Method and apparatus for increasing the range of motion of fingers suffering from a limited range of motion, through an external force transmitted to the skeleton
US6063087A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H1/0288
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A wrist brace provides a mounting point, a means to hold the hand in position relative to the apparatus, and spreads the force evenly over a large area. Positioned over the dorsal surface of the brace is a "U" shaped transverse member that is attached to the wrist brace through two swivel joints on the ulnar and radial sides of the brace. The pivot means are positioned such that a straight line drawn between them generally passes through the axes of rotation of the metacarpal phalangeal (MP) joints. Positioned dorsally above the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint are two members, one of which has an arc shaped tail for its dorsal surface. The other is a slider block which engages and slides around this first arc member. The arc member is mounted to the middle phalanx of the subject finger in such a way that the projected center of the arc would be coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP Joint. Two `K` wires, fixation pins or screws are drilled through the dorsal cortex of the surface of the middle phalanx and extend into the palmar cortex. An adjustment means is provided to facilitate positioning the center of the arc coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP joint.…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.