Instruments for recovering functions of carpal joint, hand and fingers

Claim 1

An instrument for treating the carpal joint, hand and fingers, comprising a fluid-tight flexible ballonet connected to a fluid source through a fluid switch and adapted to be selectivity expanded and contracted by supplying and discharging compressed air into and out of said ballonet, said ballonet being arranged, when inflated, to assume a generally cylindrical configuration and extend over substantially the entire back of the hand and the exterior portion of the wrist; five finger-engaging members positioned and attached to the exterior surface of said ballonet for engaging and holding the five fingers individually in spread-apart relation with their backs against said ballonet; and fastening means attached to the exterior surface of said ballonet for fastening the carpal joint and a region in the vicinity thereof, whereby said ballonet is operative, when inflated, to warp the hand backwards to thereby straighten the contracted finger joints and carpal joint, and whereby, in use repeated supplying and discharging of compressed air into and out of said ballonet will effect rhythmical and intermittent movement, such as fanning and extension of the functionally disordered carpal joint, hand and/or fingers to provide for the recovery of normal flexion, contraction and extension functions.