U.S. patent application number 13/256257 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-12 for wrist brace.
Invention is credited to Sherry A. Hinds.
Application Number | 20120010547 13/256257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42936804 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120010547 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hinds; Sherry A. |
January 12, 2012 |
WRIST BRACE
Abstract
A wrist brace comprises (a) a main brace body, (b) an adjustable
wrist strap configured to encircle the main brace body about a
wearer's wrist, and (c) a lace and rotatable tightening mechanism.
The main brace body comprises a semi-rigid splint configured to fit
the anterior of a wearer's wrist, extending from the palm to a
portion of the anterior of the forearm. The lace and tightening
rotatable mechanism is configured to apply tension on the lace
thereby tightening the wrist strap about the wearer's wrist and
drawing the splint closer to the anterior of the wearer's
wrist.
Inventors: |
Hinds; Sherry A.; (Goshen,
OH) |
Family ID: |
42936804 |
Appl. No.: |
13/256257 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
March 30, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/29127 |
371 Date: |
September 13, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61165320 |
Mar 31, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
602/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/05866 20130101;
A61F 5/05858 20130101; A61F 5/0118 20130101; A61F 5/013
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/21 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/00 20060101
A61F005/00 |
Claims
1. A wrist brace comprising: (a) a main brace body comprising a
semi-rigid splint configured to fit the anterior of a wearer's
wrist, extending from the palm to a portion of the anterior of the
forearm, disposed at least partially within the main brace body;
(b) an adjustable wrist strap configured to encircle the main brace
body about a wearer's wrist; (c) a lace and rotatable tightening
mechanism configured to apply tension on the lace thereby
tightening the wrist strap about a wearer's wrist and drawing the
splint closer to the anterior of a wearer's wrist.
2. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the adjustable wrist strap
comprises a urethane foam laminate.
3. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the adjustable wrist strap
comprises a woven nylon strap.
4. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the main brace body comprises
a spacer fabric as the primary outer surface.
5. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the main brace body comprises
rip-stop nylon as the primary outer surface.
6. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the main brace body comprises
a nylon fabric of 70 denier or higher as the primary outer
surface.
7. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the main brace body comprises
a combination of foam laminate and spacer fabric as the primary
outer surface.
8. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the tightening mechanism
comprises a mechanism of release for disengaging the first
tightening mechanism.
9. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the splint comprises
aluminum.
10. The wrist brace of claim 1 wherein the main brace body
comprises opposing sides having opposing lacing guides and a second
lace is threaded through the opposing lacing guides such that when
a second tightening mechanism applies tension on the second lace,
the opposing lacing guides are advanced towards each other.
11. The wrist brace of claim 10 further comprising a tongue
configured to be positioned beneath and between the opposing sides
of the main brace body when the wrist brace is closed.
12. The wrist brace of claim 10 wherein the second lace is threaded
through opposing lacing guides on the upper portion of the main
brace body such that when the second tightening mechanism applies
tension on the second lace, the opposing lacing guides on the upper
portion of the main brace body are advanced towards each other, and
wherein a third lace is threaded through the opposing lacing guides
on the lower portion of the main brace body such that when a third
tightening mechanism applies tension on the third lace, the
opposing lacing guides on the lower portion of the main brace body
are advanced towards each other.
13. The wrist brace of claim 12 further comprising a tongue
configured to be positioned beneath and between the opposing sides
of the main brace body when the wrist is closed.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a wrist brace having an adjustable
wrist strap.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many people suffer from injury to the soft tissues of the
wrist and carpal tunnel, which is often caused by frequent,
sustained repetitive motion involving the hands. Carpal tunnel
syndrome (CTS), or median neuropathy at the wrist, is a medical
condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist
leading to paresthesias (a sensation of tingling or prickling),
numbness, and/or muscle weakness in the hand.
[0003] Applying a splint or brace to the wrist can help limit the
symptoms of CTS by limiting wrist flexion and maintaining the wrist
in neutral position. Numerous splints and braces have therefore
been developed for treatment of CTS. Such braces are typically
secured to the hand and wrist using laces, buckles, and/or hook and
loop closures (for example, Velcro.TM.). But, wrist splints and
braces comprising these types of closure systems tend to lose
tension or loosen over time during use. For example, buckles can
slide, laces can elongate, and hook and loop closures can loosen.
This is especially a problem at the bend or break in the wrist
where extra support is needed to maintain the hand/wrist in neutral
position.
SUMMARY
[0004] In view of the foregoing, we recognize that there is a need
in the art for wrist braces for treating CTS that hold the
hand/wrist in neutral position and do not loosen over time during
use, especially at the bend or break in the wrist. In addition, we
recognize that it would be advantageous if such wrist braces could
be quickly loosened and retightened so that, depending upon the
desired level of compression desired, the user could adjust the
wrist brace accordingly.
[0005] Briefly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a
wrist brace comprising (a) a main brace body, (b) an adjustable
wrist strap configured to encircle the main brace body about a
wearer's wrist, and (c) a lace and rotatable tightening mechanism.
The main brace body comprises a semi-rigid splint configured to fit
the anterior of a wearer's wrist, extending from the palm to a
portion of the anterior of the forearm, disposed at least partially
within the main brace body. The lace and rotatable tightening
mechanism is configured to apply tension on the lace thereby
tightening the wrist strap about the wearer's wrist and drawing the
splint closer to the anterior of the wearer's wrist.
[0006] The wrist braces of the present invention meet the need in
the art for wrist braces for treating CTS that hold the hand/wrist
in neutral position and do not loosen over time during use. The
adjustable wrist strap can be tightened to provide extra support at
the break in the wrist. In addition, the lace and rotatable
tightening mechanism enables the wearer to quickly and easily
loosen and retighten the adjustable strap as needed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the use of an adjustable
wrist strap.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the
wrist brace of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an alternative view
of the wrist brace illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment
of a wrist brace.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The wrist braces of the present invention include a main
brace body with a semi-rigid splint disposed at least partially
therein. The main brace body can be constructed of one tube-like
piece with a large hole for all of the wearer's fingers and a
smaller hole for the wearer's thumb. Such a main brace body could
be applied to a wearer's hand and wrist in a fashion similar to
pulling on a glove. Typically, however, the main brace body is
formed from a single piece that wraps around the wearer's wrist and
hand, forming two ends with opposing sides that are drawn towards
each other (or possibly even overlap) on the posterior of the
wearer's wrist and hand when the wrist brace is applied. Some
embodiments also include a tongue portion. The main brace body can
be secured across the tongue portion using conventional securing
means or a reel and lace system as described below. In some
embodiments, the tongue is completely removable from the brace. In
some embodiments, the tongue may be configured such that it allows
complete opening of the brace while not being completely separated
from the brace.
[0012] The main brace body and optional tongue can be constructed
from one or more relatively conformable materials such as a layer
of foam (for example, open-cell foam). The inside of the main brace
body and optional tongue (that is, the part of the main brace body
or tongue that is in contact with the skin when the wrist brace is
worn) preferably comprises a material that is comfortable against
the skin such as polyester or cotton.
[0013] A semi-rigid splint is disposed at least partially within
the main brace body. The splint is designed to hold the wrist in
neutral position when the wrist brace is worn. The splint can
comprise any material that is rigid enough to provide support to
the hand and wrist but that is conformable to the hand and wrist
such that it can accommodate different hand and wrist shapes.
Preferably, the splint comprises a semi-rigid metal (for example,
aluminum) or plastic.
[0014] The splint can be attached to or imbedded within the main
brace body using methods known in the art. In some embodiments, the
splint is in a pocket created by overlapping main brace body
materials and can be removable.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the semi-rigid splint
(preferably, an aluminum splint) is sandwiched between two layers
of foam laminates and nylon.
[0016] Preferably, the main brace body, or at least a major portion
of the main brace body, is breathable (for example, has a moisture
vapor transmission rate (MVTR) greater than about 3000 grams per
square meter per 24 hours).
[0017] Preferably, the outer surfaces of the main brace body are
relatively low friction in order to facilitate sliding laces over
the surfaces when a lace is tightened or loosened as described
below. The low friction surfaces may be formed integrally with the
main brace body or may be applied thereto by adhesives, heat
bonding, stitching, or the like. The outer surfaces of the main
brace body can comprise, for example, spacer fabric, foam laminate,
rip-stop nylon, a nylon fabric of 70 denier or higher, or
combinations thereof.
[0018] Spacer fabric is a laminate that is knitted concurrently.
This knitting method provides the ability to manipulate the layers
individually to exhibit independent properties. For example, an
inner layer can be of a smooth, skin-friendly polyester; a center
layer, which is vertical (that is, perpendicular to the inner and
outer layers), can be a nylon or monofilament layer that by
increasing or decreasing the count per square inch provides more or
less density in the overall laminate; and an outer surface can be a
nylon to provide wicking of moisture and increased wear resistance.
The outer surface of a spacer fabricate visually appears to be
porous. Spacer fabricate is available, for example, from Gehring
Textiles, Inc. (Garden City, N.Y.) and Eastex Products, Inc.
(Holbrook, Mass.).
[0019] Rip-stop nylon is a light-weight nylon fabric with
interwoven ripstop reinforcement threads in a crosshatch
pattern.
[0020] In some preferred embodiments, the main brace body comprises
a spacer fabric as the primary outer surface. In some preferred
embodiments, the inner liner of the main brace body is a urethane
foam laminate that provides padding (resilience) against the
components of the wrist brace to provide comfort to the user and to
avoid pressure points.
[0021] The wrist braces of the present invention include an
adjustable wrist strap configured to encircle a user's wrist at the
bend. As illustrated schematically in FIG. 1, when placed at the
bend in the wrist, the strap 10 provides a fulcrum (pivot) between
the hand and the forearm. The adjustability of the strap 10 enables
the user to fine tune the level of support provided by the strap
(that is, the tightness of the strap) as need for a given activity.
The hand directs force downward (F.sub.hand), which in turn applies
an upward force at the forearm (F.sub.forearm). The adjustable
wrist strap 10 can be used to change the movement (M) between the
wrist and the splint 12 at the bend in the wrist to allow a dynamic
(that is, loose) fit up to a nearly completely static fit (that is,
a tight fit allowing virtually no movement).
[0022] The adjustable wrist strap typically comprises a relatively
inelastic material (for example a material having no more than
about 15% stretch under tension) such as foam laminates (for
example, a laminate including polyester inner layer, urethane foam,
and nylon jersey for exterior durability) or a woven nylon strap.
The width of the wrist strap can help to distribute the applied
circumferential force around the user's wrist so that the support
is firm but still comfortable. Typically the wrist strap is between
about 2.5 cm and about 5 cm wide. The width of the wrist strap may
vary. For example, the wrist strap may be wider at the portion of
the strap that is on top of the user's wrist and narrower at the
portion that goes around the anterior of the user's wrist.
[0023] The adjustable wrist strap can be attached (for example,
sewn) to the main brace body at one or more attachment points. For
example, the wrist strap may be attached at one of the opposing
ends of the main brace body or it may be attached at one or more
locations on the anterior of the main brace body.
[0024] The adjustability of the wrist strap is provided by a reel
and lace system. The reel and lace system includes a lace or cable
that is threaded through or otherwise attached to a portion of each
end of the wrist strap, and attached at opposite ends to a
tightening mechanism as described in further detail below. As used
herein, the terms lace and cable have the same meaning unless
specified otherwise. The lace is preferably a low friction lace
that slides relatively easily through the brace.
[0025] The strap tightening lace can, for example, be threaded
through a loop at the end of the strap (for example, created by
folding over each end of the strap and stitching a loop) on the
side of the wrist brace opposite the tightening mechanism.
Alternatively, the lace can be threaded through lace guides
attached to the end of the wrist strap or near the end of the wrist
strap. Lace guides can be attached in any of a variety of ways, as
will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. For example, the
lace guides can be sewn directly to the wrist strap or main boot
assembly. Lace guides can also be inserted into loops created as
described above. The lace slides through the loops or lace guides
during tightening and untightening of wrist strap as described in
more detail below.
[0026] Preferably, the lace guides are constructed of rigid
materials that resist bending. They are also preferably constructed
from low friction materials such as a lubricious polymer or metal
that facilitates the sliding of the lace therethrough.
Alternatively, the lace guides can be made from any convenient
substantially rigid material, and can then be coated with a
lubricious coating on at least the sliding portion in order to
decrease friction.
[0027] Preferably, each of the lace guides defines a pair of
openings that communicate with opposite ends of a lumen extending
therethrough. The openings are preferably at least as wide as the
cross-section of the lumen. Alternatively, the lace guides can
comprise an open channel having, for example, a semicircular or "U"
shaped cross-section. Examples of lace guides or "guide members"
are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Publication Nos.
2006/0156517 and 2007/0169378.
[0028] The lace may be formed from any of a wide variety of
polymeric or metal materials or combinations thereof that exhibit
sufficient axial strength and bendability for the present
application. For example, any of a wide variety of solid core
wires, solid core polymers, or multi-filament wires or polymers,
which may be woven, braided, twisted or otherwise configured, can
be used. A solid or multi-filament metal core can be provided with
a polymeric coating such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or
others known in the art in order to reduce friction. In one
embodiment, the lace comprises a stranded cable such as a 7 by 7
strand cable manufactured of stainless steel. In order to reduce
friction between the lace and the lace guides through which the
lace slid, the outer surface of the lace is preferably coated with
a lubricious material such as nylon or PTFE. In a preferred
embodiment, the diameter of the lace ranges from about 0.024 inches
to about 0.060 inches and is preferably 0.032 inches. The lace is
desirably strong enough to withstand loads of at least about 40
pounds and preferably at least about 90 pounds. In certain
embodiments, the lace is rated from about 100 pounds up to as high
as about 200 pounds or more.
[0029] The wrist strap tightening mechanism is mounted to the wrist
brace. The tightening mechanism can be located at any variety of
locations on the brace. Typically it is located on the posterior of
the wrist brace on the opposing side closest to the thumb. Location
of the wrist strap tightening mechanism may be optimized in view of
a variety of considerations including overall brace design. The
shape and overall volume of the wrist strap tightening mechanism
can be varied depending, for example, upon the gear train design. A
relatively low-profile wrist strap tightening mechanism is
generally preferred. The mounted profile of the wrist strap
tightening mechanism can be further reduced by recessing the
tightening mechanism into the outer surface of the brace.
[0030] In general, the wrist strap tightening mechanism comprises a
control such as a lever, crank or knob, which can be manipulated to
retract the lace. In addition, the wrist strap tightening mechanism
preferably comprises a mechanism of release such as a button or
lever for disengaging the wrist strap tightening mechanism to
permit the lace to be withdrawn freely. In some embodiments, the
wrist strap tightening mechanism is released by pulling outwards on
the control or by rotating the control knob counterclockwise. In
some embodiments, an additional lock may be provided in the form
of, for example, a button or lever that must be actuated to allow
the control to be, for example, pulled outwards to release the
system.
[0031] The wrist strap tightening mechanism generally comprises a
housing and a circular knob rotatably mounted thereto. The knob may
be rotated to wind the end of the lace into the housing and thereby
provide the final tension to the lace to reduce the slack and
provide the desired level of tightness. As the slack in the lace
reduces, the lace pulls the opposing edges of the wrist strap
toward each other, tightening the wrist strap to provide more
support to the wearer. The knob may also be rotated through the use
of a tool or small motor attached to the knob. Examples of various
tightening mechanisms suitable for this task are disclosed in
greater detail in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006/0156517 and
2007/0169378. Suitable tightening mechanisms are available from Boa
Technology, Inc. (Steamboat Springs, Colo.).
[0032] Preferably, one or more additional lacing systems and
tightening mechanisms are provided to tighten the main brace body
or portions of the main brace body of the wrist brace. For example,
one additional lacing system and tightening mechanism may be
utilized to tighten the portion of the main brace body above the
wrist strap (that is, the portion on the hand) and another
additional lacing system and tightening mechanism may be utilized
to tighten the portion of the main brace body below the wrist strap
(that is, the portion on the forearm).
[0033] In such embodiments, a lace can be threaded through a lacing
guide on the opposing side of the main brace body. The lace may be
threaded in a crossing pattern along a forward-facing portion of
the brace between two generally parallel rows of side retaining
guide members. A crossing pattern is not required, however. The
number of retaining guide members may vary. Preferably, the lace
slides through guides on the tongue of the brace and maintains a
connection between the tongue and the main brace body when the
brace is in its open configuration.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a wrist brace of the invention that has
one lacing system and tightening mechanism for tightening the upper
portion of the brace, one lacing system and tightening mechanism
for the wrist strap, and one lacing system and tightening mechanism
for the lower portion of the brace.
[0035] Wrist brace 200 comprises main brace body 214 with a
semi-rigid splint disposed therein (not shown). Adjustable wrist
strap 216 is attached to main brace body 214 and is configured to
encircle main brace body 214 about a wearer's wrist. The
adjustability of wrist strap 216 is provided by a reel and lace
system that includes lace 218 and tightening mechanism 220. Lace
218 is attached at opposite ends to tightening mechanism 220 and is
threaded in a crossing pattern along a forward facing portion of
the brace through lace guide 222. Tightening mechanism 220 is
mounted to main brace body 214 through adjustable wrist strap 216.
Tightening mechanism 220 comprises housing 224 and circular knob
226 mounted thereto.
[0036] A separate lacing system and tightening mechanism is
utilized to tighten the upper portion of wrist brace 200 (that is,
the portion of the brace that is on the hand when worn). A second
lace 228 is threaded through upper lacing guide 230 on the upper
portion of main brace body 214 and attached at opposite ends to
upper tightening mechanism 232 located above tightening mechanism
220.
[0037] A third lacing system and tightening mechanism is utilized
to tighten the lower portion of wrist brace 200 (that is, the
portion of the brace that is on the forearm when worn). A third
lace 234 is threaded through lower lacing guide 236 on the lower
portion of main brace body 214 and attached at opposite ends to
lower tightening mechanism 238 located below tightening mechanism
220.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows the anterior side of wrist brace 200.
Adjustable wrist strap 216 encircles main brace body 214 about the
wearer's wrist. Adjustable wrist strap 216 is attached to main
brace body 214 by two seams 240.
[0039] The laces do not have to be threaded in a crossing pattern
in the lacing zone. As will be apparent to those of skill in the
art, it is possible to configure the lacing system such that the
lace passes across the outer surface of the brace in a
substantially parallel, uncrossed path. Such substantially parallel
lacing configurations are disclosed in greater detail in U.S.
Patent Publication No. 2008/0066272.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a wrist brace that has one lacing system
and tightening mechanism for tightening the upper portion of the
brace, one lacing system lacing system and tightening mechanism for
the lower portion of the brace.
[0041] Wrist brace 400 comprises main brace body 414 with a
semi-rigid splint disposed therein (not shown) and tongue portion
442. Adjustable wrist strap 416 is attached to main brace body 414
and is configured to encircle main brace body 414 about a wearer's
wrist.
[0042] The adjustability of wrist brace 400 is provided by two reel
and lace systems. A first lacing system and tightening mechanism is
utilized to tighten the upper portion of wrist brace 400 from wrist
strap 416 through the portion of main brace body 414 that is on the
hand when worn. This first lacing/tightening system includes lace
428, which is attached at one end to tightening mechanism 420 and
at the opposite end to lace retainer 444, is threaded along a
forward facing portion of the brace through upper lacing guide 430
on the upper portion of main brace body 414. Tightening mechanism
420 is mounted to main brace body 414 through adjustable wrist
strap 416. Tightening mechanism 420 comprises housing 424 and
circular knob 426 mounted thereto.
[0043] A second lacing system and tightening mechanism is utilized
to tighten the lower portion of wrist brace 400 from wrist strap
416 through the portion of the main brace body 414 that is on the
forearm when worn. This second lacing/tightening system includes
lace 434, which is attached at one end to tightening mechanism 420
and at the opposite end to tightening mechanism 438, is threaded
along a forward facing portion of the brace through two lower
lacing guides 236 on the lower portion of main brace body 416.
[0044] Laces 428 and 434 slide through tongue lace guide 448 on
tongue portion 442 and maintain a connection between tongue portion
442 and main brace body 414 when brace 400 is in open
configuration.
[0045] When wrist braces comprise two or more separate tightening
mechanisms, the wearer may tighten certain portions of the brace
more than others. That is, the brace is capable of zonal tightening
wherein different zones may have different tightness. Examples of
zonal tightening are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2006/0156517.
[0046] In some embodiments, the guides placed in the middle of the
brace near or on the wrist strap include a shorter distance between
the openings than is used in guides higher up on the brace (that
is, close to the fingers) or lower down on the brace (that is, on
the forearm). This shorter distance increases the closing force in
the area around the pivot point of the wrist.
[0047] The complete disclosures of the publications cited herein
are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were
individually incorporated. Various modifications and alterations to
this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It
should be understood that this invention is not intended to be
unduly limited by the illustrative embodiments and examples set
forth herein and that such examples and embodiments are presented
by way of example only with the scope of the invention intended to
be limited only by the claims set forth herein as follows.
* * * * *