Pukyong National University Student Develops 'One-Touch Air Splint' ... Wearable in 15 Seconds

Park Yeji, Yoon Jungwon, and Lee Garam Win Grand Prize at Social Business Model Development Performance Sharing Conference

National Pukyong University (President Jang Young-su) announced on the 8th that a student team consisting of Park Ye-ji (3rd year, Biomedical Engineering), Yoon Jung-won (4th year, Polymer Engineering), and Lee Ga-ram (3rd year, Industrial Chemistry) (advised by Professor Nam Seung-yoon) has developed a one-touch air splint that can be worn in just 15 seconds.

Students from National Pukyong University who developed the air splint. (From left: Igaram, Park Yeji, Yoon Jungwon)

The team’s work, titled ‘S.O.S,’ is a one-touch air splint utilizing a CO2 cartridge designed for emergency fracture patients. It recently won the grand prize at the Social Business Model Development Performance Sharing Event (LOOKIE INNOVATOR DAY), hosted by the SK Happiness Sharing Foundation and attended by university students nationwide.

At this competition, ‘S.O.S’ was recognized as the most outstanding work for its ability to operate with a single touch and be used on multiple body parts, enabling fast and reliable response in emergency situations, unlike existing air splints.

The air splint, shaped like an air cushion, can be used for emergency treatment of injuries such as fractures during outdoor activities. However, existing air splints require a pump to inflate, taking several minutes to wear, need multiple types for different body parts, and are expensive due to reliance on imports.

The ‘S.O.S’ air splint developed by National Pukyong University students connects a CO2 cartridge to the air inlet, and when the button is pressed, the air cushion inflates in 15 seconds to compress the body. It is designed with a human body-customized structure to be applicable to various body parts. By applying customized materials, the volume is reduced to enhance portability, and the price has been significantly lowered.

They have conducted tests with the general public and are pursuing medical device approval applications and collaborations with sports specialized companies to commercialize this air splint.

Student Park Ye-ji said, “Supplying the S.O.S air splint to medically underserved areas can secure the golden time for fracture treatment. It is expected to spread a new sports culture actively used in activities with high fracture injury rates such as hiking and camping, and to establish itself as an essential item in emergency medical sites that minimizes secondary damage to patients.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.