Abstract:
A hand and wrist restorer and method of use having a cuff which is capable of grasping a portion of the outer skin of a limb and securing the fascia tissue thereunder together with a support which allows a user to provide a distal force upon the limb while rotating or moving the distal portion of the limb whereby a stretch of the fascia tissue occurs.

Description:
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/299,241, filed Jan. 28, 2010, entitled Hand and Wrist Restorer. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The art of the present invention relates to in general arm, wrist, and finger dexterity restorative devices and methods of use and more particularly to an apparatus and method of use which promotes a myofascial release by gripping and stretching the fascia tissue within the arm and wrist or other limbs of the body. The apparatus and method of use is usable by patients suffering from a plurality of ailments including those related to sports injuries, arthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome, and repetitive injuries such as those suffered by musicians, athletes, and typists. Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat somatic dysfunction and accompanying pain and restriction of motion. 
     Fascia is the soft tissue component of the connective tissue that provides support and protection for most structures within the human body, including muscle. This soft tissue can become restricted due to psychogenic disease, overuse, trauma, infectious agents, or inactivity, often resulting in pain, muscle tension, and corresponding diminished blood flow. Although fascia and its corresponding muscle are the main targets of myofascial release, other tissue may be affected as well, including other connective tissue. 
     Irritation of fascia or muscle can cause local inflammation. Chronic inflammation results in fibrosis, or thickening of the connective tissue, and this thickening causes pain and irritation, resulting in reflexive muscle tension that causes more inflammation. In this way, the cycle creates a positive feedback loop and can result in ischemia and somatic dysfunction even in the absence of the original offending agent. Myofascial techniques aim to break this cycle through a variety of methods acting on multiple stages of the cycle. 
     Prior art methods of treatment utilizing myofascial release concepts (i.e. deep tissue work) has practitioners utilizing hands, knuckles, elbows, forearms, or other manual techniques to slowly stretch the restricted fascia by applying a force to the affected area and stretching or elongating the fascia or further mobilizing adhesive tissues. The prior art technique has a practitioner 1.) contacting the surface of the body with the hands, knuckles, elbows, or forearms, 2.) engaging into the soft tissue, 3.) contacting the first barrier or restricted layer, 4.) delineating of a line of tension, 5.) engaging the fascia by taking up the slack in the tissue, and 6.) finally, moving or dragging the fascia across the surface while staying in touch with the underlying layers. Obviously, the effectiveness of this prior art manual technique is highly practitioner dependent and often has limited repeatability. 
     The present art apparatus and method of use reduces mechanical and repetitive stress on the hands, wrist, and fingers by utilizing deep tissue massage therapy which is rooted in myofascial release concepts and which is highly repeatable. It is understood within the medical arts that throughout the human body is fascia tissue. Fascia tissue generally comprises a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue enveloping, separating, or binding together muscles, organs, and other soft structures of the body. Fascia tissue can be as restrictive as muscle or scar tissue and may also cause undesired joint surface wear and arthritic conditions if not released. 
     Release of the binding nature of fascia tissue is generally accomplished by applying a gripping or static pressure technique with a shearing force thereafter applied to the fibers of the fascia tissue. This shearing force stretches the fascia tissue and creates a slight burning sensation when properly performed. The present art apparatus and method of use engages and stretches the fascial glove tissue which surrounds the wrist, hand, and fingers to achieve a myofascial release. 
     The present art apparatus first comprises a cuff which is able to apply a gripping or static pressure to a limb. That is, the cuff is capable of applying a mild to moderate compression around the wrist or forearm via an at least partially high coefficient of friction (i.e. tacky) surface which is capable of gripping the skin and fascia. In a preferred embodiment, the cuff provides a tacky or rubberized inner lining surface or interface with and substantially around the limb and is able grip the skin and thereby the fascia. Alternate embodiments provide an inflatable cuff or pneumatic bladder (such as or having a similarity to that utilized with a blood pressure monitor) in order to provide a further gripping force. For the preferred embodiment, the cuff also has an adjustable buckle or strap portion which secures the apparatus to the limb of choice with an adequate compression to engage the fascia. 
     Laterally or distally extending and attached with the cuff is a support structure in the form of one or more winged supports or a cone like structure. The support structure allows the patient or user to touch the apparatus with a structure or surface and thereafter apply a pushing or distally extending force with the limb upon which the apparatus is placed. That is, when the cuff is secured with the skin/fascia, the user applies a distal or downward force to actively engage the skin/fascia glove, preferably while making a first and rotating said fist, whereby a burning sensation is imparted to the fascia while the entire wrist, hand, and fingers are stretched. As stated, the cuff substantially holds the fascia tissue where placed. That is, the cuff holds so tight that the tissue between the cuff and elbow does not substantially move, thereby providing the stretch to the distal forearm fascia and muscular system. This distal force along with any rotation imparted by the user to the distal extremities thereby creates a shearing and/or stretching force on the fascia tissue between the cuff and the end of the extremity upon which the apparatus is mounted. This precisely placed force decompresses the joint lines of the fascia tissue affected. If mounted upon the forearm, this includes the wrist, hand, and finger fascia tissue. 
     When the aforesaid fascia tissue is decompressed, the patient generally finds a restoration of a range of motion, a greater dexterity, an improvement of fine motor skills, and an overall performance enhancement of the limb and extensions with which the apparatus is utilized. 
     Prior art hand or wrist therapeutic devices such as found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,066 issued to Patterson, et al. rely upon fixed weights or a hand gripping to provide a proprioception improvement without providing any apparatus, method, or disclosure for gripping and stretching the fascia tissue. Although numerous hand and arm protective devices have been found within the medical arts such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,772 issued to Atwater, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,126 issued to Jessen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,574 issued to Forren, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,244 issued to Block, they have been utilized for protection of the extremities or as a surgical aid and are silent about gripping and/or stretching the fascia. 
     Unlike the prior art, the present art is capable of holding and engaging the fascia while further allowing the user to rotate his or her wrist (or other extremities) to stretch the fibrous fascia material. The benefits of the present art apparatus and method of use are numerous, including but not limited to, an increased or improved range of motion, dexterity, fine motor skills, and wrist/hand function. The resulting benefits allow increased performance in work, sports, and hobbies, especially when the user is afflicted with carpel tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and/or scar tissue disability. Unlike the prior art, the present art is capable of minimizing extremity numbness, tingling, pain, and poor circulation effects (i.e. cold hands). 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand and wrist restorer apparatus and method of use which is capable of simultaneously gripping the fascia of a human&#39;s extremity while allowing the user to rotate his or her hand and/or wrist and stretch said fascia. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand and wrist restorer apparatus and method of use which is able to allow the user to easily provide the aforesaid benefits outside of a medical facility. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand and wrist restorer apparatus and method of use which achieves all of the aforesaid benefits in a repeatable fashion via a user supplied distal or downward force upon the user&#39;s own extremity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention there is provided a hand and wrist restorer apparatus and method of use. The apparatus and method of use allows a user to engage and stretch the fascial glove surrounding the wrist, hand, and fingers via a radial and/or ulnar deviation (i.e. flexion and extension) of the hand, wrist and/or fingers while a cuff having a gripping or tacky surface (i.e. somewhat high coefficient of static friction) applies mild to moderate compression around the skin and fascia. The apparatus and method of use is especially useful to persons suffering from blood circulation issues, neurological issues, numbness, tingling, pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and scar tissue complexities. The apparatus and method of use is also useful to promote a decompression of the joint capsules, i.e. decompression of the joints and joint muscles of the knuckles, fingers, wrists, and thumbs. 
     For the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cuff and one or more (preferably two) winged supports attached with said cuff. Preferably, said winged supports extend laterally from said cuff and have an at least partially arcuate shape. The cuff has a cylindrical form and is preferably manufactured of a rigid material such as a molded or formed plastic but may be manufactured from a plurality of materials including but not limited to metals and alloys thereof, woods, ceramics, or composites. 
     For the preferred embodiment, the cuff has a hinged portion, an inner liner or lining, and a buckle or retainer to maintain the cuff in a closed form. The inner liner or lining is preferably of a tacky rubberized material that allows a substantial grip with the limb in wet or dry conditions. This includes materials of a natural or synthetic rubber material, vulcanized rubber, polyurethane open or closed cell foam, or a plurality of natural or synthetic materials which provide a slight cushioning and frictional grip with the limb. An especially useful inner liner or lining material is the Gelsmart® line of materials from Poly-Gel LLC of Whippany, N.J., including but not limited to the S-GEL (medical-grade silicone), M-GEL (medical-grade mineral oil gel) or the T-GEL (non-mineral-oil elastomeric). Further alternative embodiments utilize a pneumatic or hydraulic bladder in place of said inner liner, with or without the hinged portion. The buckle or retainer is mounted with one of the halves of the cylinder and is retained by the other half via a retainer when the two halves are closed to form the cylindrical shape. 
     For the preferred embodiment, said winged supports have a shape which allows a patient to support the apparatus upon his or her thighs during use. That is, the user must be able to exert a forward or distal force and a lateral or rotational movement with a portion of the limb extending from the apparatus and upon which the apparatus is mounted. 
     An alternative embodiment attaches a strap and/or handle with the cuff and allows a user to hold the strap or handle with a single hand while imparting the distal or lateral forces to a particular limb portion. The handle or strap may be secured to the cuff or to the winged supports or to a combination of both. 
     A further alternative embodiment utilizes a distal cone, conical, semi-conical, partial conical, or frustum shaped form in place of said winged supports. The alternative conical form attaches with the cuff and allows a patient or user to easily apply the forward force onto a surface such as a counter top, wall, or floor. 
     In operation, the patient or user first places a portion of a limb requiring treatment (usually the forearm) into the open cuff and closes the cuff. The cuff is compressed tightly around the limb and the buckle or retainer is secured with the retainers on the cuff or the pneumatic or hydraulic bladder is inflated or pressurized. The patient or user then places the winged supports onto the thighs, against a surface, or in the case of the partially conical form against a surface such as a table, wall, counter top, or floor. If the strap and/or handle is utilized, the user will hold the handle or strap with a hand prior to therapy. For use with the arm, therapy thereafter begins with the user preferably forming a fist-like form with the hand on the arm upon which the apparatus is mounted in order to maximize the fascia stretch, especially at the back of the hand and knuckle areas. The patient or user then rotates the wrist (either clockwise or counterclockwise). The patient or user holds the first at a particular location which feels the most stretch until the stretch feeling dissipates. When the apparatus is removed, the patient or user will have a looser feeling or more nimble hand, wrist, and fingers. The fascia and scar tissue fibers will be stretched and not constrict the muscle movement as was experienced prior to operation of the apparatus. 
     The art of the present invention may be manufactured from a plurality of materials including but not limited to metals and alloys thereof, plastics, woods, composites, or ceramics without departing from the scope and spirit herein intended. The apparatus may further be manufactured via molding, machining, casting, forging, pressing, laminating, carving, extruding, or utilization of stereo-lithographic or electro-dynamic milling or other techniques which are appropriate for the material utilized. For the preferred embodiment, the cuff and winged supports or cone is molded from a polyvinylchloride material or spun (conical form) from an aluminum material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the invention should now become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer showing the cuff in an open position. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer with the cuff in an open position. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer attached with a user arm. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer attached with a user arm and showing a user first slightly rotated. 
         FIG. 8  is a front bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear plan view of a preferred embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer. 
         FIG. 11  is a left plan view of a preferred embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer. 
         FIG. 14  is a top front perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer showing the pneumatic or hydraulic bladder and the two halves of a hinged portion of the cuff. 
         FIG. 15  is a top front perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer showing the pneumatic or hydraulic bladder and a closed single piece cuff. 
         FIG. 16  is a top front perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer showing the pneumatic or hydraulic bladder and the two halves of a hinged portion of the cuff. 
         FIG. 17  is a top front perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of a hand and wrist restorer showing the pneumatic or hydraulic bladder and a closed single piece cuff. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the present art hand and wrist restorer apparatus  10  as seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  10 - 13  comprises a cuff  12  and one or more (preferably two) winged supports  32  attached with said cuff  12 , said cuff  12  having a proximal  15  and distal portion  17 . Preferably said winged supports  32  extend at least partially laterally from said cuff  12  and have an at least partially arcuate shape  34 . The cuff  12  has an at least partially cylindrical form, i.e. having a passage  19  shaped to closely fit with the forearm or wrist of a user, and is preferably manufactured of a rigid material such as a molded or formed plastic but may be manufactured from a plurality of materials including but not limited to metals and alloys thereof, woods, ceramics, or composites. For enablement purposes only, the cuff  12  is approximately four inches in outside diameter, three inches in inside diameter, and four inches in length. The first alternative embodiment as seen in  FIGS. 3-9  shares the essence of the cuff  12  of the preferred embodiment with a partial conical form  36  utilized in lieu of the winged supports  32 . The second alternative embodiment as seen in  FIGS. 14-15  and third alternative embodiment as seen in  FIGS. 16-17  utilizes a pneumatic or hydraulic bladder  24  within the cuff  12 . Said bladder  24  is shown with a mechanical bulb for pressurization but may further comprise an electrical or electronic pumping mechanism without departing from the spirit and scope of the present art. The embodiments with said bladder  24  may include said hinged portion  14  or may forego use of said hinged portion  14  and form said cuff  12  as a single or closed element through which a user&#39;s limb is placed. 
     For the preferred embodiment, the cuff  12  has a hinged portion  14 , an inner liner  16  or lining, and a buckle or retainer  26  to maintain the cuff  12  in a closed form. The hinged portion  14  preferably is substantially parallel with the axis of the cylindrical form and allows the cylindrical form to open into two halves  28  for placement of the patients limb or forearm  40 . The hinged portion  14  may comprise a traditional barrel hinge form or a plurality of other forms including but not limited to continuous or piano hinges, butt hinges, strap hinges, or a continuously molded living hinge. 
     The inner liner  16  or lining is preferably of a tacky rubberized material that allows a substantial grip with the limb in wet or dry conditions and forms a central passage  19  or bore for limb placement. This includes materials of a natural or synthetic rubber material, vulcanized rubber, polyurethane open or closed cell foam, or a plurality of natural or synthetic materials which provide a slight cushioning and frictional grip with the limb. Preferably the inner liner  16  or lining is mechanically or adhesively attached with the inside circumference of the cuff  12  and is separated at the opening between the two halves  28  substantially opposite the hinged portion  14 . For the preferred embodiment, the inner liner represents a single molded piece  18  with a lengthwise slit  20  or openings which may open and close with the two halves  28  of the cuff  12 . Said inner liner  16  preferably has one or more extensions or protrusions  22  which mate with recesses or holes  30  within the cuff  12  for retention purposes. 
     Further alternative embodiments utilize a pneumatic or hydraulic bladder  24  in place of said inner liner  16 , with or without the hinged portion  14 . The pneumatic or hydraulic bladder  24  functions and operates similar to a blood pressure cuff. The pressure placed via said cuff  12  around the forearm  40  or wrist  42  areas provides a firm grip upon the skin and fascia when placed within the central passage  19 . A pump valve and release valve are provided to pressurize and vent said bladder  24  respectively. Preferably said valves are located upon the winged support  32  or the conical form  36  but may be located at a plurality of user accessible locations. Said bladder  24  may take a plurality of forms including, but not limited to, integrally mounted bladders mounted within a recess within said cuff  12 , separately inserted bladders which are removable, and/or bladders which simply fit and are attached within the central passage  19  of said cuff  12 . 
     The buckle or retainer  26  is mounted with one of the halves  28  of the cylinder or cuff  12  and is retained by the other half  28  via a retainer  26  when the two halves  28  are closed to form the somewhat cylindrical shape. The buckle or retainer  26  holds the cylindrical form of the cuff  12  onto the limb with the required force during use of the apparatus  10 . The buckle or retainer  26  may take a plurality of forms including but not limited to traditional buckles having a frame, prong, and bar, clasps, or hook and loop fasteners (i.e. Velcro®). For the preferred embodiment, the retainer  26  comprises a ridge member  29  and a hook or edge portion  31 , substantially from the proximal portion  15  to the distal portion  17 . The two members/portions  29 ,  31  mate or disconnect via a flexing of the retainer  26  body during closing and opening. That is, the hook or edge portion  31  fits over and latches with the ridge member  29 . For the preferred embodiment a retainer pin  27 , also substantially from the proximal portion  15  to the distal portion  17 , is utilized to further secure the retainer  26  when the cuff  12  is in a closed position. 
     For the preferred embodiment, said winged supports  32  have a shape which allows a patient to support the apparatus upon his or her thighs during use. That is, the user must be able to exert a forward or distal force and a lateral or rotational movement with a portion of the limb extending from the apparatus  10  and upon which the apparatus  10  is mounted. This requires that the apparatus  10  be supported when utilized. The winged supports  32  may also be utilized with a counter top, wall, floor or other surface in order to provide said support. For enablement purposes only, the preferred embodiment has winged supports  32  which are approximately one inch in width and six inches in length with a thickness of approximately ½ inch. Provided the winged supports  32  are capable of providing the aforesaid support, said supports  32  may take a plurality of forms including but not limited to flat, curved, arcuate, or block forms. 
     An alternative embodiment attaches a strap and/or handle with the cuff  12  and allows a user to hold the strap or handle with a single hand while imparting the distal or lateral forces to a particular limb portion. The handle or strap may be secured to the cuff  12  or to the winged supports  32  or to a combination of both. 
     A further alternative embodiment utilizes a distal cone, conical, semi-conical, partial conical, or frustum shaped form  36  in place of said winged supports  32 . The alternative conical form  36  attaches with the cuff  12  and allows a patient or user to easily apply the forward force onto a surface such as a counter top, wall, or floor. The alternative conical form  36  is attached with the cuff  12  whereby the cuff  12  may be opened and closed as with other embodiments. 
     In operation, the patient or user first places a portion of a limb requiring treatment (usually the forearm  40  or possibly the wrist  42  area) into the open cuff  12  and closes the cuff  12 . (i.e. places the limb through the central passage  19 ) The cuff  12  is compressed tightly around the limb and the buckle or retainer  26  is secured with the retainers  26  on the cuff  12  or the pneumatic or hydraulic bladder  24  is inflated or pressurized. This assures a firm grasp of the limb and the underlying fascia, scar, and muscle tissue. The patient or user then places the winged supports  32  onto the thighs, against a surface, or in the case of the partially conical form  36  (also known as a support) against a surface such as a table, wall, counter top, or floor and applies a distal force. If the strap and/or handle is utilized, the user will hold the handle or strap with a hand prior to therapy. 
     For use with the arm, therapy thereafter begins with the user preferably forming a fist-like form with the hand  44  (i.e. distal portion of the user&#39;s limb) on the arm upon which the apparatus  10  is mounted in order to maximize the fascia stretch, especially at the back of the hand  44  and knuckle areas. The patient or user then rotates the wrist  42  (either clockwise or counterclockwise). The patient or user holds the first at a particular location which feels the most stretch until the stretch feeling dissipates. Typically the holding time is on the order of two minutes but may be longer or shorter depending upon the user preference and severity of the injury or ailment. Upon release, the hand  44  will have a red like appearance and a tingling feel which is a normal condition. When the apparatus  10  is removed, the patient or user will have a looser feeling or more nimble hand  44 , wrist  42 , and fingers  46 . The fascia and scar tissue fibers will be stretched and not constrict the muscle movement as was experienced prior to operation of the apparatus. 
     Although contemplated and described for use with an arm or forearm  40 , the art of the present invention may also be utilized with the legs. That is, the user can mount the cuff  12  around the lower leg, thereby grasping the fascia tissue, and thereafter rotate the foot to obtain the aforesaid benefits for the lower leg. 
     Although described for enablement purposes, the lengths, widths, and other dimensional attributes may depart significantly from those specified. The shape, size, location, component numbers and mounting methods utilized for the components described may take a plurality of forms as recognized within pertinent arts without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention and its method of use without departing from the spirit herein identified. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents. No claim is made to any part of the human body; any reference thereto within the appended claims is provided for method of use purposes only or to more fully describe the present art apparatus and method of use.