Fracture external fixation splint with alarm function

Abstract

The application discloses a fracture external fixing small splint with an alarm function, which comprises a first splint and a second splint arranged oppositely, a displacement alarm assembly, wherein the displacement alarm assembly comprises an alarm arranged on the outer side of the first splint, a displacement sensing groove arranged on the outer side of the second splint, a magnet fixedly embedded in the first end of the displacement sensing groove, a magnetic reed switch slidably embedded in the displacement sensing groove and sliding along the displacement sensing groove, an elastic member arranged between the magnetic reed switch and the second end of the displacement sensing groove, and a wire connected with the magnetic reed switch and the alarm, wherein the wire comprises a wire first section between the first splint and the second splint and a wire second section in the displacement sensing groove; when the fracture part is swollen, the first splint and the second splint are away from each other, the length of the wire first section is increased, the length of the wire second section is decreased, the magnetic reed switch is pulled away from the magnet, and the magnetic reed switch is disconnected; when the fracture part is de-swollen, the first splint and the second splint are close to each other, the length of the wire first section is decreased, the length of the wire second section is increased, the elastic member pushes the magnetic reed switch to be close to the magnet, the magnetic reed switch is connected, and the alarm gives an alarm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to a fracture external fixation splint with an alarm function. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional fracture fixation methods generally include the following: 1. The method of fixing fractures with ordinary plaster casts has drawbacks such as large size, heavy weight, and easy loosening.

[0003] 2. Resin plaster cast fixation for fractures has drawbacks such as high cost and difficulty in adjustment.

[0004] 3. Small Splint External Fixation Method: The small splint external fixation method is a distinctive and advantageous aspect of traditional Chinese medicine in treating fractures, and it has long been recognized worldwide. Small splints are simple, convenient, effective, and inexpensive. They typically consist of two splints, one upper and one lower, and straps used to secure them. In use, the two splints are tightly fixed to both sides of the fracture site, and the straps are wrapped around the outside of the splints, binding them tightly to the outside of the fracture site to ensure stable healing.

[0005] Small splints are currently the most widely used external fixation method and equipment for fractures in clinical practice in my country, but traditional small splints also have some drawbacks: 1. After the patient is discharged, it is impossible to accurately determine the tightness of the splint: Swelling initially occurs at the fracture site, then gradually subsides. When doctors initially use a small splint for immobilization, they adjust the splint based on the initial degree of swelling. Later, as the swelling subsides or due to unexpected external force, the splint may loosen, creating a gap between the splint and the fracture site. This lack of restraint can easily lead to redisplacement or malunion of the fracture.

[0006] After being discharged from the hospital, patients need to monitor the condition of the splint themselves. Since patients are not professional doctors, relying solely on their subjective feelings to judge the fixation status of the splint is usually inaccurate and makes it difficult to effectively detect loosening of the splint, which may pose a risk to the stable healing of the fracture site.

[0007] 2. Insufficient individualization of the splint and poor wearing comfort: The inner surface of traditional small splints is flat, which does not completely conform to the contour of the patient's limb. The lack of individualization leads to uneven pressure distribution on the fracture site, resulting in poor wearing comfort for the patient. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention provides a fracture external fixation splint with an alarm function, comprising: a first splint, a second splint, and a displacement alarm component; the displacement alarm component uses a "magnet + reed switch + elastic element + wire" to form a non-contact switch circuit, which, compared with traditional contact switch circuits or traditional splints without alarm devices, provides more reliable monitoring of loosening in fracture external fixation splints with an alarm function.

[0009] Specifically, the present invention provides a fracture external fixation splint with an alarm function, comprising: The first and second clamping plates are set relative to each other; Displacement alarm components include: An alarm is located on the outer side of the first clamping plate; A displacement sensing groove is provided on the outer side of the second clamping plate; A magnet is fixedly embedded in the first end of the displacement sensing groove; A reed switch is slidably embedded in the displacement sensing groove and slides along the displacement sensing groove; An elastic element is disposed between the second end of the displacement sensing groove and the reed switch; A wire connects the reed switch and the alarm. The wire includes a first section located between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, and a second section located within the displacement sensing groove. When the fracture site swells, the first splint and the second splint move away from each other, the length of the first segment of the wire increases, the length of the second segment of the wire decreases, the reed switch is pulled away from the magnet, and the reed switch is disconnected. As the swelling at the fracture site subsides, the first splint and the second splint move closer to each other, the length of the first segment of the conductor decreases, the length of the second segment of the conductor increases, the elastic element pushes the reed switch closer to the magnet, the reed switch closes, and the alarm sounds.

[0010] Optionally, the elastic element is compressed to a first length when the fracture site swells, and compressed to a second length when the swelling at the fracture site subsides; the first length is less than the second length.

[0011] Optionally, the elastic element is a compression spring, with its two ends abutting against the inner wall of the displacement sensing groove and the magnetic reed switch, respectively.

[0012] Optionally, the compression spring is sleeved on the conductor.

[0013] Optionally, the reed switch is connected to a slider, which slides in contact with the inner wall of the displacement sensing groove, allowing the reed switch to slide along the displacement sensing groove.

[0014] Optionally, the conductor further includes: a third section of the conductor located on the outer side of the first clamping plate; the outer side of the first clamping plate is provided with a conductor adjusting member for adjusting the length of the third section of the conductor.

[0015] Optionally, the above-mentioned wire adjusting component includes: two straight sections and an arc-shaped section connecting the two straight sections; the straight sections are fixed to the outer side of the first clamping plate, and a space is formed between the arc-shaped section and the outer side of the first clamping plate for the third section of the wire to pass through.

[0016] Optionally, the first and second clamps are prepared using 3D printing technology and connected by straps or Velcro.

[0017] Optionally, the alarm may be a light alarm or an audible and visual alarm.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) This invention employs a non-contact circuit consisting of a magnet, a reed switch, an elastic element, and a wire to construct a displacement alarm component. The distance between the magnet and the reed switch is controlled by the elastic element and the wire, thereby controlling the switching of the reed switch. Thus, the circuit can be switched on and off without contact between the magnet and the reed switch. Compared with existing small clamps that use contact circuits (such as CN102429757A), this invention uses a non-contact circuit, eliminating the risk of poor contact and decreased reliability, and making the monitoring of loose small clamps more reliable.

[0019] (2) The splint of the present invention is made by 3D printing technology and can be individually designed according to the patient's fracture site contour, age, height and weight, etc., to improve the patient's wearing comfort.

[0020] (3) This invention does not change the fixation principle and operation process of traditional small splints, and is easy to promote in clinical practice. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the fracture external fixation splint with alarm function of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the fracture external fixation splint with alarm function of the present invention from another angle.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the displacement sensing groove of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0025] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the present invention provides a fracture external fixation splint with an alarm function, comprising: The first clamping plate 1 and the second clamping plate 2 are set opposite to each other; Displacement alarm components include: Alarm 11 is located on the outer side of the first clamping plate 1; The displacement sensing groove 21 is provided on the outer side of the second clamping plate 2 and extends along the width direction of the second clamping plate 2. Magnet 22 is fixedly embedded in the first end of displacement sensing groove 21; The magnetic reed switch 23 is slidably embedded in the displacement sensing groove 21 and slides along the displacement sensing groove 21. The elastic element 24 is disposed between the second end of the displacement sensing groove 21 and the magnetic reed switch 23; A wire (electrical cable) 3 connects the alarm 11 and the reed switch 23 in series to form a circuit. The wire 3 includes: a first section 31 located between the first clamping plate 1 and the second clamping plate 2, and a second section 32 located in the displacement sensing groove 21. When the fracture site swells, the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 move away from each other, the length of the first segment 31 of the wire increases, the length of the second segment 32 of the wire decreases, the reed switch 23 is pulled away from the magnet 22, and the reed switch 23 is disconnected. When the swelling at the fracture site subsides, the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 move closer to each other, the length of the first segment 31 of the wire decreases, the length of the second segment 32 of the wire increases, the elastic element 24 pushes the reed switch 23 closer to the magnet 22, the reed switch 23 closes, and the alarm 11 sounds an alarm.

[0026] The reed switch 23 is a normally open reed switch, which is an electrical switch controlled by a magnetic field. When the reed switch 23 is away from the magnetic field (i.e. away from the magnet 22), the contacts of the reed switch 23 are open; when the reed switch 23 is close to the magnetic field (i.e. close to the magnet 22), the contacts of the reed switch 23 are closed, and the alarm 11 sounds an alarm.

[0027] This invention utilizes a non-contact circuit for a displacement alarm component, consisting of a magnet 22, a reed switch 23, an elastic element 24, and a wire 3. The distance between the reed switch 23 and the magnet 22 is controlled by the elastic element 24 and the wire 3, allowing the displacement alarm component to be switched on and off without direct contact between the reed switch 23 and the magnet 22. Compared to existing contact circuits or small clamps without alarm devices, this non-contact circuit eliminates the risk of poor contact and reduced reliability, and provides more reliable monitoring of loose clamps.

[0028] In some embodiments, the elastic element 24 may be a compression spring, which is always in a compressed state, applying a thrust toward the magnet 22 to the reed switch 23. When the fracture site swells, the elastic element 24 is compressed to a first length; when the fracture site deswells, the elastic element 24 is compressed to a second length, the first length being less than the second length.

[0029] In some embodiments, a compression spring is sleeved on the second section 32 of the wire, with one end abutting against the inner wall of the displacement sensing groove 21 and the other end abutting against the reed switch 23.

[0030] In some embodiments, the elastic element 24 is made of a non-magnetic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0031] In some embodiments, the fracture sites of different fracture patients have different thicknesses, that is, the distance between the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 is different, and the length of the first segment 31 of the guide wire is different. To accommodate patients with different fracture site thicknesses, the outer side of the first splint 1 of the present invention is also provided with a guide wire adjustment member 12, which is used to adjust the length of the third segment 33 of the guide wire on the outer side of the first splint, and thereby adjust the lengths of the first segment 31 and the second segment 32 of the guide wire, so as to adapt to patients with different fracture site thicknesses.

[0032] Therefore, when the small splint of the present invention is prepared, the wire 3 can be prepared to a uniform length. When used by patients with different fracture thicknesses, the length of the third segment 33 of the wire is adjusted by the wire adjustment component 12, and the lengths of the first segment 31 and the second segment 32 of the wire are adjusted, so that it can be used by different fracture patients.

[0033] It should be noted that conductor 3 is a complete conductor, but it has been divided into conductor segment 31, conductor segment 32 and conductor segment 33 for the purpose of illustrating this invention.

[0034] In some embodiments, the aforementioned wire adjusting member 12 is π-shaped, comprising: two straight segments and an arc segment connecting the two straight segments; the straight segments are fixed to the outer surface of the first clamping plate 1, and a space is formed between the arc segment and the outer surface of the first clamping plate 1 for the third segment 33 of the wire to pass through, thereby fixing the third segment 33 of the wire to the first clamping plate 1. The length of the third segment 33 of the wire is adjusted by adjusting the position of the wire adjusting member 12 fixed on the wire 3.

[0035] The straight section can be fixed to the outer side of the first clamping plate 1 by screws or adhesive.

[0036] The side of the arc segment facing the conductor 3 is provided with anti-slip texture to increase the friction between the arc segment and the conductor 3.

[0037] In some embodiments, the reed switch 23 is connected to a slider 25, which slides in contact with the inner wall of the displacement sensing groove 21, so that the reed switch 23 slides along the displacement sensing groove 21.

[0038] In some embodiments, the magnet 22 is a neodymium iron boron permanent magnet, and the alarm 11 is a light alarm or an audible and visual alarm with a power supply.

[0039] The small splint of the present invention is suitable for use in distal radius fractures. The first splint 1 is used to fasten to the back of the hand where the fracture site is located, and the second splint 2 is used to fasten to the palm of the hand where the fracture site is located. By clamping the fracture site on both sides with the first splint 1 and the second splint 2, the fracture site is tightly restrained and heals stably.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first clamp 1 and the second clamp 2 are connected by antibacterial, breathable straps or Velcro, which facilitates the adjustment of the distance between the first clamp 1 and the second clamp 2, i.e. the adjustment of the tightness of the small clamp.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 are prepared using 3D printing technology. They can be individually designed according to the limb contour, age, height and weight of the patient's fracture site, ensuring precise fit and improving the patient's wearing comfort.

[0042] Taking a distal radius fracture as an example, the preparation method of a fracture external fixation splint with alarm function according to the present invention is as follows: (1) Based on thin-slice CT scan, obtain the patient's forearm soft tissue and bone information (fracture site information) and perform three-dimensional reconstruction; based on the patient's forearm soft tissue and bone information, design the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 models that fit the fracture site; after the design is completed, input the model into the 3D printer to perform 3D printing of the first splint 1 and the second splint 2. (2) Place the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 on both sides of the fracture site, and use antibacterial and breathable bandages to tie the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 to fix the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 to the fracture site. The antibacterial and breathable bandages have good breathability and antibacterial effect, and can easily wrap the first splint 1 and the second splint 2 around the fractured forearm, providing gentle support and protection for the fracture site; (3) Install an alarm 11 and a wire adjustment component 12 on the outer side of the first splint 1, install a reed switch 23 and a magnet 22 on the outer side of the second splint 2, fix the wire 3 through the wire adjustment component 12, and adjust the length of the L2 and L3 segments of the wire 3 according to the thickness of the fracture site of the patient.

[0043] In summary, this invention provides a fracture external fixation splint with an alarm function, comprising: a first splint and a second splint arranged opposite to each other; a displacement alarm assembly, comprising: an alarm, disposed on the outer side of the first splint; a displacement sensing groove, disposed on the outer side of the second splint; a magnet, fixedly embedded in the first end of the displacement sensing groove; a reed switch, slidably embedded in the displacement sensing groove and sliding along the displacement sensing groove; an elastic element, disposed between the reed switch and the second end of the displacement sensing groove; and a wire connecting the reed switch and the alarm, the wire comprising: a first segment of the wire located between the first splint and the second splint, and a second segment of the wire located within the displacement sensing groove; wherein, when the fracture site swells, the first splint and the second splint move away from each other, the length of the first segment of the wire increases, the length of the second segment of the wire decreases, pulling the reed switch away from the magnet, and the reed switch disconnects; when the swelling at the fracture site subsides, the first splint and the second splint move closer to each other, the length of the first segment of the wire decreases, the length of the second segment of the wire increases, the elastic element pushes the reed switch closer to the magnet, the reed switch closes, and the alarm sounds.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described in detail through the preferred embodiments above, it should be understood that the above description should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. Various modifications and substitutions to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fracture external fixation splint with an alarm function, characterized in that, include: The first and second clamping plates are set relative to each other; Displacement alarm components include: An alarm is located on the outer side of the first clamping plate; A displacement sensing groove is provided on the outer side of the second clamping plate; A magnet is fixedly embedded in the first end of the displacement sensing groove; A reed switch is slidably embedded in the displacement sensing groove and slides along the displacement sensing groove; An elastic element is disposed between the second end of the displacement sensing groove and the reed switch; A wire connects the reed switch and the alarm. The wire includes a first section located between the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate, and a second section located within the displacement sensing groove. When the fracture site swells, the first splint and the second splint move away from each other, the length of the first segment of the wire increases, the length of the second segment of the wire decreases, the reed switch is pulled away from the magnet, and the reed switch is disconnected. As the swelling at the fracture site subsides, the first splint and the second splint move closer to each other, the length of the first segment of the conductor decreases, the length of the second segment of the conductor increases, the elastic element pushes the reed switch closer to the magnet, the reed switch closes, and the alarm sounds.

2. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the fracture site swells, the elastic element is compressed to a first length, and when the swelling at the fracture site subsides, the elastic element is compressed to a second length; the first length is less than the second length.

3. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic element is a compression spring, with its two ends abutting against the inner wall of the displacement sensing groove and the magnetic reed switch, respectively.

4. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The compression spring is sleeved on the conductor.

5. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The reed switch is connected to a slider, which slides in contact with the inner wall of the displacement sensing groove, causing the reed switch to slide along the displacement sensing groove.

6. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The conductor further includes a third section of the conductor located on the outer side of the first clamp; the outer side of the first clamp is provided with a conductor adjustment component for adjusting the length of the third section of the conductor.

7. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The wire adjusting component includes: Two straight segments, and an arc segment connecting the two straight segments; The straight section is fixed to the outer side of the first clamping plate, and the arc-shaped section forms a space between itself and the outer side of the first clamping plate for the third section of the conductor to pass through.

8. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second clamping plates were prepared using 3D printing technology.

9. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first clamp and the second clamp are connected by straps or Velcro.

10. The fracture external fixation splint with alarm function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The alarm is either a light alarm or an audible and visual alarm.

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