Inflatable Splint with Contoured Sleeve and Independent Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emergency immobilization splints for arms and legs are often applied incorrectly, are bulky, and cannot be adjusted by patients after inflation, potentially worsening injuries and are costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable splint with a sleeve shaped to conform to specific body parts and multiple inflatable chambers that can be independently inflated to maintain the body part in a desired position, allowing for adjustable support and easy application without requiring trained personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional plaster and fiberglass splints are used, then the limb can be immobilized, but they must be applied by trained medical personnel and are often applied incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The splint is designed with self-adjusting features including inflatable chambers that can be inflated by the patient themselves using a pump, Velcro straps for easy securing, and a contoured shape that automatically positions the limb correctly without requiring trained medical personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The splint uses inflatable chambers that change volume and pressure parameters to adapt to different limb sizes and injury locations, allowing the same splint design to effectively immobilize various body parts through controlled inflation of specific chambers
2Reliability
If traditional splints are used, then immobilization can be achieved, but they are bulky and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The splint utilizes a flexible, contoured sleeve made of thin, pliable material that can be compressed into a compact form when deflated and inflated to the required shape during use, significantly reducing bulk compared to rigid traditional splints
Solution Approach 2:
The splint transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, inflatable structure that can change shape and volume based on the specific immobilization needs, allowing the same device to adapt to different body parts and injury types without requiring multiple separate splints
3Reliability
If traditional splints are used, then immobilization can be provided, but the cost of manufacture is comparatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The splint is divided into multiple independently inflatable chambers that can be manufactured as separate components and assembled, allowing for standardized production of individual chambers that can be efficiently manufactured and quality-controlled
Solution Approach 2:
The use of flexible, thin-walled materials for the splint chambers and sleeve reduces material costs compared to traditional thick plaster or fiberglass splints, while still providing sufficient structural support when inflated
4Reliability
If traditional splints are used, then immobilization can be achieved, but they cannot be adjusted by patients after application
Solution Approach 1:
The splint incorporates user-friendly adjustment mechanisms including inflatable chambers with attached pumps that patients can inflate and deflate themselves, Velcro straps for easy tightening and loosening, and contoured shapes that allow patients to reposition their limbs independently
Solution Approach 2:
The splint transitions from a static, fixed-position design to a dynamic, adjustable design where patients can inflate specific chambers to achieve desired limb positions and adjust the splint configuration as needed during recovery
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 provides effective immobilization and support, allowing for proper positioning of limbs without causing discomfort or further injury, and can be easily applied and removed by untrained individuals, while being cost-effective and lightweight.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of air chambers (14, 16, 18, 20) separately inflatable lengthwise-extending tubular chambers
Data Source
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.