Mobilizing musculoskeletal structures

Abstract

A device for enclosing a finger includes a protective shell having an opening for receiving the finger. The protective shell defines an interior cavity that is sized and shaped to allow extension and flexion of the finger within the shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for enclosing a finger, comprising:
 a protective shell having an opening for receiving the finger, the protective shell defining an interior cavity sized and shaped to allow extension and flexion of the finger within the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective shell further defines an outer surface proximate the opening for supporting a base of the finger. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective shell includes a pair of sidewalls that are substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the hand. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the pair of sidewalls are spaced apart from each other to provide clearance space on one or both sides of the finger. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the pair of sidewalls are spaced apart from each other to limit lateral motion of the finger. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a volar side of the protective shell has an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the arcuate shape substantially corresponds to a full range of motion of the finger. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity has a generally semi-cylindrical volume. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity is sized and shaped to allow full extension and flexion of the finger. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity includes a slippery inner surface configured to provide a low friction interface between the protective shell and the finger. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective shell is rigid. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface member positionable between the finger and an inner surface of the protective shell. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the interface member is configured to be placed on the finger prior to inserting the finger into the protective shell. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the interface member is in the shape of a sock. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective shell includes a dorsal tab that protrudes proximally from a dorsal side of the opening, the dorsal tab being configured to contact a dorsal side of the hand. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the dorsal tab is shaped to conform to a knuckle of the finger. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the dorsal tab defines an opening configured to receive an open end portion of an interface member positionable between the finger and an inner surface of the protective shell. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the open end portion of the interface member is a rolled edge. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective shell defines slots for receiving an attachment device for attaching the protective shell to a musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising laterally protruding stabilizing tabs configured for receiving an attachment device for attaching the protective shell to a musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the stabilizing tabs are configured to contact a palm of the hand. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the stabilizing tabs protrude laterally outward from slots defined in the protective shell. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising the attachment device, the attachment device comprising at least one of a tab, a tape, a strap, a tie, a clip, and a hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment device for attaching the protective shell to a musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm, the attachment device including at least one of a tab, a tape, a strap, a tie, a clip, and a hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective shell defines one or more ventilation openings. 
     
     
         26 . A device for enclosing a finger, comprising:
 a protective shell for receiving the finger, the protective shell sized and shaped to provide clearance space around a circumference of the finger, the protective shell including:
 a tubular portion, and 
 an end cap portion configured to be removably coupled to a distal end of the tubular portion and enclose a distal tip of the finger. 
   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the tubular portion is configured to juxtapose two or more phalanges of the finger. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein an outer surface of the protective shell includes one or more hooking elements configured to secure an open end portion of an interface member positionable between the finger and an inner surface of the protective shell. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising an interface member positionable between the finger and an inner surface of the protective shell. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising a knuckle guard configured to couple to a dorsal side of the protective shell and extend proximally beyond a proximal end of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the tubular portion is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the tubular portion is curved along a length of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the protective shell is rigid. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the protective shell defines one or more ventilation openings. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the coupling between the end cap portion and the tubular portion is a snap-fit, an interference-fit, or a screw-fit.