US2319400A - Traction splint - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 18, 1943 TRACTION SPLINT Raymond Hartmann and Gustave R. Tifal, Los Angeles, Calif.

Annina-tion october 26, i942, seriai No. 463,394

6 Claims. (Cl. 12S-84) Our invention relates to surgical devices, and has among its objects and advantages the provision oi an improved quick application traction splint equally well suited to arm or leg work.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a View illustrating our invention applied to leg and arm conditions.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the splint.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View.

Figure 4 is a detail view of a telescopic clamp, and

Figure 5 is a sectional detail view illustrating a traction spring.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, we make use of a tubular meniber I within which is slidab-ly fitted a shaft I2. This shaft is provided with a curved groin or armpit engaging crosspiece I4. The outer end of the member I0 is provided with a laterally positioned arm I6 recessed to provide fingers I8 be tween which is positioned a shank 2B of a pressure clamp 22 having a cupped or concaved face 2li.

A compression spring 26 has one end housed in a bore 28 in the outer end of the member I0. The other end of the spring lies in a recess 3!) in one face of the traction clamp 22, this end of the spring being held in place by a plate 32 fastened to the traction clamp and inserted between two convolutions of the spring. The spring 2B normally holds the traction clamp in the position of Figure 3, but the traction clamp may be pivoted toward the member lil about the axis of a pin 34 which pivotally connects `the traction clamp with the fingers I3.

The inner end of the member III is slotted at 36 and recessed circuinferentially at 38 for the reception of a clamp band 10. A leather strap 42 is interposed between the band dll and the recessed part of the member I0 to protect the latter, since the two sections IB and I2 may be formed of wood. A bolt it is provided for tightening the clamp band Ail on the member IU. Thus the members Ill and I2 are telescopically related and may be fixedly related in different positions to vary the length of the splint.

A top strap 4t is attached to the member I2 and is provided with a buckle 8. An intermediate strap 59 is attached to the member It and also includes a buckle 52. The third strap is attached to the traction clamp 24 and is provided with a strap 54 and a buckle 5t.

In operation, the splint may be applied to either the arm or the leg. The part Ill is placed against the groin or in the armpit. The clamp 40 is loosened and the two members l0 and l2 adjusted to the desired length according to the size of the patients arm or leg. The strap 46 is then securely fastened around the arm or the leg. For leg purposes, the strap 54 is then passed about the ankle for securely attaching the latter to the pressure clamp 22. The meinbers Il) and I2 are then extended sufficiently far to compress the spring 26 and bring the pressure clamp 22 to the right angular position of Figure l. The clamp 40 is then tightened and the strap 50 moved upwardly or downwardly of the member I0 to its proper position and tightened around the arm or the leg. The patient is then ready for transportation.

For arm purposes, a standard cravat bandage hand hitch 58 connects the arm with the pressure clamp 22 to hold the latter in its right angular position. When once applied, the spring 26 provides a constant traction of the required pressure, which is usually around forty-five pounds or slightly less. The maximum area of the injured limb is exposed while the traction splint is applied thereto so that wounds may be cared for without removing the splint. The straps hold the splint firmly against the injured member and at the same time helps to maintain the traction.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain our invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

We claim:

1. A traction splint comprising telescopically related first and second sections, means for xedly relating the sections, a body engaging member at one end of said first section, a pressure clamp pivotally connected with the outer end of said second section, and resilient means acting on said pressure clamp and said second section.

2. A traction splint comprising telescopically related first and second sections, means for xedly relating the sections, a body engaging member at one end of said first section, a pressure clamp movably connection with the outer end of said second section, and a spring acting on said second section and said pressure clamp to yieldingly bias the latter to a traction position.

3. A traction splint comprising telescopically related first and second sections, means for fixedly relating the sections, a body engaging member at one end of said first section, a pressure clamp pivotally connected with the outer end of said second section and having a recess, said second section having an axial bore in its outer end, and a compression spring interposed between the second section and said pressure clamp and having its ends respectively lying in said bore and said recess.

4. A traction splint comprising adjustab-ly related rst and second sections, means for xedly relating the sections, a body engaging member at one end of said first section, a pressure clamp pivotally connected with one end of said second section, said second section having a projection lying to one side of said one end, and resilient means interposed between said pressure clamp and said second section.

5. The invention described in claim 4 wherein said pressure clamp is provided with an attaching strap, a second attaching strap slidably mounted on said second section, and a third strap carried by said first section.

6. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said means comprises a slotted end of said second section, and a screw tightened band encircling said slotted end.

RAYMOND HARTlVLANN. GUSTAVE R. TIFAL.

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