Fast-Setting Splint Improves Prognosis of Battlefield Injuries

An innovative fast-setting splint provides increased protection and support for injured limbs during transport, which could mean the difference between keeping and losing a limb.

Developed by researchers at Wichita State University (WSU; KS, USA), the splint, which is comprised of aerospace composite material under research by the WSU-based US National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR; Wichita, KS, USA), molds rapidly to the injured limb and hardens within minutes to create a stiff, protective, custom-shaped splint. This protects the injured limbs from further vascular, neural, and soft tissue damage during transport to a medical treatment center, resulting in less bleeding, less pain, and faster recovery.

The compact, lightweight, splint comes in various sizes to fit arms, legs, feet, and hands, and comes wrapped in a small package that unfolds to lay flat on the affected extremity. Wound victims can easily strap the device on by themselves if necessary, and the device is activated by pulling gently on a tab, hardening within 45 seconds. The splint, which works in any environment, wet or dry, uses a resin that begins to cure when in contact with the reinforcement fabric. Other possible resins being explored include ones that begin to polymerize when exposed to oxygen.

“This is just one of the many ways that the composite technology of the aerospace industry can be applied to the medical industry,” said senior research engineer Kim Reuter, of the WSU center of innovation for biomaterials in orthopedic research (CIBOR). “The CIBOR team is excited to be exploring composites for orthopedic applications outside the battlefield, such as in a hospital or added to first aid kits for emergency responders, athletic trainers, school nurses, outdoor enthusiasts or parents.”

Extremity injuries sustained in the battlefield are made worse when splinting devices used by military medics do not provide proper stabilization of the injured limb.

Related Links:
Wichita State University
US National Institute for Aviation Research