GB2489736A

GB2489736A - An extensor muscle strengthening device

Info

Publication number: GB2489736A
Application number: GB1105915.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gideon Sta Wan Kukard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-07
Filing date: 2011-04-07
Publication date: 2012-10-10
Also published as: GB201105915D0

Abstract

The prosthesis can prevent the damage caused by repetitive actions that leads to injuries like repetitive strain, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome by actively reversing the muscles used for specific actions of the limb(s), such as clicking a mouse or bending a wrist. The prosthesis does this by providing elastic material(s), mechanical or electrical means which bias the joint into a flexed position when relaxed, and provides resistance extensor muscle action. The device may be used on the hand, wrist and/or elbow. The elastic 1 (shown in tension) may extend over the palm and is attached to the fingers by loops 3, and at the wrist by loop 2. Actions such as clicking a computer mouse button is done by releasing the muscles on top of the hand and forearm rather than contracting the muscles at the bottom of the hand and forearm, therefore exercising underdeveloped muscles whilst resting the overdeveloped ones. This invention can also work while the same repetitive action is undertaken.

Description

The hand and wrist nhysiotherapy Drostht

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

What is RSI? RSI (repetitive strain injury), arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome is a term used to describe Injuries cause in muscle, joints and nerves.

This overuse of certain muscles cause an Imbalance In the limb, that tends to make certain muscles overdeveloped. e.g. When dosing a hand, the contraction movement causes the bottom muscles to overdeveloped, while the top muscles in the hand become underdeveloped because they are hardly used. This can cause disfigurement of the limb over time and inflammation in the joints.

DESCRIpTION OF PRIOR ART

There are many inventions that claim to treat and even prevent these problems but they either only offer temporary comfort or do very general stretches or exercises, none of which are aimed at exercising the reverse muscles of the limb.

These Inventions include therapeutic prosthesis such as gloves that use thermal emitting fabrics, some are gel padded and are heated or cooled to warm the joints up or alleviate swelling in the fingers or wrists. Ultrasound and massage devises which only temporarily relieves pain. Magnetic therapy which would hardly treat or prevent the problem. Pliriths and prosthesis that allow very little or no movement at all in the affected part of the joints and limbs. None actually treat or correct the problem; they just provide comfort and temporary relief.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Our physiotherapy prosthesis, does not work on the same methods as other therapeutic inventions, the physIotherapy prosthesIs does not offer temporary relief to the pain, but instead, it works on strengthening the muscles by exercising them while you are working and as a result relieves the pain.

It Is well know that general exercising can prevent and to some extent treat the problem.

This invention is different, and unlike the other inventions on the market, it actively prevents and treats RSI (repetitive strain injury), arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome by exercising the muscles on the reverse side of the fingers, hand and forearm. In the hand prosthesis for example, Instead of contracting the muscles, at the bottom of the fingers to do any action (like clicking a computer mouse); the action is done by releasing the muscles at the top of the fingers instead.

To open your hand, the muscles on top of your hand and forearm needs to be contracted, they have to be kept contracted to keep the hand open. This reverses the muscles used for normal tasks involving the hands and wrist. E.g. to dick a computer mouse: Normally you would have to contract the muscles at the bottom of the hand and forearm to click a computer mouse.

By wearing the prosthesis, this action now requires the top muscles on your hands and forearm to be contracted and kept contracted till you want to click on the computer mouse. When you want to click, you need to relax the muscles on top instead of contracting the muscles at the bottom of the hand.

This reverse use of muscles for the same action causes the reverse effect when doing the same action while wearing the prosthesis, Giving the bottom muscles a rest and lengthening them, while the top ones are exercised and shortened, this restores the natural balance in the hand.

This very specific exercising of the opposite muscles, when doing a repetitive action using prosthesis overtime will straighten the hand. The resistance applied by the prosthesis can be via an elastic material, mechanical or electrical means.

BRIEF DESCRIPflON OF THE DRAWING FJaJ. shows the right hand prosthesis with the palm of the hand in the open position with the elastic material under tension, connected to the wrist support FiQI shows the elastic material cut to a different shape Flu 3 shows the wrist prosthesis the palm of the right hand In the open position figjshows the back of the left hand of fig 3 Fiu±Qshows side profile of fig 3 & 4 of the wrist prosthesis FICB6 shows the right hand prosthesis with the palm of the hand in the open position as in fig 1, the elastic material under tension with adjustable straps.

FIG 7 shows the left hand in the relaxed position, with the elastic material not under tension FIG 8 shows side profile of fIg 3 & 4 of the wrist prosthesis and a variation of fig 5 FIQjshows the left hand in relaxed position with the elastic material not under tension threaded through optional wrist support/s.

DESCRZPUON

The prosthesis can be In any shape and made from any material and connected to the body by any means. The actions can be reversed by using elastic, hydraulic, electrical or motorised means.

These prosthesis's can be in combined forms, say a hand and wrist version and even a hand, wrist and elbow version. This invention is made form any elastic material fitted or fitting around the hand, wrist or elbow and can be covered or built into or over a glove or covered in any way to hide the elastic material skeleton. The wrist support and forearm support can be made from an elastic material or a rigid material that can be attached and detached from the arm by any means. e.g.: Velcro; zip, buttons or simply pulled over the arm, like a bracelet Fig I shows the hand prosthesis with the palm of the right hand in the open position, with the elastic material (1) under tension, connected to the wrist support (2) and optional finger support/s to keep elastic material in position on fingers (3).

The elastic materials (1) can be terminated on the finger tips by using a finger noose, hood/dome shape made from any material.

FIg 2 shows the hand prosthesis with the palm of the right hand. The elastic material (5) cut out of one piece of elastic material into a different shape, terminating on the finger tips and connected at the other side to the wrist support (6), but using the same method as In fig 1.The finger supports (4) are again optional.

Fig 3 shows the wrist prosthesis facing outwards with the right hand In the open position. The elastic material (7) is cut out of one piece of elastic material, but can also be In individual strands similar to fig 1.

The elastic material Is connected to the forearm support (9).There Is a rigid piece (10) connecting the forearm support (9) to the wrist support (8).

Fig 4 shows the back side of the left hand and wrist of fig 3.

Fig 5 shows the side profile of fig 3 and 4, with the left hand In a relaxed position. Elastic material (11) that expands from the base of the fingers to the forearm support (12). which is connected with a rigid or semi rigid (14) connection to the wrist support (13).

Fig 6 shows Ihe right hand prosthesis with the palm of the hand in the open position as in fig 1, the elastic material under tension with adjustable straps (26).The tension of the straps can be individually adjustable, or group together and adjusted.

FIg 7 shows an all in one combination of the wrist and hand prosthesis without the optional wrist supports (see fig8 and fig9), altemative configuration of figure 9. Optional texturlzed gel pads (25) for grip and comfort.

FIg 8 shows a variation of figs where there is a wrist rest (15) built into the prosthesis on which the wrist can be rested if the forearm is resting on a surface. On the wrist support (16), them can be bridge type fittIng (15) at the bottom of the forearm, that acts like a rest for the wrist, which could be of any shape and material and could stretch some or all the way down to the forearm support or around the wrist or forearm. The elastic material (17) can be configured to go through a hole /space between the wrist rest (15) and the wrist support (16). In this picture, the elastic material (17) runs through a cavity on the wrist support (15).

FIg 9 shows an all in one combination of the wrist and hand prosthesis, shown on the left hand.

The elastic material connected from the forearm support to the finger tips, terminating with the finger hoods (24). In this drawing, the elastic material is cut from one large sheet of material. It could also be made up of individual strands. (23) Shows optional wrists support's, could be individual or joined and could be covered with a shock absorbing material like a gel. Finger hoods (24) where elastic material can be connected into or onto. These finger hoods (24) can be made of any material; texturlzed and or Incorporated gel pads for grip or comfort

Claims

Claims: 1-The prosthesis can be covered with any material to create an aesthetic look and feel.

2-The prosthesis can built over any material to create an aesthetic look and feel.

3-The prosthesis exercises the muscles on the top of the hand, fingers and forearm.

4-The prosthesis lengthen the shortened muscles on the bottom of the fingers, hand and forearm by shortening the muscles on the opposite side.

5-These exercises caused by wearing the prosthesis correct the medical problems like carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury and arthritis.

6-This prosthesis can replace the need for physio therapy.

7-Wearing the prosthesis reverses the normal muscles used for any actions for the limb that designed for and worn on hand/s, wrist's.

8-The hand prosthesis keeps the hand closed I half closed when the hand is relaxed 9-In the hand prosthesis, you have to contract the muscles on top of the hand forearm to open the hand, against the resistance.10-In the hand prosthesis you have to relax the muscles on the top of the hand and forearm to close or partially close the hand.11-When wearing the hand prostheses the muscles on the bottom of the hand and forearm get used very little or not at all..12-The wrist prosthesis keeps the wrist bent down when the wrist is relaxed.13-In the wrist prosthesis, you have to contract the muscles on top of the hand forearm to straighten the wrist, against the resistance.14-In the wrist prosthesis, you have to relax the muscles on the top of the hand and forearm to bend the wrist down.15-When wearing the wrist prosthesis, the muscles on the bottom of the hand and forearm get used very little.16-The prosthesis or any part thereof can be made from plastic, metal, fabric/s elastic material, or a combination thereof.17-The prosthesis can be made from one piece of elastic material that is cut to shape.18-The resistance the prosthesis generates can vary in different models from light to strong.19-The resistance generated by the prosthesis can vary in different fingers and limbs within the same prosthesis.20-The resistance the prosthesis generates can be as a result of using an elastic material.21-The resistance the prosthesis generates can be as a result any mechanical, hydraulic, electrical means.22-The prosthesis can be worn and designed to be worn on the finger, hand and wrist only or any combination of prosthesis joined into a single one.23-The prosthesis can be worn as an all in one hand and forearm prosthesis 24-The prosthesis can be worn on and designed to be worn on the forearm.25-The prosthesis can be strapped on to the fingers, hand or wrist or a combination thereof.26-The prosthesis can be pulled over the fingers, hand or wrist like a bangle or glove.27-The prosthesis can be tight or loose fitting over the fingers, hand or wrist.28-The elastic material piece/s or strap/s can be made to have adjustable tensions which can be indidually or adjust in groups.29-The elastic material piece/s or strap/s can be made to have adjustable lengths.30-The resistance applied by a prosthesis can be adjustable by any means 31 -Actively prevents and treats repetitive strain injury.32-Actively prevents and treats carpal tunnel syndrome.33-Actively prevents and treats arthritis.34-Prosthesis can be built into a glove form.