DEFECTS

The invention, object of the present patent, relates to an eye- wearable device, adapted to condition the range of vision of a patient, for correcting postural defects inducing postural kyphosis pathologies.

As known, for kyphosis is meant the vertebral deformity of the upper part of the spine, compared to the physiological natural curve, such pathology can depend on several reasons and it mainly occurs in old age, with the arising of an antero-posterior concavity at the dorsal level.

Generally, kyphosis prevention in the adolescents is mostly based on the correction of postural defects which can induce it, avoiding, for example, overloaded backpacks, physical activities such as boxing, golf, cycling, or by adopting a series of behaviors and/or activities allowing to have a posture as upright as possible, both during deambulation and in the conditions one is forced to long sessions.

The treatment of kyphosis deformity is performed, as known, through various therapeutic approaches, among which, neglecting the pharmacological treatments, the use of orthopedic corsets, the postural training and specific physiotherapy sessions.

Among the known devices for posture correction of a patient there are corrective glasses, according to the teachings of the patent EP 3273295 Al, the latter consisting of a pair of lenses, whose upper portion is shielded, with the result that the patient will be induced to assume an upright cervical position, as he is forced to use only the range of vision offered by the lower portion of the lenses themselves.

A drawback of the corrective glasses described in patent EP 3273295 Al, is a consequence of the lens upper part shielding, that, as perceivable, causes a drastic reduction of the range of vision of the patient, making their use disadvantageous during normal daily activities, thus relegating them, accordingly, to an exclusive use in indoor and protected environments, which differ from outdoor environments.

A further disadvantage of partially shielded lenses is of the aesthetic-type, since the patient is forced, against his will, to have a facial physiognomy damaged by a pair of dark stripes at eye level.

The known therapeutic treatments, related to postural training or physiotherapy applications, affect a lot the patient in terms of time as well as costs, depending on the necessary duration required by the selected therapy.

The use of orthopedic corsets considerably limits the patient’s everyday life quality, both getting used to adapting to a constrictive structure, which forces to some movements, and using clothes suitable to contain the corrective corset, generally obtaining not very aesthetic results.

The object of the present invention is to provide an eye- wearable device for the correction of postural defects, made with lenses which do not allow a correct vision through the upper portion, thus allowing a correct vision only through the lower portion.

A further object of the invention is to provide a correction device which can be used both by sighted subjects, and by subjects having visual defects.

A further object achieved by the invention is to allow the therapist to sensitively adjust the height of the range of vision for obtaining a correct vision, acting on adjustment means, of which the device is equipped with, adapting it to the patient’s correction need.

Still another object is to provide a device for the correction of postural defects, eye- wearable, which can be used in any type of environment, both indoor and outdoor environment, without causing any drawback to the patient, both of the aesthetic and functional type.

A further object is to provide a device suitable for correcting the posture, not only in a antero -posterior sense, such as in the case of a patient suffering from kyphosis, but also in a latero- lateral sense, such as in the case of a patient suffering from scoliosis. These and further objects are achieved by the range of vision conditioning device, for the correction of postural defects, according to the present invention, hereinafter described according to a preferred, but non limiting, embodiment of further developments within the scope of the patent, through the attached drawings showing the following figures:

Fig. 1, is an isometric view of a corrective glass according to the prior art, wherein the upper portion of the lenses is shielded;

Fig. 2, is an isometric view of the range of vision conditioning device;

Fig. 3, is an exploded isometric view of the range of vision conditioning device;

Fig. 4, is an isometric view in a preferred embodiment of the device with an adjustable in height nosepiece;

Fig. 5, is a partial isometric view in a preferred embodiment, the lenses of the device being equipped with adjustment slots;

Fig. 6, is an explanatory view of the available range of vision, according to a common lens and according to the range of vision conditioning device.

The range of vision conditioning device, for the correction of postural defects, for the sake of simplicity hereinafter indicated as device 1, comprises a pair of lenses 2, a pair of adjustable rods 3 and a bridge 4, adapted to connect to each other the pair of lenses 2, the latter being in turn consisting of a lower portion 22 and an upper portion 21. Said upper portion 21 of the lenses 2 having the feature to inhibit a correct view of a patient, for the purpose of inducing to move his own visual axis to the lower portion 22.

As illustrated in figures 2 and 3, at the inner and outer side ends of each lens 2, an ordered vertical series of holes 23a and 23b is applied, such that to make possible to constrain rods 3 and the nosepiece 4 to the lenses 2, thus obtaining the patient visual axis to be moved upward, downward or obliquely. Alternatively, the vertical sliding of the lenses 2, with respect to the rods 3 and the nosepiece 4, can be obtained through four tracks laterally and centrally obtained with respect to the frame, and a grub screw whose tightening causes the block of the said lenses 2 at the desired height with respect to said rods 3 and to the nosepiece 4.

More in detail, the upper portion 21 of each lens 2 has a refractive index such that to intentionally generate an optical aberration of the range of vision, while the lower portion 22 is made as a neutral lens, for sighted subjects, or in case of a subject affected by a visual defect, with its corrective gradation.

The therapist, after having identified the correct approach of the physiological curve of the patient at dorsal level, will be able to establish the positioning of the lower portion 22 of the lenses 2, according to the corrective posture to be assumed by the patient, constraining the adjustable rods 3 and the bridge 4, along the corresponding horizontal line of arranged holes 23a, 23b or several systems already described.

The fastening of the adjustable rods 3 and bridge 4, according to the selected horizontal line of holes 23a, 23b, can be carried out by reversible restraining means such as common tightening nuts 6. Once the position of the lower portion 22 of the lenses 2 is fixed by the therapist, the use of such device 1, wherein the optimal gradation, or the neutral lens, is positioned only in the lower portion 22, indirectly induces the patient to move the cervical-dorsal rachis upwards and posteriorly, in order to have an optimal vision.

According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in fig. 4, the adjustment of the position of the lower portion 22 of the lenses 2, can be made by means of an adjustable bridge 7, provided at its ends and at the attachment of the nosepieces 5, with slots 71, inside of which the nosepieces 5 can be fixed, by reversible restraining means 72, at the desired position suitable for the previously described objects.

As illustrated in fig. 5, according to a further preferred and not limiting embodiment, the lenses 2 of device 1, are made such that at their inner and outer side ends, vertical slots 24a, 24b are applied, inside of which the adjustable rods 3 and the bridge 4 can be connected, following the references of respective graduated scales 25, positioned in the immediate proximity of the vertical slots 24a, 24b and necessary to allow the correct positioning of components 3, 4, according to the horizontal line selected for the correction. Figure 6 shows a first image with a patient suffering from a postural disorder, wearing conventional glasses and, a second image wherein the patient wearing the device 1, and with the consequent restriction of the correct range of vision V, is forced to assume a posture suitable to re establish the correct dorsal physiological curve.

The therapeutic efficacy of the application of the invention on kyphotic patients has been also evaluated in a scientifically objective manner, with the use of a stabilometric platform, whose results show that the use of said device 1 does not alter subject stability, but rather improves it.