US 2010/0249682 A1 · SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER MEDICAL CAST

Abstract

A medical cast and methods of using the same are disclosed. The method of making includes providing a shape memory polymer (SMP) in a permanent shape which corresponds to a limb's general shape but has a diameter smaller than the limb's diameter. The SMP is converted from the permanent shape into a primary temporary shape, which has a diameter larger than both a diameter of the permanent shape and a diameter of the limb. The limb is at least partially surrounded with the SMP in its primary temporary shape. The SMP is then heated, which causes the primary temporary shape to i) attempt to revert to the permanent shape, and ii) conform to a secondary temporary shape having a diameter smaller than that of the primary temporary shape and larger than that of the permanent shape. The SMP in the secondary temporary shape conforms to the limb.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of using a medical cast for a limb of a subject, the method comprising:

providing a shape memory polymer in a permanent shape, the permanent shape corresponding to a general shape of the limb but having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the limb;
converting the shape memory polymer from the permanent shape into a primary temporary shape, the primary temporary shape having a diameter that is larger than both a diameter of the permanent shape and a diameter of the limb;
at least partially surrounding the limb with the shape memory polymer in the primary temporary shape;
and
heating the shape memory polymer, thereby causing the primary temporary shape to i) attempt to revert to the permanent shape, and ii) conform to a secondary temporary shape having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the primary temporary shape and larger than that of the permanent shape, wherein the shape memory polymer in the secondary temporary shape conforms to the limb.

2 more elements

A method of treating an injured limb of a subject, the method comprising:

disposing a shape memory polymer medical cast, in its primary temporary shape, around the injured limb, the shape memory polymer medical cast having i) a permanent shape corresponding to a shape of the injured limb but having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the limb, and ii) the primary temporary shape that has a diameter that is larger than both a diameter of the permanent shape and a diameter of the injured limb;
and
attempting to revert the shape memory polymer medical cast from the primary temporary shape into the permanent shape, whereby while reverting, the shape memory polymer medical cast conforms to the injured limb and takes on a secondary temporary shape.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shape memory polymer medical cast

Life of this patent

Shape memory polymer medical cast

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20