Abstract:
An orthopedic support device of the type worn on a wrist and a palm of a wearer. The device has a sleeve with an open upper end for receiving the fingers of the wearer, a thumb opening, and an open lower end for receiving the wrist of the wearer. A portion of the sleeve covering the palm of the wearer has a curved configuration. The device also includes, a first strap, designed to be wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering a palm of the wearer, a second strap designed to be removably wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering a distal forearm of the wearer, and a third strap, designed to be removably wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering the wrist of the wearer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/925,270, filed Apr. 19, 2007, entitled METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR WRIST STABILIZATION. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for orthopedic support and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an orthopedic support method and apparatus for securing a wrist including an extension portion for a palm region allowing select adjustment for desired restriction of associated hand/wrist movement. 
         [0004]    2. History of Related Art 
         [0005]    It is common in the Sports Medicine Industry to utilize orthopedic supports for various body parts subject to injury. The most common support areas include, but are not limited to, the knees, elbows, ankles, and wrists. Often injuries to these areas of the body can be treated by the utilization of an appropriate orthopedic support. In the event of surgery, rehabilitation is sometimes augmented by the utilization of such supports. 
         [0006]    In addressing the problem of a patient, the best immobilization of the wrist is obtained by wrist supports. By stabilizing the dorsal and palmar aspects of the wrist, flexion, extension, and rotation of the radius and ulnar is prevented. This type of stabilization is typically achieved with traditional splints with palmar and dorsal stays. The carpal and metacarpal bones of the wrist are held stable and radial/ulnar deviations are limited. The best and complete immobilization of the wrist can be obtained via a wrist splint. This type of product is beneficial in post-surgical treatment of wrist injuries. 
         [0007]    The products known in the art are typically not easy to adjust and slip onto a user&#39;s hand. In addition, the products known in the art are typically made from materials which do not allow air flow. As a result, when a patient wears wrist/thumb splints for extended periods of time, the patient may experience numbness and swelling. 
         [0008]    For the aforementioned reasons, there is a need in the art for a method of and apparatus for orthopedic support of a wrist including an extension portion for the palm that overcomes these limitations and provides a new level of flexibility and comfort. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to orthopedic supports and methods. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention includes an orthopedic support device of the type worn on a wrist and a palm of a wearer. The device comprises a sleeve with an open upper end for receiving the fingers of the wearer, a thumb opening, and an open lower end for receiving the wrist of the wearer. The device also includes, a first strap, designed to be wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering a palm of the wearer, a second strap designed to be removably wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering a distal forearm of the wearer, and a third strap, designed to be removably wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering the wrist of the wearer. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the present invention comprises an orthopedic support device of the type worn on a wrist, palm, and forearm of a wearer. The device includes a sleeve with an open upper end for receiving the fingers of the wearer, a thumb opening, and an open lower end for receiving the forearm of the wearer. A portion of the sleeve covering the palm of the wearer has a curved configuration. The device also includes, a first strap, designed to be wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering a palm of the wearer, a second strap designed to be removably wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering a forearm of the wearer, and a third strap, designed to be removably wrapped and secured about a portion of the sleeve covering the wrist of the wearer. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for providing orthopedic stabilization to a wrist of a wearer. First, an orthopedic stabilization device comprising a sleeve and a plurality of straps is provided. Next, the orthopedic stabilization device is placed over the wearer&#39;s hand and wrist. Third, stays are inserted into stay pockets at desired locations. Fourth, a first strap is wrapped about the palm of the wearer to a desired compression and secured to the sleeve. Fifth, a second strap is wrapped about the forearm of the wear to a desired compression and secured to the sleeve. Finally, a third strap is wrapped about the wrist of the wearer and secured to the sleeve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the wrist stabilizer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the wrist stabilizer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wrist stabilizer placed on a user&#39;s hand in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the wrist stabilizer in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a back view of the wrist stabilizer in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the wrist stabilizer placed on a user&#39;s hand in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a wrist stabilizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Referring first now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a preferred embodiment of a wrist stabilizer  100  of the present invention. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “wrist” shall include both the wrist joint itself, as well as the lowermost portion of the forearm immediately contiguous with the wrist joint, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The wrist stabilizer  100  comprises an upper fastener assembly having a strap  102 , a lower fastener assembly having a strap  104 , and a central strap  116  having a fastener  114 . While only three straps are shown in  FIG. 1 , it will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of straps may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The wrist stabilizer  100  is constructed using any natural or synthetic breathable material, including both inelastic and elastic material, having sufficient flexibility and resiliency. The wrist stabilizer  100  may be formed of, for example, Koolflex™ material which provides durability, elasticity, and air-flow. In another embodiment, the wrist stabilizer  100  may be formed of, for example, two-sided nylon Neoprene. The Koolflex™ material allows the wrist stabilizer  100  to be easily slipped onto a user&#39;s hand, and more particularly, the palm and wrist regions. In one embodiment, the Koolflex™ material has a thickness of approximately ⅛ inch. 
         [0021]    The upper and lower fastener assemblies comprise loops  130  and  132 . The loops  130  and  132  are adapted to allow the straps  102  and  104  to pass through during fastening. The straps  102  and  104  comprise enlarged regions  110  and  112 . The enlarged regions  110  and  112  prevent the straps  102  and  104  from becoming undone while using the wrist stabilizer  100 . The body of straps  102 ,  104 , and  116  with the exception of fasteners  114 ,  134 , and  136  may be constructed with hook and pile portions to facilitate adjustability and ease of use by the user. 
         [0022]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the wrist stabilizer  100  includes a sleeve  101  which comprises an open upper-end  106 , an open lower-end  108 , and a thumb opening  124  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). As described below, the body of straps  102 ,  104 , and  116  with the exception of fasteners  114 ,  134 , and  136  may be constructed with hook and pile portions to facilitate adjustability and ease of use by the user. Once the wrist stabilizer  100  is properly placed over the user&#39;s hand, the straps  102  and  104  are wrapped around palm and forearm regions of the user while the strap  116  is wrapped around a wrist region of the user. The length of the straps  102 ,  104 , and  116  are preferably sufficient to encompass the palm, forearm, and wrist regions at least once. It will be appreciated that compression may be adjusted to a desired level by increasing or decreasing the tightness of the straps  102 ,  104 , and  116  around the palm, forearm, and wrist regions. 
         [0023]    The central strap  116  having fastener  114  is constructed with hook and pile portions to facilitate adjustability. Once the wrist stabilizer  100  is located on the user&#39;s hand, the central strap  116  having the fastener  114  is wrapped around the wrist region of the user. The length of the central strap  116  and the fastener  114  is preferably sufficient to encompass the wrist region at least once. It will be appreciated that compression may be adjusted to a desired level by increasing or decreasing the tightness of the central strap  116  around the wrist region of the user. 
         [0024]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the wrist stabilizer  100  further comprises a mesh material  120  adapted to allow the wrist stabilizer  100  to be easily placed on a user&#39;s hand. The wrist stabilizer further includes a first stay pocket  122  placed along a medial portion of the wrist stabilizer  100 . The first stay pocket  122  is adapted to receive a stay therein for support. The stay may be either a solid stay or a split stay; however, other types of stays may also be used. A second stay pocket  126  is disposed opposite the first stay pocket  122  for receiving a dorsal stay therein for support. The first and second stay pockets  122  and  126  are sewn on the wrist stabilizer  100  and comprise an opening through which the stay may be inserted or removed as desired. Removal of the stay allows for increased mobility and flexibility of the hand and facilitates in the cleaning of the wrist stabilizer  100 . Stitching  140  is shown on the edges of the wrist stabilizer  100  as well as stitching  140  shown around the thumb opening  124 . This stitching is shown for purposes of illustration only, and other stitching embodiments may be incorporated herein. All illustrations thereof should not be deemed limited in any respect relative to the principles of the present invention. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the wrist stabilizer  100  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Details of the wrist stabilizer  100  have been disclosed with respect to  FIG. 1  above. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wrist stabilizer  100  placed on a user&#39;s hand. The wrist stabilizer  100  is adapted to be slipped onto the user&#39;s hand such that the fingers  304  pass through the open upper-end  106  while the thumb  302  passes through the thumb opening  124 . The upper strap  102  is adapted to secure a palm region of the users hand while the lower strap  104  is adapted to secure a forearm region  310  of the users hand. The central strap  116  having the fastener  114  is wrapped around the wrist region of the user. The lengths of the central strap  116  and the fastener  114  are preferably sufficient to encompass the wrist region at least once. It will be appreciated that, in accordance with one embodiment, the method includes adjusting compression on the wrist region by increasing or decreasing the tightness of the central strap  116  around the wrist region of the user. The method of adjustment facilitates in stabilizing the wrist region of the user. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the wrist stabilizer  400  in accordance with an alternate embodiment. The wrist stabilizer  400  includes a sleeve  401  which comprises an open upper-end  406 , an open lower-end  408 , and a thumb opening  424  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). In addition, wrist stabilizer  400  comprises an upper fastener assembly having a strap  402 , a lower fastener assembly having a strap  404 , and a central strap  416  having a fastener  414 . While only three straps are shown in  FIG. 4 , it will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of straps may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The wrist stabilizer  400  is constructed using any natural or synthetic breathable material, including both inelastic and elastic material, having sufficient flexibility and resiliency. The wrist stabilizer  400  may be formed of, for example, Koolflex™ material which provides durability, elasticity, and air-flow. The Koolflex™ material allows the wrist stabilizer  400  to be easily slipped onto a user&#39;s hand and more particularly the palm and wrist regions. According to an exemplary embodiment, the Koolflex™ material has a thickness of approximately ⅛ inch. The wrist stabilizer  400  as disclosed in  FIG. 4  is similar to the wrist stabilizer  100  as disclosed earlier with respect to  FIG. 1 ; however, the wrist stabilizer  400  is of a different shape and size providing extended protection for the forearm region. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a back view of the wrist stabilizer  400  of  FIG. 4  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Details of the wrist stabilizer  400  have been disclosed with respect to  FIG. 4  above. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the wrist stabilizer  400  placed on a user&#39;s hand in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wrist stabilizer  400  is adapted to be slipped onto the user&#39;s hand such that the fingers  604  pass through the open upper-end  406  while the thumb  602  passes through the thumb opening  424 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the edge  612  of the wrist stabilizer  400  has a curved configuration to accommodate a users palm region. Such curved configuration provides added comfort and extra degree of finger movement when the wrist stabilizer  400  is placed on the user&#39;s hand. The upper strap  402  is adapted to secure a palm region of the users hand while the lower strap  404  is adapted to secure a forearm region  610  of the users hand. The central strap  416  having the fastener  414  is wrapped around the wrist region of the user. The lengths of the central strap  416  and the fastener  414  are preferably sufficient to encompass the wrist region at least once. It will be appreciated that compression may be adjusted to a desired level by increasing or decreasing the tightness of the central strap  416  around the wrist region of the user. 
         [0030]    The method of operation of the wrist stabilizer  400  in conjunction with  FIG. 6  will now be discussed. The wrist stabilizer  400  is adapted to be slipped onto the user&#39;s hand such that the fingers  604  pass through the open upper-end  406  while the thumb  602  passes through the thumb opening  424 . Once the wrist stabilizer  400  is properly placed over the user&#39;s hand, the straps  402  and  404  are wrapped around palm and forearm regions of the user while the central strap  416  is wrapped around a wrist region of the user. The length of the straps  402 ,  404 , and  416  are preferably sufficient to encompass the palm, forearm, and wrist regions at least once. It will be appreciated that compression may be adjusted to a desired level by increasing or decreasing the tightness of the straps  402 ,  404 , and  416  around the palm, forearm, and wrist regions. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a flow diagram illustrating a method  700  of using wrist stabilizer  100  and wrist stabilizer  400 . First, in step  702 , the sleeve  101  or  401  is placed over the wrist and hand of the wearer. Next, in step  704 , the desired number of stays are inserted into the desired stay pockets. In step  706 , the straps are wrapped around the sleeve  101  or  401  to the desired level of compression. Finally, in step  708 , the straps are secured to the surface of the sleeve using the hook and pile fasteners. 
         [0032]    It should be noted that the term “hook and pile fasteners” is a recognized structure to one skilled in the art and is often sold under the trademark Velcro®. It is well known that the hook and pile material engage one another. It addition, various surface designs, patterns, and colors may be used as well as various thickness of the Koolflex™ material. Likewise, the present invention is not limited to the use of the Koolflex™ material as other materials may prove satisfactory in their use as wrist stabilizers. The size and shape of the wrist stabilizer  100 ,  400  as shown herein are exemplary embodiments and other cutout shapes and clearance designs may be utilized in order to accommodate various hand sizes. 
         [0033]    Although various embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein.