Patent US4281647A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4281647A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Inflatable hand splint
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-10-12
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Granted: 1981-08-04
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Expires: 1999-10-12
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable bandage splint for the hand comprising an inner glove of impermeable sheet material and an outer envelope of impermeable elastic sheet material. The inner glove and outer envelope are sealed together to form a fluid-tight chamber which may be inflated through a valve provided in the outer envelope. The inner glove and the outer envelope are secured together at selected distal locations and in the vicinity of the wrist. Eyelets are mounted to at least some of the distal locations where the inner glove and outer envelope are joined together. Eyelets are also provided in the vicinity of the wrist. Thus, when the bandage is inflated, tensile members such as elastic cord can be threaded through the eyelets and tied to pull the hand into the desired restrained position.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip G. Antypas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/04; A61F5/05; A61F5/058; A61F5/05816; A61F13/00; A61F13/10; A61F13/104; A61F5/30; A61F5/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An inflatable bandage splint for immobilizing the human hand comprising: an inner glove shaped to generally conform to the human hand, an outer elastic envelope just larger than the said inner glove, means for sealing the glove and envelope together at the proximal ends thereof, means for securing the glove and enclosure together at selected distal locations, and a plurality of eyelets associated with the outer envelope at at least some of the selected distal locations, and a plurality of eyelets at the proximal end of the inflatable bandage splint whereby tensile members may be strung through the eyelets and tied to provide the desired neutral position of the hand when the bandage splint is inflated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
An inflatable bandage splint for immobilizing the human hand comprising: an inner glove shaped to generally conform to the human hand, an outer elastic envelope just larger than the said inner glove, means for sealing the glove and envelope together at the proximal ends thereof, means for securing the glove and enclosure together at selected distal locations, and a plurality of eyelets associated with the outer envelope at at least some of the selected distal locations, and a plurality of eyelets at the proximal end of the inflatable bandage splint whereby tensile members may be strung through the eyelets and tied to provide the desired neutral position of the hand when the bandage splint is inflated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the outer envelope is also glove-shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the outer envelope is mitten-shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the selected distal locations are the tips of each finger and thumb.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 2 wherein eyelets are provided at each selected distal location where the inner glove and outer envelope are joined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 3 wherein a plurality of eyelets are spaced about the proximal end and with at least one eyelet on the palmar side and one eyelet on the dorsal side of the outer envelope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the inner glove is a partial glove leaving exposed at least portions of the fingers and thumb.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 7 wherein the glove is a partial glove leaving exposed at least a portion of the most distal phalanges of the four fingers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the glove extends in the proximal direction to surround at least a portion of the radius and the ulna bones in the forearm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the inner glove is fabricated of fluid impermeable material and the outer envelope is fabricated of elastic fluid impermeable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the outer envelope has two valves therein such that fluid may be circulated therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the bandage splint has at least two separately inflatable compartments one on the dorsal side and one on the palmar side of the hand.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 12 wherein the bandage splint has at least three separately inflatable compartments including one surrounding the fingers, one on the dorsal side of the hand, and one on the palmar side of the hand.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein each face of the glove and the outer envelope are identical such that the glove can be used on either the right or left-hand.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
An inflatable bandage splint according to claim 1 wherein the dorsal side of the glove and envelope are somewhat larger than the palmar sides thereof such that upon inflation the hand will be held in a naturally flexed position.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of immobilizing the human hand for limited flexing comprising (a) placing the hand in a bandage splint comprising an inner glove and an outer envelope with joins therebetween to define a plurality of chambers about the hand with individual valves into each chamber (b) filling at least one chamber with a settable filler and (c) inflating at least one of the remaining chambers with a compressible fluid.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of immobilizing the human hand for limited flexing comprising (a) placing the hand in a bandage splint comprising an inner glove and an outer envelope with joins therebetween to define a plurality of chambers about the hand with individual valves into each chamber (b) filling at least one chamber with a settable filler and (c) inflating at least one of the remaining chambers with a compressible fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-03 | 1985-02-02 | 1985-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-03 | 1989-02-02 | 1989-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-03 | 1993-02-02 | 1993-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |