THUMB ORTHOSIS AND SET OF A PLURALITY OF THUMB ORTHOSES

Abstract

The invention relates to a thumb orthosis (2). The thumb orthosis (2) consists of a spreading body (1) which in particular has a bending elasticity and which serves for spreading a thumb (26) and a pointer finger (27). Furthermore, the thumb orthosis (2) comprises holding devices (22, 23) by which an end portion (28) of the spreading body (1) can be held at the thumb (26) as well as an end portion (29) of the spreading body (1) can be held at the pointer finger (27). The thumb orthosis (2) is exclusively held by the two holding devices (22, 23) at the hand (24) of the user wearing the thumb orthosis (2).

Claims

1. A thumb orthosis comprising a) a spreading body designed and configured for spreading a thumb and a pointer finger, b) a first holding device held by a first end portion of the spreading body and designed and configured for holding the spreading body at the thumb and c) a second holding device held by a second end portion of the spreading body and designed and configured for holding the spreading body at the pointer finger, d) the thumb orthosis being exclusively held by the first holding device and by the second holding device at a hand of a user wearing the thumb orthosis.

2. The thumb orthosis of claim 1, wherein the orthosis consists only of the first holding device, the second holding device and the spreading body, the spreading body being an integral one-pieced component having a stable shape that can be elastically deformed.

3. The thumb orthosis of claim 2, wherein the spreading body comprises an elasticity such that it is possible to elastically deform the spreading body by closing forces applied by the thumb and the pointer finger for reducing a distance of the first end portion and the second end portion of the spreading body.

4. The thumb orthosis of claim 3, wherein the spreading body comprises a curved base leg and two side legs which extend from end portions of the base leg, the side legs diverging with an increasing distance from the base leg.

5. The thumb orthosis of claim 4, wherein the side legs have an opening angle of 60° ±20°.

6. The thumb orthosis of claim 2, wherein the spreading body comprises a curved cross-section.

7. The thumb orthosis of claim 2, wherein the spreading body is made of plastic.

8. The thumb orthosis of claim 2, wherein at least one holding device comprises a holding strap which at least partially encloses or surrounds the thumb or the pointer finger.

9. The thumb orthosis of claim 8, wherein end portions of the holding strap of the holding device can be connected to each other by a connecting device (33, 34).

10. The thumb orthosis of claim 8, wherein the holding device comprises two holding straps and end portions of the holding straps can be connected to each other by a connecting device.

11. The thumb orthosis of claim 2, wherein at least one of the holding devices is connected to the spreading body by a coupling device which is releasable.

12. The thumb orthosis of claim 2, wherein at least one of the holding devices is connected to the spreading body by a coupling device which provides a degree of freedom.

13. The thumb orthosis of claim 2, wherein the spreading body comprises a guiding element designed and configured for guiding an object held or carried by the hand to which the thumb orthosis is applied.

14. The thumb orthosis of claim 2, wherein the spreading body a) comprises a curved base leg, a radius of curvature being 25 mm and b) comprises a first side leg having a length of 11 mm and c) comprises a second side leg having a length of 30 mm and d) has a cross-section with a radius of curvature of 18 mm in a region of the first side leg and e) has a cross-section with a radius of curvature of 37 mm in a region of the second side leg and f) has a cross-section with a radius of curvature of 12 mm in a region of the base leg, or the lengths or radii differ from the lengths or radii specified under a) to f) by less than ±50%.

15. The thumb orthosis of claims 4, wherein the length of at least one side leg of the spreading body is adjustable.

16. The thumb orthosis of claims 4, wherein the size of at least one of the holding devices is adjustable.

17. The thumb orthosis of claims 4, wherein the length of at least one holding strap is adjustable.

18. The thumb orthosis of claim 15, wherein the length can be adjusted by use of a predetermined separation point of the side leg.

19. The thumb orthosis of claim 17, wherein the length can be adjusted by use of a predetermined separation point of the holding strap.

20. A set of a plurality of thumb orthoses, the thumb orthoses each a) comprising a spreading body designed and configured for spreading a thumb and a pointer finger, b) comprising a first holding device held by a first end portion of the spreading body and designed and configured for holding the spreading body at the thumb and c) comprising a second holding device held by a second end portion of the spreading body and designed and configured for holding the spreading body at the pointer finger, d) being exclusively held by the two holding devices at a hand of a user wearing the thumb orthosis and e) consisting only of the holding devices and the spreading body, the spreading body being an integral one-pieced component having a stable shape that can be elastically deformed, the thumb orthoses of the set being dimensioned for hands of different sizes.

21. The set of thumb orthoses of claim 20, wherein the spreading bodies have different dimensions.

22. The set of thumb orthoses of claim 20, wherein the spreading bodies have different elasticities.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0057] FIGS. 1 to 7 show different views of a spreading body of a thumb orthosis where possible dimensions of the spreading body can be taken from FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0058] FIGS. 8 to 11 show a thumb orthosis comprising a spreading body according to FIGS. 1 to 7 and with holding devices in a state applied to the hand in different operational positions.

[0059] FIGS. 12 to 14 show thumb orthoses with different designs of the holding devices in the applied state.

[0060] FIGS. 15 and 16 show another embodiment of a thumb orthosis comprising a spreading body which does not extend along the thumb bow but between the thumb and the pointer finger.

[0061] FIG. 17 schematically shows a determination of a stiffness of a thumb orthosis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 7 show a spreading body 1 of a thumb orthosis 2. The spreading body 1 comprises (in the plan view of FIG. 1) two generally straight side legs 3, 4. The side legs 3, 4 are connected to each other by a curved base leg 5. The spreading body 1 has a curved or domed cross-section such that the spreading body 1 has a concave shape in the contact area with the hand.

[0063] Here, the concave curvature of the cross-section changes along the longitudinal extension from the side leg 3 via the base leg 5 to the side leg 4. The transverse extension along the curvature also changes along the longitudinal extension of the spreading body 1. The transverse extension of the spreading body 1 is larger in the region of the curved base leg 5 than in the region of the side legs 3, 4. Preferably, the transverse extension of the spreading body 1 continuously decreases from the maximal width approximately in the middle of the base leg 5 to the free end portions of the side legs 3, 4. Optionally, the spreading body 1 might comprise guiding elements 6 (here guiding ribs 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) on the side which does not contact the hand.

[0064] Optionally, the spreading body 1 comprises at least one coupling device 8, respectively 9a, 9b, 9c, in the region of the side leg 3 and/or in the region of the side leg 4. For the shown embodiment, the coupling devices 8, 9 are embodied as mushroom heads 10 integrally formed by the spreading body 1.

[0065] It is possible that predetermined separation points 11a, 11b are provided in the region of at least one side leg 3, 4. The predetermined separation points 11a, 11b allow a reduction of the length of the associated side legs 3, 4. It is possible that by shortening the length of a side leg 3, 4 also a coupling device 9a, 9b is separated. For the shown embodiment, the predetermined separation points 11a, 11b are embodied as material recesses or material weakenings embodied as grooves.

[0066] In FIGS. 4 to 7 optional dimensions of the spreading body 1 are shown. The length 12 of the side leg 3 can be 11 mm, whereas the length 13 of the side leg 4 can be 30 mm. The radius of curvature 14 of the base leg 5 can be 25 mm. An opening angle 15 of the two side legs 3, 4 can be 60° which can be provided by the corresponding circumferential angle and the curvature of the base leg 5. The transverse extension of the spreading body 1 changes over the longitudinal extension. The smallest transverse extension 16 of the side leg 3 in its free end portion can be 19 mm, whereas the largest transverse extension 17 of the base leg 5 can be 24 mm and the smallest transverse extension 18 of the side leg 4 in its free end portion can be 19 mm. The transverse extension changes continuously between these minimal and maximal transverse extensions 16, 17, 18. In the region of the side leg 3 the cross-section of the spreading body 1 is curved with a radius of curvature 19 which might be 19 mm. In the region of the base leg 5 the radius of curvature 20 might be 12 mm. In the region of the side leg 4 the radius of curvature 21 can be 37 mm.

[0067] Dependent on the size of the hand, of the thumb, of the pointer finger and/or of the thumb bow the dimensions can be adapted. The aforementioned dimensions preferably apply for a hand size 25. It is possible that the opening angle 15 differs by ±20° (preferably ±15° or ±10° or ±5°) from the given opening angle of 60°. The other dimensions might differ from the given dimensions by ±50%, ±20%, ±15%, ±10% or ±5%.

[0068] FIGS. 8 to 11 show a thumb orthosis 2 consisting of the spreading body 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 7 and holding devices 22, 23 mounted to the ends of the spreading body 1. FIGS. 8 to 11 show the thumb orthosis 2 in a state applied to a hand 24. Here, the spreading body 1 contacts the transition from the thumb 26 to the pointer finger 27 (which is here also named and denoted thumb bow 25) with the concave curved or domed inner side of the base leg 5. Due to the concave curvature or domed shape of the side of the spreading body 1 facing towards the thumb bow 25, the cross-section of the base leg 5 partially encloses the thumb bow 25. Said in different words, the thumb bow 25 enters into the concave recess of the base leg 5.

[0069] The thumb 26 contacts the side leg 3. Preferably, the length of the side leg 3 is dimensioned such that the side leg 3 approximately extends up to the foremost thumb joint or ends shortly before the foremost thumb joint. Due to the concave curvature or domed shaped of the side leg 3, the side leg 3 also partially encloses the thumb 26 with its cross-section.

[0070] The pointer finger 27 contacts the side leg 4. Due to the concave curvature or domed shape of the side of the side leg 4 facing towards the pointer finger 27, the cross-section of the side leg 4 partially encloses the pointer finger 27. Preferably, the length of the side leg 4 is dimensioned such that the side leg 4 approximately extends up to the second foremost joint of the pointer finger 27 or ends shortly before the second-foremost joint of the pointer finger 27.

[0071] In a free end portion 28 the side leg 3 carries the holding device 22. In a corresponding way, a free end portion 29 of the side leg 4 carries the holding device 23.

[0072] The holding devices 22, 23 each comprise a holding strap 30, 31. The holding strap 30 has a ring- or loop-shaped design and completely surrounds the thumb 26. With an (in particular elastic) pretension the holding strap 30 presses the side leg 3 against the thumb 26. The corresponding applies for the holding strap 31 and the pointer finger 27.

[0073] FIG. 8 shows the hand 24 with the thumb orthosis 2 in an applied state. Here, the user does not apply a force to the thumb 26 and the pointer finger 27. Accordingly, the orientation of the thumb 26 and the pointer finger 27 is defined by the spreading body 1 corresponding to the opening angle 15 so that a base position is provided.

[0074] FIG. 9 shows the thumb orthosis 2 in a state wherein the spreading body 1 is elastically deformed because the user generates forces which move the thumb 26 towards the pointer finger 27. The generated forces lead to the elastic deformation of the spreading body, in particular in the region of the base leg 5, so that the opening angle 15 reduces and the distance of the thumb 26 from the pointer finger 27 (in the region of its contact area with the side legs 3, 4) can be reduced. FIG. 9 shows the so-called “pinch grip”. Here, it is possible that the opening angle of 60° in the base position changes due to the applied forces up to 10°, 0° or even according to FIG. 9 to a negative angle in a way such that the side legs 3, 4 no longer diverge but converge.

[0075] FIG. 10 shows the use of the thumb orthosis 2 for writing with a pencil 32. It can be seen that the pencil 32 contacts the guiding ribs 7 and the pencil 32 is guided by the guiding ribs 7 with a positive form lock.

[0076] For the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the holding straps 30, 31 are connected at their ends to each other by means of connecting devices 33, 34 which are here embodied as hook-and-loop fasteners 35, 36. By means of the hook-and-loop fasteners 35, 36 it is possible to close the holding straps 30, 31 tight around the thumb 26, respectively the pointer finger 27. In this case, the holding straps 30, 31 are embodied as textile straps or hook-and-loop straps which are fixedly connected to the spreading body 1 (e.g. by stitching or adhering).

[0077] For the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the holding straps 30, 31 are embodied as punched straps 37, 38. Preferably, in this case the holding straps 30 are elastic, in particular embodied as rubber straps. One hole in an end portion of the holding strap 30, 31 is then plugged on a mushroom head 10 of the spreading body 1 and after wrapping the holding strap around the thumb 26, respectively the pointer finger 27, in the region of another hole another end portion of the holding strap is plugged onto the mushroom head 10. Due to the fact that the holding straps 30, 31 comprise a plurality of holes distributed over the longitudinal extension, dependent on the choice of the hole used for plugging onto the mushroom head 10, an adaptation to different diameters of the thumb 26, respectively the pointer finger 27 and/or to different desired pressing forces is possible. It is possible that also the holding straps 30, 31 comprise predetermined separation points by which it is then possible to cut an excess length of the holding straps 30, 31.

[0078] FIG. 13 shows a different embodiment of the holding devices 22, 23. Here, the holding straps 30, 31 are not flexible but have an own rigidity. In this case, holding straps 30a, 30b, respectively 31a, 31b, extend from the base body of the spreading body 1 in different circumferential directions around the thumb 26, respectively the pointer finger 27. For the shown embodiment, the holding straps 30a, 30b, respectively 31a, 31b, are passed besides one another, so that they comprise an overlap (without this necessarily being the case). The holding straps 30a, 30b, respectively 31a, 31b, have an elasticity. The shape having the own stiffness is chosen such that when inserting the thumb 26, respectively the pointer finger 27, the holding straps 30a, 30b, respectively 31a, 31b, are elastically widened. Accordingly, in the applied state the holding straps 30a, 30b, respectively 31a, 31b, are pressed to the thumb 26, respectively the pointer finger 27, and in this way the thumb orthosis 2 is fixed to the hand 24. Here, it is possible that (as shown in FIG. 13) the holding straps 30a, 30b, 31a, 31b, are integrally connected as one piece to the spreading body 1 which is e.g. possible when manufacturing the spreading body 1 together with the holding straps 30a, 30b, 31a, 31b in an injection molding process.

[0079] It is also possible that the holding straps 30a, 30b, 31a, 31b are embodied as a composite body. FIG. 14 shows an embodiment wherein metal bands 39a, 39b, 40a, 40b are embedded into the holding straps 30a, 30b, 31a, 31b (e.g. manufactured from plastic). The metal bands 39a, 39b, 40a, 40b allow a plastic deformation for an adaptation to the hand 24 and on the other hand provide any required elasticity.

[0080] For the embodiment described above, the spreading body 1 contacts the hand (namely the thumb 26, the thumb bow 25 and the pointer finger 27) along its entire extension. In FIGS. 15 and 16 an embodiment is shown wherein this is not the case. Instead, for this embodiment the spreading body 1 is a kind of bridge, junction or clip between the holding devices 22, 23, the spreading body 1 extending between the thumb 26 and the pointer finger 27 without any contact to the thumb bow 25. The spreading body 1 might then have any geometry and might e.g. be embodied as an elastic bow or bending beam or as an elastic pressure rod and/or pulling rod. Here, the connection of the holding devices 22, 23 to the spreading body 1 can be provided by coupling devices 8, 9 which in some cases also form a kind of link or joint so that a pivoting degree of freedom can be provided between the spreading body 1 and the holding devices 22, 23.

[0081] FIG. 15 shows the base state wherein the spreading body 1 is not elastically tensioned. Instead, FIG. 16 shows the elastic tensioning of the spreading body 1 due to forces applied by the thumb 26 and the pointer finger 27 for moving the thumb 26 closer to the pointer finger 27.

[0082] FIG. 17 schematically shows the force 41 biasing the thumb orthosis 2 (here the spreading body 1) during the use.

[0083] In order to quantify the stiffness of the spreading body 1, the end portion 28 of the side leg 3 is oriented horizontally on a support base. The force 41 biases the end portion 28. On the effective line of the force 41 biasing the end portion 28 of the side leg 3 the corresponding counter force 41 biases the side leg 4 of the spreading body 1. If in this case both the force 41 as well as the opening angle 15 changing due to the biasing force 41 are measured, in this way a stiffness (or for a change of the absolute value of the force 41 a stiffness characteristic) of the spreading body 1 can be measured. Preferably, a stiffness of the spreading body 1 is chosen such that with a force 41 of 10 Newton a change of the opening angle 15 of the end portions 28, 29 of the side legs 3, 4 results which is

[0084] a) 45° (±20° or ±15° or ±10° or ±5°) or

[0085] b) 30° (±20° or ±15° or ±10° or ±5°) or

[0086] c) 50° (±20° or ±15° or ±10° or ±5°).

[0087] The corresponding stiffness behavior might also apply for the application of smaller forces. Here, the stiffness characteristic of the applied force over the opening angle 15 might be linear or might have any non-linear behavior.

[0088] Preferably, the spreading body 1 is made of a thermoplastic polyurethane. Here, the spreading body might have a hardness Shore A of 80 (±20 or ±15 or ±10 or ±5) or a hardness Shore A of 90 (±20 or ±15 or ±10 or ±5). However, it is also possible that the spreading body 1 is made of a polyurethane or silicone.

[0089] The thumb orthosis 2 can be used for the everyday operation without significantly interfering with the use of the hand 24. It is easy to remove the thumb orthosis 2 from the hand and easy to clean the same. It is also possible that the length of the holding straps 30, 31 can be adapted according to the needs by cutting. It is possible that a plurality of coupling devices 8, 9 (in particular of mushroom heads 10) is dispersed in longitudinal direction or also arranged one besides another. It is e.g. possible that the coupling devices 8, 9, respectively mushroom heads 10, are provided in a kind of double row on the spreading body 1. Excess coupling devices 8, 9 (in particular mushroom heads 10) can also be separated. Differing from the use of one holding strap or two holding straps (the longitudinal extension of this strap or theses straps corresponding to the circumference of the thumb 26, respectively of the pointer finger 27) also a longer holding strap can be used which then extends similar to a spiral or coil around the thumb 26, respectively the pointer finger 27.

[0090] The inventive thumb orthosis 2 can be applied and removed in a notably simple way and occupies a small space both when being worn as well as when being stored. By the adjustability the number of required models for the required span of hand sizes can be reduced. It is also possible that the same thumb orthosis can be used for being applied both to the right hand as well as to the left hand.

[0091] The inventive thumb orthosis 2 allows a controlled mobilizing of the finger joints of the thumb with a controlled guidance of the thumb saddle and the base joints. The thumb orthosis 2 can preferably be used for a non-inflammatory arthrosis in order to prevent an inflammatory arthrosis.

[0092] Preferably, the spreading body 1 extends above the second thumb joint and/or the third pointer finger joint, so that also the regions of the thumb and/or the pointer finger being arranged in front of the second thumb joint and/or of the third finger joint can apply forces to the spreading body 1 and/or these regions are supported and guided by the thumb orthosis 2.

[0093] In the case of an arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint there might be a stiffening in the applied state of the thumb due to a contraction of the adduction which has an impact on the ability of the thumb saddle joint to allow a juxtaposition of the thumb and the four long fingers or makes the same impossible. In this case, a gripping process with a pincer grip or precision grip might be impossible.

[0094] The thumb orthosis 2 can be named a dynamic thumb orthosis 2 because during the gripping process with a pincer grip or precision grip it is possible to move the thumb and the pointer finger via the thumb orthosis as a hypomochlion. It is possible that when using the thumb orthosis 2 for everyday works and for executing a gripping process the thumb saddle joint is spread and so there is a prophylaxis of an increasing contraction of the adductors or a reduction of a present contraction of the adductors.

[0095] Many variations and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.