Novel Concepts for Soldier-Centric Technology in Non-Traditional Combat Casualty Care

The Self-Applied Field Ambulatory Exo-Splint (SAFE-Splint) is designed to facilitate soldier independence by enabling self-treatment of lower extremity injuries in combat situations. The SAFE-Splint is designed for easy and quick application, reducingground-reactive forces (shock) and frictional forces (shearing) in the foot and ankle. Plantar off-weighting occurs when walking forces are transmitted into the form fitting bladder surrounding the lower leg. The bladder is supported by a rigid structureconsisting of telescoping struts. Theoretically, a soldier with foot and/or ankle trauma could apply the SAFE-Splint and walk to safety without difficulty and without the assistance of others. Civilian use includes treatment for foot and ankle fracturesand addresses the off-weighting needs of orthopedic and podiatric post-operative patients as well as diabetic patients with neuropathic wounds or Charcot neuroarthropathy.