Carpal Tunnel Relief Device with Resilient Arch-Curved Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wrist splints and supporting devices for carpal tunnel syndrome are not tailored to individual wrist sizes and shapes, leading to inadequate relief for some users and discomfort for others, as they often rely on a single size configuration and are not flexible enough to accommodate varying anatomical differences.
Innovation Solution
A set of carpal tunnel syndrome relief devices featuring resilient arch-curved strips with adjustable adhesive layers, allowing for customization to fit specific wrist profiles through 3D scanning or MRI imaging, providing continuous tension to alleviate median nerve compression while allowing full wrist motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single size configuration is used for wrist splints, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to individual wrist sizes and shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wrist splint is divided into multiple size categories (small, medium, large, extra-large) based on wrist circumference measurements. Each size category corresponds to specific chord length and height dimensions, allowing the device to be segmented into discrete variants that match different anatomical profiles without requiring a completely custom device for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention varies key geometric parameters (chord length, height, and wrist circumference range) across different device sizes to match anatomical differences. For example, the small size has a chord length of 25-35mm and height of 10-15mm for wrists of 13-15 inches, while the extra-large size has a chord length of 40-50mm and height of 15-20mm for wrists of 18-20 inches, optimizing fit and effectiveness for each size category.
2Reliability
If wrist splints are made to fit specific anatomical profiles, then relief effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than manufacturing completely custom splints for each patient, the invention segments the population into size categories based on wrist circumference. This allows standardization of manufacturing processes for each size category while still providing anatomically appropriate fit, balancing customization benefits with manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific geometric parameters (chord length, height, curvature radius) for each size category to match anatomical data. This systematic parameter variation across standard size categories enables effective relief for different wrist sizes while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes compared to fully custom fabrication.
3Shape
If resilient strips with adhesive are used, then tissue reshaping capability is improved, but skin irritation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is applied selectively only to the central portion of the resilient strip where it contacts the skin, rather than covering the entire device. This localized adhesive application provides sufficient tissue anchoring for effective reshaping while minimizing the total skin area exposed to adhesive, thereby reducing irritation risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient strips are designed as disposable devices that are used for a limited period (typically one week or less) and then discarded. This short service life reduces the cumulative exposure time to adhesive, minimizing skin irritation risk while still providing effective tissue reshaping during the active treatment period.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The devices effectively relieve median nerve compression and surrounding tissue inflammation, providing lasting relief and comfort by reshaping tissues specifically tailored to each user's anatomy, with a significant decrease in carpal tunnel pressure and improved patient compliance.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient strip configured to rearrange soft tissue in the area of a human wrist so as to relief median nerve compression
Data Source
AI summary
A set of carpal tunnel syndrome relief devices is provided for treatment of a subject. The set includes several devices configured to be applied to a wrist which may have various shapes and sizes. Each device may be configured for an adhesive application to a skin area on a proximal side of a wrist over a median nerve of the subject. One device may be selected to match the profile of the skin of the subject and provide a distance from the peak of the middle portion to the underlying skin of about 3 to 6 mm—so as to achieve optimal pull of the skin above the median nerve and relief of carpal tunnel syndrome. An alternative, subject-specific design of the carpal tunnel syndrome relief device profile is also described.