THERAPEUTIC DEVICE FOR IMPROVING HAND FUNCTIONALITY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001]The present invention relates generally to therapeutic devices, and more particularly to a therapeutic device for injured hands, wherein the therapeutic device provides nested cylinders configured to guide hand movement and thereby improve composite flexion.

Description of the Related Art

[0002]Many people experience impaired hand function due to hand surgery, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or the like. For example, people experience reduced fine motor skills, impairing their ability to perform routine, everyday activities. Such people need therapeutic rehabilitation to be able to close their fingers on the wrist and form a grip.

[0003]Currently, patients, physicians, and physical therapists use a variety of equipment/tools to achieve the goal of regaining normative hand functionality; however, the conventional tools and equipment do not specifically target a measurable and definable goal, thereby resulting a hit-and-miss system. Thus, the conventional tools and equipment are ineffective in assisting the patient in regaining or improving hand functionality related to the closure of their hand, in part because of the lack of guidance a user has throughout the weeks of therapy to measure incremental improvement and make concomitant adjustments upon reaching each identifiable milestone.

[0004]Therefore, there is a need for a therapeutic device and method that enables a patient to regain hand function in a structured, measured and adjustable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented herein.

[0006]In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a therapeutic device for improving hand functionality. The therapeutic device may include a plurality of cylindrical tubes in a nested arrangement. For instance, where a second cylindrical tube may be nested inside a first cylindrical tube, and so on. The lengths of each of the plurality of cylindrical tubes may be approximately equivalent.

[0007]In some aspects of the present invention, the plurality of cylindrical tubes may be color-coded in correlation with their different, respective diameters.

[0008]The present disclosure facilitates a user to regain and improve hand functionality in a structured, methodical, and precise manner. A series of color coded and different diameter tubes help the user to begin to bend the hand in a prescribed arc (measurable by way of the diameter of the instant cylindrical tube being utilized) to achieve composite flexion. The therapeutic device includes specific sizes to identify a specific measured goal, thereby making therapy more self-targeted to a specific patient.

[0009]These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a therapeutic device in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the therapeutic device of FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

[0013]FIG. 3 depicts schematic view of the present invention, showing the successive nestable relationship between the plurality of cylindrical tubes, though it is understood that each cylindrical tube may have approximately the same length.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0014]FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a hand exercise device or a therapeutic device 10 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 will be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIS. 2 is an exploded view of the therapeutic device 10, while FIG. 3 is a schematic view to illustrate how the plurality of cylindrical tubes may be nested.

[0015]In some embodiments, the therapeutic device 10 includes nested cylinders (or cylindrical tubes). Specifically, the therapeutic device 10 includes a plurality of cylinders/tubes that are nested. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cylinders includes a first cylinder 12, a second cylinder 14, a third cylinder 16, a fourth cylinder 18, a fifth cylinder 20, a sixth cylinder 22, and a seventh cylinder 24, which may fit within one another. Each cylinder may be snugly packed to be concentric, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0016]Each cylinder may be a hollow cylinder. The second cylinder 14 may be configured to be completely inserted in the first cylinder 12 such that the exterior surface of the second cylinder 14 may contact the interior surface of the first cylinder 12. In a similar manner, the third cylinder 16 may be configured to be completely inserted in the second cylinder 14, and so on.

[0017]In accordance with the present disclosure, the diameter of each cylinder may be different to enable nesting of the plurality of cylinders. The first cylinder 12 may be an outermost cylinder and may have a first diameter. The second cylinder 14 may have a second diameter that may be less than the first diameter. The third cylinder 16 may have a third diameter that may be less than the second diameter. The fourth cylinder 18 may have a fourth diameter that may be less than the third diameter. The fifth cylinder 20 may have a fifth diameter that may be less than the fourth diameter. The sixth cylinder 22 may have a sixth diameter that may be less than the fifth diameter. The seventh cylinder 24 may be an innermost cylinder and may have a seventh diameter that may be less than the sixth diameter. While the plurality of cylinders are described having a specific number of cylinders, i.e. 7, it is understood that more, or less cylinders are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention.

[0018]In an exemplary aspect, the first diameter may be approximately 3 inches, the second diameter may be approximately 2.75 inches, the third diameter may be approximately 2.375 inches, the fourth diameter may be approximately 2.0 inches, the fifth diameter may be approximately 1.625 inches, the sixth diameter may be approximately 1.25 inches, and the seventh diameter may be approximately 1.0 inches. The measurements mentioned herein are exemplary in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0019]In further aspects, the diameter of each of the plurality of cylinders may be such that each cylinder may fit loosely or snugly in the next larger cylinder. Further, for ease of usage of the therapeutic device 10, each cylinder may have a different color. For example, a red cylinder having a diameter of 1.25 inches may fit into an white cylinder having a diameter of 1.625 inches, and so on, till all cylinders fit together in a concentric circle, as observed from either end of the therapeutic device 10.

[0020]As described above, the plurality of cylinders may be color-coded. Stated another way, the color of each cylinder may be different from another cylinder, and thus a color may be associated with a specific diameter. In some embodiments, each cylinder may be translucent. In other embodiments, each cylinder may be transparent or opaque.

[0021]In some aspects, the length of each cylinder may be same. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of each cylinder may be 6 inches (or in a range of 6 to 8 inches). In an exemplary embodiment, wall thickness of each cylinder may also be same. For example, the wall thickness of each cylinder may be 0.012 inches (or in a range of 0.01 to 0.02 inches). In addition, the therapeutic device 10 may not have any sharp edges. In further aspects, each cylinder of the plurality of cylinders may be rigid such that the cylinder may not easily deflect or deform.

[0022]The therapeutic device 10 may be configured to enable a user 26 to regain hand movement. Specifically, the user 26 may hold the therapeutic device 10 in user's hand and may begin to close his hands (i.e., the fingers) to varying degrees, as measured on a Goniometer, in sequence of larger size cylinders, as prescribed.

[0023]A professional (e.g., physicians and physical therapists) may utilize the different color-coded diameter cylinders/tubes to guide the user 26 to achieve hand movement goals by following simple instructions. Specifically, the professional may instruct the user 26 to begin with the first cylinder 12 (i.e., the largest cylinder/tube) and work down to smaller tubes, thereby making therapy more targeted to a specific patient. By starting out with the largest cylinder, the hand may slowly follow the natural circumference of the diameter of the cylinder being used.

[0024]Thereby, the therapeutic device 10 may enable the user 26 to achieve complete composite flexion without damage to the hand. For example, the therapeutic device 10 may enable the user 26 to slowly allow stretching of ligaments and tendons in a normal movement.

[0025]Except as may be expressly otherwise indicated, the article “a” or “an” if and as used herein is not intended to limit, and should not be construed as limiting, the description or a claim to a single element to which the article refers. Rather, the article “a” or “an” if and as used herein is intended to cover one or more such elements, unless the text expressly indicates otherwise.

[0026]The term “approximately” may include deviations of up to 10 percent of a provided value.