Abstract:
A finger splint and method of providing support for a finger is disclosed. The finger splint can include a braided mesh folded over itself to form a hollow tube having a double wall and having a longitudinal axis. The folded over braided mesh can have a first open end that is flared. The braided mesh, before being folded over, is compressible and after being compressed and released, springs back to its original shape. In accordance with the method of providing support to a finger, a finger is inserted into an open end of a compressible tabular braided mesh splint that has been folded over to form a cylindrical two-walled splint and the splint is pulled onto the finger.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to finger splints and to therapeutic uses of a compressible braided mesh. 
         [0002]    A toy has previously been marketed under the name BOINKS. BOINKS toys are a tube formed of braided mesh. BOINKS are compressible along their longitudinal length and, when released, return to their original position. As a result of this property, BOINKS can be, and are, used as a toy that can be propelled in a direction opposite the direction of compression by first compressing and the releasing the toys. 
         [0003]    It has recently been appreciated that the compressible braided mesh of BOINKS can be arranged in a novel configuration to provide new and improved therapeutic processes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, is a finger splint, having a braided mesh folded over itself to form a hollow tube having a double wall and having a longitudinal axis. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the folded over braided mesh has a first open end that is flared. The braided mesh, before being folded over, is compressible and after being compressed and released, springs back to its original shape. The braided mesh folded over the splint is also compressible. 
         [0005]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the finger splint is compressed to receive a finger and released to support the finger. However, a finger can typically be inserted into the finger splint without further compression. 
         [0006]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the finger splint, when worn, allows the finger to be moved, while still providing some support. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the splint, when worn, resists a movement of the finger. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the finger splint is applied to treat a swollen, sprained, broken finger, or a finger that has been affected by a brain injury such as a stroke. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the mesh is made of PET, also known as polyethylene terephthalate. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention the braid is made of a textile composition made with yarn thread crossing in diagonal direction. Each thread intertwines the diagonal threads it crosses one from above and one from below. Braiding machines are used for such constructions. (see diagram of braid attached). 
         [0011]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the density of the mesh is as follows: The thickness of the final product ranges from 0.025″-1.0″. Fibers of the braid range from 6 ml-16 ml depending on the construction of the braid. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the finger splint is provided with a set of instructions providing guidance as to how to place the finger splint on a finger for therapeutic purposes and packaging encloses one or more finger splints and the set of instructions. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing support to a finger is provided. The method includes the steps of inserting a finger into an open end of a compressible tabular braided mesh splint that has been folded over to form a cylindrical two-walled splint and the pulling the splint on the finger. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an open end can be an end where the splint has been folded over. 
         [0015]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the open end can be flared. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a BOINKS prior art toy. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a compressed BOINKS toy. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a non-compressed braided mesh tube and a compressed braided mesh tube side by side. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a compressible elastic braided mesh arranged in a novel configuration to provide a finger splint. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows the finger splint of  FIG. 4  being applied to a finger to provide a therapeutic splint to the finger. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows the finger splint of  FIG. 4  on a finger. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a bent finger wearing the splint of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates the packaging and instructions provided with the finger splint in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates the properties of the material the finger splint can be made from in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art toy  10 . The toy  10  has been on the market for years. It has been marketed under the name BOINKS and can be viewed and purchased at www.boinks.com. The toy  10  is compressible along its length. When compressed and released, it shoots out. The toy  10  is soft and therefore provides a safe way for children to play. 
         [0026]    The toy  10  is a braided mesh that forms a hollow tube  12  that has two open ends  14  and  16 . The braid mesh tube is made from a plurality of fibers. The number of fibers used determines the circumference or diameter of the tube. The length of the fibers also determine the length of the tube  12 . The fiber ends at the ends  14  and  16  of the tube  12  can be treated, for example, with heat or chemically, to fuse the fibers together. This helps maintain the integrity of the tube  12 . 
         [0027]    Any type of fiber can be used to form the tube  12 . However, preferred fibers include PET. Other preferred fibers are polyester. 
         [0028]    The tube  12  can be formed by braiding the plurality of fibers. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of fibers are braided. The braid is made of a textile composition made with yarn thread crossing in diagonal direction. Each thread intertwines the diagonal threads it crosses one from above and one from below. Braiding machines are used for such constructions.  FIG. 9  illustrates the operation of the braided tube in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         [0029]    The tube  12  thus formed, has a known property. The tube  12  is compressible along its tubular axis  18 . Essentially, the open areas in the braided mesh tube become smaller when the toy is compressed. When released, the tube  12  expands along to tubular axis  18  and the toy  10  springs. Thus, the toy  12  is propelled along its tubular axis  18 . This principal formed a basis to use the tube  12  as a toy  10 . 
         [0030]    However, a new use of the tube  12  has been invented. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the tube  12  is placed on a damaged finger to provide a finger split. The tube  12  can be compressed along its tubular axis prior to putting the tube splint on the finger. This compression causes the opening in the tube to become wider, thereby allowing the finger to be inserted into the tube easier. This can be helpful, particularly when the finger is swollen, or crooked 
         [0031]    This therapeutic use of the tube  12  provides support to a damaged finger, while allowing some flexibility of the finger. It has been found that alternate structural arrangements of the tube  12  can provide therapeutic benefit to damaged fingers. 
         [0032]    The flexible finger splint is a braided device that can help with many types of inflictions. It is latex free, and when used in accordance with the present invention, provides light compression and mild extension support while allowing finger flexion. 
         [0033]    The flexible finger splint can also be used to aid patients who have had a brain injury, stroke, Parkinson&#39;s, broken bone, Carpal syndrome, arthritis, and many other inflictions. The device can be placed on most all digits depending on size. It fits comfortable for longer wearing than other finger splints on the market. 
         [0034]    The flexible finger splint of the present invention can be put in the dishwasher silverware holder for cleaning or hand washed. It is economical and can usually be reused depending on the use. It can be used by all ages. Children like to wear the flexible finger splint as opposed to the other splints on the market since it is comfortable and comes in fun colors. Adults find it more comfortable than the plastic types available and find they use it more for longer wearing. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates the tube  12  in a compressed state. The flexibility of the tube  12  is also illustrated by the bend in the tube  12 . Note that the tube  12  is held in the compressed form by a wire  20 , which is not part of the present invention. The tube  22  in its natural state and the compressed tube  24  are illustrated side by side in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows a compressible elastic braided mesh  26  arranged in a novel configuration to provide a finger splint. In  FIG. 4 , a tube  12 , such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 1 , has been folded over itself to form a finger splint  26 . The braided mesh walls of the tube  12  now form a double wall for the finger splint. The end  28  of the finger splint  26  where the fold was made is flared. This happens normally when the tube  12  is folded over on itself. 
         [0037]    This arrangement makes it easier to place a finger in the open end  28  of the finger splint. The splint  26 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is still compressible. It still may be necessary to compress the splint  26  to insert a swollen finger into the splint  22 . In other cases, it will not be necessary. Once the finger is inserted into the splint  26 , the splint  26  can be pulled onto the finger by sliding the outside funnel down over itself to fit the finger. 
         [0038]    The splint  26  of  FIG. 4  forms a double walled braided mesh splint that provides added support for a damaged finger while still allowing some flexibility. The folded over end  28  of the splint  26  also provides protection for a patient because there is no open fiber end to rub against the skin. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows the finger splint  26  of  FIG. 4  being applied to a finger  30  to provide a therapeutic splint to the finger. As described before, the finger  24  is inserted into an open end  28  of the tubular finger splint  26 . In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the finger  30  is inserted into the flared end  28  of the tubular finger splint  26 . This is the end of the tube that was folded into itself. 
         [0040]    Once the finger  30  is inserted into the open end  28  of the tubular splint  26 , the splint  26  is pulled onto the finger.  FIG. 6  shows the finger splint of  FIG. 5  pulled on a finger  30 . When applied to a finger as shown in  FIG. 6 , the folded over compressible mesh tube provides support to a damaged finger. The amount of support can be controlled by the size of the tube, including its diameter. 
         [0041]    The finger splint of the present invention is flexible to allow the finger to be moved but provides support to the finger during the movement. This is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , where a finger with the finger splint of the present invention is bent. 
         [0042]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the finger splint shown in  FIG. 4  is placed in packaging  40  with instructions  42  on how to use the structure as a splint.  FIG. 8  shows the packaging  40  and instructions  42  provided with the finger splint. The folded over end of the splint is flared and the instructions can specify that the finger be inserted into the flared open end of the finger splint. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of splints  44 - 46  can be provided with packaging. 
         [0043]    Alternatively, a variety of directions to apply the flexible finger splint can be provided: For example, “Place the funnel end over the finger you wish to immobilize, slide on all the way to your knuckle, adjust the splint by sliding the outside down toward the hand for a more snug fit. If the splint is too long for your hand, do not cut the braid as it will unravel. The Flexible Finger Splints comes in two large sizes: 5″×¾″, 7″×¾″ and one small size: 5″×½″ for children and smaller hands.” 
         [0044]    The flexible finger splint can be provided in small, medium and large as well as custom sizes 
         [0045]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the braided mesh shown in  FIG. 1  can be placed in the packaging with the instructions to fold over one end of the splint upon itself as shown in  FIG. 4 , and that the finger is inserted into the folded over and flared end of the splint. 
         [0046]    Therapists can also use the braided mesh tube in different types of therapy sessions. They can be used in treating patients with Autism, Parkinson&#39;s, brain injuries, strokes, and cerebral palsy. Here are a number of ways that BOINKS are being used in therapy: 
         [0047]    for in-hand manipulation in order to develop the radial side of the hand for strengthening and developing functional grasping patterns; 
         [0048]    for developing bilateral coordination and supination by placing the braided mesh tube in the palm of one hand and shooting it upward with the other; 
         [0049]    for visual-motor games by shooting them at targets, as well as shooting up in the air and catching; 
         [0050]    for self-regulation and attention to ameliorate fidgeting; 
         [0051]    for children with Autism to engage them in play activities, and joint attention. 
         [0052]    In summary, the flexible finger splint has been found to (1) elongate the finger, (2) stimulate tactile input, (3) compress without constriction, (4) useful for those with a Tonic Hand, as it is more comfortable than the hard plastic splints now on market. It has also been found that the flexible finger splint acts like an exoskeleton and acts like a muscle. Further, the flexible finger splint is hypertonic so when in use and the finger is bent, it will spring back into the neutral position. The flexible finger splint helps if there is swelling in the hand. One can massage the hand, to get the swelling down, and then slide the flexible finger splint over the affected finger. It will compress and delay the swelling to return. The finger splint helps with Gradient Compression. It helps to amplify what the patient sees when they are bending finger. It protects the distal phalanx and extends the DIP joint and it encourages more movement with positive reinforcement 
         [0053]    A number of aspects and embodiments of the invention have been described. It is to be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.