WO2008062267A2

WO2008062267A2 - A wrist support to prevent or relieve carpal tunnel syndrome

Info

Publication number: WO2008062267A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/003384
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurice Ostroff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-23
Filing date: 2007-11-07
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-23
Also published as: WO2008062267A3

Abstract

A wrist-supporting pad (6) comfortably on the user's wrist causing the wrist to assume an ergonomically correct postion while using a computer keyboard (3) or a computer mouse (4). The support is attached to the palm side of the wrist bymeans of at leastr one strap (5) which can be fixedin position when required and which can be adjusted to accommodate the size of the user's hand and arm. In a preferred version the hsape of said pad (6) is semi cylindrical or elliptical. The flat surface is placed under the wrist and the curve- shaped portion rests on the desk or table surface, minimizing the area of said pad (6) that is in contact with said desk or table, so as to result in minimum friction while said pad slides on the desk or table surface wehn in une.

Description

REFERENCES CITED

US patent No. 5,188,321 Hirschenson , et al. February 23, 1993 7,081 ,102 Koetter , et al. July 25, 2006 6,979,305 Porrata , et al. December 27, 2005 5,468,220 Sucher November 21 , 1995 7,006,075 Olson February 28, 2006 7,025,310 Bouchard April 11 , 2006 7,028,581 Williams , et al. April 18, 2006

7.037.285 Yewer, Jr. May 2, 2006

7.037.286 Reinhardt May 2, 2006 7,108,234 Ritchey , et al. September 19, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) results from repetitive use of limbs usually in unnatural or awkward positions producing damaged muscles, tendons, and/or nerves. Tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are common examples especially among computer users, musicians, lab workers, and others whose work requires repetitive movements.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a painful progressive condition Gaused by compression of the median nerve, which runs from the forearm via the carpal tunnel into the hand. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers, as well as impulses to muscles in the hand that activate the fingers and thumb. The effect may be weakness, soreness, or numbness in the hand and wrist and even in some cases up the arm. Symptoms include tingling or loss of sensation in fingers and occasionally difficulty in grasping objects

According to Medical Condition News, (26-Jul-2004) a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the USA, to determine which employees are more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome and other hand, wrist and elbow problems. It claims that approximately two out of every 1 ,000 workers will experience carpal tunnel syndrome every year, leading to significant medical expenditures and lost time from work. The average lifetime cost of carpal tunnel syndrome, including medical bills and lost time from work, is estimated to be about $30,000 for each injured worker.

Because the fingers are controlled by muscles that are connected to tendons which pass through the carpal tunnel, the angle at which the wrist is held in relation to the forearm, while device provides surfaces to receive a keyboard and mouse. Wedge shaped inserts can be used to alter the particular angle of the keyboard and mouse thereby providing a user with flexibility to position the hands at a desired angle. A first embodiment can be constructed of a closed cell foam in a molding or injection molding process. A second embodiment provides an inflatable support device especially suited for users who travel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the common problem of flexed wrist that occurs when using a computer keyboard or mouse

Fig. 2 illustrates how resting the wrist on the pad (6) results in the ergonomically correct positioning of arm, wrist and hand in a straight line while using a mouse. In this view the strap (5) has not yet been fastened

Fig 3. Shows the pad (6) attached to the wrist by means of flexible strap (5)

FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred rounded cross section of the pad (6).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a means to avoid the most common cause of CTS in computer users viz. the bending of the wrist at an angle (1) as shown in fig.1 , that compresses the carpal tunnel, while using a keyboard or computer mouse. This injurious angle is avoided by providing a cushioned pad (6) for supporting the wrist in an ergonomically suitable manner so as to ensure that the arm, wrist and hand assume a straight line while using a keyboard (3) or mouse (4).

The pad (6) is attached to the user's wrist by means of strap (5). By attaching the pad to the wrist, the arm and hand can be moved freely. Moreover, uncomfortable stretching of the fingers to reach keys on keyboard (3) is minimized as the entire arm can be moved freely to enable this to be done without stretching the fingers.

In a preferred version the cross sectional shape of the pad (6) is semi cylindrical or elliptical as shown in fig. 4. The flat surface is placed under the wrist and the curved portion rests on the desk surface. This shape minimizes the area of the pad that is in contact with the desk surface and results in minimum friction as the pad slides on the desk or table surface when in use. The curved shape also permits a rolling movement thus facilitating an up and down movement of the hand when in use with the pad attached. and the user accesses the mouse with fingers only while the hand and wrist remain on a horizontal plane and totally relaxed on the resting plate. The disclosed device eliminates all upward or downward flexion of the users wrist which is a main cause of repetitive stress injuries.

United States Patent 7,028,581 Williams , et al. April 18, 2006 discloses an ergonomic handgrip with separate ulnar and radial support means that divides the pressure between the heel of the hand and the thumb area along with removing the pressure in the central palmer crease at the joining of the wrist. This is accomplished by using a dog-bone shape with an ulnar or heel support area having a cavity conforming to the shape of the heel of the hand and a radial or thumb support with a cavity conforming to the shape of the thumb of the hand where it joins the wrist. The ulnar or heel support and the radial or thumb support are angled so as to keep the wrist in a neutral position in relation to the device and are divided by a median groove that blends up into the gripping area of the device. The median groove maintains a space between the device and the carpel tunnel or central palm area of the hand. By adapting the conventional computer mouse to the shape of the ergonomic handgrip with separate ulnar and radial support means, some or all of the wrist pain can be eliminated.

United States Patent 7,037,285 Yewer, Jr. May 2, 2006 discloses a sleeve-type wrist brace made of elastic material with a finger end and a forearm end, with an adjustable curved thumb strap and adjustable wrist straps for use in supporting the wrist in an anatomically neutral position, or in a position that permits therapeutical ly-useful extension, without increasing pressure on the carpal tunnel, median nerve or flexor tendons in the forearm.

United States Patent 7,098,893 Rogers August 29, 2006 discloses a thumb and finger guide attachable to a computer mouse and a computer mouse incorporating same that includes two guides, one located on either side of the mouse. One guide is designed to receive the user's thumb and the other is designed to receive the user's little finger. The structure of the present invention positions the user's thumb and little finger with the user's hand in an open relaxed position. The structure allows the mouse to be moved and lifted without gripping its lateral sides. According to one embodiment, the guide structure of the present invention is retro-fitted to an existing mouse by the use of a peel and stick adhesive. According to another embodiment, a computer mouse is provided with the guide structure integral to it and for replacing an existing mouse.

United States Patent 7,108,234 Ritchey , et al. September 19, 2006 discloses a Keyboard support device and method that provides a user with ergonomic positioning of the hands during keyboarding to prevent ailments such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The support United States Patent 6,979,305 Porrata , et al. December 27, 2005 discloses an apparatus and method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome in a patient's hand that includes a bilateral housing for receiving the patient's right or left hand with two bottom capture regions for capturing and retaining the thenar and hypothenar regions of the patient's hand. The housing also includes a top portion with a pressure element adapted and configured to contact at least a portion of the central longitudinal dorsal region of the patient's hand. The pressure element is connected to a pressure source, such that when the hand is inserted into the housing, the pressure element may be activated to exert pressure on the respective central dorsal region of the hand while the hypothenar and thenar regions of the band are retained by the first and second capture regions, thus exerting forces opposite to the pressure exerted by the pressure element.

United States Patent 5,468,220 Sucher November 21 , 1995 discloses a Carpal tunnel bracelet-like appliance for the treatment or prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome including a C-shaped member having a central portion located over the dorsal side of the wrist and two arms encircling the wrist. Each arm has a pad for engaging the palm near the attachment edges of the carpal ligament at the medial border and the lateral border of the carpal bones. The bracelet also includes a pad attached to the central portion for engaging the dorsal part of the wrist. The member is shaped to cause the pad attached to the central portion to press against the dorsal side of the wrist while the ends of each arm press in the opposite direction on the edges of the palm. The C-shaped member is a single piece of resilient, malleable material, such as aluminum, or is divided into sections interconnected by spring loaded hinges.

United States Patent 7,006,075 Olson February 28, 2006 discloses an ergonomic computer mouse. The mouse has at least one signaling device that is positioned to accommodate a user's fingers when they are in a relaxed, nonextended state and the user's hand is resting on the mouse. The user may actuate a signaling device by exerting pressure on the signaling device in an upward direction, toward the rear of the mouse, or both. The mouse thus reduces fatigue on the user's hand and arm.

United States Patent 7,025,310 Bouchard April 11 , 2006 discloses a mouse rest for hand and wrist for reducing repetitive stress injuries from extended use of a computer mouse device which includes a hand and wrist support region consisting of a resting plate, generally square in shape, having three square corners and one outwardly rounded corner. The resting plate has a top and bottom surface and is elevated by at least three posts attached at the square corners and extending downward to a nonskid pad. A nonskid pad is affixed to a base. The computer mouse device is placed under the resting plate at the rounded corner making repetitive finger movements as in the use of a computer keyboard or mouse is an important factor in causing CTS. Ergonomically, the arm, wrist and hand should remain in a straight line. It is also important to be able to move the arms rather than stretching fingers to reach the keys, thus ensuring that fingers remain in a straight line with the forearm.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means for working comfortably in the foregoing ergonomic manner. By doing so, CTS can be prevented and persons already suffering from CTS are enabled to work more comfortably with computers or perform other operations, which involve repetitive movements.

PRIOR ART

Many patents have been granted for methods of preventing or treating CTS. For the most part they comprise ergonomically designed keyboards and mouses, wrist supports which stand on the desk and braGes and splints which maintain the wrist in a fixed designated position to prevent or alleviate CTS. No patent, nor any product advertised in catalogs nor the media, disclosing a device similar to this invention, has been discovered in which a pad is attached to the wrist in a manner so as to provide support and ensure that the foregoing ergonomically correct positioning of the arm, wrist and hand and is maintained when using a keyboard or mouse. Some examples of prior art are described below.

United States Patent 5,188,321 to Hirschenson , et al. February 23, 1993 discloses a keyboard stand comprising a substantially rigid plate-like member having an upper armrest surface of a size and shape such as to be adapted to support both forearms of a keyboard operator when the operator's hand are positioned to operate a keyboard and an upper keyboard-supporting surface of a size and shape such as to be adapted to support a keyboard. The upper keyboard-supporting surface is recessed below the upper armrest surface such the frontmost part of the housing of the keyboard does not extend substantially above the upper armrest surface.

United States Patent 7,081 ,102 Koetter , et al. July 25, 2006 discloses a Hinged dorsal carpal tunnel brace comprising a first substantially arcuate splint portion for fastening to a dorsal side of a patient's forearm. The first splint portion includes at least one strap for fastening the first arcuate splint portion to the patient's forearm. A second splint portion attaches to a dorsal side of the patient's hand and includes at least one strap for fastening to the patient's hand. A hinge pivotally connects the first splint portion to the second splint portion and allows pivotal motion through a preselected arcuate distance in radial and ulnar directions. In another preferred version, said pad (6) is constructed from a soft substance such as foam rubber or foam plastic so as to act as a comfortable cushion. The pad may be covered in decorative paper, plastic, textile or other material and provision is made for advertising messages

In yet another preferred version, the strap (5) passes over and is attached to the curved underside of the pad (6) thus raising the surface of said underside from the desk when in use and reducing the surface area and consequent friction when pad (5) is sliding along the desk while in use. Alternatively a narrow strip of material is attached to the curved underside to attain the same effect.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A wrist supporting pad that is worn comfortably on the user's wrist while causing the wrist to assume an ergonomically correct position when using a computer keyboard or a computer mouse, said pad being placed on the palm side of the wrist to which it is attached by means of at least one retaining strap

2. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein the shape of the pad is semi-cylindrical or elliptical in cross section, the flat surface of which is placed under the wrist and the curved portion rests on the desk or table surface, minimizing the area of the pad in contact with the desk or table surface, resulting in minimum friction as the pad slides on said surface and facilitating an up and down movement of the hand while in use.

3. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said pad is constructed from a soft substance such as foam rubber or foam plastic so as to act as a comfortable cushion

4. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said pad is covered in decorative paper, plastic, textile or other material

5. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein provision is made for advertising messages on said pad

6. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein strap (5) passes along and is attached to the curved underside of pad (6) thus raising the surface of said underside from the desk so that the surface area and consequent friction are reduced when pad (6) slides along the desk while in use

7. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein a narrow strip of material is attached to the curved underside of pad (6) thus raising the surface of said underside from the desk so that the surface area and consequent friction are reduced when pad (6) slides along the desk while in use

8. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein the means for securing said pad to the wrist comprises at least one flexible strap fixedly secured at one end to said pad and passing over the dorsal side of the wrist and adjustably secured to another segment of said pad.

9. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said strap or straps is/are fixed in position by means of Velcro

10. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein fixing of the said strap is adjustable to accommodate the size of the user's hand and arm.