Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Patent
1990-02-26
1992-04-07
Hafer, Robert A.
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
128876, 128DIG20, 602 23, A61F 504, A61F 537
Patent
active
051018152
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method of splinting and to splints, splint securing straps, and first aid kits for fractures. Whilst the present application finds particular application to the splinting of fractured femurs, many aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto.
TECHNICAL FIELD
Fractured femurs often arise as a result of motor bike accidents, and also from military accidents and wounds such as those generated by Claymore mines and bullet wounds to the thigh. Irrespective of whether the fractured femur arises as a result of civilian or military endeavors, there is no really effective practical method of safely splinting the fracture to enable the patient to be transported from the side at which the fracture occurred, to hospital. Clearly the purpose of any splint is to immobilize the fracture, however, the main problem with fractured femurs appears to be preventing rotation of the leg about a longitudinal axis passing through the leg.
BACKGROUND ART
One prior art method of splinting a femur fracture is to use a single rigid splint, such as a broomstick, which extends between the armpit and ankle of the patient. The patient's leg is bound to the broomstick and then the patient is transported to hospital on a stretcher or the like. Whilst in some circumstances this method may be satisfactory for distal fractures (that is those away from the pelvis and therefore adjacent the knee), this prior art method is not very satisfactory for proximal fractures (those which are near the pelvis).
An alternative arrangement is the so called Thomas splint which applies a frame to the torso of the patient and also applies longitudinal traction to the lower leg. This splint is a relatively expensive appliance and is substantially bulky. Therefore although the splint may be of some use for ambulance officers, for example, transporting an elderly patient to hospital after a fall where the nature of the injuries are known before the ambulance departs from its base, this splint is of little use as a first aid measure in emergency situations such as motor vehicle accidents or military accidents/wounds.
A further device is the so called Mast suit which comprises a pair of trousers into which the legs of the patient are inserted. The trousers are then inflated so as to form a rigid enveloping structure. This suit suffers from a number of disadvantages in that firstly the legs of the patient need to be he-d apart. Thus this suit is not able to be used with the Thomas splint or the other above described conventional splints where the "good" leg is used in the splinting arrangement. Furthermore, the Mast suit pushes blood back into the upper part of the body and in some circumstances this can be disadvantageous to the patient.
As a consequence of the above described problems with splinting, it sometimes happens that first aid personnel apply plaster to the leg of the patient at the site of the accident before moving the patient. This has two major disadvantages. Firstly it is extremely difficult in emergency situations such as arise as a result of military wounds where the patient may well be under fire, in darkness, or the like. Secondly, once the plastered patient has been transported to hospital, the plaster must then be removed before further treatment is able to be commenced. This is a painful and time consuming procedure and therefore to be avoided if possible.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a method of splinting a patient having a leg with a fracture of the femur. A further object of the present invention is to provide a splint which is able to be folded and therefore able to be carried conveniently in a first aid kit, or the like, so as to be readily available in emergency situations. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a splint securing strap for use with the splint of the present invention, or conventional splints, and which is able to be applied with ease so as to result in a secure job. A still further object of the
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Collins Barry J.
Langdon-Orr Cheryl R.
Orr Graham F.
Brown Michael
Hafer Robert A.
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