Thumb orthosis

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for a thumb capable of fixing a thumb on a good position without restricting unnecessarily a daily life action.SOLUTION: An apparatus for a thumb includes a first fixing part for covering at least a part of a thumb proximal phalanx, a second fixing part for covering at least a part of a thumb metacarpal bone, and a third fixing part for connecting the first fixing part to the second fixing part. The first fixing part, the second fixing part and the third fixing part are fixed by using a thumb MP joint as a flexion position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thumb appliance.

Background Art

[0002] Deforming arthritis of the hand is a disease in which aging and wear of articular cartilage progress due to overuse of the hand and aging, and swelling and pain occur in the joint area. As one of deforming arthritis of the hand, there is thumb carpometacarpal joint disease in which swelling and pain occur in the thumb carpometacarpal joint (the third joint from the fingertip, the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint) at the base of the thumb. Thumb carpometacarpal joint disease is particularly common in middle-aged and elderly women, and it is a disease in which strong pain occurs in the joint due to movements of the thumb such as grasping an object or writing.

[0003] For the treatment and / or prevention of thumb carpometacarpal joint disease, various appliances for restricting the movement of the thumb carpometacarpal joint have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is a thumb cap that wraps the thumb from near its metacarpophalangeal joint to a part beyond the carpometacarpal joint with the tip exposed, and a belt that fixes the thumb cap by looping around the wrist joint. The thumb cap is formed of silicone rubber that encloses a reinforcing cloth in a portion corresponding to the outer side of the thumb. A thumb joint appliance has been proposed, which is characterized in that.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document No. 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, for example, a thumb appliance as proposed in Patent Document 1 tends to cover not only the thumb but also fingers other than the thumb and wrist joints. Therefore, there is a problem that daily life operations are unnecessarily restricted.

[0006] Therefore, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a thumb orthosis that does not unnecessarily restrict daily living activities and can fix the thumb in a good position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a thumb orthosis comprising a first fixation part that covers at least a portion of the proximal phalanx of the thumb, a second fixation part that covers at least a portion of the metacarpal bone of the thumb, and a third fixation part that connects the first fixation part and the second fixation part, wherein the first fixation part, the second fixation part, and the third fixation part fix the thumb MP joint in a flexed position. The first fixing portion may be configured to cover at least a portion of the area between the thumb IP joint and the thumb MP joint. A portion of the second fixing part may be configured to cover the area corresponding to the webbing between the thumb and the index finger. The second fixing portion may be configured to cover a position on the thumb side of the proximal palmar skin line and / or the thenar skin line. The second fixing portion may be configured to cover a position on the thumb side of the wrist joint. The first fixing part, the second fixing part, and the third fixing part may be made from a single member. The aforementioned member may be plastic. In a three-point bending test, the load on the member at the beginning of bending may be 30 to 60 N, and the load during bending may be 50 to 90 N. The aforementioned component may have water-repellent properties. The aforementioned member may be provided with a cushioning member on the side facing the skin surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thumb orthosis that does not unnecessarily restrict daily living activities and can fix the thumb in a good position. The effects described herein are not necessarily limited, and any of the effects described herein may also be present. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the palm side after it has been fitted. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the dorsal side after it has been fitted. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing a thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process of a thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process of a thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process of a thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing process of a thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing a thumb orthosis 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the right hand's RH. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing the temporal deformation of the thumb carpometacarpal (CM) joint and thumb metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint in thumb carpometacarpal (CM) joint osteoarthritis. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples of representative embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented by combining any of the following embodiments and their modifications.

[0011] In the following description of the embodiments, the configuration may be described using terms with "substantially", such as substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular. For example, substantially parallel not only means completely parallel, but also means substantially parallel, that is, it includes a state deviated by about several percent from the completely parallel state. The same applies to other terms with "substantially". Also, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely.

[0012] Unless otherwise specified, in the drawings, "up" means the upward direction or upper side in the figure, "down" means the downward direction or lower side in the figure, "left" means the leftward direction or left side in the figure, and "right" means the rightward direction or right side in the figure. Also, for the drawings, the same or equivalent elements or members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0013] <1. Summary of the Invention> First, the structure of the hand will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the right hand RH. As shown in FIG. 9, the thumb of the right hand RH has a thumb CM joint (the third joint from the fingertip, the thumb carpometacarpal joint) at the base of the finger, a thumb MP joint (the second joint from the fingertip, the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint), and a thumb IP joint (the first joint from the fingertip, the thumb interphalangeal joint).

[0014] When swelling or pain occurs in the thumb CM joint, the thumb MP joint tends to be in a hyperextended position as a compensatory movement to avoid pain. If the hyperextended position of the thumb MP joint continues, it promotes the subluxated position of the thumb CM joint, so the deformation of the thumb MP joint and the thumb CM joint progresses, and further pain occurs. This will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the time-dependent deformation of the thumb CM joint and the thumb MP joint in thumb CM joint disease.

[0015] Figure 10A shows a normal thumb carpometacarpal joint (CM joint) without CMC osteoarthritis. Figure 10B shows a progressive state of CMC osteoarthritis, with a slight displacement of the CM joint. Figure 10C shows a complete CMC osteoarthritis, with the MP joint hyperextended and the CM joint subluxated. This results in pain in the CM joint.

[0016] Traditionally, thumb orthoses for the treatment and / or prevention of thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis tend to cover not only the thumb but also other fingers and the wrist. This leads to the problem of unnecessarily restricting daily living activities. Daily living activities refer to basic actions essential for daily life, such as eating, dressing, mobility, toileting, grooming, and bathing.

[0017] Furthermore, these types of thumb orthoses tend to affect the thumb carpal tunnel complex (CM) joint, for example, by compressing the CM joint.

[0018] In view of the above circumstances, the inventors have completed the present invention. One embodiment of the inventors' thumb orthosis covers the thumb and / or its vicinity, but does not cover other fingers or the wrist. This makes it less likely to cause discomfort or unnecessary restraint.

[0019] Furthermore, the inventors have focused on the fact that fixing the thumb MP joint in a flexed position reduces the likelihood of the thumb MP joint being in a hyperextended position and increases the concentricity of the thumb CM joint. Concentricity refers to the property of moving towards the center. By moving the thumb CM joint toward the center of the hand, the likelihood of the thumb CM joint being in a subluxated position can be reduced. In other words, the thumb orthosis according to one embodiment of the present invention can fix the thumb in a good position. Hereinafter, "good position" refers to the optimal position that minimizes the burden on the thumb CM joint.

[0020] <2. First Embodiment> (1) Composition of the thumb orthosis 10 The following describes a thumb orthosis 10 worn on the wearer's right hand (RH) as one embodiment. The thumb orthosis 10 may also be worn on the wearer's left hand. When worn on the left hand, the same effect can be achieved by wearing a thumb orthosis 10 described below, but reversed left and right.

[0021] The configuration of the thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the palm side after being worn. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the same state as seen from the dorsal side.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the thumb orthosis 10 according to this embodiment comprises a first fixing part 1 that covers at least a portion of the proximal phalanx of the thumb, a second fixing part 2 that covers at least a portion of the metacarpal bone of the thumb, and a third fixing part 3 that connects the first fixing part 1 and the second fixing part 2.

[0023] The first fixing part 1, the second fixing part 2, and the third fixing part 3 fix the thumb MP joint in a flexed position. The angle of the thumb MP joint is not particularly limited, but it may be, for example, about 30 degrees of flexion. As a result, the thumb orthosis 10 can increase the concentricity of the thumb CM joint and reduce deformation of the thumb CM joint. In other words, the thumb orthosis 10 can fix the thumb in a good position.

[0024] The first fixing portion 1 may be configured to cover at least a portion of the area between the thumb IP joint and the thumb MP joint, so as not to cover the thumb IP joint. Since the first fixing portion 1 does not cover the thumb IP joint, the opposition movement of the fingers is not hindered. This makes actions such as grasping objects easier.

[0025] The first fixing portion 1 is formed in a ring shape so as to surround the proximal phalanx of the thumb, but is not limited to this shape. As shown in Figure 3, the first fixing portion 1 may be formed in a substantially U shape so as to sandwich the proximal phalanx of the thumb, for example. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Now, let's return to the explanation of Figures 1 and 2. The second fixing part 2 is configured to surround the metacarpal bone of the thumb, but is not limited to this shape. The second fixing part 2 may have an opening 21 into which the thumb is inserted. The thumb inserted through the opening 21 passes through the first fixing part 1.

[0027] A portion of the second fixing part 2 may be configured to cover the area corresponding to the webbing between the thumb and the index finger. This widens the gap between the thumb and the index finger, allowing the thumb to be held in a radially abducted position.

[0028] The second fixing portion 2 may be configured to cover a position on the thumb side of the proximal palmar cutaneous line and / or thenar cutaneous line, so as not to cover the proximal palmar cutaneous line and / or thenar cutaneous line. Because the second fixing portion 2 does not cover the proximal palmar cutaneous line and / or thenar cutaneous line, the abduction movement of the thumb is not hindered, and the movement of the fingers other than the thumb (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger) is not hindered. As a result, actions such as grasping objects become easier.

[0029] The second fixing part 2 may be configured to cover a position on the thumb side of the wrist joint RW so as not to cover the wrist joint RW. Because the second fixing part 2 does not cover the wrist joint RW, the range of motion of the wrist joint RW is not restricted. This range of motion includes, for example, rotational, abduction, and adduction movements. Because the second fixing part 2 does not cover the wrist joint RW, the basic movements of the wrist joint RW (e.g., palmar flexion, dorsiflexion, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, etc.) are not hindered.

[0030] The first fixing part 1, the second fixing part 2, and the third fixing part 3 may be made from a single piece of material. This eliminates the need to prepare multiple types of materials in the manufacturing process of the thumb orthosis 10, and also eliminates the need to join materials together, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

[0031] The manufacturing process of the thumb orthosis 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figures 4 to 7 are schematic diagrams showing the manufacturing process of the thumb orthosis 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 shows the first stage in the manufacturing process, representing the state before manufacturing. The area on the left is the first fixing part 1. The area on the right is the second fixing part 2. The area connecting the first fixing part 1 and the second fixing part 2 is the third fixing part 3. The first fixing part 1, the second fixing part 2, and the third fixing part 3 are all made from a single component.

[0033] Figure 5 shows the second stage of the manufacturing process, where the second fixing part 2 is bent to conform to the shape of the right hand RH.

[0034] Figure 6 shows the third stage in the manufacturing process, where the second fixing portion 2 is bent to conform to the shape of the right hand RH. The upper region shown in Figure 5 in the second stage is bent downwards. This forms the opening 21 into which the thumb is inserted.

[0035] Figure 7 shows the fourth stage in the manufacturing process, where the first fixing part 1 is bent to conform to the shape of the right hand RH. The first fixing part 1 is formed in a roughly U-shape so as to sandwich the proximal phalanx of the thumb. Alternatively, the first fixing part 1 may be formed in a ring shape so as to surround the proximal phalanx of the thumb.

[0036] The components of the thumb orthosis 10 may be made of metal materials such as aluminum alloy or steel, plastic materials such as polypropylene, or resin materials such as polyacetal.

[0037] The components of the thumb orthosis 10 are preferably made of plastic material. This allows the shape of the thumb orthosis 10 to conform to the shape and size of the wearer's hand.

[0038] To ensure secure fixation of the thumb MP joint, it is preferable that the thumb orthosis 10 does not deform easily. Therefore, the components constituting the thumb orthosis 10 should have a tensile strength of 100 to 220 N / mm². 2 Preferably, the member has a tensile strength of 110 to 210 N / mm².2 It may be so. More preferably, the member has a tensile strength of 120 to 200 N / mm². 2 This may be the case. Here, the tensile strength in this invention shall be measured using a Shimadzu Autograph test specimen with a width of 20 mm, a length of 100 mm, and a thickness of 1 mm, in accordance with JIS Z2241.

[0039] The components constituting the thumb orthosis 10 preferably have an initial bending load of 30-60N and a load during bending of 50-90N in a three-point bending test (indentation test). More preferably, the components may have an initial bending load of 40-50N and a load during bending of 60-80N. In this invention, the three-point bending test was performed using a test piece with a width of 20 mm, a length of 100 mm, and a thickness of 1 mm, with a Shimadzu Autograph AG-20KNI and a 5kN load cell, in accordance with JIS Z2248, at 23°C and a test speed of 100 mm / min. The initial bending load is the load when the piece is bent by 1 mm (load in the elastic region), and the load during bending is the load when the piece is bent by 4-15 mm (load in the plastic region). These tensile strength and / or three-point bending test characteristics improve the fixation to the thumb MP joint.

[0040] The components of the thumb orthosis 10 may be water-repellent. This reduces the likelihood of the thumb orthosis 10 absorbing water or sweat, or of mold growing on it. As a result, the thumb orthosis 10 can be worn comfortably.

[0041] <3. Second Embodiment> The configuration of the thumb orthosis 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the thumb orthosis 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, the components constituting the thumb orthosis 10 according to this embodiment may include a cushioning member 4 on the side facing the skin surface. For example, felt or sponge can be used for the cushioning member 4. The thumb orthosis 10 may be composed of two layers: this cushioning member 4 and the plastic member described above. This reduces pain on the skin and improves the fit. Here, the combined thickness of the plastic member and the cushioning member is 5 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or less, from the viewpoint of wearing comfort and fit. For example, a 1 mm plastic member and a 2 mm cushioning material may combine to make approximately 3 mm.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention can also take the following configuration. [1] A first fixation portion covering at least a portion of the proximal phalanx of the thumb, A second fixation portion covering at least a portion of the metacarpal bone of the thumb, It comprises a third fixing part connecting the first fixing part and the second fixing part, The first fixing part, the second fixing part, and the third fixing part fix the thumb MP joint in a flexed position, and are used in a thumb orthosis. [2] The first fixing portion is configured to cover at least a portion of the area between the thumb IP joint and the thumb MP joint. [1] The thumb orthosis described above. [3] A portion of the second fixing part is configured to cover the area corresponding to the webbing between the thumb and the index finger. The thumb orthosis described in [1] or [2]. [4] The second fixing portion is configured to cover a position on the thumb side of the proximal palmar skin line and / or the thenar skin line. A thumb orthosis described in any one of the following [1] to [3]. [5] The second fixing portion is configured to cover the area on the thumb side of the wrist joint. A thumb orthosis described in any one of the following [1] to [4]. [6] The first fixing part, the second fixing part, and the third fixing part are each made from a single member. A thumb orthosis described in any one of the following [1] to [5]. [7] The aforementioned member has plasticity, [6] The thumb orthosis described above. [8] In a three-point bending test, the aforementioned member exhibits an initial bending load of 30-60N and a load of 50-90N during bending. The thumb orthosis described in [6] or [7]. [9] The aforementioned member has water-repellent properties. A thumb orthosis described in any one of [6] to [8].

[10] The aforementioned member is provided with a cushioning member on the side facing the skin surface. A thumb orthosis described in any one of [6] to [9]. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10. Thumb orthosis 1. First fixing part 2. Second fixing part 21 Opening 3. Third fixing part 4. Cushioning material RH right hand IP (Interproximal Joint) of the Thumb MP joint of the thumb CM (Cavity Mark) Thumb CMC joint RF Thumb RW (Right Wrist)

Claims

1. A first fixation portion covering at least a portion of the proximal phalanx of the thumb, A second fixation portion that covers at least a portion of the metacarpal bone of the thumb, It comprises the first fixing part and the third fixing part connecting the second fixing part, The first fixing part, the second fixing part, and the third fixing part fix the thumb MP joint in a flexed position. A thumb orthosis that covers only the area near the radial side of the skin surface around the thumb's MP joint, and does not cover the other fingers or the wrist.

2. The first fixing portion is configured to cover at least a portion of the area between the thumb IP joint and the thumb MP joint. The thumb orthosis according to claim 1.

3. A portion of the second fixing part is configured to cover the area corresponding to the webbing between the thumb and the index finger. The thumb orthosis according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second fixing portion is configured to cover a position on the thumb side of the proximal palmar skin line and / or the thenar skin line. A thumb orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The second fixing portion is configured to cover the area on the thumb side of the wrist joint. A thumb orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first fixing part, the second fixing part, and the third fixing part are each made from a single member. A thumb orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The aforementioned member has plasticity, The thumb orthosis according to claim 6.

8. In a three-point bending test, the load on the aforementioned member at the beginning of bending is 30 to 60 N, and the load during bending is 50 to 90 N. The thumb orthosis according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The aforementioned member has water-repellent properties. A thumb orthosis according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The aforementioned member is provided with a cushioning member on the side facing the skin surface. A thumb orthosis according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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