Fixation cuff for medical splints

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixation cuff (6) for medical splints (3). The fixation cuff according to the invention is characterised in that a slightly conical sleeve made of elastic material can be pushed over the member from the distal tip thereof until it surrounds the member and splint with adequate tension.

Description

[0001] Fixation cuff for medical splints H INTERGRUND DER E RFINDUNGMedical splints, for example for injuries to the toes, lower leg, or fingers, but especially for injured tendons, promote healing by immobilizing the affected area in a specific position. For example, in the case of a tendon rupture at the fingertip, the finger is immobilized in a splint for six to eight weeks until the tendon has healed and can bear weight again. The most common splint used is a Stack splint, a type of elongated plastic fingernail with air holes and a window in the fingernail area. Alternatively, a custom-made plastic splint made of malleable material can be fitted (by prescription). In any case, the splint is positioned so that while the fingertip is immobilized, the rest of the finger can still move, thus preventing stiffness.Conventionally, splints are applied and the splint and injured limb are wrapped with bandages. Today, however, adhesive strips on a textile base are preferred, but these must be changed at least once a day. This is time-consuming and cannot be done independently, as only one hand is available. In particular, the skin under the bandage usually softens, thus delaying or complicating the healing process; moreover, bothersome adhesive residue remains on the skin after each removal. While this can be removed with alcohol or other solvents, this also wastes time and materials. Handwashing and personal hygiene in general are very difficult, as the adhesive strips must not get wet. Plasters and bandages are known to absorb moisture, which reduces the adhesive effect of plasters and the seal of bandages. They also cause unpleasant odors.Additionally, the skin detaches in areas with multiple bandages, requiring special treatment. OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION The objective of the present invention is to achieve bandaging and skin-friendly, breathable immobilization quickly and easily, without assistance, while avoiding adhesion and skin damage. STATE OF THE ART There are numerous patents for the fixation of medical splints. Most commonly, a self-adhesive fixation tape (according to EP 1928373 B1) is used. The disadvantage here is that the adhesive leaves residues that are difficult to remove. Furthermore, such fixation tapes are not truly breathable, and the healing process is hampered by newly occurring skin problems. Odor is also a problem.In DE 202006013694 U1, a wrist orthosis is described in which "the splint (12) is at least partially covered with leather and / or a textile or the like, such that the covering (14) is at least partially breathable and / or moisture-wicking" and "the fastening means (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 36, 38, 48, 50, 56, 66, 68, 74, 76) comprise at least one band (18, 20, 22, 24, 26), at least one strap and / or a hook, wherein at least one band (18, 20, 22, 24, 26), the at least one strap and / or the hook engages with at least one loop (36, 38) which is attached to the wing-like sections (80, 82, 84, 86, 88), the cover (14) and / or the rail (12) is arranged and that at least one band (18, 20, 22, 24, 26) and at least one strap are provided with a Velcro fastener (48, 50, 56, 66, 68) or a buckle” - so here too a complex and rather cumbersome procedure.In general, Velcro straps are considered the preferred method for adjusting and using rails, even though they are relatively bulky, difficult to readjust once attached on the train, can rub at their edges, and their holding power can be compromised. E. RFINDERISCHER S CHRITTThe inventive step here is to dispense with all adhesive materials, sleeves, hook-and-loop fasteners, eyelets, etc., and instead to slip a cuff over the finger with the splint from the tip, allowing precisely the required mobility while immobilizing the fingertip and splint. With appropriate adaptations, the same cuff can also be used for splints for other limbs and body parts where tendons and muscles need to be immobilized for healing. EXECUTION: According to the invention, the described effect is achieved by a cuff made of porous yet flexible plastic or rubber compound, which is held in appropriate sizes like a rubber tube and slid over the splint and finger from the fingertip with one hand. This makes it possible to insert or replace the cuff quickly and independently, without specialized knowledge or assistance. DESCRIPTION BASED ON THE... EICHNUNGDescription based on the drawing Fig.1: The illustration shows an injured hand (1) with the finger (2) to be fixed, which can be inserted into the known Stack splint (3) with the push-through upper part (4) up to the contact opposite the nail bed (5) and fixed with the elastic cuff (6) to be slid over it.

Claims

Claims 1. Fixation cuff for medical splints, characterized in that a slightly conical sleeve made of elastic material can be slid over the limb from its distal tip until it encompasses the limb and splint with appropriate tension.

2. Fixation cuff according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the cuff is elastic but simultaneously permeable to air and moisture, in particular being designed as a fabric with rubber additives.

3. Fixation cuff according to at least one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cuff design is a slightly conical sleeve that can be slid over the distal end of the limb and encompasses it in the middle with moderate tension. 4.A fixation cuff according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conical cut has a fold towards the distal end, i.e., towards the back of the hand, and in particular a triangular tension member is arranged in the fold, which makes it possible to pull the cuff over the splint and finger with one hand and without tools until it is so taut that it is only possible to move the fingertip or the entire finger without bending.

5. A fixation cuff according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conical cut has a thickening fold towards the proximal end, i.e., towards the fingertip, and in particular a grippable fold therein.

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