Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace for Neutral Hand Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness and discomfort due to pressure on the median nerve, often requiring surgery with lengthy recovery and potential complications, necessitating a non-invasive solution to alleviate pressure and prevent inflammation.
Innovation Solution
A carpal tunnel wrist brace designed to support the forearm, wrist, and palm, featuring adjustable straps and a semi-rigid structure to maintain the hand in a position that reduces pressure on the carpal tunnel, using materials like metal, plastic, or composite for support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carpal tunnel syndrome is treated through surgery, then the pressure on the median nerve is relieved, but the recovery time is lengthy and complications such as pain, swelling, and nerve injury occur
Solution Approach 1:
The brace is designed to be worn before surgery or as a non-surgical treatment option to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome or alleviate symptoms. By maintaining the wrist in a neutral position and providing continuous support, the brace can prevent the development of carpal tunnel syndrome or reduce severity of symptoms before surgical intervention becomes necessary, thereby avoiding the lengthy recovery period associated with surgery
2Reliability
If carpal tunnel syndrome is treated through surgery, then the pressure on the median nerve is relieved, but complications such as pain, swelling, and nerve injury occur
Solution Approach 1:
The brace provides continuous mechanical support and positioning to cushion the wrist joint and prevent positions that would increase carpal tunnel pressure. By maintaining the wrist in a neutral position and limiting extreme flexion or extension, the brace prevents further nerve irritation and protects against complications that could arise from uncontrolled wrist positioning
3Ease of operation
If the wrist is positioned in extreme flexion or extension, then the range of motion is increased, but pressure within the carpal canal increases and nerve compression occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The brace is designed with differentiated support zones: the rigid or semi-rigid structure provides firm support at the wrist joint to maintain neutral positioning and prevent extreme flexion/extension, while the forearm and hand portions use softer materials that allow comfortable wear and do not restrict normal finger movement or hand function
Data Source
AI summary
A brace for treating/preventing carpal tunnel injury including a body having a proximal end and a distal end defining s longitudinal direction, the body including a forearm support at the body proximal end, a wrist support coupled to the forearm support by a neck portion, the wrist support comprising a first palmar strap support, a first member and a second member extending from the wrist support in the longitudinal direction towards the distal end, a distal palmar support, a proximal palmar aperture, a palm band having a second palmar strap support, and a palmar strap, extending between a proximal end attached to the first palmar strap support to a distal end, the palmar strap configured to extend across a portion of the back of the hand and over a purlicue of the hand, the distal end of the palmar strap configured to removably attach to the distal palmar support.