Orthopedic device for stabilizing the thumb

#The invention pertains to an orthopedic device for stabilizing the thumb, i.e. a thumb support. The thumb support is worn by a user to stabilize the thumb for treatment of hand and thumb injuries.

#Thumb injuries may occur in chronic and acute forms from a range of activities. For instance, chronic thumb injuries may result from repetitive work tasks, such as gripping hand tools used in an assembly line operation. Overuse of the thumb, accompanied by the loads and vibrations from the use of the hand tools, can result in persistent thumb pain. Acute injuries can occur in sports activities and can include sprains or fractures resulting from an abrupt impact of the thumb on an object or other person.

#Conventional devices for supporting the thumb typically involve the use of a soft, flexible sleeve material that extends around the wrist and hand and wraps around the thumb. Such flexible sleeve materials often provide insufficient support to promote healing of an acutely injured thumb, or prevent further injury of a chronically injured thumb. Other conventional devices include the use of a rigid stay that is held to the thumb using the flexible material. The rigid stay, however, can be uncomfortable to wear.

#FIG. 1 is a front view of an orthopedic device for stabilizing the thumb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a back view of an orthopedic device for stabilizing the thumb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

#FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of an orthopedic device for stabilizing the thumb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention worn on the right hand of a user.

#Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the orthopedic device for stabilizing the thumb, i.e. thumb support, 1 comprises a first sheet 2 and a second sheet 3 of material preferably having elasticity and breathability. These sheets can be made from any textile or other material suitable for use in orthopedic supports, for example neoprene. Preferably, however, the first sheet 2 and second sheet 3 are made from open cell urethane foam, which has better breathability than other materials, including neoprene. S-1203 hypercell open cell urethane foam available from Rubberlite, Huntington, W. Va., USA may be used in the invention. The first sheet 2 is generally smaller than the second sheet 3, but need not be smaller.

#Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first sheet has an outer surface 22 and an inner surface 23 and a right edge 4, left edge 5, distal edge 6 and lateral edge 7. The second sheet 3 has an outer surface 24 and an inner surface 25 and a right edge 8, left edge 9, distal edge 10 and lateral edge 11. The right edges (4, 8) of the first sheet 2 and second sheet 3 are curvilinear having an arch or kink 12 at about the midpoint of the edges such that the right edges (4, 8) are shaped to substantially conform to the outer contour of the radial of the hand from about the wrist to about metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. The right edges (4, 8) of the first sheet 2 and second sheet 3 are attached together by first attachment means 13, such as Radio Frequency welding (RF Welding), stitching, adhesives, and the like, and combinations thereof, preferably as shown in the figures, stitching.

#The distal edges (6, 10) of the first sheet 2 and second sheet 3 each comprise an extended element (the first extended element designated 14 for the first sheet 2 and the second extended element designated 15 for the second sheet 3) about adjacent to the right edges (4, 8). The distal edges (6, 10) further comprise arcuate sections (the first arcuate section designated 16 for the first sheet 2 and the second arcuate section designated 17 for the second sheet 3). The arcuate sections (16, 17) are concave with respect to the distal edges (6, 10) of the first sheet 2 and second sheet 3 and the arcuate sections conform substantially to the web in the medial of the hand between the thumb and the adjoining digit. The arcuate sections (16, 17) are attached together by second attachment means 18 such as Radio Frequency welding (RF Welding), stitching, adhesives, and the like, and combinations thereof, preferably as shown in the figures, stitching. The distal edges (6, 10) extend substantially along a plane from the right edges (4, 8) to the arcuate sections (16, 17) so as to define a thumb opening 19. The distal edges (6, 10) extend substantially along a plane from the arcuate sections (16, 17) to the lateral edges (7, 11) and the lateral edges (7, 11) so as to define a hand opening 20 such that the thumb support is substantially an open sleeve that can be worn on and releaseably secured to either the right hand or left hand of a user.