Device and method for analgesic immobilization of fractured ribs

Abstract

A device ( 22 ) for analgesic immobilization in the event of thorax or rib fractures as well as a method for application of such a device are disclosed. The immobilization device ( 22 ) includes a flat splint element ( 24 ) which covers a large area of the region of the break ( 19 ), and is provided with an adhesive layer ( 26 ) which is located on the side thereof facing the body and is used to adhere the immobilization device ( 22 ) to the body. In a preferred method of application, two separate areas of adhesive are applied to the patient's skin over the fracture at two different points in the breathing cycle. This allows the device to remain in place more securely under the dynamic condition of the ribcage that results from constant inhalation and exhalation.

1 . A method of splinting a rib fracture of a patient, comprising steps of:
 providing a device comprising:
 a splint element that is rigid and plastically deformable, and is provided with a first adhesive on an inner surface thereof; 
 a perimeter element secured to the splint element and lying outside of an outer edge of the splint element, the perimeter element having a second adhesive thereon facing in a same direction as the first adhesive; and 
   applying the device to the patient by:
 1. adhering the splint element to a first area of skin of a patient that overlies the rib fracture by contacting the first adhesive to said first area of skin, while preventing the second adhesive from contacting the skin of the patient; and 
 2. after adhering the splint element to the first area of skin, exposing the perimeter element and adhering the perimeter element to a second area of skin of the patient that lies outside of the first area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step 1 is performed at a different point in a breathing cycle of the patient than step 2. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step 1 is performed when the lungs are in a condition of higher volume than step 2. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein step 1 is performed when the patient is in a condition of maximum inhalation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein step 2 is performed when the patient is in a condition of maximum exhalation. 
     
     
         6 . Device ( 10 ,  22 ) for analgesic immobilization for use in cases of at least one rib having a fracture, wherein the immobilizing device ( 10 ,  22 ) comprises:
 a flat single-piece splint element ( 12 ,  24 ) that is rigid in itself, the splint element being structured and arranged to cover an area of skin overlying said fractured at least one rib on both sides of the fracture ( 14 ) as well as neighboring ribs ( 15 ,  17 ); and   means for adhering the splint element to the skin overlying the fractured at least one rib wherein the device comprises an inside face and an outside face, the means for adhering being disposed on the inside face, the means for adhering being arranged so that the means for adhering makes contact with the skin overlying the fractured at least one rib.   
     
     
         7 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the splint element is disposed in a first layer that is rigid and formable; and   the means for adhering is disposed in a second layer secured to the first layer.   
     
     
         8 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 7  wherein the first layer comprises a plastically deformable plastic plate. 
     
     
         9 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 7  wherein the first layer comprises a plastically deformable metal plate. 
     
     
         10 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 9  wherein the plastically deformable metal plate comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         11 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 10  wherein the plastically deformable metal plate is corrugated, crests of the corrugations being provided to run essentially parallel to the fractured at least one rib. 
     
     
         12 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 6  wherein the splint element ( 12 ,  24 ) is provided with a covering ( 23 ,  25 ) on at least one of a side of the rigid splint element facing the means for adhering and a side of the rigid splint element facing away from the means for adhering of the splint element. 
     
     
         13 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 12  wherein the covering ( 23 ,  25 ) comprises a tissue or an elastic. 
     
     
         14 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 7  wherein the immobilizing device is provided with a protecting foil ( 27 ) for protecting the outside face. 
     
     
         15 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 14  wherein the protecting foil ( 27 ) over the splint element ( 12 ,  24 ) is larger than the splint element so as to form a surrounding rim ( 28 ) as a strip, the protecting foil ( 27 ) being provided with an adhesive layer on a side of the protecting foil facing the splint element. 
     
     
         16 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 15  wherein the second layer comprises also a local analgesic agent. 
     
     
         17 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 6  wherein the splint element ( 12 ,  24 ) is provided with holes. 
     
     
         18 . Device ( 10 ,  22 ) for analgesic immobilization for use in cases of at least one rib having a fracture, wherein the immobilizing device ( 10 ,  22 ) comprises:
 a rigid and formable flat splint element comprising a corrugated aluminum plate; and   an adhesive layer secured to the splint element;   wherein the device is structured and arranged to cover an area of skin overlying said fractured at least one rib on both sides of the fracture as well as neighboring ribs ( 15 ,  17 ); and   wherein the adhesive layer comprises means for adhering the adhesive layer in contact with the skin overlying the fractured at least one rib.   
     
     
         19 . Device ( 10 ,  22 ) for analgesic immobilization for use in cases of at least one rib having a fracture, wherein the immobilizing device ( 10 ,  22 ) comprises:
 a rigid and formable flat splint element
 an adhesive layer secured to the splint element structured and arranged to cover; and 
 a protecting foil covering the splint element, so that the splint element lies between the protecting foil and the adhesive layer; and 
   wherein the adhesive layer ( 11 ,  26 ) comprises means for adhering the adhesive layer in contact with skin overlying skin overlying the fractured at least one rib.   
     
     
         20 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 19  wherein the protecting foil ( 27 ) comprises an adhesive on a face of the protecting foil that is in contact with the outside face of the splint element ( 12 ,  24 ), the protecting foil being constructed and arranged so that the protecting foil is larger than the splint element so as to create a surrounding rim ( 28 ) around a perimeter of the splint element. 
     
     
         21 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 18 , wherein the device is constructed and arranged so that when adhered to a body to cover the fracture in the at least one rib as well as the neighboring ribs, the device keeps the fractured at least one rib in a fixed position relative to the neighboring ribs. 
     
     
         22 . Immobilizing device according to  claim 19 , wherein the device is constructed and arranged so that when adhered to a body to cover the fracture in the at least one rib as well as the neighboring ribs, the device keeps the fractured at least one rib in a fixed position relative to the neighboring ribs. 
     
     
         23 . The immobilizing device according to  claim 6  wherein the splint element ( 12 ,  24 ) can be fitted over the fractured least one rib and the neighboring ribs without any additional aid or tool.