Universal wrist brace with enhanced lacing
The present wrist brace includes an adjustable panel and an advantageous lacing configuration that provides a cast-like compression on a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand. Pulling the lacing mechanism equilibrates lace tension along the length of the wrist brace in a way that applies consistent compression to the patient's forearm and wrist.
1. A wrist brace, comprising:
a U-shaped support sleeve having a dorsal section, a radius section, and a palmar section, wherein the radius section is contiguously positioned between the dorsal section and the palmar section, and wherein the palmar section has one or more palmar lace-redirection mechanisms;
an ulnar panel connecting the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section and the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section, the ulnar panel being affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve such that together the U-shaped support sleeve and ulnar panel form a closed wrist-brace sleeve;
an adjustable, outer dorsal panel releasably affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve on or near the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section, the adjustable, outer dorsal panel having one or more dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms;
a lacing closure tab having one or more closure-tab, lace-redirection mechanisms; and
a lace having (i) a first end fixed to the adjustable, outer dorsal panel nearer the adjustable, outer dorsal panel's proximal end and (ii) a second end fixed to the adjustable, outer dorsal panel nearer the adjustable, outer dorsal panel's distal end;
wherein the lace is freely threaded through the respective dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms, palmar lace-redirection mechanisms, and closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms.
2. The wrist brace according to claim 1 , comprising a thumb-tensioning strap that extends from the distal end of the U-shaped support sleeve's radius section, wherein the thumb-tensioning strap is positioned between a patient's thumb and forefinger, wrapped around the patient's thumb, and then securely and releasably affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve and/or the adjustable, outer dorsal panel when the wrist brace is secured to the patient's wrist and forearm.
3. The wrist brace according to claim 1 , wherein:
the lacing closure tab having one or more closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms is a first lacing closure tab having one or more first closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms;
the wrist brace comprises a second lacing closure tab having one or more second closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms; and
the lace is freely threaded through the respective dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms, palmar lace-redirection mechanisms, first closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms, and second closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms.
4. The wrist brace according to claim 1 , wherein:
the lace's first end is fixed at the proximal end of the adjustable, outer dorsal panel;
the lace's second end is fixed at the distal end of the adjustable, outer dorsal panel; and
at least one dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanism is positioned between the lace's first end and the lace's second end.
5. The wrist brace according to claim 1 , wherein:
the palmar lace-redirection mechanisms comprise palmar eyelets positioned on the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section in an outer palmar strip that is defined by the ulnar panel and an adjacent outer edge of the U-shaped support sleeve;
the dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms comprise dorsal-panel eyelets positioned on the adjustable, outer dorsal panel; and/or
the closure-tab, lace-redirection mechanisms comprise closure-tab eyelets positioned on the lacing closure tab.
6. The wrist brace according to claim 1 , comprising:
a stiffening dorsal stay secured at the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section, the dorsal stay conforming to the shape of a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand; and/or
stiffening radius stay secured at the U-shaped support sleeve's radius section, the radius stay conforming to the shape of a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand; and/or
a stiffening palmar stay secured at the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section, the palmar stay conforming to the shape of a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand; and/or
a stiffening dorsal-panel stay secured at the adjustable, outer dorsal panel, the dorsal-panel stay conforming to the shape of a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand.
7. The wrist brace according to claim 1 , comprising a lacing channel secured to the ulnar panel, wherein the lace is freely threaded through the lacing channel.
8. The wrist brace according to claim 1 , wherein the lacing closure tab is releasably affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve and/or the adjustable, outer dorsal panel when the wrist brace is secured to a patient's wrist and forearm.
9. The wrist brace according to claim 1 , wherein pulling the lacing closure tab away from the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section and over and around the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section and the adjustable, outer dorsal panel uniformly closes the wrist-brace sleeve by drawing together the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section and the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section.
10. A wrist brace, comprising:
a U-shaped support sleeve having a dorsal section, a radius section, and a palmar section, wherein the radius section is contiguously positioned between the dorsal section and the palmar section, and wherein the palmar section has one or more palmar lace-redirection mechanisms;
an ulnar panel connecting the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section and the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section, the ulnar panel being affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve such that together the U-shaped support sleeve and ulnar panel form a closed wrist-brace sleeve;
an adjustable, outer dorsal panel releasably affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve on or near the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section, the adjustable, outer dorsal panel having one or more dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms;
a thumb-tensioning strap that extends from the distal end of the U-shaped support sleeve's radius section, wherein the thumb-tensioning strap is positioned between a patient's thumb and forefinger, wrapped around the patient's thumb, and then securely and releasably affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve and/or the adjustable, outer dorsal panel when the wrist brace is secured to the patient's wrist and forearm;
a lacing closure tab having one or more closure-tab, lace-redirection mechanisms; and
a lace having (i) a first end fixed to the adjustable, outer dorsal panel nearer the adjustable, outer dorsal panel's proximal end and (ii) a second end fixed to the adjustable, outer dorsal panel nearer the adjustable, outer dorsal panel's distal end, wherein at least one dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanism is positioned between the lace's first end and the lace's second end;
wherein the lace is freely threaded through the respective dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms, palmar lace-redirection mechanisms, and closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms.
11. The wrist brace according to claim 10 , wherein:
the lacing closure tab having one or more closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms is a first lacing closure tab having one or more first closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms;
the wrist brace comprises a second lacing closure tab having one or more second closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms; and
the lace is freely threaded through the respective dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms, palmar lace-redirection mechanisms, first closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms, and second closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms.
12. The wrist brace according to claim 10 , wherein:
the palmar lace-redirection mechanisms comprise palmar eyelets positioned on the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section in an outer palmar strip that is defined by the ulnar panel and an adjacent outer edge of the U-shaped support sleeve;
the dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms comprise dorsal-panel eyelets positioned on the adjustable, outer dorsal panel; and/or
the closure-tab, lace-redirection mechanisms comprise closure-tab eyelets positioned on the lacing closure tab.
13. The wrist brace according to claim 10 , comprising:
a stiffening dorsal stay secured at the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section, the dorsal stay conforming to the shape of a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand; and/or
stiffening radius stay secured at the U-shaped support sleeve's radius section, the radius stay conforming to the shape of a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand; and/or
a stiffening palmar stay secured at the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section, the palmar stay conforming to the shape of a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand; and/or
a stiffening dorsal-panel stay secured at the adjustable, outer dorsal panel, the dorsal-panel stay conforming to the shape of a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand.
14. The wrist brace according to claim 10 , comprising a lacing channel secured to the ulnar panel, wherein the lace is freely threaded through the lacing channel.
15. The wrist brace according to claim 10 , wherein pulling the lacing closure tab away from the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section and over and around the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section and the adjustable, outer dorsal panel uniformly closes the wrist-brace sleeve by drawing together the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section and the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section.
16. A wrist brace, comprising:
a U-shaped support sleeve having a dorsal section, a radius section, and a palmar section, wherein the radius section is contiguously positioned between the dorsal section and the palmar section, and wherein the palmar section has one or more palmar lace-redirection mechanisms;
an ulnar panel connecting the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section and the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section, the ulnar panel being affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve such that together the U-shaped support sleeve and ulnar panel form a closed wrist-brace sleeve;
an adjustable, outer dorsal panel releasably affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve on or near the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section, the adjustable, outer dorsal panel having one or more dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms;
a thumb-tensioning strap that extends from the distal end of the U-shaped support sleeve's radius section, wherein the thumb-tensioning strap is positioned between a patient's thumb and forefinger, wrapped around the patient's thumb, and then securely and releasably affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve and/or the adjustable, outer dorsal panel when the wrist brace is secured to the patient's wrist and forearm;
a lacing closure tab having one or more closure-tab, lace-redirection mechanisms; and
a lace having (i) a first end fixed to the adjustable, outer dorsal panel nearer the adjustable, outer dorsal panel's proximal end and (ii) a second end fixed to the adjustable, outer dorsal panel nearer the adjustable, outer dorsal panel's distal end;
wherein the lace is freely threaded through the respective dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms, palmar lace-redirection mechanisms, and closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms; and
wherein pulling the lacing closure tab away from the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section and over and around the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section and the adjustable, outer dorsal panel uniformly closes the wrist-brace sleeve by drawing together the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section and the U-shaped support sleeve's dorsal section.
17. The wrist brace according to claim 16 , wherein:
the lacing closure tab having one or more closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms is a first lacing closure tab having one or more first closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms;
the wrist brace comprises a second lacing closure tab having one or more second closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms; and
the lace is freely threaded through the respective dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms, palmar lace-redirection mechanisms, first closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms, and second closure-tab lace-redirection mechanisms.
18. The wrist brace according to claim 16 , wherein:
the lace's first end is fixed at the proximal end of the adjustable, outer dorsal panel;
the lace's second end is fixed at the distal end of the adjustable, outer dorsal panel; and
at least one dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanism is positioned between the lace's first end and the lace's second end.
19. The wrist brace according to claim 16 , wherein:
the palmar lace-redirection mechanisms comprise palmar eyelets positioned on the U-shaped support sleeve's palmar section in an outer palmar strip that is defined by the ulnar panel and an adjacent outer edge of the U-shaped support sleeve;
the dorsal-panel lace-redirection mechanisms comprise dorsal-panel eyelets positioned on the adjustable, outer dorsal panel; and/or
the closure-tab, lace-redirection mechanisms comprise closure-tab eyelets positioned on the lacing closure tab.
20. The wrist brace according to claim 16 , wherein the lacing closure tab is releasably affixed to the U-shaped support sleeve and/or the adjustable, outer dorsal panel when the wrist brace is secured to a patient's wrist and forearm.