Patent ID: 6146347
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An appliance for treating carpal tunnel syndrome, comprising:(a) a splint for applying pressure substantially only to a dorsal aspect of the hand and to thenar and hypothenar areas of a palmar aspect of the hand, said splint including rigid dorsal, thenar and hypothenar portions;(b) said dorsal portion of said splint having first and second opposed sides, said dorsal portion being sized and configured to support a dorsal aspect of the hand;(c) said thenar portion of said splint being connected to said first side of said dorsal portion, being spaced from said dorsal portion and being located between said first and second sides of said dorsal portion of said splint;(d) said hypothenar portion of said splint being connected to said second side of said dorsal portion, being spaced from said dorsal portion and being located between said first and second sides of said dorsal portion of said splint;(e) said splint being sized and shaped to receive the hand with the dorsal, thenar and hypothenar portions of said splint substantially aligned with and covering the respective dorsal aspect, and thenar and hypothenar areas of the palmar aspect of the hand;(f) an inflatable bladder attached only to said dorsal portion of said splint and located to contact, when the hand is inserted into the splint, the dorsal aspect of the hand between said thenar and hypothenar areas of the palmar aspect of the hand; and(g) a controllable source of pressurized fluid connected to said bladder;(h) said bladder being located to apply a controllable, first distributed force only to the dorsal aspect of the hand when in use, and said first force being balanced only by second distributed forces applied to the thenar and hypothenar areas of the palmar aspect of the hand by said thenar and hypothenar portions of the splint, respectively; said first and second forces causing the carpal bones to separate to stretch the carpal ligament and flexor retinaculum, to effectuate enlargement of the diameter of the carpal tunnel and concomitant reduction of pressure on a median nerve; said source of pressurized fluid being controllable to adjust the pressure applied to the hand while the hand is in said splint;(i) said splint being formed of a unitary piece of material that includes lateral and medial joining portions which connect said thenar and hypothenar portions of said splint, respectively, to said respective first and second sides of said dorsal portion of said splint; and(j) said lateral joining portion of said splint having a hole to accommodate the passage of the thumb therethrough.