The SAM (structural aluminum malleable) splint is a compact, lightweight, highly versatile device designed for immobilizing bone and soft tissue injuries in emergency settings. It consists of a layer of .016 inches (0.41 mm) strips of soft aluminum, with a polyethylene closed-cell foam coating.
| SAM splint | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | Structural aluminum malleable splint |
| Specialty | Emergency medicine |
| Intervention | bone immobilization |
| Inventor(s) | Dr. Sam Scheinberg |
| Invention date | 1985 |
| Manufacturer | Sam medical products |
The SAM splint was invented by Dr. Sam Scheinberg who, as a trauma surgeon during the Vietnam War, found that field medics generally ignored the splint they were issued by the Army. He developed the idea while playing with a foil chewing gum wrapper.[1]
The device is often found in first aid kits, emergency medical technician "jump kits," ambulances, and other similar settings.[citation needed] Generally supplied in a roll or as a flat strip up to 910 millimetres (36 in) long and 108 millimetres (4.25 in) wide, it can be unrolled or unfolded and formed to the shape of the injured person's body. Once folded into a curve, it becomes quite rigid and capable of immobilizing injured limbs and bones, including the leg, forearm, and humerus. Folded properly, it can also be used to stabilize the cervical spine.[citation needed] It can be easily cut with any scissors or shears, to make smaller devices such as finger splints.[2][3][4]
The SAM splint is radiolucent, meaning it does not interfere with X-rays.[5]
After use, the SAM splint can be cleaned, rerolled, and reused.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Chapman, Elizabeth (November 14, 2007). "Sam Splint: An epiphany found in a gum wrapper". Newport News-Times. Archived from the original on May 2, 2007.
- ^ "SAM Splint". Operational Medicine 2001:Health Care in Military Settings. The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division.
- ^ Foucht, Megan (December 27, 2007). "Company's creative solutions hold it together". FireRescue1.
- ^ Scheinberg MD, Sam (2005). SAM Splint User's Guide. SAM Medical Products.
- ^ "SAM SPLINT". SAM Medical Store. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ^ Scheinberg, Sam. "SAM Splint User Guide" (PDF).
External links
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