WO2011070438A4

WO2011070438A4 - A medical device for limb immobilization

Info

Publication number: WO2011070438A4
Application number: PCT/IB2010/003195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rahul Ribeiro; Asokan Thondiyath; Darshan Nayak; Pulin M. Raje; Gabriel Howles Banerji; Vijaykumar Rajasekhar; Wenson R. Chern; Matthew Durack
Original assignee: Stanford-India Biodesign
Priority date: 2009-12-11
Filing date: 2010-12-10
Publication date: 2011-11-03
Also published as: WO2011070438A2; WO2011070438A3

Abstract

A device which immobilizes and supports the injured parts of the body, especially the extremities. It comprises a substantially planar shaped body with a broad head portion and a tapering tail portion, the body provided with a plurality of slots on either of its sides; a plurality of spaced apart fastening elements extending transversely of the body portion and adapted to anchor on the slots present on the planar body; wherein at least in the slots are placed in a manner such that the fastening elements provide adequate support to the limb. The invention also encompasses a kit comprising the device along with accessories like rods, padding devices, extra fastening elements

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 12 August 2011 (12.08.2011) CLAIMS

1. A device for immobilization of an injured extremity, comprising: a. a substantially planar shaped body with a broad head portion and a tapering tail portion, the body provided with a plurality of slots on either of its sides; b. a plurality of spaced apart fastening elements extending transversely of the body portion and adapted to anchor on the slots present on the planar body; wherein the slots at the head portion the slots are arranged at an angle to the body portion and are placed in a manner such that the slots and the fastening elements provide adequate support to the injured limb and to the joints at either side of the injured limb and wherein the device is semi-rigid.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is constructed of a material selected from plastic, recyclable plastic, shape memory alloy, malleable alloys, aluminum, wire mesh, naturally occurring materials such as bamboo, reeds, paper mache, thermocol, recycled paper, corn starch paper, cardboard or corrugated boards.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the material of construction of the said device is preferably of cardboard.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein the material of construction is corrugated and comprises of multiple corrugated layers sandwiched between different planar layers.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 and 4, wherein the corrugation in the material of construction runs along the longitudinal axis.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar body in complete or the ends or the interstices of the corrugation is coated with resin or wax or microbicidal material

18 or hypoallergenic materials or laminated or rendered water proof by a silicone sealant, shrink wrapped with plastic sheet selected from medical grade plastic, ABS, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone , or coated with latex or rayon.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening elements are selected from gauze, Velcro, cable ties, fabric belts, ribbons, buckles, elastic belts, laces, soft cloth, tapes, preferably, Velcro.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 and 7, wherein the fastening element is reversible, reusable, fastener.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 and 8, wherein the fastening element in the device is loosely hanging, self looped, rolled or folded, threaded or glued through the breadth of the device.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a supporting element such as a rod, plate, wires, or woven structures.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the two members of the device are connected by a connecting element selected from a malleable member, elastic, or a mechanical joint, a ball and socket, revolute, pin, a lock and screw device, key type mechanism, snap fit locks, internal hinge, or live hinge.

12. A kit comprising the device as claimed in claim 1 along with accessories selected from a group comprising of rods, padding devices, extra fastening elements.

13. A device for immobilization of an injured extremity as claimed in claim 1 as substantially described herein the specification along with the examples and figures.

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STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19

PCT International Application No. PCT/IB2010/003195

International Filing Date: 10 December 2010

Applicant: STANFORD-INDIA BIODESIGN

Title: "A MEDICAL DEVICE FOR LIMB IMMOBILIZATION"

Priority: 2580/DEL/2009 dated 11 December 2009

Agents' File Ref.: FPAA2362PCT

Present invention provides single continuous pad shaped device for immobilization of injured extremity comprising semi-rigid planar card-board body with slots spaced at predetermined distances all along both sides and plurality of fastening elements adapted to anchor on slots present in planar body without any flexion angle yet with ankle and hip support.

Dl (US5385534) teaches two sectioned device having support member, pad, plurality of straps and pair of flexion member fastened on each side of slit. Slots and straps are parallel to each other. The flexion members are perpendicular to contour joints formed longitudinally by support member that maintains desired flexion angle of support member. Support member has two slits perpendicular to contour grooves. For fastening of the respective flexion member adhesive tape in interior of the contour groove is present.

Dl does not teach continuous device having plurality of slots on either sides and plurality of fasteners arranged at an angle to body portion. Present device is simple and easy to handle unlike Dl, wherein it is necessary to maintain certain desired slit angle for proper functioning of the splint. Card board used in present invention is sandwiched between different planar layers unlike Dl where support member is formed of metal or hard plastic without any coating. Present device supports the inguinal area unlike Dl where there is no such support and corrugation. Dl is complex to construct as there is need of certain flexion member which have to be perpendicular to contour joints and further attached via an adhesive. Dl is based on forming a support platform for body at a selected flexion angle without supporting Ankle and hip unlike present invention where knee is also supported along with body without flexion angle.

20 D2 US5865780 teaches single rigid board for patient with cervical spine instability, said board is formed of a radiolucent material with attachable non-ferromagnetic components. Pluralities of straps at slots cut are provided to secure patient's body to board. These straps are crossed over patient body by hook and loop fasteners. Upper portion of board is designed to receive clamps components such as extendable rod. Device of D2 supports only body but not the knee or ankle and hip as that of present invention.

Present invention teaches device for immobilization for fractured limbs, wherein device is formed of body made from material which is corrugated and is provided with slots on either side with fasteners. Present device uses card-board which provides semi-rigid and more flexible device, whereas support board in D2 is one single board formed of rigid material such as radiolucent material. Board of D2 cannot be used to support limbs including ankle, hip and inguinal belt. Unlike Dl and D2 present invention uses semi rigid material and retaining maximum strength for supporting limbs in transverse axis yet sufficiently flexible in longitudinal axis and light weight.

Claims have been amended which may be regarded as amendment with Statement Under Article 19.

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