Bandage for the prevention of radial luxation of the thumb

Abstract

A thumb splint comprises a thumb receiving section for receiving a thumb of a user, an index finger receiving section for receiving an index finger of a user, a non-extendable, flexible connector extending between and secured to the thumb receiving section and the index finger receiving section for limiting abduction of the thumb to a predetermined value while permitting the thumb and index finger to move in a pinching action; and an elongated strap secured to the index finger receiving section for keeping the thumb and index finger receiving sections operatively positioned on the index finger and thumb, respectively.

1 - 15 . (Canceled).  
     
     
         16 . A thumb splint for limiting angular motion of a thumb, formed from a single elongate strap of non-elastic material having a first surface and a second surface, said thumb splint comprising: 
 a first loop formed at a first end of said strap, by folding said end of strap onto said strap, parallel thereto, and affixing said end thereto, said first loop being dimensioned to accommodate a user's thumb, near the base thereof;    a second loop formed in said strap a predetermined distance from said first loop, by folding said strap substantially transversely over and onto itself and affixing said strap to itself at the point of intersection, said second loop being dimensioned to accommodate a user's index finger; and    a positioning means between said first loop and said second loop to hold said first loop near the base of said user's thumb and said second loop to said user's index finger.    
     
     
         17 . The thumb splint of  claim 16 , wherein said positioning means comprises an elongate portion of said strap extending from said second loop, of a length sufficient to diagonally cross a user's palm and wrap around a user's wrist.  
     
     
         18 . The thumb splint of  claim 16 , wherein said thumb splint is worn in conjunction with a glove, and said positioning component comprises webbing of said glove, wherein said webbing is located between a thumb and finger receiving portion of said glove.  
     
     
         19 . The thumb splint of  claim 16 , wherein said strap comprises a polyester or nylon webbing.  
     
     
         20 . The thumb splint of  claim 16 , wherein said thumb splint prevents said thumb moving away from said index finger beyond 100° to a position where a wearer could injure the thumb.  
     
     
         21 . A thumb splint for limiting angular motion of a thumb, formed from a single elongate strap of non-elastic material having a first surface and a second surface, said thumb splint comprising: 
 a first loop formed at a first end of said strap, by folding said end of strap onto said strap, parallel thereto, and affixing said end thereto, said first loop being dimensioned to accommodate a user's thumb, near the base thereof;    a second loop formed in said strap a predetermined distance from said first loop, by folding said strap substantially transversely over and onto itself and affixing said strap to itself at the point of intersection, said second loop being dimensioned to accommodate a user's index finger;    an elongated portion of said strap extending from said second loop, of a length sufficient to diagonally cross a user's palm, and wrap around a user's wrist; and    fixation means on said elongated portion of strap to permit said elongated portion to be affixed around a user's wrist.    
     
     
         22 . The thumb splint of  claim 21 , wherein said strap comprises a polyester or nylon webbing.  
     
     
         23 . The thumb splint of  claim 21 , wherein said thumb splint prevents said thumb moving away from said index finger beyond 100° to a position where a wearer could injure the thumb.  
     
     
         24 . A thumb splint to prevent injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of a thumb comprising a single strip of webbing, said thumb splint having: 
 an index finger receiving section positionable approximate to the carpometacarpal joint of an index finger, said index finger receiving section being formed by affixing one end of said webbing to a first position along said webbing, thereby forming a loop;    a non-extendable connector being formed from said webbing extending from said first position;    a thumb receiving section engaging a substantial portion of an outer edge of the proximal phalanx bone of a thumb, said thumb receiving section being formed from said single strip of webbing at an end of said non-extendable connector, said single strip of webbing looping from said end of said extendable connector around said proximal phalanx bone and affixed to said end of said non-extendable connector;    an elongated strap formed from said single strip of webbing, said elongated strap extending from said end of said non-extendable connector over a palm, around a wrist, and over a back of a hand;    a velcro strip affixed to said elongated strap and located approximate to said end of said non-extendable connector; and    a velcro strip affixed to an end of said single strip of webbing, said second velcro strip being affixable to said velcro strip.    
     
     
         25 . The thumb splint of  claim 24 , wherein said webbing comprises a polyester or nylon.  
     
     
         26 . The thumb splint of  claim 24 , wherein said thumb splint prevents said thumb moving away from said index finger beyond 100° to a position where a wearer could injure the thumb.  
     
     
         27 . A thumb splint comprising: 
 an elongate band of non-elastic material having a first, thumb-receiving loop formed in a first end thereof, and a second, forefinger-receiving loop formed a short distance from said first thumb receiving loop by folding said band of material at about 90° over itself, and securing the band to itself at the point of intersection, to define a top to bottom tapering forefinger loop in the band of material.    
     
     
         28 . The splint as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said band of material extends downwardly from said forefinger receiving loop, and is provided with releasable securing means to securely position said band of material around a person's wrist.  
     
     
         29 . The splint as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein said securing means comprises complementary loop and pile fastener strips located along the length of one or more surfaces of said band of material.  
     
     
         30 . The splint as claimed in  claim 27 , in combination with a glove or mitt.  
     
     
         31 . The combination of  claim 30 , wherein said splint is secured to an inner surface of said glove or mitt.  
     
     
         32 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein said glove or mitt is a sports glove or mitt.