WO1994020049A1 - Dynamic traction splint - Google Patents
Dynamic traction splint Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1994020049A1 WO1994020049A1 PCT/AU1994/000105 AU9400105W WO9420049A1 WO 1994020049 A1 WO1994020049 A1 WO 1994020049A1 AU 9400105 W AU9400105 W AU 9400105W WO 9420049 A1 WO9420049 A1 WO 9420049A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- phalanx
- digit
- gripping means
- magnets
- interphalangeal joint
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
- A61F5/10—Devices for correcting deformities of the fingers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
- A61F5/04—Devices for stretching or reducing fractured limbs; Devices for distractions; Splints
Definitions
- This invention is a splint for treatment of osteoarthritis of the finger. When used it reduces the pressure within the joint and alleviates pain. It may also reverse the progress of the disease by correcting joint contractures and allowing new articular cartilage to form.
- osteoarthritis The conventional explanation for osteoarthritis is the presence of an inferior quality articular cartilage which wears faster than normal cartilage.
- the range of joint movement may be reduced leading to fixed flexion deformity and bony outgrowths may occur (Hebeden's nodes) leading to cosmetic deformity.
- the inventor is a plastic surgeon and he has an alternate view of the cause of osteoarthritis. Fibrous tissue contractures are commonly seen by plastic surgeons who are also aware that the elastic tissue component of fibrous tissue decreases with ageing. It is conceivable that osteoarthritis is also caused by increased stress on normal cartilage due to contracture and/or reduced elastic complience of the collateral ligamaents. Increased joint pressure could damage the cartilage and cause wear.
- Stretching the collateral ligaments should relieve the stress on the cartilage and reduce joint pressure. This should reduce arthritic pain and further joint damage. Joint range may increase thereby reducing the extent of any fixed flexion deformities. Further stretching of the collateral ligaments would cause joint distraction and create a space at the joint surfaces. New cartilage might form to partially replace eroded cartilage if the joint is actively flexed and extended during traction since it is known that chronic movement at a fracture site can lead to non-union and pseudarthrosis formation.
- Stretching a ligament is not easily accomplished because pulling on a ligament may not necessarily stretch it. For instance, when a muscle pulls on a tendon during exercise the intermittent pulls may strengthen the tendon. Since tendons and ligaments have a similar structure, pulling intermittently on a finger may strengthen the ligaments of the interphalangeal joints rather than stretch them. By contrast, prolonged gentle traction, strong enough to stretch a ligament, would be more likely to stretch the ligaments and be less likely to strengthen them.
- Design principles took into account the necessity for freedom of joint movement, avoidence of a torniquet effect which could interfere with blood circulation to the finger if the splint is to remain in place over night, the necessity for the applied force to act on the skeleton rather than just on the skin and maintenance of the stretching force in line with the collateral ligament whether the joint is extended or flexed .
- the device consists of two separate bands, one for attaching to the finger segment (1) distal to the joint being treated and the other for attaching to the segment (2) proximal to the joint.
- the band should not obstruct apposition of the skin on the volar aspect (3) of the interphalangeal joints. Therefore, the band should be open on the volar side (4) or any part of the band which bears on the volar side of the finger should be narrow and bear on the middle of the finger segment only.
- the band would be hazardous if it could be applied with undue pressure on the veins of the digit which lie on the dorsum of the digit.
- the veins are low pressure vessels and very little pressure is required to obstruct them. When veins are obstructed blood may continue to flow into the digit via the arteries and swelling occurs. This results in increasing pressure within the digit until the pressure equals the arterial pressure where upon circulation ceases and tissue damage may occur.
- a flexible band (1,2) which is open on the volar side (4) and which has thicker padding (15) for the sides of the digit and thinner padding (8) for the dorsum of the digit roughly conforms an to elliptical shape when fitted to the finger with strapping (5,6).
- the long axis of the ellipse (7) is transverse so the radius of curvature is smallest on the sides of the finger. Therefore, according to Laplace, the tissue pressure exerted by the band and strapping is higher on the sides than on the dorsal and volar parts of the finger.
- the objective of the device is to produce tension in the collateral ligaments (9) and so the applied traction must act upon the skeleton (10, 11). Traction applied directly to the skin may be partly dissipated within the skin.
- This splint is designed to apply traction to the distal phalanx via the nail (12) which is firmly adherent to the bone and to apply traction to the middle or proximal phalanges by virtue of the waisted lateral profile of these bones, applying pressure where the bone width is increasing (13).
- the nail (12) is hard and spreads the skin and soft tissue of the finger forming lateral nail folds.
- the folds are relatively small so the band effectively grips the nail on its sides via the lateral skin folds.
- the width (14) of the band for the middle or proximal segment should be less than the length of the phalanx.
- the consistency of the band (1 , 2) should be flexible but non- distensible and the consistency of any padding (15) lining the band should be such that it resists undue compression at this pressure point.
- Felt, polyurethane foam or sponge rubber are suitable padding materials.
- the ligament-stretching force must act regardless of the degree of joint flexion because different portions of the ligament will be stretched at different degrees of joint flexion. This will be so if the force pivotally acts upon the band corresponding to the proximal attachment (16) of the collateral ligament (9).
- the surface marking of the centre of the proximal attachment of a collateral ligament, that is, the axis of rotation (16) of the joint, is the dorsal extremity of the intersegmental volar skin crease (17) on the side of the finger.
- Springs or pairs of magnets (18) arranged to repel have been used to produce the ligament-stretching force in prototypes. It is conceivable that cams, pneumatic means and hydraulic means could also be used. Springs have been V-shaped, forcing open after activating by closing the V. Other spring configurations could be used. Magnets are preferred because the bands can then be totally separate allowing the greatest freedom of joint movement.
- Magnetic rods (18) made from Neodymium-iron-boron with poles at the ends have been used in prototypes. Curved on the flat rectangular plates with poles at the ends are proposed for this device but have not yet been made.
- the magnets (18) are attached to or embedded in the band (1,2) or padding (15). The magnets are placed such that the proximal repelling magnetic pole will be on the axis of rotation (16) of the joint (17).
- the magnetic repulsion force can produce rotational instability of the bands when applied to a finger.
- This is represented schematically in Figure 7 wherein 19 is the distal band, 20 is the proximal band, 21 is the usable magnetic force for traction and 22 is an example of the magnetic force causing relative rotation of the bands.
- Rotational stability is produced if the magnetic axes of the magnets on one band are "inside" the magnetic axes of the magnets on the other band.
- This is represented schematically in Figure 8 wherein 23 is the stabilising magnetic force. Any rotation of one band away from correct alignment moves one of the magnets closer to its opposing magnet and increases the force of repulsion which corrects the misalignment.
- Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention in which the bands (1, 2) are made from Velcro loop material and the reusable releasable straps (5,6) are made from Velcro hook material.
- the padding (15) is made from foamed polyurethane or similar mouldable material, moulded so that the padding for the sides of the digit will be relatively thick and the padding for the dorsum of the finger will be relatively thin.
- Six neodymium-iron-boron rod magnets (18) magnetised in the long axis are embedded in the padding (15), three for each side of the digit. One magnet is embedd on each side of the padding for the distal of the two digital segments and two magnets are embedded in the padding for the proximal of the two digital segments.
- the magnets are arranged so that their like poles repel.
- the paired magnets in side of the proximal padding are arranged in parallel with a gap sufficient for the single magnet to be always repelled and tend to remain between the axes of the two magnets. If the magnets are two widely placed the single magnet may not be repelled when it is close to the two magnets. If the magnets are too close together they produce a magnetic field as if they were a single magnet and lateral stability is lost, the single magnet tending to move away from the magnetic axis of the two magnets.
- Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the proximal band and padding of the preferred embdiment of the invention.
- the strap (6) is smoothed where it comes in contact with the volar skin with a layer of embedded silicone elastomer (24).
- Figure 1 Oblique view of dynamic traction splint on a finger.
- Figure 2 Side view of dynamic traction splint on a finger.
- Figure 3 Dorsal view of dynamic traction splint on a finger.
- Figure 4 Cross-section of the splint.
- Figure 5 Lateral view of two phalanges.
- Figure 6 Horizontal section of dynamic traction splint on a finger.
- Figure 7 Schematic representation of dynamic traction splint with coaxially arranged magnets.
- Figure 8 Schematic representation of dynamic traction splint with proximal magnets arranged with magnetic axes "inside” the magnetic axes of the distal magnets.
- Figure 9 Schematic representation of dynamic traction splint with the magnetic axis of each single distal magnet between the magnetic axes of the corresponding paired proximal magnets.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Nursing (AREA)
- Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
A therapeutic dynamic traction splint for treatment of osteoarthritis of interphalangeal joints of a digit comprises two phalanx-gripping means (1, 2) which are biased apart by means of magnetic repulsion (18) or spring tension. The phalanx-gripping means (1, 2) provides sufficient traction to stretch collateral ligaments in the full joint range of movement by aligning magnet poles or spring pivots to the axis of joint movement. When magnets are used they are arranged to produce rotational stability of the splint. The splint delivers traction force to the phalanx and avoids a torniquet effect by applying pressure to the sides of the digit (15). The bands are cut away on the volar aspect of the digit to allow full and free joint movement during treatment.
Description
Dynamic traction splint
This invention is a splint for treatment of osteoarthritis of the finger. When used it reduces the pressure within the joint and alleviates pain. It may also reverse the progress of the disease by correcting joint contractures and allowing new articular cartilage to form.
The conventional explanation for osteoarthritis is the presence of an inferior quality articular cartilage which wears faster than normal cartilage. The range of joint movement may be reduced leading to fixed flexion deformity and bony outgrowths may occur (Hebeden's nodes) leading to cosmetic deformity.
The inventor is a plastic surgeon and he has an alternate view of the cause of osteoarthritis. Fibrous tissue contractures are commonly seen by plastic surgeons who are also aware that the elastic tissue component of fibrous tissue decreases with ageing. It is conceivable that osteoarthritis is also caused by increased stress on normal cartilage due to contracture and/or reduced elastic complience of the collateral ligamaents. Increased joint pressure could damage the cartilage and cause wear.
Stretching the collateral ligaments should relieve the stress on the cartilage and reduce joint pressure. This should reduce arthritic pain and further joint damage. Joint range may increase thereby reducing the extent of any fixed flexion deformities. Further stretching of the collateral ligaments would cause joint distraction and create a space at the joint surfaces. New cartilage might form to partially replace eroded cartilage if the joint is actively flexed and extended during traction since it is known that chronic movement at a fracture site can lead to non-union and pseudarthrosis formation.
Stretching a ligament is not easily accomplished because pulling on a ligament may not necessarily stretch it. For instance, when a muscle pulls on a tendon during exercise the intermittent pulls may strengthen the tendon. Since tendons and ligaments have a similar structure, pulling intermittently on a finger may strengthen the ligaments of the interphalangeal joints rather than stretch them. By contrast, prolonged gentle traction, strong enough to stretch a ligament, would be more likely to stretch the ligaments and be less likely to strengthen them.
To review the prior art a search of medical literature was made and rheumatologists were consulted. No reference was found citing ligament contracture or reduced elastic complience of ligaments as a cause of osteoarthritis in fingers or toes. No therapy directed towards stretching collateral ligaments in fingers or toes was discovered so it is highly unlikely that prior art devices for such therapy exist. The device of Donohue, US, A, 5020524 4 June 1991 (04.06.91), is not satisfactory because it does not allow free joint movement, it is unsafe for prolonged application due to the risk of a torniquet effect from the digit-encircling bandages and if fixed to the skin with adhesive it may merely stretch the skin and not the collateral ligaments.
Design principles took into account the necessity for freedom of joint movement, avoidence of a torniquet effect which could interfere with blood circulation to the finger if the splint is to remain in place over night, the necessity for the applied force to act on the skeleton rather than just on the skin and maintenance of the stretching force in line with the collateral ligament whether the joint is extended or flexed .
To allow freedom of joint movement during the ligament stretching process the device consists of two separate bands, one for attaching to the finger segment (1) distal to the joint being treated and the other for attaching to the segment (2) proximal to the joint. To allow full flexion of the finger the band should not obstruct apposition of the skin on the volar aspect (3) of the interphalangeal joints. Therefore, the band should be open on the volar side (4) or any part of the band which bears on the volar side of the finger should be narrow and bear on the middle of the finger segment only.
The band would be hazardous if it could be applied with undue pressure on the veins of the digit which lie on the dorsum of the digit. The veins are low pressure vessels and very little pressure is required to obstruct them. When veins are obstructed blood may continue to flow into the digit via the arteries and swelling occurs. This results in increasing pressure within the digit until the pressure equals the arterial pressure where upon circulation ceases and tissue damage may occur.
Finger vascularity will be safer if the band exerts pressure from side to side rather than circumferentially. A flexible band (1,2) which is open on the volar side (4) and which has thicker padding (15) for the sides of the digit and thinner padding (8) for the dorsum of the digit roughly conforms an to elliptical shape when fitted to the finger with strapping (5,6). The long axis of the ellipse (7) is transverse so the radius of curvature is smallest on the sides of the finger. Therefore, according to Laplace, the tissue pressure exerted by the band and strapping is higher on the sides than on the dorsal and volar parts of the finger.
The objective of the device is to produce tension in the collateral ligaments (9) and so the applied traction must act upon the skeleton (10, 11). Traction applied directly to the skin may be partly dissipated within the skin. This splint is designed to apply traction to the distal phalanx via the nail (12) which is firmly adherent to the bone and to apply traction to the middle or proximal phalanges by virtue of the waisted lateral profile of these bones, applying pressure where the bone width is increasing (13).
The nail (12) is hard and spreads the skin and soft tissue of the finger forming lateral nail folds. The folds are relatively small so the band effectively grips the nail on its sides via the lateral skin folds.
The width (14) of the band for the middle or proximal segment should be less than the length of the phalanx. Thus when the band is applied to the finger the edge of the band away from the joint being treated pushes against the junction between shaft and base of the phalanx (13). The consistency of the band (1 , 2) should be flexible but non- distensible and the consistency of any padding (15) lining the band should be such that it resists undue compression at this pressure point. Felt, polyurethane foam or sponge rubber are suitable padding materials.
The ligament-stretching force must act regardless of the degree of joint flexion because different portions of the ligament will be stretched at different degrees of joint flexion. This will be so if the force pivotally acts upon the band corresponding to the proximal attachment (16) of the collateral ligament (9). The surface marking of the centre of the proximal attachment of a collateral ligament, that is, the axis of rotation (16) of the joint, is the dorsal extremity of the intersegmental volar skin crease (17) on the side of the finger.
Springs or pairs of magnets (18) arranged to repel have been used to produce the ligament-stretching force in prototypes. It is conceivable that cams, pneumatic means and hydraulic means could also be used. Springs have been V-shaped, forcing open after activating by closing the V. Other spring configurations could be used. Magnets are preferred because the bands can then be totally separate allowing the greatest freedom of joint movement.
Magnetic rods (18) made from Neodymium-iron-boron with poles at the ends have been used in prototypes. Curved on the flat rectangular plates with poles at the ends are proposed for this device but have not yet been made. The magnets (18) are attached to or embedded in the band (1,2) or padding (15). The magnets are placed such that the proximal repelling magnetic pole will be on the axis of rotation (16) of the joint (17).
The magnetic repulsion force can produce rotational instability of the bands when applied to a finger. This is represented schematically in Figure 7 wherein 19 is the distal band, 20 is the proximal band, 21 is the usable magnetic force for traction and 22 is an example of the magnetic force causing relative rotation of the bands. Rotational stability is produced if the magnetic axes of the magnets on one band are "inside" the magnetic axes of the magnets on the other band. This is represented schematically in Figure 8 wherein 23 is the stabilising magnetic force. Any rotation of one band away from correct alignment moves one of the magnets closer to its opposing magnet and increases the force of repulsion which corrects the misalignment. Improved rotational stability is produced if six magnets are used, three on each side of the digit. This is represented schematically in Figure 9. One magnet is then acting against the like poles of two magnets which are arranged parallel with a space between. The single magnet maintains its position with its magnetic axis between the magnetic axes of the magnet pair.
THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention in which the bands (1, 2) are made from Velcro loop material and the reusable releasable straps (5,6) are made from Velcro hook material. The padding (15) is made from foamed polyurethane or similar mouldable material, moulded so that the padding for the sides of the digit will be relatively thick and the padding for the dorsum of the finger will be relatively thin. Six neodymium-iron-boron rod magnets (18) magnetised in the long axis are embedded in the padding (15), three for each side of the digit. One magnet is embedd on each side of the padding for the distal of the two digital segments and two magnets are embedded in the padding for the proximal of the two digital segments. The magnets are arranged so that their like poles repel. The paired magnets in side of the proximal padding are arranged in parallel with a gap sufficient for the single magnet to be always repelled and tend to remain between the axes of the two magnets. If the magnets are two widely placed the single magnet may not be repelled when it is close to the two magnets. If the magnets are too close together they produce a magnetic field as if they were a single magnet and lateral stability is lost, the single magnet tending to move away from the magnetic axis of the two magnets.
Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the proximal band and padding of the preferred embdiment of the invention. The strap (6) is smoothed where it comes in contact with the volar skin with a layer of embedded silicone elastomer (24).
FIGURES
Figure 1: Oblique view of dynamic traction splint on a finger.
Figure 2: Side view of dynamic traction splint on a finger.
Figure 3: Dorsal view of dynamic traction splint on a finger.
Figure 4: Cross-section of the splint.
Figure 5: Lateral view of two phalanges.
Figure 6: Horizontal section of dynamic traction splint on a finger.
Figure 7: Schematic representation of dynamic traction splint with coaxially arranged magnets.
Figure 8: Schematic representation of dynamic traction splint with proximal magnets arranged with magnetic axes "inside" the magnetic axes of the distal magnets.
Figure 9: Schematic representation of dynamic traction splint with the magnetic axis of each single distal magnet between the magnetic axes of the corresponding paired proximal magnets.
Claims
I. A dynamic traction splint which can be safely worn overnight to treat an osteoarthritic interphalangeal joint of a digit, comprising:
A. a first phalanx-gripping means for gripping a first phalanx, said first phalanx being immediately proximal to said interphalangeal joint, said first phalanx-gripping means gripping said first phalanx substantially by pressing on the sides of said digit near the junction between the shaft and base of said phalanx thereby avoiding a torniquet effect on blood circulation,
B. a second phalanx-gripping means for gripping a second phalanx, said second phalanx being immediately distal to said interphalangeal joint, said second phalanx-gripping means gripping said second phalanx substantially by pressing on the sides of said digit near the junction between the shaft and base of said phalanx thereby avoiding a torniquet effect on blood circulation and
C. a means for biasing the two said phalanx-gripping means apart thereby imparting a stretching force on the ligaments of said interphalangeal joint.
II. The dynamic traction splint of Claim I wherein said means for biasing the two said phalanx-gripping means apart consists of a plurality of magnets and wherein:
A. said magnets are arranged to produce a magnetic repulsion force and
B. said magnets are attached to, or incorporated in, the two said phalanx- gripping means.
III. The dynamic traction splint of Claim II wherein said plurality of magnets consists of four magnets arranged as two pairs and wherein:
A. one said pair is on each side of said digit and
B. the respective magnets of said first phalanx-gripping means are positioned so their respective repellent magnetic poles are as close as possible to the axis of rotation of said interphalangeal joint thereby causing said magnetic repulsion force to be constant regardless of the degree of flexion of said interphalangeal joint.
IV. The dynamic traction splint of Claim II wherein said plurality of magnets consists of six magnets arranged as two groups of three magnets each and wherein:
A. one said group is on each side of said digit,
B. said group is arranged as a pair of magnets spaced apart repelling one magnet thereby improving rotational stability of the two said phalanx- gripping means around said digit and
C. the magnet, or magnets, of said first phalanx-gripping means are positioned so their respective repellent magnetic poles are collectively as close as possible to the axis of rotation of said interphalangeal joint thereby causing said magnetic repulsion force to be constant regardless of the degree of flexion of said interphalangeal joint.
V. The dynamic traction splint of Claim I wherein said means for biasing the two said phalanx-gripping means apart consists of two compressed springs and wherein:
A. said springs are pivotally and removably attached on each sides of the two said phalanx-gripping means and
B. said spring attachments to said first phalanx-gripping means are as close as possible to the axis of rotation of said interphalangeal joint thereby causing said biasing force to be constant regardless of the degree of flexion of said interphalangeal joint.
VI. The dynamic traction splint of Claim I wherein said phalanx-gripping means partially envelops said digit leaving the volar surface of said digit uncovered thereby allowing full flexion of said interphalangeal joint.
VII. The dynamic traction splint of Claim I wherein said phalanx-gripping means is custom-molded from a thermoplastic splint material and molded directly on said digit.
Vπi. The dynamic traction splint of Claim I wherein said phalanx-gripping means is made from a rigid polymer and wherein
A. said rigid polymer is cut longitudinally into halves for ease of fitting to said digit and
B. said halves are fastened together on said digit.
IX. The dynamic traction splint of Claim I wherein said phalanxτgripping means is made from a springy solid material and wherein:
A. said springy solid material may be opened up for application to said digit.
X. The dynamic traction splint of Claim I wherein said phalanx-gripping means comprises:
A. an outer layer of non-distensible flexible fabric,
B. an inner layer of substantially firm but resilient padding, said padding being thicker at the sides of said digit and thinner over the dorsum of said digit thereby substantially increasing pressure at said sides and lessening pressure on the dorsum of said digit thereby preventing a torniquet effect on blood circulation and
C. a strapping for retaining said phalanx-gripping means on said digit being releasably attached to the sides of said outer layer.
XI. The phalanx-gripping means of Claim X wherein:
A. said outer layer consists of Velcro loop fabric and
B. said strapping consists of Velcro hook fabric.
XII. A dynamic traction splint which can be safely worn overnight to treat an osteoarthritic distal interphalangeal joint of a digit, said digit having an intact nail firmly attached to the distal phalanx of said digit, comprising:
A. a means for gripping the middle phalanx of said digit which grips said middle phalanx by substantially pressing on the sides of the digit near the junction between the shaft and base of said phalanx thereby avoiding a torniquet effect on blood circulation,
B. a means for gripping said nail by substantially pressing onto the external surface of said nail and onto the volar surface of the distal segment of said digit thereby avoiding a torniquet effect on blood circulation and
C. a means for biasing apart the two phalanx gripping means thereby imparting a stretching force on the ligaments of the said interphalangeal joint.
XIII. The dynamic tracion splint of Claim XII wherein said means for biasing the two said phalanx-gripping means apart consists of a plurality of magnets and wherein:
A. said magnets are arranged to produce a magnetic repulsion force and
B. said magnets are attached to, or incorporated in, the two said phalanx- gripping means.
XIV. The dynamic traction splint of Claim XIII wherein said plurality of magnets consists of four magnets arranged as two pairs and wherein:
A. one said pair is on each side of said digit and
B. the respective magnets of said first phalanx-gripping means are positioned so their respective repellent magnetic poles are as close as possible to the axis of rotation of said interphalangeal joint thereby causing said magnetic repulsion force to be constant regardless of the degree of flexion of said interphalangeal joint.
XV. The dynamic traction splint of Claim XIII wherein said plurality of magnets consists of six magnets arranged as two groups of three magnets each and wherein:
A. one said group is on each side of said digit,
B. said group is arranged as a pair of magnets spaced apart repelling one magnet thereby improving rotational stability of the two said phalanx- gripping means around said digit and
C. the magnet, or magnets, of said first phalanx-gripping means are positioned so their respective repellent magnetic poles are collectively as close as possible to the axis of rotation of said interphalangeal joint thereby causing said magnetic repulsion force to be constant regardless of the degree of flexion of said interphalangeal joint.
XVI. The dynamic traction splint of Claim XII wherein said means for biasing the two said phalanx-gripping means apart consists of two compressed springs and wherein:
A. said springs are pivotally and removably attached on each sides of the two said phalanx-gripping means and
B. said spring attachments to said first phalanx-gripping means are as close as possible to the axis of rotation of said interphalangeal joint thereby causing said biasing force to be constant regardless of the degree of flexion of said interphalangeal joint.
XVII. A method for treating osteoarthritis of an interphalangeal joint of a digit comprising the steps of:
A. applying a predetermined traction force to the collateral ligaments of said interphalangeal joint with a dynamic taction splint,
B. applying said traction force for an interval of between five minutes and twelve hours,
C. vigorously flexing and extending said interphalangeal joint for a period of at least five minutes after said interval,
D. removing said dynamic traction splint and
E. repeating said treatment steps on a regular basis until symptoms of joint pain and stiffness are improved.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU62771/94A AU6277194A (en) | 1993-03-08 | 1994-03-08 | Dynamic traction splint |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPL767193 | 1993-03-08 | ||
| AUPL7671 | 1993-03-08 | ||
| AUPL915593 | 1993-06-02 | ||
| AUPL9155 | 1993-06-02 | ||
| AUPM1018 | 1993-09-06 | ||
| AUPM101893 | 1993-09-06 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1994020049A1 true WO1994020049A1 (en) | 1994-09-15 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU1994/000105 WO1994020049A1 (en) | 1993-03-08 | 1994-03-08 | Dynamic traction splint |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO1994020049A1 (en) |
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| CN102908222A (en) * | 2011-08-02 | 2013-02-06 | 上海朗信医学科技有限公司 | Complete set of devices for dynamic hand spasticity orthopedics |
| ITFI20120285A1 (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2014-06-18 | Mp Srl | DYNAMIC ORTHOSIS FOR THE FALLING FOOT |
| CN104758106A (en) * | 2014-01-06 | 2015-07-08 | 何少敦 | Magnetic force type force limiting device and centrum traction bed thereof |
| WO2020005527A1 (en) * | 2018-06-27 | 2020-01-02 | Rajagopal Dhiren | Brace for preventing finger injuries |
| US10820991B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2020-11-03 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial sealing skirt, anchor, and tether and methods of implantation |
| US10820992B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2020-11-03 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial sealing skirt, anchor, and tether and methods of implantation |
| US11103351B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2021-08-31 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial sealing skirt and related method |
| US11123187B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2021-09-21 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial anchors and methods of implantation |
| US11337685B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2022-05-24 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter anchoring assembly for a mitral valve, a mitral valve, and related methods |
| US11877928B2 (en) | 2020-10-01 | 2024-01-23 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter anchor support and methods of implantation |
| US12004952B2 (en) | 2020-01-22 | 2024-06-11 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter anchor support, systems and methods of implantation |
| US12121775B2 (en) | 2018-06-27 | 2024-10-22 | Dhiren Rajagopal | Brace for preventing finger injuries |
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| US4441489A (en) * | 1981-03-10 | 1984-04-10 | National Research Development Corporation | Orthopaedic splints |
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| US7585285B2 (en) | 2004-04-01 | 2009-09-08 | Arnis Pone | Ankle stress relief device |
| WO2008044125A2 (en) * | 2006-10-12 | 2008-04-17 | Santa Monica S.R.L. | Magnetic presser-expander device and treatment method using such device |
| WO2008044125A3 (en) * | 2006-10-12 | 2008-06-19 | Santa Monica S R L | Magnetic presser-expander device and treatment method using such device |
| CN102908222A (en) * | 2011-08-02 | 2013-02-06 | 上海朗信医学科技有限公司 | Complete set of devices for dynamic hand spasticity orthopedics |
| CN102908222B (en) * | 2011-08-02 | 2014-06-18 | 上海朗信医学科技有限公司 | Complete set of devices for dynamic hand spasticity orthopedics |
| ITFI20120285A1 (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2014-06-18 | Mp Srl | DYNAMIC ORTHOSIS FOR THE FALLING FOOT |
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| CN104758106A (en) * | 2014-01-06 | 2015-07-08 | 何少敦 | Magnetic force type force limiting device and centrum traction bed thereof |
| US10820992B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2020-11-03 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial sealing skirt, anchor, and tether and methods of implantation |
| US10820991B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2020-11-03 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial sealing skirt, anchor, and tether and methods of implantation |
| US11103351B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2021-08-31 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial sealing skirt and related method |
| US11123187B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2021-09-21 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial anchors and methods of implantation |
| US11337685B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2022-05-24 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter anchoring assembly for a mitral valve, a mitral valve, and related methods |
| US11911266B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2024-02-27 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Transcatheter atrial sealing skirt, anchor, and tether and methods of implantation |
| US11992402B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2024-05-28 | Opus Medical Therapies, LLC | Methods of implantation for transcatheter atrial sealing skirt, anchor, and tether |
| WO2020005527A1 (en) * | 2018-06-27 | 2020-01-02 | Rajagopal Dhiren | Brace for preventing finger injuries |
| EP3813741A4 (en) * | 2018-06-27 | 2022-03-30 | Rajagopal, Dhiren | Brace for preventing finger injuries |
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