US5385537A — Splint system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 194 words

An improved splint system for the treatment and prevention of carpel tunnel syndrome in the wrist of a human being, said wrist having a radius, an ulna and first and second narrow sides, said splint system comprising: (a) a substantially V-shaped brace of semi-rigid material consisting of a pair of generally planar panels joined along a corner and diverging therefrom to provide a first free end and a second free end, said panels being dimensioned and angularly oriented to embrace a first narrow side of the wrist of a human being; (b) a strap connected to one of said free ends of said brace and dimensioned to extend about the second narrow side of the wrist; (c) means on the other of said free ends for engagement by said strap; and (d) means for securing said strap in an adjusted length between said free ends to cooperate with said brace to apply pressure upon the opposite narrow sides of the wrist of the patient to press the radius and ulna of the wrist toward one another, said brace retaining its V-shaped configuration when said splint system is secured about the wrist of the patient.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 194 words

An improved splint system for the treatment and prevention of carpel tunnel syndrome in the wrist of a human being, said wrist having a radius, an ulna and first and second narrow sides, said splint system comprising: (a) a substantially V-shaped brace of semi-rigid material consisting of a pair of generally planar panels joined along a corner and diverging therefrom to provide a first free end and a second free end, said panels being dimensioned and angularly oriented to embrace a first narrow side of the wrist of a human being; (b) a strap connected to one of said free ends of said brace and dimensioned to extend about the second narrow side of the wrist; (c) means on the other of said free ends for engagement by said strap; and (d) means for securing said strap in an adjusted length between said free ends to cooperate with said brace to apply pressure upon the opposite narrow sides of the wrist of the patient to press the radius and ulna of the wrist toward one another, said brace retaining its V-shaped configuration when said splint system is secured about the wrist of the patient.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The improved splint system as recited in claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid material of said brace is a thermoplastic resin.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 14 words

The improved splint system as recited in claim 1, wherein said corner is rounded.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

The improved splint system as recited in claim 1, wherein said strap is of a generally elongated rectangular configuration and wherein said securing means is a hook-and-loop fastener system.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The improved splint system as recited in claim 1, wherein each panel has an aperture adjacent its free end through which said strap extends.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 50 words

The improved splint system as recited in claim 5, wherein said strap has a loop at one end fastened in the aperture of one panel, and slidably extends through the aperture in the other of said panels, and wherein said strap is releasably fastened to itself by said securing means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The improved splint system as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of said brace is provided with a cushion of a resilient polymeric material.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 145 words

A method of treating and preventing carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist of a human being, said wrist having a radius, an ulna, and first and second narrow sides, comprising: (a) providing a splint system including a substantially V-shaped brace of semi-rigid material, consisting of a pair of generally planar panels joined along a corner and diverging therefrom with a first free end and a second free end, and at least one strap extensible between said free ends, wherein the method comprises: (b) placing said brace to embrace the first narrow side of the wrist of a human being; (c) extending said strap about the second narrow side of said wrist between said free ends; and (d) adjusting said strap so that said strap and brace bear upon opposite sides of said wrist to press said radius and ulna of the wrist toward one another.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 145 words

A method of treating and preventing carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist of a human being, said wrist having a radius, an ulna, and first and second narrow sides, comprising: (a) providing a splint system including a substantially V-shaped brace of semi-rigid material, consisting of a pair of generally planar panels joined along a corner and diverging therefrom with a first free end and a second free end, and at least one strap extensible between said free ends, wherein the method comprises: (b) placing said brace to embrace the first narrow side of the wrist of a human being; (c) extending said strap about the second narrow side of said wrist between said free ends; and (d) adjusting said strap so that said strap and brace bear upon opposite sides of said wrist to press said radius and ulna of the wrist toward one another.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-01-30	1998-08-01	1999-01-31	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-01-30	2002-08-01	2003-01-31	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-01-30	2006-08-01	2007-01-31	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Splint system

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