SAM splint

{{Short description|Medical device}}

{{infobox medical equipment

| name =

| acronym =

| synonym = Structural aluminum malleable splint

| image = Sam Splint roll.jpg

| caption =

| alt =

| specialty = Emergency medicine

| intervention = bone immobilization

| MedlinePlus =

| eMedicine =

| inventor = Dr. Sam Scheinberg

| invention date =1985

| manufacturer = Sam medical products

| related =

}}

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 {{convert|.016|in|mm}} strips of soft aluminum, with a polyethylene closed-cell foam coating.

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.

{{cite news

|url=http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/11/14/business/business02.txt

|date=November 14, 2007

|title=Sam Splint: An epiphany found in a gum wrapper

|author=Chapman, Elizabeth

|work=Newport News-Times

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20070502202712/http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/11/14/business/business02.txt

|archivedate=May 2, 2007

}}

The device is often found in first aid kits, emergency medical technician "jump kits," ambulances, and other similar settings.{{cn|date=September 2022}} Generally supplied in a roll or as a flat strip up to {{convert|36|in|mm|order=flip}} long and {{convert|4.25|in|mm|order=flip}} 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.{{cn|date=September 2022}} It can be easily cut with any scissors or shears, to make smaller devices such as finger splints.

{{cite web

|accessdate=

|url=http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/OperationalMedicine/DATA/operationalmed/MOLLEBag/SAMSplint.htm

|title=SAM Splint

|work=Operational Medicine 2001:Health Care in Military Settings

|publisher=The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division

}}{{cite web|accessdate=

|url=http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-ems/articles/330884/

|title=Company's creative solutions hold it together

|author=Foucht, Megan

|publisher=FireRescue1

|date=December 27, 2007

}}

{{cite book

|title=SAM Splint User's Guide

|author=Scheinberg MD, Sam

|publisher=SAM Medical Products

|date=2005

}}

The SAM splint is radiolucent, meaning it does not interfere with X-rays.{{Cite web |title=SAM SPLINT |url=https://www.sammedical.com/products/sam-splint |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=SAM Medical Store |language=en}}

After use, the SAM splint can be cleaned, rerolled, and reused.{{Cite web |last=Scheinberg |first=Sam |title=SAM Splint User Guide |url=https://www.pelegrinamedical.com/Literaturas/Sam%20Medical/SAMSplintUserGuide.pdf}}