INFLATABLE SPLINT

• US 3,811,434 A
• Filed: 10/26/1972
• Issued: 05/21/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur F. Jacobson, Harold D. Jacobson
• Original Assignee: Arthur F. Jacobson, Harold D. Jacobson
• Inventors: Jacobson, Harold D., Jacobson, Arthur F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yasko, J.
• Application Number:
  US05/301,174
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 128/89,87,DIG.20,155,165
• US Class Current: 602/13
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/05816 Inflatable splints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/20 Inflatable splint

Abstract

An inflatable splint, and method of making same, comprising a flexible, inflatable body portion to one side of which is joined a panel of a flexible material. The panel forms an open ended sleeve with the body portion for admitting a limb, or the like, and enables the splint to be quickly and properly positioned thereon prior to inflation.

Claims

1. An inflatable splint comprising a body portion formed of a flexible, air-impervious material, said body portion consisting of opposed walls which are closed around their periphery to provide an uninterrupted, air-tight inflatable compartment therebetween, a panel of a flexible sheet material positioned in substantially overlying relation with respect to one wall of the body portion and integrally joined along two of its opposite side margins to two opposed opposite side margins of the body portion to form an open ended sleeve with said one wall of the body portion for admitting a limb, or the like, and to enable the splint to be quickly and properly positioned thereon prior to inflation of the body portion, said panel in cooperation with the body portion in its inflated condition serving as the sole means for maintaining the splint in proper position on a limb, or the like, and means on the body portion for introducing air into the inflatable compartment thereof.

2. A splint according to claim 1 wherein the opposed walls which form the inflatable compartment of the body portion of the splint comprise two panels of a flexible air-impervious material, the opposed margins of which are sealed in air-tight engagement.

3. A splint according to claim 1 wherein the opposed walls which form the inflatable compartment of the body portion of the splint comprise a tube of a flexible, air-impervious material, the margins of the open ends of which have been sealed in air-tight engagement.

4. A splint according to claim 1 wherein the panel joined to the body portion of the splint is shorter in length than the length of the body portion to facilitate separation of the free end margins of the panel from the body portion when the splint is readied for use.

5. A splint according to claim 1 wherein the body portion and its associated panel is formed of a flexible plastic, rubber, or rubber-like material.

6. A splint according to claim 5 wherein the flexible material is a plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene.

7. A splint according to claim 1 wherein the body portion is provided with a valve stem which enables the body portion to be inflated by mouth or by mechanical means.