Hand brace

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand brace comprising a bandage capable of embracing the external regions of the distal ends of the metacarpal bones of the II° and V° finger, which incorporates a dorsal support, composed of a coated and internally padded plate made of semi-rigid material, fixed to a soft cushion shaped like a prism with cuneiform cross-section, which can be situated in intermediate position between the II° and the V° finger.

Description: The present invention relates to a hand brace, designed for the conservative treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This brace can be defined as dynamic, because it not only has a simple protective and supporting action, as explained in detail below. The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) affects 9.2% of women and 0.6 % of men (Journal of epidemiology, 1992) and consists in the neuropathy of the median nerve during the passage through the carpal tunnel. It is often associated with repeated professional microtrauma, more rarely with amyloid infiltration of the transverse carpal ligament, thickening of the connective tissue in rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, etc. However, in a large number of cases the CTS is idiopathic. The main symptoms are represented by paresthesia of the hand (first 3-4 fingers) and pain of the upper limb, up to the shoulder. Initially, the symptoms only occur during the night or in the morning after waking up. Successively, they start occurring during the day, especially in association with an intense use of the hand. At a later stage persistent sensory deficiencies and muscular hypotrophy of the thenar eminence occur. The treatment can be either surgical or conservative. The surgical treatment is generally reserved to those cases with evident significant neuropathy or to those cases that do not respond to the existing conservative treatments. Generally, it consists in the resection of the transverse carpal ligament. The conservative treatment is reserved to those cases without neuropathy or with modest neuropathy at the neurophysiological examination, in particular if the symptomatology is not progressive or significant, and in those cases in which the surgical treatment has some counterindications. Generally, the conservative treatment is scarcely successful and represented by physical therapy (ultrasounds, laser, galvanic trays, ionophoresis, etc.), braces or splints, which ― with different shapes ― hold the wrist articulation, with no action on fingers or metacarpal heads. The currently existing braces that affect fingers and metacarpal heads completely differ from the brace according to the present invention and are not capable of having the same functions as the brace according to the present invention. The brace according to the present invention is based on physiopathological principles and aspects of the CTS that are unknown in the existing literature. The brace according to the present invention comprises a bandage capable of embracing the external regions of the distal metacarpal ends of the II° (index) and V° (little finger) fingers, which incorporates a dorsal support, composed of a coated, internally padded plate made of semi-rigid material. The bandage supports a soft cushion shaped like a prism with cuneiform cross-section, which is capable of being situated in intermediate position between the II° and the V° finger, on one side, and the III° (middle finger) and the IV° (ring finger) finger on the other side, when the brace is worn. More exactly, the II° and the V° finger are located in internal position and the III° and IV° finger in external position with respect to the cushion. In a preferred embodiment the brace also includes a wrist band connected to the dorsal support incorporated in the bandage with a longitudinal strap. For major clarity the description of the brace according to the invention continues with reference to the enclosed drawings which are intended for purposes of illustration and not in a limiting sense whereby: figure 1 shows the back of a right hand wearing the brace according to the present invention; figure 2 shows the palm of a right hand wearing the brace according to the present invention. With reference to the above figures, the hand brace according to the present invention comprises a bandage (1) capable of embracing the external regions of the distal ends of the metacarpal bones of the II° (index) and V° (little finger) finger, which incorporates a dorsal support (2), composed of a coated and internally padded plate made with semi-rigid material. A cushion (3) is fixed to the dorsal support (2), made with soft material and shaped like a prism with cuneiform cross-section, which is capable of being situated in intermediate position between the II° and the V° finger, on one side, and the III° (middle finger) and the IV° (ring finger) finger on the other side, when the hand brace is worn. If the bandage (1) is inelastic, the two ends can be connected by means of appropriate fixing adjustable means. In the hand brace model shown in the enclosed figures, the two ends of the bandage (1) can be placed one on top of the other (1a) and connected with a Velcro layer. According to an alternative constructive version ― which is not illustrated in the enclosed figures ― the bandage can be elastic with annular structure. The bandage (1) allows to apply a force at the level of the external regions of the distal ends of the II° and V° metacarpal bones, by tightening them as necessary, in the case of inelastic bandage, or as provided, in the case of an elastic annular bandage. The bandage must be tightened enough so as to push the II° and V° metacarpal heads closer to each other, until they are partially overlapped with the III° and IV° heads, respectively, thus obstructing the II° and IV° interdigital space at the level of the first phalanx. In the case of inelastic bandage the user can adjust the applied force, while in the case of elastic annular bandage the force is determined according to the size and the degree of elastic resistance of the bandage: the user simply inserts the hand brace on his fingers and positions the bandage at the level of the metacarpal heads. The points of the bandage (1) located on the external regions of the II° and V° metacarpal heads (where the force for the grip is applied) are padded with soft fabric and shaped so that the grip is more comfortable and stable. The cushion (3) is made of various soft materials, such as sponge cloth or fabric, or other substance or material which is soft and comfortable in contact with the fingers. When the hand brace is worn, the cushion (3) is located between the II° and the V° finger, which assume a fore position (towards the palm), and the III° and IV° finger, which assume a rear position (towards the back) with respect to the cushion. The III° and IV° finger not only are separated from the II° and V° finger, but also maintained in extended position. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in figures 1 and 2 the cushion (3) is connected to the dorsal support (2) by means of a pair of fabric strips (4), which are sewn to the two sides (3a) of the cushion (3) and to the two external sides of the dorsal support (2). The strips (4) can contain an internal core made up of semi-rigid splints with a certain degree of elastic properties. In this way, the basic tension and the return elastic tension (following to the forced flexion) of the splints respectively cause the conservation and the return of the extension position of those fingers located in rear position with respect to the cushion. The hand brace according to the present invention can be provided with a band connected to the dorsal support (2) incorporated into the bandage (1) by means of a longitudinal strap (5), located on the back of the hand and provided with means for easy, adjustable fixing to the wrist band (6) and the support (2). The wrist band (6) is padded and can be either of elastic annular or open type, provided with adjustable closing means, such as Velcro. The wrist band (6) with the strap (5) is designed to prevent the hand brace from accidentally slipping off from the fingers. The strap (5) is externally sewn to the back of the wrist band (6), while the strap (5) can be fixed to the support (2) by means of permanent means, such as stitching, or with movable adjustable means, such as buttons or Velcro inserts. The strap (5) and the wrist band (6) can be provided with a semi-rigid core, in order to limit the flexor-extensor movements of the wrist, thus favoring the neutral position of the hand. In particular, the strap (5) can be fixed in a suitable position so as to adjust the ulnar and anteroposterior deviation angle of the hand. In conclusion, the hand brace simultaneously tightens (either in an adjustable or defined way) the distal metacarpal heads of the II° and V° finger and maintains the III° and IV° finger in extended position. Moreover, the use of the wrist band (6) and the strap (5) avoids the distal dislocation of the hand brace and limits the flexor-extensor movements of the wrist. These functions are capable of producing relief up to the complete control of the symptoms related to the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Claims: Hand brace characterized in that it comprises a bandage (1) capable of embracing the external regions of the distal ends of the metacarpal bones of the II° and V° finger, which incorporates a dorsal support (2), composed of a coated and internally padded plate made with semi-rigid material, fixed to a soft cushion (3) shaped like a prism with cuneiform cross-section, which is capable of being situated in intermediate position between the II° and the V° finger, in internal position with respect to the cushion, and the III° and the IV° finger, in external position with respect to the cushion, when the brace is worn. Hand brace according to claim 1, characterized in that the bandage (1) is inelastic and terminated with two ends that can be connected by means of appropriate fixing adjusting means. Hand brace according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the bandage (1) is inelastic and terminated with two ends (1a) that can be overlapped and connected with a Velcro layer. Hand brace according to claim 1, characterized in that the bandage (1) is elastic and has an annular structure. Hand brace according to the previous claims, characterized in that the support (2) is externally provided with a strap (5), fixed on the back of a wrist band (6). Hand brace according to claim 5, characterized in that the strap (5) is fixed to the support (2) in a permanent, unmovable way. Hand brace according to claim 5, characterized in that the strap (5) is fixed to the support (2) in a movable way, with fast fixing and unfixing means. Hand brace according to claim 7, characterized in that the strap (5) is fixed to the support (2) in a movable adjustable way, by means of one or more Velcro inserts. Hand brace according to claims from 5 to 8, characterized in that the strap (5) and the wrist band (6) are provided with a rigid core. Hand brace according to claim 1, characterized in that the cushion (3) is connected to the dorsal support (2) by means of a pair of strips (4) sewn to the two sides of the cushion (3) and to the two external sides of the support (2). Hand brace according to claim 10, characterized in that the strips (4) are provided with a core made up of a semi-rigid splint.

Inventors: MANENTE GABRIELE, MANENTE, GABRIELE
Applicants: MANENTE GABRIELE, MANENTE, GABRIELE
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5, A61F13