Device for treating rhizarthrosis and other hand disorders

Abstract

The invention relates to a device having a generally C-shaped configuration in the form of a deformable clamp, having on its inner surface at least a plurality of windows with first LED lights (5), light emitters for emitting light at different wavelengths (red, infrared), and vibrating means, provided by micromotors. The device further comprises a processing unit and a rechargeable battery. The device allows thumb tendinitis (14), wrist sprain (15), carpal tunnel syndrome (16), thumb osteoarthritis (17) and hand osteoarthritis (18) to be treated.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF RHIZARTHROSIS AND OTHER HAND PATHOLOGIES DESCRIPTION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The object of the present invention, as stated in the title of the invention, is a device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and other pathologies of the hand.

[0003] Thumb osteoarthritis, also known as thumb osteoarthritis or basal osteoarthritis of the thumb, is a degenerative disease that affects the base of the thumb. This joint, called the trapeziometacarpal joint, is located at the base of the thumb and is essential for pinching and grasping objects between the thumb and long fingers.

[0004] Rhizarthrosis is a form of osteoarthritis caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage that lines the joints. Over time, this wear leads to friction between the bones, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joint. In addition to cartilage, rhizarthrosis can affect other joint structures, such as ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules.

[0005] The present invention is characterized by the special design and configuration of the device and the combined use integrated into the device of different forms of treatment for osteoarthritis and different types of hand ailments, which makes the device an effective and practical means for the treatment of said ailments.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention falls within the scope of devices for the treatment of joint conditions of the hand.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the prior art, thumb tendinitis, or De Quervain's tenosynovitis, is known as inflammation of the sheath of the tendons in the hand (specifically the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons) that abduct and extend the thumb. Symptoms include pain and swelling of the thumb and wrist, triggered or aggravated by thumb or wrist movement, and may radiate to the forearm. It can also cause swelling of the wrist and crepitus (a crackling or popping sound) when moving the thumb.

[0009] The causes of this tendinitis are repetitive movements (especially those requiring the thumb to be pulled apart), playing certain sports that use rackets, clubs, or sticks (such as tennis, golf, rowing, or skiing), and using mobile devices, as these require repetitive hand and thumb movements (such as scrolling up and down on a screen). The treatment used to date is the use of wrist supports that keep the thumb in a resting position and are molded to each patient's anatomy, as they are thermoformable.

[0010] Another common hand condition is thumb osteoarthritis, or szartosis, which is the degeneration of the cartilage that covers the thumb joint and allows it to glide smoothly. Symptoms include pain at the base of the thumb (especially when pinching), swelling, stiffness, limited movement with loss of strength, crepitus (a crackling or popping sound) when moving the thumb, and, in advanced cases of thumb osteoarthritis, thumb deformity. The causes of this condition include repetitive pinching motions, especially when using force or lifting heavy objects due to work or certain sports, excessive use of electronic devices that involve the thumb (mobile phones, tablets, etc.), joint wear and tear due to aging, and traumatic injuries to this joint.

[0011] The treatment for this condition is the use of specific wrist braces for rhizarthrosis, which limit the movement of the thumb without reducing the functionality of the hand and allow the pinching motion to be performed.

[0012] Another hand condition is wrist osteoarthritis, which is the degeneration of the cartilage that covers the wrist joint. Symptoms include pain (when starting activity, when the joint "cools down"), crepitus when moving the thumb, and, in cases of advanced wrist osteoarthritis, deformity. The causes of this condition are wear and tear on the joint from repetitive professional or sporting activities, especially those involving force or weight-bearing, age-related wear and tear, and traumatic injuries to the joint. The current treatment involves the use of wrist braces, which immobilize and protect the wrist, improving comfort and providing rest for the joint.

[0013] In all cases, in addition to using wrist supports to protect and allow the joint to rest, the doctor may also prescribe medication such as anti-inflammatories and / or analgesics to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Later, performing specific exercises for each condition will also help with recovery, as will taking preventative measures to avoid relapses.

[0014] As can be seen, there is no clear and effective treatment beyond the use of wrist braces, immobilization, and the use of drugs.

[0015] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The object of the present invention is set out in its essentials in the independent claim and the different embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

[0017] The present invention relates to a device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and various joint conditions of the hand, such as thumb tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist sprain, hand osteoarthritis, and thumb osteoarthritis.

[0018] The device has a general "C"-shaped configuration, similar to an elastic clamp; that is, the device's arms are movable, adapting to the area of ​​the hand on which they are applied and remaining in that position for the necessary time for treatment. Depending on the device's orientation, it can also be considered to have a "U" shape.

[0019] The free ends of the "C" shaped device are joined by a safety band that starts from one end of one of the device's arms, goes to the other end, passes through an eyelet, and the free end of the safety band is closed and secured to the band itself by means of an infinite number of small deformable closed loops and multiple deformable plastic rods.

[0020] The C-shaped structure of the device has means for light and micro-vibration treatment arranged on its inner face.

[0021] Light therapy can be performed in one possible form using one or a combination of the following lights:

[0022] • 880nm Infrared Light. Acts as a deep-reaching element (due to its long wavelength). It is used to stimulate biological processes of regeneration and improve circulation and pain relief. It acts primarily at the mitochondrial level, stimulating ATP (cellular energy) production and reducing oxidative stress.

[0023] • 660nm red light. Used to treat tissues at a shallower depth. Improves tissue function and reduces inflammation.

[0024] • 630nm red light. With superficial action, it promotes the synthesis of collagen and elastin.

[0025] The light emitters are implemented in the device design using compact LEDs with three emitters per chip (one element per wavelength). The emitters are located on the inside of the clamp, along its longitudinal axis. A transparent window diffuses the light onto the skin surface, thus covering a larger area.

[0026] The micro-vibrations are generated by two brushless, speed-controlled, eccentric mass motors. Located at the ends of the clamp, they touch the patient's skin to transmit the movement. The improved circulation and pain-reduction effect of the vibration is achieved through programmed on / off sequences of the actuators. The sequence can alternate between the two motors to simulate a pumping effect, and different intensities and speeds can be selected according to the patient's needs.

[0027] The device has a processor or microprocessor capable of controlling the sequence of the motors in order to produce a pulse that creates a pumping effect and improves blood flow to the hand. The microprocessor controls light intensity, heat, motor speeds, direction changes, and operating time with automatic shut-off.

[0028] Thanks to the characteristics described, rhizarthrosis and other hand conditions can be effectively treated, ailments that until now could not be treated in such a simple, effective and autonomous way, since the user has freedom of movement.

[0029] EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical embodiment, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

[0031] In Figure 1, we can observe a first perspective view of the device that is the subject of the invention.

[0032] In Figure 2, we can observe a second perspective view of the device that is the subject of the invention.

[0033] In Figure 3, we can observe a first side view of the device.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a second side view of the device.

[0035] Figure 5 shows a hand and the location on the hand of the different ailments.

[0036] Figure 6 shows a hand with the different possible placements of the device.

[0037] Figure 7 shows an assembly diagram where you can see the different elements that make up the device.

[0038] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

[0039] In Figure 1 we can observe that the device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand ailments has a general configuration in the shape of a “C” having a body (1) that has two arms, a first lower arm (2) and a second upper arm (3) whose ends are slightly close together and are deformable.

[0040] In the body (1) of the device and on its inner face preferably along a longitudinal axis, in the lower arm (2) there is a first window (4) provided with first LED lights (5), while in the upper arm, also preferably along the longitudinal axis there is a second window (6) provided with a second set of LED lights (7).

[0041] Each of the LED light sets (5) and (7) is capable of emitting three different wavelengths:

[0042] 880nm Infrared Light.

[0043] 660nm red light

[0044] 630nm red light

[0045] Each of the arms, the lower arm (2) and the upper arm (3) have vibrating means, provided by micromotors, with a first micromotor (8) placed on the lower arm (2), and a second micromotor (9) on the upper arm (3); both micromotors being placed close to their free end.

[0046] On the outer face of the device, preferably on the upper arm, there are two selection buttons (10) for the therapy to be applied, as well as three LED indicators (11) that display the device's status. The first button (10.1) is used to select the wavelength by pressing it consecutively, while the second button (10.2) is used to select one of three vibration programs with different intensities and movement patterns. Depending on the selected program, the status LEDs change color to indicate the current mode to the user.

[0047] Internally, the device has a microprocessor unit and a rechargeable battery via a charging port (12), preferably of the LISB-C type.

[0048] In one possible embodiment, the free ends of the arms, i.e., the lower arm (2) and the upper arm (3), are joined by means of a safety band (13).

[0049] Figures 3 and 4 show again the elements already described, noting that preferably but not exclusively on each of the windows, the first window (4) and the second window (6) have four triple wave generator LEDs according to the treatment.

[0050] Figure 5 shows a palm of a hand, in which the different locations of hand conditions can be observed, highlighting thumb tendinitis (14), wrist sprain (15), carpal tunnel syndrome (16), thumb osteoarthritis (17) and hand osteoarthritis (18), all of these conditions being susceptible to being treated effectively with the device that is the subject of the invention.

[0051] Figure 6 shows different positions that the device of the invention can adopt and in all cases the device remains embracing the affected part of the wrist or palm of the hand, with the affected area housed in the lower space, the device being held by means of the safety strap that allows adjusting and fixing the device sufficiently on the hand without it falling off.

[0052] Figure 7 shows that the device is controlled by a microprocessor unit (23) powered by a rechargeable battery (24) via a charging port (12). Also connected to the microprocessor unit (23) are the first micromotor (8) and the second micromotor (9), as well as the therapy selection buttons (10), the device status indicator LEDs (11), a temperature sensor (28), and the different types of LEDs (25), (26), and (27) that generate different wavelengths. Each of the sets of LEDs (5) and (7) is capable of emitting three different wavelengths:

[0053] 880nm Infrared Light.

[0054] 660nm red light

[0055] - 630nm red light

[0056] The microprocessor unit (23) is capable of controlling the sequence of the micromotors (8) and (9) in order to produce a pulse that creates a pumping effect and improves blood flow to the hand.

[0057] Another aspect that the microprocessor unit (23) controls is the intensity of light, heat, motor speeds and change of direction and operating time with automatic shutdown, which can be either pre-programmed in the micro-controlled unit, or through the selection buttons (10) and indicator lights associated with each device to be controlled, this not being the object of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions characterized in that it has a general configuration in the shape of a “C” having a body (1) having two arms, a first lower arm (2) and a second upper arm (3) whose ends are slightly approximated and deformable, where in the body (1) of the device and on its inner face preferably along a longitudinal axis, in the lower arm (2) there is a first window (4) provided with first LED lights (5), while in the upper arm, also preferably along the longitudinal axis there is a second window (6) provided with a second set of LED lights (7), in addition each of the arms, the lower arm (2) and the upper arm (3) have vibratory means, provided by micromotors, a first micromotor (8) being arranged on the lower arm (2), and a second micromotor (9) on the upper arm (3),with both micromotors positioned close to its free end; in addition, the device has a processing unit or microprocessor (23) and a rechargeable battery (24).

2. Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions according to claim 1 characterized in that on the outer face of the device, and preferably on the upper arm there is a pair of selection buttons (10) for the therapy to be applied and also three LED indicator lights (11) for information on the status of the device. 3.- Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions according to any of the previous claims characterized in that the battery is rechargeable through a charging port (12). 4.- Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions according to claim 3 characterized in that the charging port (12) is of the USB-C type.

5. Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free ends of the arms, i.e., the lower arm (2) and the upper arm (3), are joined by means of a safety band (13).

6. Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that four triple-wave generating LEDs are arranged on each of the windows, the first window (4) and the second window (6), according to the treatment.

7. Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the LEDs emit one of the following wavelengths or combinations thereof: • 880nm Infrared light, which acts as a deep-reaching element (due to its long wavelength), is used to stimulate biological processes of regeneration and improvement of circulation and pain, and acts mainly at the mitochondrial level, stimulating the production of ATP (cellular energy) and reducing oxidative stress, • 660nm red light, used to treat tissues at a shallower depth, improves tissue function and reduces inflammation, • 630nm red light, with superficial action, which promotes the synthesis of collagen and elastin.

8. Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions according to claim 2 characterized in that the pair of selection buttons (10) comprises a first button (10.1) that serves to select the wavelength through consecutive pulses on this button, while a second button (10.2) serves to select three vibration programs with different intensities and movement patterns. 9.- Device for the treatment of rhizarthrosis and different hand conditions according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the microprocessor unit (23) is powered from the rechargeable battery (24) through a charging port (12), also connected to the microprocessor unit (23) are the first micro motor (8) and the second micro motor (9), in addition to the selection buttons (10) for the therapy to be applied, the LED indicators (11) of the device status, a temperature sensor (28) and the different types of LEDs (25) (26) and (27) generating the different wavelengths.

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