The Wrist/Ankle Splints are made with the new patented 'Multi-Chamber System' and are easy to use: rather than the beads all collecting one side of the device, they are instead distributed equally within a 4-5 chamber system. The system allows the beads to occasionally shift slightly. A quick shake will spread the beads evenly before placing any of the splints on the patient.
All Med Tech Sweden vacuum products are X-Ray translucent, and can be X-Rayed without having to remove any of the splints.
Instructions
You do not need to take any cloths or clothes off when applying a splint. The Vacuum Splints work fine with, or without clothes. Make sure the valve on the splints are tightly closed before sucking the air out.
If you are using the Vacuum Splints in conjuction with a Vacuum Spine Board, Vacuum Immobilizer, or any other fully-body immobilization device, apply the Splint(s) onto the patient before placing them inside of the immobilization device.
Put the Vacuum Splint around the suspected injury by folding it around the patients wrist/forearm/ankle being careful enough as to avoid moving the patients extremity as much as possible. Next, fasten the splint using the attached velcro.
Attach the provided Med Tech Sweden pump to the valve and begin sucking the air out until the Vacuum Extremity Splint becomes rigid. Keep Pumping until you cannot get any more air out; you can never pump too much, but nyou can pump too little. With the air out, open up the Velcro to readjust it it's fitting around the patient for a snug fit.
The Patients wrist/ankle is now immobilized. As already mentioned, the splints are X-Ray translucent. This means the patient can be X-Rayed without having to remove the Splint or the patients injured leg or arm.
To Remove The Wrist/Ankle Splint - open the velcro straps then open the valve slowly to let air back into the Splint. You only need to open the valve about four turns. To prevent losing the valve, do not remove the valve nozzle entirely. Removing the valve is never necessary unless you are replacing it.
Cleaning Guidelines
It is very important that you Close The Valve before cleaning it. Always make sure to scrub and rinse off bodily fluid such as blood and mucus with Cold Water before it has dried up. Next you can clean it as usual with normal detergents and hot water. If required, apply disinfectant as per your standard protocol. Finally, hang the Splints up to dry.
The Wrist/Ankle Splint can be cleaned in a standard washing machine and dryer at 60 degrees Celsius (160 degrees farenheit) and use normal detergents, but remember to close the valve and always wash it on cold cycle if blood or other bodily fluids are found on the splint.
The Valve can be removed if it needs separate cleaning. Be sure no to lose it and never wash the Splints without the valve fully closed.
Maintenance Information
Regularly verify that the valve is functional and check the valve or valve holder to make sure they are in the right tracks.
