Wrist Brace Slot Structure for Easy Thumb Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand cuffs for treating carpal tunnel syndrome require laborious thumb insertion through a hole or a complex adjustable design, leading to poor fit and handling issues.

Innovation Solution

A hand brace with a base body featuring a dorsal and palmar section that exerts pressure on the hand to widen the carpal tunnel, incorporating opposing slots for thumb insertion and a symmetrical design accommodating both hands, with optional pressure-building elements to apply pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a lateral hole is provided for thumb insertion, then the thumb can be extended through the hole, but the thumb must first be laboriously inserted into the cuff and then extended outwards through the hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethumb insertion easeVSAvoidtime for thumb threading

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the thumb inserted from the outside through a lateral hole to the inside, the invention inverts the process by providing an opening in the palmar section that allows the thumb to be inserted directly from the palmar side into the carpal tunnel area, eliminating the laborious threading process through a lateral hole

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the width of the cuff is variable to avoid thumb threading, then the thumb insertion is simplified, but the cuff design becomes significantly more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethumb insertion easeVSAvoidcuff design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the cuff structure by providing a separate opening in the palmar section that is distinct from the main lateral opening, allowing the thumb to be inserted through this dedicated opening without requiring the entire cuff width to be variable or adjustable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a lateral hole is provided for thumb insertion, then the thumb can be extended through the hole, but the cuff requires a correspondingly wider width which fits less well and requires size adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethumb insertion easeVSAvoidhand size adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the thumb insertion approach by providing direct access to the carpal tunnel area through a palmar opening, eliminating the need for a wide lateral hole that compromises fit and requires size adjustments for different hand dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3970671B1Wrist bracket

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 BAYER FEINWERK GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

A hand brace (1) for treating carpal tunnel syndrome of a hand (2), the hand brace (1) comprising a base body (3), wherein the base body (3) comprises a dorsal section (4) and a palmar section (5), wherein the dorsal section (4) is configured to exert pressure on the dorsal side of the hand (2) at at least one point, wherein the palmar section (5) is configured to exert pressure on the palmar side of the hand (2) at at least one point on each side of the carpal tunnel, wherein the dorsal section (4) and the palmar section (5) are jointly configured to widen the carpal tunnel of the hand (2) by exerting the pressure, is characterized in that the base body (3) has two substantially opposing open slots (6) between the dorsal section (4) and the palmar section (5), wherein the slots (6) are configured to allow the thumb (7) to pick up the left or right hand (2).