Novel splint design improves emergency care for fractured limbs

Developed in partnership with medical technology start-up Flexycast, the ResQSplint is designed to allow first responders to quickly and effectively stabilise limb injuries in one simple and safe process. Currently, first aid limb splints are bulky and often ill-equipped to deal with the full variety of limb injuries that present to emergency care teams. ResQsplint is a compact, adaptable, single-use splint designed to significantly improve the immobilisation of the injured limb as well as reduce pain and collateral damage to the limb tissues. All the first aider has to do is to take the splint from its protective pack, activate it by squeezing and then gently form it around the broken limb, securing it in place with the Velcro ties. Within a few minutes the splint automatically hardens, supporting the limb ready to transport the patient to hospital. Mike Cane, partner at Cambridge Design Partnership, said: "ResQsplint has been well received by the emergency doctors and paramedics we have shown it to and I believe it will create a step-change in the quality of equipment available for dealing with accidents. ResQsplint promises to disrupt the market by providing significant benefits for all the stakeholders: patients, paramedics and healthcare providers alike." Cambridge Design Partnership and Flexycast are now actively seeking potential licensees for the ResQsplint technology to ensure it can quickly become standard equipment for the emergency services and beyond.