Patent ID: 6723061
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An orthopedic appliance adapted to be worn on a forearm and a hand of a person exhibiting symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, the appliance comprising:a. a biasing means with a plurality of adjacent coils along its length, each coil having a separate non-coaxial centerline, the biasing means alignable with the ulnar side of the forearm and not with the dorsum of the forearm, the biasing means having a supporting end and a torquing end, the torquing end disposed to apply a continuous, low level force to the hand over time and in a direction encouraging dorsal glide; b. a palmar component coupling the torquing end to the carpal-metacarpal complex of the hand, the palmar component comprising: i. an ulnar gutter having a dorsal end and a palmar end, the ulnar gutter being sized and configured to the hand such that the dorsal end extends from the ulnar side of the hand to approximately the midpoint of the dorsal side of the hand and the palmar end extends from the ulnar side of the hand to approximately the midpoint of the palm; ii. a palmar strap having a fixed end and a attachable end, the fixed end permanently secured to the palmar end of the ulnar gutter, the attachable end passing from the palmar end across the thenar web between the thumb and forefinger to the dorsal end and being removably secured to the dorsal end so as to secure the ulnar gutter firmly to the ulnar side of the hand, and iii. a connection means fixedly attached to the ulnar gutter at a point proximal to the ulnar side of the hand, whereby the torquing end of the biasing means is coupled to the palmar component at a point outboard of the ulnar side of the hand so as not to interfere with normal activities of daily living; and, c. a forearm component sized and configured to be rigidly and removably attached to the forearm, the forearm component providing a stable platform for the supporting end and maintaining alignment of the torquing end with the ulnar side of the carpal-metacarpal complex during movement of the forearm and hand.