Mobilizing musculoskeletal structures
OwnerJ. W. Barry Bruckmanninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An injured musculoskeletal structure is mobilized relative to a juxtaposing support structure surface to isolate the injured musculoskeletal structure from forces transferred from adjoining musculoskeletal structures in order to alleviate pain, discomfort, inflammation, and further injury associated with such transferred forces.
Claims22
A method for protecting a musculoskeletal injury site involving a digit of a hand without utilizing conventional methods intended to provide protection by immobilizing the digit, comprising:
- i) configuring a rigid or semi-rigid support shell to receive the digit in loose-fitting engagement such that the digit can move relative to the support shell;
- ii) configuring the support shell to extend distally beyond an expected range of movement of a distal end of the digit to limit or reduce potential for direct contact between the distal end of the digit and external objects;
- iii) configuring the support shell to extend proximally beyond a proximal interphalangeal joint of the digit;
- and,
- iv) attaching the support shell to a portion of the hand or arm other than the digit.
A device designed to protect a musculoskeletal injury site involving a digit without implementing conventional practices of immobilizing the digit, the device comprising:
- a rigid or semi-rigid support shell configured to receive the digit in loose-fitting engagement with the support shell such that the digit can move relative to the support shell;
- the support shell configured to extend distally beyond an expected range of movement of a distal end of the digit to limit or reduce potential for direct contact between the distal end of the digit and external objects;
- the support shell configured to extend proximally beyond a proximal interphalangeal joint of the digit;
- and an attachment device configured to secure the support shell to a portion of the wearer's hand or arm other than the digit to prevent or mitigate against the support shell from slipping off the digit, and such that the support shell and the attachment device cooperate to reduce or limit transfer of external forces to the digit when the support shell contacts external objects.
A method for protecting an injury involving a digit of an upper extremity of a person, comprising:
- i) configuring a rigid or semi-rigid support shell to provide a cavity to receive the digit in loose-fitting engagement such that the digit can move freely within the cavity of the support shell;
- ii) configuring the support shell to extend distally beyond an expected range of movement of a distal end of the digit and to extend proximally beyond a proximal interphalangeal joint of the digit;
- and,
- iii) attaching the support shell to a portion of the upper extremity other than the digit.
A device for protecting an injury involving a digit of an upper extremity of a person, comprising:
- a rigid or semi-rigid support shell configured to provide a cavity to receive the digit in loose-fitting engagement such that the digit can move freely within the cavity of the support shell;
- the support shell configured to extend distally beyond an expected range of movement of a distal end of the digit and to extend proximally beyond a proximal interphalangeal joint of the digit;
- and, an attachment device for securing the support shell to a portion of the upper extremity other than the digit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.