Aeromedical Evacuation Skeletal Traction

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to design a device that provides skeletal traction to a patient with a fractured femur in an aeromedical evacuation environment. Skeletal traction is typically provided by using weights and cable to provide tension onto a fractured limb. However, in an aeromedical evacuation environment, the forces vary and the environment is not stable, so the traditional method to provide skeletal traction is not suitable. Therefore, we designed and tested a device that could provide skeletal traction to a femoral fracture in an aeromedical evacuation environment.