Therapeutic device that provides stimulation to an immobilized extremity

• US 20100318009A1
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Solomon Tony Stanley
• Original Assignee: Solomon Tony Stanley
• Inventors: Stanley, Solomon Tony
• Application Number:
  US12/806,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20100318009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0036 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0045 Foot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0408 Use-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/26 Electromedical brushes; Electromedical massage devices massage devices in general A61H; Combs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625

Abstract

A therapeutic device for biasing a body portion of a patient into a predetermined position. The therapeutic device includes a rigid support that is substantially flat and contoured to brace the body portion into the predetermined position. A securing mechanism is provided to brace the rigid support against the body portion and a therapeutic stimulation mechanism is provided. The therapeutic stimulation mechanism can include an electrical stimulation mechanism or a heating mechanism to provide heating and electrical stimulation to the body portion.

Claims

1. A therapeutic device for biasing a body portion of a patient into a natural unclenched predetermined position, comprising:

a rigid support that is substantially flat and contoured to brace the body portion into the natural unclenched predetermined position;

a securing mechanism attached directly to the rigid support that firmly braces, and biases, an unnaturally clenched body portion completely back into the natural unclenched predetermined position against the rigid support; and

a therapeutic stimulation mechanism associated with the rigid support that is adapted to provide stimulation to the body portion.

2. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the rigid support includes a cushion secured to the rigid support.

3. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the rigid support includes a depression to align the body portion in a preferred orientation.

4. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the body portion is a foot.

5. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is a sock-like booty fastened to the surface of the rigid support.

6. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism includes at least one of a strap, a buckle, a Velcro fastener, a clamp, and a tie.

7. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the therapeutic stimulation mechanism is a heating device that provides heat stimulation to the body portion.

8. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the therapeutic stimulation mechanism is integrated as part of the rigid support.

9. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the therapeutic stimulation mechanism is integrated as part of the securing mechanism.

10. The therapeutic device recited in claim 7, wherein the heating device includes a plug connector portion into which a power supply is connected and from which wires extend to provide warmth along a length of the body portion by a heating control unit.

11. The therapeutic device recited in claim 7, wherein the heating device includes a programmable heating control unit that remotely controls warmth to the therapeutic device.

12. The therapeutic device recited in claim 7, wherein the heating device includes a programmable heating control unit that is controlled on the therapeutic device as a self-sustained therapeutic device.

13. The therapeutic device recited in claim 1, wherein the therapeutic stimulation mechanism is an electrical stimulation device to provide stimulation to the body portion.

14. The therapeutic device recited in claim 13, wherein the electrical stimulation device includes an outer insulating portion and a thin layer of electrically conductive material disposed on an upper surface of the securing mechanism where the body portion is the foot and the securing mechanism is a sock-like booty.

15. The therapeutic device recited in claim 13, wherein the therapeutic stimulation mechanism includes a connector portion including a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit that applies at least one of:

a TENS, whole-hand massage unit (electro-massage), and an acupuncture unit (electro-acupuncture) to the patient to reduce the pain to the body portion being unnaturally clenched.

16. A therapeutic device for biasing a hand of a patient into a naturally flat predetermined position, comprising:

a rigid support that is substantially flat and contoured to brace the hand into the naturally flat predetermined position;

a securing glove attached directly to the rigid support that firmly braces, and biases, an unnaturally deformed hyper-flexed hand completely back into the naturally flat predetermined position against the rigid support; and

a therapeutic stimulation mechanism associated with the rigid support that is adapted to provide stimulation to the hand.

17. The therapeutic device recited in claim 16, wherein the therapeutic stimulation mechanism is an electrical stimulation device that includes an outer insulating portion and a thin layer of electrically conductive material disposed on all palm and finger surfaces of the securing glove.