Abstract:
A joint of a human upper extremity is biased by an apparatus that includes a U-shaped frame, a distal attachment portion mounted to the frame through a biasing member and attachable to the extremity at a location distal to the joint, and a wrist brace or proximal attachment portion that attaches to the extremity at a location proximal to the joint, the frame being rotatable relative to both the distal attachment portion and the wrist brace. Up to four distal attachment portions can be attached to the same U-shaped frame to bias joints on each of four distinct extremities, such as four fingers on the same hand.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Application No. 08/935,833, filed Sep. 23, 1997 and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE RANGE OF MOTION OF ONE OR MORE CONTRACTED JOINTS THROUGH EXTERNAL FORCES INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE SKELETON”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,087, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/026,956, filed Sep. 23, 1996 and entitled “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”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a medical and surgical method and apparatus for the correction of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system in general and contractures of joints in particular. More particularly this invention relates to a dynamic orthopedic device designed to increase the range of motion of joints suffering from contractures particularly the small joints of the hand. 
     2. Related Art 
     Skeletal joint contractures often result from trauma, including fractures and dislocations of joints. In addition, bums and their scar contracture reduce the range of motion of joints. Contractures also result from muscle imbalance across joints secondary to diseases such as leprosy. Dupuytren&#39;s disease commonly causes flexion contractures of the small joints of the hand. However, contractures can be flexion or extension contractures and can occur in any skeletal joint. 
     Traditionally, these injuries have been treated with various different modalities including splinting, serial plaster casts, and surgical release. Recently, significant innovations have resulted in more effective dynamic methods of treating such injuries in certain joints. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,091 to Hotchkiss et al., incorporated herein by reference, describes a dynamic finger joint support that has a proven clinical record of successful treatment of contractures. The Hotchkiss device is designed to allow, for example, the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint to be flexed and extended by a continuous passive motion machine that applies torque to the joint. Such flexion and extension is known to help overcome joint contractures so that the patient is often able to regain the full range of motion in the affected joint. 
     A deficiency of some prior art devices, generally referred to as hand splints, is that the torque required to increase the range of motion of the joint, can only be applied to the joint through the skin overlying the skeletal segments extending from either side of the joint. In addition, the force required to increase the range of motion of a joint needs to be applied for a significant amount of time. If the force is transmitted to the skeleton indirectly through the skin, the force compromises the circulation of the skin causing it to become tender, red and inflamed. In severe cases, particularly those with compromised sensation, ulcers may develop. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the Hotchkiss device  5  avoids this problem for the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint  10  by applying force directly to both the middle phalanx  12  and the distal phalanx  14 . From the top view provided by FIG. 2, it is clear that pins  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  are embedded in the skeletal elements through the lateral surface of the middle  12  and distal  14  phalanges. 
     Despite the successful clinical record of devices like Hotchkiss&#39;, there is room for improvement in the field. Many of the prior art devices and methods have potential problems and significant limitations that restrict their use in many applications. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, Hotchkiss type devices  5  are required to be mounted on the lateral surface of the bones that extend from the contracted joint  10 . 
     The Hotchkiss type device does not appear to be useable on metacarpal phalangeal (MP) joints. In the case of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint  24 , for example, a Hotchkiss type device  5  appears to be most useful for the second and fifth PIP joints. However, because other fingers of the hand, including the webbing, would interfere with installation and use of the device on the middle finger and ring finger PIP joints, an alternate solution is required. Further, with regard to all of the PIP joints, there are soft tissues and tendons that glide along the lateral and medial surfaces of the phalanges, particularly the proximal phalanges of the fingers, that can be impaled by pins inserted into the sides of these phalanges, as required in Hotchkiss type devices used on the PIP joints. Additionally, installation of a Hotchkiss type device on the second and third DIP joints  10  would require the fingers to remain partially spread throughout the treatment period. The Hotchkiss device is depicted as applied to the DIP distal joint of the finger, however, this device and others including variations of the subject invention often are applied to the PIP joints of the fingers. With application of such devices to either the DIP or PIP joints, device portions mounted on the lateral and medial aspects of the finger or extending therefrom are troublesome as they impinge the adjacent fingers. 
     In light of such prior devices, what is needed is a means for biasing contracted joints that can be used on many different joints. What is further needed is a device that is not restricted to use only where it can be mounted on the lateral surface of the bones extending from a contracted joint. It would further be beneficial to identify a way to apply force directly to the skeleton without detrimentally disrupting soft tissue and tendons on the lateral surface of the bones extending from the joint. Such a device would preferably permit simultaneous treatment of joints of adjacent fingers. 
     In splinting techniques used in hand surgery and hand therapy, if a splint uses a single elastic element that crosses more than one joint to treat contracture of one or both joints, it is impossible to balance the torques applied to each of the joints. Thus, what is needed is a device or means which simultaneously applies independent, controlled torque to multiple contracted joints that are adjacent along an appendage such as a finger. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above and other deficiencies and problems with the prior art are addressed by the present invention of a multiple contracted joint biasing apparatus and method. The inventive, apparatus crosses and selectively controls torque forces applied to each skeletal joint in axial series, specifically when a first joint is proximal or distal to another. When applied to the hand, a first adjustable joint biasing torque apparatus may be surgically attached to the dorsal surface of the middle phalanx of a finger. This first adjustable joint biasing torque apparatus may be linked to a second proximal adjustable biasing torque apparatus by a rigid linkage. The second proximal adjustable biasing torque apparatus is positioned relative to the flexion-extension axis of the proximal joint by a removable brace that extends from the forearm across the wrist to cradle or embrace the hand. 
     More generally, a first adjustably biased mechanical joint is positioned on the extension side of a first contracted skeletal joint. A distal member extends from the first mechanical joint and is surgically attached to the bone extending from the contracted skeletal joint. A rigid linkage extends from the first mechanical joint and is attached to a second adjustably biased mechanical joint. A proximal member extends from the second mechanical joint and is removably attached to the appendage that extends proximally from the second contracted skeletal joint. 
     The first adjustably biased mechanical joint is operable to rotate with the same degrees of freedom as a normal, non-contracted skeletal joint of the same type as the first contracted skeletal joint. The adjustable biasing torque is applied to the skeletal joint via the distal member in the rotational direction of the desired range of skeletal joint motion. The second mechanical joint is positioned on the exterior side of a second contracted skeletal joint which is adjacent along the appendage that extends from the first skeletal joint. The second mechanical joint is operable to rotate with the same degrees of freedom as a normal, non-contracted joint of the same type as the second contracted joint. As with the adjustable biasing torque applied to the first skeletal joint by the first mechanical joint, the adjustable biasing torque for the second mechanical joint is applied to the second skeletal joint via the proximal member in the rotational direction of the desired range of motion for the second skeletal joint. 
     The adjustably biased mechanical joints of the apparatus are positioned so that they do not interfere with full extension of the patient&#39;s skeletal joints. They are held in place by the attachments to the patient such that their respective biasing torques are independent of each other and their center of rotation is coincident or substantially coincident with the center of rotation of their associated skeletal joints. 
     The invention as applied to the MP and PIP joints of the fingers of the hand may include a wrist brace provided as a mounting point, as a means to hold the hand in position relative to the apparatus, and as a means to distribute the corrective force over a large area. In another variation, a proximal coupling plate serves as the proximal structural attachment to the hand. The wrist brace may be structurally stabilized by a fixation pin, such as a K-wire, which is attached to a bone of the hand or wrist, such as a metacarpal bone. The invention may be applied to more than one finger of the hand and up to all four finger MP and all four finger PIP joints. A “U” shaped transverse member is positioned over the dorsal surface of the brace and is pivotally attached to the distal end on the ulnar and radial sides of the brace. The ends of the “U” shaped transverse member are positioned such that a transverse line between them generally passes through the flexion and extension axes of rotation of the MP joints. In one variation, the “U” shaped transverse member may be replaced by a flexible tension element, preferably a cable or string, configured to couple the brace or proximal coupling plate with the more distal components. 
     Positioned dorsally above the PIP joint is an adjustably biased mechanical PIP joint. The mechanical PIP joint includes two members. The first member is an arcuate track that has an arc shaped track on its dorsal surface. The other is a slider block which engages and slides along the arcuate track member. The arcuate track member is mounted to the middle phalanx of the subject finger in such a way that the projected center of the arc is coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP Joint. Two fixation pins are drilled into the dorsal surface of the middle phalanx and the arcuate track member is secured to these pins. An adjustment means is provided to facilitate positioning the center point of the arc coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP joint. 
     A linkage may rigidly connect the slider block to the “U” shaped transverse member. The proximal end of this linkage may be attached to the “U” shaped transverse member through another swivel joint. The distal end of the linkage is attached to the slider block through a pin axis joint. The linkage allows the finger simultaneously to deviate in the radial and ulnar direction and to rotate through its normal range of motion during finger extension and flexion. An adjustment means is added to the length of this linkage to permit the apparatus to accommodate different hand sizes. 
     Thus, important aspects of the invention include a method and apparatus for applying torques to adjacent contracted joints along an appendage for the purpose of manipulating the joints to increase their range of motion. The invention incorporates the following principles: 
     (a) The axis of rotation of the applied torque is coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the joint on which the torque is acting; 
     (b) The magnitude and direction of the torque applied to adjacent joints along an appendage can be controlled independently; 
     (c) The torque may be applied to the joint through a structure mounted directly to the skeleton or indirectly to the skeleton through a skin-preserving structure; 
     (d) The magnitude and direction of the torques applied to laterally neighboring joints, for example, joints of adjacent fingers on the same hand, can be controlled independently; 
     (e) The force required to leverage or counteract the torque to the most proximal joint may be applied to a brace-like structure that distributes the force over a large surface of the appendage or to proximal coupling plates which distribute forces directly to the skeleton of the hand. 
     An embodiment of the invention for the MP and PIP joints includes a means or device to allow the finger simultaneously to deviate in the radial and ulnar direction and to rotate through its normal range of motion during finger extension and flexion. This is achieved by connecting the part of the apparatus that is fixed to the middle phalanx of the finger to the remainder of the apparatus using a rigid linkage. The rigid linkage allows the part of the apparatus connected to the finger to move with the finger and to not restrict the movement of the finger in all of the normal planes of motion including that of MP flexion and extension where control is required. 
     The apparatus for this embodiment of the invention includes a force generating member such as a torsion spring, elastic band, servo-electrical, servo-hydraulic, coil compression or extension spring or the like; an apparatus that has a rotational movement where the axis of rotation of the device can be placed coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of a particular finger joint; and a means for attaching the force generating member to the apparatus that has a rotational movement such that the force is converted into a torque that acts about the center of rotation of the rotational apparatus. 
     Without the force generating members attached, the skeletal joints remain free to flex or extend and the fingers are free to deviate from side to side at MP joint level. If a force generating member is attached to only one of the mechanical joints of the apparatus, the other mechanical joint of the apparatus remains free to flex or extend without application of a biasing load. Thus, the mechanical joints of the apparatus are truly independent of each other and the torque generated by one mechanical joint of the apparatus is truly independent of any torque produced by the other. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the present invention will be understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention in light of the accompanying drawings of which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view depicting a dynamic DIP joint support of the prior art; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view depicting a dynamic DIP joint support of the prior art; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting an embodiment of the present invention for the MP and PIP joints; 
     FIG. 4 is a side detail view of the PIP joint portion of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5A is a perspective view depicting a variation of the present invention configured to bias multiple fingers of the same extremity; 
     FIG. 5B is a close-up perspective view depicting a variation of a ball and socket rotatable coupling which may be used in the present invention; 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective view depicting a variation of the present invention having an easily adjustable structural member; 
     FIG. 6B is a close-up perspective view of the easily adjustable structural member of FIG. 6A; 
     FIG. 7A is a perspective view depicting a variation of the present invention having an arcuate U-shaped member; 
     FIG. 7B is a perspective view depicting a variation of the present invention having a slotted U-shaped member; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view depicting a variation of the present invention having a flexible tension element; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view depicting a variation of the present invention having proximal coupling plates configured to mount directly to the skeleton of the hand; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view depicting a variation of the present invention having a U-shaped member configured to facilitate flexion biasing of at least one MP joint of the hand; 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B are a perspective view and a cross sectional view, respectively, of a variation of the present invention having a proximal direct skeletal fixation; 
     FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a variation of a distal portion of the present invention configured to mount to a finger nonsurgically; 
     FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the variation depicted in FIG. 12A nonsurgically mounted to a finger; 
     FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a saddle structure portion of a nonsurgically mountable distal portion of a variation of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13B is a top view of an unassembled wrap member configured to partially form a nonsurgically mountable distal portion of a variation of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13C is a top view of an unassembled wrap member configured to partially form a nonsurgically mountable distal portion of a variation of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13D is a partial assembly view of the structures depicted in FIGS. 13A-13C; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view depicting a variation of the present invention having a nonsurgically mountable distal portion having mounting pins. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The principles of the present invention are applicable to rehabilitate any set of contracted joints that are adjacent along a given appendage. For example, the present invention can be applied to simultaneously provide independent biasing torques to the PIP and MP joints. In addition, the present invention can be used to independently and simultaneously bias any combination of the joints in the first through fifth fingers. As a specific example of a preferred embodiment, the present invention is described herein as it would be applied to provide simultaneous yet independent biasing torques to the third (ring) finger PIP and MP joints of the left hand. However, the present invention may be adapted to accommodate other jointed appendages of the body, such as the foot for example. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 3. A wrist brace  100  serves as a preferred means of attaching the proximal end of the apparatus to the patient. A commercially available brace such as model number 317085 available from Royce Medical Products of Camarillo, Calif. can be modified to include mounting points for the apparatus. The use of a wrist brace  100  provides the benefit of holding the hand in a desired position relative to the apparatus and it allows the biasing torque that is applied to the third MP joint  110  to be distributed over a large area. This avoids blanching of the skin when the torque is applied. Alternatively, a pair of pins surgically embedded in the index finger metacarpal bone or other suitable metacarpal bone could be used to support the apparatus at the proximal end if necessary. This alternative would be required for example, in order to apply the invention to the first (thumb) MP and IP joints, or to a hand which has been burned and cannot tolerate a skin contact brace. 
     Positioned over the dorsal surface of the wrist brace  100  is a “U” shaped transverse member  120  that is attached to the wrist brace  100  through two swivel joints  130  on the ulnar and radial sides of the wrist brace  100 . The swivel joints  130  are positioned such that a line drawn between their centers would generally pass through the axes of rotation of the MP joints of the hand. The “U” shaped transverse member  120  is a formed piece of wire of suitable diameter and strength to maintain its shape. In an alternative embodiment, the “U” shaped transverse member  120  can include extensions (not pictured) that extend in a palmar direction beyond the swivel joints  130 , as is depicted in FIG.  10 . Such extensions would provide alternative locations for attaching a tension element  170  to apply a torque to the MP joint in the flexion direction. 
     In the example embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3, the swivel joints  130  are ball and socket joints and are adjustably attached to the wrist brace  100  to facilitate lining up the swivel joints  130  with the axes of the MP joints. As shown FIG. 3, the ball and socket joints (or any other suitable pivot means) include an extension  150  that allows the center of the joint to be located adjacent to the MP joints. The extension  150  can include a length adjustment or alternatively, Velcro can be used to attach the swivel joints  130  to the wrist brace  100  at the desired location. The wrist brace  100  also includes an adjustable tension mount  160  for attaching a tension element  170  between the wrist brace  100  and the “U” shaped transverse member  120  to extend the MP joint. 
     Positioned dorsally above the third PIP joint  140  is a mechanical PIP assist joint  180 . The mechanical PIP assist joint  180  is comprised of two slidably engaged members: a slider block  190  and an arcuate track member  200 . The arcuate track member  200  includes an arc shaped track on its dorsal surface and is mounted on the middle phalanx of the subject finger in such a way that the projected center of the arc would be coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP Joint. The slider block  190  engages and slides along the arcuate track member  200 . The arc shaped track terminates with stop pins (not pictured) that prevent the slider block  190  from disengaging from the arcuate track member  200  at the ends. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a detailed view of the mechanical PIP assist joint  180  is depicted. The angle of arc of the arcuate track member  200  is set based on the normal unimpaired range of the subject joint. In the case of the PIP joint  140 , the preferred angle of the arc of the arcuate track member  200  is approximately 190 degrees. This angle supports a full range of motion for this joint without allowing the apparatus to impinge upon the finger. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, two ‘K’ wires, fixation pins, or screws  220 ,  230  extend from the arcuate track member  200  as shown in FIG.  4 . These pins  220 ,  230  are surgically drilled through the dorsal cortex of the middle phalanx and extend into the palmar cortex of the middle phalanx. The pins  220 ,  230  should not extend beyond the palmar cortex surface to avoid injury to the flexor tendons. The arcuate track member  200  is adjustably secured to these pins  220 ,  230 . The adjustments are provided to facilitate positioning the center of the arc of the arcuate track member  200  coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP joint. 
     An arc tension mounting pin  210  extends out from one of the lateral surfaces of the arcuate track member  200  and a corresponding slider tension mounting pin  270  extends out from one of the lateral surfaces of the slider block  190 . In FIG. 4, the arc tension mounting pin  210  is located near the distal end of the arcuate track member  200 . This allows the apparatus to exert an extension torque upon the PIP joint. Alternatively, the arc tension mounting pin  210  can be located on the lateral surface near the proximal end of the arcuate track member  200 . This placement (not shown) of the arc tension mounting pin  210  would allow the mechanical PIP assist joint  180  to apply a flexion biasing torque to the PIP joint. 
     Referring back to FIG. 3, connecting the slider block  190  to the “U” shaped transverse member  120  is a rigid linkage  250 . The proximal end of this rigid linkage  250  is attached to the “U” shaped transverse member  120  through a swivel joint  260 . Referring back to FIG. 4, the distal end of the linkage  250  is attached to the slider block  190  through an adjustable linkage connector  240 . The connector  240  is pivotally received on the upper surface of slider block  190 . That is, connector  240  can rotate about bolt  310 , which defines a pivot axis  320 , relative to slider block  190 . This linkage connector  240  includes an angle adjustment that allows the angle between the rigid linkage  250  and the slider block  190  to be adjusted to fit different sized hands. The angle adjustment can be comprised of a pin pivot hinge  290  and a locking set screw  300  or any functionally equivalent angle adjustment means. 
     Returning to FIG. 3, the swivel joint  260  coupling the linkage  250  to the “U” shaped transverse member  120  allows the subject finger to deviate in the radial and ulnar directions and to rotate through its normal range of motion during finger extension and flexion. Note that each increment of radial and ulnar deviation of the finger has an obligate degree of longitudinal rotation of the finger. Therefore, the linkage  250 , with its pivot and swivel couplings, simultaneously permits rotation of the finger about its longitudinal axis, as well as the rotations of flexion and extension of the finger about its MP joint. An adjustment to the length of this rigid linkage  250  permits the invention to accommodate different hand sizes or to allow adjustment of the position of the slider block  190  relative to the arcuate track member  200 . 
     With this embodiment of the invention, both the PIP  140  and MP  110  joints are free to move through their full range of motion with no external force being applied. When the PIP joint  140  is flexed or extended the arcuate track member  200  is rotated around the axis of the joint and the slider block  190  travels along the arcuate track member  200 . When the MP joint  110  is flexed or extended the arcuate track member  200  and the slider block  190  remain in the same position relative to each other. Motion of the MP joint  110  is transmitted through the arcuate track member  200  and slider block  190  via the linkage  250  to the “U” shape transverse member  120  which rotates on its swivel joints  130 . 
     To treat a finger with a limited range of motion due to MP and/or PIP joint contractures, independent external forces can be applied to the skeleton using this embodiment of the invention such that the stiff joints will be subjected to a constant, substantially constant, or controllable torque, which typically modifies the soft tissues of the joint, and thereby increases the range of motion in the desired direction. In the case of the PIP joint  140 , the desired biasing torque is generated by a tension element  280  applied between the arcuate track member  200  and the slider block  190 . 
     The tension element  280  (or “motor”) can include tension springs (either extension or compression) or elastic bands, for example, and can be applied so that the torque applied to the contracted joint  140  will tend to increase the flexion or increase the extension of the subject joint  140 . In the case of the MP joint  110 , the tension element  170  is applied between the wrist brace  100  and the ‘U’ shaped transverse member  120 . As with the PIP joint  140 , an elastic band or either a compression or extension spring can be used to increase the flexion or extension of the MP joint  110 . The amount of biasing torque applied to the joints can be controlled by changing the “strength” of the tension elements  170 ,  280 . The biasing torque may also be changed by shifting the location of attachment of the tension element  170  on the ‘U’ shaped transverse member  120  such that it moves closer to pivot  130 , thereby decreasing the leverage of the tension element  170  and therefore decreasing the extension torque on the MP joints of the fingers. In addition, the direction of the torque can be reversed by connecting the tension element  170  to the previously described palmar extensions of element  120 , at a location palmar to pivot axis  130 . The direction of the torque applied to the PIP joint can likewise be reversed by locating the mounting pin  210  (and its associated tension element  280 ) on the arcuate track  200  near the proximal end of the arcuate track  200 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the tension elements  170 ,  280  can be a rigid (non-elastic) adjustable length member. For example, a turnbuckle type device can be used to set a rigid tension element to any desired position. Another example of a rigid adjustable length member would include a worm screw driving mechanism with a releasable clutch, such as disclosed in the Hotchkiss patent, to set a desired length of the adjustable length member. This alternative embodiment would work to expand the joint&#39;s range of motion based on a stress/relaxation principle as opposed to the constant or relatively constant torque of the preferred embodiment. The rigid adjustable length member is set to torque against the joint&#39;s contracture for a period of time and once the joint relaxes, the length is reset to once again torque the joint. This resetting procedure is repeated until the full or maximum range of motion is restored to the joint. 
     In a situation where more than one finger on the same hand would benefit from an increased range of motion, additional arcuate track members  200  and slider blocks  190  could be attached to the additional fingers and connected to the “U” shaped transverse member  120 . In this embodiment, the torque applied to each of the PIP joints can adjusted independently of each other. To allow the application of different biasing torques to the MP joints, additional “U” shaped transverse members within the existing “U” shaped transverse member  120  would be required. Alternatively, pins embedded in the metacarpal bones could be used to anchor the proximal end of the apparatus. 
     An essential feature of the invention is that the movement of the subject appendage is not restricted by the apparatus and the patient is not prevented from using the appendage during treatment. Further, in the embodiment described above, only two surgically installed pins are required to treat the PIP and MP joints. 
     In addition, the biasing torque generated and applied to each joint is independent of the torque generated and applied to the other joints, with the exception of a scenario wherein multiple PIP joints are biased simultaneously; in such a situation, the MP joints generally must then be biased in the same direction—either in flexion together, or in extension together—unless a multiple “U” shaped member construct is utilized. This allows treatment of the different joints with different biasing torques as required when treating multiple contracted joints. In other words, in the embodiment described above wherein one PIP joint is biased, moving either the PIP or MP joint through its complete range of motion has no functional effect on the other joint. This independent action results from the axes of rotation of the torque generating elements being coincident or substantially coincident with their respective skeletal joint axes. 
     Referring to FIG. 5A, a variation of the invention configured for biasing the multiple joints of multiple fingers is depicted. While two mechanical PIP assist joint constructs  180  are depicted in the figure for clarity, up to four may be coupled to the “U” shaped transverse member  120 . The PIP joints  440  of the fingers may be biased independently due to the separately functioning mechanical PIP assist joints  180 ,  400 . Thus, while the PIP joint of one finger may be biased in flexion and the PIP joint of another finger biased in extension, simultaneously, the MP joints of the fingers of the same hand are biased together in the same direction. The MP joints  450  are biased together through the “U” shaped member and its associated tension element or biasing member  170  and tension mount  160 . As shown in the figure, the second mechanical joint  400 , which is secured to the middle phalanx of the second finger  430 , is coupled to the “U” shaped transverse member through a second rigid linkage  410  using a swivel joint  420  which sits adjacent the first swivel joint  260 . In this variation, the “U” shaped transverse member  120  is rotatably coupled with the wrist brace  100 , using a substantially flat coupling plate  470  which is preferably fastened to the brace  100  using an easily repositionable material such as Velcro. The “U” shaped transverse member is coupled with the coupling plate  470  by a ball and socket joint  520  comprising a specialized ball and socket pin  530  in this variation. Referring to FIG. 5B, this ball and socket joint  520  is depicted in greater detail. The ball and socket joint  520  is formed using the specialized ball and socket pin  530 , which also functions as a fastener to couple the coupling plate with the “U” shaped transverse structural member  120 . The action of the ball and socket joint allows the device to rotate without the requirement that the coupling plate  470  be positioned in a particular plane, as would be the case with a more restrictive pinned joint. The ball and socket joint  520  also accommodates slight rotation of the fingers about their longitudinal axes as they deviate side to side in some hand motions. 
     Referring to FIG. 6A, a variation similar to that shown in FIG. 5A is depicted. This variation has an easily adjustable structural member  540  which may be changed in length by turning the associated wheel  550 . Turning the wheel  550  changes the relative distance between the mechanical PIP assist joint  180  and the “U” shaped transverse structural member. Referring to FIG. 6B, this adjustable structural member  540  is shown in further detail. When the wheel  550  is turned, the threaded shaft  560  to which it is coupled turns within the proximal end of the threaded distal portion  570 , thus producing relative motion and a lengthening or shortening of the adjustable structural member construct  540 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7A, a variation of the inventive device is shown having an arcuate “U” shaped transverse structural member  580 . The arcuate shape is best used in scenarios where one of the ring  96  or middle  97  fingers is to be biased and where a transverse structural member with a lower geometric profile is helpful. FIG. 7B depicts another variation of the inventive device having a slotted “U” shaped member  585  which is configured to interface with a rigid member  255  having an unattached proximal end. This variation is configured to function similarly to those depicted in FIGS. 6A and 7A, with the exception that the overall construct is less constrained due to the lack of structural affixation between the rigid member  255  and the slotted “U” shaped member  585 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, a variation of the invention having a flexible tension element  460  in place of the “U” shaped member of other variations is depicted. The flexible tension element, preferably a cable or string, is coupled to the two swivel joints  130  of the wrist brace and passes through the swivel joint which comprises the rigid linkage  250  coupled to the mechanical PIP assist joint construct  180 . The flexible tension element  460  limits the rotation of the rigid linkage  250 , thereby providing a mechanism for applying a moment to the more distally located PIP joint  140  using a tension element  280 . This variation is designed for use when the mechanical assist joint  180  is configured to extend the PIP joint  140  using tension in the tension element  280 , as shown in FIG.  8 . If the tension element  280  were configured to actually apply an extension load, a rigid “U” shaped transverse structural member would instead be preferred, as shown, for example, in FIG.  5 A. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, a variation of the invention is depicted for applying a biasing load to a PIP joint  140  using a mechanical assist joint  180  coupled to a “U” shaped transverse structural member  120  using a rigid linkage  250 . The “U” shaped transverse structural member  120  is rotatably coupled to a proximal coupling plate  600  using a ball and socket joint  520 . The proximal coupling plate  600  is fastened directly to the skeleton of the hand, preferably to the metacarpal bone of the index finger and the metacarpal bone of the smallest finger, as shown in FIG. 9, using pins  590 . Relative motion between the pins  590  and the proximal coupling plate  600  is prevented using set screws  610  which are fastened after the coupling plate  600  and pins  610  are in a desired position. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, a variation of the invention is depicted in a configuration for applying an MP flexion moment using a tension element  170  which is coupled to a “U” shaped transverse structural member  620  having an MP flexion portion  625  which extends below the ball and socket joint  520  at which “U” shaped member  620  is coupled with the coupling plate  470 . This variation demonstrates that a PIP joint may be biased in extension using a mechanical biasing joint  180  with a tension element  280 , while an MP joint  110  is independently biased in flexion. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, perspective and cross sectional views, respectively, are depicted of a variation having a wrist brace  100  which is stabilized upon the wrist by a skeletally-affixed elongate element  500 , preferably a K-wire or bone screw. As shown in FIG. 11A, a mechanical assist joint  180  is configured to bias a PIP joint  140 . The mechanical assist joint  180  is coupled to a “U” shaped transverse structural member  120  using a rigid linkage  250 . The “U” shaped transverse structural member  120  is rotatably coupled to the brace  100  with coupling plates  470  using ball and socket joints  520 . The elongate element  500  is preferably positioned before the wrist brace  100  has been positioned and therefore a configuration is needed for coupling the wrist brace  100  with the elongate element  500  in a manner in which loads can be effectively transferred. The depicted variation incorporates a load transfer plate  490  which may be removably and perimetrically coupled, preferably using a Velcro coupling  480  (preferably of a “VELCRO”-type material), to the area around the perimeter of a window in the wall of the wrist brace  100  as shown in FIG.  11 B. After the elongate member has been affixed to a wrist or hand bone, preferably a metacarpal bone as shown in FIG. 11B, the wrist brace  100  may be placed upon the wrist and firmly fastened with the elongate element  500  projecting out of the wrist brace  100 . The load transfer plate  490 , configured to have a hole slightly larger than the outer diameter of the elongate element  500 , slides along the elongate element  500  and is coupled perimetrically to the wrist brace  100  using the preferred “VELCRO-type” coupling. The close fit between the hole in the load transfer plate  490  and the elongate element  500  ensures that loads may be transferred between these two elements, thus stabilizing the relative positioning between the wrist brace  100  and the bones of the hand and wrist. 
     Referring to FIG. 12A, a variation of a distal portion of a joint biasing apparatus is depicted. This portion is particularly configured nonsurgically to attach to a finger in a manner which allows for load application and load bearing while minimizing the embarrassment of the local blood supply of the associated skin, which can lead to discomfort, sores, and other injuries. As shown in FIG. 12A, an arcuate track member  630  similar to those mentioned above is depicted, this variation having an elongate distal extension  635 . The arcuate track member  630  is configured to slidably interface with a slider block such as the slider block  190  depicted in FIG.  3 . The elongate distal extension  635  is constrained by the distal mounting block  690 , which also serves as an angled platform for coupling a finger to the construct using adhesive tape. The arcuate track member  630 , preferably constructed from a lightweight metal such as aluminum or a relatively stiff polymer with low friction coefficients which is easily formable and machineable, such as Ultem (RTM) or Delrin (RTM), is coupled to a mounting block  650  of a similar material, using a joint pin  660 . As shown in FIG. 12A, pin mounting locations  640  on the arcuate track member  630  are provided for placing a pin to which a tension or extension load element may be coupled. The mounting block  650  and distal mounting block  690  are fastened to a flexible finger contact base  670  having a throughhole  680  preferably using a rubberized adhesive. The flexible finger contact base, preferably comprising a material such as Wonderflex Lined Silicone Gel Sheet from AliMed, Inc, Dedham, Mass., has a large surface area and is capable of spreading loads over the surfaces of a finger without causing potentially injurious load concentrations. A key aspect of this variation of the distal componentry is that the pivot  660  substantially prevents moments from transferring to the base  670 , thus preventing stress concentrations at the edges of the base  670  where they contact the skin. In other words, the base  670  is prevented from being placed in bending because the low friction joint pin  660  and mounting block  650  interface substantially prevents the transfer of moments which are substantially coincident with the axis of the joint pin  660 . This variation of the distal construct results in distribution of loads across a large surface of the contact base  670  while minimizing undesirable bending-related stress concentrations along the edges of the contact base  670 . The mechanical interaction between the distal extension  635  and the distal mounting block  690  results in a slight biasing load of the DIP joint due to the mechanical constraint of the distal extension  635  as its associated arcuate track member rotates in flexion or extension. Therefore the distal mounting block  690  not only serves as a rotational constraint for the associated arcuate track member  630 , but also it serves as a potential source of DIP joint biasing in the same rotational direction as the adjacent PIP joint. 
     Referring to FIG. 12B, the variation depicted in FIG. 12A is shown coupled to a finger  99 . The finger contact base  670  and other associated components are fastened to the finger  99  using adhesive tape  700  in bands around the mounting block  650  and distal mounting block  690 . The distal mounting block  690  provides an angle for placing the adhesive tape  700  at angle around the pulp end  98  of the finger  99 , a configuration which is believed to be anatomically favorable for the involved tissues. The depicted configuration, when coupled to a slider block (not shown) along the arcuate track member  630 , restricts the range of motion at the DIP joint  115  and biases the PIP joint  110  in accord with any biasing loads applied between the slider block (not shown) and the arcuate track member  630 . The throughhole  680  in the finger contact base  670  is configured to allow for limited flexion and extension at the DIP joint, limited, of course, by the interference between the distal extension  635  and the distal mounting block  690 . 
     FIGS. 13A-13G depict another variation of a nonsurgical distal construct which is configured to provide functionality similar to that described above and depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B. In particular, the variation of FIGS. 13A-13G provides a tower construct to which other components may be attached, the tower being configured to prevent the transfer of moments in a similar manner as the variation described above and in FIGS. 12A-12B. Referring to FIG. 13A, a saddle structure  740  portion of a nonsurgical finger encapsulating construct is depicted having a dorsal hinge tower  750  which rises above the rest of the structure. The saddle structure  740  is preferably constructed from cut, bent, and drilled sheet metal. Referring to FIG. 13B, a dorsal overlying wrap member is depicted having a hole  780  configured to accommodate the dorsal hinge tower  750  of the saddle structure  740 . Referring to FIG. 13C, a circumferential underlying wrap member is depicted. Each of the wrap members  760 ,  770  preferably comprises a formable thermoplastic, such as those commonly used in hand therapy for making braces and other structures. Suitable thermoplastic products include Orfit from North Coast Medical. Such material is generally porous and becomes formable at temperatures slightly above body temperature. 
     Referring to FIG. 13D, the structures depicted in FIGS. 13A-13C are shown in a rough assembly format. After the circumferential underlying wrap member  770  is wrapped to a comfortable tightness around a finger, the saddle is placed on the dorsal aspect of the finger over the underlying wrap member  770 , and is then encapsulated by the dorsal overlying wrap member  760  in a position wherein the dorsal hinge tower  750  extends through the hole  780  in the overlying wrap member  760 . The construct is designed to provide a hinge tower  750  to which an acruate track member such as that shown in FIG. 3, and other associated structures may be coupled, the hinge tower being interfaced with the skin of the finger in a manner which distributes loads as much as possible to avoid injuries associated with stress concentrations. 
     Referring to FIG. 14, a variation of the inventive device is shown in perspective view having a distal wrap assembly  800  coupled to the finger. This particular distal wrap assembly, comprising two wrap members similar to those depicted in FIGS. 13B and 13C, uses two metal pins  220 ,  230  for fixation of other componentry rather than a dorsal hinge tower as in the construct depicted in FIG.  13 D. 
     The foregoing description is considered to be for illustrative purposes only and in no way limiting to the invention. Many other modifications and alterations in the structure and method of operation of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In particular, the invention can be used with adjacent joints along and appendage other than the example joints pictured. Additionally, other functionally equivalent materials and geometries can be substituted for those components described above.