FR2959411A1 - Device useful in equipment for immobilizing upper/lower limb of individual having trauma e.g. fracture, sprain and dislocation, comprises flexible casing, network of distribution pipes, protection layer, and heat insulating layer - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a flexible casing (1) intended to be positioned around limb of an individual, a network of distribution pipes (4) connected with the casing, a protection layer covering the network of distribution pipes to avoid burns of the limbs by the network of pipes, a heat insulating layer, a module for controlling the temperature inside the shell, overpressure valves to regulate the pressure inside the casing, a single orifice for introducing limb in it, and a system for opening and closing the single orifice. The casing contains granules, and is equipped with a depression valve. The device comprises a flexible casing (1) intended to be positioned around limb of an individual, a network of distribution pipes (4) connected with the casing, a protection layer covering the network of distribution pipes to avoid burns of the limbs by the network of pipes, a heat insulating layer, a module for controlling the temperature inside the shell, overpressure valves to regulate the pressure inside the casing, a single orifice for introducing limb in it, and a system for opening and closing the single orifice. The casing contains granules, and is equipped with a depression valve to maintain a pressure of reference in the casing so that the casing forms a hard shell around the limb. The network of distribution pipes is: intended to ensure circulation of a fluid to maintain the inside of the shell at a reference temperature; and formed by localized joining of one of the constituent layers of the casing with an intermediate layer confining the granules against one of the layers defining the casing. The heat insulating layer is placed inside the shell to maintain an internal temperature of the shell at the reference temperature. The casing is further equipped with a fastener for placing the casing around the limb, and matches the shape of a leg and a foot. One end of the pipe opens at the outside of the shell at upper portion of the casing, and the other end of the pipe opens at the outside of the shell at a lower portion of the casing, where each end is provided with a valve. A volume defined by the intermediate layer and the layer present in the casing or the piping system receives a thin fibrous layer. An independent claim is included for an equipment including an immobilizing device.

Description

DEVICE FOR IMMOBILIZING A LIMITING MEMBER BELOW OR SUPERIOR OF AN INDIVIDUAL

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual, having suffered a trauma such as total or partial tearing, fracture, sprain, dislocation, etc. More specifically, the invention relates to a vacuum type of containment device consisting of a casing forming a sealed chamber containing granules and may be placed in depression via a vacuum valve.

STATE OF THE ART A vacuum splint is for example described in document DE 1 215 859. It is in the form of an envelope formed of two flexible sheets secured together at their edges to form a sealed enclosure. The chamber thus produced is partially filled with polystyrene balls. When the envelope contains air, the balls can move freely inside the envelope, which allows to mold the envelope around a limb to immobilize. When the air is sucked through a valve, the depression induces the plating of the balls against each other, stiffening the splint so as to form a rigid shell around the member.

However, in addition to the immobilization of the limb by the splint, it is generally necessary to maintain the limb at a certain temperature to prevent degradation of the tissues or limit pain and hematoma formation, for example during transport to a care structure.

There are solutions in the form of a kit consisting of a splint and instant cooling bags with chemical reaction by percussion and disposable. However, these solutions have the disadvantage of requiring correct positioning of the pockets, sometimes complex and delicate operation, which does not ensure optimal cooling of the traumatized limb. In addition, these pouches being disposable, this solution is expensive.

In this context, the present invention is intended to provide a restraint device free of at least one of the limitations mentioned above. The object of the invention is in particular to propose a new immobilization structure allowing the maintenance of a lower or upper limb in optimal conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention thus relates to a device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual comprising at least one flexible envelope intended to be positioned around said member, said envelope containing granules and being provided with at least one vacuum valve for maintaining a reference pressure in said shell such that said shell is capable of forming a rigid shell around said member.

According to the invention, this immobilizing device further comprises a distribution pipe network or a duct secured to the casing, intended to allow the circulation of a fluid able to maintain inside the shell a temperature of reference.

In other words, the restraining device of the invention is a vacuum type splint coupled to a thermal system that keeps the inside of the shell at a reference temperature. Thus, the device of the invention makes it possible to immobilize a limb, but also to keep the limb at a temperature adapted to the type of trauma.

The granules used may for example be made of polystyrene beads.

Advantageously, the immobilizing device may further comprise a protective layer covering at least said tubular duct to prevent burns of the limb by said duct.

Preferably, the immobilizing device may further comprise a thermal insulation layer inside the envelope to maintain the internal temperature of the shell at said reference temperature. For example, the reference temperature is between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius.

The immobilizer may further include a temperature control module within the shell. For example, this control module is a thermometer coupled to a probe.

Advantageously, the immobilizer may further comprise a pressure relief valve for regulating the pressure within the envelope.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible envelope is further provided with fixing means for positioning the envelope around the member. These fixing means may be straps, repositionable adhesive strips or self-gripping strips with loops and hooks, such as for example known under the trademark VELCRO®.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the flexible envelope substantially conforms to the shape of a leg and a foot, and further comprises a single limb introduction port and a closure and locking system. opening of the single orifice.

In other words, the wrapper is preferably preformed to form a container of suitable size and shape to contain a lower or upper limb, and preferably comprises a single port for introduction of the limb, as well as a system for closing and opening this single orifice. This other embodiment has the particular advantage of allowing immobilization of a partially sectioned limb, but also the transport and preservation of a limb completely sectioned under optimal conditions.

Said closure / opening system may consist of self-gripping strips or a zipper type zipper.

Advantageously, the fluid distribution duct, and in particular the gas is flexible and is arranged in a serpentine on the envelope. In practice, it is denser in the most frequently encountered areas of trauma.

Preferably, one end of the duct opens out of the shell at an upper portion of the casing, and the other end of the duct opens out of the shell at a lower portion of the casing. the envelope, each of the ends may be provided with a valve.

In other words, the valves are such that it is possible to circulate the fluid from the upper portion to the lower portion or the lower portion to the upper portion, which allows for example to promote the cooling of the portion high or the lower portion of the shell.

The immobilizer may further comprise an intermediate valve, intended to promote cooling in the middle part.

The conduit is preferably made of a material having good thermal conductivity. For example, the tubular conduit may be polyurethane or elastomer. The duct may also be secured to the casing by means of an intermediate band on which the duct is fixed and then secured to the casing.

According to another embodiment of the invention, said conduit is replaced by a fluid distribution network, resulting from the local welding of two layers forming part of the immobilizer device. These welds can thus define one or more fluid distribution networks capable of being implemented independently of each other, depending on the desired location of cooling or the heating of the immobilizer.

The invention also relates to equipment comprising at least: the immobilization device described above; a depressurization device intended to be connected to the vacuum valve; and a device for generating a cold or hot air source intended to be connected to one of the valves of the fluid distribution duct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the splint according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the casing of the splint of FIG. 1 along axis AA '; - Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the outer layer of the casing of Figure 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the inner layer of the envelope of FIG. 1; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the inner layer of Figure 4 welded to the outer layer of Figure 3; - Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the connection of the conduit to the envelope according to another embodiment; FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an equipment incorporating the splint according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 8 is a schematic representation of the splint according to another embodiment; - Figure 9 is a schematic representation similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of the invention, Figure 10 is a sectional view along the axis B ù B '.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual, hereinafter referred to as a "splint", according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a flexible envelope 1 constituted by an inner layer 11 and an outer layer 10, defining a volume receiving granules 2. This flexible envelope 1 is intended to be positioned around the member so as to form a rigid shell around the member via vacuum valves 30 and overpressure 31.

The splint further comprises a thermal system constituted in particular by: a duct 4 secured to the casing 1 and adapted to receive a fluid to maintain the inside of the shell at a reference temperature depending on the type of trauma; a protective layer (not shown) to prevent burns of the limb by the tubular conduit 4; - A thermal insulation layer 5 disposed inside the casing 1 to maintain the internal temperature of the shell at the reference temperature; and a control module (not shown) of the temperature inside the shell, such as a thermometer coupled to a probe.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the envelope 1 is formed in particular of two identical flexible sheets or layers (FIGS. 3 and 4), one intended to form the outer layer 10 of the envelope 1, and the other the inner layer 11 of said envelope.

In addition, these sheets are provided with recesses 12, 14 capable of receiving the respective vacuum and overpressure valves 31, said recesses 12, 14 serving also as a passageway for the duct 4. The recess 13 corresponds to the positioning of the vacuum valve.

Fixing means (not shown), such as self-gripping strips, for positioning the casing 1 around the member can be mounted on these sheets.

For example, during assembly of the envelope 1, the thermal insulation layer 5 is disposed between the two sheets 10, 11 which are then partially welded together at their edges 17 so as to form a chamber that the partially filled with granules 2, such as polystyrene beads. This chamber is then hermetically sealed by fixing the vacuum and overpressure valves 31 at the recesses 15, 16 formed on the outer layer 10.

Thus, because of the mobility of the granules inside the enclosure, the casing 1 can be molded around the member, and maintained in this form via the fastening means. The air contained in the chamber can then be sucked through the vacuum valve 30 connected to a depressurizing device, to reduce the mobility of the balls so as to form a rigid shell around the member. The pressure inside the enclosure can be regulated and maintained at a pressure adapted to the type of trauma via the vacuum and overpressure valves 31 (separate but not illustrated networks).

The conduit 4 forming the thermal system may be arranged in a serpentine on the inner layer 11 of the casing 1, each of its ends opening into the recesses 12, 14 provided for this purpose. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the duct 4 is secured to the casing 1 by means of an independent band 60 provided with guides 61 able to receive and hold the duct 4. This independent band 60 may be secured to the inner layer 11 of the casing 1, for example by means of self-gripping strips or be permanently fixed by welding.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the duct 4 is secured to the inner layer 11 of the casing 1 via a plurality of sleeves 6, the duct 4 passing inside these sleeves. 6.

The conduit 4 is preferably made of flexible material having good thermal conductivity, for example polyurethane or elastomer. In addition, the sleeves 6 can be made to cover all or part of the duct 4.

The protective layer may be a flexible sheet arranged so that the conduit is sandwiched between the inner layer of the envelope and the protective layer.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the ends of the duct 4 is provided with a valve 40, 41 intended to cooperate with a fluid generator 7. This fluid generator 7 may be a device capable of generating a source cold or hot air from compressed gas supplied by a regulator 70 for example.

In practice, one of the valves 40, 41 is connected to the fluid generator, for example cold air, and the other valve 41 is connected to a muffler 71 to reduce the sound level of the output of the device. air. The fluid can thus circulate in the duct 4 and cool the inside of the shell formed by depression. The user can control the temperature inside the shell through the control module consisting of a thermometer and a probe. The user can thus modify the temperature and / or the flow rate of the fluid to maintain the internal temperature of the shell at an optimum temperature suitable for retention of the limb, for example between 0 ° C. and 5 ° C.

In order to allow an optimal thermal distribution inside the shell, the recess 12 formed for the passage of a first end of the duct 4 is made at a high portion H of the casing 1, and recess 14 formed for the passage of the second end of the duct 4 is formed at a lower portion B of the casing. Thus, it is possible to circulate the fluid from the upper portion H to the lower portion B or from the lower portion B to the upper portion H, depending on whether it is desired to promote the cooling of the upper or lower portion of the shell. .

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the envelope 1 may be preformed so as to conform substantially to the shape of a leg and a foot and so as to comprise only a single orifice 8. As a result, the preformed envelope 1 is therefore a container of size and shape adapted to contain in any way a lower or upper limb. The member is introduced into the container through the single orifice 8.

Of course, in this embodiment, the envelope 1 is also coupled to the thermal system described above. Only the thermal insulation layer 5, the protective layer 62 and the control module 72 are shown in FIG. 8 for the sake of clarity.

According to this embodiment, the envelope is furthermore provided with a system for closing and opening the single orifice 8, for example by means of Velcros®.

According to another embodiment of the invention, more particularly represented in FIGS. 9 and 10, the conduit 4 is replaced by a fluid distribution network consisting of two layers of materials welded locally to each other .

Thus, as can clearly be seen in FIG. 10, the inner layer 11 is locally welded to an intermediate layer 90, typically made of a coated textile, and of the same nature as the layers 10 and 11. This intermediate layer 90 imprisons, or confined in cooperation with the outer layer 10 the granules 2. On the other hand, it is defined on the other side of the intermediate layer 90 of the pipes 91, following the realization of welds 92 located between the intermediate layer 90 and the layer In this way, FIG. 9 shows two independent fluid circulation networks, each associated with their own pair of respective pressure relief valves 93, 94 and 95, 96. Reference numeral 97 shows the vacuum valve which opens at the level of the granules 2. Advantageously, the space separating the intermediate layer 90 from the outer layer 11 is filled with a fluid-permeable material, flexible and flexible. ibly compressible (for example a thin fibrous layer), in order to avoid any risk of pinching the networks thus formed. This embodiment therefore avoids the disadvantages associated with the securing of a conduit at the internal face of the hit.

The invention has the particular advantage of allowing the immobilization and preservation of a partially sectioned limb, but also the transport and preservation of a limb completely sectioned under optimal conditions. Indeed, the fully severed limb can be packaged entirely in the splint that can both immobilize and cool at a temperature between 0 ° C and 5 ° C until the arrival in a specialized service for an allograft or autograft.

It follows from the foregoing that the immobilizing device of the invention is a vacuum-type splint coupled to a thermal system which makes it possible to ensure sufficient immobilization adapted to the transport conditions and storage under optimum conditions adapted to to the type of trauma.

This fixture is therefore an effective solution that allows including conditioning, immobilization, and global or local refrigeration of a totally or sub-totally severed limb, or the treatment of different types of traumatic injury.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual comprising at least one flexible envelope (1) intended to be positioned around the limb, said envelope (1) containing granules (2) and being provided with minus a vacuum valve (30) for maintaining a reference pressure in said envelope (1) so that said envelope (1) forms a rigid shell around said member, characterized in that it further comprises a network of distribution or conduit (4) secured to the casing (1), intended to ensure the circulation of a fluid to maintain the interior of the shell thus formed at a reference temperature. 2. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a protective layer (62) covering at least said network or said duct (4) tubular to prevent burns of the limb by said network or conduit (4). 3. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it further comprises a thermal insulation layer (5) inside of the envelope (1) for maintaining the internal temperature of the shell at said reference temperature. 4. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a control module (72) of the temperature inside. of the shell. 5. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises at least one pressure relief valve (31, 93, 94, 95 , 96) to regulate the pressure inside the envelope. 6. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the casing is further provided with fixing means for positioning the casing (1) around the member. 7. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flexible envelope (1) substantially matches the shape of a leg and a foot, and further comprises a single orifice (8) for introducing the limb therein and a closing and opening system of the single orifice (8). 8. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one end of the duct (4) opens out of the shell at the level of of an upper portion (H) of the casing (1), the other end of the tubular duct (4) emerging outside the shell at a lower portion (B) of the casing (1). ), each end being provided with a valve (40, 41). 9. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the distribution pipe network or networks consists of the localized joining of one of the constituent layers of the envelope (1) with an intermediate layer (90) confining said granules (2) against one of the layers defining the envelope. 10. Device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to claim 9, characterized in that the volume defined by the intermediate layer (90) and the layer (11) constituting the envelope (1). defining the pipe network (s) receives a thin fibrous layer. Equipment comprising at least: a device for immobilizing a lower or upper limb of an individual according to one of claims 1 to 10; a depressurizing device intended to be connected to the vacuum valve (30); and a device for generating a source of cold or hot air intended to be connected to one of the valves (40, 41) of the network or conduit (4).