DEVICE FOR TREATING CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Abstract

A device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome comprises: (a) a brace configured for at least partially receiving a patient's hand; (b) displaceable support members mounted on the first member and spaced apart from each other and configured for supporting the patient's palm at areas adjacent to first and fifth metacarpal bones the patient's hand; and (c) a pressing member mounted on the second member and configured for adjustable pressure on dorsum of the patient's hand; The two displaceable support members and pressing member are mountable symmetrically to each other on palm and dorsum of the patient's hand to be received. The device comprises a generator of mechanical vibrations mounted between the displaceable support members. The vibrator is configured to apply the mechanical vibration in an area of carpal tunnel of the patient's hand.

Claims

1.-25. (canceled)

26. A device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome; said device comprising: a. a brace configured for at least partially receiving a patient's hand; said brace formed by a first member and a second member interconnected therebetween; b. displaceable support members mounted on said first member and spaced apart from each other and configured for supporting the patient's palm at areas adjacent to first and fifth metacarpal bones the patient's hand; c. a pressing member mounted on said second member and configured for adjustable pressure on dorsum of the patient's hand; said two displaceable support members and pressing member are mountable on palm and dorsum of the patient's hand to be received; wherein said device comprises at least one eccentric vibrator mounted between said displaceable support members; said at least one eccentric vibrator is configured to apply said mechanical vibration in a palm's area of carpal tunnel of the patient's hand.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein at least one of said displaceable support members is selected from the group consisting of a first mechanically displaceable support member and a first inflatable balloon.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein said first is connectable to a source of a compressed fluid.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein said source of a compressed fluid is embedded in said brace.

30. The device according to claim 26, wherein said pressing member is selected from the group consisting of a second mechanically displaceable support member and a second inflatable balloon.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein said second balloon is connectable to a source of a compressed fluid.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein said source of a compressed fluid is embedded in said brace.

33. The device according to claim 37, wherein said at least one of said displaceable support members is pivoted to said first internal carrying surface.

34. The device according to claim 30, wherein said pressing member is driven by a manually movable screw.

35. The device according to claim 26, wherein said first internal carrying surface and second internal carrying surface are parallel in a closed position and inclined to each other in an open position such that the patient's hand is placeable into said brace between said two displaceable support members and pressing member.

36. The device according to claim 26, wherein said first and second members are releasably connectable.

37. The device according to claim 26, wherein at least one eccentric vibrator is pressable against the patient's hand by a third inflatable balloon.

38. The device according to claim 37, wherein said first member is connectable to a source of a compressed fluid.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein said source of a compressed fluid is embedded in said brace.

40. The device according to claim 37, wherein at least one of the following is true: a. said device comprises at least one valve configured for alternately feeding said fluid into at least one of said first, second and third balloons and releasing said fluid out of at least one of said first, second and third balloons; b. said device comprises a control unit for controlling said at least one valve and said at least one eccentric vibrator; and c. said device comprises a forth balloon configured for extending fingers of the patient's hand by pressing thereon.

41. The device according to claim 26, wherein said first and second members are hingedly connected to each other in a lockable manner.

42. The device according to claim 26, wherein said displaceable support members are displaceable by a mechanism comprising an inflatable member spacing apart said displaceable support members and a tension spring repositing thereof.

43. A method of treating a carpal tunnel syndrome; said method comprising steps of: a. providing a device further comprising: i. a brace configured for at least partially receiving a patient's hand; said brace having a first internal carrying surface and a second internal carrying surface; ii. displaceable support members mounted on said first internal carrying surface and spaced apart from each other and configured for supporting the patient's palm at areas adjacent to first and fifth metacarpal bones the patient's hand; iii. a pressing member mounted on said second internal carrying surface and configured for adjustable pressure on dorsum of the patient's hand; said two displaceable support members and pressing member are mountable symmetrically to each other on palm and dorsum of the patient's hand to be received; said device comprises at least one eccentric vibrator configured to apply said mechanical vibration in an area of carpal tunnel of the patient's hand; b. placing the patient's middle carpal joint within said brace between said displaceable support members and pressing member; c. applying pressure to palm and dorsum of the patient's hand by said two displaceable support members and pressing member. d. applying vibrations to the area of carpal tunnel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a plurality of embodiments is adapted to now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0028] FIG. 1 is a side view of a device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome;

[0029] FIGS. 2a and 2b are side views of a device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome with stretching tendons by alternating position of the fingers;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a mechanism for positioning pivoted support members;

[0031] FIGS. 4a and 4b are cross-sectional views of a device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome;

[0032] FIGS. 5a and 5b cross-sectional views of two alternative embodiments of a device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome; and

[0033] FIGS. 6a and 6b are cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome with a pneumatic mechanism for positioning support members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The following description is provided, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide a device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome and a method of implementing the same.

[0035] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 presenting device 100 for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome. Patient's hand 10 is placed between first member 30 and second member 20. Members 20 and 30 are movable relative to each other for needs of wearing, removing and individually fitting device 100 on the patient's hand. According one embodiment of the present invention, first member 30 carries pump 60, pneumatic supporting member 40 connected to pump 60, vibrator 50 and control unit 80. Second member 20 is provided with screw 110 displacing a pressing member (not shown) relative to second member 20. Control unit 80 is preprogrammed for applying pressure to the carpal tunnel area according a predetermined protocol defining a pressure value and time schedule of the treatment.

[0036] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2a and 2b showing alternative embodiment 100a of the present invention. Specifically, device 100a is provided with inflatable supporting members 90 designed for alternate stretching and releasing fingers of patient's hand 10. While FIG. 2a illustrates finger stretching when members 90 are inflated, FIG. 2b corresponds to a timeout phase with deflated members 90.

[0037] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 showing mechanism 150 of positioning pivoted support members 120. Specifically, patient's hand 10 is placed within the device for treating a carpal tunnel syndrome such that support members 120 rotatable around axes 127 contact with patient's hand 10 in locations of first and fifth metacarpal bones 11 and 13, respectively. Rotational torque is transferred from drive gear 140 to driven gear 125 via idlers 130. Screw 110 is designed for axial displacement of pressing member 115. The effect of mechanism 150 is designed for stretching transversal carpal ligament 19.

[0038] Reference is now made to FIGS. 4a and 4b showing pneumatic embodiment 100b of the present invention in open and closed positions. Supporting members 40 are embodied by first inflatable balloons 41. Numeral 41 refers to second inflatable balloon functioning as pressing member 115 (FIG. 3). Third balloon 43 is configured for keeping snug vibrator 50 against the carpal tunnel area of patient's hand 10. According to one embodiment of the present invention, device 100b comprises vibrator 50a interfering with vibrator 50. Vibrators 50 and 50a can be embodied as eccentric vibrators driven by electric motors.

[0039] Pump 60 controlled by control unit 80 (not shown) inflates first, second and third balloons 41, 42 and 43, respectively, according to a predetermined protocol. Concurrent and alternate inflation and deflation is in the scope of the present invention. Device 100b provides treatment of mechanical pressure and vibration in a combined manner. Upper and lower members 20 and 30 are connected to each other by hinge 23. Members 20 and 30 can be locked by a rod 27 insertable into ear 25. Effect of stretching transversal carpal ligament 15 is increased by applying vibration.

[0040] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrating the principle of operation of two embodiments of the present invention. The embodiment presented in FIG. 5a is provided with vibrator 50.

[0041] Numerals 11, 13, 15 and 17 refer to schematically shown bones of patient's hand 10. The device of the present invention is designed for stretching tendon 19. An eccentric vibrator and a combination of interfering eccentric vibrators are in the scope of the present invention. While bones 11 and 13 are supported by balloons 40, balloon 41 applies pressure to bones 15 and 17 from above. As a result, tendon 19 is stretched.

[0042] Reference is now made to FIGS. 6a and 6b presenting an alternative embodiment 200. Device 200 comprises first and second members 210 and 220 connected to each other by hinge 230. Terminals 280a and 280b are lockable to each other. Supporting members 240 are displaceable by mechanism 260 comprising an inflatable member 270 spacing apart support members 240 and a tension spring which reposits thereof support members 240. Pressing member 290 is displaceable by screw 250.