Medical device for correcting finger joint contractures
US6592584B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/6425
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A finger suffering from contracture of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is treated by application of a device that includes two pivotally joined sections, one of which is securable to the middle phalanx of the finger and the other to another portion of the patient's finger, hand or wrist, with an element that applies torque to the sections. The pivot axis of the two sections is dorsal to the finger, and the torque-producing element and the pivot axis define a moment arm whose length varies in inverse relation to the tension applied to the tensioning element. Torque is applied to the PIP joint without a functionally significant torque being applied to the metacarpal phalangeal (MP) joint, and the device requires attachment only to the dorsal aspect of the phalanx that is distal to the joint being treated rather than to both the distal phalanx and the proximal phalanx.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.