Abstract:
An adjustable wrist orthotic suitable for the treatment of wrist fractures and similar injuries. The orthotic includes a panel which encircles the hand, the wrist, and a portion of the forearm. An adjustment break is included to allow the adjustment of the circumference of the orthotic. The adjustment break is selectively closed and secured using a plurality of straps secured by VELCRO or other suitable fasteners. Each strap begins on one side of the adjustment break, then passes through a strap ring on the opposite side of the adjustment break, then loops back over itself. Each strap is secured by pressing the looped portion back on the strap itself. The VELCRO then engages to secure the strap in place. A 4-way elastic panel is included in the anchor point of a securing strap. This 4-way panel allows the strap to bend laterally in order to accommodate variations in forearm taper.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/642,477 filed on May 4, 2012. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of medical products. More specifically, the invention comprises a wrist orthotic including a binding strap which conforms to a variable amount of taper in a patient&#39;s forearm anatomy. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Wrist fractures were traditionally placed in plaster casts in order to immobilize the affected anatomy. In recent years, more flexible orthotic devices have replaced the plaster casts. These usually encircle the wrist and palm with fabric material. One or more rigid, stays are incorporated in the device in order to provide the requisite rigidity. 
     Elastic panels are used to adapt the orthotic to a range of sizes. Adjustable securing straps also aid proper fitting of the device. However, the geometry of the wrist and forearm varies widely from individual to individual. Prior art devices have been able to accommodate variations in wrist and forearm diameter fairly well. They have not done as well, though, in accommodating variations in the taper of a patient&#39;s forearm. This is particularly true for a long wrist orthotic which may extend nearly to a patient&#39;s elbow. 
     A muscular, stocky patient has a forearm which expands rapidly, whereas a thin patient may have little to no expansion. The traditional solution to this concern has been to provide multiple wrist orthotics having varying geometry. This is a wasteful approach. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a single wrist orthotic which could accommodate a wide variation in forearm geometry. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises an adjustable wrist orthotic suitable for the treatment of wrist fractures and similar injuries. The orthotic includes a panel which encircles the hand, the wrist, and a portion of the forearm. An adjustment break is included to allow the adjustment of the circumference of the orthotic. The adjustment break is selectively closed and secured using a plurality of straps secured by VELCRO or other suitable fasteners. Each strap begins on one side of the adjustment break, then passes through a strap ring on the opposite side of the adjustment break, then loops back over itself. Each strap is secured by pressing the looped portion back on the strap itself. The VELCRO then engages to secure the strap in place. 
     If the two sides of the adjustment break are parallel, then the straps will lie flat when they are looped through the strap rings and pressed into the secured position. However, if the patient&#39;s forearm is significantly tapered, the adjustment break will not be parallel but will instead diverge significantly when proceeding in the direction toward the elbow. In this case the straps will not tend to lie flat because they are essentially lying on a conical surface rather than a cylindrical one. This is particularly true for the strap closest to the elbow. One side of this strap will tend to bulge outward. The bulge may snag on obstacles and clothing, which is a significant problem. 
     The present invention solves this problem by including a 4-way elastic panel in the anchored portion of a securing strap. This 4-way panel allows the strap to bend laterally in order to accommodate variations in forearm taper. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, showing a wrist splint made according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view, showing the wrist splint of  FIG. 1  from another perspective. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view, showing the path taken by the securing straps 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view, showing the straps in a secured position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view, showing the wrist splint being installed on a patient. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view, showing the securing straps in a case where the adjustment break is parallel. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view, showing the use of a 4-way elastic panel in the anchor of one of the securing straps. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view, illustrating how a strap lies on a cylindrical surface versus a conical one. 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed perspective view, showing the use of a 4-way elastic panel to create a desired cant angle for a securing strap. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 wrist splint 
                 16 
                 bottom panel 
               
               
                 18 
                 top panel 
                 20 
                 side panel 
               
               
                 22 
                 loop panel 
                 24 
                 bottom thumb relief 
               
               
                 25 
                 first strap ring 
                 26 
                 top thumb relief 
               
               
                 27 
                 second strap ring 
                 28 
                 thumb strap 
               
               
                 30 
                 tab 
                 32 
                 hook panel 
               
               
                 32 
                 hook panel 
                 34 
                 third strap ring 
               
               
                 36 
                 first strap 
                 38 
                 second strap 
               
               
                 40 
                 third strap 
                 42 
                 radius panel 
               
               
                 44 
                 stay pocket 
                 46 
                 stay 
               
               
                 48 
                 first anchor 
                 50 
                 second anchor 
               
               
                 52 
                 third anchor 
                 54 
                 hook loop covering 
               
               
                 56 
                 stay 
                 58 
                 central passage 
               
               
                 60 
                 4-way elastic panel 
                 62 
                 stay pocket 
               
               
                 78 
                 forearm 
                 80 
                 divergence angle 
               
               
                 82 
                 hand end 
                 84 
                 forearm end 
               
               
                 86 
                 cylinder 
                 88 
                 cone 
               
               
                 90 
                 tape 
                 92 
                 cant angle 
               
               
                 94 
                 adjustment break 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows wrist splint  10 . It includes top panel  18 , side panel  20 , and bottom panel  16 . The top ad bottom panel may be separate pieces. In other embodiments the top, bottom, and side pieces may be formed as one continuous encircling band. Whatever construction is employed, an adjustment break  94  is left open between the side of the top and bottom panels lying next to the user&#39;s thumb when the splint is installed. This adjustment break allows the diameter and the taper of the splint to the adjusted to accommodate variations in patient anatomy. 
     One or more straps and strap rings are provided to secure the device in position. First strap ring  25 , second strap ring  27 , and third strap ring  34  are attached to top panel  18  near a first side of adjustment break  94 . First strap  36 , second strap  38 , and third strap  40  are secured to the bottom or side panels on a second side of adjustment break  94 . The straps are passed through the strap rings and secured in place—as will be described subsequently. 
     The end of the wrist splint intended to lie over a portion of the patient&#39;s hand includes top thumb relief  26  and bottom thumb relief  24 . These allow the patients thumb to lie outside the brace. Thumb strap  28  is positioned to pass between the patients thumb and first finger before being fastened back to the rest of the splint. In the embodiment shown, thumb strap  28  is part of the bottom panel. A fastening device is provided to attach its free end to the top panel. In the embodiment shown, hook panel  3  is positioned to engage loop panel  22  (VELCRO-type fasteners) on top panel  18 . Tab  30  is provided so that the patient may easily disengage the thumb strap when removing the splint. The user may grasp tab  30  between the thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand and pull the thumb strap free. 
     The wrist splint preferably includes rigid or semi-rigid stays to stabilize the patient&#39;s anatomy in a desired orientation. Stay pocket  44  includes a removable stay  46 . The stays are preferably made removable so that a greater range of motion can be provided by removing one or more stays as the patient heals. 
     Radius panel  42  is preferably provided between top panel  18  and bottom panel  16  across adjustment break  94 . The radius panel is preferably made of elastic material. It retains the general shape of the wrist splint while the straps are disconnected—thereby allowing the user to more easily install the splint. 
       FIG. 2  shows the wrist splint from a different vantage point (looking toward bottom panel  16 ). The three straps are connected to the encircling band of the wrist splint on the opposite side of the adjustment break than the strap rings. In the embodiment shown, first strap  36  is attached to the bottom panel  16  via 4-way elastic panel  60 . The elastic panel is a rectangular piece of material capable of stretching in 4 directions. In other words, each side of the rectangle may expand differently—yet the panel as a whole will remain flat. The first end of 4-way elastic panel  60  is connected to bottom panel  16  at first anchor  48 . The second end of the elastic panel is connected to the first end of first strap  36 . The second end of first strap  36  is free. 
     The term “anchor” means any suitable attachment between a strap (or elastic panel) and the balance of the wrist splint. A suitable approach to creating such an attachment includes stitching, gluing, riveting, etc. The straps are anchored to the encircling band on the opposite side of the adjustment break from the strap rings. The distance between the anchors and the adjustment break may be widely varied. 
     Additional straps may or may not include a 4-way elastic panel  60 . In the example shown, second strap  38  is directly connected to bottom panel  16  at second anchor  50 . Likewise, third strap  40  is directly connected to bottom panel  16  at third anchor  52 . 
     The surface of each of the straps facing the user in  FIG. 2  is covered with a VELCRO fastening material. This is ideally a combination hook and loop material so that each strap can be threaded through a strap eye, then pressed back upon itself to secure it in place (in much the same manner as VELCRO shoe closures). 
       FIG. 2  also shows how top panel  8  preferably includes one or more stay pocket  62 . These pockets optionally contain additional stays  56 . As for the bottom panels, the stays are preferably made removable. 
       FIG. 3  shows a simplified end elevation view of the wrist splint. The reader will observe how top panel  18 , side panel  20 , and bottom panel  16  combine to form an encircling band. Radius panel  42  spans the adjustment break, thereby defining central passage  58 . The user slips the wrist splint over the hand, wrist and forearm by passing that anatomy through central passage  58 . 
     Radius panel  42  is long enough to allow the wrist splint to suitably expand during installation (and may in fact be made of elastic material). During the installation process, the tip of first strap  36  is passed through first strap ring  25  as indicated by the arrow. The strap is then pulled taut to adjust the diameter of the wrist splint. Pulling the strap taut causes 4-way elastic panel  60 —as well as the strap itself—to lie flat against the encircling band of the wrist splint. 
     In  FIG. 4  first strap  36  has been pulled to create the desired level of tension and then pressed back onto itself to secure it in place. The hook/loop material on the strap secures it in the desired position. The reader will note how 4-way elastic panel  60  and first strap  36  lie flat against the encircling band. 
     The inclusion of one or more 4-way elastic panels is a significant advantage in the present invention, as it allows the accommodation of variable patient forearm geometry.  FIG. 5  shows the wrist splint being installed on a patient. The encircling band has a forearm end lying near the patient&#39;s forearm  78  and a hand end  82  lying near the patient&#39;s hand. Thumb strap  28  is secured around the thumb as shown. First strap  36  is passed through first strap ring  25 . Second strap  38  is passed through second strap ring  27 . Third strap  40  is passed through third strap ring  34 . The straps may in fact be left in this position as the device is applied and removed. 
     The patient&#39;s forearm in this example has a large divergence angle  80 . This presents an issue for adequately adjusting the wrist splint, as will be explained.  FIG. 6  shows the application of the Wrist splint to a patient having little to no divergence in the forearm. The reader will observe how the two sides of adjustable break  94  are nearly parallel. The encircling band is essentially cylindrical in this configuration, which makes the three straps lie flat. 4-way elastic panel  60  does stretch somewhat under tension but it does not deviate laterally. 
     In contrast,  FIG. 7  shows the wrist splint installed on a patient with a large divergence angle  80  in the forearm. The presence of 4-way elastic panel  60  allows first strap  36  to deflect laterally as shown. This allows the third strap to lie flat against the wrist splint rather than having a portion which bulges outward. 
     The reason for this phenomenon may be difficult to perceive from the study of two-dimensional drawings, so  FIG. 8  is provided to simplify the phenomenon so that it may be more easily understood.  FIGS. 8( a ) and ( b )  show a simple cylinder  86 .  FIG. 8( a )  shows a perspective view of a length of tape  90  that is affixed to the surface of the cylinder in an orientation which is perpendicular to the central axis of the cylinder. 
       FIG. 8( b )  shows a side elevation view of the same assembly. The reader will observe how tape  90  lies flat on the cylindrical surface.  FIGS. 8( c ) and ( d ) , however, depict a truncated cone  88 . Tape  90  cannot lie flat on the conical surface if its orientation is perpendicular to the central axis of the cone.  FIG. 8( d )  shows a side elevation view of cone  88  with tape  90  attached. The reader will observe how the orientation of tape  90  must be offset by cant angle  92  in order to lie flat. Still looking at  FIG. 8( d ) , those skilled in the art will appreciate that if the tape is applied in an orientation which is perpendicular to the central axis of the cone, one edge of the tape will lie on the conical surface and the second end will lie well above the conical surface. 
     The same thing happens when the straps are secured around the wrist splint. Returning to  FIG. 7 , the anatomy of the patient&#39;s wrist and forearm in the vicinity of second strap  38  and third strap  40  is roughly cylindrical. Thus, conventional securing straps may be used. However, in the vicinity of first strap  36 , the forearm is rapidly expanding and has a surface which is roughly conical. The encircling band of the wrist splint therefore assumes a conical shape on this region. 
     4-way elastic panel  60  allows first strap  36  to laterally offset in a manner analogous to the tape in  FIG. 8( d ) .  FIG. 9  shows a detailed view of 4-way elastic panel  60  in the same configuration as shown in  FIG. 7 . The elastic panel has allowed first strap  36  to offset laterally through cant angle  92 , which has allowed the entire strap to lie flat against the surface of the encircling band. Without this feature, the edge of first strap  36  closest to the patient&#39;s hand would bulge outward and produce a snag hazard. The fact that the elastic panel can stretch a variable amount along all four edges means that no portion of the elastic panel itself bulges outward. 
     The cant angle may vary as needed. For a person with a small forearm, the cant angle may even be zero. The use of the 4-way elastic panel allows all these variations to be accommodated. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  discloses the use of only one 4-way elastic panel on the strap closest to the patient&#39;s elbow. In other embodiments, additional 4-way elastic panels may be provided on second strap  38  and/or third strap  40 . It is also possible to provide embodiments with only two straps—as well as four or more straps. 
     Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be viewed as limiting the invention but instead as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Many other alterations could be made to the embodiments illustrated without altering the substance of the invention. As an example, buckle connections could be made between the securing straps and the encircling band rather than using VELCRO. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be defined by the following claims rather than any specific examples given.