Hand Orthosis with Segmented Plates and Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
The hand and wrist are prone to injuries from everyday tasks and sports, with common injuries including fractures and ligament ruptures, necessitating a device for protection and support.
Innovation Solution
A thin, lightweight hand orthosis with formable plates made of thermal plastic or carbon fiber, integrated with a form-fitting material like neoprene, providing shock absorption and limited motion to prevent hyperextension, along with adjustable straps for a custom fit and additional gel padding for vibration reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid protective devices are used to protect hand and wrist from injuries, then protection and support are improved, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The orthosis is divided into multiple separate plates (thumb plate, index finger plate, middle finger plate, ring finger plate, pinky finger plate, wrist plate) that are interconnected through hinges. Each plate provides localized protection while the modular structure reduces overall complexity and allows selective positioning of protective elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible hinge connections between rigid plates, allowing the orthosis to adapt to hand movements while maintaining protective function. The form-fitting material acts as a flexible shell that contours to the hand shape, providing protection without bulk.
2Reliability
If formable plates are used to provide shock absorption and limited motion, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plates are made of formable material that can be thermally molded to match the specific contours of the user's hand. This customization allows the plates to provide optimal shock absorption and motion control for each individual without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple plates and hinges are used to limit range of motion and prevent hyperextension, then protection is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connections allow the orthosis to dynamically adapt to hand movements during normal activities while maintaining protection. The hinges enable controlled motion within safe ranges while automatically preventing hyperextension, balancing protection with operational ease.
4Reliability
If form-fitting material is used to maintain tight fit, then protection is improved, but comfort may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The form-fitting material is designed as a flexible shell that contours to the hand's natural shape, providing a secure fit that enhances protection while maintaining comfort through its flexibility and anatomical design.
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 hand orthosis effectively protects and supports the hand and wrist, preventing re-injury and reducing the risk of hyperextension, while allowing for continued use in activities, including post-operative recovery and prophylactic protection.
Implementation Method 1
providing shock absorption and limited range of motion in flexion and extension movements
Implementation Method 2
several generally inflexible, it not entirely inflexible, preferably, but not necessarily, formable plates of thermal plastic
Data Source
AI summary
Hand orthotics are provided for protecting and/or supporting phalanges, metacarpals and/or ligaments of the hand providing thin, lightweight, moldable devices that form to the digits of and to the hand to provide shock absorption and limited range of motion in flexion and extension movements of the digits of the hand, but mitigate or prevent hyperextension. Each orthotic has several plates of thermal plastic, pre-molded carbon fiber or the like that are generally, if not entirely, inflexible and interlinked through limited range of motion hinges, overlapping, and/or abutting plates that accommodate stability and protection. The plates are contained within, on top, underneath, or permutations of these, a form fitting material (e.g. neoprene or vinyl) to maintain a tight fit to the hand, digits and wrist. A thumb plate is hinged to an upper or lower hand plate of the device and includes a loop for receiving the thumb.