Immobilizer preform, immobilizer device, and method of forming the same

A method of preparing a preform to be formed into an immobilizer for a patient, the method comprising:

• heating a preform member of the preform from a first temperature at which the preform member is relatively rigid to a second temperature at which the preform member can be molded;
• monitoring an indicator associated with the preform member while heating the preform member, the indicator being formed from a thermoplastic material, the indicator being opaque at the first temperature and translucent at the second temperature, the method further comprising terminating the heating of the preform member after the indicator becomes translucent, thereby providing a visual indication of readiness to form the preform into the immobilizer.

An immobilization device comprising:

• a preform formed from a low temperature thermoplastic, the preform being moldable at an elevated temperature, the preform having multiple sections, the preform comprising:
• at least a first section of the preform that becomes translucent when heated to the elevated temperature, such that the first section provides a visual indication of the preform being moldable
• a frame, the frame being rigid at a non-elevated temperature and at the elevated temperature.

A preform configured to be formed into an immobilizer for a patient, the preform comprising:

• a preform member that is relatively rigid at a first temperature and that is moldable at a second temperature that is elevated relative to the first temperature, the preform member being formed from a thermoplastic material and being opaque or substantially opaque at the first temperature and the second temperature;
• an indicator associated with the preform member and positioned to be monitored while heating the preform member, the indicator being formed from a thermoplastic material, the indicator being opaque at the first temperature and translucent at the second temperature;
• wherein the indicator is configured to provide a visual indication of readiness to form the preform into the immobilizer when the indicator becomes translucent.