Inflatable Splint Sleeve With Adjustable Chambers for Limb Immobilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency immobilization splints for arms and legs are often applied incorrectly, fail to maintain the extremity in a desired position, are cumbersome, and costly, and cannot be adjusted by patients after application.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable splint with a sleeve and multiple inflatable chambers that conform to a specific body part, allowing independent inflation of chambers to maintain the body part in a desired position, and includes straps and fasteners for secure fitting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional plaster and fiberglass splints are used, then the extremity can be maintained in a particular position, but the application requires trained medical personnel and may be applied incorrectly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition maintenance reliabilityVSAvoidapplication ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The splint includes self-adjusting mechanisms such as Velcro straps and inflatable chambers that can be operated by laypeople without trained medical personnel. The patient can inflate and deflate chambers themselves to adjust the splint's tightness and position, eliminating the need for professional application while maintaining reliable position maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional splints are used, then the extremity can be immobilized, but the splint is too tight or not positioned well, potentially worsening the patient's condition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization stabilityVSAvoiddamage to patient condition

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The splint transitions from a static, fixed-configuration device to a dynamic system with adjustable inflatable chambers. Each chamber can be independently inflated or deflated to change the splint's pressure distribution and contour, allowing real-time adjustment to maintain proper immobilization while avoiding excessive tightness that could harm the patient's condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If traditional splints are used, then the extremity can be supported, but the splint is bulky and cumbersome when applying to a limb

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelimb support strengthVSAvoidsplint volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The splint employs a flexible sleeve constructed from thin, compliant material that can conform to the contours of the extremity. This flexible shell design provides the necessary structural support when inflated, while remaining compact and non-bulky when deflated, solving the contradiction between providing strong limb support and minimizing the splint's volume during application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Stability of the object's composition

If traditional splints are used, then the extremity can be immobilized, but the patient is unable to adjust the splint appropriately after application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization stabilityVSAvoidpatient adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The splint incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through inflatable chambers and adjustable straps that the patient can modify. The patient can inflate or deflate specific chambers to change the splint's configuration and adjust straps to modify tightness, enabling self-adjustment while maintaining stable immobilization throughout the recovery period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The inflatable splint effectively maintains the body part in a desired position, is adjustable, and provides comfortable immobilization without the need for trained personnel, reducing application errors and costs.

Implementation Method 1

One or more of the plurality of air chambers are selectively inflated such that the flexible sleeve in cooperation with the plurality of chambers in inflated condition is contoured and positioned to maintain the specific human body part in a desired position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation/Pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS12544249B2Inflatable stent for medical treatment

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 SAFESPLINTS LLC

AI summary

An inflatable splint can include a sleeve shaped to conform to a specific human body part and a plurality of inflatable chambers disposed on the sleeve. The sleeve, in cooperation with the plurality of chambers in an inflated condition, can be contoured to maintain the specific human body part in a desired position. A method of using an inflatable splint includes admitting a body part into a sleeve of the inflatable splint and positioning the sleeve around the body part. One or more of the plurality of air chambers are selectively inflated such that the flexible sleeve in cooperation with the plurality of chambers in inflated condition is contoured and positioned to maintain the specific human body part in a desired position.