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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to surgical finger and fence splints for use in
immobilizing various parts of the body, such as fingers and arms.
Finger splints are presently comprised of aluminum sheet strip
approximately one-half to one inch wide and 0.030 inch thick. A foam
rubber pad is glued to the aluminum sheet strip by hand. The strip, with
the foam attached, is cut to lengths of approximately nine to twelve
inches and packaged for shipment.
Fence splints are manufactured in a similar manner. The aluminum sheet
strip used in fence splints is generally 0.050 inch thick, and is cut to
sizes approximately two to four inches in width and sixteen inches in
length. A special splint design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,958,325,
wherein the aluminum sheet strip is provided with straight scores which
reduce the stiffness and increase the formability perpendicular to the
direction of the straight scores.
There are several inherent limitations and disadvantages associated with
such prior art splints. First, because they are fabricated of relatively
thick aluminum sheet material, they ae difficult to cut to size for final
fitting to the patient. It is also difficult to obtain good x-rays without
removing the splints, again because of the thickness of the aluminum sheet
material. The weight of such splints is often uncomfortable to the
patient, bearing in mind that the splints are being applied to an injured
area. The thickness of the aluminum sheet material also increases the
material costs of manufacturing such splints.
Additional disadvantages are caused by the hand-glued foam padding. Because
the padding is permanently attached to the splint, when the foam padding
becomes soiled and unsanitary the entire splint must be discarded. Then a
new splint must be formed to immobilize the injured area; however, it is
difficult to duplicate the precise shape of the original splint, with the
result that the injured member is not held in the same position at it was
with the original splint. It is desirable to immobilize the injured member
in one position throughout the time necessary for healing. Hand gluing the
foam pads to the splints is also an inefficient metod of manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Fence and finger splints according to the invention herein overcome many of
the objections to the prior art splints. In particular, the invention
provides an improved base for the splints. In one instance, the base is an
aluminum sheet strip which is substantially thinner than prior art splints
and is provided with corrugated ridges to attain approximately the same
stiffness as the prior art splints. The corrugated ridges can be straight
or curved, and may be crossed or may intersect to provide lengthwise and
crosswise stiffness. Alternatively, the bases for the splints can be made
from a plastic material which is moldable at temperatures only slightly
above room temperature and at which the material can be comfortably and
easily handled. These plastic splint bases can be provided with integral
stiffening ribs, and in addition can include metal wire or mesh to
increase the rigidity thereof without adding substantially to the weight.
Additionally, splint bases of plastic which are not rigid at room
temperature, but are instead somewhat pliable or moldable, are provided
with metal wire or mesh reinforcement so that th splint bases can be
formed to and hold a desired shape. The metal wire or mesh is preferably
deployed so that the splint bases are more rigid along their longitudinal
axes than they are across their widths, and the other embodiments
described above also preferably incorporate this feature.
It will be appreciated that, in general, fence splints are thicker than
finger splints as they must provide greater support over a larger area,
but reductions in thicknesses of both over their respective prior art
counterparts are achieved by the splint bases of this invention.
Both the aluminum and plastic splint bases are easily formable to the
desired supportive shape, are lightweight and achieve reductions in
material costs, yet result in a rigid splint. Each can also be provided
with openings to make splints even lighter, and also make the splints air
permeable. Splints with the foregoing base materials are easily trimmed to
desired shapes, and narrow splints can be cut from wide splints, as
desired.
Splints according to the invention also incorporate improvements in
attaching foam padding to the base of the splint. In some splints, and
particularly fence splints, a two-piece statistical loop fastener is used
to attach the foam padding to the base of the splint. If it is necessary
to change the foam padding, a new pad having attached thereto the
appropriate portion of a statistical loop fastener can be substituted for
the original pad. The original splint base, already formed to the desired
shape, is retained. In instances where removal and/or replacement of the
foam pad is not desired, the foam pad can be attached to the splint base
by means of a double-sided tape with great savings in efficiency of
manufacture.
OBJECTS
It is a principal object of the invention to provide improved surgical
splints.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide improved surgical
finger and fence splints which can be shaped and applied quickly and
easily.
It is a further object of the invention to provide improved surgical finger
and fence splints which are lightweight and more comfortable to the
patient, and are nevertheless strong.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide improved surgical
splints which can be produced at reduced material and manufacturing costs.
Other and more specific objects of the invention will in part be obvious to
those skilled in the art and will in part appear from the following
description of the preferred embodiments and the claims, taken together
with the drawings.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially cut away, of a finger splint according to
the invention herein;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the finger splint of FIG. 1 taken along the
lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another finger splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a finger splint of FIG. 3 taken along the
lines 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another finger splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the finger splint of FIG. 5 taken along the
lines 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another finger splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a finger splint of FIG. 7 taken along the
lines 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another finger splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the finger splint of FIG. 9 taken along
lines 10--10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another finger splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the finger splint of FIG. 11 taken along the
lines 12--12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a top view of a finger splint according to the invention herein
in a dispenser package;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the finger splint and dispenser package of
FIG. 13 taken along the lines 14--14 of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a plan view, partially cut away, of a fence splint according to
the invention herein;
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the fence splint of FIG. 15 taken along the
lines 16--16 of FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is an end view, partially in section, of another fence splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 18 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another fence splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the fence splint of FIG. 18 taken along the
lines 19--19 of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another fence splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the fence splint of FIG. 20 taken along the
lines 21--21 of FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another fence splint
according to the invention herein;
FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the fence splint of FIG. 22 taken along the
lines 23--23 of FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another fence splint according to the
invention herein;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the fence splint of FIG. 24 applied to the
arm of a patient; and
FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the fence splint of FIG. 25 taken along the
lines 26--26 of FIG. 25.
The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the
various Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Finger splints according to the invention herein are shown in FIGS. 1-12,
and one of the finger splints is shown in a dispenser package in FIGS. 13
and 14. Fence splints according to the invention herein are shown in FIGS.
15-26.
All of the splints according to the invention herein comprise a base with
foam padding attached to one side thereof, wherein the base is thinner
and/or lighter than in prior art splints. Sufficient stiffness of the
splints is achieved through providing stiffening ribs in the base portions
more fully described below with respect to specific embodiments. Some of
the splints incorporate means for removably attaching foam padding to the
bases, and some have foam padding attached by double-stick tape, thereby
providing advantages over the prior art.
A first finger splint 10 according to the invention herein is illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2. It comprises a base 11, a layer of foam padding 15 and a
layer of double-stick tape 17 which attaches the foam padding 15 to the
base 11. The base 11 is fabricated of aluminum sheet material which is
preferably approximately 0.020 inch thick and may be in the range of about
0.010 to 0.025 inch thick. Two corrugated stiffening ribs 12 and 13 are
formed lengthwise in the aluminum base 11, and the stiffening ribs 12 and
13 strengthen the finger splint 10 along its length such that it is
lengthwise approximately of the same stiffness as if fabricated from
aluminum sheet material approximately 0.030 inch thick. The splint is less
stiff across its width and thus can be adapted more readily to an injured
finger, an advantage not possible with a prior art splint having a base of
uniform thickness. The corrugations in the aluminum sheet can be formed by
passing the aluminum sheet through a forming station comprising a rotating
cylindrical press having corrugation-forming protrusions and a base die
positioned therebelow. This type of operation is well-known and is also
applicable to manufacturing other splints described below. The finger
splint 10 is shown partially cut away in FIG. 1, and it may be
manufactured in long lengths, e.g. on the order of ten feet or more. Its
width may be approximately one-half inch. It may be cut to lengths of
approximately nine to twelve inches and packaged for shipment, or it may
be packaged in longer lengths, and in either event it is easily cutable,
because of its thinness, to a desired length for application to an injured
finger.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, another finger splint 20 according to the
invention herein is shown. It is comprised of a base 21 having a foam pad
25 attached thereto by a double-stick tape 27. The base 21 is provided
with a corrugated stiffening rib 22 having a generally sinusoidal
configuration, whereby the corrugated stiffening rib 22 contributes to
both lengthwise and widthwise stiffness of the finger splint 20, although
it still has more stiffness lengthwise than widthwise. The base 21 may,
therefore, be fabricated of relatively thin aluminum stock, in the range
of 0.010 to 0.025 inch thick, and yet exhibit sufficient stiffness to
function well as a finger splint. It may be manufactured and packaged in
any desired lengths, and is easily cut to useful sizes.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another finger splint 30 according to the
invention herein and generally comprising a base 31, a foam pad 35 and a
layer of double-stick tape 37 attaching the foam pad 35 to the base 31.
Two spaced apart and generally parallel sinusoidal corrugated stiffening
ribs 32 and 33 extend lengthwise along the base of finger splint 30 to
increase its longitudinal stiffness. Again, the base is fabricated of
relatively thin aluminum sheet material, its thickness being in the range
of approximately 0.010 to 0.025 inch and preferably approximately 0.020
inch, wherein the finger splint 30 is easily cutable, has sufficient
strength to support an injured finger, and is easily bendable to the
desired configuration.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a finger splint 40 also according to the
invention herein generally comprises a base 41 and a foam pad 45 held to
the base 41 by double-stick tape 47. The base 41 has formed therein three
corrugated sinusoidal ribs 42-44, each of which extends substantially the
entire width and length of the finger splint 40. The sinusoidal ribs 42-44
intersect at various points along the finger splint 40, such as at point
46. This configuration of sinusoidal ribs provides a relatively strong and
uniformly stiff finger splint although its base 41 is fabricated of
relatively thin aluminum sheet material having a thickness in the range of
approximately 0.010 to 0.025 inch. As with the previously described finger
splints, finger splint 40 is readily cutable to a desired length and
bendable to a desired shape for supporting an injured finger.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate yet another finger splint 50 according to the
invention herein. It comprises a base 51 having a foam pad 55 attached
thereto by a double-stick tape 57. The base 51 is fabricated of a plastic
material, and is provided with integral longitudinal stiffening ribs 52,
53, 54 and 56. Although the stiffening ribs 52, 53 and 54, 56 are shown
disposed adjacent to the side edges of the finger splint 50, it will be
appreciated that they could be deployed evenly across the width thereof,
or in other desired configurations. The plastic from which base 51 is
fabricated is preferably of a type which is substantially rigid at
environmental temperatures in the range of approximately 90.degree. F. and
lower, but which softens at temperatures slightly above environmental
temperatures, for instance at temperatures in the range of approximately
110.degree. to 125.degree. F. or slightly higher. Thus, the finger splint
can be heated slightly and formed to the desired shape, and even at
forming temperatures the splint is not uncomfortable to handle or to place
against the patient for fittting.
The plastic material from which the base 51 is fabricated may be
ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, and other plastics having utility for
this purpose are polycaprolactones, polyterpenes, styrene copolymers and
blends thereof, as well as others. The particular plastic is not critical,
as many are advantageously applicable and readily formulated for the
specific purposes of the finger splints described herein.
Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a finger splint 60 according to the
invention herein is shown. The finger splint 60 generally comprises a base
61 and a foam pad 66 which is held to the base 61 by means of a layer of
double-stick tape 67. The base 61 is preferably fabricated of plastic
which is moldable or formable at room temperature, such as some
polyethylenes, urethane elastomers, and a wide selection of others. The
base 61 is provided with four stiffening ribs 62-65 which extend
longitudinally along the finger splint 60. The stiffening ribs 63 and 64
are provided with stiffening wires 68 and 69, respectively, and the
stiffening wires 68 and 69 are molded in and encased by the stiffening
ribs 63 and 64 of base 61. The wires 68 and 69 provide rigidity or
stiffness for the finger splint 60 when it is molded to the desired shape,
and are bendable so that the finger splint can be molded to the desired
shape by hand manipulation. This finger splint is advantageous over finger
splint 50 as it does not require heating to shape it.
In the foregoing finger splints, the foam pads thereof were described as
being attached to the bases with double-stick tape. This is preferable
over the prior art method of hand gluing a foam pad to the base of a
splint because of the greater convenience in assembly and the uniformity
of adherence between the foam pad and the splint base. However, it will be
understood that the advantages of the novel configurations of splint bases
and particularly the stiffening structures thereof can be attained even if
the foam padding were attached by the traditional hand gluing method, or
by a mechanized gluing method.
Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is illustrated a package 70 for a
finger splint 10 described above. The package 70 generally comprises a
bottom plate 71, a top plate 72 and a connecting wall 73. The end portions
74 and 75 of the connecting wall 73 are juxtaposed to provide an exit slot
for the finger splint 10, and the remaining portion of connecting wall 73
is generally circular wherein a coil of the finger splint 10 is
accommodated. Thus, a desired length of the finger splint 10 can be pulled
out of the package and cut off for application to the patient. A supply of
the finger splint is maintained in a coil in the package 70, where it is
kept clean, dry and available for use. The top 72 of the package 70 is
preferably transparent so that the supply of finger splints is visually
ascertainable. The package 70 is also useful in conjunction with finger
splints 20, 30 and 40 described above, and can also be used with finger
splints 50 and 60 by heating the entire package and coil of finger splints
prior to unrolling a section thereof.
Fence splints according to the invention herein are illustrated in FIGS.
15-26. Fence splints are primarily for application to injured arms, and
are similar to but larger than the finger splints described above.
Typically, fence splints are provided in widths of approximately two to
four inches and lengths of approximately sixteen inches. As an example of
the similarity between finger splints and fence splints according to the
invention herein, a fence splint could comprise a base having a foam pad
attached thereto wherein the base has a plurality of longitudinally
extending corrugated straight stiffening ribs, similar to finger splint 10
described above, except larger. It will also be appreciated that fence
splints have generally been made of slightly thicker base material, such
as aluminum sheet approximately 0.050 inch thick. Substantial reductions
in the thickness of the base material can be achieved with the stiffening
structures of the invention herein, and aluminum sheet base material of at
least 0.020 inch and preferably in the range of 0.020 to 0.035 inch is
desirable in fabricating fence splints according to the invention herein,
as well as other base materials described below.
Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, a fence splint 80 according to the
invention herein is shown. It generally comprises a base 81 having a foam
pad 95 attached thereto by means of double-stick tape 97. The base 81 is
provided with six corrugated stiffening ribs 82-87 which are deployed in
two sets, the first set comprising stiffening ribs 82-84 and the second
set comprising stiffening ribs 85-87. Each of the stiffening ribs is
generally sinusoidal when viewed in plan, and extends along the length and
width of the fence splint, with the "peaks" of the sinusoidal curve
falling near the edges and the center of the fence splint. The stiffening
ribs intersect at various points on the fence splint 80, such as the
intersection of corrugated ribs 83 and 84 at point 88, the intersection of
corrugated ribs 82 and 84 at 89, and the intersection of corrugated ribs
86 and 87 at 90. It will be noted that the "peaks" of the corrugated
stiffening ribs are staggered such that the intersection points between
the corrugated ribs are also staggered along the length of the fence
splint 80, e.g. the intersection points 88, 89 and 90 are staggered along
the length of fence splint 80, which promotes uniform rigidity. The
configuration of the stiffening ribs, however, provides a splint which has
greater stiffness along its length where greater stiffness is desired, and
has somewhat less stiffness across its width where less stiffness is
required, and this facilitates forming the splint to the patient's injured
arm. The base 81 of fence splint 80 is preferably fabricated of aluminum
sheet approximately 0.025 inch thick, wherein it is easily cutable and yet
rigid by virtue of the corrugated stiffening ribs 82-87.
A fence splint 110 according to the invention herein is shown in section in
FIG. 17. It generally comprises a base 111 having a foam pad 117 attached
thereto by means of double-stick tape 118. The base 111 is preferably
fabricated of a plastic material which is rigid at room temperature and
moldable at slightly above room temperature, such as described above, and
is provided with a series of longitudinally extending integral stiffening
ribs 112-116. The thinner portions of the base 111 between the stiffening
ribs 112-116 soften first and facilitate bending the fence splint 110
across its width, while the stiffening ribs 112-116 provide longitudinal
strength.
FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a fence splint 120, also according to the
invention herein. It generally comprises a base 121 having a foam pad 135
attached thereto by means of double-stick tape 137. Base 121 is fabricated
of a plastic material which is moldable at room temperature, and it is
provided with integral longitudinal stiffening ribs 122 and 125 along the
outside edge of the fence splint 120 and additional integral longitudinal
stiffening ribs 123 and 124 intermediate the fence splint 120. The
intermediate stiffening ribs 123 and 124 are molded about and encapsulate
metal wires 126-128 and 129-131, respectively, and the metal wires provide
rigidity to the splint and maintain it in the desired configuration for
application to an injured arm. The fence splint 120 has greater rigidity
along its length, as desired, than across its width.
The fence splint 140 illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, also according to the
invention herein, is similar and comprises a plastic base 141 having
integral longitudinal stiffening ribs 142-145, the central ribs 143, 144
encapsulating wire mesh strips 146, 147, respectively. Additional wire
mesh strips 138 are deployed crosswise at intervals along the base 141,
and wire mesh strips 138 are also encapsulated in the base plastic. A foam
pad 148 is attached by double-stick tape 149. Openings 139 formed in the
base 141 reduce its weight, and the stiffening ribs 142-145 and mesh
strips 146, 147 maintain the rigidity of the splint, which is greater
longitudinally than widthwise.
A fence splint 150 according to the invention herein is illustrated in
FIGS. 22 and 23, and it is also similar to fence splints 120 and 140.
Fence splint 150 generally comprises a base 151 having spaced-apart
integral longitudinal stiffening ribs 152-157. The base 151 is preferably
fabricated of plastic of the type which is moldable at room temperature,
and the plastic is molded about and surrounds strips of braided wire
158-161. In particular, the stiffening rib 153 is molded about braided
wire 158, the stiffening rib 154 is molded about braided wire 159, the
stiffening rib 155 is molded about braided wire 160, and the stiffening
rib 156 is molded about braided wire 161. A wide strip of braided wire 163
underlies the strips 158-161 to contribute to both the lengthwise and
widthwise stiffness of splint 150, the lengthwise stiffness being greater.
A foam pad 165 is attached to the base 151 by double-stick tape 167 to
complete fence splint 150.
Another fence splint 170 is illustrated in FIGS. 24-26. The fence splint
170 comprises a base 81 (which is the same as the base 81 of fence splint
80). The bases 111, 121, 141 and 151 of fence splints 110, 120, 140 and
150 described above would also be suitable for use in fabricating fence
splint 170. Fence splint 170 is provided with a foam pad 175 which is
removably attached to the base 81 by means of a statistical loop fastener
180, which may be of the type sold under the trademark Velcro. In
particular, one portion 181 of the statistical loop fastener 180 is
secured to the base 81 by means of glue, double-stick tape, or other
suitable means. The other portion 182 of the statistical loop fastener 180
is applied to one side of the foam pad 175 with attachment also being
carried out by means of glue, double-stick tape or the like. The foam pad
175 is then attached to the base 81 by pressing the two portions 181 and
182 of the statistical loop fastener together.
Referring particularly to FIG. 25, the fence splint 170 is shown formed to
shape and applied to the arm 190 and hand of a patient. It will be noted
that the fence splint 170 is bent across its width to partially surround
the arm, as also seen in the FIG. 26 sectional view of the fence splint
170 above. In addition, the fence splint 170 is bent along its length to
accept and support the hand and fingers of the patient.
It is desirable that the injured member be maintained in substantially the
same position throughout the time necessary for it to heal. It will be
appreciated that it is difficult to bend a fence splint to an identical
form of a previous fence splint. However, it has been necessary to attempt
to do so with prior art splints when the foam pad became sufficiently
soiled and unsanitary that it had to be discarded. The fence splint 170
incorporating a statistical loop fastener 180 overcomes this problem. The
foam pad 175 and the attached second portion 182 of the statistical loop
fastener is merely removed from the base 81 and first portion 181 of the
statistical loop fastener 180, and is replaced by a new foam pad. The new
foam pad, of course, is provided with the appropriate portion of a
statistical loop fastener for ready application to the base.
It will be appreciated that the other fence splints described herein are
applied in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 25, and that the
feature of a removable foam pad attached to the splint base by a
statistical loop fastener can also be utilized with the bases of the other
fence splints described herein. It will also be appreciated that finger
splints can be constructed in a manner similar to fence splints 120, 140
and 150, i.e., having bases made of a plastic which is hand moldable at
room temperature, with stiffness supplied by wire, which may be wire mesh
or braided wire, encapsulated in the plastic bases. Such finger splints
can also be placed in a dispenser package such as shown in FIGS. 13 and
14.
All of the surgical splints according to the invention herein and described
above, including both finger splints and fence splints, are light in
weight, yet strong, and are easily cut to desired size and are also easily
fitted to a patient. They are also relatively simple to manufacture, and
achieve savings in materials. Accordingly, they efficiently accomplish the
objects of the invention herein. It will be appreciated that modifications
to the preferred embodiments described above can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the
following claims.
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