Patent Publication Number: US-2021169674-A1

Title: Thumb brace

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to International PCT Application No. PCT/US19/43441, filed on Jul. 25, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/725,945, filed on Aug. 31, 2018. The contents of each aforementioned patent application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to braces for immobilizing an appendage of a user. Specifically, the apparatuses and methods described herein provide a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of the user. 
     Description of the Related Technology 
     Thumb braces have been used in the past to partially or fully immobilize a thumb of a hand of a user in treating or avoiding any number of injuries to the thumb, hand or particular joints of the same. However, conventional thumb braces may be bulky, uncomfortable or extend across a larger portion of the hand than desirable if the user wishes to retain as much use of the affected hand as possible. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for solutions that provide a less bulky, more comfortable and less intrusive brace that sufficiently supports, immobilizes and/or protects a thumb, hand, or particular joints of the same while maintaining a greater use of the affected hand. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to some embodiments, a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user is provided. The thumb brace includes a first curved support element configured to be disposed on a heel of a hand along an intercarpal articulation of the thumb and in a palmar gutter of the hand. The thumb brace includes a second curved support element coupled to the first curved support element and configured to be disposed on a palm of the hand along a metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. The thumb brace includes a third curved support element configured to be disposed on a backside of the hand along the intercarpal articulation of the thumb. The thumb brace includes a fourth curved support element coupled to the third curved support element and configured to be disposed on the backside of the hand along the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. 
     According to some other embodiments, a method of using a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user is provided. The method includes disposing a first curved support element on a heel of a hand along an intercarpal articulation of the thumb and in a palmar gutter of the hand. The method includes disposing a second curved support element, coupled to the first curved support element, on a palm of the hand along a metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. The method includes disposing a third curved support element on a backside of the hand along the intercarpal articulation of the thumb. The method includes disposing a fourth curved support element, coupled to the third curved support element, on the backside of the hand along the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. 
     According to some other embodiments, a method of manufacturing a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user is provided. The method includes forming a first curved support element configured to be disposed on a heel of a hand along an intercarpal articulation of the thumb and in a palmar gutter of the hand. The method includes forming a second curved support element coupled to the first curved support element and configured to be disposed on a palm of the hand along a metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. The method includes forming a third curved support element configured to be disposed on a backside of the hand along the intercarpal articulation of the thumb. The method includes forming a fourth curved support element coupled to the third curved support element and configured to be disposed on the backside of the hand along the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a palm-side view of at least a portion of a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a back-side view of at least a portion of the thumb brace of  FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a view of at least a portion of the thumb brace of  FIGS. 1 and 2  along a side of the hand defined by a thumb metacarpal of the hand, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of a method for using a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various aspects of the novel braces and associated methods are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure may contemplate many different forms of such braces and associated methods and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the novel braces and methods disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, a brace may be implemented, or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such a brace or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim. 
     Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses, or objectives. Rather, aspects of the disclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different applications, some of which are illustrated by way of example in the figures and in the following description of the preferred aspects. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
     Several aspects of a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user will now be described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3  together below.  FIG. 1  illustrates a palm-side view of at least a portion of a thumb brace  100  for at least partially immobilizing a thumb  102  of a user, according to some embodiments.  FIG. 2  illustrates a back-side view of at least a portion of thumb brace  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments.  FIG. 3  illustrates a view of at least a portion of thumb brace  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  along a side of a hand  104  defined by a thumb metacarpal  106  of hand  104 , according to some embodiments. 
     Thumb brace  100  comprises a first curved support element  108  configured to be disposed on a heel  110  of hand  104  along an intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102  and in a palmar gutter  114  of hand  104 . First curved support element  108  secures thumb brace  100  within palmar gutter  114  and substantially surrounds at least a proximal portion of a thumb metacarpal  140  on a palm  118  and/or heel  110  of hand  104 . Disposing first curved support element  108  along intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102  and in palmar gutter  114  of hand  104  ensures first curved support element  108  does not move substantially with respect to hand  104  once secured. 
     Thumb brace  100  comprises a second curved support element  116  coupled to first curved support element  108  and configured to be disposed on palm  118  of hand  104  along a metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102 . Second curved support element  116  substantially surrounds at least a proximal portion of metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102  on palm  118  of hand  104  between a thumb phalange  106  and thumb metacarpal  140 . Disposing second curved support element  116  on palm  118  of hand  104  along a metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102  ensures second curved support element  116  secures thumb phalange  106  at substantially it&#39;s most distal extent, thereby providing a greater amount of leverage in preventing thumb  102  from substantially moving with respect to the rest of hand  104  once secured. 
     As seen best with reference to  FIG. 2 , thumb brace  100  comprises a third curved support element  122  configured to be disposed on a backside  124  of hand  104  along intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102 . Third curved support element  122  substantially surrounds a proximal portion of intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102  along a backside and/or side of a wrist  132  of hand  104 . Disposing third curved support element  122  to substantially surround the proximal portion of intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102  along the backside and/or side of wrist  132  of hand  104  ensures third curved support element  122  secures thumb phalange  106  at substantially it&#39;s most proximal extent. 
     Thumb brace  100  comprises a fourth curved support element  126  coupled to third curved support element  122  and configured to be disposed on backside  124  of hand  104  along metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102 . Fourth curved support element  126  substantially surrounds at least a proximal portion of metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102  on backside  124  of hand  104  between thumb phalange  106  and thumb metacarpal  140 . Disposing fourth curved support element  126  on backside  124  of hand  104  along metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102  ensures fourth curved support element  126  secures thumb phalange  106  at substantially it&#39;s most distal extent, thereby providing a greater amount of leverage in preventing thumb  102  from substantially moving with respect to the rest of hand  104  once secured. 
     In some embodiments, first curved support element  108 , second curved support element  116 , third curved support element  122 , and fourth curved support element  126  may each have a concave curvature that corresponds to a respective local curvature of a portion of hand  104  on which that element is configured to contact, thereby allowing each element  108 ,  116 ,  122 ,  126  to seat securely against respective portions of hand  104  and/or thumb  102 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more of first curved support element  108 , second curved support element  116 , third curved support element  122 , and fourth curved support element  126  may comprise respective strips of an elastomeric material or a fabric reinforced, internally or externally, with a semi-rigid material, such as metal, for example, aluminum. However, the present disclosure is not so limited and first curved support element  108 , second curved support element  116 , third curved support element  122 , and fourth curved support element  126  may comprise any suitable material and may be reinforced internally, externally, or both with any suitable semi-rigid or rigid material, such as but not limited to plastic, ceramic, or acrylic materials. 
     Thumb brace  100  comprises a joining element  128  coupling first curved support element  108 , second curved support element  116 , third curved support element  122 , and fourth curved support element  126  along a side of hand  104  defined by thumb metacarpal  106  of hand  104 . Joining element  128  allows first curved support element  108  and second curved support element  116  to align properly on palm  118  and thumb  102  of the hand, and third curved support element  122  and fourth curved support element  126  to align properly on backside  124  and thumb  102  of hand  104 . Moreover, joining element  128  ensures that none of first curved support element  108 , second curved support element  116 , third curved support element  122 , and fourth curved support element  126  wrap around thumb  102  from palm  118  to backside  124  of hand  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , first curved support element  108  does not extend laterally toward a digitus minimus manus (hereinafter, “little finger”)  136  of hand  104  substantially beyond palmar gutter  114 . Similarly, third curved support element  122  does not extend laterally toward little finger  136  of hand  104  substantially beyond a midline  138  of backside  124  of hand  104 . Accordingly, thumb brace  100  does not unnecessarily contact portions of hand  104  that would prevent, hinder or complicate use of hand  104  in ways that do not require substantial movement of thumb  102  with respect to hand  104 . In some embodiments, two or more of joining element  128 , first curved support element  108 , second curved support element  116 , third curved support element  122 , and fourth curved support element  126  may be formed as a single or unitary piece. 
     Thumb brace  100  comprises a first strap  130  coupled to first curved support element  108  and configured to wrap around wrist  132  of hand  104  and couple to third curved support element  122 . First strap  130  secures thumb brace  100 , and specifically first and third curved support elements  108 ,  122  and joining element  128  against respective portions of hand  104 . Thumb brace  100  comprises a second strap  134  coupled to joining element  128  and configured to wrap around thumb  102  and couple to at least one of second and fourth curved support elements  112 ,  126 . Second strap  134  secures thumb brace  100 , and specifically joining element  128  and so second and fourth curved support elements  116 ,  126  against respective portions of hand  104  and/or thumb  102 . By disposing second strap  134  such that it secures to and/or around thumb  102 , thumb  102  is secured at a position distal of metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102 , thereby ensuring substantially immobility of thumb  102  with respect to hand  102 . 
     First strap  130  and second strap  134  may comprise fabric, leather, plastic, or any other suitable material having sufficient strength and durability to secure portions of thumb brace  100  as described above. In some embodiments, first strap  130  and second strap  134  may comprise hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, pins or any other suitable type of fastener. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart  400  of a method for using a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user, according to some embodiments. Flowchart  400  will now be described in connection with thumb brace  100  as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3  above. 
     Block  402  includes disposing a first curved support element on a heel of a hand along an intercarpal articulation of a thumb and in a palmar gutter of the hand. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , first curved support element  108  may be configured to be disposed on heel  110  of hand  104  along intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102  and in palmar gutter  114  of hand  104 . 
     Block  404  includes disposing a second curved support element, coupled to the first curved support element, on a palm of the hand along a metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , second curved support element  116  may be coupled to first curved support element  108  and may be configured to be disposed on palm  118  of hand  104  along metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102 . 
     Block  406  includes disposing a third curved support element on a backside of the hand along the intercarpal articulation of the thumb. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , third curved support element  122  may be configured to be disposed on backside  124  of hand  104  along intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102 . 
     Block  408  includes disposing a fourth curved support element, coupled to the third curved support element, on the backside of the hand along the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , fourth curved support element  126  may be coupled to third curved support element  122  and configured to be disposed on backside  124  of hand  104  along metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102 . 
     Block  410  includes disposing a joining element coupling the first curved support element, the second curved support element, the third curved support element, and the fourth curved support element along a side of the hand defined by a thumb metacarpal of the hand. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , joining element  128  may be disposed to couple first curved support element  108 , second curved support element  116 , third curved support element  122 , and fourth curved support element  126  along a side of hand  104  defined by thumb metacarpal  106  of hand  104 . 
     Block  412  includes wrapping a first strap, coupled to the first curved support element, around a wrist of the hand and coupling the first strap to the third curved support element. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , first strap  130  may be coupled to first curved support element  108  and first strap  130  may be configured to wrap around wrist  132  of hand  104  and couple to third curved support element  122 . 
     Block  414  includes wrapping a second strap, coupled to the joining element, around the thumb and coupling the second strap to at least one of the second and fourth curved support elements. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , second strap  134  may be coupled to joining element  128  and second strap  134  may be configured to wrap around thumb  102  and may be coupled to at least one of second and fourth curved support elements  116 ,  126 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart  500  of a method for manufacturing a thumb brace for at least partially immobilizing a thumb of a user, according to some embodiments. Flowchart  500  will now be described in connection with thumb brace  100  as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3  above. 
     Block  502  includes forming a first curved support element configured to be disposed on a heel of a hand along an intercarpal articulation of the thumb and in a palmar gutter of the hand. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , upon proper formation, first curved support element  108  may be configured to be disposed on heel  110  of hand  104  along intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102  and in palmar gutter  114  of hand  104 . 
     Block  504  includes forming a second curved support element coupled to the first curved support element and configured to be disposed on a palm of the hand along a metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , upon proper formation, second curved support element  116  may be coupled to first curved support element  108  and may be configured to be disposed on palm  118  of hand  104  along metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102 . 
     Block  506  includes forming a third curved support element configured to be disposed on a backside of the hand along the intercarpal articulation of the thumb. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , upon proper formation, third curved support element  122  may be configured to be disposed on backside  124  of hand  104  along intercarpal articulation  112  of thumb  102 . 
     Block  508  includes forming a fourth curved support element coupled to the third curved support element and configured to be disposed on the backside of the hand along the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , upon proper formation, fourth curved support element  126  may be coupled to third curved support element  122  and may be configured to be disposed on backside  124  of hand  104  along metacarpophalangeal joint  120  of thumb  102 . 
     Block  510  includes forming a joining element coupling the first curved support element, the second curved support element, the third curved support element, and the fourth curved support element along a side of the hand defined by a thumb metacarpal of the hand. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , upon proper formation, joining element  128  may couple first curved support element  108 , second curved support element  116 , third curved support element  122 , and fourth curved support element  126  along a side of hand  104  defined by thumb metacarpal  106  of hand  104 . 
     Block  512  includes coupling a first strap to the first curved support element such that the first strap is configured to wrap around a wrist of the hand and couple to the third curved support element. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , upon proper coupling, first strap  130  may be coupled to first curved support element  108  and first strap  130  may be configured to wrap around wrist  132  of hand  104  and couple to third curved support element  122 . 
     Block  514  includes coupling a second strap to the joining element such that the second strap is configured to wrap around the thumb and couple to at least one of the second and fourth curved support elements. For example, as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , upon proper coupling, second strap  134  may be coupled to joining element  128  and second strap  134  may be configured to wrap around thumb  102  and may be coupled to at least one of second and fourth curved support elements  116 ,  126 . 
     Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure can be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and any generic principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims, the principles and the novel features disclosed herein. The word “exemplary” is used exclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. 
     Certain features that may be described in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. 
     In addition, the methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. 
     While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure, other and further aspects of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.