Patent Publication Number: US-6911011-B2

Title: Digit therapy device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a therapeutic device and method to facilitate progressive desensitization of a sensitive digit tip such as a sensitive tip of a partially amputated finger, thumb, toe or big toe. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   There are numerous ways a person can injure a digit and produce a hypersensitive or otherwise sensitive digit tip such as a sensitive tip of a finger, thumb, toe or big toe. A sensitive digit tip can arise from a partially amputated, flayed or otherwise injured digit such as a partially amputated finger, thumb, or toe (including a big toe), wherein the injured digit has a sensitive tip. 
   For example, an accident with a metal hammer or moving part of a heavy machine can severe a finger at a point along the digit to produce a partially amputated digit with a sensitive digit tip. The tip of a digit may be flayed on rough contact with an abrasive surface such as a road surface. A part of a finger, thumb or toe may be spliced off by a blade, lifting machinery, or a hydraulic press stamping out or shaping e.g., vehicle parts. A driver of a vehicle may end up with a sensitive digit tip such as a partially spliced or flayed toe as a result of a vehicle accident. Thus, there are numerous ways a person can loose part of a digit to produce a sensitive digit tip. 
   Severing or flaying a finger, thumb, or toe often results in nerve damage which can result in a sensitive (including hypersensitive) digit tip. A patient with a sensitive digit tip is typically advised to follow a desensitization regime to alleviate or desensitize the sensitive digit tip. For example, a finger tip may be desensitized over time by gently tapping the finger tip or stump on a solid surface such as a table top. However, such tapping can cause considerable discomfort to a patient to the extent that the patient may prematurely curtail the desensitization regime. 
   A patient with a sensitive digit tip can suffer loss of earnings, particularly if the patient requires full use of their digits. Even where a patient does not need to have full use of their digits, a patient can still suffer from a lack of confidence in using their full complement of digits. For example, a patient with family responsibilities such as small children will find it hard to maintain a normal life style without constant fear of inadvertently touching a sensitive digit tip. Regaining confidence is clearly desirably in the use of, for example, a finger with a hypersensitive tip. Thus, there exists a need for a digit therapy device and method to desensitize a sensitive digit tip. 
   A wide range of therapeutic equipment is available from several well known manufacturers, which are widely used in a clinical setting by physiotherapists, including hand therapists. However, there is a lack of devices for desensitizing a sensitive digit tip. More particularly, there is a serious lack of appropriate devices than can be used by a patient in a home or office setting. Thus, there is a need for a device that can be used in a non-clinical setting to desensitize a sensitive digit tip. 
   In addition, equipment devoted to hand and finger therapy is often expensive, complicated and cumbersome to use. Thus, there is a need for a digit therapy device and method that is easy to use, can be used on a common household table top or carried on a train or used in an office setting, and is effective in desensitizing a sensitive digit tip. 
   Several efforts have been made to address these problems. U.S. Pat. No. 86,722 issued Feb. 9, 1869 to A. C. Armengol describes a key board for exercising fingers. The &#39;722 device is designed to help a key board learner to acquire skills in fingering the keys of a key board. The &#39;722 device is not designed to help a patient with an injured hand comprising a sensitive finger tip. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,914 issued May 26, 1998 to M. Streibl, describes a finger exerciser device to train and strengthen the finger mechanics of a musician. However, the &#39;914 presupposes that the user is healthy and has at least reasonable use of their fingers, hand, arm, and wrist. The &#39;914 device is not suitable for desensitizing an injured finger tip such as the tip of a recently partly amputated finger. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,202,202 issued Dec. 28, 1937, to G. Hesse, describes a device for exercising the fingers in the movements required for playing musical instruments such as a piano, violin, violoncello, guitar and the like. The &#39;202 device fails to address the special issues associated with a patient with a sensitive finger tip. 
   British Patent Application No. GB 2221847A (2 221 847 A) published, Feb. 21, 1990 to P. McCann, describes an exercise device for assisting the player of a stringed instrument in developing his fingering skills. The &#39;847 device comprises a manually graspable rigid base and a length of resilient wire. The &#39;847 device also presupposes that the user is healthy and has at least reasonable use of their fingers. The &#39;847 device is not suitable for desensitizing a sensitive finger tip. 
   Other patents showing devices for hand related devices but which do not solve the above mentioned problems include U.S. Pat. No. Des. 416, 299 issued Nov. 9, 1999 to P. M. P. Hug (a finger exerciser); U.S. Pat. No. 251,206 issued Dec. 20, 1881 to H. Forbush (device for training muscles used in writing); U.S. Pat. No. 638,632 issued Dec. 5, 1899 to V. M. Griffin (musician&#39;s finger strengthener); U.S. Pat. No. 806,681 issued Dec. 5, 1905 to E. B. Kursheedt (finger exercising device for improving, e.g. lateral reach for playing instruments); U.S. Pat. No. 1,204,437 issued Nov. 14, 1916 to V. Heinze (means for correcting the human hand for musical purposes); U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,446 issued Jan. 4, 1966 to J. A. Minasola (finger, hand and wrist developer); U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,200 issued Aug. 8, 1978 to A. Unger (hand and finger exercise device); U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,027 issued Apr. 18, 1989 to T. R. Kascak (therapeutic and arm exercise device); U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,613 issued Apr. 14, 1998 to T. Clayton (device and method for exercising the muscles of the fingers and hand using weights); U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,621 issued Mar. 14, 2000 to T. W. Hancock (digit gym for the exercise of hand and finger muscles); U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,750 B1 issued Jan. 30, 2001 to B. T. Lonergan (hand exercise system); U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,698 B1 issued Nov. 13, 2001 to G. Barber (guitar player&#39;s finger exerciser and method); U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,874 B1 issued Sep. 3, 2002 to M. Bennett (occupational therapy apparatus for strengthening fingers, hand, wrist, forearm and foot); and WO 90/07957 issued Jul. 26, 1990 to Peronelli and Rossa (weight-based exerciser for the fingers). 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a digit therapy device solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a digit therapy device and method for progressively desensitizing a patient&#39;s sensitive digit tip such as a sensitive tip of a finger, thumb, toe or big toe. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the digit therapy device comprises a base, at least two attachment points each connected to or integral with the base, and at least one elongated flexible member, such as a string or wire, slung between the attachment points. This form of the invention is used to facilitate the desensitization of a sensitive digit tip by contacting a sensitive digit tip with the at least one elongated flexible member. 
   In another embodiment, the tautness of at least one elongated flexible member slung between at least two attachment points may be varied using a torsion adjuster. The torsion adjuster may be integrated into the design of one of the attachment points. 
   In yet another embodiment, a vibrator is operably connected to the flexible member, the vibrator being adapted to induce a vibration in the flexible member, thereby providing at least one artificially vibrated elongated flexible member to facilitate the desensitization of a sensitive digit tip by contacting the sensitive digit tip with the artificially vibrated elongated flexible member. 
   In a further embodiment, at least one elongated flexible member is attached to the base along its length, e.g. one or more wires or strings, may be glued to the base to create at least one ridge, equivalent to at least one raised strip, attached to the base, wherein the resulting ridge can provide a contact surface to facilitate desensitization of a sensitive digit tip by contacting the sensitive digit tip with the at least one ridge. 
   In another embodiment, the digit therapy device has a base having a surface, and at least one strip of material attached to the surface of the base, e.g. a strip of cloth and a further strip of rice paper glued to the base. The strips may be arranged in a logical pattern from smooth to rough, e.g. a first strip might comprise a strip of smooth felt, cloth, or wool (such as lambs wool), a second strip might comprise a textured rice strip or bean strip, a third strip might comprise a layer of emory cloth or, light sand paper, and a fourth strip might comprise of medium or heavy sand paper. 
   The strip may be split into a plurality (i.e., at least two) sections of varying smoothness or roughness, e.g. a first half of a strip may comprise of emory cloth and a second half of strip may comprise of sand paper. This form of the invention is used to facilitate the desensitization of a sensitive digit tip by contacting a sensitive digit tip with the at least one strip. 
   The digit therapy device may have a base, and a combination of at least one elongated flexible member and at least one ridge (including a raised strip), wherein the at least one ridge is adapted to facilitate the desensitization of a sensitive digit tip upon contacting the sensitive digit tip with any of the at least one elongated flexible member or at least one ridge. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the method of desensitizing a sensitive digit tip comprises providing at least one flexible elongated member and/or ridge, and contacting the sensitive digit tip against the at least one flexible elongated member and/or ridge. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a digit therapy device adapted to facilitate progressive desensitization of a sensitive digit tip such as a sensitive tip of a partially amputated finger, thumb, toe or big toe. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a digit therapy device suitable for use in a non-clinical setting such as a patient&#39;s home. 
   It is still another object of the invention to provide a portable and a desk top version of a digit therapy device to desensitize a sensitive digit tip. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of desensitizing a sensitive digit tip such as a sensitive tip of a partially amputated or flayed finger, thumb, toe or big toe. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a digit therapy device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device according to the present invention with a torsion adjuster, 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device according to the present invention with a plurality of elongated flexible members and torsion adjusters. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device according to the present invention with a vibrator attached to at least one elongated flexible member. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device according to the present invention having at least one elongated flexible member with one end attached directly to a base. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device according to the present invention showing at least one O-ring suspended between two attachment points. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device according to the present invention having a plurality of O-rings. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device adapted for exercising a plurality of digits comprising a sensitive digit tip. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device adapted for vertical use. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a digit therapy device, according to the present invention, having at least one hand and arm support together with a plurality of elongated flexible members in combination with a plurality of ridges in a configuration adapted to desensitize a sensitive digit tip. 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is directed a digit therapy device and method for progressively desensitizing a patient&#39;s sensitive digit tip such as a sensitive tip of a finger, thumb, toe or big toe. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a digit therapy device and method for ameliorating sensitivity (including hypersensitivity) over the tip of a digit such as a sensitive or hypersensitive tip of a finger, thumb, toe or big toe. 
   It should be understood that the term “digit” is intended herein to encompass any digit of the hand and feet including any finger or thumb of the right or left hand, and the toe and big toe of the right and left foot of a patient. It should be further understood that the term “sensitive digit tip” is intended herein to encompass a sensitive (including hypersensitive) tip of a patient&#39;s finger, thumb, toe or big toe. While the reason for a person (i.e. a patient) having a sensitive digit tip can vary, the apparatus and method disclosed herein is intended to assist in the desensitization of a sensitive digit tip in a patient requiring such treatment (e.g., the sensitive digit tip causes the patient pain if touched or knocked) regardless of the reason why the patient has a sensitive digit tip. Any theory disclosed herein should not be regarded as limiting the disclosed invention in any way. 
   Additionally, to assist in the description of the components of the digit therapy device, words such as left, right, up, down, front, upper, lower, rear, first, second, third and forth are used to describe the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated, however, that the digit therapy device of the invention can be located in a variety of different positions and orientations—including at various angles, sideways and even upside down. A detailed description of the digit therapy device of the invention now follows. 
     FIG. 1  depicts an environmental perspective view of the digit therapy device  50 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
   The digit therapy device  50  is shown comprising a base  60 , a first  70  and second  80  attachment points attached to the base. The second attachment point  80  may comprise a bridge member  85  and a torsion adjuster  90  with a peg  95 . An elongated flexible member  100  with opposite ends is suspended between the first  70  and second  80  attachment points as shown. The bridge member  85  facilitates the attachment of one opposite end of the elongated flexible member  100  to the peg  95 , as shown. 
   The bridge  85  is not essential and may be left out. For example, in  FIG. 2 , the digit therapy device  50  the torsion adjuster  90  is directly attached to one end of the elongated flexible member  100  without the aid of the bridge member  85 . By turning the peg  95 , the torsion adjuster  90  can vary the tautness of the elongated flexible member  100 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1  the digit therapy device  50  is shown being used to desensitize a digit  110  in the form of a partially amputated finger  120  comprising a sensitive digit tip  130 . Specifically, the sensitive digit tip  130  is shown in contact with the elongated flexible member  100 . The sensitive digit tip  130  is desensitized by regular contact with the elongated flexible member  100 . The form of contact can vary; for example, the sensitive digit-tip  130  may stroke the elongated flexible member  100  either along the member  100  or across the member  100  in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the elongated flexible member  100 . Such contacts between the sensitive digit tip  130  and the elongated flexible member  100  are less traumatic than the typical desensitization regime of tapping the sensitive digit tip  130  against a flat surface. 
   The base  60  maybe made of any suitable material including plastic, wood, steel (e.g., carbon steel, stainless steel), aluminum, brass, and copper. Suitable plastics include polyvinylchloride (PVC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS). The base  60  and attachment points  70  and  80  may be molded as one piece or in several pieces that can be snapped together. The base may include at least one elongated elevated part or at least one elongated crest or a linear series of crests in the form of at least one ridge  140   a  or array of ridges  140 . The at least one ridge may be molded as an integral part of the base  60  or attached to the base  60  in the form of e.g. a raised strip  170  (see e.g. FIG.  4 ). 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one elongated flexible member  100  is a flexible plait line made from a combination of two or more elongated flexible members twisted around each other. Each of the elongated flexible members comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: nylon, fishing line, steel, bronze, nickel, piano wire, rubber, or a combination thereof. 
   The digit therapy device  50  may include a plurality of elongated flexible members  100 . For example, in  FIG. 3 , the digit therapy device  50  comprises a first  100   a  and a second  100   b  elongated flexible members, and torsion adjusters  90   a  and  90   b , which incorporate pegs  95   a  and  95   b , respectively. The torsion adjusters  90   a  and  90   b  are integrated into the attachment points  70  and  80 , respectively. The attachments  70  and  80  are attached to base  60 . One opposite end of the first elongated flexible members  100   a  is attached to the peg  95   b  of torsion adjuster  90   b  and the other opposite end is anchored to the attachment  70 . Conversely, one opposite end of the second elongated flexible members  100   b  is attached to the peg  95   a  and the other opposite end is anchored to the attachment  80 . The first  100   a  and a second  100   b  elongated flexible members may be separately set to a different tautness using the pegs  95   b  and  95   a , respectively. Thus, the digit therapy device  50  is adapted to facilitate the progressive desensitization of a sensitive digit tip  130 . 
   In one embodiment, at least one elongated flexible member  100  comprises a layer of soft fabric  155  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 7 ) thereby providing a textured surface for contacting with a sensitive digit tip  130  to facilitate the progressive desensitization of a sensitive digit tip  130  such as the tip of a partially amputated finger. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for alleviating the symptoms of a sensitive digit tip  130  of a patient, comprising the steps of providing at least one elongated flexible member  100 , and contacting the sensitive digit tip  130  against the at least one elongated flexible member  100 . The form of contacting can vary; for example, a sensitive digit tip  130  can gently tap, stroke, or press against an elongated flexible member  100 . Since the member  100  is flexible and will naturally yield even if tapped by a sensitive digit tip  130 , contact between the digit tip  130  and the member  100  will produce less pain in a patient requiring such desensitization treatment than the same patient relying on the traditional desensitization technique of tapping the digit tip  130  against a flat unyielding surface. 
   The tautness of the at least one elongated flexible member  110  can be varied according to the needs or wishes of a patient with a sensitive digit tip  130 . For example, if the patient finds that the at least one elongated flexible member  100  is too taut or causes discomfort, the patient may, for example, decrease the tautness of the elongated flexible member  100  using the torsion adjuster  90 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the base  60  optionally comprises an at least one ridge  140   a . Alternatively, the at least one ridge  140   a  may take the form of at least one strip  170  (e.g., see  FIG. 4 ) attached to the base  60 , e.g. a strip of a soft cloth and a strip of rough cloth. The at least one ridge  140  may have any suitable surface such as a molded textured surface. Alternatively, the at least one ridge  140   a  may comprise a layer of material such as a layer of fabric, felt, rice paper, emory cloth, light sand paper, medium sandpaper, or heavy sand paper, arranged in any suitable fashion to facilitate the progressive desensitization of a sensitive digit tip  130  by contacting the sensitive digit tip  130  against the at least one ridge  140   a.    
   In one embodiment, the plurality or array of ridges  140  comprises a first ridge  140   a  and a second ridge  140   b . The first ridge  140   a  may comprise a smooth coating such as a coat of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and ridge surface  145   b  may comprise of a less smooth surface such as rice paper. By contacting a sensitive digit tip  130  with the first  140   a  and second  140   b  ridge the sensitive digit tip  130  maybe progressively desensitized in a far less traumatic or painful manner compared to the typical desensitization regime of e.g. tapping the entire tip  130  against a solid surface. It is believed that the each of the ridges  140 , comprising e.g. a layer of fabric cloth, provides nerve stimuli sufficient to aid progressive desensitization of a sensitive digit, tip  130 . 
     FIG. 4  shows another example of the digit therapy device  50 , according to the present invention. A vibrator  160  is operably connected to the at least one elongated flexible member  100 , wherein the vibrator  160  is adapted to induce a vibration in at least one elongated flexible member  100  thereby providing at least one artificially vibrated elongated flexible member  100  to facilitate the desensitization of a sensitive digit tip  130  by contacting the sensitive digit tip  130  with the at least one artificially vibrated elongated flexible member  100 . The form of contact can vary; for example, the sensitive digit tip  130  can be moved closer to the vibrated member  100  until the member  100  is rhythmically vibrating against the sensitive digit tip  130 . It is preferred that the output from the vibrator  160  is controllable to allow the patient to quickly find a soothing frequency of vibrations to apply to the sensitive digit tip  130 . 
   String and wire vibrators are well know and even taught in high school science classes. For example, part number “DC #15240” supplied by The Science Source educational supply service (The Science Source, Atlantic Highway (Route One), Waldoboro, Me., 04572), is a versatile string vibrator used by High Schools to vibrate multiple strings or wires attached to the vibrator. Wire vibrators, based on e.g. solenoids, are also well known and need not be discussed further here. 
   A battery  165  ( FIG. 4 ) may be used to power the vibrator  160 . The battery  165  may form part of the base  60 . The battery  165  may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery of the type found on general sale in e.g. supermarkets and hardware stores. Alternatively, the vibrator  160  may be adapted to accept alternating current (AC) such as a mains power supply, e.g. a 110 V AC power supply, wherein the vibrator  160  further comprises a power lead extending from the vibrator  160  and comprising an end adapted to connect with the AC power supply. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 4 , the digit therapy device comprises at least one strip of material  170  of predetermined roughness or smoothness. The at least one strip of material  170  may comprise of plastic (e.g., PTFE), rubber, velcro, leather, cotton, wood, burlap, wool, sandpaper, Scotchbrite™ (supplied by 3M), vinyl, simulated rice strip, and simulated bean strip. The at least one strip  170  may comprise a plurality of sections of different material of different smoothness comprising of e.g. PTFE  170 ( 1 ), smooth cloth  170 ( 2 ), and sandpaper  170 ( 3 ). 
     FIG. 5  shows a digit tip  130  of a partially amputated finger being desensitized by running the digit tip  130  across one of the elongated flexible members  100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c . Each of the elongated flexible members  100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c  has opposite ends, with one of the opposite ends being attached directly to an upper surface  58  of the base  60  and the other opposite end being connected to the raised attachment point  70 . The tautness of the elongated flexible members  100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c  can be preset at the manufacturing stage by stretching each member prior to attaching the ends to the base  60  and attachment point  70 , respectively. In this configuration, each of the elongated flexible members  100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c  forms an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 85 degrees with respect to the upper surface  58  of the base  60 . The base  60  optionally comprises at least one ridge  140  (shown in this configuration of the digit therapy device as  140   g ,  140   h ,  140   i , and  140   j ) of varying roughness or smoothness for contacting with a sensitive digit tip to facilitate desensitization of the sensitive digit tip  130 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the at least one ridge  140  may comprise two sections to provide a combination of, for example, a layer of emory cloth along a first section  140   h ( 1 ) and a layer of medium sand paper along a second section  140   h ( 2 ), wherein the two sections  140   h ( 1 ) and  140   h ( 2 ) obviously have different smoothness; and conversely, roughness. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for desensitizing a sensitive digit tip  130  using the digit therapy device  50 . A patient with a sensitive digit tip  130  contacts, e.g. by stroking, a first ridge  140  with a coating of PTFE and, once able, moves onto stroking the sensitive digit tip  130  on a second ridge  140   b  comprising of a textured layer of fabric cloth, then onto the third ridge  140   c  comprising velcro surface and so on. Thus, a patient may progressively desensitize their digit tip  130  by rubbing their digit tip  130  in turn on increasingly less smooth ridges  140 . 
   It should be understood that the exact arrangement and location of the at least one ridge  140  can vary. For example, the at least one ridge  140  may be located on one or more sides of the base  60  of the digit therapy device  50 . 
   In one method of progressively desensitizing a sensitive digit tip  130 , the sensitive digit tip  130  is contacted in turn on at least one ridge  140  or on at least one elongated flexible member  100 , or strip  170 , or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the digit therapy device  50  may be moved, e.g. back and for, relative to the sensitive digit tip  130  thus mimicking rubbing or moving the sensitive digit tip  130  against any of the at least one elongated flexible member  100 , ridge  140 , or strip  170 . 
     FIG. 6  shows a further example of the digit therapy device comprising an elongated flexible member  100  in the form of at least one O-ring  150 . A patient is progressively desensitizing a sensitive digit tip  130  by caressing the tip  130  against the O-ring  150 . The O-ring  150  may be made out of any suitable material, e.g. rubber. 
     FIG. 7  shows a further example of the digit therapy device comprising O-rings  150   a  and  150   b  slung between the attachment points  70   a  and  80   a , and  70   b  and  80   b , respectively. A patient can progressively desensitize a sensitive digit tip  130  by caressing the tip  130  against either O-ring  150   a  or  150   b . The at least one O-ring  150  may comprise of O-rings of different texture and flexibility with varying vibration characteristics. 
   One or more O-rings  150  may comprise a section of O-ring covered in a layer of material  155  as shown in  FIG. 7 , such as cotton. A section of the O-ring  150   a  is shown covered in a layer of material  155  comprising cotton  155 . The layer of material  155  may further comprise different sections of material, e.g., a section of cotton  155   a  and a section of velcro  155   b.    
   By vibrating the O-ring  150  and contacting a sensitive digit tip  130  against either the section of material  155  or O-ring serves to provide additional stimuli for a sensitive digit tip  130  thereby providing a further way of desensitization of the digit tip  130 . It should be understood that the step of contacting can take other forms such as rolling the sensitive digit tip  130  off an elongated flexible member  100 , a ridge  140 , a strip  170 , or combination thereof. 
   In another embodiment, the O-rings  150  may be used for progressive stress work to hasten desensitization of the sensitive digit tip  130  as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 9  shows a vertical version of the digit therapy device  50 . This version of the digit therapy device  50  can also be used in a horizontal mode and upside down (not shown). 
   In addition, the digit therapy device  50  can adopt a variety of appearances. For example, a deluxe table top model  50   a  of the digit therapy device  50  is shown in FIG.  10 . The deluxe model  50   a  comprises a plurality of elongated flexible members  100  attached to complementary set of torsion adjusters  90 . The torsion adjusters  90  are attached to a head stock  180 , which is attached to the base  60 . A nut headpiece  72  keeps the plurality of elongated flexible members  100  in place above the base  60 . A height adjustable pad  73  is located on the base  60  and beneath the plurality of elongated flexible members  100 ; the pad  73  includes a threaded base member (not shown) attached to the base  60 . A hand rest  190  is fitted to the base  60 . Strips  170  and ridges  140  with different smooth and rough surfaces are located at various points on the base  60 . The ridges  140  may take the form of fret ridges or wire in close proximity to or attached to the base  60 . Thus, it should be understood that the digit therapy device  50  can come in various shapes, sizes, and incorporate different additional features. 
   While the digit therapy device  50  can be used on a table surface  105 , the device  50  can also be used in a variety of ways. For example, the digit therapy device  50  could be dimensioned to sit on the palm of one hand and a sensitive digit tip  130  of another hand rubbed against the elongated flexible member  100  to facilitate desensitization of the sensitive digit tip  130 . In addition, the digit therapy device  50  can be used in various orientations including horizontal (as shown in e.g.  FIG. 1 ) and vertical as shown in e.g. FIG.  9 . 
   The elongated flexible member  100  and ridge  140  is preferably narrower than the width of a sensitive digit tip  130 . The diameter and/or thickness of the member  100  is preferably between about 0.1 inches and about 0.3 inches. 
   The base  60  can be any suitable length, but preferably between about 3 inches and about 20 inches; more preferably between about 6 inches and 12 inches; still more preferably between about 6 inches to about 10 inches in length. The base  60  is preferably between about 1 inch and 15 inches in width, and more preferably between about 1 inch and 10 inches, and still more preferably between about 1 inch and 5 inches in width. 
   The length of the at least one elongated flexible member  100 , ridge  140 , and strip  170  should be sufficient to accommodate contact with a sensitive digit tip  130 . It is preferred that the members  100 ,  140 , and  170  are between about 1 inch and about 18 inches, and more preferably between about two in inches and ten inches, and still more preferably between about 2 inches and five inches in length. 
   With respect to the at least one elongated flexible member  100 , if a torsion adjuster  90  is present, then the at least one elongated flexible member  100  should be of sufficient length to allow one end of the member  100  to be wrapped around the peg  95  and be suspended between the torsion adjuster  90  and an attachment point such as attachment point  70  (e.g. see FIG.  2 ). For tonal purposes, a length of about seven inches is preferred in the at least one elongated flexible member  100 . 
   The digit therapy device  50  may have dimensions that allow the device to be eminently portable and easily gripped by a healthy hand while a digit tip  130  of the injured hand is stroked across or along e.g. a ridge  140  comprising a surface of fabric cloth. Thus, the digit therapy device  50  may be used by a patient in just about any setting, such as an office, at home, or while traveling on a train or as a desk top model in e.g. a hand therapy clinic. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for alleviating sensitivity (including hypersensitivity) across a sensitive digit tip such as the tip of an amputated finger  120 , comprising the steps of providing at least one elongated flexible member  100 , and running or stroking the sensitive digit tip  130  across the at least one elongated flexible member  100 . Alternatively, a vibration is imparted on an elongated flexible member  100  and then the sensitive digit tip  130  is placed in contact with the vibrated elongated flexible member  100 . 
   In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for alleviating sensitivity (including hypersensitivity) across a sensitive digit tip such as the tip of an amputated finger  120 , comprising the steps of providing at least one ridge member  140 , and running or stroking the sensitive digit tip  130  across the at least one ridge member  140 . 
   In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for alleviating sensitivity (including hypersensitivity) across a sensitive digit tip such as the tip of an amputated finger  120 , comprising the steps of providing at least one strip  170  member attached to the base  60 , and running or stroking the sensitive digit tip  130  across the at least one strip member  170 . 
   In a further embodiment of the invention, a method of progressively desensitizing a sensitive digit tip  130  comprises providing a plurality of ridge members  140  and contacting the sensitive digit tip in turn with each of the plurality of ridge members  140 . Varying the roughness or smoothness of each ridge  140  further facilitates the progressive desensitization of the sensitive digit tip  130 . For example, a desensitization regime comprises repeatedly running the sensitive digit tip  130  across a ridge  140   a  coated in Teflon™ and later against a ridge  140   b  with a surface comprising a emory cloth, and still later against a ridge  140   c  covered in rough sandpaper. 
   A table top version (see e.g.  FIG. 10 ) of the digit therapy device  50  could be considerably larger than the portable variant. The table top model could have friction pads  200  on a lower surface  62  of the base  60  to prevent slipping of the device  50  when a sensitive digit tip is rubbed against or across an elongated flexible member  100 , ridge surface  140 , or strip  170 . Also, the table top variant preferably has a base  60  considerably longer and wider than the portable variant and may encompass a greater array of e.g. ridges  140 . 
   In the context of the present invention, the term “smoothness” is best defined by using descriptive examples. For example, in an array of strips  170  (e.g. see  FIG. 10 ) of different smoothness comprising a first strip  170   a  of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a second strip  170   b  of cotton, a third strip  170   c  of emory cloth, and a fourth strip  170   d  of sand paper; in this example, the first strip  170   a  is regarded as smooth, the second strip  170   b  as less smooth than the first strip  170   a , the third strip  170   c  as less smooth than the second strip  170   b , and the forth strip  170   d  as less smooth than the third strip  170   c.    
   In a second example (FIG.  10 ), at least one strip  170  is split up into different sections of varying smoothness, comprising a first section  170   f ( 1 ) of PTFE, a second section  170   f ( 2 ) of rice paper, and a third section  170   f ( 3 ) of emory cloth; in this example, the first section  170   f ( 1 ) is regarded as smooth, the second section  170   f ( 2 ) as less smooth than the first section  170   f ( 1 ), and the third section  170   f ( 3 ) as less smooth than the second section  170   f ( 2 ). 
   It should be understood that the term “roughness” is regarded herein as the converse (i.e. reverse) of “smoothness”. For example, in an array of strips  170  of different roughness comprising a first strip of PTFE  170   a , a second strip of cotton  170   b , a third strip of emory cloth  170   c , and a fourth strip of sand paper  170   d;  in this example, the first strip is regarded as the least rough, the second strip  170   b  as more rough than the first strip  170   a , the third strip  170   c  as more rough than the second strip  170   b , and the forth strip  170   d  as more rough than the third strip  170   c . Thus, in this example, the order of roughness, from least rough to most rough, is:  170   a ,  170   b ,  170   c , and  170   d;  and therefore, the order of smoothness from least smooth to most smooth is:  170   d ,  170   c ,  170   b , and  170   a  (i.e. in the reverse order). 
   It should be understood that various components in the digit therapy device  50  may be integrated. For example, the strip  170  may be integrated with the base  60  such that the strip  170  resembles a ridge  140 ; and the torsion adjuster  90  may be integrated into an attachment point (e.g., attachment point  80  as shown in FIG.  2 ). 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.