Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the treatment of, and reduction of inflammation caused by, carpal tunnel syndrome.

Description:
[0001]    The disclosed method and apparatus are directed to the relief of nerve compression using a combination and pressure and head applied to the body, and more particularly to the relief of carpal tunnel syndrome in a person&#39;s wrist and hand. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the wrist within the carpal tunnel and causes pain, numbness and tingling in the part of the hand that receives sensations from the median nerve. Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of body tissue to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective measure that involves immune cells, blood vessels and molecular mediators. The purpose of inflammation is to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clean out neurotic cells and damaged tissues and to initiate tissue repair. 
         [0003]    CTS is a nerve disorder in the hand that is caused by swollen, or inflamed tissue from repetitive and excessive motion that causes pressure on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. CTS is the result of increased pressure on the nerve entering the hand from the forearm through the confined space of the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The bottom and sides of this channel are formed by the wrist bones and the top of the tunnel is covered by a strong band of connective tissue called a ligament. Symptoms of CTS include tingling, numbness, burning sensations and general discomfort in the wrist/hand area. Treatment has included rest, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, surgery, and/or the use of wrist splints to restrain the wrist in either a neutral or extended position. While these measures may control symptoms temporarily, they have proven to be less successful in permanently controlling or relieving the effects of CTS. 
         [0004]    Disclosed in embodiments herein is a pain management method for treating CTS, comprising: applying, at or in proximity to the wrist, a topical heat source, wherein the topical heat source is applied directly to the skin at or near the wrist to heat the subcutaneous region of the wrist and the carpal channel and the median nerve therein; and applying pressure, also at or in proximity to the wrist, using a thermally conductive material, in combination with the topical heat source, and reciprocally moving the thermally conductive material longitudinally along the wrist. 
         [0005]    Further disclosed in embodiments herein is a handle suitable for grasping in a user&#39;s hand; and a massage head, operatively attached at one end of the handle, said massage head being formed of a thermally conductive material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate various views of an apparatus for use as a massage tool in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the therapy method of massage in combination with the application of topical heat; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of an embodiment of a therapy method disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
       [0009]    The various embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to those embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments and equivalents set forth. For a general understanding, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like references have been used throughout to designate identical or similar elements. It is also noted that the drawings may not have been drawn to scale and that certain regions may have been purposely drawn disproportionately so that the features and aspects could be properly depicted. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-4 , depicted therein are various views of an apparatus for use as a massage tool in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiments. In particular, apparatus  100  is suitable for applying a massaging pressure, particularly for treating carpal tunnel syndrome or other injuries and inflammation of minor joints in the hands and feet, for example. Apparatus  100  includes a handle  110  suitable for grasping in a user&#39;s hand, and the handle is attached to or formed with a massage head  120 . As illustrated, head  120  is operatively attached at one end of the handle. In one embodiment the handle is attached to the head by mating threads as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 . For example, the handle may include shoulders  170  and  176 , each leading to reduced diameter portions  172  and  178 , respectively, which extend from the end of the handle. The last handle portion,  178 , having a thread or similar mating structure on its surface to operatively, albeit removably, engage a corresponding interior surface within the head  120 . In one embodiment, handle  110  is screwed and tightened into the corresponding recess of head  120  until the helical screw surfaces on portion  178  are engaged and the end or a shoulder of the handle bottoms out on a mating surface in the recess of the head  120 . In order to remove the head  120  from handle  110 , the respective pieces are simply turned in the opposite direction to disengage the helical screw surfaces. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, handle  110  is a straight handle consisting of a longitudinal member as illustrated in the view of  FIG. 1 . The handle may itself be made or formed from a thermally non-conductive material such as wood, plastic, compositions, etc. In an alternative embodiment, handle  110  may be made of a thermally conductive and dense material suitable for retaining heat in the same manner as the head, but further including an insulating optional sleeve or grip  114  applied over at least a portion of the handle so as to insulate a user&#39;s hand from the handle when it is being grasped. 
         [0012]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , an alternative configuration of the handle  110  is depicted, where instead of being a straight handle, it includes a curve or bend, and the unattached end used to grasp the handle extends at an angle. Although illustrated as a generally right-angle, it will be further appreciated that the handle may extend at various alternative angles that may make the apparatus more ergonomically suitable for a user to use one hand to grasp the apparatus and apply pressure to the wrist of the other hand. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the angle or position of the alternative handle  112  relative to head  120  may be adjustable at various angles and positions. In yet another alternative embodiment, the orientation of the angled handle  112  relative to the massage head  120  may be changed or adjusted to facilitate easy grasping and orientation of the head relative to the wrist for massage. 
         [0013]    Head  120  includes a lower contact surface that is smooth or non-abrasive so that it can easily slide over the skin. As illustrated, the head includes a recess for receiving a mating end of the handle  110 . The head  120  may be formed of a thermally conductive material such as a dense clay or ceramic, bakelite, celluloid, crystallite, plastic, metal (e.g., stainless steel), and composites thereof, etc. In addition to being thermally conductive, the material may also be of a high density so that it retains heat to which it is exposed. As seen, for example, in  FIG. 4 , the bottom or contact surface  126  of head  120  may be further rounded and tapered so as to have no edges. 
         [0014]    As illustrated, particularly in the side and bottom views of  FIGS. 1 and 4 , respectively, the massage head  120  includes a rounded outer surface for contact with the patient&#39;s body (e.g., wrist) while the handle is grasped and used to control the angle of the apparatus as well as to reciprocally move the massage head longitudinally along the wrist as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . More specifically, the massage head, while in contact with the skin and with moderate pressure being applied, is moved in the direction of arrows  130  over the region of the wrist  140  and lower palm  142 . As will be appreciated, the massage head may be impervious to a topical heat source so that the heat source can be concurrently applied to the wrist while the massaging action is being performed. 
         [0015]    Having briefly described the apparatus depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , attention is now directed to a therapy method as more specifically illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In one embodiment, a pain management method for treating CTS includes applying or introducing, at or in proximity to a patient&#39;s wrist  140 , a topical heat source  150 , wherein the topical heat source is applied directly to the skin at or near the wrist and/or palm to heat the subcutaneous region of the wrist and the carpal channel (tunnel) and the median nerve therein. Next, and at the same time, pressure is applied, also at or in proximity to the wrist, using a thermally conductive material such as a massage head  120  of tool  110 , in combination with continuing the topical heat source, and reciprocally moving the thermally conductive material longitudinally along the wrist. 
         [0016]    In one method, the amount of pressure applied using the massage head  120  of tool  110  is about 9 psi, or within the range of 5-11.5 psi, or even 0-15 psi, and the pressure may be adjusted as a function of the patient&#39;s pain tolerance or tolerance of the therapy. Similarly, the temperature of the topical heat source is preferably at least about 110° F. but less than a scalding temperature, and likely less than about 120° F., and certainly less than about 130° F. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , for example, the topical heat source introduced may be a fluid. While various fluids may be suitable, one embodiment contemplates the use of heated air as the heat source whereas another embodiment contemplates a topical heat source including a heated liquid. And, as suggested by  FIG. 6 , the heated liquid may include water as provided by a faucet or tap from a heated water source. Also, as noted above, the therapeutic massage using the head  120  of tool  110  is to be completed while the wrist and palm remain warmed from exposure to the topical heat source. 
         [0017]    As an illustrative example, the following procedure may be performed:
       (1) the tool  100 , or at least massage head  110 , may be preheated by immersing or coating the head for a period of time with the heated water or other topical heat source;   (2) the palm and wrist may be similarly pre-heated by application of the warm water so as to begin to warm the region where the wrist transitions to the palm—where the carpal tunnel is located;   (3) after preheating, the massage head is rubbed from a position on the wrist, through the end of the wrist and into the palm of the patient and then in a return direction, while maintaining a pressure on the handle so as to apply pressure to the patient&#39;s wrist and palm;   (4) by continuously and reciprocally massaging in the direction of arrow  130 , inflammation is worked out of the patient&#39;s carpal tunnel in order to provide relief from pain commonly experienced with carpal tunnel syndrome.       
 
         [0022]    It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore anticipated that all such changes and modifications be covered by the instant application.