Importance

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Abstract

A portable CPM machine is presented for causing controlled continuous passive motion of one or more of the digits of a patient's hand. The device is mounted on the dorsal surface of the hand for motion of the four fingers and is mounted on the palmar aspect of the forearm for motion of the thumb. The thumb use is independent of finger use in that the device is mounted in a different location and the axis of rotation is about a line which is perpendicular to the frontal or sagittal plane of the forearm. The mounting for use with the thumb has the device mounted on the palmar surface of the forearm parallel to the longitudinal axis of the forearm. In both instances, the device is supported by a splint on the user's hand which extends along the forearm. The device has a housing with an actuating mechanism located within the housing. The actuating mechanism comprises a reciprocating linear actuator which is linked to a rotary actuator so that for finger use the device is rotated about an axis located on the user's hand and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the user's arm and simultaneously an actuating arm which is linked to one or more digits driven back and forth. This actuating mechanism achieves a spiral motion which is imparted to the end of the digit or digits in therapy. The motion of the actuating arm allows for flexion and extension of each of the digital flanges. A spiral motion is imparted to the thumb in a plane parallel to the frontalplane of the user's hand as the device is rotated about an axis substantially transverse to the frontal plane and the actuating arm undergoes reciprocation.

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First Claim