Split-Prong Hand Immobilizer for Selective Finger Restraint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand immobilizers lack digit restraints that can be selectively positioned to better isolate or immobilize individual fingers, limiting surgical access and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A hand immobilizer design with split finger prongs that allow each finger to be gripped securely and accessed variably, featuring a platelike structure with spaced tines that can conform to the hand's shape and accommodate multiple gripping positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional hand immobilizers with only endpoint digit restraints are used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to selectively position and isolate individual fingers is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective positioning of digit restraintsVSAvoidstructure of digit restraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The digit restraints are segmented into multiple prongs (e.g., first, second, and third prongs) along each digit, allowing selective positioning at different locations rather than only at the endpoint. This segmentation enables isolated immobilization of specific finger portions while maintaining overall device simplicity through the modular prong design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If bendable restraints over finger tips are used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but secure gripping and exposure of various finger portions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping security and finger exposureVSAvoiddigit restraint configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The digit restraints incorporate bendable prongs that can be dynamically positioned and shaped to conform to different finger configurations. This dynamic capability allows secure gripping of various finger portions while maintaining ease of manufacture through the inherent flexibility of the prong design, eliminating the need for complex adjustable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple prongs per digit are implemented, then versatile gripping positions are achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of gripping positionsVSAvoidplatelike structure with spaced tines

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple prongs for each digit are merged into a single integrated platelike structure with spaced tines, rather than being separate components. This combining approach achieves versatile gripping positions through the multi-prong design while simplifying manufacture by forming all prongs as one piece, reducing assembly steps and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12472084B2Hand immobilizer

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 INSTR SPECIALISTS

AI summary

A hand immobilizer which has a body in the general shape of the hand, including a portion shaped like the metacarpus and wrist of the hand and distally extending portions or digits shaped like the fingers of the hand. At least some of the digits of the hand immobilizer comprise first and second laterally spaced tines or prongs.