HAND ORTHOSIS AND METHOD FOR ADAPTING A HAND ORTHOSIS

Abstract

A hand orthosis having a cuff for fixing the hand orthosis to a wrist joint or a lower arm of a wearer of the hand orthosis, at least one carrier element, and at least one hand support element that can be fixed to the carrier element. The hand support element includes a contour that is designed to be symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of the hand support element and includes a thumb support area on both sides of the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A hand orthosis comprising: a cuff for fixing the hand orthosis to a wrist joint or a lower arm of a wearer of the hand orthosis; at least one carrier element; at least one hand support element, which can be fixed to the at least one carrier element; wherein the at least one hand support element includes a contour that is designed to be symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of the at least one hand support element and includes a thumb support area on both sides of the longitudinal axis.

2. The hand orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hand support element features includes markings which represent stylized contours of right and left hands of different sizes.

3. The hand orthosis according to claim 2, wherein the markings include at least one of indentations and openings.

4. The hand orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the hand support element comprises plastic.

5. The hand orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hand support element comprises at least one fixing element on a side that faces the at least one carrier element, wherein the fixing element is configured to interact with a corresponding fixing element or positive-locking element arranged on the at least one carrier element or with the at least one carrier element itself.

6. A hand support element for a hand orthosis according to claim 1.

7. A method for adapting a hand orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises removing a thumb support area of the at least one hand support element.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one hand support element includes markings which represent stylized contours of right and left hands of different sizes, and the at least one hand support element is cut to size along at least one of the markings.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein removing the thumb support area includes cutting off the thumb support area.

10. The hand orthosis according to claim 5, wherein the at least one fixing element includes a positive-locking element.

11. A hand orthosis comprising: a cuff configured to fix the hand orthosis to a wrist joint or a lower arm of a wearer of the hand orthosis; at least one carrier element; at least one hand support element fixed to the at least one carrier element and comprising: a contour designed to be symmetrical with a longitudinal axis of the at least one hand support member; a thumb support area arranged on both sides of the longitudinal axis.

12. The hand orthosis according to claim 11, wherein the at least one hand support element includes markings that represent stylized contours of right hands and left hands of different sizes.

13. The hand orthosis according to claim 12, wherein the markings include at least one of indentations and openings.

14. The hand orthosis according to claim 11, wherein the at least one hand support element comprises plastic.

15. The hand orthosis according to claim 11, wherein the at least one hand support element comprises: at least one fixing element on a side that faces the at least one carrier element; a fixing element configured to interact with a corresponding fixing element or positive-locking element arranged on the at least one carrier element or with the at least one carrier element itself.

16. The hand orthosis according to claim 15, wherein the at least one fixing element includes a positive-locking element.

Description

[0017] In the following, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail by way of the attached figures: They show

[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2schematic depictions of a hand support element from different perspectives and

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4schematic representations of a part of a hand orthosis.

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a hand support element 2 for a hand orthosis according to a first example of an embodiment of the invention. The hand support element features two thumb support areas 4 and is designed to be symmetrical relative to its longitudinal axis L. A hand contact surface 6 features several markings 8, which are designed in the form of indentations 10 and openings 12. To cut the hand support element 2 shown to size, one of the two thumb support elements 4 is removed. If the hand support element 2 is to be used for a right hand, the thumb support area 4 shown on the left in FIG. 1 is removed. If the hand support element 2 is to be used for a left hand, the thumb support area 4 shown on the right in FIG. 1 is removed. Depending on the size of the hand, the hand support element 2 is cut to size along one of the markings 8 shown.

[0021] The hand support element 2 shown also features slits 14, through which, for example, belts or other fixing elements can be guided and fixed to the hand support element. In this way, it is possible, for instance, to fix individual fingers of a hand to a web 16, which is bordered on both sides by a slit. Of course, it is also possible to guide a belt or strap through two non-adjacent slits 14 and thereby fix several fingers, all fingers and/or the palm of the hand to the hand support element 2.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the hand support element 2 from FIG. 1 from a different perspective. It is now shown from below, whereas the representation in FIG. 1 is from above. The two thumb support areas 4, the openings 12 and the slits 14 can also be seen from this underside. In the center is a fixing element 18, which in this case comprises a first positive-locking element 20. This is designed in the form of a groove and can be locked by way of a lock 22, which is arranged such that it can be swivelled. With this fixing element 18, the hand support element 2 can be fixed to a carrier element, not depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0023] FIGS. 3 and 4 show further components of a hand orthosis according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Loops 26 are arranged on a lower arm shell 24, which is made of plastic for example, through which belts or straps can be guided; the lower arm shell 24 is arranged on a lower arm of the wearer using said belts or straps. On the left-hand side of FIGS. 3 and 4, which is assigned to the hand when a hand orthosis is applied, there is a support brace 28 on which a carrier element 30 is arranged. The carrier element 30 is arranged on an elongated hole 32 in the support brace 28 such that it can be displaced. It can also be arranged in two different orientations. Specifically, in FIG. 3 it is clear that the carrier element 30 is designed to be slightly curved. While in FIGS. 3 and 4 a part of a hand orthosis is designed for a left hand, a simple turning or reconnection of the carrier element 30 can adapt the component to fit a hand orthosis for a right hand.

[0024] The support brace 28 is arranged on the lower arm shell 24 via an angle adjustment unit 34, such that an angle at this point can be adjusted.

[0025] Specifically, in FIG. 4 it is clear that the carrier element 30 features a taper 36, in which it has a reduced diameter. This is advantageous but not absolutely necessary. The diameter and cross-section of this taper 36 of the carrier element 30 is adapted to the first positive-locking element 20 on the hand support element 2, as shown in FIG. 2, for example. As a result, the hand support element 2 can be arranged on the carrier element 30 in a simple and detachable manner.

REFERENCE LIST

[0026] L longitudinal axis [0027] 2 hand support element [0028] 4 thumb support area [0029] 6 hand contact surface [0030] 8 marking [0031] 10 indentation [0032] 12 opening [0033] 14 slit [0034] 16 web [0035] 18 fixing element [0036] 20 first positive-locking element [0037] 22 lock [0038] 24 lower arm shell [0039] 26 loop [0040] 28 support brace [0041] 30 carrier element [0042] 32 elongated hole [0043] 34 angle adjustment unit [0044] 36 taper