US3750660A - Method and means for making a splint - Google Patents

Abstract

The means for making a splint includes a sheet member having opposite faces and being adapted for folding into two flaps. The flaps embrace the limb therebetween and include marginal portions which are free from engagement with the limb when the limb is between the flaps. The marginal portions are in face-to-face relation when the limb is between the flaps and an adhesive substance is on the flap portions. The adhesive substance is adapted to secure the flaps in face-to-face engagement when the flaps are manually pressed together. The method for splinting an injured limb includes positioning two flaps on opposite sides of the injured limb and pressing the flaps together into engagement around the limb at a plurality of points so that the adhesive substance on the flaps will secure the flaps together and cause them to confine the limb and hold the limb against flexing movement.

Description

Aug. 7, 1973 METHOD AND MEANS FOR MAKING A SPLINT [75] Inventor: Louis F. Muller, Playa Del Rey,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Medical Enterprises, Inc., Des

Moines, Iowa [22] Filed: Aug. 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 173,865

[52] US. Cl. 128/89.R, 128/87 R [51] Int. Cl. A6li 5/04 [58] Field of Search 128/89 R, 87 R, 87 A, 128/93, 83, 88

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,667,868 2/1954 Smyth 128/87 R 3,232,289 2/1966 Zimmerman 128/87 R 3,496,934 2/1970 Anderson 128/93 3,624,745 11/1971 Bowers 128/93 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 284,740 8/1914 Germany 128/89 R Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney-Zarley, McKee & Thomte [57] ABSTRACT The means for making a splint includes a sheet member having opposite faces and being adapted for folding into two flaps. The flaps embrace the limb therebetween and include marginal portions which are free from engagement with the limb when the limb is between the flaps. The marginal portions are in face-toface relation when the limb is between the flaps and an adhesive substance is on the flap portions. The adhesive substance is adapted to secure the flaps in face-toface engagement when the flaps are manually pressed together.

The method for splinting an injured limb includes positioning two flaps on opposite sides of the injured limb and pressing the flaps together into engagement around the limb at a plurality of points so that the adhesive substance on the flaps will secure the flaps together and cause them to confine the limb and hold the limb against flexing movement.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures HHIIIHIIHI METHOD AND MEANS FOR MAKING A SPLINT This invention relates to a method and means for making a splint.

Presently known splinting devices are not capable of splinting a limb in a flexed position. Some splints include elongated rigid members such as sticks or metal rods, and require that the limb be straightened before it is splinted. Inflatable splints have been provided, but these splints also require the limb to be straightened be fore applying the splint.

Often a splint must be applied under emergency circumstances and in situations where qualified physicians are not present. Thus it is often necessary for unqualified personnel to straighten a limb before applying a splint. Such straightening by unqualified personnel could result in serious injury to the injured person.

The present invention permits the splinting of an injured limb in whatever natural flexed position the limb happens to be in at the time of the injury. The splint merely holds the limb in the position it assumed at the time of the injury and maintains the limb in this position until the injured person can be transported to medical facilities. I

Therefore a principal object of the present invention is the provision of a method and means for making a splint wherein the limb maybe splinted in any flexed articulated position without requiring straightening of the limb.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a means for making a splint which is disposable.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a means for making a splint which is easy to apply and can be applied by laymen under emergency situations.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a method and means for splinting a limb which is articulated in any of a variety of positions.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a method and means for splinting a limb' wherein the limb can be splinted without any manipulation thereof.

Afurther object of the present invention is the provision of a means for splinting a limb which is X-ray translucent, and which does not have to be removed to take X-rays of the injured limb.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a method and means for making a splint which places a minimum of weight on the injured limb after the splint is applied.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a means for making a splint which is easily foldable and easy to carry so that it will be available for first aid use in emergency situations.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a means for making a splint which is inexpensive to manufacture and which provides sturdy reinforcement for an injured limb.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a means for making a splint which can be applied to any injured limb, whether it be an arm or a leg or any portion thereof.

These and other objects will be obvious to thos skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating the first step during the application of the splint to a persons arm;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the second step in the application of the splint to an injured persons arm;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a further step in the application of the splint to an injured persons arm;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view illustrating the application of the splint of the present invention to an injured persons arm when the arm is in an unflexed position.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a means for making a splint. Means 10 is formed from a rectangular sheet member 12 which is made of paper or cardboard and which includes a first paper or cardboard sheet 14 and a second cardboard or paper sheet 16. While cardboard or paper are the preferred materials to be used for sheets 14 and 16, other materials-may also be used which are flexible and which are easily folded. Sheet 16 is formed into a undulating or corrugated shape having a plurality of undulations 18 therein which lend reinforcement to sheet member 12, and which hold sheet member 12 against folding in a direction transverse to the direction in .which the corrugations extend. Sheets 14 and 16 are joined together to form a double layer such as conventionally found in cardboard materials. The particular configuration of sheet members 14 and 16 may be varied without detracting from the present invention. For example, instead of using corrugations to provide reinforcement of sheet member 12, a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing members could be incorporated into sheet member 12 to prevent its folding in one direction while at the same time permitting it to be folded in a direction transverse thereto. An adhesive substance 20 is provided on the outwardly disposed surface of sheet 16. Adhesive substance 20 is preferably of the type which will adhere to other surfaces upon pressure contact, but other types of adhesives may be used also. The particular type of adhesive is not critical to the present invention, and any of a number of presently available adhesives may be used.

The first step in applying the splint is illustrated in FIG. 1. Sheet member 10 is placed along one side of an injured limb, such as arm 22. The sheet member may be placed alongside the arm without bending or flexing the arm in anyway, thereby minimizing the danger of further injuring the arm.

Referring to FIG. 3, the next step in making'the splint includes folding sheet member 12 into two flaps 24 and 26 so that flaps 24, 26 embrace arm 22 therebetween. Sheet member 22 is folded so that sheet 16 with adhesive 20 thereon is presented inwardly toward arm 22. When sheet member 12 isfolded in this fashion a juncture or fold 28 is formed between flaps 24, 26 and is positioned in spaced relationship to arm 22.

The corrugated surfaces of sheet members 16 are then pressed together firmly at the top margins thereof. The adhesive 20 on sheets 16 causes flaps 24 and 26 to be joined together in response to the pressing or pinching of the two flaps 24, 26 against one another.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pressing of flaps 24, 26 against one another is continued until they are joined completely around the margins surrounding arm 22. They are pressed together closely adjacent arm 22 so that arm 22 is encased within a confined area 30 (FIG. 5). Arm 22 is firmly secured within area 30 and is embraced on all sides by flaps 24, 26.'The corrugations of sheet 16 are pressed together around the margins of arm 22 and are held in securement by adhesive 20. Prior to applying sheet member 12 to arm 22, sheet member 12 is easily foldable along a line parallel to the direction of the corrugations in sheets 16. However, after sheet member 12 is folded and applied as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it provides a rigid encasement for arm 22 and resists folding in all directions. The double thickness which is formed by folding and joining flaps 24, 26, and the bulged deformations 32, 34 surrounding arm 22, lend additional reinforcement so as to prevent folding of the completed splint in any direction.

Once the splint has been applied in a manner described above, the patient may be transported to medical facilities where the arm may be X-rayed without removing the splint. Thus, the splint can be applied to the arm without manipulating or flexing the arm from its original injured position, and the splint will maintain this arm in the same unmoved position until after X- rays have been taken and the extent of the injury has been fully diagnosed.

When the proper treatment has been determined, the splint may be removed easily by scissors or other cutting instruments, and may be disposed of in a wastebasket. The fact that the splint is made of paper-or cardboard makesit highly translucent to X-ray. The splint is considerably lighter than conventional splints utilizing wood or other reinforcing members, and is also lighter than many inflatable splints. Furthermore its disposable nature makes it far more convenient than these other devices. Its light weight causes a minimum of strain to be applied to the limb during the transportation of the victim from the place of the injury to adequate medical facilities. Heavier splints such as wood reinforced ones, could cause a considerable'amount of pain, if not additional injury as a result of their added weight to the injured persons limb. The fact that sheet member 12 is originally in a flat shape makes it readily conducive to easy storage and carrying.

Referring to FIG. 6, an injured persons arm 36 is shown encased within a splint 38 identical to the splint shown in FIGS. 1 5. From this it can be seen that the splint of the present invention is easily applicable to an injured persons limb regardless of the position or the extent of articulation of the limb.

While the splint shown in the drawings is formed by folding a single sheet member into two flaps 24, 26, a satisfactory splint could also be provided by merely placing two sheet members 12 in face-to-face relation on opposite sides of arm 22 and pressing them together in the same fashion that flaps'24, 26 are shown pressed together in FIG. 4.

Thus it can be seen that the method and means of the present invention accomplish at least all of the stated objectives.

I claim:

1. A splint for an injured person's limb comprising:

a pair of sheet members having opposite faces adapted to embrace said limb therebetween, said sheet members being sufficiently large to be in covering relationship to said limb when said limb is in 7 an articulated position;

said sheet members being corrugated and having corrugations extending longitudinally in one direction; said sheet members being constructed of material which is sufficiently flexible to permit bending thereof in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction of said corrugations whereby said sheet members can be bent into facing engagement with one another around the margins of said limb when said limb is in an articulated position; and

an adhesive substance on said sheet members for causing said sheet members to adhere to one another when pressed together around said limb, whereby said sheet members will surround and support said limb when said limb is in an articulated position.

2. A splint according to claim I wherein said corrugations are exposed on the facing sides of said sheet members thereby imparting a corrugated texture to said facing sides for enhancing the adhesion therebetween when pressed together;

3. A splint according to claim 1 wherein said sheet member is made of an X-ray translucent material.

4. A splint according to claim 3 .wherein said sheet member is made of paper and is comprised of a first paperv sheet and a second paper sheet, at least one of said paper sheets being corrugated; said first and second sheets being joined together in face-to-face relationship.

S. A method for splinting an injured limb comprising:

positioning two corrugated sheet members having an adhesive substance thereon on opposite sides of an injured limb; maintaining said limb in the original articulated position which it retained at the time of injury;

pressing said flaps together into engagement with one another at a plurality of points around said limb while said limb is in said original position whereby said adhesive substance will cause said sheet members to adhere to one another at said points where said flaps are pressed together thereby causing said sheet members to encase said articulated limb and lend support thereto.

6. A method according to claim 5 comprising taking an X-ray photograph of said limb while said limb is in said splint and while said splint holds said limb in said original position.

Claims (6)

1. A splint for an injured person''s limb comprising: a pair of sheet members having opposite faces adapted to embrace said limb therebetween, said sheet members being sufficiently large to be in covering relationship to said limb when said limb is in an articulated position; said sheet members being corrugated and having corrugations extending longitudinally in one direction; said sheet members being constructed of material which is sufficiently flexible to permit bending thereof in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction of said corrugations whereby said sheet members can be bent into facing engagement With one another around the margins of said limb when said limb is in an articulated position; and an adhesive substance on said sheet members for causing said sheet members to adhere to one another when pressed together around said limb, whereby said sheet members will surround and support said limb when said limb is in an articulated position.

2. A splint according to claim 1 wherein said corrugations are exposed on the facing sides of said sheet members thereby imparting a corrugated texture to said facing sides for enhancing the adhesion therebetween when pressed together.

3. A splint according to claim 1 wherein said sheet member is made of an X-ray translucent material.

4. A splint according to claim 3 wherein said sheet member is made of paper and is comprised of a first paper sheet and a second paper sheet, at least one of said paper sheets being corrugated; said first and second sheets being joined together in face-to-face relationship.

5. A method for splinting an injured limb comprising: positioning two corrugated sheet members having an adhesive substance thereon on opposite sides of an injured limb; maintaining said limb in the original articulated position which it retained at the time of injury; pressing said flaps together into engagement with one another at a plurality of points around said limb while said limb is in said original position whereby said adhesive substance will cause said sheet members to adhere to one another at said points where said flaps are pressed together thereby causing said sheet members to encase said articulated limb and lend support thereto.

6. A method according to claim 5 comprising taking an X-ray photograph of said limb while said limb is in said splint and while said splint holds said limb in said original position.

Images