Surgical Hand Wrap with Anatomical Plate for Traction Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current limb positioning devices for shoulder surgery cause numbness in the patient's hand and fingers due to high-contact pressure and require non-sterile assistants to maintain sterile connections, leading to potential cross-contamination during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical hand wrap with a flexible mitten and anatomically-shaped plate that distributes traction load evenly across the hand and wrist, combined with a sterile connector for sterile operation, allowing low-contact pressure and eliminating the need for non-sterile interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the hand is tightly secured to the limb positioning device using conventional methods (handle or bar with balled fist position), then sufficient traction load (up to 30lbs) can be applied, but numbness occurs in the patient's hand and fingers and control of hand and wrist rotation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible mitten-shaped wrap that encloses the hand and wrist, distributing traction forces across a larger surface area through the flexible material. This flexible enclosure maintains secure attachment while preventing concentrated pressure points that cause numbness, allowing up to 30lbs of traction to be applied comfortably.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand wrap features varying densities and compositions in different regions - with reinforced areas for traction load bearing and softer areas for comfort. The wrap is configured to enclose specific anatomical regions with appropriate pressure distribution, providing localized support where needed while maintaining overall flexibility and comfort.
2Ease of manufacture
If a non-sterile limb positioning device is clamped to the operating room table with a sterile rope connection, then the device can be used for surgical procedures, but cross-contamination risk increases due to requiring non-sterile assistants to pass the rope
Solution Approach 1:
The hand wrap is designed as a disposable sterile component that is pre-packaged and single-use. This eliminates the need for repeated sterilization cycles and complex sterile connection procedures, as each new patient receives a fresh sterile wrap that maintains sterility throughout the procedure without requiring non-sterile assistants to handle connection elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the sterile hand wrap component from the non-sterile limb positioning device. The sterile wrap includes its own integrated attachment mechanism that connects directly to the positioning device without requiring external sterile ropes or hooks, thereby eliminating the cross-contamination risk associated with rope-passing between sterile and non-sterile fields.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hand is secured over a bar into a balled fist position with elasticated bandage wrapping, then the arm can be held in traction, but control of hand and wrist rotation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hand wrap is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow controlled movement within the enclosed space. The flexible material and internal structure permit natural hand and wrist rotations while maintaining overall positional stability for traction. The wrap adapts to movement rather than rigidly constraining the hand, preserving rotational control while maintaining traction stability.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2~3A
AI summary
Devices to secure the hand of a patient to a limb positioning device while evenly distributing the applied traction load across the patient's hand and wrist are disclosed. The hand is placed in the open position into a soft mitten, while an anatomically-shaped plate is attached to the mitten for supporting the palm of the hand in the open position. Straps are then secured around the patient's wrist and hand. Finally, the entire device is overwrapped an elastic bandage and secured to the limb positioning device. When traction is applied, the shape of the plate, the construction of the mitten, and the straps combine to allow low-contact pressure across the patient's hand and wrist.