GB1345706A - Splints - Google Patents

Abstract

1345706 Splints S A HALLETT 13 May 1971 [15 May 1970] 23540/70 Heading A5R A splint comprises a rigid frame member 10 for extending alongside a fractured limb, a movable member 32 slidably mounted to the frame-member 10 and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, a traction mechanism 12 for providing controlled incremental advance of the movable member 32 and a pressure member 22 mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage the body of the patient above the fracture. Slidable support members 42 lie between the movable member 32 and pressure member 22. The members 42 have a curved plate 44 to support the limb and a tubular part 46 which is slidable on the frame 10 and partly cut through to provide a portion (50) Figure 2 (not shown) with a flange 52 for clamping the support member 42 on the frame-member 10. The traction mechanism has a cord 16 releasably connected to the foot plate 28. The cord is wound on a pulley (62) Figure 5 (not shown) in the housing 12, the pulley (62) having ratchet teeth (64) which operate against a releasable pawl (66). The spindle (54) of the pulley is connected at one end to a hand wheel 14 and at the other to a self-winding spring (76) Figure 6 (not shown). The spring (76) is sufficiently strong to wind in the cord when not in use but to apply traction the hand wheel 74 must be used. Traction may alternatively be applied by a screw device or rack and pinion. All parts of the splint which may be located in the region of the fracture are preferably made of glass fibre reinforced plastics material which is X-ray transparent. The splint as shown is used for either leg but may be modified for an arm or hand fracture.