Carpal Tunnel Brace with Strap for Bone Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current braces for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome merely immobilize the hand and wrist, failing to physically alter the musculoskeletal structure to relieve the underlying cause of pain and irritation, which does not effectively address the constricted carpal tunnel configuration.
Innovation Solution
A brace with a strap element that approximates the carpals and metacarpals, tensioning the transcarpal ligament to open the carpal tunnel, incorporating a thumb aperture, slots for finger fixation, and a fastening mechanism to secure tension, along with an optional cold pack accessory for enhanced therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brace merely immobilizes the hand and wrist in neutral or hyper extended position, then the hand and wrist are stabilized and pain from movement is avoided, but the underlying physical cause of pain (constricted carpal tunnel configuration) is not relieved
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the hand dorsally as conventional braces do, this invention inverts the approach by flexing the metacarpals and carpals to approximate them together. This opposite action closes the carpal tunnel space to relieve pressure on the median nerve and flexor tendons, directly addressing the root cause rather than just immobilizing the joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the hand bones by using a strap system that actively flexes and approximates the metacarpals and carpals. This dynamic parameter change (from extended to flexed/approximated position) transforms the carpal tunnel geometry to relieve constriction, moving beyond static immobilization to active structural repositioning.
2Ease of operation
If conventional braces immobilize the hand in neutral position, then movement-induced pain is avoided, but the carpal tunnel remains in partially constricted configuration
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than maintaining the hand in a neutral or extended position as conventional braces do, this invention inverts the approach by actively flexing the metacarpals and carpals to approximate them. This creates an open carpal tunnel configuration that relieves pressure on the median nerve, combining simplicity of application with effective anatomical correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the carpal tunnel from a partially constricted to an open configuration by changing the positional parameters of the carpals and metacarpals. The strap system actively maintains these bones in a flexed, approximated position that maximizes carpal tunnel patency, rather than leaving them in a neutral position that allows constriction.
3Reliability
If the hand is rotated dorsally from relaxed position, then the wrist is hyper extended and immobilized, but the flexor tendons remain under tension
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of hyper-extending the wrist dorsally as conventional braces do, this invention inverts the approach by flexing the metacarpals and carpals to approximate them. This opposite action naturally relaxes the flexor tendons by changing the anatomical relationships, reducing tension on the tendons while still providing joint stabilization through bony approximation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the hand bones to a flexed, approximated configuration that mechanically relaxes the flexor tendons. By moving from dorsal extension to palmar flexion and approximation, the system alters the length and tension state of the flexor tendons, placing them on slack to relieve the underlying cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Data Source
AI summary
A brace for relief of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome employs a strap element having a thumb aperture proximate a first end and a slot adjacent a peripheral edge of the strap element to receive a fifth finger. The strap element extends from the thumb aperture to be received in a central portion across a dorsal portion of a hand. The strap element then extends around the ulnar border and across the palm of the hand past the radial border with a tail portion of the strap element overlapping the central portion. A fastener moiety is provided on the tail portion of the strap element and a mating moiety on an outer surface of the strap element to engages the fastener moiety. The strap element tensioned around the hand produces approximation of carpals and metacarpals in the hand.