1 shows a structural diagram of the device in the traction mode of the thoracic spine. Figure 2 - the same in the traction mode of the cervical spine. Figure 3 shows the main electrical connections in the device. Figure 4 shows one of the possible variations in the traction force acting on the spine during operation of the device.

Description of the device in statics.

The device for traction of the spine (Fig.1-3) contains a movable base 1, equipped with wheels 2 with a stopper 3 and the first docking elements 4, traction electric drive 5, made in the form of an electromechanical converter "rotation-displacement", the sensor 6 of the traction force made in in the form of a strain gauge, the traction electric drive control unit 7, the input of which is connected to the traction force sensor 6, and the output to the electric input of the traction electric drive 5 (Fig. 3), the control panel 8, the first 9, the second 10 and the third 11 racks, the angle adjuster tension, made in the form of a roller 12, attached through a bracket 13 to a movable latch 14 mounted on the first rack 9 and provided with a locking screw 15, a flexible link 16, placed on the roller 12, the beam 17, having a hook 18 in the middle part, and belts 19 and 20 (FIG. 2) mounts for stretching the thoracic and cervical spine, respectively. The control unit 7 traction electric drive can be equipped with a remote emergency button 21 (figure 3).

Traction electric drive 5 of the device is installed on the base 1.

The first rack 9 is provided with second docking elements 22 with a locking screw 23 and is fixed to the base 1 with a locking screw 24.

The second strut 10 is made L-shaped and mounted on a traction electric drive 5. In the horizontal part of the strut 10, a traction force sensor 6 is mounted rigidly connected to the eye-nut 25.

The third pillar 11 with the lower end is fixed to the base 1 with a locking screw 26, and a control panel 8 is installed at its upper end. The latter is attached to the rack 11 by means of a locking screw 27. The ends of the flexible connection 16 are provided with a carabiner 28 and a ring 29, respectively, placed (hooked) respectively on the ring of the eye-nut 25 and the hook 18 of the rocker arm 17.

The first rack 9 is removable from the base 1, for which it is enough to unscrew the locking screw 24 and disconnect the connecting elements 4 and 22 and the carbine 28.

Purpose and functions of elements and units of the device.

Base 1 - the main bearing and connecting structural element of the device, made in the form of a flat platform with the possibility of placing the patient on it in a standing or sitting position. The base 1 also ensures the stability of the device during traction of the spine, prevents it from tipping over.

Traction electric drive 5 is made in the form of an electromechanical “rotation-displacement” converter based on kinematically coupled electric motors, gearboxes and screw-nut mechanisms (not shown), the electric input of the electric motor being the electric input of the traction electric drive 5. When the electric motor rotates, sleeve 30 translationally moving, it extends from the body of the electric drive 5 and pushes the second strut vertically upward 10. When the direction of rotation of the electric motor changes, the direction of movement of the bush and reversed.

As a rule, the traction electric drive 5 is equipped with limit switches 31 (Fig. 3), which ensure that the motor is switched off when the sleeve 30 reaches the extreme upper or extreme lower positions.

In a prototype device manufactured by the applicant, the electric drive 5 is implemented on the basis of the mass-produced Megamat MBZ 45252 DEWERT product.

The control unit 7 traction electric drive is installed on the basis of 1 and can be made on the basis of series-connected signal amplifier 32, analog-to-digital converter 33, signal processing unit 34 and power amplifier 35 and is equipped with a remote emergency button 21 (figure 3), which is designed for emergency stop of the device when stretching the spine.

The traction force sensor 6 converts the mechanical forces acting on it into corresponding electrical signals.

Stoppers 3 provide locking of the wheels 2 of the device when stretching the spine.

Docking elements 4 and 22 are designed to ensure docking of the device with a medical table, bed or couch 36, on which the patient is placed when stretching the chest and lumbar spine, as well as when stretching the joints of the limbs.

The traction angle adjuster is designed to change the angle α of application of traction force to the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Carabiner - a mechanical hook-latch [5], which allows you to quickly connect or disconnect a flexible connection 16 with the ring of the eye-nut 25.

Eye-nut - a metal ring [6], facilitating the mechanical connection (connection) between two bodies. A ring nut is distinguished when the metal ring has a threaded hole and an eye bolt when the metal ring has a threaded rod. In the device, the fastening of the eye nut 25 to the sensor 6 is carried out as follows. A bolt is screwed through the hole on the sensor housing 6, screwed into the threaded hole of the eye nut 25 (not shown in the drawing).

Fastening belts 19 and 20 are intended for direct mechanical impact on the corresponding spine of the patient.

Description of the device in dynamics.

Before starting the operation of the device, depending on which part of the patient’s spine (fudge or cervical) will be stretched, the nurse (operator) through the control panel 8, on the basis of the prescription of the attending physician, enters the stretching program into the signal processing unit 34. Such a program may include, for example, the following operations (figure 4):

1. A smooth increase in the traction force from zero to a predetermined maximum value of F _max (usually for the thoracic and lumbar spine it does not exceed 60 kg, and for the cervical and joints - 20 kg).

2. Exposure for a predetermined time interval of the reached maximum value.

3. A smooth decrease in the traction force from the maximum value to zero or the minimum value of F _min .

4. Exposure for a predetermined time interval of the achieved minimum value.

5. Periodic repetition of the above operations a specified number of times.

In accordance with this program, the maximum and minimum traction forces, the duration of the holding intervals, the number of repetitions of the traction cycles and other data, for example, the rise time and the decrease in the traction force, are entered in block 34.

In the case of extension of the thoracic spine, the operator places the patient (on the back or stomach, if necessary) on the bed, table, couch 36 with his head towards the rack 9 and moves the base 1 on wheels 2 to the end of the couch (figure 1). In this case, the docking of the base 1 to the couch 36 is provided by the docking elements 4 and 22. Additional fixing of the base 1 on the floor is carried out using stoppers 3 placed on the wheels 2.

Next, the operator fastens the fastening belts 19 on the thoracic spine of the patient. The adjustment of the angle α traction of the thoracic spine is provided by moving the roller 12 along the rack 9.

After that, the operator hands the patient a remote emergency button 21, which can be used by him to urgently stop the operation of the device when stretching the spine, and from the remote control 8 starts the traction program. As a result, the signals from block 34 are fed to a power amplifier 35 and then to the electric motor of the electric drive 5. The rotation of the rotor of the electric motor converts the latter into translational movement of the sleeve 30, which pushes the L-shaped rack 10 vertically upward. In turn, the strut 10 pulls up the sensor 6, and with it the sequentially connected eye-nut 25, carabiner 28, flexible coupling 16, ring 29 and rocker 17, which pulls the fastening belt 19. As a result, traction is applied to the thoracic spine of the patient.

In the process of the specified extension, the eye-nut 25 has a direct mechanical effect (pressure) on the force sensor 6, made in the form of a strain gauge. The latter converts it into the corresponding information signals, which are amplified by the amplifier 32 and through the analog-to-digital converter 33 in digital form enter block 34, where they are compared with the values of the traction force specified by the program. The results of this comparison are worked out by the unit 5 of the device.

The current values of the traction force are displayed on the control panel 8.

Upon completion of the traction program according to signals from block 34, the traction drive 5 returns the device to its original state. The end of the program is accompanied by a sound signal (the sound source is not shown in the drawing).

When stretching the lumbar spine, it is enough to place the patient (on the back or stomach, if necessary) on the bed, table, couch with 36 lower limbs in the direction of the rack 9 and fasten the straps 19 (if necessary, special straps) on the lumbar spine of the patient.

In the same position of the patient, the device allows traction of the joints of the upper or lower extremities. To do this, it is enough to fasten the belt 19 (if necessary, special belts) on the corresponding joint.

To stretch the cervical spine, it is enough to unscrew the locking screw 24 and the connecting elements 4 and 22, as well as disconnect the ends of the flexible connection 16 and remove the rack 9 from the base 1. After this, the beam 17 hooks with its hook 18 to the ring-eye nut 25, and the belt 20 fastenings - for the beam 17, as shown in figure 2.

Further, the patient, depending on his height, occupies a standing position on the base 1 with his back to the stand 10, or sits on chair 37. The emergency button 21 is handed to the patient’s hand.

Fixing the base 1 on the floor is also carried out using special stoppers 3 located on the wheels 2.

Next, the operator places on the cervical spine of the patient and on his head (not shown) fastening straps 20. In this case, the fixation of the patient’s trunk and arms (for example, to chair 37) is not performed, since the lifting force of traction (not more than 20 kg) is much less than the weight of a person’s body.

Further operation of the device is similar to that described above. The operator enters and starts the traction program. The stand 10, moving upward, pulls the rocker 17, and, therefore, the straps 20, due to which the cervical spine of the patient is stretched. The end of the traction program is also accompanied by a sound signal.

Thus, the described device is characterized by the following advantages:

1. Its design is such that when the thoracic spine is stretched, the force exerted on the force sensor 6 "passes" along the following short kinematic chain: fastening belt 19 - rocker 17 - hook 18 - ring 29 - flexible link 16 - carabiner 28 - eye- nut 25 - sensor 6.

When stretching the cervical spine, such a kinematic chain is even shorter: fastening belt 20 - rocker 17 - hook 18 - eye-nut 25 - sensor 6.

Therefore, in contrast to the prototype, in the inventive device, the fastening belts 19 and 20, which are the "sources" of pressure forces, are close to the force meter - sensor 6. The shorter the kinematic chain, the less deformation and backlash in it, and therefore higher accuracy traction force measurements.

Improving the accuracy of measuring the force of traction allows you to provide a higher quality of treatment of the spine.

2. Almost with the same functionality, the device has a simpler "mechanical" design. In particular, in the inventive device, in contrast to the prototype, in the traction mode of the cervical spine there is no moment of its overturning, so that no counterweight is required.

3. The device has an emergency operation mode, for which there is an emergency button 21 located in the hands of the patient (operator) during the procedures. When you click on the specified button, an operative stop occurs and all its components and mechanisms return to the initial state. This reduces the likelihood of spinal injury during the procedure.

4. The design of the device is such that it minimizes the physical labor of the operator, since the stretching operations are performed almost automatically.

5. The device occupies a small area, its design is relatively simple and safe during operation. The device is adapted to move indoors.

6. Does not require highly trained specialists. Traction can be done by a trainer or instructed nurse.

Verification of patentability conditions “industrial applicability”.

The above information indicates for the claimed invention, as it is described in the claims, about the possibility of its implementation using known and proposed methods and means.

Moreover, according to the applicant, the information provided in the description is sufficient for the implementation of the device. It does not cause difficulties in its manufacture, and the possibility of industrial application of the claimed technical solution is confirmed, for example, by a prototype device made and tested by the applicant.

Thus, the set of essential features characterizing the essence of the invention, in principle, can be repeatedly made and used when stretching the spine with the receipt of these technical results.

The above allows us to conclude that the invention meets the condition of patentability "industrial applicability" under applicable law.

Information sources

1. RF patent No. 2194485. Way Velikanova I.I. for the treatment of vertebrogenic insufficiency of cerebral circulation and a device for its implementation. IPC A61H 1/02. Publ. 08/10/2002

2. Yumashev G.S., Furman M.E. Osteochondrosis of the spine. - 2nd ed. - M .: Medicine, 1984, p. 124-133, Fig. 72.

3. Autosv.SSSSR No. 1752382. A device for traction of the vertebrae of the cervical spine. IPC A61F 5/04. Publ. 08/07/1992

4. RF patent No. 2299046 for the invention of "Device for spinal traction." Publ. 05/20/2007. Bull.№ 14 (prototype).

5. Ozhegov S.I. Dictionary of the Russian language. M .: Russian language, 1983.

6. Soviet encyclopedic dictionary. M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1982.

Claims (3)

1. A device for traction of the spine, containing a movable base equipped with wheels with a stopper and the first docking elements, a traction force sensor made in the form of a strain gauge, a traction electric drive made in the form of an electromechanical rotation-displacement transducer, a control unit for a traction electric drive, the input of which connected to the traction force sensor, and the output to the electrical input of the traction electric drive, the first, second and third racks, the first and second of which are installed respectively on novaniya and traction electric drive, the regulator of the traction angle, made in the form of a roller attached through a bracket to a movable latch mounted on the first rack, a flexible connection located on the roller of the traction angle adjuster, control panel, rocker and straps for stretching the chest and cervical spine characterized in that the traction electric drive is installed on the base, the first rack is equipped with second docking elements, the second rack is L-shaped, in the horizontal part of which is installed a traction force sensor connected to the eye nut is inserted, the third leg is fixed with the lower end on the base, and a control panel is installed on its upper end, the beam in the middle part has a hook, and the ends of the flexible connection are equipped with a carabiner and a ring, respectively, placed on the eye ring -nuts and hook-beam rocker. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first rack is removable from the base, which has the form of a platform with the possibility of placing the patient on it in a standing or sitting position. 3. The device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the control unit for the traction electric drive is equipped with a remote emergency button.

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