Patent ID: 6261252
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A thumb spica splint for being custom-fitted to the thumb portion of the hand for immobilizing the thumb while permitting continued unrestricted use of the other fingers of the hand, and comprising:(a) an elongate, flexible inner cushion layer;(b) an initially flexible intermediate layer overlying the inner cushion layer, said intermediate layer comprised of a fabric impregnated with a moisture-curable resin which hardens upon curing to form a rigid structure of the fabric which retains a shape into which it is molded during curing, thereby also holding the flexible inner cushion layer in a conforming shape around the thumb;(c) a flexible protective outer layer overlying the intermediate layer and attached to the inner cushion layer for enclosing the intermediate layer and forming the inner layer, intermediate layer and outer layer into a single, integrated splint structure;(d) the integrated splint structure shaped to extend along and conform only to the medial aspect of the lower arm and thumb to the distal joint thereof while leaving the lateral aspect of the lower arm uncovered to promote ventilation to the arm and blood circulation within the arm;(e) an elongate thumb strap fixedly attached by one end thereof to the splint structure adjacent the thumb for extending around the thumb and releasably attaching to a thumb strap attachment member fixedly attached to the splint structure for holding the splint structure in a supporting position around the thumb; and(f) at least one arm strap fixedly attached by one end thereof to the splint structure adjacent the arm for extending around the arm and releasably attaching to an arm strap attachment means member attached to the splint structure for holding the splint structure in a supporting position around the arm.