WO2008038620A1 - Capsule apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A capsule apparatus having a chamber (1) that receives a person (M) and promotes recovery of the person from injury or provides the person with relaxation effect and capable of making fluid pressure in the chamber (1) appropriate in a short time. The chamber (1) can be easily transported and moved. The chamber (1) is formed of a non-flexible, air-impermeable material and receives at least one person lying on the back. The chamber (1) can be divided into multiple parts and the divided surfaces can be connected airtight to each other.

Description

 Specification

 Capsule device

 Technical field

 [0001] The present invention belongs to a technical field related to a capsule device used for placing a human body in a special fluid pressure atmosphere.

 Background art

 [0002] Recently, it has been reported that if a human body is placed in an atmosphere of oxygen or air at a high concentration and high pressure, the recovery of injury can be promoted and a relaxation effect can be obtained. For this reason, there is a demand for the development of equipment and equipment for placing the human body in such a fluid pressure atmosphere.

 [0003] Conventionally, as a technique for placing a human body in an atmosphere of oxygen or air at a high concentration and high pressure, for example, the following is known.

 Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-319077 Patent Document 1 describes a capsule device in which a cylindrical chamber is formed in which a person is accommodated in a supine posture with a flexible and non-breathable material. Has been.

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

 [0004] In the system according to Patent Document 1, since the chamber is formed of a flexible material and is expandable, there is a problem that it is difficult to properly maintain the fluid pressure inside the chamber. is there. In addition, there is a problem that it takes too much preparation time force S to expand the contracted chamber and set it up to a predetermined shape. In addition, since the chamber has a large volume that can hold a human body in a supine posture, there is a problem that transportation and movement are troublesome.

 [0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a capsule device that can maintain the fluid pressure inside the chamber properly in a short time and is easy to transport and move. Is an issue.

 Means for solving the problem

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems, a capsule device according to the present invention includes: The means described in the paragraph is adopted.

That is, in claim 1, a chamber is formed of a non-flexible and non-breathable material and at least one person can be accommodated in a supine posture. The chamber can be divided into a plurality of parts and the divided surfaces are connected in an airtight manner. It is possible.

[0008] With this means, the chamber is formed of a non-flexible material, so that expansion / contraction is eliminated. In addition, the chamber can be divided, and permanent installation of a large volume capable of accommodating a person in a supine posture can be avoided.

[0009] Further, according to claim 2, in the capsule device according to claim 1, the chamber is composed of a panel material and a frame material disposed on the inner side surface of the panel material, and a frame material is provided on the dividing surface of the chamber. It arrange | positions so that it may contact | abut airtightly, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

[0010] With this means, the chamber is assembled by bringing the frame material into contact with each other.

[0011] That is, in claim 3, in the capsule device of claim 1 or 2, a window through which the outside can be seen is provided at a position facing the face of a person who is supine on the chamber, and the window extends from the inside of the chamber. It can be opened or removed.

[0012] With this means, a person S accommodated in the restricted space of the chamber can see through the window through the window. In addition, a person accommodated in the chamber opens and removes the window with force S.

 [0013] Further, according to claim 4, in the capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, the chamber is provided with a large number of small windows for light passing through the inside thereof.

 [0014] With this means, the person housed in the chamber is illuminated by the light from the small window.

 [0015] Further, according to claim 5, in the capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, a part of the dividing surface of the chamber is assembled so as to be opened and closed by a hinge.

[0016] With this means, the chamber is assembled so that it can be opened and closed by a hinge for human access.

[0017] Further, according to claim 6, in the capsule device of claim 5, the frame material of the divided surface where the chamber can be opened and closed is brought into a contact state that is not completely airtight, and the frame material is expanded by fluid pressure. It is characterized by an expansion material that is airtight between the two. [0018] With this means, the frame material in a contact state that does not become completely airtight of the dividing surface where the chamber can be opened and closed is hermetically sealed by the expansion material.

[0019] Further, according to claim 7, in the capsule device according to claim 6, the expansion material is branched and supplied from a fluid supplied to the inside of the chamber.

[0020] With this means, the expansion material expands in response to the supply and stop of fluid to the inside of the chamber.

, Contracted.

 [0021] Further, according to claim 8, in the capsule device according to claim 5, the chamber is provided with a handle that can be locked and unlocked from both inside and outside.

 [0022] With this means, the opening / closing lock and unlock of the chamber are operated from both inside and outside.

 [0023] Further, in claim 9, in the capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, the chamber is provided with an operation unit for adjusting the internal environment at a position that can be reached by the hand of the person accommodated therein. It is characterized by.

[0024] With this means, a person accommodated inside the chamber can positively adjust the internal environment by the operation unit.

[0025] Further, according to claim 10, in the capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, the chamber is provided with a speaker that gives a sound stimulus to a person accommodated therein.

[0026] With this means, sound stimulation is received from a human-powered S speaker housed in the chamber.

[0027] Further, according to claim 11, in the capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, the chamber is provided with an illuminator for stimulating light to a person accommodated therein.

 [0028] In this means, a person accommodated in the chamber receives light stimulation from the illuminator.

 [0029] Further, in claim 12, in the capsule device of claim 1 or 2, the chamber is characterized in that a cooling body is attached to the outside.

 [0030] With this means, the chamber is cooled from the outside by the cooling body.

 The invention's effect

[0031] In the capsule device according to the present invention, the chamber is formed of an inflexible material. Since expansion / contraction is eliminated, there is an effect of maintaining the fluid pressure inside the chamber properly in a short time. In addition, since the chamber can be divided, it is possible to avoid the permanent installation of a large volume that can accommodate the human body in a supine posture, and this has the effect of facilitating transportation and movement.

 [0032] Further, as claimed in claim 2, since the chamber is assembled by bringing the frame material into contact with each other, there is an effect that the assembly operation of the chamber is easy.

 [0033] Further, as claimed in claim 3, since the person accommodated in the constrained space of the chamber can see through the outside from the window, there is an effect of eliminating the feeling of blockage and fear of the accommodated person. The In addition, since the person accommodated in the chamber can open and remove the window, it is possible to secure ventilation and to call for rescue in an emergency.

 [0034] Further, as claimed in claim 4, since the person accommodated in the chamber is illuminated by the daylight from the small window, there is an effect of eliminating the feeling of blockage and fear of the accommodated person. .

 [0035] Furthermore, as claimed in claim 5, since the chamber is assembled so as to be opened and closed by a hinge for the person to enter and exit, there is an effect that the person can easily enter and exit the chamber.

 [0036] Further, as claimed in claim 6, since the frame material in a contact state that is not completely hermetic at the dividing surface where the chamber can be opened and closed is hermetically sealed by the expansion material, the chamber is expanded by the expansion of the expansion material. Therefore, it is possible to ensure airtightness of the dividing surface that can be opened and closed, and to ensure the air permeability of the frame material of the chamber in an emergency by contraction of the expansion agent.

 [0037] Further, as claimed in claim 7, since the expansion material is expanded and contracted in response to the supply and stop of the fluid to the inside of the chamber, the expansion is performed when the supply of the fluid to the interior of the chamber is emergency stopped. There is an effect that the material contracts and air permeability is ensured.

[0038] Further, as claimed in claim 8, since the locking and unlocking of the chamber is operated from both the inside and the outside, it is possible for a person accommodated in the chamber to open and close the chamber alone. There is an effect that a specialized operator becomes unnecessary.

[0039] Further, as claimed in claim 9, since a person housed in the chamber can positively adjust the internal environment by the operation section, the degree of freedom of use, comfort and satisfaction are increased. There is. [0040] Further, as claimed in claim 10, since the person accommodated in the chamber receives sound stimulation from the speaker, there is an effect that the relaxation effect and the like are amplified by auditory stimulation.

 [0041] Further, as claimed in claim 11, since the person accommodated in the chamber receives light stimulation from the illuminator, the relaxation effect and the like are amplified by visual stimulation.

 [0042] Further, as claimed in claim 12, since the chamber is cooled from the outside by the cooling body, there is an effect that the temperature rise inside the chamber can be suppressed.

 Brief Description of Drawings

 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of the best mode for carrying out a capsule device according to the present invention in an installed state.

 FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the main part of FIG.

 FIG. 3 is a side view of the main part of FIG.

 FIG. 4 is a side view of the main part of FIG.

 FIG. 5 is a plan view of the essential part of FIG. 1 in an open state.

 FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of FIG.

 FIG. 7 is a side view of a second example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention.

 FIG. 8 is a side view of a third example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention.

 FIG. 9 is a fluid supply path diagram of a fourth example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention.

 FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 9, with different operating states shown in (A) and (B).

 FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG.

 FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 9, showing an operating state different from FIG.

 FIG. 13 is a side view of a fifth example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention.

 Explanation of symbols

[0044] 1 Chamber

la Panel material lb, lc frame material

 If

 lg small window

 6 Hinge

 7 Lock part

 8 Nond Nore

 10 Operation unit

 11 Speaker

 12 Illuminator

 13 Expansion material

 16 Cooling body

 M people

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out a capsule device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

 FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the first example has an installation configuration in which an electric system control unit 2, a fluid system control unit 3, and a central control operation unit 4 are connected to the chamber 1.

[0048] The chamber 1 is composed of a panel material la and a frame material lb, lc formed of a lightweight metal material having corrosion resistance such as aluminum. As shown in Fig. 2, the panel material la is divided into four semi-cylindrical shapes by thin metal plates, and has a volume that can be accommodated in a state in which the four parts of the division are assembled and the person M is in a supine position. It is shaped like a bowl-shaped cylinder. The frame materials lb and lc are arranged on the inner surface of the panel material la by assembling a box shape of metal square plate or metal thin plate, and are arranged on the four divided surfaces of the panel material la during assembly. It comes to come in contact with the airtightly. This frame material lb, lc is a channel shape that has a hollow cross section in the case of a metal square plate for the purpose of weight reduction for the purpose of reducing the weight of the chamber 1 by retaining and reinforcing the panel material la. Formed. flame The material lb, lc has a number of holes I d, le. As will be described later, with respect to the hole Id provided in the frame material lb that is fixedly connected, the bolts, nuts and other tightening members (not shown) are passed through when the frame material lb is hermetically abutted and assembled. It can also be used as a hole.

 Furthermore, the chamber 1 is provided with a window If at a position facing the face of the person M in which the panel material la is accommodated. The window If is airtightly attached to a window hole formed of a transparent or translucent material and opened in the panel material la, and the user (person M) can see through the outside from the inside of the chamber 1. It is intended to prevent feeling of obstruction and fear. The window If can be cut and removed from the inside as a material that can be cut with a cutter, or can be removed (opened) as a structure that engages with a frame provided on the panel material la. Thus, communication between the inside and outside of the chamber 1 (ventilation, call for rescue) is ensured in an emergency.

 [0050] Furthermore, the chamber 1 is provided with a large number of small windows lg for daylighting at appropriate positions of the panel material la. The small window lg is made of a transparent or translucent material and is airtightly attached to the window hole opened in the panel material la, and the enclosed person M is exposed to external light and does not feel a sense of obstruction or fear. It is what you want to do. The size of the small window lg is increased so as to be closer to the face of the person M so as to increase the amount of light collected.

[0051] In the chamber 1, the panel material la and the frame materials lb, lc are assembled and installed on the mount 5. The assembled chamber 1 is fixedly connected to a hinge 6 so that it can be opened and closed by a hinge 6 in order to make it easy for the user to go in and out. Two parts of each division are locked to prevent unexpected opening. As shown in Fig. 3, the hinge 6 is placed at the axial end of the chamber 1 (the foot side of the person M accommodated), and can be opened and closed by swinging and rotating the upper two parts. To do. As shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lock portion 7 is an L-shaped engagement mounted in a state of projecting downward inside the two-part frame material lc of the upper division of the chamber 1. A groove 7a, a cylindrical engagement protrusion 7b that can be engaged with and detached from the engagement groove 7a, and a frame material lc of the lower part of the lower part of the chamber 1 slidably supported via a slide roller 7c. And a U-shaped slider 7d on which an engaging projection 7b is stretched. Slider 7 of lock part 7d Is driven by a handle 8 attached to the end of the chamber 1 in the axial direction (the head side of the accommodated person M). The handle 8 includes an outer handle 8a disposed on the outside of the chamber 1, an inner handle 8b disposed on the inner side of the chamber 1, an outer handle 8a, a rotating shaft 8c that coaxially connects the inner handle 8b, and a rotating shaft. It consists of an operating groove 8d spirally engraved on the moving shaft 8c, ensuring safety that the opening and closing lock and unlock of the chamber 1 can be operated from both inside and outside. The operation groove 8d of the handle 8 is engaged with a part of the slider 7d of the lock portion 7, and the rotation shaft 8c is rotated by the rotation operation of the outer handle 8a and the inner handle 8b. Drive slide.

 [0052] Further, the assembled chamber 1 accommodates a bed 9 on which the person M is placed in a supine state. The bed 9 is assembled by being divided into a plurality of parts, and is formed in a box shape in which the periphery of the floor surface 9a is surrounded by a wall surface 9b, and vent holes 9c are opened in the floor surface 9a and the wall surface 9b.

 [0053] The electrical system control unit 2 is connected to sensors installed in the chamber 1 and performs various electrical controls. A speaker 11 and an illuminator 12 installed in the chamber 1 are also connected to the electric system control unit 2. The speaker 11 gives sound stimulation to the person M housed in the chamber 1. The illuminator 12 gives a light stimulus to the person M housed in the chamber 1. The illuminator 12 is preferably an LED that generates a small amount of heat.

 [0054] The fluid system control unit 3 includes a fluid cylinder, a valve, and the like for keeping the inside of the chamber 1 in a necessary fluid pressure atmosphere. As the required fluid pressure atmosphere, negative ions, fragrances, etc. can be added to oxygen at high concentration and high pressure.

 [0055] The central control operation unit 4 is composed of a personal computer or the like, and is connected to the electric system control unit 2 and the fluid system control unit 3, and automatically or manually while monitoring the internal state of the chamber 1. Control.

[0056] Further, an operation unit 10 for adjusting the internal environment is installed at a position where the hand of the person M who is supine in the chamber 1 via the central control operation unit 4 can reach. As for the operation unit 10, by making all the control of the central control operation unit 4 executable, the user can execute various controls without requiring a special operator. The operation unit 10 has a camera for observing the person M from the outside and a device for securing internal and external contacts of the chamber. Iku, speakers, etc. can also be included.

 [0057] According to the first example, since the panel material la and the frame material lb of the chamber 1 are formed of a non-flexible material and the expansion / contraction property is eliminated, the fluid system control unit inside the chamber 1 The fluid pressure supplied from 3 can be properly maintained. Therefore, it is possible to effectively promote the recovery of injury and the relaxation effect. In particular, the relaxation effect is amplified by an auditory stimulus from the speaker 11 by a sound stimulus and a visual stimulus by a light stimulus from the illuminator 12.

 [0058] In addition, since the chamber 1 can be divided and the normalization of a large volume that can accommodate the person M in a supine posture is avoided, the chamber 1 can be easily transported and moved. Therefore, it can be used on a rental or temporary basis, such as when it is mounted on a car and transported to a necessary location for installation. In the assembled chamber 1, airtightness is ensured by contact with the frame material lb, so there is no problem in forming a special fluid pressure atmosphere.

 [0059] FIG. 7 shows a second example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention.

 [0060] In the second example, the hinge 7 of the first example is arranged on the side surface of the chamber 1.

 [0061] According to the second example, the up-and-down rotation area of the two parts of the upper division of the chamber 1 can be reduced.

 FIG. 8 shows a third example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention.

 [0063] In the third example, the upper and lower divided surfaces of the chamber 1 of the second example are inclined.

 [0064] According to the third example, when entering or exiting the chamber 1, the user does not have to straddle the lower part of the lower part, and therefore it is easy to enter and exit the chamber 1.

FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 show the fourth example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention. The fourth example shows a frame material lc on the dividing surface that becomes the opening / closing surface of the chamber 1 and an expansion material 13. Is attached. In addition, the space between the two frame materials lc on the dividing surface is in a contact state where the space S is interposed and the frame material lc is not completely airtight. The expansion material 13 is a tube made of a rubber material that can be expanded and contracted. The expansion material 13 is disposed around the entire circumference of the frame material lc and is connected to the fluid system control unit 3. It is connected via a branch valve 3b to a pump 3a that supplies fluid to the inside of the chamber 1 (see FIG. 9).

 [0067] Furthermore, the lock portion 7 of the fourth example is provided with a lock groove 7e that is deeply dug into the engagement groove 7a. A handle 14 that can be raised and lowered is provided at a position that can be reached by the person M accommodated in the chamber 1 of the slider 7d. Incidentally, the handle 8 is omitted in this fourth example.

 [0068] According to the fourth example, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), by supplying a fluid to the inside of the chamber 1, the expansion material 13 is expanded and the space between the two frame materials lc on the dividing surface is completely reached. It can be airtight. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the engagement protrusion 7b of the lock portion 7 is opened by the rise of the upper frame material lc (engagement groove 7a of the lock portion 7) that is slightly lifted by the expansion of the expansion material 13. Engages with groove 7e. Therefore, it is possible to lock the chamber 1 securely to prevent unintentional opening.

 [0069] Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (B), when the supply of fluid to the inside of the chamber 1 is stopped, the expansion material 13 contracts, and a space S between the two frame materials lc on the dividing surface is formed. Secured as a ventilation path. Therefore, when the pump 3a of the fluid system control unit 3 stops unexpectedly due to a power failure, a switchboard failure, etc., ventilation to the person M accommodated in the chamber 1 is secured.

 [0070] Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the person M housed in the chamber 1 slides the slider 7d of the lock portion 7 with the handle 14, thereby releasing the engagement of the lock portion 7 to the outside. Escape with power S

 FIG. 13 shows a fifth example of the best mode for carrying out the capsule device according to the present invention.

 [0072] The fifth example is a large size in which a person M is accommodated in a knee-bending posture. For this reason, it is possible to move with wheels 15. Corresponding to each person M, two windows If are expanded and arranged, and two hinges 6 are provided so that the chamber 1 has a double opening structure.

 Further, a planar cooling body 16 is attached so as to abut on the outside of the chamber 1. This cooling body 16 is attached after the assembly of the chamber 1 and connected to the heat exchanger 17.

[0074] According to the fifth example, the cooling body 16 cools the chamber 1 from the outside, Therefore, it is suitable for application to a large chamber 1 used by many people.

 [0075] As described above, in addition to the illustrated examples, the chamber 1 may have a divided structure other than four.

 [0076] Furthermore, it is possible to open and close the chamber 1 at a plurality of other locations in a plurality of directions.

 [0077] The capsule device according to the present invention is such that the capsule device according to the present invention uses the airtightness of the chamber as a watertightness in addition to placing the human body in a special fluid pressure atmosphere.

By installing appropriate equipment, it can be used for purposes such as cleaning, disinfection and treatment of the human body.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [I] A capsule characterized in that a chamber is formed of a non-flexible and non-breathable material and at least one person is accommodated in a supine posture, the chamber can be divided into a plurality of parts and the dividing surfaces can be connected in an airtight manner apparatus.  [2] In the capsule device according to claim 1, the chamber includes a panel material and a frame material disposed on an inner surface of the panel material, and the frame material is disposed so as to be in airtight contact with the division surface of the chamber. Capsule device characterized by being! /. [3] In the capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, a window that can be seen through the outside is provided at a position facing the face of a person who is supine in the chamber, and the window can be opened or removed from the inside of the chamber. A capsule device characterized by being. [4] The capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber is provided with a large number of small windows for allowing light to pass through the chamber. 5. The capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber is assembled so that a part of the dividing surface can be opened and closed by a hinge. [6] The capsule device according to claim 5, wherein the frame material of the dividing surface that is capable of opening and closing the chamber is brought into a contact state that is not completely airtight, and the expansion is caused by fluid pressure to make the space between the frame materials airtight. Capsule device, characterized in that the material is attached. 7. The capsule device according to claim 6, wherein the expansion material is supplied by branching a fluid supplied into the chamber. 8. The capsule device according to claim 5, wherein the chamber is provided with a handle that can be locked and unlocked from both inside and outside!  [9] The capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber is provided with an operation unit for adjusting an internal environment at a position reachable by a hand of a person accommodated therein. .  10. The capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber is provided with a speaker that gives a sound stimulus to a person accommodated in the chamber. [II] The capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber is light for a person accommodated therein. A capsule device, characterized in that an illuminator for providing a stimulus is installed.  3. The capsule device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber has an external cooling body attached! /.