Carpal tunnel device and method

Abstract

A user wearable wrist support formed of low temperature moldable, formable plastic, normally closed-cell foam laminated between surface sheets of fabric. The wrist support comprises a curvate clasp having a generally self-supporting C shaped cross section, with the clasp encircling the wrist of the wearer. The clasp is secured in position by a strap. A palmar stay extends transverse of the clasp onto a palmar pad integrally extending from a side of the clasp. In one embodiment the clasp is provided with outwardly extending wrist support rests alongside the stay for supporting the clasp on a planar surface. In another embodiment the support comprises two sheets of plastic material of different densities and hardness sandwiching and embedding a stay therebetween. The device is fabricated by first creating a sheet of foam laminated with at least one surface fabric sheet. Blanks for forming the clasp are cut from the foam sheet and subjected to selective compression, heat, and molding to form the support. The compression heat and molding create a clasp having a generally self-supporting C-shaped cross section which receives the wrist of a wearer, and is secured in position by a releasable strap. With the two layer version of the support, the outer layer is formed in the same manner, the stay is positioned, and the inner soft foam layer is then attached.