Abstract: A longitudinal, substantially cylindrical shaped inflatable bladder for inserting within the palmar region of a constricted hand to extend the fingers outwardly and to promote exercise of the constricted hand. The bladder has a channel for receiving an end portion of a static hand orthosis permitting the inflatable bladder to be attached to a static hand orthosis. The bladder is further provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending partitions forming a network of connected fluid retaining pockets. The fluid retaining pockets permitting the bladder to inflate such that pressure is applied to the palmar region of the constricted hand between three natural arches of the hand promoting restoration of the concave depression of the palm and a functional position of the hand.

Abstract: A bidirectional exercise glove is molded from elastic material in a shape such that the glove biases the wearer's hand to a relaxed position in which the wrist is cocked up 30.degree. and the fingers and thumb are positioned in their relaxed, equilibrium positions, approximately one-third closed. Rods embedded along the fingers of the glove resist flexion and extension of the fingers. Alternatively, flexion and extension of the fingers are resisted by thick molded regions formed integrally with the glove about the fingers.

Abstract: A rehabilitative and preventative exercise device for carpal tunnel syndrome. The first embodiment includes a housing having a plurality of elastic bands extending therefrom, each elastic band being attached to a respective one of a series of screws disposed therein. By turning each screw, the tension of the attached elastic band may be either increased or decreased. The ends of each elastic band extending from the housing include a finger receiving assembly. The second embodiment includes a forearm restraint device in combination with a finger tensioning assembly. The finger tensioning assembly includes a shell having a series of tension-adjusting cleat-lock slots to which elastic members may be detachably connected. Each elastic member has a fingerlet for attachment to a finger as well as a protuberance for connecting the member to the shell.

Abstract: An inflatable hand orthosis promotes a functional positioning of the fingers and thumb. An inflatable air bladder is formed by two vinyl sheets bonded together and inflated and deflated by a pump bulb and-deflation valve, respectively, which are fixed to the vinyl sheets and communicatingly interconnected with the air bladder. The bladder is sewn into a soft cloth covering in order to form a wearable device which may be used either alone or in conjunction with hand, wrist, and finger orthosis. The hand device is placed on the palm and under the patient's fingers while deflated. Then the bladder is inflated to align and extend the fingers and to abduct the thumb.

Abstract: A device for exercising the fingers, hands, and forearms of a user while bracing the wrist of the user. The device incorporates flexible, resilient rods made of a material such as a composite. The rods are configured to extend from a tip of the finger to at least base of the finger. A brace is provided which extends across the back of the hand and across the back of the wrist of the user.

Abstract: A device for exercising the fingers, hands, wrists and forearms of a user. The device incorporates flexible resilient rods made of a material such as a composite. The flexural strength of the rods creates the exercising resistance. The rods extend parallel to the hand of the user and therefore allow the user to perform other functions with his or her hands while wearing the device. The rods and the device may incorporate antimicrobials to prevent the spread or growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is a finger exercise and rehabilitation device which includes a housing, a pivoting arm-rest hinged at one end to the top of the housing, and a mechanism for pivoting the arm-rest about its hinged end. Each of a plurality of tension cables have one end spring loaded by an elastically deformable member to one of a plurality of possible locations within the housing. Each of the elastically deformable members, such as a coil spring or a length of resilient rubber, exerts a resisting force and stretches when its corresponding cable is pulled during an exercise routine (i.e., when a tensile load is applied). Each of a plurality of finger harnesses is fixed to the other end of each cable and configured to receive one finger of the human hand. A hand positioning block extends out beyond the leading end of the housing. An adjustable hand brace is operatively mounted to the block so as to be longitudinally positionable therealong.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a finger rehabilitation system which has a gauntlet constructed of an elastomeric material, shaped to fit the center portion of a human hand extending past the wrist with securing means for releasably securing the gauntlet to the hand and finger attachment means for selectively rehabilitating the joints of the fingers, having securing means for releasably securing to the gauntlet.

Abstract: An exerciser device having a band, a wrist securing member connected to the band such that the band extends outwardly of the wrist securing member, and finger engagement member affixed to the band at a position generally opposed to the wrist securing member. The wrist securing member serves for removable attachment around a human wrist. The finger engagement member extends inwardly of the band. A thumb engagement member is affixed to the band at a position generally between the finger engagement member and the wrist securing member. The band has a generally rigid and generally circular configuration extending from the wrist securing member. The finger engagement member includes a slide member extending around an exterior of the band and a plurality of finger receptacles extending from the slide member in a direction generally facing the wrist securing member.

Abstract: A resistance spring-type exerciser for exercising one or more fingers against spring resistance while the exerciser is held in the palm of the user, in which finger-assigned plungers used for the exercise routines are adjustable both in their adjacent spaced relation to each other and in their height, to thereby accommodate the hand width and finger length dimensions of the user.

Abstract: A hand lever to be held in the hand of a person to aid in locomotion. A rigid, lightweight, non-compressible device which has a first segment with a leading edge. A rear segment has a convex edge and an intermediate segment is between the front and rear segments. The fingers of the person grip the leading edge of the front segment and press the convex edge of the rear segment of the device toward the heel of the person's hand. The top edge of the first segment is curved and is capped by the person's thumb. The hand lever, when held by the person, aligns, intensifies, and projects the hand, forearm and ultimately, the total body drive through space.

Abstract: An inflatable hand orthosis promotes a functional positioning of the fingers and thumb. An inflatable air bladder is formed by two vinyl sheets bonded together and inflated and deflated by a pump bulb and deflation valve, respectively, which are fixed to the vinyl sheets and communicatingly interconnected with the air bladder. The bladder is sewn into a soft cloth covering in order to form a wearable device which may be used either alone or in conjunction with hand, wrist, and finger orthosis. The hand device is placed on the palm and under the patient's fingers while deflated. Then the bladder is inflated to align and extend the fingers and to abduct the thumb.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching the span of a hand includes a base member and a pair of spaced pegs; one peg for engaging the first metacarpal and one peg for engaging the fifth metacarpal of the hand. The pegs are mounted for relative adjustment in the base member. More particularly, the peg for engaging the first metacarpal is received in a straight guide way or slot extending through the base member. The second peg for engaging the fifth metacarpal is received in an arcuate guide track or slot extending through the base member in an arc about the first peg. Graduations are provided to identify relative positions along the guide way and guide track. A method for stretching the span of a hand includes engaging the hand between the first and second metacarpals with a first peg and between the fourth and fifth metacarpals at a spaced stretching distance with a second peg. Next is repeatedly pressing the hand against the pegs to provide stretching.

Abstract: A device and method for the treatment of symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome is described. The device comprises an elastic member which removably attaches to the distal tips of the fingers and the thumb of the affected hand. The patient dons the device and with the fingers and thumb extended, repetitively forces the fingers and thumb outward away from one another against the elastic restoring force of the device. Brief, frequent, (preferably daily) use of this device relieves the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract: An apparatus treats a stiffened joint of at least one finger of the hand and includes a first member for engaging the metacarpal phalangeal joint of the finger and a second member movable with respect to the first member for engaging a surface of the finger on the side of the stiffened joint opposite the metacarpal phalangeal joint. The apparatus further includes at least one threaded member for exerting pressure against the second member for bending the stiffened joint and retaining the apparatus on the hand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imparting continuous passive motion to one or more joints, ligaments, or tendons is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing, an actuator, and a flexion/extension assembly. In preferred form, a main flexion cable links the actuator to a joint support member pivotally attached to flexion/extension assembly. Reciprocating motion of the main flexion cable causes the support member to oscillate. A restoring force, preferably a second main cable cooperative linked to the actuator, is present so as to urge the support member to its initial position. The path of motion of the support member can be altered, while the apparatus is in operation, by a cable deflecting assembly. By controlling the degree of cable deflection, the degree of support member motion can be altered.

Abstract: A precision grip meter includes a frame; a base on the frame sized and shaped to engage the palm of the hand; a plurality of plungers on the frame opposite the base and located for being depressed by corresponding fingers of the hand; and a device associated with the base and the plungers for simultaneously measuring and recording both finger strength and overall hand strength. The grip meter may also comprise a frame; a force-detecting device; a first system on the frame for receiving the fingers of a hand and applying force exerted by the fingers to the force-detecting device; and a second system on the frame for receiving the heel of the hand and applying force exerted by the heel to the force-detecting device. Preferably, the grip meter is symmetrical so that it can be used for measuring the finger and hand strength of either the left hand or the right hand.

Abstract: A glove-like device, which may be fabricated in the form a glove, mitten or mitt, for actively exercising the muscles of the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm. A glove fabricated from a flexible non-extensible material having a plurality of elongated tube shaped inflatable elastomeric bladders contained within pockets of like material attached to the upper outer surface of the glove from the tips of the fingers and thumb extending behind the knuckles. The bladders are attached to and pressurized through a manifold attached to the top surface of the glove behind the knuckles. The manifold is pressurized through a valve containing inlet/outlet tube the amount of pressure being indicated by a pressure gauge connected to the rear of the manifold. Additionally a bladder is contained within a pocket located on the palm of the glove which inflates into a flexible ball-like structure.

Abstract: A basketball training device is described for improving the shooting skills of the user including an elongated member adapted to be strapped to the user's forearm and a hemispherical finger and hand engagement element configured as a portion of a basketball facing the elongate member so as to be engagable with the user's fingers and hand. A resistance member pivotally mounts the hemispherical engagement element to resist movement from an inclined position to allow the user to flex the hand, fingers and wrist against the resistance in a manner closely simulating the execution of a basketball shot. An elbow rest is adjustably mounted at the opposite end of the elongate member.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus for the development or rehabilitation of the entire human musculature is packaged in a compact and lightweight housing. It combines three sets of exercising arms which can be biased against either pushing or pulling movements. The first set has parallel arms working in a front/back horizontal direction. The second set offers incline, back-to-back arms operating in sideways, horizontal direction. The third set features a pair of parallel arms moving in a vertical direction. Each arm can be operated with a hand or a foot. Each exercising arm is part of a removable arm assembly that can be used separately from the apparatus in combination with various attachments as a portable musculature development exerciser.

Abstract: An exercise device and method to exercise the wrist and hand of a person at the work station on a desk surface includes a base with a curved bottom surface with front and rear upper horizontal members, the front with finger rings to receive the ends of the digits of the middle fingers while resting the wrist on the rear horizontal member. Upper sections of the base are separate and are rotatably adjustable to fix a chosen distance between the two upper horizontal members. The device is used by rocking the device frontwardly and backwardly on the curved surface to exercise and flex the wrist in all six directions.

Abstract: A finger exercise device which allows a user to move his/her fingers against resistance while allowing the user to perform different types of finger movement, such as flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, etc. The device also provides a finger exerciser that will allow the user to exercise an individual finger or a combination of fingers and which will allow the user to select the degree of resistance placed on the finger movement. By use of a pulley system that provides for even distribution of load on active fingers, and a weight unit that provides variable resistance, finger exercise is performed by placing fingertips in finger rests located in slots and moving the fingertips outwardly or inwardly against the resistance of the weight unit.

Abstract: A resistance spring-type exerciser for optionally exercising individual fingers, or an entire hand, in which, for individual finger exercises, individual finger-gripped members are closed in a first direction against the resistance of a first set of springs, and, for exercising an entire hand, a second set of springs is operationally added to the first set by requiring closing movement thereagainst from a second direction opposite to the already noted first direction closing movement.