Patent Publication Number: US-2011077568-A1

Title: Spherical section hand splint

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/427,333, filed Sep. 30, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a hand splint for initial injury care and to support healing of an injury and more particularly to a spherical section hand splint that puts all or part of the hand into a natural hand at rest position to immobilize injured anatomical parts of the hand. 
     The anatomical parts of the hand are subject to many different types of injuries, not limited to, but including, finger fractures, finger joint dislocations, tendon dislocations, finger and knuckle joint injuries, finger crush injuries, finger soft tissue injuries, incomplete tendon lacerations, sprains from jammed fingers, finger alignment injuries, finger and knuckle pain control issues, tendon repairs, laceration repairs, skin graphs, soft tissue injuries and acutely inflamed arthritic joints. 
       FIG. 1  shows a common prior art knuckle wrist immobilizing rigid splint or brace  10  which has a rigid aluminum brace  12  sewn in to immobilize the wrist  4  while an aluminum finger splint  14  extends therefrom for immobilized support of the finger  6 . Rigid splint  10  may be used in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. This prior art splint  10  is cumbersome to put on and take off and offers poor hand mobility beyond the necessary immobilization of the injured anatomical part of the hand  2 . With this type of rigid splint  10 , the wearer has great difficulty to dress, drive a car, operate a computer, hold food and eating utensils and write with a pen or pencil. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the hand  2  is shown with an injury in the palm  8  covered by a thick gauze bandage  16 . Here the palm is typically not immobilized and the injured palm area  8  underneath the bandage  16  is subject to additional tenderness and pain due to lack of immobilization and protection. 
     There is a need for a splint that puts all or part of the hand  2  into a natural hand at rest position as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  as resting on a ball or sphere  18  while immobilizing the injured anatomical parts of the hand, such as the knuckles and/or joints. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A flexible, low profile hand splint includes a section of a hollow sphere or ball that comfortably puts the hand in an at rest natural position, while immobilizing one or more anatomical hand parts with extended spherical sections thereby immobilizing fingers, knuckles and tendons. Straps hold the splint onto the palm and immobilize one or more of the fingers. An inverse version of the splint provides protection to the injured soft tissue of a palm. 
     A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that the splint isolates the hand and palm in a natural at rest position. 
     Another object and advantage is that the splint can be used for a myriad of injuries. 
     Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the splint is inexpensive and simple in its construction. 
     Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the splint comfortably supports the hand while permitting continued use of the hand and uninjured fingers. 
     Another object and advantage of the present invention is that donning clothes on and off is very simple as compared to the complicated prior art splints. 
     Another object and advantage is that the present splint may be used for initial injury care prior to the medical assessment as well as for healing support. 
     Another object and advantage is that the present splint is flexible to allow some hand/finger movement and is of a low profile in that it comfortably fits in the rest position palm of the hand as to not interfere with hand movements and operations. 
     Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon a reading of the following specification and claims and a review of the figures accompanying herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a knuckle wrist immobilizing splint of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hand and palm wherein an injury or surgical area of the palm is covered by a thick bandage of the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the hand comfortably and naturally supported at rest by a sphere. 
         FIG. 4  is a similar view of  FIG. 3  showing the anatomical parts of the hand comfortably resting on a sphere in phantom. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present spherical section hand splint immobilizing a middle finger. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention immobilizing two fingers of the hand. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of  FIG. 6  showing the straps holding the splint in position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present spherical section hand splint with a textured rubber surface on the concave outer surface of the splint to aid the wearer in gripping objects such as a steering wheel. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention wherein the spherical section hand splint is inverted to protect the palm injury as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention immobilizing three fingers of the hand. 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are perspective view of the front and back of a fifth embodiment of the present invention in combination with a carpal tunnel brace. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED SPECIFICATION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 9 , the hand  2  generally includes a wrist  4 , fingers  6  and palm  8 . The spherical hand splint  20  of the present invention may be viewed in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  8 . This splint  20  has its spherical section portion extending underneath a finger  6  to support and immobilize the finger  6  which further immobilizes injured or inflamed ligaments, tendons or knuckles  9  associated with injured fingers  6 . 
     This spherical section hand splint  20  generally includes a concave palm surface  22  which fits up against a palm  8  of the hand  2 . A convex exposed outer surface  24  faces outwardly from the palm  8 . The splint  20  suitably has slots  26  therethrough to allow one end  29  of straps  28  with hook and loop surfaces to pass through slot  26 , D-ring or buckle  30  of the other end  31  of the strap  28  and to lay back upon the strap  28  connecting a hook and loop surfaces. Alternatively, for short expanses, such and for securing fingers  6 , the splint  20 , the D-ring or buckle is not needed and the one end  29  simply lays upon strap  28  connecting hook and loop surfaces. 
     The splint  20  is suitable made of flexible plastic. Polypropylene works inexpensively well. One such plastic is called Natural PP Hornopolymer. Plastic allows the hand and fingers to flex the splint  20  when using the hand which offer some functionality during healing and is beneficial toward the end of the healing process before the splint  20  is removed. 
     VELCRO® ⅝ inch wide loop tape manufactured by Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester, N.H. works very well for straps  28 . This manufacturer also makes VELSTRETCH® loop tape which works even better in certain applications requiring expansion and contraction of the strap  28 . VELSTRETCH® is water resistant and provides about 55% stretch with a plush backing for comfort. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the splint  20  does have finger tip section  36  removed along score lines  32 . This splint version  20  protects finger  6  but not the finger tip. This is because intermediate section  39  is still intacted with splint  20 . The finger  6  cannot move as digits  9  ( FIG. 4 ) are immobilized to splint  20  with straps  28 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a second embodiment of the spherical section hand splint  40  which has been tailored to support two fingers  6 . It should readily be understood that the sphere portion of the hand splint  20  may adjustably be cut along score lines  32  and  34  to support as much of fingers  6  as necessary for rehabilitation to be accomplished. If knuckles are tender to touch or for some other reason, strap  28  around the wrist  4  may be used ( FIG. 6 ). 
     In  FIG. 6 , the splint  40  does not have finger tip section  36  or intermediate section  39  removed along score lines  32  and  34 . This splint version  40  completely protects fingers  6  beyond the finger tips. In  FIG. 7 , the finger tip section  36  and intermediate section  39  are removed along score line  34 . As such, the two finger  6  tips may touch, feel and functionally move up to one or two digits  9  ( FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 8  shows the present splint  20  with a textured rubber surface  41  on the convex outer surface  24  which will assist the wearer in grabbing objects, such as a steering wheel, to perform functions while isolating and immobilizing injured fingers, knuckles or tendons. The flexibility of splint  20  also assists in these activities. Splint  20  has tip section  36  and intermediate section  39  removed so that finger  6  tip may touch, feel and functionally move up to one or two digits  9 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a third embodiment  42  of the present invention which suitably covers the bandage  16  shown in  FIG. 2  and thereby protects the injured palm from additional injury or bumpage which may cause additional medical problems and associated pain. Strap  28  also secures splint  42  to the palm  8 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a fourth embodiment  46  of the spherical section hand splint which has been tailored to completely support three fingers  6 . Again it should readily be understood that the spherical portion of the hand splint  46  may adjustably be cut to support much of fingers  6  for rehabilitation as desired. The finger tip section  36  and intermediate section  39  may be removed along score lines  32  or  34 . Also if knuckles are tender to touch or for some other reason, strap  28  around the wrist  4  with buckle  30  may be used and one strap  28  adjacent the tender knuckle is eliminated, if needed. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show a fifth embodiment  50  of the present invention in combination with carpal tunnel syndrome brace  10 . Aluminum brace  12  within brace  10  overlaps a portion of splint  50  (in phantom outline) to hold splint  50  in place with the further assistance of dorsal strap  28 . 
     The above embodiments are shown and described for illustrative purposes. The true scope of the present invention is intended to be covered by the following claims.