Patent ID: 7892194

Claim:
A dynamic hand splint, comprising: (a) a forearm support section configured to be releasably attached to a forearm; (b) a hand support section connected to the forearm support section; (c) a sleeve configured to receive a digit therein; and (d) a tensioner having a resilient body that is (i) attached to and extends from the hand support section, and (ii) retained to the sleeve at a first location of the sleeve and at a second location of the sleeve, the first and second locations being spaced apart such that the resilient body spans a joint of the digit when received within the sleeve with the first and second locations being located longitudinally on opposite sides of the joint; (e) wherein (i) the resilient body has sufficient flexural strength to resist, but not prevent bending, of the digit received within the sleeve such that, when the digit is flexed from an extended position toward a flexed position, the resilient body of the tensioner bends with the digit and the digit is urged by the tensioner toward the extended position; (ii) said tensioner is mounted to said hand support section through a member that is mounted to said hand support section for sliding movement relative thereto, said tensioner thereby being linearly movable relative to said hand support section to allow said tensioner to travel with the digit throughout flexion and extension of the digit; and (iii) said member slides on a housing and wherein said housing includes a compression spring that is configured to urge said tensioner toward said housing upon flexing of the digit.