Immobilizing device for restraining a body portion or limb, comprising an air impervious pliant bag, e.g. of urethane coated nylon fabric, a plurality of lightweight expanded beads, e.g. polystyrene beads, preferably of relatively uniform large size of a diameter greater than 5 mm placed within the bag, and a self-closing valve communicating with the interior of the bag for evacuating air therefrom. The beads are free to be moved and accumulate in those areas where support is most needed. When the interior of the bag is evacuated, the beads are compacted by the collapsing bag and deformed into a rigid construction around the body member for support and restraint thereof. The bag is shaped to completely surround the body member to be supported and releasable strap means preferably are provided to maintain the bag in wrapped position around the body member before and after evacuation. After a period of use, introduction of air into the interior of the bag through the valve again permits freedom of movement of the beads and causes the device to collapse, and the device can then be removed from around the body member by releasing the strap means.

A spine immobilization method and apparatus are provided which make use of a normally flat, flexible bladder filled with beads or micro-balloons that form a rigid mass when the pressure within the bladder is decreased below ambient through the use of a suction pump so that the bladder can be conformed to the torso of the victim and provide the desired restraint. The bladder is strapped to the victim prior to being rigidified by an arrangement of straps which avoid the stomach area. The bladder is adapted to be secured to a rigid support, i.e., a rescue chair, so as to enable removal of a victim after the bladder has been made rigid. A double sealing connector is used to connect the bladder to the suction pump and a control valve is employed to vary the pressure within the bladder so as to soften and harden the bladder as desired.

Emergency support for stabilization of individual limbs or body parts for transport or for performance of surgical-treatment measures, including a granulate-filled cushion (1) which is provided with a valve (2) for purposes of alternating evacuation and filling, and which allows at least partial surrounding of the limb or body part, made of two lengths of airtight flexible material which are connected on their edges, in which within the cushion interior which contains the granulate there are chokes (7) to prevent the free flow of granulate and the cushion in the middle area of its outer surface which faces away from the body after application is provided with a Velcro strip border (8) as part of a Velcro-pile connector, for fixation on a solid structure. The cushion on the inside and on the outside is provided with Velcro or pile spots (9, 10) of a Velcro-pile connector for fastening of another auxiliary element provided with a corresponding opposite border, especially a chin support and/or the filter system of a respirator.

The flow of blood through the circulatory system of animals is augmented by sequential application of peristaltic pumping pressure along either or both of the legs and/or arms to develop a counterpulse in the aorta. The counterpulse is generated by equipment interconnected with electrocardiographic equipment and synchronized therewith to begin the same time as the beginning of diastole in the patient. A series of bladders arrayed lengthwise along the limb are pressurized simultaneously or in rapid sequence for peristaltic pumping and simultaneously deflated at the end of diastole. Each of the bladders is surrounded by casing means which are rendered rigid during pumping operations to provide a reaction wall and non-rigid between operations for ease of handling and wrapping and unwrapping the limb. The apparatus as a whole provides low real and apparent weight for the patient to carry, high speed of inflation and deflation, low bulk and cost of related pumping equipment, accommodation of a variety of sizes of patients and protection against ejection from the equipment by the pressures generated therein and fail safe mode in case of power failure. The apparatus may be adjusted to suit the pumping needs of different patients with simple checkout and adjustment by the clinical or hospital technician.

A cooling pad for maintaining low organ metabolism has a pair of flexible walls sealed together at their edges except at an inlet and an outlet, which are disposed away from each other, the walls enclosing a flexible and porous foam filler which separates them.