Finger brace

Abstract

A finger brace comprising a first band 1 and a second band 2, the first band being connected to the second band by a compliant strip 3, wherein the strip comprises a bend when in a relaxed state. When

Description

This invention relates to a brace for finger injury prevention. Finger injuries are a common problem in a wide variety of sports. Judo, Brazilian-jiu-jitsu, rock-climbing, volleyball, basketball, netball, goalkeeping, and rugby are all examples of sporting activities where finger injuries are prevalent. Currently, the use of adhesive tape is the most common method for finger injurie prevention, through aiding in finger ligament support and limiting finger range of motion. Finger taping, however, has several drawbacks. The application of finger tape is a timely process, where great care must be taken to ensure adequate support is given to the finger, without inhibiting blood circulation. The removal process can also be timely, and once used, it cannot be reapplied. Finger tape often loosens and unravels during use, this is exacerbated by perspiration, and is a result of the use of adhesives. These adhesives often result in hair being pulled out upon tape removal and leave behind a residue. They also come with the risk of causing allergic reactions and rashes. Lastly, the use of conventional finger tape brings hygiene drawbacks. Due to being comprised of fabric, they are prone to accumulate dirt and bacteria. This then cannot be washed off without compromising tape adhesion. Rajagopal (EP3813741A1) previously proposed a finger brace, with the purpose of supporting the fingers during rock-climbing activities. This invention is comprised of a proximal and distal band that support the user's finger, with two rigid coupling support members on either side of the finger. The use of rigid support members for this invention makes it unsuitable for use in contact sports due to having the potential to cause injury. Both coil-spring and pressurised piston designs are suggested for the coupling members. The complexity of these mechanisms increases the likelihood of damage during use and may also require regular maintenance, such as lubrication and re-pressurisation. The design and location of the coupling support members significantly increases the profile of the user's finger, this has negative consequences in contact sports where snagging would be possible, and in rock-climbing, where the user often must contort their fingers into confined spaces. The protruding support members would also reduce the ability of the user to wear additional sporting equipment, such as goalkeeping gloves. Previously Zhang et al (CN111228026A) proposed a fixation brace for finger flexor tendon injuries. The invention consists of two fixing units, to be worn around the user's finger, connected by one or more rotation limiting mechanisms. The connecting mechanisms are comprised of an upper and lower rod with a central limit block. This design would also be unsuitable for use during contact sports due to the presence of rigid connecting plates, which could cause injury on impact with the user, or other sporting participants. The rotation limit structures are intricate, complex mechanisms. This complexity increases likelihood of damage during use. The invention proposes the use of two rotation limiting structures worn symmetrically, either side of the finger. These protruding structures would be a possible cause of snagging during sporting activities and significantly increase finger profile. An invention proposed by Hegland (US2012289877A1) offers a solution to finger phalangeal deformities. The invention functions by applying a constant extending force to the finger. This constant extending force would have a negative impact for use in sport, due to increasing the effort required to grip objects. The invention proposed by Thompson et al (US9849001B2) consists of a bio-mechanical finger brace. This design consists of complex mechanisms, comprised of various rigid moving components. The rigid nature of the design makes it unsuitable for contact sports due to being a possible cause of injury. Furthermore, the presence of various moving hinges increases likelihood of mechanical failure and increases maintenance requirements. The bulky nature of this design would increase the likelihood of snagging, on items such as clothing, during use and increases the difficulty for the user to carry out fine hand movements, such as those necessary in rock climbing. To overcome the problem of finger injuries in sports, the present invention proposes a finger brace that allows the user to protect one or more fingers from injury, while performing sporting activities. The brace provides compression and support to the A2, A3, and A4 finger pulleys (ligaments), aiding in the prevention of pulley injuries, while also aiding in preventing finger over extension. The brace is comprised of an elastic material and has no moving parts, making it durable and have no maintenance requirements. The invention is waterproof, not negatively affected by perspiration, and can be washed with soap. The design does not contain any rigid components, making it safe for use during contact sports. The brace is reusable and can quickly be applied or removed from the user's finger. The brace has a low-profile design, with no protruding components, allowing it to be used without snagging on objects such as clothing. The design does not negatively affect finger dexterity and allows the brace to be worn underneath other sporting equipment, such as goalkeeping gloves. The finger brace consists of two bands, connected by an arched strip that acts as a compliant mechanism and living hinge. These components are comprised of an elastic material, preferably TPU. The two bands are fitted around the user's finger, the first around the proximal phalanx and the second around the middle phalanx, giving compressional support to the A2 and A4 pulleys, respectively. The hinge is located on the underside of the user's finger and positions the two bands with respect to one and other, while also applying compressional support to the A3 pulley. The hinge geometry has a central bend, this biases the user's finger to form a slight bend when relaxed. As the finger straightens, the hinge design stretches, producing a load to return the finger to the slightly bent position. In the case of unintended finger over extension, this design reduces loading on the proximal interphalangeal joint, reducing likelihood of injury. When the user's finger bends, the hinge geometry allows it to fold in on itself, towards the underside of the user's finger, applying compressional support to the A3 pulley. In the preferred embodiment, the proximal phalanx band should have a larger diameter than that of the middle phalanx band, as being the case with finger anatomy. The width of the proximal phalanx band should also be larger than that of the middle phalanx band, again reflecting the finger anatomy. The material thickness of the hinge should be less than that of the two bands, allowing for the appropriate combination of support and flexibility. The invention can be manufactured to fit various finger sizes, maintaining the prior mentioned approximate ratios. Preferably, the elastic material comprising the finger brace has suitable material properties to allow it to be softened in hot water, such as TPU. This then allows it to be moulded to the user's finger, achieving a custom moulded fit. In the preferred embodiment, the brace bands have a perforated design. The perforation grants a greater degree of breathability and hence comfort for the user, while also increasing band flexibility. The invention will now be described by way of example and reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the right side view of the finger brace. Figure 2 shows a top view of the finger brace. Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the finger brace. Figure 4 shows a top right view of the finger brace. Figure 5 shows a right side view of the finger brace fitted on a user's finger. Figure 6 shows the right side view of the perforated finger brace embodiment. Figure 7 shows a top view of the perforated finger brace embodiment. Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the perforated finger brace embodiment. Figure 9 shows a top right view of the perforated finger brace embodiment. Figure 10 shows a right side view of the perforated finger brace embodiment fitted on a user's finger. In Figure 1, the right side view of the brace shows proximal phalanx band 1, connected to the middle phalanx band 2, via the compliant hinge 3. The proximal phalanx band 1 width typically ranges from 4 mm to 15 mm depending on the user and their target finger, this range could be broader in some cases. The diameter of this band typically ranges from 10 mm to 25 mm. The band wall thickness in this embodiment is 1.5 mm, this can be increased or decreased depending on support requirements. The compliant hinge 3, has a length of approximately 1.5 times the width of the proximal phalanx band 1, with a central 30 Degree bend. The wall thickness of the compliant hinge 3 is approximately two thirds that of the bands 1 and 2, granting a greater amount of flexibility. The middle phalanx band 2, has a diameter approximately 2 mm less than that of the proximal phalanx band 1 and a width approximately two thirds of the proximal phalanx band. The values given could be altered to tailor brace performance. As shown in Figure 2, the compliant hinge 3 has a width that makes up approximately 5 percent of the circumference of the proximal phalanx band 1. Figure 6 shows the perforated embodiment of the finger brace. The prior mentioned dimension ratios are maintained in this embodiment, however, the proximal band 4 and middle band 5 have a meshed design for improved breathability and flexibility. Various other perforation designs could be used, such as circular or hexagonal holes. In Figure 5 the invention is fitted to a user's finger. Here, it is shown how the proximal phalanx band 1 is positioned on the user's proximal phalanx 6, the compliant hinge 3 is positioned on the underside of the proximal interphalangeal joint 7, and the middle phalanx band 2 is positioned on the middle phalanx 8. In Figure 10 the perforated embodiment of the invention is shown fitted to a user's finger.

Claims

1. A finger brace comprising a first band and a second band connected by a compliant strip, the first band, second band, and compliant strip being integrally formed as a unitary body of elastic material, the compliant strip extending along an underside of the finger in use between the first and second bands and having a curved shape in a relaxed, unloaded state that biases the finger towards flexion and resists hyperextension, the brace comprising no rigid components.

2. The finger brace of claim 1, wherein, in use, the first band provides compressive support to an A2 pulley, the compliant strip provides compressive support to an A3 pulley, and the second band provides compressive support to an A4 pulley.

3. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein, in the relaxed, unloaded state, the compliant strip is pre-bent towards the palmar side of the finger.

4. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the relaxed bend angle of the compliant strip is 20-5. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the brace comprises no metal inserts, reinforcements, or wires.

6. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the compliant strip has a thickness that is 50-80% of an average thickness of the bands, in the relaxed, unloaded state.

7. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein a width of the second band is 50-80% of a width of the first band, in the relaxed, unloaded state.

8. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein an inner diameter of the second band is 1-3 mm less than an inner diameter of the first band, in the relaxed, unloaded state.

9. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein a width of the compliant strip is 3-8% of the circumference of the first band, in the relaxed, unloaded state.

10. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the elastic material comprises a polymeric elastomer.

11. The finger brace of claim 10, wherein the polymeric elastomer comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

12. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the unitary body is formed by injection moulding or additive manufacturing (3D printing).S3 60 8013. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the compliant strip comprises a reduced-thickness region that functions as a living hinge between the bands.

14. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the brace presents a low external profile configured to reduce snagging during use.

15. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the brace is configured for use during high-impact or contact sports.

16. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the bands comprises a perforated or meshed structure to increase breathability and flexibility.

17. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the elastic material softens when heated to permit custom moulding of the bands and / or compliant strip to the user's finger.

18. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the compliant strip is confined to the palmar side of the finger between the bands and is absent from the dorsal side.

19. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second bands is a closed annular band defining a continuous inner opening.

20. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the brace comprises no straps, buckles, or fasteners for securing the bands to the finger.

21. The finger brace of any preceding claim, wherein the brace includes no separate fulcrum element or hinge distinct from the compliant strip.

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