Wrist-splint gets funded

Developers of a new device that offers a more effective method of splinting for wrist fractures have been awarded a grant from the Audi Design Foundation.

The grant of £19,840 will allow Loughborough University staff George Torrens, Ian Campbell, Richard Bibb, Ian Graham and consultant orthopaedic surgeon John Dooley from Hillingdon Hospital, to produce a prototype of the device, which is known as Fit-Splint.

Following that, an initial series of clinical trials will begin in early 2009.

Records from one hospital show that a peak figure of 94 patients with wrist fractures were treated in one day over the winter period in 1992-93, which demonstrates that clinicians are often put under huge pressure to deliver quality treatments in a very short space of time.

The application of existing plasters often needs two clinicians and the treatments require the skilful realignment of the fracture. The Fit-Splint simplifies the whole process, enabling just one clinician to fit the supporting bracing.
 
The grant has been awarded under the Audi Design Foundation’s ‘Designs for Life’ programme, which was developed to support exceptional designers by funding the development of physical prototypes.