| Wrist brace -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Wrist braceUSPTO Application #: 20060089583Title: Wrist brace Abstract: The present application discloses an open air wrist brace for use in supporting the wrist in an anatomically neutral position, or in a position that permits therapeutically-useful extension, without increasing pressure on the carpal tunnel, median nerve or flexor tendons in the forearm. (end of abstract)
Agent: Speckman Law Group PLLC - Seattle, WA, US Inventor: James W. Reinhardt USPTO Applicaton #: 20060089583 - Class: 602021000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery: Splint, Brace, Or Bandage, Orthopedic Bandage, Splint Or Brace, Upper Extremity, Hand Or Wrist The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060089583. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to wrist braces, and more specifically, to an open air wrist brace for use in supporting the wrist in an anatomically neutral position or in a position that permits therapeutically-useful extension, without increasing pressure on the carpal tunnel, median nerve or flexor tendons in the forearm. BACKGROUND [0002] Many people suffer from compression injury to the soft tissues of the wrist and carpal tunnel. These injuries may be produced in the workplace, e.g., by frequent, sustained repetitive motions involving the use of the hands, or may be associated with trauma to the hand or wrist, pre-existing medical conditions, hormonal changes, hereditary traits, and use of medical apparatus such as wheelchairs, and other factors (Grosset al, 2002). Without treatment, such injuries accumulate and lead to chronic neuromuscular disorders of the hand and the upper limb. The most familiar of these disorders is carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a growing public health issue that affects approximately 0.1% of the U.S. population (Hunter, Mackin and Callahan, Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity. Fifth Edition, Mosby press, USA, 2002) and produces pain, discomfort, nerve conduction disturbances and impairment of function of the hand and sometimes the upper limb as well. [0003] Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. The median nerve receives blood, oxygen and nutrients through a microvasculature network which is present in the connective tissue surrounding the nerve fiber. An increased pressure on the nerve fiber constricts the microvessels and reduces the blood flow to the nerve. Prolonged deprivation of oxygen and nutrients will result in severe nerve damage. [0004] The carpal tunnel is a confined anatomic space defined by the transverse carpal ligament on the palmar (anterior) side of the hand and by a semicircular bony ledge comprised of the carpal wrist bones on the dorsal and lateral sides of the hand. The tunnel serves as a conduit for the median nerve, blood vessels, and tendons which supply the extrinsic hand muscles. [0005] An increase in the volume of the carpal contents or a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the carpal tunnel will increase the hydrostatic (interstitial) pressure in the tunnel and can potentially lead to compression damage to the median nerve. For example, conditions that irritate or inflame the tendons can cause them to swell and exert pressure on the median nerve. The increase in volume of the tendons and the median nerve, when inflamed, can increase the likelihood of carpal tunnel symptoms. A thickening of the transverse carpal ligament or of the bones a butting the carpal tunnel can reduce cross-sectional area of the tunnel. The tunnel cross-sectional area also changes with wrist position. Wrist flexion or extension decreases the cross-sectional area, and increases the hydrostatic pressure of the tunnel. Most wrist flexion occurs around the lateral axis of the radiocarpal joint, whereas most wrist extension occurs around the lateral axis of the midcarpal joint. Wrist flexion causes the flexor tendons to rearrange so they are more likely to compress the median nerve. The median nerve responds by rearranging its position between the superficial flexor tendons (Skie et al, J. Hand Surgery [Am] 15: 934-939 (1990)). The carpal tunnel cross-sectional area is smaller in carpal tunnel syndrome patients compared with asymptomatic control populations. [0006] Carpal tunnel syndrome may be treated by non-surgical and surgical means. In early stages of development, therapies are directed to alleviating symptoms and preventing the occurrence of more severe symptoms. Such therapies include: restricting the motion of the wrist by means of wrist braces and splints, controlling swelling of soft tissue structures by administering anti-inflammatory medications, sometimes injecting steroids locally into the carpal tunnel; applying heat or cold to the affected site to promote repair of injured tissues; providing exercises to increase circulation, speed recovery and increase the range of motion of the wrist; and avoiding activities that produced the symptoms initially. Surgery, which may involve cutting the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve, may be necessary if the symptoms are severe and/or if the non-surgical therapies do not resolve the problem. Non-surgical therapies are reported to be effective in relieving symptoms of 86% of afflicted patients (Benefice, 1994). [0007] The present invention is drawn to wrist brace technology for use by patients with existing carpal tunnel syndrome and related nerve entrapment disorders, and patients who are at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome and are in need of wrist support which allows motion of the fingers and palm. [0008] The prior art wrist braces have one or more of the following drawbacks. They confine the wrist and forearm in a neutral position, but restrict the motion of the fingers required for daily activities; they enclose the hand, wrist and forearm in material which prevents air from circulating to the underlying tissues and promotes accumulation of moisture, bacteria and dirt between the brace and the tissue; they are difficult to attach to the hand and bulky to wear under clothing; they exert pressure on flexor tendons and the median nerve; and if made from a rigid material, they are uncomfortable to wear, develop unpleasant odors and have an anatomically incorrect shape. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,710 discloses a one piece molded plastic wrist brace that is designed to hold the wrist in a neutral position, block wrist flexion, extension, and ulnar/radial deviations, and limit hand movement without compressing the anterior forearm and flexor tendons. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention provides an open air wrist brace that is lightweight, durable, and easily attached by the wearer in a single motion, and is designed to hold the wrist in a neutral position, or in a position that prevents flexion but permits therapeutically--useful extension, without restricting the wearer's use of the hand to grasp objects and to perform daily tasks. The brace is held in place without exerting pressure on the carpal tunnel, or on tendons or nerves of the wrist and forearm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES [0011] FIG. 1. Top view of wrist brace without straps. [0012] FIG. 2. Top view of wrist brace worn by user: A. nonpivotable attachment; B. pivotable attachment; C. spring mechanism attachment. [0013] FIG. 3. A wrist brace embodiment worn by user. A. Side view; B. Top view. [0014] FIG. 4. View of underside of wrist brace embodiment showing hand tabs, liner and strap fastener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] The invention provides an open air wrist brace for holding the user's hand in an anatomically neutral position while allowing the use of the hand and fingers for manual tasks. The term "anatomically neutral position" as used herein means 2 degrees.+-.9 degrees of flexion and 1 degree.+-.9 degrees of ulnar deviation. A wrist brace that holds the user's wrist and hand in an anatomically neutral position is useful as an initial treatment for subjects with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and median nerve irritation, as well as for preventing these conditions in at-risk individuals. [0016] The invention additionally encompasses an open air wrist brace for restraining the hand in a position of at least 10 degrees to about 30 degrees of extension while preventing flexion, as may be required as a post-operative treatment, for example, where a certain degree of extension is desirable for recovery. Thus the brace restrains the hand in a position of at least 10 degrees, at least 15 degrees, at least 20 degrees, at least 25 degrees, or about 30 degrees of extension. [0017] The brace is formed from a substantially rigid, lightweight material, preferably a moldable, durable, hypo-allergenic plastic or reinforced plastic, and is preferably lined with a material, such as foam rubber, that provides a non-abrasive cushion between the brace and the skin. The term "substantially rigid" is used herein to mean a supportive brace that resists a change in shape during performance of manual tasks. The open air brace is designed to provide ventilation to the hand and wrist by leaving uncovered the fingers, palm, wrist and a triangular portion of the dorsal surface of the hand. [0018] The brace rests on the outside of the user's hand and is held in place by hand tabs which turn onto the palmar surface beneath the metarcarpal-phalangeal joints of the forefinger and fifth finger thus allowing free motion of the thumb and fingers, and by posterior struts which grip the sides of the forearm without compressing muscles, tendons or nerves on the underside of the forearm and wrist. In a preferred embodiment, the posterior struts are secured with a strap fastener made of a soft non-rigid material, e.g., Velcro.RTM., or an easily stretchable rubber, e.g., neoprene, or an elastic fiber blend (e.g., Spandex blend). [0019] The brace is particularly useful for persons at risk for, or suffering from, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries resulting in median nerve entrapment. These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description and drawings that follow. The drawings illustrate various preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Continue reading... Full patent description for Wrist brace Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Wrist brace patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Wrist brace or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Back protection system Next Patent Application: Compositions, assemblies, and methods applied during or after a dental procedure to ameliorate fluid loss and/or promote healing, using a hydrophilic polymer sponge structure such as chistosan Industry Class: Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Wrist brace patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.70482 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
||
