DE102009060098A1 - Rail for immobilizing a body part and method for adapting a rail to a body part - Google Patents

Abstract

To adapt a splint to a body part (4) for its immobilization, it is provided that a plate (1) made of a plastically deformable material covered with a padding material (3) is placed in a longitudinal direction (L) on the body part (4) and transversely to The shape of the longitudinal direction (L) is adapted to the body part (4) and that the plate (1) thus adapted to the body part (4) is fixed to the body part (4) by fastening means (6) acting transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) and is kept in its adapted form. The use of hardening materials is therefore not necessary according to the invention.

Description

The invention relates to a rail for immobilizing a body part.

The invention further relates to a method for adapting a splint to a body part for its immobilization.

Rails for immobilizing a body part are often used for therapeutic purposes, to immobilize a body part, in particular a limb, and to enable healing of an injury. In the case of bone fractures, the splint serves to prevent a movement of the rejoining and possibly possibly correspondingly directed bone pieces. In the case of ligament and tendon injuries, the immobilization of a joint serves to allow the tissue of the ligament or tendon to be built up, without any stress on the corresponding ligament or tendon causing the new tissue, which can not yet be stressed, to be injured again.

The conventional method of applying a splint is to wrap and allow the non-set plaster and water-soaked bandages to wrap around the body part and allow to dry. The gypsum binds and hardens, resulting in a hard plaster cast that allows immobilization.

Similarly, tapes provided with a UV-curable plastic can be wrapped around the body part. After applying the dressing, the plastic is cured by UV irradiation, whereby a rail corresponding to the plaster cast arises. Unlike the plaster cast, the cured plastic rail is waterproof.

By WO 2008/092443 A1 It is also known to adapt a plastically deformable plate to the shining body part, wherein the plate is provided with a chemically curable coating. After adjusting the plate to the body shape, the chemical cure is initiated. This makes it possible to produce an orthosis adapted to the body part, wherein the originally used plastically deformable plate remain in the arrangement or can be removed from it. The holding function is effected by the cured plastic. The method is also suitable for forming a track immobilizing the body part.

All known methods for applying a body part immobilizing rail are based on the curing of a flexible material to be applied to the body, whereby a non-reversible adaptation to the shape of the body part is formed when the material hardens. Mistakes in the adjustment, which lead to bruises, can hardly be repaired and cause, for example, a plaster cast must be cut, whereby its actual function is at least impaired. The same applies to a cured plastic dressing, which is also hardly correctable after curing. For this reason, the application of the corresponding splinting requires considerable care and a great deal of experience, so that the occurrence of pressure points or even misalignments are avoided by the cured bandage.

An alleviation of the described problem results from the fact that the curing of a plastic dressing takes place with the aid of a thermoplastic material, which can thus be made plastically deformable again by the application of heat in order to correct a mistake in a previous curing.

The present invention has for its object to facilitate the adaptation of a rail to a body part to its immobilization and to avoid the disadvantages of the known rails.

To achieve this object, a method of the type mentioned above is characterized in that a covered with a cushioning material made of a plastically deformable material in a longitudinal direction to the body part and is adapted transversely to the longitudinal direction in its shape to the body part and that the so fixed to the body part plate is fixed by acting transversely to the longitudinal direction fastening means on the body part and held in its adapted form.

The object is further achieved in that a rail of the type mentioned is characterized according to the invention by a covered with a cushioning material plate of a plastically deformable material which is applied in a longitudinal direction of the body part and deformed transversely to the longitudinal direction adapted to the body part and that the deformed plate can be fastened to the body part by means of fixing means which are effective transversely to the longitudinal direction and can be retained in the deformed state.

The splint according to the invention makes it possible to immobilize the body part without having to harden a substance which converts the material which can be applied in flexible form into a hard material. Rather, a plate made of a plastically deformable material is used according to the invention, which is not suitable for immobilization of the body part, because the plate is plastically deformable. However, the invention is based on the fact that the immobilization of the body part regularly has to take place in a longitudinal direction, in which the plate of the plastically deformable material is then no longer deformable by normally occurring forces when the plate deformed by adaptation to the body part transversely to the longitudinal direction has been. The plastically deformable plate then forms a profile shape in the longitudinal direction, which considerably increases the deformation resistance in this longitudinal direction. The stabilization of the rail transversely to the longitudinal direction is effected by transversely to the longitudinal direction effective fastening means, for example, by the body part loopable fastening straps, which are mounted transversely to the longitudinal direction, wherein "transverse" includes a right angle, but also deviating acute or obtuse angle. The holding function of the rail according to the invention thus results from different effects, namely by the deformation to a no longer deformable profile in the longitudinal direction and the stabilization of the plastically deformable plate transverse to the longitudinal direction, for example by the looped around the body part attachment strap. As fasteners except the, preferably fixable by Velcro straps, fastened as fasteners to elastic rubber bands, in the cushioning material verkrallende hooks, as they are known for the definition of bandages, hooks and eyes, zippers u. Like. In question.

The rail according to the invention has the advantage that it is easily adaptable to the shape of the body part, so that it is easy to apply. The stabilization by means of the fastening means is possible without problems and requires no special expertise. In addition, it is easy to remove a wrong or poorly applied rail and re-create because no irreversibly cured material is used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening straps can be fixed to the padding material by means of hook-and-loop fasteners. This makes it very easy to exploit another advantage of the rail according to the invention, namely to change the adaptation to the body part when the body part changes during the wearing time of the rail, for example, a swelling resulting from the injury is swollen.

It is advantageous if, for the rail according to the invention, a plate is used whose contour, namely its outer contour and / or its inner contour, is adapted to the part of the body to be immobilized.

Suitable plastically deformable material for the plate are suitable metals. In particular, it may be advantageous to form the plastic deformability by or at least support that are introduced into the material of the plate close to tight passage openings, so that the plate must deform only in the region of the remaining webs between the through holes. In this embodiment, it is possible to form a reinforcement in the longitudinal direction of the rail in that in this area no through holes are made in the material of the plate, whereby the deformability of the material in the longitudinal direction is already reduced. The plastically deformable material may preferably be present as a plate material or as a rolled product. Depending on the need in the application, the desired size can be cut or cut.

In the context of the invention, it is also possible to provide the plastically deformable material in the intended longitudinal direction with a subsequently introduced reinforcement, which is placed on the plate and fixed in any way, for example, glued or welded to the material of the plate. The attachment of the reinforcement can alternatively also take place on the padding material, in particular if the reinforcement is also covered with a corresponding padding material, so that the fastening means customary in bandages, including hook-and-loop fasteners, can be used.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing. Show it:

1 a plastically deformable metal plate and a padded layer still bonded to the metal plate;

2 a perspective view of the rail according to the invention as a wrist rail;

3 another perspective view of the rail according to 2 ;

4 a perspective view of the rail according to the invention as a hinge rail;

5 a perspective view of the rail according to the invention as a thumb joint rail;

6 another perspective view of the rail according to 5 ;

7 a further perspective view of the rail according to 5 ;

8th a plan view of a pre-cut in its contour plate with a reinforcement in the longitudinal direction;

9 a schematic representation of the with the plate according to 8th formed and created rail;

10 a variant of the plate according to 8th ;

11 another variant of the plate according to 8th ,

1 shows a plate 1 of a plastically deformable material, which in the present case is a non-resilient metal, in particular aluminum. To increase the plastic deformability are close to tight punch outs 2 in the plate 1 introduced, through which the plastic deformability is improved. The punched out 2 essentially form surfaces with 3 by 120 ° staggered arms, the nested to each other on the plate 1 are arranged.

The plate is at least on one side by a cushioning material as a cushioning material 3 covered. The plate-shaped upholstery fabric can with the plate 1 glued or otherwise connected.

Preferred materials for the cushioning material 3 are textiles, spacer fabrics, foams and elastomers. These materials can be applied to the plate by sticking, foaming, overmolding, overmolding, high frequency welding, stitching and the like. Like. Are applied.

To form a rail according to the invention, for example, according to 2 a forearm of a patient, the plate becomes 1 with the padding material 3 in a longitudinal direction L of the body part to be shined 4 applied and deformed transversely to the longitudinal direction to adapt to the shape of the body part U-shaped or to a nearly closed cylinder. Possibly. can be an excess edge of the plate 1 be cut off to overlap the free edges of the plate 1 to avoid if such an overlap should not take place. Possibly. can be sought by overlapping the ends of a further stiffening.

2 lets recognize that in the plate 1 also an opening 5 can be introduced here to allow the passage of the thumb through the rail. by the resulting shape of the plate 1 arises in the longitudinal direction L a high resistance to deformation, so that of the plate 1 surrounding wrist of the patient is fixed. Stabilization of the deformation is achieved by the wrapping of the body part and the plate 1 with a fastening tape 6 scored that, how 2 and 3 reveal several wraps of the body part 4 causes. end up 7 of the fastening tape 6 are using Velcro on an outer textile layer 8th the plate 1 established. The fastening tape 6 Incidentally, it can be provided with a Velcro surface over its entire length, so that it is in position on the plate 1 is fixed.

3 shows a view of the inside of the forearm and the patient's hand and leaves the course of the fastening tape 6 detect.

At the in 4 illustrated embodiment is the plate 1 shaped around an ankle. Thus, in the context of the invention, two longitudinal directions L1, L2, in which the plate 1 on the body part 4 is applied to be deformed transversely to the longitudinal directions L1, L2, wherein the ankle joint is largely enclosed. The fixation of the deformation is again by a fastening tape 6 , which is preferably designed as a Velcro strip throughout. But it is also possible to use other straps and these, such as bandages, on top of the plate 1 or attach to yourself.

The 5 to 7 show a rail according to the invention as a thumb joint rail, in which the plate 1 on the inside of the shining part of the body 4 forming thumb in the longitudinal direction L and is deformed transversely to the longitudinal direction around the thumb around. In the present case, the plate 1 Tailored to a lower end of the plate 1 is suitable for deforming around the wrist so that the splint fixes both the thumb and the thumb joint. The stabilization is again by a fastening tape, which is around the body part 4 , here around the thumb and wrist, is wrapped, causing the deformed rail 1 on the body part 4 is fixed. A movement in the thumb joint would take place as a deflection from the longitudinal direction L. In this direction, the deformed plate sets 1 However, the deformation of a high resistance against.

In principle, it is also conceivable to use the body of the patient as the body part to be enclosed, for example when the lumbar spine is to be fixed. In this case, of course, a very large plate 1 needed.

It should be noted that the term "longitudinal direction" in the present case is functionally the part of the body to be shined 4 is assigned and does not mean that the plate 1 must be designed to be longer in this direction than in the transverse thereto width direction.

8th schematically shows a plate 1 with passage openings 2 in the form of close-fitting punching, by the plastic deformability of the material of the plate 1 , here a suitable aluminum alloy is supported. It can be seen that the plate 1 a shaped outer contour 9 which indicates the use of the plate 1 relieved for a wrist splint. Further, the plate is 1 with a thumb hole 10 provided as "inner contour".

8th shows further that the plate in its central region in the longitudinal direction L reinforcement 11 which is formed by the fact that the material of the plate 1 in the field of reinforcement 11 without through holes 2 is formed in the form of punched out. As the drawing shows, the gain can 11 in the longitudinal direction L also be shaped so as to be optimally prepared for the intended application, here a wrist rail.

9 leaves the inventive rail in applied form on a body part 4 Detect, which is formed by the forearm, the wrist and the hand. The thumb of the hand extends through the thumb hole 10 while the reinforcement 11 comes to rest centrally on the underside of the forearm and extends into the area of the wrist plate.

In 8th is the cushioned edge 12 the plate 1 shown. The padding material 3 is not shown for reasons of clarity.

10 shows a variant of the plate 1 according to 8th in which there is a cushion cover 13 only located on the lower half of the plate, which makes it clear that the cushioning material 3 does not have to span the entire rail.

At the in 11 variant shown is missing in the upper part of the padded edge 12 the plate 1 ,

From the representations of 8th to 11 it becomes clear that the plate 1 can be tailored to the particular application, so that an adaptation of the outer contour 9 or the inner contour 10 can be done optimally to the particular application. Thus, when creating the plate 1 to the body part 4 are determined whether the free edges of the transversely to the longitudinal direction L bent parts of the plate 1 form a distance from each other, abut each other or overlap u. like.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2008/092443 A1 [0006]

Claims (7)

Method for adapting a splint to a body part ( 4 ) for its immobilization, characterized in that one with a cushioning material ( 3 ) occupied plate ( 1 ) of a plastically deformable material in a longitudinal direction (L) to the body part ( 4 ) and transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) in its shape to the body part ( 4 ) and that so on the body part ( 4 ) adapted plate ( 1 ) by transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) acting fasteners ( 6 ) on the body part ( 4 ) and kept in its adapted form. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one in its contour for the body part ( 4 ) pre-cut plate ( 1 ) is used. Rail for Immoblisierung a body part ( 4 ), characterized by a with a cushioning material ( 3 ) occupied plate ( 1 ) of a plastically deformable material, which in a longitudinal direction (L) to the body part ( 4 ) and transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) to the body part ( 4 ) is deformed adapted and that the deformed plate ( 1 ) by transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) effective fastening means ( 6 ) on the body part ( 4 ) attachable and durable in the deformed state. Rail according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening straps ( 6 ) by means of Velcro on the padding material ( 3 ) are fastened. Rail according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the plate ( 1 ) for the body part ( 4 ) is pre-cut in its contour. Rail according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by a reinforcement of the plate ( 1 ) in the longitudinal direction (L). Rail according to claim 6, characterized in that the material of the plate ( 1 ) through through holes introduced into the material ( 8th ) is plastically deformable and the reinforcement ( 9 ) is formed by the material in the region of the reinforcement ( 9 ) no through holes ( 8th ) having.

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