HAND AND FOREARM STRENGTHENING DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE
The present disclosure provides a therapeutic hand and forearm strengthening device which permits a user to exercise and strengthen specifically isolated hand and forearm muscles, tendons and ligaments in a number of different ways depending on the specific exercise and device configuration chosen by the user. Another object of the present disclosure also provides methods of therapeutically treating a user's hand and forearm using a device according to the present disclosure.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/986,643, filed on Nov. 9, 2007 in the name of Wagner, J. and Heasty, L., and entitled “Hand and Forearm Strengthening Device” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/982,515, filed on Oct. 25, 2007 in the name of Wagner J. and Heasty, L., and entitled “Hand and Forearm Strengthening Device.”
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure relates, generally, to therapeutic hand strengthening tools, and more particularly, to an occupational therapy device which is designed for the therapeutic rehabilitation or general strengthening of a person's hand and/or forearm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe hands are an extremely delicate, complicated part of the human body. When healthy, hands are exceptionally useful, and as a practical matter, they are indispensable if an individual is to function effectively in modern society. However, physical damage, even if minor, can wreak devastating havoc on the function of the hands. Such damage can occur in many ways, including physical damage as those caused by a traumatic accident, or events that effect one's ability to function the hand, as in cases such as traumatic cerebral events like a stroke. In particular, subjects who suffer such traumatic loss of hand function typically lose their ability to perform basic daily functions that require the gripping capabilities of the hand, such as turning a door knob, untwisting a jar lid, or even turning a key. However, none of these devices or techniques, prior to the present disclosure, conveniently provide quick and effective re-development and strengthening of these grasping manipulations that are an essential maneuver accomplished by the hands. Because such damage is a frequent occurrence in today's society, many techniques and devices have been devised for rehabilitating non-functioning or poorly functioning hands.
Many of these types of devices are intended to improve the overall strength and function of the hand, such as squeezing apparatuses, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,582, 5,451,191, 5,527,240, and 5,890,999; finger and thumb exercising devices, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,991, and hand-manipulating devices such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,045.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is, therefore, among the many objects of the present disclosure to provide an exercise and/or therapeutic hand and forearm strengthening device which permits a user to exercise and strengthen specifically isolated hand and forearm muscles, tendons and ligaments in a number of different ways depending on the specific exercise and device configuration chosen by the user. One object of the present disclosure provides, briefly, a hand and forearm strengthening device which permits the therapeutic treatment and/or strengthening of a user's hand and/or forearm. Another object of the present disclosure also provides, briefly, methods of strengthening a user's hand and/or forearm, wherein the method includes providing a device of the present disclosure.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means at least one element and can include more than one element.
As used herein, the term “user,” “subject” and “patient” are used interchangeably herein and refer to a human subject who has suffered partial or complete loss of hand and/or forearm function or someone in need of general hand and/or forearm strengthening. In the first instance, the causes of partial or complete loss of hand and/or forearm function are numerous, and include individuals who may have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving them with wounds, scars, burns, injured tendons, ligaments or nerves, fractures, or even amputation of the finger(s), thumb, hand or arm, individuals who have been disabled from the affects of cumulative trauma disorders, such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, neurological conditions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Guillain-Barré syndrome, and the like), as well as those individuals who have suffered loss of hand function through a stroke, anoxia, and the like. In the second instance, users in need of general strengthening include, for example, athletes, typists, construction workers, and the like.
As used herein, the term “caregiver,” “health professional,” “therapist,” “exercise trainer” and the like refer to those professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation aids, exercise trainers, exercise physiologists and the like who help devise therapy and/or strengthening regimens and/or assist those individuals in need of therapy and/or strengthening.
The terms “strengthening”, “treatment”, “treat,” “therapy,” and “therapeutic regimen” are used synonymously herein and may refer to a subject in a therapy/rehabilitation scenario or in an exercise/health scenario. In reference to therapy, these terms refer to either the attempted remediation of a condition employed by a health professional needed to help an individual regain strength, function and use in the hand and/or forearm after surgery, accident or disease condition that results in the user losing all or partial function of the hand and/or forearm. In reference to an exercise/health scenario, these terms refer to the attempted strengthening of the hand and/or forearm employed by an exercise physiologist, trainer and the like to help an individual improve the strength, function and use in the hand and/or forearm.
As used herein, the term “hand” refers to the two intricate, prehensile, multi-fingered body parts located at the end of each arm of a human or other primate, including the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments thereof. A user's hand may or may not comprise the normal four digits and thumb. As used herein, the term “forearm” refers to the structure on the upper limb between the elbow and wrist, as well as the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments found therein.
Referring to
As used herein, the term “handle” or “grip” refers to that part of the hand and forearm strengthening device that the user places in the hand. The handle may take the form of a number of common handles, including, but not limited to, pull handles, wherein one or more hand(s) grip the handle(s) and exert force to shorten the distance between the hands and their corresponding shoulders, twist handles, wherein the handle requires grasping (but not pulling) and rotating the hand and either the lower arm or the whole arm about its axis, handles for wide range motion and car assist grips. Examples of these types of handles include, but are not limited to, drawer pull, handles on latchless doors, the starting cord for a lawn mower/snow blower, door knobs and levers, D-ring handles (e.g. shovels and spades), screwdrivers, axes, hammers, mallets, hatchets, dowels (e.g., rod), baseball bats, rackets, golf clubs, croquet mallets, wrenches, keys, and the like. Also included within this definition are those items which require the “gripping” action of a user's hand. The “grip strength” of an individual is the force applied by the hand to pull on, twist, or suspend from objects. There are several different types of “grips” that can be applied by a user's hand, including a “crush grip,” wherein the object being gripped rests firmly against the palm and all fingers, a “pinch grip,” wherein the fingers are on one side of an object, and the thumb on the opposite side, a “twist grip,” wherein the fingers wrap around the object at one side and the thumb is on the opposite side and movement occurs by turning the hand clockwise or counter-clockwise, and “support grip,” wherein the hand holds a handle in a first-like fashion, such as the handle of a bucket for a long period of time. Examples of such “grip”-like handles include, but are not limited to, a jar lid, a bottle cap and bottle, pliers, a wrench handle, tweezers, toothbrush, nut cracker and the like. For example, as shown in
The resistance end 6 can take the form of any shape and/or size. For example, and as shown in
In those embodiments of the present disclosure incorporating an interchangeable handle 5, interchangeable resistance end 6, and/or interchangeable appendages 8, the hand and/or forearm strengthening device 1 will further comprise an attachment means 11. The term “attachment means” and “fastening means” refers to any means by which two items by be bound together. Ideally, and within the scope of this embodiment, the “attachment means” does not permanently affix the two items together, but rather securely binds the two items together such that the device can still be manipulated within the resistance medium 8 and provide the desired resistance to the user's hand and/or forearm. Examples of suitable attachment means include a screw means, a snap means, a tongue-in-groove means, a male-female connector means, a slot and tab means, and the like.
Suitable materials that can be used to manufacture the device 1 of the present disclosure include any material that will provide sufficient support and rigidity when the device is maneuvered within a resistance medium. Such materials include, but are not limited to, composites, such as fiber reinforced polymers, carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, glass-fiber reinforced plastic, thermoset composites, and epoxy resins containing fibers such as aramid and carbon, and the like, metals, such as copper, zinc, nickel, aluminum, tin, titanium, iron and the like, as well as metal alloys, such as steel, brass, bronze, duralumin, titanium and the like, plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polyamides, poly(vinyl) chloride, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polyvinylidene chloride, Bayblend and the like, thermoplastics, such as acrylic, celluloid, cellulose acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl alcohol, fluoroplastics, ionomers, kydex, liquid crystal polymer, polyacetal, polyacrylates, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polyamide-imide, polyaryletherketone, polybutadiene, polybutylene, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyketione, polyester, polyethylene, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyethylenechlorinates, polyimide, polylactic acid, polymethylpentene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyphthalamide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulfone, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, spectralon and the like, wood, such as plywood, balsa wood, oak, pressboard, oriented strand board, wood-plastic composite, formica, micarta, arborite, mallite, and the like.
In another embodiment, the resistance end 6 is fixedly attached to the device 1 by means of the shaft 2. In another embodiment, the resistance end 6 is interchangeable with other resistance ends 6. In such an embodiment, the user or care giver would attach to the second end 4 of the shaft 2 the desired resistance end 6. For example, a user could choose between a resistance end 6 that comprises a form of a disk, such as that depicted in
When in operation, the device 1 is placed within a resistance medium 12. To manipulate the device, the user grasps the handle portion 5 of the device 1 and manipulates the device within the medium. The exact motion (e.g., pushing, twisting, pulling, etc.) to be applied by the user will be depend on the type of therapy and or strengthening desired as determined by the caregiver. Similarly, the grip used by the user will depend on the type of handle that is attached to the shaft 2. Resistance is applied to the device via the resistance end 8 engaging the resistance medium 12. For example, as shown in
As used herein, the term “resistance medium” refers to any solid, semi-solid, or liquid medium that can provide resistance when the device of the present disclosure is manipulated therein. As used herein, a liquid is a fluid that can freely form a distinct surface at the boundaries of its bulk material. Examples of suitable liquids include, but are not limited to, water, glycerin, and the like. As used herein, a semi-solid or semi-liquid refers to those substances that, while technically a solid, share some properties of liquids, such as shape conformity or something applying pressure to it, of the ability to flow. Included within this definition are gels, foams, sand and sand-like substances, clays, putties, doughs and the like. Preferably, the resistance medium is a clay, putty or dough, such as Thera-Putty™. Furthermore, the resistance medium can be altered to increase or decrease the amount of resistance applied to the device. This can be done in many ways, such as switching the resistance medium (e.g., replacing one density putty for another) or altering the composition of the resistance medium (e.g., changing the viscosity of a liquid). Also within the scope of the present disclosure the resistance medium may also comprise a flat surface, such as a table top, floor, and the like. Alternatively, the flat surface may also exhibit varying degrees of resistance, and may comprise surface materials such as rubber (e.g., a rubber mat), foam and the like. The degree of resistance provided by such a flat surface may be controlled through its thickness, hardness, or combinations thereof.
In another embodiment, the hand and forearm strengthening device 1 comprises a disk-like shape. As shown in
In another embodiment, the device 1 comprises a pincher-like shape. As shown in
In another embodiment, the device 1 fits on the end of a user's finger. As shown in
As used herein, the term “reconstitute” or “reset” refers to the restoring of the resistance medium to it's original condition (i.e. prior to the use of the hand and forearm strengthening device of the present invention). In certain embodiments where the resistance medium is a malleable substance (e.g., sand, putty, clay dough and the like), the medium will become dispersed after use of the device and no longer provide the desired resistance to the user. When this occurs, it may be necessary for the user or caregiver to reshape or remold the resistance medium prior to restarting the strengthening process.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of strengthening a user's hand or forearm, where the user follows the steps comprising: (a) selecting a desired hand and forearm strengthening device, wherein the device comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end and wherein the first end comprises a handle and the second end comprises a resistance end; (b) gripping the device by the handle, wherein the user grips the handle using a grip appropriate with the type of handle; (c) inserting the device into a resistance medium, wherein the resistance end is placed in contact with the resistance medium; (d) applying the appropriate motion to the device; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for desired amount of time; (f) removing said device from said resistance medium; (g) optionally reconstituting said resistance medium; and (h) optionally repeating steps (a)-(h). In certain embodiments, after the desired number of rotations has been completed or when the resistance medium no longer provides the desired resistance, it may be necessary to reconstitute the resistance medium before proceeding. This step may be required when the resistance medium comprises materials such as putty, dough, clay, sand and the like. The user will then remove the device from the resistance medium. The user or caregiver will then reshape the medium, at which time the process is repeated until the desired therapy has been given.
In certain embodiments, the handle is selected from the group consisting of a screwdriver handle, a dowel, an axe handle, a hammer handle, a mallet handle, a hatchet handle, a baseball bat handle, a tennis racket handle, a golf club handle, a wrench handle and a toothbrush handle. In such embodiments, the gripping comprises a crush grip. In other embodiments, the handle is selected from the group consisting of a key, a jar lid, a D-ring handle, and a bottle cap. In such embodiments, the gripping comprises a twist grip.
In another embodiment, the resistance end comprises a disk, wherein the disk is convex. In such embodiments, the disk is in contact with said resistance medium. Further, in such embodiments the applied motion comprises pushing the device into said resistance medium. In another embodiment, the resistance end comprises a plurality of appendages, wherein the appendages are positioned between a 0 and 90 degree angle in relation to said resistance end. Preferably, the appendages are positioned at a 45 degree angle in relation to said resistance end. In such embodiments, the applied motion comprises twisting said device in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise rotation.
In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of strengthening a user's hand or forearm, wherein said user follows the steps comprising: (a) selecting a desired hand and forearm strengthening device, wherein the device comprises a shaft, and wherein the shaft comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a handle and the second end comprises a resistance end; wherein the handle is in the form of a jar lid and the resistance end comprises a plurality of appendages, wherein the appendages are at a 45 degree angle to the resistance end; (b) gripping the device by the handle, wherein the gripping comprises a twist grip; (c) inserting the device into a resistance medium; (d) twisting the device in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise direction; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for desired amount of time; (f removing the device from the resistance medium; (g) optionally reconstituting said resistance medium; and (h) optionally repeating steps (a)-(h).
In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of using the hand and forearm strengthening device which is in the form of a pincher (see, e.g.,
In certain embodiments, the user will manually squeeze the device to close the top portion and bottom portion of the device together using only air as the resistance medium. This process will be continued for as long as required to provide the necessary therapy. In other embodiments, the user will insert the device into a resistance medium other than air, squeeze the device so that the top portion and bottom portion of the device close, and then remove the device from the resistance medium. This process continues until the desired therapy has been achieved, or until the resistance medium no longer provides the desired resistance, whereby the user or caregiver will reconstitute the resistance medium and the process repeated.
In another embodiment, the present disclosure also provides a method of using the hand and therapy device in the form of a flattening disk (see, e.g.,
In another embodiment, the present disclosure also provides a method of using the hand and therapy device in the form of a finger extension (see, e.g.,
A “kit” is any article of manufacture (e.g. a package or container) comprising at least one hand and forearm therapy device of the present disclosure for the treatment, therapy and/or exercise of the hand and/or forearm of a person in need of therapy. The article of manufacture may be promoted, distributed, or sold as a unit for performing the methods of the present disclosure. The components included in such a kit comprise a hand and forearm therapy device comprising at least one hand and forearm therapy device and at least one resistance medium. For example, such kits will provide a plurality of devices comprising various handles and/or resistance ends and/or resistance means. In other embodiments, the kit may provide a device of the present disclosure that has interchangeable handles, resistance ends and/or resistance means. In such embodiments, the kit will contain a plurality of handles, resistance ends and/or resistance means that can be interchangeably added or removed from the device. In addition, the kits of the present disclosure may preferably contain instructions which describe a suitable method of therapy (e.g., modes of use, types of exercises, etc.). Such kits can be conveniently used, e.g., in clinical settings, hospitals, other treatment facilities as well as the home. The kits of the present disclosure may also comprise a carrying means, whereby the carrying means can be in the form of a suit case, carry case, box, bag or the like that will enable the hand and forearm strengthening device or devices, any attachments and resistance mediums to be easily transported.
It is understood that the foregoing detailed description and drawings are illustrative only and are not to be taken as limitations upon the scope of the disclosure. Various changes and modification to the disclosed embodiments, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Further, all patents, patent applications and publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
1. A method of strengthening a user's hand or forearm, wherein said user follows the steps comprising:
- (a) selecting a desired hand and forearm strengthening device, wherein said device comprises a shaft, wherein said shaft comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first end comprises a handle and said second end comprises a resistance end;
- (b) gripping said device by said handle, wherein said user grips said handle using a grip appropriate with the type of said handle;
- (c) inserting said device into a resistance medium, wherein said resistance end is placed in contact with said resistance medium;
- (d) applying the appropriate motion to said device;
- (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for desired amount of time;
- (f) removing said device from said resistance medium;
- (g) optionally reconstituting said resistance medium; and
- (h) optionally repeating steps (a)-(h).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said handle is interchangeable.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said resistance end is interchangeable.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said handle is selected from the group consisting of a screwdriver handle, a dowel, an axe handle, a hammer handle, a mallet handle, a hatchet handle, a baseball bat handle, a tennis racket handle, a golf club handle, a wrench handle and a toothbrush handle.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said gripping comprises a crush grip.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said handle is selected from the group consisting of a key, a jar lid, a D-ring handle, and a bottle cap.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said gripping comprises a twist grip.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said resistance end comprises a disk, wherein said disk is convex and wherein said convex side of said disk is in contact with said resistance medium.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said applied motion comprises pushing said device into said resistance medium.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said resistance end comprises a plurality of appendages, wherein said appendages are positioned between a 0 and 90 degree angle in relation to said resistance end.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said appendages are positioned at a 45 degree angle in relation to said resistance end.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said applied motion comprises twisting said device in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise rotation.
13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an additional shaft portion.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said device is made of a material selected from the group consisting of composite material, metal, plastic, wood and combinations thereof.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said material is composite.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein said resistance medium is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a solid and a semi-solid substance.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said resistance medium is selected from the group consisting of a gel, a clay, a dough and a putty.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said resistance medium is a putty.
19. A method of strengthening a user's hand or forearm, wherein said user follows the steps comprising:
- (a) selecting a desired hand and forearm strengthening device, wherein said device comprises an elongated portion comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said top and bottom portions each comprise a first and second end, and wherein said second end of said top and said bottom portions are joined together and wherein said first end of said top and said bottom portions do not come into contact when at rest;
- (b) gripping said device, wherein said gripping comprises a pinch grip, such that a thumb of said user is positioned on said top portion and at least one finger of said user is positioned on said bottom portion;
- (c) inserting said device into a resistance medium;
- (d) pinching said device, wherein said pinching causes said first end of said top and said first end of said bottom portion to approach each other;
- (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for desired amount of time;
- (f) removing said device from said resistance medium;
- (g) optionally reconstituting said resistance medium; and
- (h) optionally repeating steps (a)-(h).
20. A method of strengthening a user's hand or forearm, wherein said user follows the steps comprising:
- (a) selecting a desired hand and forearm strengthening device, wherein said device comprises a shaft, wherein said shaft comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first end comprises a handle and said second end comprises a resistance end; wherein said handle is in the form of a jar lid and said resistance end comprises a plurality of appendages, wherein said appendages are at a 45 degree angle to said resistance end;
- (b) gripping said device by said handle, wherein said gripping comprises a twist grip;
- (c) inserting said device into a resistance medium;
- (d) twisting said device in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise direction;
- (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for desired amount of time;
- (f) removing said device from said resistance medium;
- (g) optionally reconstituting said resistance medium; and
- (h) optionally repeating steps (a)-(h).
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2008
Publication Date: Apr 30, 2009
Inventors: Jody Wagner (Mount Prospect, IL), Lisa L. Heasty (Schaumburg, IL)
Application Number: 12/258,775
International Classification: A63B 23/14 (20060101); A63B 23/16 (20060101);