Multi-Phase Orthopedic Splint Reuse for Fracture Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fracture treatment methods require multiple devices and frequent clinic visits, leading to inefficiencies and misalignment issues, as they involve sequential use of plaster of Paris casts and synthetic splints, which can cause inconvenience and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase orthopedic system that utilizes a molded splint or cast from the acute phase through rehabilitation, with a moisture-impervious sleeve, a reactive substrate that hardens upon exposure to moisture, and a soft goods removable cast for continued support and proper fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sequential casting and splinting regimes are used at various treatment phases, then fracture stabilization and rehabilitation are achieved, but multiple devices and frequent clinic visits are required leading to increased costs and patient inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The splint is designed to serve multiple functions across different treatment phases. During the acute phase, it provides fracture stabilization. During the rehabilitation phase, the same splint is reused as an internal support structure within a soft goods brace, providing continued stabilization while allowing controlled movement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices for each phase, reducing device complexity and patient visits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the splint after the acute phase, the invention recovers and reuses it during the rehabilitation phase. The splint is removed from its initial packaging, molded to the patient's anatomy, and then reused as an internal component of the soft goods brace. This recovery and reuse approach reduces the number of devices needed and eliminates waste, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional casting methods are used, then fracture immobilization is achieved, but misalignment and poor fitting occur requiring repeated adjustments and visits
Solution Approach 1:
The splint is pre-formed with contours that approximate the patient's anatomy before application. This preliminary shaping allows for easier and more accurate molding to the patient's specific anatomy during the acute phase, ensuring proper alignment and fit from the outset. The pre-formed structure guides the molding process and reduces the need for repeated adjustments, directly improving fit accuracy while maintaining reliable immobilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The splint material undergoes parameter changes when exposed to moisture, transitioning from a rigid transported state to a moldable state. This allows the splint to be customized to the patient's anatomy during application, ensuring precise fit and alignment. The material properties are temporarily changed to enable molding, then set in the final configuration, eliminating misalignment issues while maintaining immobilization reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple casting and splinting regimes are applied sequentially, then complete rehabilitation is achieved, but material waste and increased treatment costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers the splint material after the acute phase instead of discarding it. The splint is removed from its initial packaging and reused as an internal support structure within the soft goods brace during rehabilitation. This recovery approach eliminates material waste while maintaining the rehabilitation outcome, as the splint continues to provide structural support in its new role.
Solution Approach 2:
The splint serves multiple functions across different treatment phases, first as a standalone immobilization device during the acute phase, then as an internal support structure within the soft goods brace during rehabilitation. This multi-functionality allows the same material to contribute to the rehabilitation outcome throughout the entire treatment process, eliminating the need for additional materials and reducing waste.
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
This system ensures a correctly fitted device throughout treatment phases with minimal interference, reducing waste and costs while maintaining clinical efficacy by reusing the original splint or cast, thereby improving patient comfort and treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reactive system impregnated into or coated onto the substrate and remaining stable when maintained in substantially moisture-free conditions and hardening upon exposure to sufficient moisture to form a rigid, self supporting structure
Implementation Method 2
providing a moisture-impervious sleeve
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-phase orthopedic system including a moisture-impervious sleeve, a moldable splint including a covered resin-impregnated substrate, an elongate removable wrap for retaining the splint on the limb, and a removable cast for application to the limb during a subsequent treatment phase including a cast body having an interior side and exterior side, and a flap earned by the body and movable between an open position, and a closed position overlying a part of the cast body to be applied to a treatment area of the limb, the flap adapted to cover and retain between the cast body and the flap the splint worn by the patient during the initial treatment phase in the same position as the location of the splint during the initial treatment phase. A method of immobilizing a limb in multiple treatment phases utilizing the multi -phase orthopedic system.