AU2017221896A1 - Wrist brace - Google Patents

Abstract

A wrist brace (1) is described comprising a flexible neoprene base (2), having a distal edge (3), a proximal edge (4), a medial edge (5), a lateral edge (6), a palmar side and a dorsal side. A thumb hole (7) is placed a short distance 5 below the distal palmar crease line of the intended user of the brace (1). A series (8a-8c) of Velcro hooked straps are fixed to the dorsal side extending outwards from the medial edge (5) of the base (2). A Velcro looped strip (9) is fixed to the dorsal side near the lateral edge (6) of the base (2) and extends from the distal edge (3) to the proximal edge (4) of the base (2). A neoprene 10 pocket (10) is fixed to the dorsal side of the base (2) and is open at its distal end (11). The pocket (10) extends from the base of the 1st proximal metacarpalphalangeal joint across the palm to the mid-4th metacarpalphalangeal joint and proximal to the wrist crease of the intended user of the brace (1). A pad (12) of vulcanised, cross-linked viscoelastic 15 polymer is retained in the pocket (10). 8b FIG1 21 0 c

Description

A wrist brace (1) is described comprising a flexible neoprene base (2), having a distal edge (3), a proximal edge (4), a medial edge (5), a lateral edge (6), a palmar side and a dorsal side. A thumb hole (7) is placed a short distance below the distal palmar crease line of the intended user of the brace (1). A series (8a-8c) of Velcro hooked straps are fixed to the dorsal side extending outwards from the medial edge (5) of the base (2). A Velcro looped strip (9) is fixed to the dorsal side near the lateral edge (6) of the base (2) and extends from the distal edge (3) to the proximal edge (4) of the base (2). A neoprene pocket (10) is fixed to the dorsal side of the base (2) and is open at its distal end (11). The pocket (10) extends from the base of the 1^st proximal metacarpalphalangeal joint across the palm to the mid-4^th metacarpalphalangeal joint and proximal to the wrist crease of the intended user of the brace (1). A pad (12) of vulcanised, cross-linked viscoelastic polymer is retained in the pocket (10).

2017221896 04 Sep 2017

FIS 3 ϊ

2017221896 04 Sep 2017

TITLE: WRIST BRACE

THIS INVENTION relates to a wrist brace. In particular, it is directed to a brace to relieve wrist pain and/or to dissipate compression loading forces as experienced by an athlete, especially a gymnast.

Throughout this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, actor item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of the common general knowledge, or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Wrist fractures and associated soft tissue injuries are not uncommon in individuals engaged in upper extremity weight bearing support routines such as in gymnastics, in-line skating, in-line hockey, skate boarding and snow boarding. Typically, such wrist pain is caused by the repetitive dorsiflexion and compression that are required in the routines. Such pain exhibited by younger individuals is of particular concern as the associated stress may limit bone development and also cause permanent loss of wrist motion. One prior art attempt to prevent such an injury is the use of tape applied circumferentially around the wrist, the tape supporting the ligaments and capsules of unstable joints by limiting excessive or abnormal anatomical movement. Such tape has a number of disadvantages which include: the stiffness of the tape lessens during use which reduces its effectiveness, it is a relatively expensive solution, especially if the tape is required to be used frequently and, more importantly, studies establishes that such tape, if applied incorrectly, may actually increase the likelihood of a future injury, for example, blistering of the skin. Another prior art attempt to prevent this type of injury is the use of more robust fabric-like material braces attaching around the wrist, with reinforcement for the dorsal

2017221896 04 Sep 2017 surface and, optionally, a palmar pad. These braces attempt to attenuate the wrist impact force by absorbing and diverting the forces when, for example, there is a fall onto an outstretched hand. Although such braces can reduce the wrist pain experienced by their users, there is a resistance to their use among athletes because they are bulky and often limit the range of wrist motion. Also, studies suggest that they alter the patterns of normal upper limb movement leading to potential deleterious effects to elbow and shoulder joints. Further, they are of reduced assistance for a gymnast whose wrists are not only subject to compression forces in isolation but also to a combination of compression and tensile forces when performing on the rings, high bar and uneven bars.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a wrist brace which may simultaneously support the wrist, restrict wrist hyperextension, absorb impact energy and attenuate the impact force when undertaking gymnastic routines.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is a provided a brace to support a wrist of an individual while engaged in athletic activities, said brace comprising:

a body of flexible material having a distal edge, a proximal edge, a medial edge, a lateral edge, a palmar side and a dorsal side and of dimensions sufficient to extend from or near the distal palmar crease of said individual to beyond the proximal wrist crease of said individual and to circumscribe the open hand of said individual;

an aperture in said material for receiving a thumb of said individual;

a pocket affixed to said palmer side of said body;

2017221896 04 Sep 2017 a mass of shock-absorbing resilient material retained in said pocket; and securing means to reversibly secure said brace on said individual when in operable use by said individual.

Preferably, said pocket is of dimensions to substantially extend between the base of the 1^st proximal metacarpalphalangeal joint across the palm to the mid4^th metacarpalphalangeal joint and proximal to said wrist crease of said individual.

Preferably, said pocket is open ended to allow reversible containment of said shock-absorbing resilient material.

More preferably, said pocket is open ended at its distal end.

Preferably, said flexible material and said pocket are manufactured from a synthetic rubber.

More preferably, said synthetic rubber is neoprene.

Preferably, said shock-absorbing resilient material is a viscoelastic polymer.

More preferably, said shock-absorbing resilient material is a vulcanised, crosslinked viscoelastic polymer marketed under the trade mark Akton (Action Products, Inc).

Preferably, said securing means is the hooked and looped-type fastener of the type marketed under the trade mark Velcro (Velcro Industries B.V.) whereby

2017221896 04 Sep 2017 the complementary components of said fastener are affixed at or near said medial edge and at or near said lateral edge of said body.

More preferably, a series of hooked straps of said fastener are fixed to said dorsal side and extend outwards from said medial edge of said body, and a looped strip of said fastener is fixed to said dorsal side at or near said lateral edge of said body.

As a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting the wrist, restricting wrist hyperextension, absorbing impact energy and attenuating the impact force when an individual undertakes athletic activities, said method comprising fitting a brace as hereinbefore described to said individual.

Preferably, said athletic activities are gymnastic-type routines.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a palmer plan view of the brace of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a dorsal plan view of the brace depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the brace of FIGS. 1 & 2 in use.

Referring to FIGS. 1 & 2, the brace (1) comprises a flexible neoprene base (2), having a distal edge (3), a proximal edge (4), a medial edge (5), a lateral edge (6), a palmar side (FIG. 1) and a dorsal side (FIG. 2). A thumb hole (7) is placed a short distance below the distal palmar crease line of the intended user of the brace (1). A series (8a-8c) of Velcro hooked straps are fixed to the

2017221896 04 Sep 2017 dorsal side extending outwards from the medial edge (5) of the base (2) (FIG. 2). A Velcro looped strip (9) is fixed to the dorsal side near the lateral edge (6) of the base (2) and extends substantially from the distal edge (3) to the proximal edge (4) of the base (2). A neoprene pocket (10) is fixed to the dorsal side of the base (2) and is open at its distal end (11). The pocket (10) extends from the base of the 1^st proximal metacarpalphalangeal joint across the palm to the mid-4^th metacarpalphalangeal joint and proximal to the wrist crease of the intended user of the brace (1). A pad (12) of vulcanised, cross-linked viscoelastic polymer marketed under the trade mark Akton (Action Products,

Inc) is retained in the pocket (10). The pad (12) is easily removed from the pocket (10) to allow its replacement and to enable the base (2)/pocket (10) to be readily washed.

In use (FIG. 3), the intended user first ensures that the pad (12) is in the pocket (10) and then places the appropriate thumb in the thumb hole (7) and wraps the base (2) around the wrist from the distal palmer crease to approximately 2cms below the wrist crease of the user and secures the brace (1) by connecting the Velcro hooked straps (8a-8c) to the Velcro looped strip (9). It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the various components of the brace (1) and the relative positioning of the thumb hole (7) and straps (8a-8c) and strip (9), and the required resilience of the pad (12), will be determined by the physical size of the hand of the intended user, whether it is to be used on the left or right hand, and the magnitude of the expected forces that are to be dissipated when the user undertakes the activity for which use of the brace (1) is required.

The brace (1) does not immobilise the wrist of the user but dissipates the compression loading acting through the wrist. The brace (1) provides wrist support with distal radial protection, thus allowing support and protection while still allowing wrist and hand function. The brace (1) was trialed on a number

2017221896 04 Sep 2017 of adolescent gymnasts. The brace (1) was shown to be effective in significantly decreasing wrist pain in those gymnasts.

The brace of the present invention offers a number of advantages which include:

is not bulky in its construction and thus does not restrict movement of the user of the brace; particularly, movement of limbs, elbows and shoulders is not inhibited;

acts as a shock absorber and a source of energy absorption which can be dissipated to relieve compression loading on the wrist of a user; and can be manufactured from readily available and relatively inexpensive materials.

The terms comprising or comprises as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment is only an exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

2017221896 04 Sep 2017

Claims (5)

1. A brace to support a wrist of an individual while engaged in athletic activities, said brace comprising:

a body of flexible material having a distal edge, a proximal edge, 5 a medial edge, a lateral edge, a palmar side and a dorsal side and of dimensions sufficient to extend from or near the distal palmar crease of said individual to beyond the proximal wrist crease of said individual and to circumscribe the open hand of said individual;

10 an aperture in said material for receiving a thumb of said individual;

a pocket affixed to said palmer side of said body;

a mass of shock-absorbing resilient material retained in said pocket; and

15 securing means to reversibly secure said brace on said individual when in operable use by said individual.

2. A brace as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said pocket is of dimensions to substantially extend between the base of the 1^st proximal metacarpalphalangeal joint across the palm to the mid-4^th

20 metacarpalphalangeal joint and proximal to said wrist crease of said individual.

2017221896 04 Sep 2017

3. A brace as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein, said pocket is open ended to allow reversible containment of said shock-absorbing resilient material.

4. A brace as defined in Claim 3 wherein, said pocket is open ended at its

5 distal end.

5. A brace as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein, said flexible material and said pocket are manufactured from a synthetic rubber.

6. A brace as defined in Claim 5 wherein, said synthetic rubber is neoprene.

10

7. A brace as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein, said shockabsorbing resilient material is a viscoelastic polymer.

8. A brace as defined in Claim 7 wherein, said viscoelastic polymer is a vulcanised, cross-linked viscoelastic polymer.

9. A brace as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein, said securing

15 means is a hooked and looped-type fastener whereby the complementary components of said fastener are affixed at or near said medial edge and at or near said lateral edge of said body.

10. A brace as defined in Claim 9 wherein, a series of hooked straps of said fastener are fixed to said dorsal side and extend outwards from said

20 medial edge of said body, and a looped strip of said fastener is fixed to said palmar side at or near said lateral edge of said body.

2017221896 04 Sep 2017

11. A method of supporting the wrist, restricting wrist hyperextension, absorbing impact energy and attenuating the impact force when an individual undertakes athletic activities, said method comprising fitting a brace as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 10 to said individual.

5 12. A method as defined in Claim 11 wherein, said athletic activities are