CA1309910C - Therapeutic appliance for the wrist - Google Patents
Therapeutic appliance for the wristInfo
- Publication number
- CA1309910C CA1309910C CA000612953A CA612953A CA1309910C CA 1309910 C CA1309910 C CA 1309910C CA 000612953 A CA000612953 A CA 000612953A CA 612953 A CA612953 A CA 612953A CA 1309910 C CA1309910 C CA 1309910C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wrist
- appliance
- base
- air
- person
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
- A61F5/0102—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
- A61F5/0104—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations without articulation
- A61F5/0118—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations without articulation for the arms, hands or fingers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
- A61F5/0102—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
- A61F5/012—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations inflatable
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S128/00—Surgery
- Y10S128/20—Inflatable splint
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A therapeutic appliance designed to provide support to the wrist and limit motion of the wrist to prevent repetitive movements of large amplitude felt to be a causative mechanism in injury to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and other structures of this region. The appliance includes a series of interconnected air chambers aligned in parallel on the dorsal, lateral and medial surface of the device, a valve mechanism through which air is pumped into chambers by means of a hand-held bulb, a semi-rigid non-metallic member on the dorsal surface of the device, and elastic strap closures on the volar surface of the device and an elastic strap wrapping around the thumb.
A therapeutic appliance designed to provide support to the wrist and limit motion of the wrist to prevent repetitive movements of large amplitude felt to be a causative mechanism in injury to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and other structures of this region. The appliance includes a series of interconnected air chambers aligned in parallel on the dorsal, lateral and medial surface of the device, a valve mechanism through which air is pumped into chambers by means of a hand-held bulb, a semi-rigid non-metallic member on the dorsal surface of the device, and elastic strap closures on the volar surface of the device and an elastic strap wrapping around the thumb.
Description
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Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a therapeutic appliance applied to the area of the wrist to treat and prevent injuries to the structures of this region.
Backqround of the Invention The wrist contains several structures tha~ can be injured by repetitive large amplitude movements of the wrist. This includes the nerves of the region, particularly the median and ulnar nerves as well as tendons and the ligaments supporting the numerous bones of the wrist. A
freguently utillzed method of treatment is to provide a degree of immobilization to limit motion in the area and thus prevent further trauma to the injured structure of the area.
The prior art devices often achieve this goal by use of an entirely rigid device completely eliminating motion.
Such devices if worn continuously can lead to local muscle atrophy from disuse, and can significantly impair finger motion needed in most activities of daily living. Rigid devices that entirely encompass the wrist can produce unwanted pressure and irritation over bony protuberances of the wrist and distal ends of the bones of the forearm.
Nerves which lie in close proximity to the bones (ulnar and superficial radial nerves) can also be compressed~irritated by such devicesO
Closure~ devices for most wrist splints consist of cumbersome series of laces or straps that can be difficult to apply particularly with the other free hand. Other ' ~ 3 ~
problems encountered by such closures include compression of superficially located nerves (median) and particularly those lying in closc pro~imity to undcrlying boncs ~ulnar and superficial radial nerves). Compression by highly bound circumferential closures may also impair drainage of veins from the hand/wrist area.
Summar~ of the Invention The device of the present invention aims to avoid these aforementioned problems by utilizing a combination of interconnected air chambers aligned in parallel and running in a direction from the distal aspect of the forearm across the wrist and onto the hand. These chambers lie on the dorsal medial and lateral aspect of the extremity being splinted. The chambers in combination with a semi-rigid plastic bar limited to the dorsal aspect of the device supply the desired degree of therapeutic immobilization of the wrist. The semi-rigid nature of the device allows the degree of wrist extension necessary for maximal hand grip strength.
The use of air as a splinting mechanism allows it to conform to an indlvidual wearers bony prominences with less qhance of irritation. The degree of immobilization can be easily varied by adding or substituting air from the device.
Gaps are intentionally left on the volar surface of the device to prevent pressure over the median nerve and draining veins on the surface of the wrist.
The device is closed around the wrist and hand by a ::
~ series of neoprene elasticized material tabs~ The neoprene -:;
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a therapeutic appliance applied to the area of the wrist to treat and prevent injuries to the structures of this region.
Backqround of the Invention The wrist contains several structures tha~ can be injured by repetitive large amplitude movements of the wrist. This includes the nerves of the region, particularly the median and ulnar nerves as well as tendons and the ligaments supporting the numerous bones of the wrist. A
freguently utillzed method of treatment is to provide a degree of immobilization to limit motion in the area and thus prevent further trauma to the injured structure of the area.
The prior art devices often achieve this goal by use of an entirely rigid device completely eliminating motion.
Such devices if worn continuously can lead to local muscle atrophy from disuse, and can significantly impair finger motion needed in most activities of daily living. Rigid devices that entirely encompass the wrist can produce unwanted pressure and irritation over bony protuberances of the wrist and distal ends of the bones of the forearm.
Nerves which lie in close proximity to the bones (ulnar and superficial radial nerves) can also be compressed~irritated by such devicesO
Closure~ devices for most wrist splints consist of cumbersome series of laces or straps that can be difficult to apply particularly with the other free hand. Other ' ~ 3 ~
problems encountered by such closures include compression of superficially located nerves (median) and particularly those lying in closc pro~imity to undcrlying boncs ~ulnar and superficial radial nerves). Compression by highly bound circumferential closures may also impair drainage of veins from the hand/wrist area.
Summar~ of the Invention The device of the present invention aims to avoid these aforementioned problems by utilizing a combination of interconnected air chambers aligned in parallel and running in a direction from the distal aspect of the forearm across the wrist and onto the hand. These chambers lie on the dorsal medial and lateral aspect of the extremity being splinted. The chambers in combination with a semi-rigid plastic bar limited to the dorsal aspect of the device supply the desired degree of therapeutic immobilization of the wrist. The semi-rigid nature of the device allows the degree of wrist extension necessary for maximal hand grip strength.
The use of air as a splinting mechanism allows it to conform to an indlvidual wearers bony prominences with less qhance of irritation. The degree of immobilization can be easily varied by adding or substituting air from the device.
Gaps are intentionally left on the volar surface of the device to prevent pressure over the median nerve and draining veins on the surface of the wrist.
The device is closed around the wrist and hand by a ::
~ series of neoprene elasticized material tabs~ The neoprene -:;
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61~54-17 is laminated to a fabric which adheres to a male VELCR0 strip located at the other end of the bladder system. Those closures located on the volar side of the wrist are sized and shaped to allow for the acceptance as the forearm increases in circumfer-ence. An additional closure, made of the same material extends from the top edge of the three longest chambers forming a central section of the bladder system. This closure passes between the thumb and index finger and is cut in a manner to avoid rubbing the crease area therebetween. This strap moves across the eminence of the palm and is attached to a male VELCR0 (-trade-mark) strip positioned in the vicinity of the volar surface of the wrist. The primary function of the closure is to maintain the proper position on the extremity.
The present invention thus provides a means of applying therapeutic immobilization of the wrist for the purposes of preventing injury to the neural, tendinous and ligamentous struc-ture of the wrist caused by excessive repetitive motionO The device is composed of a semi-rigid plastic support limited to the dorsal surface, flanked on each side by a series of longitudinally extending, interconnected and parallel air chambers filled through a valve at the proximal end of the device. The air chambers and semi-rigid plastic support can optionally overlie an elastic glove-llke lining facing the wrist from the inner surface of the appliance.
According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided an appliance for providing therapeutic immobilization of a person's wrist, said appliance comprising:
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61~54-17 is laminated to a fabric which adheres to a male VELCR0 strip located at the other end of the bladder system. Those closures located on the volar side of the wrist are sized and shaped to allow for the acceptance as the forearm increases in circumfer-ence. An additional closure, made of the same material extends from the top edge of the three longest chambers forming a central section of the bladder system. This closure passes between the thumb and index finger and is cut in a manner to avoid rubbing the crease area therebetween. This strap moves across the eminence of the palm and is attached to a male VELCR0 (-trade-mark) strip positioned in the vicinity of the volar surface of the wrist. The primary function of the closure is to maintain the proper position on the extremity.
The present invention thus provides a means of applying therapeutic immobilization of the wrist for the purposes of preventing injury to the neural, tendinous and ligamentous struc-ture of the wrist caused by excessive repetitive motionO The device is composed of a semi-rigid plastic support limited to the dorsal surface, flanked on each side by a series of longitudinally extending, interconnected and parallel air chambers filled through a valve at the proximal end of the device. The air chambers and semi-rigid plastic support can optionally overlie an elastic glove-llke lining facing the wrist from the inner surface of the appliance.
According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided an appliance for providing therapeutic immobilization of a person's wrist, said appliance comprising:
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a base extendirlg in a longitudinal direction and having opposed ends spaced apart in said longitudinal direction, said base of such a size as to be placed over a person's wrist;
means for re~ovably attaching said ends -together such that the base can be positioned around a person's wrist;
an air bladder supported on said base, said air bladder hav-ing opposed terminal ends spaced apart in said longitudinal direc-tion and at least one air chamber to provide support to the wrist when said base is positioned around the wrist and said air bladder is inflated, each said at least one air chamber being located on said base between said opposed terminal ends of said air bladder, said opposed terminal ends of said air bladder being spaced apart from one another a prede-termined distance when said attach-ing means removably attaches said ends of said base together, said distance being such that the appliance is removably securable to the person's. wrist in a position at which the air chambers of said air bladder do not cover the median nerve and avoid exerting ~: 20 pressure on the median nerve when said air bladder is inflated;
~ and ~ ~ air conduit means communicating with said air bladder for ;~ allowing air to pass through said conduit means to said air bladder to inflate said air bladder.
Brief Summary of the D _wings : The~invention will now be described with reference to the acco~panying drawings, in which:
- 3a ' .
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Flgure 1 is a top view of the appliance of the invention for a user's left hand;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the appliance shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the appliance when in position on the left hand of a user;
Figure 4 is another perspective view of the appliance shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a glove for use with the appliance of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a top view of the appliance of the present invention for a user's right hand.
Detailed Descr~ption of the Preferred Embodiments The therapeutic appliance of the present invention provides support to a user's wrist and comprises a base 1 elongated in a longitudinal direction and having opposed ends spaced apart in the longitudinal direction; means 2 for removably attaching the ends of the base together such that the base can be positioned around a person's wrist; an air bladder 3 supported on the base, the air bladder hav.ing at leas~ one air chamber 4 to provide support to the wrist when inflated; and air conduit means 5 for inflating the aix bladder.
The attaching means comprises at least one strap 2a fi~ed to one of the ends of the base and connection mean$ 6 for remova~ly attaching the strap to the other one of the ends of the base. Preferably, the attaching means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart straps 2a. For instance, as shown in Figures 1-3, the appliance can have three straps . -4-;. ~
~ 3 ~
2a. Another strap 7 which comprises a thumb/palm strap extends from a lateral edge la of the base extending ~etween the ends of the base facing the fingers, the palm strap 7 having a length sufficient to extend over a back portion of a user's hand, between the thumb and index finger and over a portion of the palm. The appliance further includes connection means 6a for removably attaching a free end of the palm strap to a portion of the base located on the volar portion of the wrist when the appliance is posi~ioncd on the user's hand.
The appliance can also include resilient means 8 supported on the base 1 for resisting bending of a user's wrist in a direction towards the dorsal surface of thc wrist when the appliance is positioned on the user's hand, the resilient means comprising a non~metallic, flexible member which returns to its original shape after being elastically deformed. For instance, the flexible member can comprise a strip or bar of plastic material.
The air bladder 3 preferably has a plurality of air chambers (which can be elongated or have any other desired configuration) in fluid communication with each other. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a central section lb of the base includes a plurality of air chambers 4 which are positioned to apply pressure against the dorsal surface of a user's wrist, a first end section lc on one side of the central section includes a plurality of the air chambers 4 positioned to apply pressure against one side and an adjacent part cf the volar surface of the wrist, and a second end section ld on the other side of the central section includes a plurality of the air chambers 4 positioned to apply pressure against the other side and an adjacent part of the volar surface of the wrist such that - :1 3 ~ 3 none of the air chambers 4 are positioned to apply pressure against the median nerve of the hand. As shown in Figure 3, the air chambers 4 located closest to the ends of the base 1 are spaced apart from each other when the appliance is in position on a user's hand and ~hus prevents pressure from being applied over the median nerve and avoids draining veins on the surface of the wrist. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air chambers are elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
However, the air chambers of the first and second end sections lc, ld are preferably elongated in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the air chambers in the central section lb are elongated in a second direction slightly inclined to the first direction, the second direction extending towards the fingers and away from the thumb when the appliance is positioned on a user's hand as shown in Figure 4. The first direction is illustrated by arrow A and the second direction is illustrated by arrow B in Figure 4. The angle between directions A and B is relatively small and on the order of a few degrees. The resilient means 8 is supported on the central section lb of the base, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flexible member is parallel to and positioned between two of the air chambers 4 of the central section lb.
Furthermore, a dead air space 9 which is not inflated can be provided at an end of the flexible member oppositc to the edge of the base from which the palm strap 7 extends.
~;~ The air bladder 3 is configured such that it is generally straight along an edge thereof facing away from a user's fingers but the edge thereof facing the user's -- 13~9~
flngers is stepped such that the air chambers 4 in the central section lb of the base are longcr than those in the adjacent sections lc and ld. Furthermore although the neoprene padded foam mate~ial of the palm strap 7 is triangular in shape at the portion thereof attached to the base 1 as shown in Flgures 1 and this section could be e:~tended to cover par~ or all of the underside of the base 1. The VELCRO material of the connection means 6 6a can entirely cover the sides of the straps 2a, 7 facing the surface of the hand when the appliance is positioned on a user's hand. Also the VELCRO attachment forming the connection means 6a can be e~tended between bo~h edges of the base rather than e~tend oart ~ay from the edge facing the user s fingers as shown in Eigure 1.
The base 1 can comprises a first sheet of heat sealable ma~erial and the air bladder can comprise a second sheet of heat sealable material the air chambers 4 being defined by heat seals 10 bet-"een the first and second sheets.
Alternatively the base can comprise a sheet of material and the bladder can comprise two sheets of heat sealable material supported on the base. The flexible member 8 is ;
held between the two sheets of heat sealable material bI
providing a heat seal entirely therearound. Likewise tne dead air space 9 can be formed by a heat seal 10. The straps 2a and 7 are comprised of a stretchable padded foam material such as neoprene padded foam. The connection means 6, 7a can comprise VELCRO attachments such as by providing female VELCRO (or other material which will securely engage male VELCRO material) on one side of the straps 2a 7 and `~ ~ male VELCRO provided at opposite ends of the base on one ':
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6195~-17 side thereof. For ins~ance, as shown in Figure 1, the male VELCR0 can he provided at the positions shown at 6a and 6. To provide more comfort in wearing the appliance, the straps 2a are fixed to the bottom side of the base 1 facing -the hand as ~hown in Figure 2. By providing a plurality of such straps 2a, the appliance can be flexed more when in position on a user's wrist and due to the gap created by the thickness of the straps 2a between the bottom of the base 1 and a user's wrist, heat and sweat can escape from the skin of the user. Furthermore, by providing the straps 2a extending from the bottom of the base of the appliance~ such straps 2a do not interfere with the attachment of the palm strap 7 as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, to avoid irritation to the area between the thumb and index finger, the palm strap 7 is thinner at a position 7a ~here ~he palm strap passes between the thumb and index finger. The air conduit means 5 includes an air conduit having a valve at an outlet end thereof, the outlet end being adapted for connection to an air pump for filling the air chambers with air. Such an air pump can comprise a conventional s~ueeze bulb for pumping the air chambers.
The appliance of the present invention can be worn in combination with a glove 11 fitted under or over the appliance.
The glove 11 can have pad means 12 as shown in Figure 5 for absorbing vibration. The pad means can comprise a pad 12a which extends over the pall,l and up to the second joint of a user's fingers. Alternatively, the pad means 12 can be mounted on the dorsal surEace of the glove 11 to protect the dorsal surface of the hand and fingers. Furthermore, the pad means 12 can be ~ provided on the inside or outside of the glove 11.
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To accomoda-te different wrist siæes, the number of air chambers can be increased or decreased or t~.e sizes of the air chambers can be varied, e.g. the width of the air chambers may be varied between 3/,~ to ~/8 of an inch. The material of the air bladder can have a Denier of about 210 in order to provide protection against penetration thereof.
Furthermore, a glove can be worn over ~he appliance to provide protection when the appliance is worn in an industrial work environment.
In a further embodiment, not shown in the drawings, a plastic tube can be provided within the air chambers 4 to provide additional suppor-t in the appliance whetller inflated or not.
The appliance shown in Figures 1-4 is for a user's left hand. An appliance for a user's right hand is a mirror image of the appliance for the left hand, as shown in Figure 6.
While the invention has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, many changes and variations may be made thereto which fall witnin the scope of the appended claims.
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,, ~ .. . . -- :~ 3 ~
a base extendirlg in a longitudinal direction and having opposed ends spaced apart in said longitudinal direction, said base of such a size as to be placed over a person's wrist;
means for re~ovably attaching said ends -together such that the base can be positioned around a person's wrist;
an air bladder supported on said base, said air bladder hav-ing opposed terminal ends spaced apart in said longitudinal direc-tion and at least one air chamber to provide support to the wrist when said base is positioned around the wrist and said air bladder is inflated, each said at least one air chamber being located on said base between said opposed terminal ends of said air bladder, said opposed terminal ends of said air bladder being spaced apart from one another a prede-termined distance when said attach-ing means removably attaches said ends of said base together, said distance being such that the appliance is removably securable to the person's. wrist in a position at which the air chambers of said air bladder do not cover the median nerve and avoid exerting ~: 20 pressure on the median nerve when said air bladder is inflated;
~ and ~ ~ air conduit means communicating with said air bladder for ;~ allowing air to pass through said conduit means to said air bladder to inflate said air bladder.
Brief Summary of the D _wings : The~invention will now be described with reference to the acco~panying drawings, in which:
- 3a ' .
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Flgure 1 is a top view of the appliance of the invention for a user's left hand;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the appliance shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the appliance when in position on the left hand of a user;
Figure 4 is another perspective view of the appliance shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a glove for use with the appliance of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a top view of the appliance of the present invention for a user's right hand.
Detailed Descr~ption of the Preferred Embodiments The therapeutic appliance of the present invention provides support to a user's wrist and comprises a base 1 elongated in a longitudinal direction and having opposed ends spaced apart in the longitudinal direction; means 2 for removably attaching the ends of the base together such that the base can be positioned around a person's wrist; an air bladder 3 supported on the base, the air bladder hav.ing at leas~ one air chamber 4 to provide support to the wrist when inflated; and air conduit means 5 for inflating the aix bladder.
The attaching means comprises at least one strap 2a fi~ed to one of the ends of the base and connection mean$ 6 for remova~ly attaching the strap to the other one of the ends of the base. Preferably, the attaching means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart straps 2a. For instance, as shown in Figures 1-3, the appliance can have three straps . -4-;. ~
~ 3 ~
2a. Another strap 7 which comprises a thumb/palm strap extends from a lateral edge la of the base extending ~etween the ends of the base facing the fingers, the palm strap 7 having a length sufficient to extend over a back portion of a user's hand, between the thumb and index finger and over a portion of the palm. The appliance further includes connection means 6a for removably attaching a free end of the palm strap to a portion of the base located on the volar portion of the wrist when the appliance is posi~ioncd on the user's hand.
The appliance can also include resilient means 8 supported on the base 1 for resisting bending of a user's wrist in a direction towards the dorsal surface of thc wrist when the appliance is positioned on the user's hand, the resilient means comprising a non~metallic, flexible member which returns to its original shape after being elastically deformed. For instance, the flexible member can comprise a strip or bar of plastic material.
The air bladder 3 preferably has a plurality of air chambers (which can be elongated or have any other desired configuration) in fluid communication with each other. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a central section lb of the base includes a plurality of air chambers 4 which are positioned to apply pressure against the dorsal surface of a user's wrist, a first end section lc on one side of the central section includes a plurality of the air chambers 4 positioned to apply pressure against one side and an adjacent part cf the volar surface of the wrist, and a second end section ld on the other side of the central section includes a plurality of the air chambers 4 positioned to apply pressure against the other side and an adjacent part of the volar surface of the wrist such that - :1 3 ~ 3 none of the air chambers 4 are positioned to apply pressure against the median nerve of the hand. As shown in Figure 3, the air chambers 4 located closest to the ends of the base 1 are spaced apart from each other when the appliance is in position on a user's hand and ~hus prevents pressure from being applied over the median nerve and avoids draining veins on the surface of the wrist. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air chambers are elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
However, the air chambers of the first and second end sections lc, ld are preferably elongated in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the air chambers in the central section lb are elongated in a second direction slightly inclined to the first direction, the second direction extending towards the fingers and away from the thumb when the appliance is positioned on a user's hand as shown in Figure 4. The first direction is illustrated by arrow A and the second direction is illustrated by arrow B in Figure 4. The angle between directions A and B is relatively small and on the order of a few degrees. The resilient means 8 is supported on the central section lb of the base, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flexible member is parallel to and positioned between two of the air chambers 4 of the central section lb.
Furthermore, a dead air space 9 which is not inflated can be provided at an end of the flexible member oppositc to the edge of the base from which the palm strap 7 extends.
~;~ The air bladder 3 is configured such that it is generally straight along an edge thereof facing away from a user's fingers but the edge thereof facing the user's -- 13~9~
flngers is stepped such that the air chambers 4 in the central section lb of the base are longcr than those in the adjacent sections lc and ld. Furthermore although the neoprene padded foam mate~ial of the palm strap 7 is triangular in shape at the portion thereof attached to the base 1 as shown in Flgures 1 and this section could be e:~tended to cover par~ or all of the underside of the base 1. The VELCRO material of the connection means 6 6a can entirely cover the sides of the straps 2a, 7 facing the surface of the hand when the appliance is positioned on a user's hand. Also the VELCRO attachment forming the connection means 6a can be e~tended between bo~h edges of the base rather than e~tend oart ~ay from the edge facing the user s fingers as shown in Eigure 1.
The base 1 can comprises a first sheet of heat sealable ma~erial and the air bladder can comprise a second sheet of heat sealable material the air chambers 4 being defined by heat seals 10 bet-"een the first and second sheets.
Alternatively the base can comprise a sheet of material and the bladder can comprise two sheets of heat sealable material supported on the base. The flexible member 8 is ;
held between the two sheets of heat sealable material bI
providing a heat seal entirely therearound. Likewise tne dead air space 9 can be formed by a heat seal 10. The straps 2a and 7 are comprised of a stretchable padded foam material such as neoprene padded foam. The connection means 6, 7a can comprise VELCRO attachments such as by providing female VELCRO (or other material which will securely engage male VELCRO material) on one side of the straps 2a 7 and `~ ~ male VELCRO provided at opposite ends of the base on one ':
:
: .
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6195~-17 side thereof. For ins~ance, as shown in Figure 1, the male VELCR0 can he provided at the positions shown at 6a and 6. To provide more comfort in wearing the appliance, the straps 2a are fixed to the bottom side of the base 1 facing -the hand as ~hown in Figure 2. By providing a plurality of such straps 2a, the appliance can be flexed more when in position on a user's wrist and due to the gap created by the thickness of the straps 2a between the bottom of the base 1 and a user's wrist, heat and sweat can escape from the skin of the user. Furthermore, by providing the straps 2a extending from the bottom of the base of the appliance~ such straps 2a do not interfere with the attachment of the palm strap 7 as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, to avoid irritation to the area between the thumb and index finger, the palm strap 7 is thinner at a position 7a ~here ~he palm strap passes between the thumb and index finger. The air conduit means 5 includes an air conduit having a valve at an outlet end thereof, the outlet end being adapted for connection to an air pump for filling the air chambers with air. Such an air pump can comprise a conventional s~ueeze bulb for pumping the air chambers.
The appliance of the present invention can be worn in combination with a glove 11 fitted under or over the appliance.
The glove 11 can have pad means 12 as shown in Figure 5 for absorbing vibration. The pad means can comprise a pad 12a which extends over the pall,l and up to the second joint of a user's fingers. Alternatively, the pad means 12 can be mounted on the dorsal surEace of the glove 11 to protect the dorsal surface of the hand and fingers. Furthermore, the pad means 12 can be ~ provided on the inside or outside of the glove 11.
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To accomoda-te different wrist siæes, the number of air chambers can be increased or decreased or t~.e sizes of the air chambers can be varied, e.g. the width of the air chambers may be varied between 3/,~ to ~/8 of an inch. The material of the air bladder can have a Denier of about 210 in order to provide protection against penetration thereof.
Furthermore, a glove can be worn over ~he appliance to provide protection when the appliance is worn in an industrial work environment.
In a further embodiment, not shown in the drawings, a plastic tube can be provided within the air chambers 4 to provide additional suppor-t in the appliance whetller inflated or not.
The appliance shown in Figures 1-4 is for a user's left hand. An appliance for a user's right hand is a mirror image of the appliance for the left hand, as shown in Figure 6.
While the invention has been described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, many changes and variations may be made thereto which fall witnin the scope of the appended claims.
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_9_ ~ '
Claims (14)
1. An appliance for providing therapeutic immobiliza-tion of a person's wrist, said appliance comprising:
a base extending in a longitudinal direction and having opposed ends spaced apart in said longitudinal direction, said base of such a size as to be placed over a person's wrist;
means for removably attaching said ends together such that the base can be positioned around a person's wrist;
an air bladder supported on said base, said air bladder having opposed terminal ends spaced apart in said longitudinal direction and at least one air chamber to provide support to the wrist when said base is positioned around the wrist and said air bladder is inflated, each said at least one air chamber being located on said base between said opposed terminal ends of said air bladder, said opposed terminal ends of said air bladder being spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance when said attaching means removably attaches said ends of said base together, said distance being such that the appliance is removably securable to the person's wrist in a position at which the air chambers of said air bladder do not cover the median nerve and avoid exerting pressure on the median nerve when said air bladder is inflated; and air conduit means communicating with said air bladder for allowing air to pass through said conduit means to said air bladder to inflate said air bladder.
a base extending in a longitudinal direction and having opposed ends spaced apart in said longitudinal direction, said base of such a size as to be placed over a person's wrist;
means for removably attaching said ends together such that the base can be positioned around a person's wrist;
an air bladder supported on said base, said air bladder having opposed terminal ends spaced apart in said longitudinal direction and at least one air chamber to provide support to the wrist when said base is positioned around the wrist and said air bladder is inflated, each said at least one air chamber being located on said base between said opposed terminal ends of said air bladder, said opposed terminal ends of said air bladder being spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance when said attaching means removably attaches said ends of said base together, said distance being such that the appliance is removably securable to the person's wrist in a position at which the air chambers of said air bladder do not cover the median nerve and avoid exerting pressure on the median nerve when said air bladder is inflated; and air conduit means communicating with said air bladder for allowing air to pass through said conduit means to said air bladder to inflate said air bladder.
2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said attached means comprises at least one strap fixed to one of said ends of said base and connection means for removably attaching said strap to the other one of said ends of said base.
3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart straps fixed to one of said ends of said base and connection means for removably attaching each of said straps to the other one of said ends of said base.
4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said base has a lateral edge extending between said ends of said base, and further comprising a palm strap having a free end and extending from said lateral edge of said base, said palm strap having a length sufficient to extend over a back portion of a person's hand, between the thumb and index finger and over a portion of the palm when the appliance is removably secured to the person's wrist in said position, and connection means for removably attaching the free end of said palm strap to a portion of said base located on the volar portion of the wrist when the appliance is removably secured to the person's wrist in said position.
5. The appliance of claim 1, further comprising resilient means supported on said base for resisting bending of a user's wrist in a direction towards the dorsal surface of the wrist when the appliance is removably secured to the person's wrist in said position, said resilient means comprising a non-metalic, flexible member which returns to its original shape after being elastically deformed.
6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said at least one air chamber comprises a plurality of elongated air chambers in fluid communication with each other.
7. The appliance of Claim 6, wherein said base has a central section, a first end section disposed to one side of said central section in said longitudinal direction, and a second end section disposed to the other side of said central section in said longitudinal direction, said central section of said base including a plurality of said air chambers which apply pressure against the dorsal surface of a person's wrist, said first end section including a plurality of said air chambers which apply pressure against one side and an adjacent part of the volar surface of the wrist, and said second end section including a plurality of said air chambers which apply pressure against the other side and an adjacent part of the volar surface of the wrist all when the appliance is removably secured to the person's wrist in said position.
8. The appliance of claim 7, wherein said air chambers are elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
9. The appliance of claim 7, wherein said air chambers of said first and second sections of said base are elongated in a first direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction and said air chambers in said central section are elongated in a second direction slightly inclined to said first direction, said second direction extending towards the fingers and away from the thumb when the appliance is removably secured to the person's wrist in said position.
10. The appliance of claim 7, further comprising resilient means supported on said central section of said base for resisting bending of a person's wrist in a direction towards the dorsal surface of the wrist when the appliance is removably secured to the person's wrist in said position, said resilient means comprising a non-metallic, flexible member which returns to its original shape after being elastically deformed, said member being parallel to and positioned between two of said air chambers of said central section.
11. The appliance of claim 3, wherein said straps comprise stretchable padded foam material, said connection means comprise VELCRO attachments, and the straps have one end thereof fixed to a side of the base facing the surface of a person's wrist when the appliance is removably secured to the person's wrist in said position to promote air circulation and allow heat and perspiration to escape from the skin of the person when the appliance is in use.
12. The appliance of claim 4, wherein said palm strap comprises a stretchable padded foam material having a configuration which is thinner at a position where said palm strap passes between the thumb and index finger.
13. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said base comprises a first sheet of heat sealable material and said air bladder comprises a second sheet of heat sealable material, said air chamber being defined by heat seals between said first and second sheets.
14. The appliance of claim 7, wherein said air conduit means includes an air conduit having an outlet and a valve at said outlet end thereof, said outlet end being adapted for connection to an air pump for filling said air chambers with air.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/254,748 | 1988-10-07 | ||
| US07/254,748 US4899763A (en) | 1988-10-07 | 1988-10-07 | Therapeutic appliance for the wrist |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1309910C true CA1309910C (en) | 1992-11-10 |
Family
ID=22965442
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000612953A Expired - Lifetime CA1309910C (en) | 1988-10-07 | 1989-09-25 | Therapeutic appliance for the wrist |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4899763A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0363037B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH02168942A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE82488T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1309910C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE68903550T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (37)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5297541A (en) * | 1989-11-14 | 1994-03-29 | Franz Hensey | Athletic therapeutic glove |
| US5014689A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1991-05-14 | The Kendall Company | Hand brace |
| US5020515A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1991-06-04 | D'mannco, Inc. | Inflatable hand splint |
| DE9103985U1 (en) * | 1991-04-02 | 1991-07-11 | Fritz, Christian, 8200 Rosenheim, De | |
| US5301683A (en) * | 1991-12-23 | 1994-04-12 | Durkan John A | Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome |
| US5427577A (en) * | 1992-01-17 | 1995-06-27 | Dba Products Co. Inc. | Selectively pneumatic bowling glove |
| US5309573A (en) * | 1992-03-19 | 1994-05-10 | Solar Kenneth J | Inflatable wrist-stabilizing system |
| US5368550A (en) * | 1993-06-07 | 1994-11-29 | Sisley; Garrett | Joint support |
| US5592694A (en) * | 1993-09-16 | 1997-01-14 | Yewer, Jr.; Edward H. | Wrap type hand glove |
| US5441058A (en) * | 1993-10-15 | 1995-08-15 | Fareed; Donald O. | Method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome |
| US5458564A (en) * | 1993-11-23 | 1995-10-17 | Franzen; Paul W. | Wrist brace |
| US5417645A (en) * | 1993-11-29 | 1995-05-23 | Lemmen; Roger D. | Flexible wrist splint for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment |
| US5454380A (en) * | 1994-09-15 | 1995-10-03 | Gates; Randy J. | Ergonomic hand support for use during a work operation to prevent the risk of adverse medical conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome |
| US5865783A (en) * | 1996-05-03 | 1999-02-02 | Klimoski; David B. | Physiology based wrist support |
| US5702355A (en) * | 1997-01-14 | 1997-12-30 | Ronald M. Repice | Portable adjustable traction appliance to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and other problems of the wrist |
| US5976058A (en) * | 1997-04-07 | 1999-11-02 | Gustafson; Norman P. | Apparatus for effecting stretching of intrinsic muscles and an associated method |
| US5919151A (en) * | 1997-05-22 | 1999-07-06 | Gustafson; Norman P. | Apparatus for reducing median nerve compression and an associated method |
| US6217536B1 (en) | 1997-05-22 | 2001-04-17 | Norman P. Gustafson | Apparatus for reducing median nerve compression and an associated method |
| JPH11151259A (en) * | 1997-11-25 | 1999-06-08 | Kawae Seisakusho:Kk | Leg epithesis |
| US6120472A (en) * | 1998-11-06 | 2000-09-19 | Singer, Jr.; Richard F. | Forearm splint system for treatment and prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome and other cumulative trauma disorders |
| US6823870B1 (en) | 2001-04-05 | 2004-11-30 | D. G. Hill Associates | Patient safety straps |
| GB2376415A (en) * | 2001-06-12 | 2002-12-18 | Huntleigh Technology Plc | Inflatable pad having restrictively interconnected bladder sections for stimulating blood flow via dorsal & plantar flexion of the foot |
| CA2454064C (en) * | 2001-07-18 | 2011-12-20 | M.D. Brothers, Inc. | Apparatus and method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome |
| WO2003017884A1 (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2003-03-06 | M.D. Brothers, Inc. | Non-invasive apparatus and method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome |
| EP1469802A1 (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2004-10-27 | M.D. Brothers, Inc. | Automatic apparatus and method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome |
| EP1469803A1 (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2004-10-27 | M.D. Brothers, Inc. | Adaptable apparatus and method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome |
| US7344511B2 (en) | 2001-08-27 | 2008-03-18 | Porrata Group Llc | Adjustable apparatus and method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome |
| EP1465561A1 (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2004-10-13 | Porrata Group LLC | Configurable apparatus and method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome |
| JP2004298355A (en) * | 2003-03-31 | 2004-10-28 | Taketora:Kk | Joint fixing device |
| US7399240B2 (en) * | 2005-01-10 | 2008-07-15 | Paukert Michael S | Basketball skill guide |
| US7849540B2 (en) * | 2006-08-30 | 2010-12-14 | Health Care Positioners, Inc. | Reusable surgical perioperative positioning system |
| JP4131873B2 (en) * | 2006-09-29 | 2008-08-13 | 社会福祉法人富山県社会福祉総合センター | Body orthosis |
| JP2008245802A (en) * | 2007-03-29 | 2008-10-16 | Gunze Ltd | Gauntlet |
| US7725950B2 (en) * | 2007-06-27 | 2010-06-01 | Hinebaugh Jeffrey P | Device for the hand and forearm of the user |
| ITBG20090046A1 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2011-03-12 | Level Sport S R L | SUPPORT DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE WRIST ARTICULATION. |
| US10786397B2 (en) * | 2011-07-28 | 2020-09-29 | Norton Salas Group, Inc. | Therapeutic compression device and method |
| KR102055142B1 (en) * | 2017-12-27 | 2019-12-12 | 장기용 | Wrist protector |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1469315A (en) * | 1921-08-25 | 1923-10-02 | Hugh H Hansard | Wrist support |
| US2823668A (en) * | 1953-10-12 | 1958-02-18 | Carl P Van Court | Inflatable splint |
| US3164841A (en) * | 1963-11-15 | 1965-01-12 | Burtoff Carl | Safety gloves |
| US3327703A (en) * | 1964-08-13 | 1967-06-27 | Jung Products Inc | Wrist brace |
| US3890649A (en) * | 1974-02-21 | 1975-06-24 | Ramirez Daniel M | Safety glove for football players |
| US4013070A (en) * | 1975-01-13 | 1977-03-22 | Orthopedic Equipment Company, Inc. | Body part immobilizer |
| US4168063A (en) * | 1978-04-19 | 1979-09-18 | Rowland George D | Inflatable athletic wrist movement restraint |
| US4584993A (en) * | 1982-07-06 | 1986-04-29 | Nelson Ronald E | Wrist brace |
| IT1164326B (en) * | 1982-08-11 | 1987-04-08 | Man Design Co | GLOVES FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CARPAL JOINT, HANDS AND FINGERS |
| JPS5935621A (en) * | 1982-08-24 | 1984-02-27 | Kubota Ltd | Production of corrosion resistant cast steel having small bore and long size |
| US4441490A (en) * | 1982-09-23 | 1984-04-10 | Nirschl Robert P | Wrist brace |
| JPS6083657A (en) * | 1983-10-14 | 1985-05-11 | 萬デザイン株式会社 | Function improver of fingers |
| JPS62128519A (en) * | 1985-11-29 | 1987-06-10 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Vaporizer for liquid |
-
1988
- 1988-10-07 US US07/254,748 patent/US4899763A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1989
- 1989-09-19 AT AT89309481T patent/ATE82488T1/en active
- 1989-09-19 DE DE8989309481T patent/DE68903550T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-09-19 EP EP89309481A patent/EP0363037B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-09-25 CA CA000612953A patent/CA1309910C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-10-04 JP JP1259901A patent/JPH02168942A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0363037B1 (en) | 1992-11-19 |
| DE68903550D1 (en) | 1992-12-24 |
| US4899763A (en) | 1990-02-13 |
| JPH02168942A (en) | 1990-06-29 |
| DE68903550T2 (en) | 1993-04-22 |
| EP0363037A1 (en) | 1990-04-11 |
| JPH0581147B2 (en) | 1993-11-11 |
| ATE82488T1 (en) | 1992-12-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |