Handheld Extremity Flexibility Treatment Device

Abstract

A handheld tissue stretching device combined with a retractor and release mechanism enables users to independently treat the flexibility of their extremity tissue minimizing need for upper extremity coordination and grip strength during treatment. The distance between prior handheld stretching devices and the extremity supports changes with a high degree of variability during home treatments; whereas, medical professionals monitor stretch intensity visually and manually. Patients performing home-based stretches impart variable intensity that leads to inconsistent tissue treatment resulting in increased tissue stiffness. The present inventors have discovered when the slack is automatically retracted; the distance between the users hands and the extremity support is continuously proportional to the flexibility of the extremity. This “distance matching” between the handheld stretching device and the extremity support provides a reliable, repeatable, and independent tissue treatment.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A human tissue stretching apparatus, apparatus comprising
 a first end wherein said first end comprises an handle,   a second end wherein said second end comprises an extremity support capable of releasably engaging a human extremity,   a pliable, inelastic link connecting said handle to said to extremity support,   a retractor, wherein said retractor pulls said extremity support toward said handle and prevents said extremity support from extending away from said handle.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a release mechanism, wherein said release mechanism enables said extremity support to be extended away from said handle. 
     
     
         3 . A handheld tissue stretching apparatus, apparatus comprising
 a first end, wherein said first end comprises a handle,   a second end, wherein said second end comprises an extremity support capable of releasably engaging a user's extremity,   a pliable inelastic link, wherein said pliable inelastic link connects said handle with said extremity support,   a retractor, wherein said retractor pulls said extremity support toward said handle and prevents said extremity support from extending away from said handle, and   a release mechanism, wherein said release mechanism enables said extremity support to be extended away from said handle.   
     
     
         4 . A method for treating extremity tissue flexibility using a handle connected to an extremity support via a pliable inelastic link, method comprising,
 holding said handheld tissue stretching apparatus,   engaging extremity to be treated to said extremity support,   pulling said extremity support toward said handle,   moving said handle toward said extremity support synchronously retracting said pliable, inelastic link.   
     
     
         5 . Apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said retractor pulling is within the range of 0.1 pounds force and 5 pounds force.