Patent ID: 8142378

Claim:
A splint for immobilizing and supporting a body part of a human, wherein said splint comprises: a) an inflatable main body structured to fit a shape and structure of a body part to be immobilized being composed of a leg having a curvature, a foot, an ankle and a heel, the inflatable main body comprising integrally made parts, which include leg parts for holding left and right sides of the leg, a part for wrapping a back of the leg, and a foot part for wrapping ankle and sole portions of the foot, to cover the body part from three sides, leaving one side uncovered, the shape of the inflatable main body defining a curvature corresponding to the foot part of the leg between the ankle and sole portions, the inflatable main body comprising inflatable tubes for achieving variable degrees of support, stiffness and restriction of movement, said inflatable main body being made of a flexible material having two opposed edges, wherein said shape of the inflatable main body and arrangement of said inflatable tubes within said integrally made parts of the main body being such that when said tubes are inflated, the main body takes up the shape of said body part to provide maximum compatibility and prevent pressure on the heel, the integrally made ankle, foot and sole parts of the splint comprising the inflatable tubes containing parts arranged such that when the splint wraps the leg, the inflatable tubes containing parts extend along respectively the ankle, foot and sole; b) at least one gas pressure source device connected to said splint; and c) at least one adjustable member for connecting said two opposed edges together across said uncovered side of the body part in a manner to allow adjustment of the pressure and tightness of said splint on the body part.