SLISHMAN SPLINT TM


1. Home 8. For the physicist
2. Femoral traction 9. Knots
3. Shoulder reduction 10. Products
4. Traction splint links 11. Purchasing
5. Evolution of a splint 12. Dealers
6. Informed consent 13. Warranty
7. Questions 14. Contact us

Evolution of a Splint

Welded from steel brackets, and with it's 8:1 advantage, the 1st prototype could rip a limb right off.

Testing at home with Pop. (February, 1999)


Cheap early prototypes made with aluminum, plastic, and steel.
(Spring/Summer, 1999)


1st hiking pole splint. (July, 2000)

Made with a Komperdell pole, the internal brake mechanism was its biggest problem.


Black Diamond's Flicklock, an external brake, made further prototyping and testing possible.  In our opinion, the Flicklock is the best collapsible pole braking mechanism available.  Very easy to lock and release, and when properly adjusted, simply will not slip. (www.bdel.com)

Mom and Sam in the sweat shop. (September, 2000)


Testing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The main problem discovered seemed to be "cord creep." Each fall in the snow pulled the cord out of the handle, which then had to be tucked back into the pole. (January, 2001)


Neoprene straps were designed after heaps of pressure.  Strap improvisation for the back country was the initial concept. The prefab straps made the splint more acceptable as a medical device.

The snap buckles were later replaced by simple cinch buckles to limit bulk, and free moving parts.


In August 2001, the design was further modified so that the pulley system extended the middle pole relative to the outer, rather than extending the inner pole relative to the middle.  This key change limits cord creep, and shifts pole weight closer to the hand, limiting swing weight. It also permits replacement of the inner pole with a longer probe pole if desired.

Later in August, 2001 a loop was added as an inner pole replacement, for hospital and pre-hospital use only.  It simplified strap attachment, but detracted from the splint's versatility, and the idea was scrapped.


Testing in Anchorage with Michele and Jimmie in the background.  Our patient Cory dislocated his shoulder playing hockey, and calmly let us help him reduce his shoulder with the splint.   No sedation or pain meds required, and no complaints. Great patient. (September, 2001)


Femoral traction and transport testing in the UNM emergency department ambulance bay. (September, 2001)


Testing in Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.

The splint was used successfully for 7 femur fractures from October to December, 2001.  In 2 cases, the splint was left on overnight, instead of pinning before surgery. The first case was unintentional, as pinning was not possible.  The second case was Noel Ingram who is pictured with his wife below as well as his femur X-ray.  Pinning was suggested for traction before his surgery, but he chose to stay in the splint overnight.  No complications from pressure points, or limb ischemia resulted in either case.  Note the splint radiolucency on X-ray.

Ongoing testing in New Zealand by Peter Jones.

Fits pediatric to adult. Testing on Peter's son Max with brother Angus observing.  For kids, a toy.  For parents, an anchor.. Perhaps another feature?..  Angus could use a splint as well..


January 2002.. Great progress in the Gipron factory in Italy.

Here are some of the hard workers and family members of Gipron.


February 2002.. First use for a proximal femur fracture.

After a skiing accident a patient was transferred to the UNM emergency department with a Hare traction splint in place and the following X-ray. Note the radiopaque ischial bar.  It served more as a fulcrum under the fracture than as a traction splint.

The patient permitted us to use our splint.  His comfort was much improved and the splint was left in place over night until his surgery the next morning.


January 2003.. Giving credit where credit is due:  Rick Kehoe with Rural Ambulance Victoria, stationed in Lorne, Australia, decided to test the splint as an IV pole on a standard stretcher. The ski pole tip fit well in the hole meant for standard IV poles.  He used the splint's handle strap to hang the bag and the ankle strap to to keep the bag steady.  Not bad..

Dec 2003.. Jack and Jean Putnam testing the splint among penguins in Antarctica.


November 2006, the femur-only splint was designed and prototyped by David Medical in Shanghai and the first lot produced by late 2007.

Development and testing continues.
 


 
 
1. Home 8. For the physicist
2. Femoral traction 9. Knots
3. Shoulder reduction 10. Products
4. Traction splint links 11. Purchasing
5. Evolution of a splint 12. Dealers
6. Informed consent 13. Warranty
7. Questions 14. Contact us
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