Hand support and method for using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10245171-B2
Application number	US-201615095448-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 11, 2016
Priority date	Apr 9, 2015
Publication date	Apr 2, 2019
Grant date	Apr 2, 2019

Abstract

A hand support including a base component arranged for securing to at least a portion of a hand, an anchor element adjustably connected to the base component and arranged for grasping a thumb, and a counterforce device connecting to the base component and the anchor element. The counterforce device arranged to generate a counterforce in combination with or against the base component and anchor element. The hand support may be arranged to provide traction for an extended period to remedy complications of the hand and associated joints.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A hand support, comprising:
a base component arranged for securing to at least a portion of a hand, and forming a base opening adapted for insertion of a thumb;
an anchor element adjustably connected to the base component and arranged for grasping the thumb;
a counterforce device defined by a helical spring having a first end connecting to the base component and surrounding the base opening and extending distally therefrom, and a second end holding the anchor element and distally located relative to the base component, the helical spring arranged to generate a counterforce in combination with or against the base component and the anchor element, the helical spring spanning a distance between the base component and the anchor element, and arranged for encircling the thumb, the anchor element being biased by and rotatable relative to the helical spring, the helical spring being compressible in height relative to and from the base component.

2. The hand support of claim 1 , further comprising a joint stabilizer extending about the base component, the joint stabilizer having greater rigidity than the base component.

3. The hand support of claim 2 , wherein the joint stabilizer has a base portion upon which the counterforce device secures, the base portion having greater rigidity than the first and second ends.

4. The hand support of claim 2 , wherein the joint stabilizer is constructed from a malleable material.

5. The hand support of claim 2 , wherein the joint stabilizer generally defines a J-shape, with a first end having a taper for mounting about a dorsal aspect of a hand, and a second end adapted for wrapping about at least part of a palmar aspect of the hand, the first and second ends extending from a base portion extending about a base of the thumb between the dorsal and palmar aspects of the hand.

6. The hand support of claim 1 , wherein the anchor element is annular in shape and defines a ring opening, the anchor element is rotatably secured to the second end of the counterforce device.

7. The hand support of claim 6 , wherein the anchor element includes at least one wedge portion located about and extending into the ring opening, the at least one wedge portion arranged to suspend the anchor element on the thumb and counteract forces exerted by the counterforce device.

8. The hand support of claim 7 , wherein the at least one wedge portion includes first and second wedges protruding from an inner surface of the anchor element and into the ring opening.

9. The hand support of claim 1 , wherein the base component defines a dorsal portion and a palmar portion arranged for securing about a hand or wrist, and a strap extending from the palmar portion and adapted to wrap about the hand or wrist.

10. The hand support of claim 9 , wherein a first end of the strap is arranged for pulling away from a buckle on the dorsal portion, and selectively and lockingly placed over a portion of the strap.

11. A method for securing a hand support over a hand, the method comprising the steps of:
securing a base component about a thumb of a user, the base component having a base opening adapted for insertion of the thumb;
extending a counterforce device from the base component, the counterforce device being a helical spring having a first end connecting to the base component and surrounding the base opening to extend distally therefrom, the helical spring being compressible in height and elastic relative to and toward the base opening;
adjusting an anchor element on a second end of the counterforce device located at a distal end of the helical spring;
biasing the counterforce device between the anchor element and the counterforce device due to the elasticity and compressibility of the helical spring.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
rotating the anchor element on the counterforce device between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the anchor element forming a ring opening having at least one wedge portion located on an interior side thereof and extending into the ring opening, the anchor element placed in first and second positions corresponding to the open and closed configurations, respectively.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the anchor element is annular and defines an opening into which the at least one wedge portion extends, the open configuration corresponding to a tip of the thumb and the closed configuration corresponding to engagement of a thumb knuckle.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the base component defines a dorsal portion and a palmar portion arranged for securing about a hand or wrist, and a strap extending from the palmar portion and adapted to wrap about the hand or wrist;
wherein the method further comprises the step of pulling away a first end of the strap from a buckle on the dorsal portion and securing the first end of the strap over a portion of the strap.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the hand support further comprises a joint stabilizer connecting to the base component and being constructed from a malleable material;
wherein the method further comprises the step of securing the joint stabilizer about a base portion of the thumb.

16. A hand support, comprising:
a base component arranged for securing to at least a portion of a hand, the base component having a base opening;
a joint stabilizer connecting to the base component and arranged for securing the joint stabilizer about a base portion of a thumb;
an anchor element having an annular shape and adjustably connected to the joint stabilizer about the base opening, the anchor element having at least one wedge portion arranged for having an open configuration and a closed configuration for insertion of the thumb therethrough and locking against the thumb, respectively;
a counterforce device formed as an elastic element having a first end secured to the joint stabilizer about the base opening, and a second end connecting to the anchor element, the elastic element arranged for encircling about the thumb and biasing between the joint stabilizer and/or the anchor element.

Assignees

• Ossur Iceland Ehf

Inventors

• Stefansson Stefan Orn
• Marlin Dana Stewart

Classifications

• A61F5/10

  Devices for correcting deformities of the fingers · CPC title

• A61F5/05875

  for fingers · CPC title

• A61F5/05866

  for wrists, hands, fingers or thumbs · CPC title

• A61F5/0118 Primary

  for the arms, hands or fingers · CPC title

• A61F5/048

  Traction splints · CPC title