Hand splint for implant surgery

Claim 2

A splint for post-operative use following placement of implants in hand joints, comprising: support means upon which one''s hand is to be placed, means for securing said support means to one''s hand, said support means having a front end which is adapted to engage the palm of one''s hand, a rigid post to be located between the thumb and the index finger of one''s hand, said post being supported by said support means and extending upward from one side of the front end of said support means, and coupling means to be coupled to the fingers and to said post for pulling the fingers toward said post.

Claim 3

The splint of claim 1 wherein said post is coupled to said support means in a manner whereby it may be located on either side of said support means to allow said splint to be used either for the right or left hand.

Claim 4

The splint of claim 1 wherein said post has a transverse lower portion which is pivotally coupled to said support means at an end thereof to allow said post to be located on either side of said support means.

Claim 5

The splint of claim 1 wherein: said post has an upper transverse member coupled to its free end, said coupling means comprises: loop means to be fitted around the fingers, and resilient means to be connected to said loop means and to said upper transverse member.

Claim 6

The splint of claim 4 wherein said post has a transverse lower portion which is pivotally coupled to said support means at an end thereof to allow said post to be located on either side of said support means.

Claim 7

The splint of claim 5 comprising: a neck or shoulder sling with a hook coupled thereto and adapted to hook to said upper transverse member of said post for supporting to the body the splint and one''s hand carried by the splint.

Claim 8

The splint of claim 1 wherein: said support means comprises a plate-like member having padding material coupled thereto upon which one''s hand is to be placed, an upper member having padding material coupled thereto to be located against the back of the hand, said padding material being characterized by having a high resistance to movement against bandages, and means for coupling together said support means and said upper member for holding said support means and said post fixed relative to the hand.

Claim 9

The splint of claim 5 wherein: said support means comprises a plate-like member having padding material coupled thereto upon which one''s hand is to be rested, an upper member having padding material coupled thereto to be located against the back of the hand, said padding material being characterized by having a high resistance to movement against bandages, and means for coupling together said support means and said upper member for holding said support means fixed relative to the hand.

Claim 10

A splint for post-operative use following placement of implants in hand joints, comprising: first support means comprising a rigid plate-like member having padding material coupled thereto to be placed under one''s hand, said first support means having a front end which is adapted to engage the palm of one''s hand, second support means having padding material coupled thereto to be placed against the back of one''s hand, said padding material being characterized by having a high resistance to movement against bandages, rigid post means to be located between the thumb and index finger of one''s hand, said post means being supported by said plate-like member and extending upward from one side of the front end of said plate-like member, coupling means to be coupled to said splint for pulling the fingers toward said post means, and means for coupling together said first and second support means for holding said first and second support means and said post means fixed relative to the hand.

Claim 11

A splint for post-operative use following placement of implants in hand joints, comprising: first support means comprising a rigid plate-like member having padding material coupled thereto to be placed under one''s hand, said first support means having a front end which is adapted to engage the palm of one''s hand, second support means having padding material coupled thereto to be placed against the back of one''s hand, said padding material being characterized by having a high resistance to movement against bandages, rigid post means to be located between the thumb and index finger of one''s hand, said post means being supported by said plate-like member and extending upward from one side of the front end of said plate-like member, coupling means to be coupled to said splint for pulling the fingers toward said post means, and means for coupling together said first and second support means for holding said first and second support means and said post means fixed relative to the hand.