U.S. patent application number 15/088399 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-28 for bending method and bending device.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is OLYMPUS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hirofumi TANIGUCHI.
Application Number | 20160214157 15/088399 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52992646 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160214157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TANIGUCHI; Hirofumi |
July 28, 2016 |
BENDING METHOD AND BENDING DEVICE
Abstract
The possibility of performing a bending process again on an area
that has already been bent once is reduced. Provided is a bending
device including two receiving sections disposed with a distance
therebetween; a pressing section that presses a plate-like
workpiece, which is supported in a bridged manner between the
receiving sections, into a space between the receiving sections; an
operable section that applies an external force for causing the
pressing section to generate a pressing force; and a marker
retaining section that is attached to at least one of the pressing
section and the receiving section side and that retains a marker to
be adhered to a pressed area of whichever one of surfaces of the
workpiece by means of the pressing force.
Inventors: |
TANIGUCHI; Hirofumi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
52992646 |
Appl. No.: |
15/088399 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2014/074473 |
Sep 17, 2014 |
|
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15088399 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/8863 20130101;
B21D 5/01 20130101; B21C 51/005 20130101; B21D 5/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B21C 51/00 20060101
B21C051/00; B21D 5/02 20060101 B21D005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 23, 2013 |
JP |
2013-220028 |
Claims
1. A bending method comprising: a setting step for setting a
plate-like workpiece in a bridged manner between two receiving
sections disposed with a distance therebetween; and a pressing step
for causing a pressing force to act on a pressing section so as to
press the workpiece set between the receiving sections into a space
between the receiving sections, wherein the pressing step includes
causing a marker to adhere to a pressed area of whichever one of
surfaces of the workpiece, the marker indicating that the area has
been pressed.
2. The bending method according to claim 1, wherein the pressing
step includes disposing the marker at the pressing section side of
the workpiece and causing the marker to adhere to the surface of
the workpiece by means of the pressing force.
3. The bending method according to claim 2, wherein the pressing
step includes pressing against the workpiece by using the pressing
section, which retains the marker on a surface thereof at the
workpiece side.
4. The bending method according to claim 1, wherein the pressing
step includes disposing the marker at the receiving section side of
the workpiece and causing the marker to adhere to the surface of
the workpiece by means of the pressing force.
5. The bending method according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece
is an osteosynthesis plate, and wherein the marker is composed of a
biocompatible material.
6. A bending device comprising: two receiving sections disposed
with a distance therebetween; a pressing section that presses a
plate-like workpiece, which is supported in a bridged manner
between the receiving sections, into a space between the receiving
sections; an operable section that applies an external force for
causing the pressing section to generate a pressing force; and a
marker retaining section that is attached to at least one of the
pressing section and the receiving section side and that retains a
marker to be adhered to a pressed area of whichever one of surfaces
of the workpiece by means of the pressing force.
7. The bending device according to claim 6, wherein the marker
retaining section is detachably attached to at least one of the
pressing section and the receiving section side.
8. The bending device according to claim 6, wherein the marker is
formed of powder or liquid, wherein the marker retaining section
has a porous structure that is capable of retaining the marker
within pores.
9. The bending device according to claim 6, wherein the marker
retaining section is attached to a surface at the receiving-section
side of the pressing section.
10. The bending device according to claim 6, wherein the marker
retaining section is attached between the two receiving
sections.
11. The bending device according to claim 6, wherein the workpiece
is an osteosynthesis plate, and wherein the marker is composed of a
biocompatible material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of International Application
PCT/JP2014/074473, with an international filing date of Sep. 17,
2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2013-220028, filed on Oct. 23, 2013, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to bending methods and bending
devices.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In the related art, a known processing tool includes two
receiving protrusions spaced apart from each other such that an
osteosynthesis plate can be bridged therebetween, and a pressing
section that moves toward an area between the receiving
protrusions. The osteosynthesis plate supported between the
receiving protrusions is bent by sandwiching the osteosynthesis
plate between the pressing section and the receiving protrusions
and pressing against the osteosynthesis plate using the pressing
section (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
[0004] The material of the osteosynthesis plate expected to be used
with the processing tool in Patent Literature 1 is a material with
high toughness, such as stainless steel or a titanium alloy. In a
case where a highly fragile material, such as magnesium or a
magnesium alloy, is used as the osteosynthesis plate, if the
bending process is performed again on an area that has already been
bent once, the osteosynthesis plate may easily break due to
repeated plastic deformation. In particular, for example, if the
same area is bent in the reverse direction after a fine bending
process that is difficult to visually recognize, the material may
break.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
{PTL 1}
Publication of Japanese Patent No. 4071563
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] An aspect of the present invention is a bending method
including a setting step for setting a plate-like workpiece in a
bridged manner between two receiving sections disposed with a
distance therebetween, and a pressing step for causing a pressing
force to act on a pressing section so as to press the workpiece set
between the receiving sections into a space between the receiving
sections. The pressing step includes causing a marker to adhere to
a pressed area of whichever one of surfaces of the workpiece. The
marker indicates that the area has been pressed.
[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a bending device
including two receiving sections disposed with a distance
therebetween; a pressing section that presses a plate-like
workpiece, which is supported in a bridged manner between the
receiving sections, toward an area between the receiving sections;
an operable section that applies an external force for causing the
pressing section to generate a pressing force; and a marker
retaining section that is attached to at least one of the pressing
section and the receiving section side and that retains a marker to
be adhered to a pressed area of whichever one of surfaces of the
workpiece by means of the pressing force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a bending device
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a state where the
distance between a pressing section and receiving sections of the
bending device in FIG. 1 is increased.
[0009] FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating a state where the
distance between a pressing section and receiving sections of the
bending device in FIG. 1 is reduced.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a workpiece that
has been bent by using the bending device in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first
modification of a marker retaining section of the bending device in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second
modification of the marker retaining section of the bending device
in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a workpiece that
has been bent by using the bending device in FIG. 5.
[0014] FIG. 7A is a vertical sectional view illustrating the second
modification of the marker retaining section of the bending device
in FIG. 1, showing the marker retaining section in an attached
state.
[0015] FIG. 7B is a vertical sectional view illustrating the second
modification of the marker retaining section of the bending device
in FIG. 1, showing the marker retaining section in a detached
state.
[0016] FIG. 8A is a vertical sectional view illustrating a third
modification of the marker retaining section of the bending device
in FIG. 1, showing the marker retaining section in an attached
state.
[0017] FIG. 8B is a vertical sectional view illustrating the third
modification of the marker retaining section of the bending device
in FIG. 1, showing the marker retaining section in a detached
state.
[0018] FIG. 9A is a vertical sectional view illustrating a fourth
modification of the marker retaining section of the bending device
in FIG. 1, showing the marker retaining section in an attached
state.
[0019] FIG. 9B is a vertical sectional view illustrating the fourth
modification of the marker retaining section of the bending device
in FIG. 1, showing the marker retaining section in a detached
state.
[0020] FIG. 10A is a plan view illustrating a modification of the
bending device in FIG. 1, showing a part thereof provided with a
misalignment prevention mechanism.
[0021] FIG. 10B is a front view illustrating the modification of
the bending device in FIG. 1, showing the part thereof provided
with the misalignment prevention mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0022] A bending device 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention will be described below with reference to the
drawings.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the bending device 1 according to this
embodiment includes two components 3 and 4 connected to each other
in a pivotable manner about a pivot shaft 2. First ends of the two
components 3 and 4 are respectively provided with grip sections 5
and 6 (operable sections) that are to be gripped by a physician
with one hand. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a second end of the
first component 3 is provided with two planar receiving sections 8
spaced apart from each other with a groove 7, which substantially
has a semicircular shape in cross section, interposed therebetween.
A second end of the second component 4 is provided with a columnar
pressing section 9, which is to be moved to a position where it
engages with the groove 7 by pivoting the two components 3 and 4
relatively to each other.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2A, the pressing section 9 of the bending
device 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a marker
retaining section 10. The marker retaining section 10 has a porous
structure having multiple pores formed in the surface of the
columnar pressing section 9. The pores of the porous structure
retain powdery markers M therein. In this embodiment, the marker
retaining section 10 is partially provided in a region that faces
the groove 7 at the receiving section 8 side.
[0025] The powdery markers M used are preferably composed of a
colored biocompatible material, such as (white-colored)
biocompatible ceramic powder composed of, for example, calcium
phosphate or magnesium phosphate.
[0026] A bending method using the bending device 1 according to
this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be
described below.
[0027] In order to bend a plate-like workpiece A by using the
bending device 1 according to this embodiment, the plate-like
workpiece A is set in a bridged manner between the two receiving
sections 8, as shown in FIG. 2A (setting step). By gripping the
grip sections 5 and 6, a pressing force acts on the pressing
section 9 so that the workpiece A set on the receiving sections 8
is pressed into the space between the two receiving sections 8, as
shown in FIG. 2B (pressing step).
[0028] Because the pressing section 9 is provided with the marker
retaining section 10 and the markers M are retained within the
marker retaining section 10, when the workpiece A is pressed as a
result of the pressing section 9 being pressed against the surface
of the workpiece A, the markers M retained in the marker retaining
section 10 are transferred to the area of the workpiece A pressed
by the pressing section 9. Thus, even when the bending is slight,
the operator performing the bending process can easily recognize an
already-bent area by simply visually-checking the markers M adhered
to the surface of the workpiece A.
[0029] As a result, the bending device 1 and the bending method
according to this embodiment are advantageous in that the workpiece
A can be prevented from breaking as a result of performing a
bending process again on an area that has already been bent
once.
[0030] Furthermore, because the marker retaining section 10 is
provided in the pressing section 9 in the bending device 1 and the
bending method according to this embodiment, the markers M adhere
to the recessed side of the bent workpiece A, as shown in FIG. 3.
Therefore, the bent area can be readily recognized by visually
checking the markers M on the recessed side of the workpiece A.
[0031] Furthermore, because the markers M used are composed of a
biocompatible material in this embodiment, if the workpiece A used
is to be implanted into the living body, like an osteosynthesis
plate, the workpiece A can be implanted into the living body
without having to remove the markers M adhered thereto after the
bending process. Therefore, the operator, such as a physician, can
omit the process for cleaning off the markers M.
[0032] Although the markers M to be adhered to the surface of the
workpiece A are described as being powder in this embodiment, a
liquid composed of a biocompatible material, such as a
(black-colored) povidone-iodine liquid, may be used as an
alternative.
[0033] Furthermore, although a colored biocompatible material, such
as (white-colored) biocompatible ceramic powder composed of, for
example, calcium phosphate or magnesium phosphate or a
(black-colored) povidone-iodine liquid, is used, the markers M do
not have to be biocompatible if the workpiece A is not intended to
be implanted into the living body, like an osteosynthesis plate.
Moreover, even if the workpiece A is intended to be implanted into
the living body, the markers M do not have to be biocompatible so
long as they can be cleaned off before the implantation.
Furthermore, the markers M may be colorless if they are visually
recognizable in the adhered state (based on, for example, a state
in which they bulge out from the surface of the workpiece A).
[0034] Furthermore, in the bending device 1 according to this
embodiment, the marker retaining section 10 is provided in a part
of the columnar pressing section 9, in the circumferential
direction thereof, at a position that faces the groove 7.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the marker retaining section 10
may be provided around the entire circumference of the pressing
section 9.
[0035] Furthermore, although the marker retaining section 10 is
provided in the pressing section 9 in this embodiment, the marker
retaining section 10 may alternatively be provided at the receiving
section 8 side, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0036] In the case where the marker retaining section 10 is
provided at the receiving section 8 side, the marker retaining
section 10 is preferably disposed at the bottom of the groove 7, as
shown in FIG. 5. When the apex of the protruding side of the
workpiece A bent as a result of the bending process comes into
contact with the marker retaining section 10, the markers M adhere
to the protruding side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator
can visually check the markers M adhered to the protruding side of
the workpiece A so as to readily recognize the bent area.
[0037] Furthermore, the pressing section 9 and the receiving
section 8 side may both be provided with marker retaining sections
10. According to this configuration, the markers M adhere to the
opposite surfaces of the workpiece A so that the operator can
identify the bent area by looking at either one of the
surfaces.
[0038] Furthermore, the marker retaining section 10 may be provided
in a detachable manner in the pressing section 9 or at the
receiving section 8 side. As a method for making the marker
retaining section 10 detachable from the pressing section 9, a
method of attaching the marker retaining section 10 by means of
screws 11 and 12, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, or a method of
fitting the marker retaining section 10, like a cap, around a core
9a disposed in the pressing section 9, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,
may be employed.
[0039] Accordingly, without having to sterilize the marker
retaining section 10, the bending process can be performed on a
plurality of workpieces by replacing the marker retaining section
10. Moreover, when the markers M retained in the marker retaining
section 10 are used up as a result of repeating the bending
process, the markers M can be readily resupplied by simply
replacing the marker retaining section 10.
[0040] In either case, the marker retaining section 10 disposed
around the surface of the core 9a constituting the pressing section
9 increases the strength of the pressing section 9, thereby
allowing for a stable bending process.
[0041] As a method of providing the marker retaining section 10 in
a detachable manner at the receiving section 8 side, a unit 14
having the marker retaining section 10 fixed to a base 13 may be
attached to the receiving sections 8 by being fitted therebetween,
as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.
[0042] Furthermore, the bending device 1 according to this
embodiment may be equipped with a misalignment prevention mechanism
15 that prevents the pressing section 9 and the receiving sections
8 from being misaligned with the workpiece A during the bending
process.
[0043] In a case where the workpiece A is a plate that has holes B
at the opposite sides of an area where the workpiece A is to be
bent, as shown in FIG. 10A, the misalignment prevention mechanism
15 may be constituted of, for example, handles 16, which have claws
16a to be fitted into the holes B, attached to the opposite sides
of the pressing section 9 in a pivotable manner about axes 17
extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pressing section
9.
[0044] In the bending device 1 having such a misalignment
prevention mechanism 15, when the pressing section 9 is moved
closer toward the groove 7 between the receiving sections 8 by
operating the grip sections 5 and 6 in a state where the workpiece
A is set in a bridged manner between the receiving sections 8, as
shown in FIG. 10B, the handles 16 disposed at the opposite sides of
the pressing section 9 also move closer to the workpiece A. By
bringing the pressing section 9 even closer to the groove 7, the
claws 16a provided in the handles 16 become fitted into the holes B
in the workpiece A, and the pressing section 9 subsequently comes
into contact with the surface of the workpiece A.
[0045] Therefore, even when a pressing force is applied from the
pressing section 9 to the workpiece A and the bending process is
performed thereon, since the claws 16a of the handles 16 are fitted
in the holes B in the workpiece A, the workpiece A is positioned so
as to be prevented from being misaligned with the pressing section
9 and the receiving sections 8. Moreover, when the bending process
is performed, the positions of the holes B change as a result of
the bent workpiece A. However, since the handles 16 pivot about the
axes 17 in correspondence with this positional change, the
positions of the claws 16a also change so that the claws 16a are
maintained in the fitted state in the holes B. Consequently, the
workpiece A is supported without being misaligned with the pressing
section 9 and the receiving sections 8 even during the bending
process.
[0046] From the above-described embodiment and modifications
thereof, the following aspects of invention are derived.
[0047] An aspect of the present invention provides a bending method
including a setting step for setting a plate-like workpiece in a
bridged manner between two receiving sections disposed with a
distance therebetween, and a pressing step for causing a pressing
force to act on a pressing section so as to press the workpiece set
between the receiving sections into a space between the receiving
sections. The pressing step includes causing a marker to adhere to
a pressed area of whichever one of surfaces of the workpiece. The
marker indicates that the area has been pressed.
[0048] According to this aspect, when the plate-like workpiece is
supported by the two receiving sections so as to bridge between the
two receiving sections in the setting step and the pressing section
is moved toward the space between the receiving sections in the
pressing step, the workpiece is pressed by the pressing section,
and a bending process for the workpiece thus commences. When a
pressing force is applied from the pressing section to the
workpiece disposed between the pressing section and the receiving
sections, the marker adheres to the pressed area of whichever one
of the surfaces of the workpiece. Thus, an operator can recognize
that the area has already been bent once based on the adhered
marker even if the bending of the workpiece is too slight to be
visually recognized. Then, by checking the marker, the operator can
readily prevent another bending process from being performed again
on the area to which the marker is adhered.
[0049] In the above aspect, the pressing step may include disposing
the marker at the pressing section side of the workpiece and
causing the marker to adhere to the surface of the workpiece by
means of the pressing force.
[0050] Accordingly, since the marker adheres to the surface of the
workpiece pressed by the pressing section, the bent position can be
confirmed in the surface that is recessed after the bending
process. In this case, the meaning of the expression "disposing the
marker at the pressing section side of the workpiece" includes
disposing a marker carrying member, such as a sheet, at a position
interposed between the pressing section and the workpiece, in
addition to allowing the pressing section used for performing the
bending process to retain the marker. In either case, the marker
indicating the bent area can be adhered to the surface of the
workpiece.
[0051] In the above aspect, the pressing step may include pressing
against the workpiece by using the pressing section, which retains
the marker on a surface thereof at the workpiece side.
[0052] Accordingly, the marker can be adhered to the workpiece by
simply sandwiching the workpiece between the pressing section and
the receiving sections and pressing against the workpiece, thereby
allowing for a simple bending process.
[0053] In the above aspect, the pressing step may include disposing
the marker at the receiving section side of the workpiece and
causing the marker to adhere to the surface of the workpiece by
means of the pressing force.
[0054] Accordingly, because the marker adheres to the surface at
the receiving section side of the workpiece, the bent position can
be confirmed in the surface that becomes a protruding side after
the bending process. In this case, the meaning of the expression
"disposing the marker at the receiving section side of the
workpiece" includes disposing a marker carrying member, such as a
sheet, at a position interposed between the receiving sections and
the workpiece, in addition to allowing the receiving sections used
for performing the bending process to retain the marker. In either
case, the marker indicating the bent area can be adhered to the
surface of the workpiece.
[0055] In the above aspect, the workpiece may be an osteosynthesis
plate, and the marker may be composed of a biocompatible
material.
[0056] Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture an osteosynthesis
plate that can be applied to bones without having to remove the
marker after performing the bending process.
[0057] Another aspect of the present invention provides a bending
device including two receiving sections disposed with a distance
therebetween; a pressing section that presses a plate-like
workpiece, which is supported in a bridged manner between the
receiving sections, toward an area between the receiving sections;
an operable section that applies an external force for causing the
pressing section to generate a pressing force; and a marker
retaining section that is attached to at least one of the pressing
section and the receiving section side and that retains a marker to
be adhered to a pressed area of whichever one of surfaces of the
workpiece by means of the pressing force.
[0058] According to this aspect, when the plate-like workpiece is
supported by the two receiving sections so as to bridge between the
two receiving sections and an external force is applied to the
pressing section, the workpiece is pressed by the pressing section
toward the space between the receiving sections, and a bending
process for the workpiece thus commences. As the external force
applied to the manual operable section is increased, the pressing
force increases, so as to cause the material constituting the
workpiece to exceed the elastic range and enter the plastic range,
whereby the workpiece plastically deforms.
[0059] In this case, when the pressing force acts on the workpiece
from the pressing section or the receiving section side, the marker
retained in the marker retaining section attached to at least one
of the pressing section and the receiving section side adheres to
the pressed area of whichever one of the surfaces of the workpiece.
Thus, even when a fine bending process is performed, the bent
position can be identified based on the adhered marker, so that a
warning can be given to prevent a bending process from being
performed again on an area that has already been bent once.
[0060] In the above aspect, the marker retaining section may be
detachably attached to at least one of the pressing section and the
receiving section side.
[0061] Accordingly, in a case where the marker retained in the
marker retaining section decreases as a result of performing the
bending process, the marker retaining section may be detached and
be replaced with a new marker retaining section, so that the
bending process can be continuously performed while causing the
marker to adhere to the bent area.
[0062] In the above aspect, the marker may be formed of powder or
liquid, and the marker retaining section may have a porous
structure that is capable of retaining the marker within pores.
[0063] Accordingly, the marker can be readily retained within the
pores in the porous marker retaining section, so that the marker
formed of powder or liquid can be readily transferred onto the
surface of the workpiece when a pressing force is applied.
[0064] In the above aspect, the marker retaining section may be
attached to a surface at the receiving-section side of the pressing
section.
[0065] Accordingly, since the marker adheres to the surface of the
workpiece to be pressed by the pressing section, the bent position
can be confirmed in the surface that is recessed after the bending
process.
[0066] In the above aspect, the marker retaining section may be
attached between the two receiving sections.
[0067] Accordingly, because the marker adheres to the surface at
the receiving section side of the workpiece, the bent position can
be confirmed in the surface that becomes a protruding side after
the bending process.
[0068] In the above aspect, the workpiece may be an osteosynthesis
plate, and the marker may be composed of a biocompatible
material.
[0069] Accordingly, it is possible to process an osteosynthesis
plate that can be applied to bones without having to remove the
marker after performing the bending process.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0070] A workpiece [0071] M markers [0072] 1 bending device [0073]
5, 6 grip sections (operable sections) [0074] 8 receiving sections
[0075] 9 pressing section [0076] 10 marker retaining section
* * * * *