Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-01
2001-04-17
Yu, Mickey (Department: 3764)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
C128S879000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217536
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus and an associated method for resisting carpal tunnel syndrome through reduction of median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, carpal tunnel syndrome is the number one cause of occupational cumulative trauma injury in the United States. It is also the fastest growing cumulative trauma injury with over 200,000 new cases reported each year in the United States. According to the National Institute of Safety and Health, carpal tunnel syndrome costs are about at $3,000 per case in employee benefits and up to $40,000 per case in direct medical costs. The median job time lost from a case of carpal tunnel syndrome is 20 days according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Numerous strategies have been proposed to treat or prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Prevention efforts have consisted of modification of work, home, or avocational activities (Ergonomics). Currently, the most widely accepted non-surgical treatments include wrist splinting, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and local steroid injection. The use of ice, massage, acupuncture and electromodalities have also been employed. When conservative treatment is not effective, surgical division of the transverse carpal ligament is typically recommended. Although statistics are not available, the success rate of conservative treatment is not perceived to be great. Surgical treatment is not always effective and can lead to post-surgical problems, such as reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
Examples of known specific devices that have been designed to prevent or treat carpal tunnel syndrome are various gloves, padding, splints and bandages. Davini U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,137 discloses a splint system consisting of rigid and elastic components applied circumferentially around the wrist. In theory, the device exerts a force to move the radius and ulna closer to each other and, therefore, reduce tension in the transverse carpal ligament to reduce compression of the median nerve.
Downes U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,553 describes a carpal tunnel mitt that is worn like a glove and through a strapping arrangement attempts to approximate the medial and lateral ends of the transverse carpal ligament and thereby reduce tension in the ligament and decompress the median nerve. It is questionable whether either of these devices can overcome the connective tissue forces to accomplish decompression.
Nirsch U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,490, Sebastian et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,763, Nelson U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,993 and Meanchen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,689 all disclose splints that by various means immobilize the wrist. Maintaining the wrist in a neutral position and restricting movement is thought to minimize pressure in the carpal canal. This type of immobilization has not met with a high success rate and has the further disadvantage of limiting the user's mobility for work or other activities.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,640 discloses a pad for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. This device consists of a padded surface that is interposed between a tool and the user's hand. While this device may lessen point pressure over the median nerve during tool use, it does not represent a device that can provide long term relief of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Fareed U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,058 discloses a device designed to provide circumferential pressure in the forearm area. This device could not be employed to effect dorsally directed force to the flexor tendons in the palm area.
Stoner U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,306 discloses a system for supporting carpals through providing circumferential pressure in the carpal area.
Sucher U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,220 discloses a device for applying a stretching force to the medial and lateral ends of the transverse carpal ligament. See also Sucher U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,136 which discloses stretching the transverse carpal ligament through positioning of the hand and thumb in an abducted position.
My co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/826,778 discloses a device for stretching the intrinsic hand muscles and is generally adapted to be used during rest periods.
There remains, therefore, a very real and substantial need for an improved system for reducing median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel through applying a dorsally directed force in the palm region.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has met the above-described needs by providing an apparatus which will effectively resist the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome or minimize the effects thereof by a dorsally directed force to the palm of the hand. The apparatus may be worn while the user is engaging in activities.
In a first embodiment, the apparatus has an upper support which is structured to be secured in generally overlying relationship with respect to the hand. The upper support has a base in contact with the hand and strap supporting means which in one embodiment includes a pair of apertured towers through which a strap or straps may pass. A connecting bridge may be provided between the towers with the strap or straps secured thereto. It is preferred that the strap or straps be removably and adjustably secured as by use of hook and loop connectors such as that sold under the trade designation Velcro.
A palmar compression pad is structured to be in contact with the palm of the hand and have the strap means secured to adjacent ends thereof with the straps being in tension so as to be provide the generally dorsally directed force.
In one embodiment both the upper support and the palmar compression pad will be substantially rigid.
The method of the first embodiment of the present invention involves providing a palmar compression pad and securing the same to an upper support through strap means which are placed in sufficient tension so as to provide a generally dorsally directed force to the palm and thereby maintain the flexor tendon to the desired position so as to resist median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel.
In another embodiment of the invention a lower support or palmar compression pad may be generally rigid with ends which are structured to receive strap means of the upper support. The strap means is secured to a compressible, flexible upper support pad with the strap means placed in tension. The strap means may be secured to the palmar compression pad and to other portions of the strap means by hook and eye fastener means. The upper support may be flexible and compressible. The method of this embodiment involves providing an upper portion having strap means and a generally rigid lower support. The strap means are secured to the palmar compression pad to place the strap means in tension so as to apply through the palmar compression pad a dorsally directed force to the palm of the hand.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and an associated method for the prevention and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system which effects a generally dorsally directed force to the palmar region of the hand.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such apparatus which may be applied by the user easily and rapidly to the hand.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system which may be employed while the user goes about his or her ordinary daily activities.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a system which is relatively small so as to not interfere with the user's general activities.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a system which has adjustable strap means so as to facilitate achieving the desired level of tension.
These and other objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of the invention with reference to the drawings appended hereto.
REFERENCES:
patent: 901830 (1908-10-01), Ramsey
patent: 2237252 (1941-01-01), Longfellow
patent: 2754825 (1956-07-01)
Pothier Denise
Yu Mickey
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