A MAN who invented a revolutionary medical splint used throughout the world has died aged 66.

Brian Foote, of The Straits, Oswaldtwistle, created the Ossy Levered Outrigger Splint, or Ossy Splint, in 1998 after retiring from his job as a bus driver.

He was forced to leave his original career as a craftsman when he damaged his hand.

This injury led to him creating the splint which is a plastic glove with spring mechanisms on the fingers to prevent the hand from clawing. The device is flexible and post-op patients whose use it find they can do many of their daily tasks with ease.

Mr Foote’s twin brother, Bob, said he was always creating new inventions although most of them did not have the same success as the Ossy Splint.

He said: "Brian was always keeping his hands busy. He has been inventing for most of his life but the Ossy Splint was his most successful invention. Most people outside of the medical profession won’t have heard of it but I know it has been used with much success at Blackburn Royal Hospital in the occupational therapy unit."

Mr Foote died at home after a two-year battle with leukaemia.

He leaves wife Pat, daughters Janet Laden and Pamela Foote, and two grandchildren.

Tributes have been paid by colleagues at Blackburn Royal.

Orthopaedic clinical specialist Judith Wood: "Brian was a patient with us originally, and was provided with a splint for his own hand, that he modified himself.

As a result, he went on to develop the piece of equipment that is now used internationally.

"He was very supportive and it was always a pleasure to see him."

Orthopaedic consultant Makaram Srinivasan added: "He was every bit the typical British inventor that people imagine.

He didn’t have qualifications, but he had a lot of brains and produced some fantastic innovations."