Orthopedic cast or splint
OwnerBrian K. Reauxinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthopedic cast or splint is provided from a unitary, preformed sleeve of flexible material. At least a portion of the sleeve is impregnated with a hardenable material. The preformed sleeve has at least one circumferentially enclosed opening for receiving and conforming to a selected body portion of a human or animal. The impregnated portion of the sleeve has sufficient structural rigidity upon hardening of the hardenable material so that the impregnated portion is capable of substantially immobilizing the body portion when the sleeve is positioned thereon.
Claims21
An orthopedic cast or splint comprising:
- a unitary, preformed sleeve of flexible material wherein at least a portion of the sleeve is provided with a hardenable material thereon, the preformed sleeve having at least one circumferentially enclosed opening for receiving and conforming to a selected body portion of a human or animal, and wherein the impregnated portion of the sleeve has sufficient structural rigidity upon hardening of the hardenable material so that the portion of the sleeve is capable of substantially immobilizing the body portion when the sleeve is positioned thereon.
An orthopedic cast or splint comprising:
- a unitary, preformed flexible sleeve of fabric material wherein at least a portion of the sleeve is impregnated with a hardenable material, the preformed sleeve having a thickness of greater than 6 mm and having at least one opening for receiving and conforming to a selected body portion of a human or animal, and wherein the impregnated portion of the sleeve has sufficient structural rigidity upon hardening of the hardenable material so that the impregnated portion is capable of substantially immobilizing the body portion when the sleeve is positioned thereon.
A method of forming a cast or splint for supporting a body portion of a human or animal comprising:
- providing a unitary, preformed sleeve of flexible fabric material wherein at least a portion of the sleeve is impregnated with a hardenable material, the preformed sleeve having at least one opening for receiving and conforming to a selected body portion of a human or animal;
- positioning the sleeve upon the selected body portion while the hardenable material is in a pre-hardened state;
- and
- allowing the hardenable material of the impregnated portion of the sleeve to harden so that the impregnated portion provides sufficient structural rigidity capable of substantially immobilizing the body portion when the sleeve is positioned thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.