Non-immobilizing thumb brace
First Claim
1. A CMC support, comprisinga) a unitary flexible support body having an anchor portion wrapping about the wrist to secure the body thereto, the anchor portion freely offset from the thumb, palm and dorsum of the hand,b) the body having a support extension extending distally from the anchor portion in supporting relation with the Thenar Emminence of the palm, and extending part way about the thumb via the web space between the thumb and forefinger, and having terminal attachment to said anchor portion,c) the support body in extended and flattened condition having flat generally T-shaped flap configuration, the T-shape defining a laterally extending cross-piece and a stem which tapers away from the central region of the cross-piece and a terminal in alignment with the stem, the stem and terminal extending longitudinally away from the cross-piece, the stem having laterally opposite edges which diverge toward the cross-piece and which merge arcuately with diverging edges of the cross-piece.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A unitary flexible body having an anchor portion wrapping about the wrist to secure the body there, the anchor portion freely offset from the thumb, palm and dorsum of the hand, the body having a support extension extending distally from the anchor portion in supporting relation with the Thenar Emminence of the palm, and extending part way about the thumb via the web space between the thumb and forefinger, and having terminal attachment to said anchor portion.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A CMC support, comprising
a) a unitary flexible support body having an anchor portion wrapping about the wrist to secure the body thereto, the anchor portion freely offset from the thumb, palm and dorsum of the hand, b) the body having a support extension extending distally from the anchor portion in supporting relation with the Thenar Emminence of the palm, and extending part way about the thumb via the web space between the thumb and forefinger, and having terminal attachment to said anchor portion, c) the support body in extended and flattened condition having flat generally T-shaped flap configuration, the T-shape defining a laterally extending cross-piece and a stem which tapers away from the central region of the cross-piece and a terminal in alignment with the stem, the stem and terminal extending longitudinally away from the cross-piece, the stem having laterally opposite edges which diverge toward the cross-piece and which merge arcuately with diverging edges of the cross-piece.
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7. A CMC support, comprising
a) a brace configured for wrapping application of an anchor portion to the wrist of the user, b) the brace including a support extension extensible over the web between the user'"'"'s thumb and forefinger and so as to bear against the CMC joint portion of the user'"'"'s hand, c) the support extension having a distal portion releasably attachable to said anchor portion of the brace, and so as to exert web lifting force to the strap, while leaving the thumb free to flex, d) the brace in extended and flattened condition having flat generally T-shaped flap configuration, the T-shape defining a laterally extending cross-piece and a stem which tapers away from the central region of the cross-piece and a terminal in alignment with the stem, the stem and terminal extending longitudinally away from the cross-piece, the stem having laterally opposite edges which diverge toward the cross-piece and which merge arcuately with diverging edges of the cross-piece.
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12. The method of providing for hand CMC support, which includes:
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a) providing a unitary flexible support body having an anchor portion wrapping about the wrist to secure the body thereto, the anchor portion freely offset from the thumb, palm and dorsum of the hand, b) the body provided to have a support extension extending distally from the anchor portion in supporting relation with the Thenar Emminence of the palm, and extending part way about the thumb via the web space between the thumb and forefinger, and having terminal attachment to said anchor portion, c) the support body provided to have in extended and flattened condition a flat generally T-shaped flap configuration, the T-shape defining a laterally extending cross-piece, and a stem which tapers away from the central region of the cross-piece, and a terminal in alignment with the stem, the stem and terminal extending longitudinally away from the cross-piece, the stem having laterally opposite edges which diverge toward the cross-piece and which merge arcuately with diverging edges of the cross-piece. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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15. The method which includes
i) providing a flexible brace anchor portion and a support extension from said anchor portion ii) and attaching said brace anchor portion to the wrist and said support extension over the web region between the thumb and forefinger with tension, thereby to create a pinch effect acting to create brace pressure exertion against the CMC joint region of the hand, iii) said anchor portion and extension provided to have in extended and flattened condition a flat generally T-shaped flap configuration, the T-shape defining a laterally extending cross-piece and a stem which tapers away from the central region of the cross-piece and a terminal in alignment with the stem, the stem and terminal extending longitudinally away from the cross-piece, the stem having laterally opposite edges which diverge toward the cross-piece and which merge arcuately with diverging edges of the cross-piece.
Specification