PIP Splint with Central Opening for DIP Flexion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing splints for immobilizing the PIP joint are difficult to apply, may cause necrosis due to oxygen deprivation, and fail to maintain the injured finger's partial functionality, particularly in treating boutonniere deformity where the DIP joint needs to be flexed.
Innovation Solution
A splint design that includes a body conforming to the finger's palmar side with a central opening and straps to secure it, allowing DIP joint flexion while immobilizing the PIP joint, featuring a hollow area and optional perforations for breathability to prevent necrosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a splint is designed to immobilize the PIP joint, then the PIP joint stability is improved, but the DIP joint flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The splint body is divided into distinct sections: a first base at the proximal phalanx, a second base at the middle phalanx, and opposing sides connecting them. This segmentation allows the splint to selectively immobilize the PIP joint while leaving the DIP joint free to move, resolving the contradiction between PIP stability and DIP flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The splint applies immobilization force locally at the PIP joint region through its specific geometric configuration, while the distal portion of the finger and DIP joint remain outside the constraint zone. This localized approach maintains DIP joint flexibility while achieving PIP joint stability.
2Strength
If a splint is designed with a solid structure to maintain strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the breathability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The splint body incorporates a hollow area and optional perforations throughout its structure. These porous features allow oxygen and air to penetrate through the splint material, preventing tissue necrosis while maintaining sufficient structural strength to immobilize the PIP joint effectively.
3Area of stationary object
If a splint is designed to cover the entire finger for maximum support, then the support coverage is improved, but the functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The splint is designed to cover only the necessary portion of the finger - from the proximal phalanx to the middle phalanx - rather than the entire finger. This segmented coverage provides adequate PIP joint support while leaving the distal interphalangeal joint and fingertip exposed, allowing these areas to maintain full functionality for activities like typing and grasping.
Data Source
AI summary
A splint immobilizes a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of a finger while allowing a distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint to be flexed. The splint may include a splint body and straps configured to secure the splint body to the finger. The splint body may have a size to fit the finger, a shape to generally conform to and partially surround the finger from the palmar side, and a length to extend from a proximal phalanx of the finger across the PIP joint to a middle phalanx of the finger without extending across the DIP joint. The splint body may have an integrally-formed periphery defining a central opening. The periphery may include a first base at the proximal phalanx, a second base at the middle phalanx, and opposing sides extending between the first and second bases.