Medical splinting apparatus and methods for using same

An articulated alignment arm for modeling the orientation of an injured human limb comprising:

• a. a first elongated arm segment having a longitudinal axis and a respective pivot end;
• b. a second elongated arm segment having a longitudinal axis and a respective pivot end;
• c. a connector body for interconnecting said first arm segment to said second arm segment, said connector body including a first receiver adapted to couple with said respective pivot end of said first arm segment and lock said first arm segment at a first selected orientation about a first axis, and a second receiver adapted to couple with said respective pivot end of said second arm segment and lock said second arm segment at a second selected orientation about a second axis, said first axis and said second axis being perpendicular with respect to each other;
• and,
• d. a first arm extender and a second arm extender, each said arm extender having one end and another end, said one end of said first arm extender being detachably coupled to an end of said first arm segment remote from said pivot end, and said one end of said second arm extender being detachably coupled to an end of said second arm segment remote from said pivot end.

A kit for assembling splints in the field, comprising:

• a. a carrying case;
• b. an articulated alignment arm in said carrying case for modeling the orientation of an injured human limb including:
• a first elongated arm segment having a longitudinal axis and a respective pivot end;
• a second elongated arm segment having a longitudinal axis and a respective pivot end;
• a connector body for interconnecting said first arm segment to said second arm segment, said connector body including a first receiver adapted to couple with said respective pivot end of said first arm segment and lock said first arm segment at a first selected orientation about a first axis, and a second receiver adapted to couple with said respective pivot end of said second arm segment and lock said second arm segment at a second selected orientation about a second axis, said first axis and said second axis being perpendicular with respect to each other;
• c. a first arm extender and a second arm extender in said carrying case, each said arm extender having one end and another end, said one end of said first arm extender being detachably coupled to an end of said first arm segment remote from said pivot end, and said one end of said second arm extender being detachably coupled to an end of said second arm segment remote from said pivot end;
• d. first and second end pads in said carrying case, said first and second end pads each including a padded portion and being adapted to detachably couple with a respective said another end of said first and second arm extenders;
• e. a plurality of flexible and resilient cravats in said carrying case, each said cravats having one end with means for detachably connecting an exposed surface of a respective cravat.

A method for creating and applying a splint structure which models the configuration of an injured patient's limb, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing an articulated, adjustable, and lockable alignment arm, said alignment arm having a connector body with ends pivotally attached to one end of first and second arm segments, said arm segments being rotationally adjustable and lockable into selected rotational positions about respective perpendicular pivotal axes;
• b. locating said alignment arm over the injured limb of the patient;
• c. adjusting said alignment arm to form a structural model which emulates the shape of the injured limb of the patient;
• d. locking said first and second arm segments of said structural model into respective fixed relations with respect to said connector body;
• e. coupling first and second arm extenders with the other ends of said first and second arm segments;
• f. positioning said alignment arm fitted with said first and second arm extenders over the injured limb of the patient;
• and,
• g. wrapping flexible cravats completely around said first and second arm extenders and a respective underlying portion of the injured limb of the patient, securing and applying the splint structure to the limb.