Finger Orthosis

Abstract

A finger orthosis for moving a joint of a finger is provided. The finger orthosis includes a first cuff configured to couple to a first finger portion, a second cuff configured to couple to a second finger portion, and an actuator member coupled to said first and second cuffs, said actuator member configured to provide relative rotation between said first and second cuffs when a force is applied to said actuator member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A finger orthosis for moving a joint of a finger, said finger orthosis comprising:
 a first cuff configured to couple to a first finger portion;   a second cuff configured to couple to a second finger portion; and   an actuator member coupled to said first and second cuffs, said actuator member configured to provide relative rotation between said first and second cuffs when a force is applied to said actuator member.   
     
     
         2 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said actuator member is configured to move along an axis which extends through the joint. 
     
     
         3 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one finger selector configured to align said first and second cuffs with an individual finger of a hand. 
     
     
         4 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising a hand cuff configured to couple to the hand connected to the finger. 
     
     
         5 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said hand cuff further comprises a palmar plate configured to couple said hand cuff to a palm of the hand. 
     
     
         6 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said hand cuff further comprises a dorsal plate configured to couple said hand cuff to a back of the hand. 
     
     
         7 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said at least one finger selector is coupled to said dorsal plate. 
     
     
         8 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said first cuff comprises a first cuff arm. 
     
     
         9 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said actuator member is configured to move said first cuff along said first cuff arm. 
     
     
         10 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said second cuff comprises a second cuff arm. 
     
     
         11 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said actuator member is configured to move said second cuff along said second cuff arm. 
     
     
         12 . A finger orthosis configured to move a joint of a finger, said finger orthosis comprising:
 a first cuff configured to couple to a first finger portion;   a second cuff configured to couple to a second finger portion; and   an actuator member configured to couple to said first and second cuffs above the joint of a finger.   
     
     
         13 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said actuator member is configured to move along an axis which extends through the joint. 
     
     
         14 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 12  further comprising at least one finger selector configured to align said first and second cuffs with an individual finger of the hand. 
     
     
         15 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said actuator member is configured to affect relative movement of said first cuff and said second cuff in response to a manual force transmitted to said actuator member. 
     
     
         16 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said actuator member causes said first cuff and said second cuff to move a finger in extension. 
     
     
         17 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said actuator member causes said first cuff and said second cuff to move a finger in flexion. 
     
     
         18 . A finger orthosis configured to move a joint of a finger, said finger orthosis comprising:
 a first cuff configured to couple to a first finger portion;   a second cuff configured to couple to a second finger portion; and   an actuator member coupled to said first and second cuffs, said actuator member configured to move said first and second cuffs about a finger joint axis of rotation such that said first cuff and said second cuff are configured to self-center about the finger joint.   
     
     
         19 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 18  wherein said actuator member is configured to move along an axis which extends through the joint. 
     
     
         20 . A finger orthosis in accordance with  claim 18  further comprising at least one finger selector configured to align said first and second cuffs with an individual finger of the hand.