Motorized dynamic traction device

• US 5,472,407 A
• Filed: 10/13/1993
• Issued: 12/05/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert R. Schenck
• Original Assignee: Robert R. Schenck
• Inventors: Schenck, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLARK, JEANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/135,904
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 482/44-48, 482/124, 601/40, 602/21, 602/22, 602/32, 602/36, 602/37
• US Class Current: 601/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0288 Fingers

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable hand mounted device for tractioning a finger having a fractured bone and at the same time continuously flexing and extending the joint to which the fractured bone is proximally attached in order to prevent joint deterioration. More particularly, the device may be made in an inexpensive manner by medical personnel and is a light, less cumbersome device than that in the prior art. A drive motor is carried by a cast-like support which is attachable to the forearm and hand for substantially immobilizing the wrist joint and joints of the hand proximal to the joint which is immediately proximally connected to the broken bone. The support carries a frame or hoop defining a substantially arcuate path of motion for carriage travel while flexing and extending the joint of the fractured finger. The carriage rides on the hoop first in one direction and then in the other direction along the arcuate path. The carriage is driven by an elongated, flexible yet stiff cable mounted for travel in a guide in the hoop with one end of the cable connected to the drive motor to push and pull the cable in the groove and to reciprocate the carriage. Elastomeric bands tension the broken finger to the carriage so that the finger joint follows the reciprocating carriage to first extend the finger, bending occurring primarily at the proximally connected joint.

Claims

1. A portable hand-held device for flexing and extending a finger having a fractured bone, the device comprising:

a support including having means for attaching to the hand and arm of a patient;

a frame having an arcuate portion mounted on the support to be carried thereby adapted to be disposed radially outward of the fingertips of the person'"'"'s hand;

a carriage mounted on the frame for reciprocating travel about the arcuate portion;

at least one band extending from the carriage to the fractured bone to the carriage to alternately flex and extend the proximal joint;

a motor carried by the support for driving the carriage first in one direction and then in a reverse direction along the arcuate portion of the frame;

.

an elongated actuating member operatively connected to the motor to propel the carriage for travel in a first direction and to propel the carriage for travel in a reverse direction;

the frame guiding the elongated actuating member in its travel in the forward and reverse direction of travel and having an interior arcuate groove therein;

the interior groove having the elongated actuating member disposed therein;

the elongated, actuating member being a cable which is curved and travels in an interior groove which has an entrance slot opening into the interior groove; and

an attachment member attached to the cable and attached to the carriage and extending from the carriage through the entrance slot opening, the entrance slot opening having a width less than the connecting member and attached cable to retain the cable for traveling within the groove.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the frame is provided with a partial hoop which includes a linear portion extending from the back of the hand to the the arcuate portion to reduce the size of the frame.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein the arcuate portion of the frame has a predetermined length which allows the full extension of the finger to enable the carriage means to travel thereabout for effectuating full extension of the finger.