The North Yorkshire based healthcare innovations company - Salitas™ - is launching a newly-created powered leg suspension system which has the potential to reduce the risk of back injuries associated with manually lifting a leg in operating theatres and hospital wards.

Developed in conjunction with the University of Bradford’s School of Health Studies, the system mechanically lifts and supports the patient’s leg; allowing the medical professional to safely carry out a variety of clinical procedures with reduced risk of experiencing the muscle strain often caused by repeated manual lifting.

Supporting the leg via a simple interface with the stand are two types of sling - the choice of which varies according to end use. The first sling is a disposable product with high strength to ensure good patient comfort. It is designed to provide support at either the thigh or the heel for specific applications such as plaster room or in theatre and is available in both sterile and non-sterile versions.

The alternative product is designed to provide full support along both the thigh and calf. It is light-weight, resistant to chlorine-based cleaning agents and has a wipe down surface.

Use of this two-part sling (which is designed for single-patient use) may also help to increase patient recovery rate as range of movement can be maintained at the hip, hyperextension at the knee joint is avoided, and there is no increase in pressure at the back of the calf or heel.

The suspension stand is capable of working equally well as a stand alone product for use in the suspension of drips and monitors above or close to the patient and has a small foot print; allowing for flexibility of use.

Sue Barton, creator of the leg support system and Risk Management Facilitator and Educator at the University of Bradford’s School of Health Studies, said: “Studies that we have conducted at the University of Bradford show that the use of a mechanical device to lift and support the leg, significantly lowers the amount of ‘work done’ by the muscles in the lower back and thereby reducing the risk”

“We invented this support system not only to improve the working practice of health professionals involved in lifting and supporting a leg; but to allow the patient’s leg to be held in a position of comfort - thereby delivering quality patient care.”

A versatile sling which is capable of encouraging a faster patient recovery time is available from Salitas™.

Used in many hospitals - including Bradford Hospital NHS Trust - the ‘Bradford Sling®’ increases patient comfort and encourages a faster recovery. This is thanks to its foam construction reducing any risk to the patient’s pressure points and its velcro fastenings which allow easy access for woundcare and inspection.

The sling works by lifting the patient’s arm to a comfortable position and supporting it whilst the patient recovers from surgical procedures or burns. It is versatile as it is able to easily convert into a mobile sling; adjustable to allow both high and normal sling positions. The sling is disposable and single-use; enabling it to avoid cross contamination.

Originally designed for use on patients recovering from burns and plastic surgery; its