U.S. patent application number 14/682025 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for scapulae position measuring device and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Maido Co. Ltd.. Invention is credited to TOMOKO MAEKAWA, HIROYUKI TATSUMI.
Application Number | 20150289784 14/682025 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54264041 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150289784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TATSUMI; HIROYUKI ; et
al. |
October 15, 2015 |
SCAPULAE POSITION MEASURING DEVICE AND METHOD
Abstract
A scapulae position measurement device includes a main body
extending in the vertical direction, configured to be positioned to
run along the spinal column, having a vertical scale, and a
moveable arm, extending in a horizontal direction on the right or
left side of the main body, having a horizontal scale. The scapulae
position measurement device is capable of measuring position
changes of the horizontal direction (X axis) and vertical direction
(Y axis) of the scapulae, and capable of displaying the
tension/relax state of the surrounding muscles of the scapulae with
an objective numerical value.
Inventors: |
TATSUMI; HIROYUKI;
(AMAGASAKI, JP) ; MAEKAWA; TOMOKO; (AMAGASAKI,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Maido Co. Ltd. |
AMAGASAKI |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
54264041 |
Appl. No.: |
14/682025 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/1116 20130101;
A61B 5/1127 20130101; A61B 5/4504 20130101; A61B 5/4576 20130101;
A61B 5/4519 20130101; A61B 5/1072 20130101; A61B 2503/10
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/11 20060101
A61B005/11 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 9, 2014 |
JP |
2014-80116 |
Claims
1. A scapula position measurement device for use on a person having
right and left scapulae, comprising: a main body, extending in a
vertical direction, having a right side and a left side; an arm,
moveably extending from either the right or left side of the main
body; wherein the main body is configured to be aligned to a spine
of the person in a predetermined location, and the arm is moveable
to a position along the main body corresponding to a predetermined
location of the right or left scapulae; and a horizontal position
of the right or left scapulae can be determined by comparing a
position of the predetermined location to the arm, and a vertical
position of the right or left scapulae can be determined by
comparing the position of the arm to the main body.
2. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 1,
further comprising: a vertical scale, disposed on the main body; a
horizontal scale, disposed on the arm; wherein the horizontal
position of the right or left scapulae can be determined by
comparing the position of the predetermined location of the right
or left scapulae with the horizontal scale; and the vertical
position of the right or left scapulae can be determined by
comparing the position of the arm with the vertical scale.
3. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 1,
further comprising: a positional measurement device, disposed upon
one of the main body and the arm, the horizontal position of the
right or left scapulae being measurable by measuring the position
of the predetermined location for the right or left scapulae with
the positional measurement device, and the vertical position of the
right of left scapulae being measurable by measuring the position
of the arm with the positional measurement device.
4. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 3,
further comprising a measurement value display part, configured to
display a measurement value of the position of the horizontal
direction and/or vertical direction at the right or left scapulae
measured by the positional measurement device.
5. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 1,
wherein the arm is capable of sliding upon the main body in a
vertical direction.
6. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 5,
wherein one of the arm and the main body include ridges extending
in a vertical direction, and another one of the arm and the main
body include grooves extending in the vertical direction, the arm
being slidably attached to the main body by interconnection of the
ridges and grooves.
7. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 5,
wherein the main body includes a fall-prevention device, configured
to prevent the arm from falling by locking the arm when the arm is
sliding.
8. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 1,
wherein the arm is detachably connected to the main body.
9. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 8,
wherein the arm is detachably connected to the main body using a
magnet.
10. The scapulae position measurement device according to claim 1,
further comprising: an indicator member, slidably disposed upon the
arm, the horizontal position of the right or left scapulae being
measurable by measuring a position of the indicator member on the
arm.
11. The scapula position measurement device according to claim 10,
further comprising: a main body indicator member, attached to the
main body and configured to slide in a vertical direction, a
vertical position of the right or left scapulae being measurable by
measuring a position of the arm relative to the main body using the
main body indicator member.
12. The scapula position measurement device according to any of
claims 1, wherein the main body is flexible.
13. A scapula position measurement method for use with a person
having right and left scapulae, comprising: positioning a main body
of a scapula position measurement device vertically in a
predetermined location along a spine of the person; moving a
horizontal arm, extending from a side of the main body, to align
with a predetermined location of the right or left scapula of the
person; determining a horizontal position of the right or left
scapulae by measuring a position of the predetermined location
relative to the arm; and determining a vertical position of the
right or left scapulae by measuring a position of the arm relative
to the main body.
14. A scapula position measurement method in accordance with claim
13, wherein moving the horizontal arm comprises moving a pair of
horizontal arms extending from opposing sides of the main body,
whereby each horizontal arm aligns with a predetermined location of
the right and left scapula, respectively.
15. A scapula position measurement method in accordance with claim
13, wherein determining the horizontal position of the right or
left scapulae comprises comparing the position of the predetermined
location relative to a horizontal scale disposed upon the arm.
16. A scapula position measurement method in accordance with claim
13, wherein determining the vertical position of the right or left
scapulae comprises comparing the position of Patent the arm, when
aligned with the predetermined location, relative to a vertical
scale disposed upon the main body.
17. A scapula position measurement method in accordance with claim
13, wherein determining the horizontal and vertical positions of
the right or left scapulae comprises measuring the position of the
predetermined location with respect to the arm and measuring the
position of the arm with respect to the main body using a
positional measurement device, disposed upon one of the main body
and the arm.
18. A scapula position measurement device for use on a person,
comprising: a vertical body, having right and left sides,
configured to be aligned with a spine of the person in a
predetermined location, having a vertical scale disposed thereon; a
pair of horizontal arms, moveably extending from the right and left
sides of the vertical body, each horizontal arm having a horizontal
scale disposed thereon, each horizontal arm being moveable to a
position along the main body corresponding to a respective
predetermined location of a right and left scapula of the person, a
horizontal position of the right and left scapulae being
determinable by comparing a position of the respective
predetermined location relative to the horizontal scale of the
respective horizontal arm, and a vertical position of the right and
left scapulae being determinable by comparing the position of each
arm relative to the vertical scale of the main body.
19. A scapula position measurement device in accordance with claim
14, wherein the main body is flexible.
20. A scapula position measurement device in accordance with claim
14, further comprising an indicator member, moveably disposed upon
each arm.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a scapulae position
measurement device and a scapulae position measurement method
capable of measuring the therapeutic effects for stiff shoulders
and poor posture caused by the malposition of the scapulae, using
an objective numerical value.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of
people complaining about "stiff shoulders," which is accompanied by
stiffness, pain and even headaches or nausea when the neck,
shoulders and back are stretched. According to the 2010 National
Life Infrastructure survey of the Japanese Ministry of Health,
Labor and Welfare, the percentage of stiff shoulders have become
the No. 2 complaints in men and No. 1 in women. The factors of why
this issue has been increasing is due to bad posture, such as
stooping and slouching caused by the rapid spread of Smartphones,
or the like, and increase in computer use at the workplace, lack of
exercise, work in a posture where the neck and shoulders are tense
and maintain the same poor posture continuously, not to mention the
fatigue already cause by too much air conditioning and mental
stress.
[0003] When there is a "stiff shoulders" posture as described
above, the scapulae in the dorsal part are often shifted upward and
outward from their correct position. The scapulae are thin,
palm-sized bones found at the back of the human body. The scapulae
consist of two bones, one on the left and one on the right. Since
the scapulae are floating at the back of the ribs, multiple muscles
which are attached to the lower and upper part, left and right
surface and back side of the scapulae are supporting the scapulae.
The muscles which are attached to the scapulae are used not only to
move the arms and shoulders, but also connect the ribs to help the
respiratory process, support the head when moving the neck etc.,
and several related movements of the body. Due to changes in the
muscle balance caused by muscle tension and loose muscle which is
connected to the scapulae, even with a simple gesture of extending
the arm or tilting the head, the scapulae will eventually change
its position.
[0004] Since the scapulae are floating at the back of the ribs
without being in contact with any other bones, the position of the
scapulae will depend on the tense state of the muscle groups which
are attached to the scapulae even when the body is not in motion.
The balance between each muscle can be out of control and the
scapulae can be shifted from its position because the posture is in
a bad position in which the muscle groups around the scapulae are
under excessive tension and loose more than they should be.
Especially in a condition called stiff shoulder, there are lots of
cases whereby the scapulae has shifted from the correct position to
the upward and outward side, and rotating upward (upper part of the
scapulae will be close to the spine, and the lower part of the
scapulae will be rotating outward away from the spine).
[0005] The Japanese Orthopaedic Association has noted that the
trapezius muscle, levator scapulae muscle, rhomboid major muscle,
rhomboid minor muscle, supraspinatus muscle, semispinalis capitis,
splenius capitis muscle and splenius cervicis muscle are the
muscles which are related to "stiff shoulders." In particular, the
trapezius muscle and levator scapulae muscle are both referred to
as the stiff shoulder line, and there are often cases whereby the
tension of these causes stiff shoulders. Scapulae in the stiff
shoulder state are being pulled upward by the tension of the
trapezius muscle and the levator scapulae muscle, and then are in
an upward rotation condition after it has been shifted outward by
the loosening of the rhomboid muscle.
[0006] There are many healthcare methods for improving and treating
stiff shoulders, such as massage therapy, hyperthermia therapy,
exercise therapy, rest therapy, drug therapy, acupuncture, etc.
From these methods, when the muscle tension of the muscle groups
around the scapulae is relaxed and the scapulae has returned back
to its proper position, the stiff shoulders from posture such as
stoop and slouch will be improved and the stiff shoulders symptom
will be prevented as well. The stiff shoulders improvement methods
described above have been conducted by qualified personnel not only
at orthopedic clinics, rehabilitation centers, orthopedic
hospitals, acupuncture hospitals, and massage centers by a
masseuse, but even at various types of private facilities such as
sports clubs, trainers, and manipulative therapy centers.
SUMMARY
[0007] Even in fields such as medical care and private hospitals,
however, there is little consideration to effectiveness of
treatment after deploying the position measurement of the scapulae.
Even at an orthopedic clinic, the diagnosis of stiff shoulders,
such as by verification of the existence of pain pressure and
muscle tension at the trapezius muscle using the palpation method,
and checking on possible movement in areas connected to the
shoulders and verification of the cervical spine disease, is
common. Hence, there has been a request to present the
re-conditioning of the scapulae by using an objective numerical
value.
[0008] The device and method of the present disclosure was made in
view of such technical background, and the purpose is to provide a
scapulae position measurement device and scapulae position
measurement method which use an objective numerical value for the
effective treatment of stiff shoulders and poor posture caused by
the malposition of the scapulae.
[0009] The present disclosure provides a scapulae position
measurement device which comprises a main body extending in the
vertical direction and an arm extending in at least the right or
left direction from said main body. The main body is arranged to
the spine in a predetermined location, and the arm is changed to
the position along the main body to fit the height position of the
predetermined location of the right or left scapulae. The position
of the horizontal direction for the right or left scapulae is
measured by measuring the position of the predetermined location
for the right or left scapulae to the arm and the position of the
vertical direction for the right or left scapulae is measured by
measuring the position of the arm to the main body. According to
this, it is possible to easily and accurately measure the positions
in the horizontal direction and the position in the vertical
direction of the right or left scapula.
[0010] The device of the present disclosure may be configured such
that the scale of the vertical direction is provided on the main
body, and the scales of the right direction and left direction are
provided on the respective arm(s), wherein the position of the
horizontal direction for the right or left scapula can be measured
by measuring the position of a predetermined location of the right
or left scapula facing the arm with the scale of the arm, and the
position of the vertical direction of the right or left scapulae
can be measured by measuring the position of the arm facing the
main body with the scale of the arm. According to this, by
simplifying the structure, the horizontal and vertical position of
the right or left scapulae can be determined easily as an objective
numerical value.
[0011] The device of the present disclosure may be configured such
that a positional measurement device can be provided on the main
body or arm, and the position of the horizontal direction for the
right or left scapulae can be measured by measuring the position of
a predetermined location for the right or left scapulae, facing the
arm, with the positional measurement device, and the position of
the vertical direction of the right of left scapulae can be
measured by measuring the position of the arm, facing the arm, with
the positional measurement device. The positional measurement
device can use laser and/or ultrasound to measure the distance, and
measures the position by electrical, optical or ultrasonic methods.
According to this, by carrying out the electrical, optical or
ultrasonic method, the position in the horizontal direction of the
right or left scapulae and the position of the vertical direction
can be measured accurately with the objective numerical value.
[0012] The device of the present disclosure maybe configured to
have a measurement value display part for displaying the
measurement value of the position of the horizontal direction
and/or vertical direction at the right or left scapulae measured by
the positional measurement device. According to this, users can
easily grasp the horizontal direction position and vertical
direction position of the right or left scapulae by verifying the
measurement value display part of the positional measurement
device.
[0013] The device of the present disclosure may be configured such
that the arm is provided so as to be capable of sliding in the
vertical direction of the main body. According to this, the arm is
allowed to slide in the vertical direction of the main body and the
position can be changed so that it would fit to the predetermined
height position of the right and/or left scapulae.
[0014] The device of the present disclosure may be configured such
that the arm is provided so as to be able to slide in the vertical
direction of the main body by fitting the ridges extending in a
vertical direction that are provided on the main body or arm with
the grooves extending in the vertical direction that are provided
on the arm or the main body. According to this, the arm is allowed
to slide in the vertical direction of the main body with a simple
structure, and the position can be changed so that it would fit to
the predetermined height position of the right and/or left
scapulae.
[0015] The scapulae position measurement device maybe configured
such that the main body includes a fall-prevention device to
prevent the bar from falling by locking the arm when the arm is
sliding. According to this, when sliding the arm, it can prevent
falling from falling off the end of the main body.
[0016] In addition, the arm may be detachable from the main body.
According to this, the scapulae position measurement device can
disassemble into various parts for compact storage or to make it
portable.
[0017] Further, the arm may be detachably connected to the main
body using a magnet. According to this, the arm can easily be
detached from or attached to the main body of the scapulae position
measurement device.
[0018] The arm may be configured to have a bar indicator member
that slides in the right or left direction. This provides an
indicator member for the arm that is capable of being displaced to
the appointed area of the right scapulae or the left scapulae. The
horizontal position of the right scapulae or the horizontal
position of the left scapulae is measured by measuring the position
of indicator member on the arm. According to this, the position of
the horizontal direction of the right and/or left scapulae can be
measured accurately.
[0019] Further, the main body may be configured to have a main body
indicator member that slides in a vertical direction. This provides
an indicator member that is capable of indicating a vertical
position of the right scapulae or the vertical position of the left
scapulae by measuring the position of the main body indicator
member for the respective arm. According to this, the position of
the vertical direction of the right and/or left scapulae can be
measured accurately.
[0020] Furthermore, the main body may be made from flexible bending
materials in the thickness direction. According to this, even when
the test subject is a person whose back is bent due to an incident
such as traffic accident, the main body of the scapula measurement
device can be bent to follow the curvature of the spine. Due to
this, even when the test subject is a person whose back is bent,
the predetermined direction position of the scapulae can be
measured.
[0021] Moreover, the scapulae position measurement method of the
present disclosure comprises a main body of a form extending in the
vertical direction, and an arm provided in a form extending in the
right and left direction for the main body, wherein the main body
of the scapulae position measurement device is positioned in a
predetermined location along the spine and the arm is repositioned
at the main body to fit the height/vertical position of a
predetermined location of the right or left scapulae. The position
of the horizontal direction for the right or left scapulae is
measured by measuring the position of the predetermined location
for the right or left scapulae relative to the arm, and the
position of the vertical direction for the right or left scapulae
is measured by measuring the position of the arm relative to the
main body.
[0022] According to this, it is possible to easily and accurately
measure the positions of the horizontal direction and the
predetermined vertical direction position of the right or left
scapulae.
[0023] According to the present disclosure, the change in position
of the horizontal direction and vertical direction of the scapulae
can be measured, and it is possible to present the tension and/or
the relaxed state of the muscles surrounding the scapulae with an
objective numerical value. With this treatment, which allows the
muscles surrounding the scapulae to be represented by an objective
numerical value, it becomes possible to provide specific treatment
to patients.
[0024] In addition, the device of the present disclosure can be
disassembled into various parts for compact storage.
[0025] Also, the scapulae position measurement device, which
measures a change in position of the scapulae for therapeutic
purposes, can also be used for proactive applications in other
areas, such as sports and beauty. By measuring the increase and/or
decrease in the movable range of the scapulae, this objective
measurement can be applied to performance in sports, posture, and
cosmetic appearance. There are many imaginable uses that fall under
a wide range of applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration showing an embodiment
of a scapulae position measurement device according to the present
disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a transverse section of the scapulae position
measurement device of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view, showing the usage of the
scapulae position measurement device.
[0029] FIGS. 4A and 4B are transverse sections showing alternative
embodiments of the scapulae position measurement device of FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration showing another
embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a transverse section of the scapulae position
measurement device of FIG. 5.
[0032] FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial perspective and bottom plan view
illustrations of the main parts of an alternative embodiment of the
scapulae position measurement device of FIG. 5.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of an alternative
embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration showing an alternative
embodiment of the scapulae position measurement device of FIG.
8.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration showing another an
alternative embodiment of the scapulae position measurement device
of FIG. 8.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective illustration of another alternative
embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device.
[0037] FIGS. 12A and 12B are partial perspective illustrations of
an alternative embodiment of the scapulae position measurement
device of FIG. 11.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of
a scapulae position measurement device.
[0039] FIG. 14 is a perspective illustration of an alternative
embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Shown in FIGS. 1-3 is an embodiment of a scapulae position
measurement device according to the present disclosure. In the
description below, the horizontal direction is set to the X axis
and the vertical direction is set to the Y axis of the human
body.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the scapulae position measurement device
1 comprises a main body 10 having a scale 11a and 11b in the
vertical direction, a right arm 20 on the right side of the main
body 10, having a scale 21a and 21b in the horizontal direction,
and a left arm 30 provided on the left side of the main body 10,
having a scale 31a and 31b in the horizontal direction.
[0042] The main body 10 is a rectangular pillar which can be
aligned in the vertical direction. A groove 14 is provided in the
main body 10, which extends in the vertical direction (length
direction) of the main body 10 at the right side of the surface
part 12 and left side of the surface part 13. This groove 14 is
linearly provided with the main body 10 from the top to the bottom
in a constant width and constant depth. The main body 10 is
provided with a scale 11a of the vertical direction at the right
side of the front surface 15, and a scale 11b of the vertical
direction at the left side of the front surface 15. These scales
11a and 11b can be made longer than the length of the vertical
dimension of the typical human scapulae. Specifically, the scales
11a and 11b can have a length of about 20-50 cm.
[0043] The right arm 20 is a rectangular pillar which is provided
in a horizontal extending form in the right direction of the main
body 10. The right arm 20 has a left edge part 22 fitted to the
groove 14 of the main body 10 and it can have a size and shape to
slide in the vertical direction. In addition, the right arm 20 can
be provided with a scale 21a of the horizontal direction at the
upper side of the front surface 23, and scale 21b of the horizontal
direction at the lower side of the front surface 23. These scales
21a and 21b are made to be longer than the length from the spinal
column B of a normal human being up to a predetermined location
(e.g. upper corner, lower corner) of the scapulae K1. Specifically,
the scales 21a and 21b can have a length of about 20-50 cm. In
addition, the right side of the arm can be made to be longer than
the length up to half the width of the back (the width between the
base of the left and right arms) of a normal human body.
Specifically, the right side of the arm can have a length of about
30-60 cm.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the right arm 20 can be slid upward with
the left edge of part 22 to the groove 14, to a position where the
upper surface 25 of the right arm 20 matches the height position of
the upper corner of the right scapula K1. Then, the position of the
X axis in the upper corner of the right scapulae K1 can be measured
by measuring the position in the upper corner of the right side of
the scapulae K1 with the scale 21a, and the position of Y axis in
the upper corner of the right scapulae K1 can be measured by
measuring the position in the vertical direction of the right arm
20 with the scale 11a on the main body 10.
[0045] Also, the left arm 20 can be slid downward with the left
edge part 22 in the groove 14, to a position where the lower
surface 24 of the right arm 20 matches the height position of the
lower corner of the right scapulae K1. Then, the position of the X
axis in the lower corner of the right scapulae K1 can be measured
by measuring the position in the lower corner of the right side of
the scapulae K1 with the scale 21b, and the position of Y axis in
the lower corner of the right scapulae K1 can be measured by
measuring the position in the vertical direction of the right arm
20 with the scale 11a on the main body 10.
[0046] On the other hand, the left arm 30 is a rectangular pillar
which is horizontally provided in an extending form in the left
direction of the main body 10. The left arm 30 has a right edge
part 32 fitted to the groove 14 of the main body 10 and can have a
size and shape capable of sliding in the vertical direction. The
left arm 30 can have the scale 31a of the horizontal direction at
the upper side of the front surface 33, and the scale 31b of the
horizontal direction at the lower side of the front surface 33.
These scales 31a and 31b can have a length that is longer than the
length from the spinal column B of a typical human up to a
predetermined location (e.g. upper corner, lower corner) of the
scapulae K2. Specifically, the scales 31a and 31b can have a length
of about 20-50 cm. In addition, the left side of the arm 30 can
have a length longer than the length up to half the width of the
back (the width between the base of the left and right arms) of the
general human body. Specifically, the left side of the arm can have
a length of about 30-60 cm.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the left arm 30 can be slid upward with
the right edge part 32 to the groove 14, to a position on the upper
surface 35 at the left arm 30 to match the height position of the
upper corner of the left scapulae K2. Then, the position of the X
axis in the upper corner of the left scapulae K2 can be measured by
measuring the position in the upper corner with the scale 31a, and
the position of the Y axis in the upper corner of the left scapulae
K2 can be measured by measuring the position in the vertical
direction in the left arm 30 with the scale 11b on the main body
10.
[0048] Similarly, the left arm 30 can be slid downward with the
right edge part 32 in the groove 14, and then the lower surface 34
at the left arm 30 can be changed to the position to match the
height position of the lower corner of the left scapulae K2. Then,
the position of the X axis in the lower corner of the left scapulae
K2 is measured by measuring the position in the lower corner with
the scale 31b, and the position of the Y axis in the lower corner
of the left scapulae K2 can be measured by measuring the position
in the vertical direction of the left arm 30 with the scale 11b on
the main body 10.
[0049] Next, the description will be on the usage of the scapulae
position measurement device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, first, the users
will bring the back surface 16 of the main body into contact to the
back of the test subject and then align the main body 10 together
with the spinal column B. During this time, the main body and the
spinal column B are preferably arranged in the same predetermined
location whereby the top edge part of the main body 10 will match
the predetermined location.
[0050] Next, users will change the position on the right arm 20 to
the position in the vertical direction of the upper corner of the
right scapulae K1. Specifically, the user will slide the right arm
20 upward with the fitting form at the left edge part 22 to the
groove 14, and then the right arm 20 at the upper surface 25 will
be changed to the position to match the height position of the
upper corner of the right scapulae K1. Then, the user will measure
the position of the X axis in the upper corner of the right
scapulae K1 by measuring the position in the upper corner with the
scale 21a, and will measure the position of Y axis in the upper
corner of the right scapulae K1 by measuring the position of the
vertical direction at the right arm 20 with the scale 11a on the
main body 10.
[0051] Similarly, users will change the position for the right arm
20 to the position of the vertical direction of the lower corner of
the right scapulae K1. Specifically, the user will slide the right
arm 20 downward with the fitting form at the left edge part 22 to
the groove 14, and then the right arm 20 at the lower surface 24
will be changed to the position to match the height position in the
lower corner of the right scapulae K1. Then, the user will measure
the position of the X axis in the lower corner in the right
scapulae K1 by measuring the position in the lower corner with the
scale 21b, and measure the position of the Y axis in the lower
corner of the right scapulae K1 by measuring the position of the
vertical direction at the right arm 20 with the scale 11a on the
main body 10.
[0052] Next, users will change the position for the left arm 30 to
the position of the vertical direction of the upper corner of the
left scapulae K2. Specifically, the user will slide the left arm 30
upward with the fitting form at the right edge part 32 to the
groove 14, and then the left arm 30 at the upper surface 35 will be
changed to the position to match the height position of the upper
corner of the right scapulae K2. Then, the user will measure the
position of the X axis in the upper corner of the left scapulae K2
by measuring the position in the upper corner with the scale 31a,
and measure the position of the Y axis in the upper corner of the
left scapulae K2 by measuring the position in the vertical
direction at the left arm 30 with the scale 1 lb on the main body
10.
[0053] Similarly, users will change the position on the left arm 30
to the position of the vertical direction in the lower corner of
the right scapulae K2. Specifically, the user will slide the left
arm 30 downward with the fitting form at the left edge part 32 to
the groove 14, and then the left arm 30 at the lower surface 34
will be changed to the position to match the height position of the
lower corner of the left scapulae K2. Then, the user will measure
the position of the X axis in the lower corner of the left scapulae
K2 by measuring the position in the lower corner with the scale
31b, and measure the position of Y axis in the lower corner of the
left scapulae K2 by measuring the position of the vertical
direction at the left arm 30 with the scale 11b on the main body
10.
[0054] Then, the user can place the spinal column B along the Y
axis and the X axis in the spinal vertical line, and then, the
position of the left and right scapulae K1 and K2 can be measured.
The measurement point is being configured for the upper corner
(upper part of the corner inside the scapulae) inside the scapulae
K1 and K2, and the lower corner (lower corner of the scapulae)
inside the lower part of the same scapulae. There are no issues
with using the measurement point at places besides scapulae K1 and
K2 (for example, scapular spine). However, the upper corner and
lower corner were not only easy to be palpated, but also they have
an end part of the muscles which is related to the measurement.
[0055] The positional change of the horizontal direction from the
spinal column B of the left and right upper or lower corner, which
is the inside corner of scapulae K1 and K2, is measured with the
X-axis, and the positional change of the vertical direction from
the spinal column B of the upper or lower right and left scapulaes
K1 and K2, is measured with the Y-axis. According to this, it is
possible to measure the changes on the X and Y axis on the left and
right scapulae. In addition, it is possible to verify the changes
of the X and Y axis for the left and right scapulae K1 and K2
respectively.
[0056] The reason for measuring the changes in X axis is because of
the scapulae K1 and K2 are separated from the spinal column B and
spread outwardly when the back is rounded to lean forward (aversion
of the scapulae). At this time, rhomboid major and minor muscles
which are related to the stiff shoulders will be stretched and the
distance from the spinal column B of the scapulae K1 and K2 becomes
wider. The rhomboid major and minor muscles are adductor muscles
which are pulled to the spinal column B of the scapulae K1 and K2.
In addition, since the trapezius muscle is the stiff shoulder
muscle, downward rotation (a movement which is rotating the
scapulae so that the lower corner will be approaching the inside)
of the opposite movement of the scapulae K1 and K2 are also being
carried out. The rhomboid major and minor muscles will easily relax
when the trapezius muscle is tense. The rhomboid minor muscle
starts from the spinous process of the cervical vertebrae C6-C7
(cervical vertebrae C7 sliding the thoracic T1), and ends at the
internal top part of the scapulae. The rhomboid major muscle starts
from the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae T1-T4, and ends
at the internal bottom part of the scapulae. The rhomboid major and
minor muscles are used, for example, when pulling a drawer to the
front, and if the rhomboid major and minor muscles are in a relaxed
condition whereby they are away from the spinal column B such as
when the scapulae is barely near to the hand to reach until the
position whereby the hand is extended, they will be located outside
the disposition. Thus, the position changes at the upper corner and
lower corner of the X axis for the scapulae K1 and K2 have appeared
to change the position of the tension and/or relaxing state and
inward (adduction) and/or outward (abduction) of the rhomboid major
and minor muscles, trapezius muscle and levator scapulae
muscle.
[0057] The reason for measuring the changes in Y axis is because
the upper corner of the scapulae is increasing on the spine when
the shoulders are in the elevated (e.g. shrugging) condition,
whereby the head is falling to the front.
[0058] At this time, the levator scapulae muscle which is related
to stiff shoulder is in a tension state by pulling up the upper
corner of the scapulae, and the position of the scapulae K1 and K2
on spinal column B will be changed upwardly. Since the levator
scapulae muscle together with the trapezius muscle are using the
scapulae for raising activities (on the levator scapulae muscle),
then both of these muscles are similarly tense during the tension
state. The levator scapulae muscle starts from the nodules after
the spinous process of the cervical vertebrae C1-C4, and ends at
the related inside and upper corner on the top part of the
scapulae. The levator scapulae muscle together with the trapezius
muscle are used when shrugging the shoulders and also when lifting
things. If the levator scapulae muscle is in tension, such as when
the scapulae K1 and K2 are being pulled up, shrugging the
shoulders, they will move to the upward direction on the spinal
column B. Thus, the position changes at the upper corner of Y axis
for the scapulae K1 and K2 have appeared to change the position of
the tense muscle and/or relaxing state and upward (elevation)
and/or downward (under the system) of the levator scapulae
muscle.
[0059] Furthermore, by measuring the position changes on the X axis
and Y axis of the upper corner and lower corner of the scapulae K1
and K2, it becomes possible to also measure the rotation state of
the scapulae K1 and K2. In addition, by measuring the changes on
the X axis and Y axis of the scapulae K1 and K2, not only for the
rhomboid major and minor muscles, but also for the trapezius muscle
and levator scapulae muscle which have been described above, it is
possible to estimate the condition of the synergist and
antagonistic muscle (muscles which are moving in an opposite way).
By measuring the changes of the upper corner and lower corner of
the scapulae K1 and K2, it can be understood that the tension
and/or relaxed state for all of the muscle groups are moving in the
position of the scapulae K1 and K2.
[0060] As described above, by finding the extension of the straight
line and the intersection of the Y axis which is connected to the
position of the upper corner and lower corner of the scapulae K1
and K2, it becomes possible to find the position of the scapulae at
the angle .theta., and the tense and/or relaxed state of the
muscles surrounding the scapulae K1 and K2 can be measured with an
objective numerical value. From there, the effect of treatment to
the surrounding muscles of the scapulae K1 and K2 can be detected
by using the objective numerical value, and not only is it possible
to present the specific treatment effect to the patients and
customers, but also, the numerical value can be applied to a
computer program on health maintenance, exercise and
rehabilitation.
[0061] This kind of scapulae position measurement device can
independently change the position between the right arm 20 and left
arm 30. Due to this, the position of the right scapulae K1 and the
position of the left scapulae K2 can be measured at the same time
from the right arm 20 and the left arm 30, and it becomes possible
to improve the measurement efficiency.
[0062] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4A, the scapulae
position measurement device 1 is provided with a projection 17 from
the upper part to the bottom part of the main body 10, whereby the
projection 17 extends in the vertical direction at the right side
surface 12 and the left side surface 13 of the main body. The
groove 26 and 36 which fit with the projection 17 are provided at
the right arm 20 and the left arm 30.
[0063] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4B, the scapulae
position measurement device 1 is provided with a hook-shaped groove
14 from the upper part to the bottom part of the main body 10,
whereby the groove 14 extends in the vertical direction at the
right side surface 12 and left side surface 13 of the main body. At
the left edge part 22 of the right arm 20 and the right edge part
32 of the left arm 30, the hook-shaped groove 14 and the fitting
bent parts 22a and 32a are provided.
[0064] Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device
1 of the present disclosure will be described while referring to
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Only the configuration differing from the above
embodiments will be described, whereby descriptions of like
configurations will be omitted, and like components are indicated
by corresponding reference numerals.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the scapulae position
measurement device 1, a groove 14 is provided from the upper edge
to the lower edge of the main body 10, and this groove has an
opening at the upper surface 18 and the bottom surface 19 of the
main body 10.
[0066] By inserting the right arm 20 and the left arm 30 from the
opening part 18a and 19a, users can easily mount the right arm 20
and the left arm 30 at the main body 10, and it becomes possible to
easily assemble the scapulae position measurement device 1.
[0067] By letting go of the right arm 20 and the left arm 30 from
the opening part 18a and 19a, users can easily mount the right arm
20 and the left arm 30 at the main body 10, and it becomes possible
to easily disassemble the scapulae position measurement device
1.
[0068] Note that this embodiment is not limited to the above
described, and the scapulae position measurement device 1 may have
a cross section as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, for example.
[0069] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the
scapulae position measurement device is provided with a
fall-prevention device 10b to prevent the right arm 20 and/or left
arm 30 from falling to the lower edge part 1 of the main body
10.
[0070] By making the groove 14 short, this fall-prevention device
10b is provided for the blocking purpose of the lower edge part
10a.
[0071] According to this, even if the right arm 20 and/or the left
arm 30 falls due to gravity, the left edge part 22 of the right arm
20 and/or the left edge part 32 of the left arm 30 will be stopped
at the fall-prevention device 10b which can be provided at the
lower edge part 10a of the main body 10. Therefore, it is possible
to prevent the right arm 20 and/or left side of the bar 30 from
falling off the lower edge part 10a of the main body 10.
[0072] Note that the fall-prevention device 10b may be provided by
attaching a rectangular plate to the bottom surface 19 of the main
body 10.
[0073] Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device
1 of the present disclosure will be described while referring to
FIG. 8.
[0074] In this embodiment, the main body 10 can be oriented such
that the North pole of a bonded magnet is at the right side of the
surface part 12 or left side of the surface part 13.
[0075] In addition, the right arm 20 can be attached to the South
pole of the bonded magnet on the left side surface part 27. The
right arm 20 is detached from the right side of surface part 12 at
the main body 10 by pulling the left side of surface part 27 from
the right side of surface part 12 at the main body 10 and the
magnetic force of the bonded magnet.
[0076] Furthermore, the left arm 30 is attached to the South pole
of the bonded magnet on the right side surface part 37. The left
arm 30 is detached from the left side of the surface part 13 at the
main body 10 by pulling the right side of surface part 37 from the
left side of surface part 13 to the main body 10 and the magnetic
force of the bonded magnet.
[0077] According to this, the right arm 20 and the left arm 30 can
be easily detached from the main body 10, and then, the scapulae
position measurement device can easily assemble and
disassemble.
[0078] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, a shoulder 14b can
be provided at the right side of surface part 12 and the left side
of surface part 13 of the main body 10.
[0079] In addition, the right arm 20 can be provided with shoulder
14b of the main body 10 to fit the shoulder 22b at the left edge
part 22. By fitting the shoulder 22b with the shoulder 14b of the
main body 10, this right arm 20 will be stable when the direction
and position are attached to the main body 10.
[0080] In addition, the left arm 30 can be provided with shoulder
14b of the main body 10 to fit the shoulder 32b at the right edge
part 22. By fitting the shoulder 32b with the shoulder 14b of the
main body 10, the right arm 20 will be stable when the direction
and position are attached to the main body 10.
[0081] According to this, by stabilizing the right arm 20 and the
left arm 30 when attached to the main body 10, the measurement
accuracy can be improved. Also, users can easily measure the scale
because the scale 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b are always oriented toward the
front, toward the face of the users.
[0082] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, a shoulder 14b can
be provided at the right side of surface part 12 and the left side
of surface part 13 of the main body 10.
[0083] In addition, the right arm 20 is a rectangular pillar
material, and the back surface part 221 of the left edge part 22 is
leaning on the front surface 141 of the shoulder 14b at the main
body 10. By leaning the back surface 221 of the left edge part 22
to the front surface 141 of the shoulder 14b at the main body 10,
the right arm 20 will be stable when the direction and the position
are attached to the main body 10.
[0084] In addition, the left arm 30 is a rectangular pillar
material, and the back surface part 321 of the right edge part 32
is leaning on the front surface 141 of the shoulder 14b at the main
body 10. By leaning the back surface 321 of the right edge part 32
to the front surface 141 of the shoulder 14b at the main body 10,
the left arm 30 will be stable when the direction and the position
are attached to the main body 10.
[0085] According to this, by stabilizing the right arm 20 and the
left arm 30 when attached to the main body 10, the measurement
accuracy can be improved. Also, users can easily measure the scale
because scale 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b are always oriented toward the
front, to face the users.
[0086] Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device
1 of the present disclosure will be described while referring to
FIG. 11.
[0087] By sliding the right arm 20 and/or left arm 30 in the
horizontal direction, the scale indicator material used for the
indicator member 40 will indicate the scale reading.
[0088] The scale indicator material used for the indicator member
40 can completely or partly encircle the respective arm 20 or 30,
and the right arm 20 or the left arm 30 can be configured to fit
the shape and size of the internal surface of the indicator member
40. The scale indicator material used for indicator member 40 can
have an opening part 40a at the back surface side, and the opening
part 40a can be smoothly slid in the horizontal direction by
widening it. This scale indicator material used for indicator
member 40 can be configured to have a width (length of the
horizontal direction) of about 0.3-1.0 cm.
[0089] According to this, by sliding the scale indicator material
used for the indicator member 40 to the position of the reading
scale, the scale 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b of the right arm 20 and/or left
side of the arm can be measured easily.
[0090] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 12A, the scapulae
position measurement device 1 can have a vertical groove 15a at the
front surface 15 of the main body 10, and a main body scale
indicator member 50 fitted in the groove 15a. The main body scale
indicator member 50 can be slid within the groove 15a in the
vertical direction, and the scale readings will be indicated.
[0091] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 12B, the scapulae
position measurement device 1 can be provided with a groove 28 in
the horizontal direction at the front surface 23 of the right arm
20, and the scale indicator material used for the indicator member
40 fitted to groove 28. The scale indicator material used for the
indicator member 40 slid with groove 28 in the horizontal
direction, and the scale readings will be indicated. Note that, the
scale indicator material used for the indicator member 40 can also
be used for the left arm 30.
[0092] Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device
1 of the present disclosure will be described while referring to
FIG. 13.
[0093] The main body 10 is formed of a material that is flexible
with respect to its thickness.
[0094] According to this, even when the test subject is a person
whose back is bent due to an incident such as a traffic accident,
the main body 10 can be bent together with the spinal column B. Due
to this, even when the test subject is a person whose back is bent,
the position of the predetermined location of the scapula can be
measured.
[0095] Another embodiment of a scapulae position measurement device
1 according to the present disclosure will be described while
referring to FIG. 14.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 14, the scapulae position measurement
device 1 includes the laser distance meter 60 as a positional
measurement device at the lower edge part of the main body 10. By
projecting the laser distance meter 60 to both sides of the right
side and left side from the main body 10, the upper surfaces 61a
and 61b of the distance meter 60 will be formed at the right side
and left side of the main body 10. This includes having the right
side of the sensor part 62a to the right side of the upper surface
61a and the left side of the sensor part 62b to the left side of
the upper surface 61b together with the measurement value display
part 63 at the front surface.
[0097] The right arm 20 and/or left arm 30 can include an indicator
member 70, which can slide upon the respective arm horizontally to
indicate the measurement position.
[0098] First of all, the laser distance meter 60 will have the
right side of the sensor part 62a to measure the position of the
vertical direction at the right arm 20, and then measure the
position of the vertical direction in a predetermined location at
the right scapulae, and measure the distance L up to the indicator
member 70 of the arm at the right arm 20. Next, from the
Pythagorean theorem, based on the distance L and position H, the
laser distance meter 60 will calculate the distance W of the
horizontal direction from the right side of the sensor 62a up to
the indicator member 70 of the arm, and then, by adding or
subtracting the distance D and the distance W from the right side
of the surface part 12 at the main body 10 which can be stored
beforehand, the position of the horizontal direction in the
predetermined location at the right scapulae will be measured.
[0099] Similarly, the laser distance meter 60 will first have the
left side of the sensor part 62b to measure the position of the
vertical direction at the left arm 30, and then measure the
position of the vertical direction in a predetermined location at
the left scapulae, and measure the distance L up to the indicator
member 70 for the left arm 30. Next, from the Pythagorean theorem,
based on the distance L and position H, the laser distance meter 60
will calculate the distance W of the horizontal direction from the
left side of the sensor 62b up to the indicator member 70 for the
arm, and then, by adding or subtracting the distance D and the
distance W from the left side of the surface part 13 at the main
body 10 which can be stored beforehand, the position of the
horizontal direction of the predetermined location at the left
scapulae will be measured.
[0100] Finally, the laser distance meter 60 will present the
position of the vertical direction and the position of the
horizontal direction of the predetermined location which have been
measured at the right scapulae and the measurement value of the
position of the vertical direction and position of the horizontal
direction of the predetermined location at the left scapulae at the
measurement value display part 63.
[0101] Note that, the laser distance meter 60 may analyze and
manage measurement values, which can be calculated after sending
data to a computer, whereby the display can be skipped.
[0102] In addition, the laser distance meter 60 may be fixed at the
main body 10, and may be provided with a detachable form at the
main body 10. Especially, if the laser distance meter 60 at the
main body 10 is provided with a detachable form, the assembling
work can be carried out at the measurement area and it will be
convenient as the data can be stored, such as on a portable compact
disk.
[0103] In addition, the laser distance meter 60 will also measure
the angle .theta. in the rotation state at the scapulae based on
each of the values described above, and the angle .theta. of the
scapulae may be presented at the measurement value display part
63.
[0104] In addition, the positional measurement device is not only
limited to the laser distance meter, and may also take measurements
such as distance etc. electrically, optically or ultrasonically.
The position of the horizontal direction and the position of the
vertical direction with a predetermined location may be measured at
the right or left scapulae.
[0105] Note that, the above mentioned implementation forms for each
right arm 20 and each left arm 30 will be provided to both sides of
the main body 10, but one arm may provide as the matter to either
one side of the main body 10. For this case, after changing the
position of the arm at the right side of the main body 10, a user
can measure the position of the horizontal direction and the
vertical direction of the predetermined location at the right
scapulae. The position of the similar arm will be changed to the
left side of the main body 10 and the measuring methods for the
position of the horizontal direction and vertical direction of the
predetermined location at the left scapulae can be mentioned.
[0106] As described above, the figure surface will be referred and
the implementation form of the present invention can be described
but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated
implementation form. It is possible to add various modifications
and variations in the present invention and within the same range,
or within the equivalent range to the illustrated implementation
form.
* * * * *