ORTHOSIS FOR DISTRACTING A HUMAN DIGIT

Abstract

An orthosis (1) for distracting a human digit that includes a support (6) for removably fitting to a hand or foot and a mounting element (16) for attaching to the distal end of the digit. The orthosis (1) includes an adjustable member (10, 12, 14) extending between the support (6) and the mounting element (16), the adjustable member (10, 12, 14) being physically separate to the mounting element (16). The adjustable member (10, 12, 14) releasably engages with the mounting element (16) and is mounted to the support (6). The adjustable member (10, 12, 14) is movable with the support (6) and the mounting element (16) so to increase the distance between the support (6) and the mounting element (16), which causes the adjustable member (10, 12, 14) to exert a biasing force between the support (6) and the mounting element (16) so to distract the digit.

Claims

1. An orthosis for distracting a human digit, the orthosis comprising: a support for removably fitting to a hand or foot comprising the digit; a mounting element for attaching to the distal end of the digit; and an adjustable member extending between the support and the mounting element; wherein the adjustable member and the mounting element are physically separate components; wherein the adjustable member is arranged to releasably engage with the mounting element; wherein the adjustable member is mounted to the support; wherein the adjustable member is movable with respect to one or both of the support and the mounting element so to increase the distance between the support and the mounting element; and wherein the orthosis is arranged such that the increase in distance between the support and the mounting element causes the adjustable member to exert a biasing force between the support and the mounting element so to distract the digit.

2. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orthosis is arranged to distract the first carpometacarpal joint.

3. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is arranged for removably fitting proximal to a metacarpophalangeal joint; and wherein the support comprises a sheath for removably fitting around the base of the digit.

4. (canceled)

5. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is extended from the location at which the adjustable member is mounted on the support, in a direction away from the direction in which the adjustable member extends towards the mounting element.

6. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support comprises a plurality of holes across the surface of the support.

7. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting element is arranged to be attached non-surgically to the distal end of the digit; and wherein the mounting element comprises a place for attaching to the nail of the digit.

8. (canceled)

9. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member comprises a screw thread.

10. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member comprises two rods that extend between the support and the mounting element.

11. The orthosis as claimed in claim 10, the adjustable member comprises two knobs or sockets for actuating the two rods respectively of the adjustable member to increase the distance between the support and the mounting element.

12. The orthosis as claimed in claim 10, wherein the adjustable member comprises a bar that extends between the two rods, wherein the bar is arranged to releasably engage with the mounting element; wherein the position of the bar is adjustable relative to the rods; and wherein the two rods comprise screw threads and the bar comprises complementary screw threads for adjusting the position of the bar relative to the rods.

13-14. (canceled)

15. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member and the mounting element comprise respective complementary engaging surfaces, wherein the adjustable member and the mounting element are arranged to releasably engage with each other at the complementary engaging surfaces.

16. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member and the mounting element comprise complementary releasable fasteners.

17. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member and the mounting element are arranged such that the biasing force acts in an opposite direction to the direction in which the adjustable member and the mounting element release from each other.

18. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member and the mounting element are arranged such that the support is able to be removed from the digit when the adjustable member and the mounting element are released from each other.

19. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member is mounted to the support such that longitudinal movement of the adjustable member is substantially prevented.

20. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member is pivotably mounted to the support.

21. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the adjustable member is rotatable with respect to one or both of the support and the mounting element so to increase the distance between the support and the mounting element.

22. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable member comprises two parts having complementary screw threads, wherein the two parts are rotatable relative to each other to increase the distance between the support and the mounting element.

23. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orthosis comprises an actuator that is fixedly attached to the adjustable member for actuating the adjustable member.

24. The orthosis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orthosis is arranged such that the biasing force is applied in the direction between the support and the mounting element.

Description

[0096] Certain preferred embodiments for the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0097] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show views of a distraction splint according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0098] FIGS. 2a and 2b show views of a distraction splint according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0099] FIGS. 3a and 3b show views of a distraction splint according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0100] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show views of a distraction splint according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0101] FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e show views of a distraction splint according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0102] FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d show views of a distraction splint according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0103] FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c show views of the screws and wishbone for use in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and

[0104] FIGS. 8a and 8b show views of a mounting element for use in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0105] Distraction splints may be used to treat joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis, by distracting the affected joint to allow healing to occur. Distraction splints in accordance with embodiments of the invention, which may be used to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis or a fracture, will now be described.

[0106] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show views of a distraction splint 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The distraction splint 1 shown in FIGS. 1a, 1 b, 1c and 1d is designed to be fitted to and worn on a thumb 2 of a hand 4 of a person being treated with the splint 1.

[0107] It will be seen from FIGS. 1a, 1 b, 1c and 1d that the distraction splint 1 is designed for, and is being worn on, the right hand 4 of the person being treated. It will be appreciated that a distraction splint 1 for a left hand may also be provided, based on this same design (e.g. a mirror image thereof), according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] The distraction splint 1 comprises a support 6 that removably fits around the base of the thumb 2, around the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. The support 6 is moulded (e.g. to fit the hand 4 of the person) from plastic (e.g. suitable for 3D printing with) and is shaped to rest on the palm of the hand 4 at the base of the thumb 2.

[0109] The support 6 has multiple holes 8 formed through the thickness of the support 6. The holes 8 provide some ventilation to help prevent the support 6 causing the hand 4 to become sweaty.

[0110] A pair of adjustable rods 10 is mounted on the support 6 either side of the thumb 2. The rods 10 each comprise a screw thread. The rods 10 are each mounted pivotably to the support 6 in a way that prevents them from being moved substantially longitudinally (in a direction away from the base of the thumb 2). This helps to prevent the rods 10 from being extracted from the support 6 and from moving further into the support 6. The rods 10 are also mounted such that they are able to rotate freely (in the rotational direction the screw threads).

[0111] The other ends of the rods 10 (remote from the support 6) comprise a pair of nuts 12 that is fixedly mounted to the pair of rods 10 respectively. The nuts 12 are attached to the rods 10 in a way that allows the nuts 12 to be rotated to rotate the respective rods 10. As shown in FIG. 1d, a removable tool 18 may be attached to the nut 12 to aid adjustment.

[0112] A bar 14 is mounted on and between the pair of rods 10, between the support 6 and the pair of nuts 12. The bar 14 is mounted onto the pair of rods 10 via complementary screw threads, such that rotation of the rods 10, via the respective nuts 12, causes the bar 14 to move along the rods 10.

[0113] A mounting element 16 is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb 2. The mounting element 16 comprises a clip into which the bar 14 engages (this can be seen in more detail in FIG. 1c).

[0114] Operation of the distraction splint 1 will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d.

[0115] To use the distraction splint 1 shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, the mounting element 16 is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb 2. The support 6 is placed over the thumb 2 to fit around the MCP joint and rest on the palm of the hand 4 at the base of the thumb 2.

[0116] The nuts 12 are adjusted (e.g. using the tool 18 shown in FIG. 1d) to move the bar 14 into position so that it engages with the clip of the mounting element 16. In this position, the nuts 12 can be further adjusted so to increase the distance between the mounting element 16 and the support 6, along the rods 10. This causes a biasing force to be applied between the mounting element 16 and the support 6, through the rods 10.

[0117] The biasing force is used to distract the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb 2. The nuts 12 can be adjusted to vary the magnitude of the biasing force, and thus the amount of distraction, that is applied.

[0118] The distraction of the CMC joint helps to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and enable natural healing of the joint to occur, or may help to treat a fracture in the thumb 2. The pivotable mounting of the rods 10 in the support 6 allows the user to have some movement of their thumb 2 while wearing the splint 1. Furthermore, the bar 14 may be unclipped from the mounting element 16, by adjusting the nuts 12, should more dexterity be required temporarily. The splint 1 is then easily refitted in the manner described above.

[0119] FIGS. 2a and 2b show views of a distraction splint 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] The splint 101 comprises a support 106 that removably fits around the base of the thumb 102, around the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. The support 106 also extends around the hand 104 of the person wearing the splint 101. The support 106 is made from an elastic material, containing multiple ventilation holes 108, that stretches to fit over and then conform to the shape of the hand 104.

[0121] A mounting element 116 is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb 102. The mounting element 116 is attached to one part of a ratchet that engages with an adjustable member 110. The adjustable member 110 is mounted on the support 106 at the outside of the thumb 102.

[0122] The adjustable member 110 comprises an adjustable ratchet mechanism 114 that allows the distance between the support 106 and the mounting element 116 to be varied. The ratchet mechanism 114 retains the adjustable member 110 in its extended position to allow a biasing force to be applied between the support 106 and the mounting element 116.

[0123] Operation of the distraction splint 101 shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b is similar to the distraction splint 1 shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d.

[0124] First, the support 106 is placed over the thumb 102 to fit around the MCP joint and around the hand 104 at the base of the thumb 102 and palm. The mounting element 116 is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb 102 and the two parts of the adjustment member 110 (including the ratchet mechanism 114) are assembled.

[0125] The two parts of the adjustment member 110 are moved away from each other, to increase the distance between the mounting element 116 and the support 106. The ratchet mechanism 114 retains the adjustment member 110 in this position and causes a biasing force to be applied between the mounting element 116 and the support 106, through the adjustment member 110.

[0126] The biasing force is used to distract the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb 102. The ratchet mechanism 114 can be adjusted to vary the magnitude of the biasing force, and thus the amount of distraction, that is applied.

[0127] FIGS. 3a and 3b show views of a distraction splint 201 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] The splint 201 comprises a support 206 that removably fits around the base of the thumb, around the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. The support 206 is made plastic and contains multiple ventilation holes 208.

[0129] A mounting element 216 is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb. The mounting element 216 is attached to one end of an adjustable member 210. The adjustable member 210 extends around the thumb, with its other end being mounted on the support 206.

[0130] The adjustable member 210 comprises an adjustable rotating ratchet mechanism 214 that allows the distance between the support 206 and the mounting element 216 to be varied. The ratchet mechanism 214 retains the adjustable member 210 in its extended position to allow a biasing force to be applied between the support 206 and the mounting element 216.

[0131] Operation of the distraction splint 201 shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b is similar to the distraction splint 1 shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d and the distraction splint 101 shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b.

[0132] First, the support 206 is placed over a thumb to fit around the MCP joint. The mounting element 216 is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb.

[0133] The ratchet mechanism 214 of the adjustment member 210 is rotated to increase the distance between the mounting element 216 and the support 206. The ratchet mechanism 214 retains the adjustment member 210 in this position and causes a biasing force to be applied between the mounting element 216 and the support 206, through the adjustment member 210.

[0134] The biasing force is used to distract the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb. The ratchet mechanism 214 can be adjusted to vary the magnitude of the biasing force, and thus the amount of distraction, that is applied.

[0135] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show views of a distraction splint 301 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The distraction splint 301 shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c shares a number of features with the distraction splint shown in FIGS. 1a, 1 b, 1c and 1d.

[0136] The distraction splint 301 comprises a support 306 that removably fits around the base of the thumb 302. The support 306 is moulded (e.g. to fit the hand 304 of the person) from plastic and is shaped to rest on the palm of the hand 304 at the base of the thumb 302. The support 306 is shaped such that it leaves the majority of the palm of the hand 304 free and such that it does not cover the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, to avoid applying pressure to these parts of the hand 304.

[0137] The support 306 has multiple holes 308 formed through the thickness of the support 306. The holes 308 provide some ventilation to help prevent the support 306 causing the hand 304 to become sweaty. The support 306 is also shaped to allow space for blood vessels supply in the hand 304.

[0138] A pair of adjustable rods 310 is mounted on the support 306 either side of the thumb 302. The rods 310 each comprise a screw thread (in the form of an extended grub screw). The rods 310 each comprise a domed nut 318 that is fixedly attached to the lower end of the respective rod 310 (as can be seen in FIG. 4c in which the support 306 has been omitted to illustrate the domed nuts 318).

[0139] The domed nuts 318 are mounted pivotably to recesses in the support 306, with the support 306 comprising stoppers in the recesses to prevent the rods 310 from being moved substantially longitudinally (in a direction away from the base of the thumb 302). This helps to prevent the rods 310 from being extracted from the support 306. The depth of the recesses in the support 306 prevents the rods 310 from moving further into the support 306. The rods 310 are also mounted such that they are able to rotate freely (in the rotational direction the screw threads).

[0140] The other ends of the rods 310 (remote from the support 306) comprise a pair of hexagonal recesses that is formed in the pair of rods 310 respectively. The hexagonal recesses allow respective rods 310 to be rotated by means of an Allen key that fits into the hexagonal recess.

[0141] A bar 314 is mounted on and between the pair of rods 310, at the end of the pair of rods 310. The bar 314 is mounted onto the pair of rods 310 via complementary screw threads (e.g. in the form of respective nuts fixed (e.g. glued) into sockets in the sides of the bar 314), such that rotation of the rods 310, actuated by an Allen key, causes the bar 314 to move along the rods 310.

[0142] A mounting element 316, formed of a flexible material is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb 302. The mounting element 316 comprises a slot into which a projection of the bar 314 engages (this can be seen in more detail in FIG. 4c).

[0143] Operation of the distraction splint 301 shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c is similar to the distraction splint 1 shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d.

[0144] The mounting element 316 is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb 302. The support 306 is placed over the thumb 302 to fit around the MCP joint and rest on the palm of the hand 304 at the base of the thumb 302.

[0145] The rods 310 are adjusted (using an Allen key) to move the bar 314 into position so that its projection fits into the slot of the mounting element 316. In this position, the rods 310 can be further adjusted so to increase the distance between the mounting element 316 and the support 306, along the rods 310. This causes a biasing force to be applied between the mounting element 316 and the support 306, through the rods 310. The biasing force helps to retain the projection of the bar 314 in the slot of the mounting element 316.

[0146] The biasing force is used to distract the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb 302. The rods 310 can be adjusted to vary the magnitude of the biasing force, and thus the amount of distraction, that is applied.

[0147] FIGS. 5a-5e show views of a distraction splint 401 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The distraction splint 401 shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e shares a number of features with the distraction splint shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d. FIGS. 6a-6c, 7a-7c, 8a-8b and 9a-9b show more detailed views of the various components of the distraction splint 401 shown in FIGS. 5a-5e.

[0148] The distraction splint 401 comprises a support 406 made from a flexible material that removably fits around the base of the thumb 402. The support 406 is shaped such that it leaves the majority of the palm of the hand 404 free and such that it does not cover the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, to avoid applying pressure to these parts of the hand 404.

[0149] The support 406 has multiple holes 408 formed through the thickness of the support 406. The holes 408 provide some ventilation to help prevent the support 406 causing the hand 404 to become sweaty. The support 406 is also shaped to allow space for blood vessels supply in the hand 404.

[0150] A pair of adjustable rods 410 is mounted on the support 406 either side of the thumb 402. The rods 410 each comprise a screw thread 411 and a (e.g. a domed, e.g. a ball) head 412 (e.g. the rods 410 are in the form of a screw 411 with a domed head 412) as can be seen in FIGS. 6c and 6d.

[0151] As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the domed heads 411 are mounted pivotably to recesses in the support 406, with the support 406 comprising stoppers 415 in the recesses to prevent the rods 310 from being moved substantially longitudinally (in a direction away from the base of the thumb 402), e.g. the domed head 412 and the stoppers form a ball-and-socket joint. This helps to prevent the rods 410 from being extracted from the support 406. The depth of the recesses in the support 406 prevents the rods 410 from moving further into the support 406. The rods 410 are also mounted such that they are able to rotate freely (in the rotational direction the screw threads).

[0152] The other ends of the rods 410 (remote from the support 406) comprise a pair of hexagonal recesses 420 that is formed in the pair of rods 410 respectively. The hexagonal recesses allow respective rods 410 to be rotated by means of an Allen key that fits into the hexagonal recess 420.

[0153] Returning to FIG. 5a-5e in conjunction with FIGS. 7a-7c, a bar 414 is mounted on and between the pair of rods 410, at the end of the pair of rods 410. The bar 414 is mounted onto the pair of rods 410 via complementary screw threads 418. For example, the bar 414 comprises two apertures 417 positioned at the sides of the bar 414 where each aperture 417 comprises an integrally formed complementary screw thread 418 (e.g. complementary to the screw thread 411 of the rod 410). For example, the complementary thread 418 acts as the respective nut, integrally formed into aperture 417 in the sides of the bar 414, such that rotation of the rods 410, actuated by an Allen key, causes the bar 414 to move along the rods 410.

[0154] FIG. 7c shows a detailed view of the internal thread 418 of the bar 414. Both the rods 410 and bar 414 are made from a rigid material and may be 3D-printed.

[0155] FIGS. 8a and 8b show the mounting element 416, formed of a flexible material, which is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb 402 (shown in FIGS. 5a-5c). The mounting element 416 comprises a slot 425 into which a projection of the bar 414 engages (this can be seen in more detail in FIG. 5d).

[0156] Operation of the distraction splint 401 shown in FIGS. 5a-5d is similar to the distraction splint 1 shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d.

[0157] The mounting element 416 is attached (glued) to the nail of the thumb 402. The support 406 is placed over the thumb 402 to fit around the MCP joint and rest on the palm of the hand 404 at the base of the thumb 402.

[0158] The rods 410 are adjusted (using an Allen key and hexagonal recess 420) to move the bar 414 into position so that its projection fits into the slot of the mounting element 416. In this position, the rods 410 can be further adjusted so to increase the distance between the mounting element 416 and the support 406, along the rods 410. This causes a biasing force to be applied between the mounting element 416 and the support 406, through the rods 410. The biasing force helps to retain the projection of the bar 414 in the slot of the mounting element 416.

[0159] The biasing force is used to distract the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb 402. The rods 410 can be adjusted to vary the magnitude of the biasing force, and thus the amount of distraction, that is applied.

[0160] It can be seen from the above that, in at least preferred embodiments, the invention provides a distraction splint for a human digit. The mounting element and the support are conveniently fitted to different parts of the human digit, allowing distraction to be performed. The mounting element and the adjustment member are physically separate components that releasably engage with each other, which helps to allow the splint to be partially disassembled. This provides the user with more comfort and allows them to partially remove the splint temporarily to gain greater dexterity.

[0161] Embodiments have been shown in the drawings with particular reference to the distraction of a thumb. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the splint may be suitable for distracting a finger or toe.