Orthopedic/orthotic splint materials
AssigneeUnion Carbide Corporation
InventorLloyd M. Robeson
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Abstract
New and improved orthopedic/orthotic splint materials are provided which exhibit excellent elasticity, do not easily fingerprint, retain adhesion and have high toughness and flexural strength. The materials employed in the casts of this invention are blends of an aliphatic polyester, such as poly(epsilon-caprolactone), with certain thermoplastic polyurethanes having a hard block segment and a soft block segment, which possess a combination of desirable properties not heretofore found in cast materials.
Claims24
A thermoplastic polymeric material useful in the preparation of orthopedic/orthotic splints comprised of a blend of:
- (a) from about 90 to about 65 weight percent of an aliphatic polyester having a crystalline melting point of from 50.degree.-70.degree. C.,
- (b) from about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyurethane,
- and optionally, up to about 20 weight percent of at least one orthopedically acceptable additive, added to said blend of said aliphatic polyester and said polyurethane, said polyurethane comprised of up to 65 weight percent of a hard block segment formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and an aliphatic polyol, and at least 35 weight percent of a soft block segment comprised of at least one of a polyether or a polyester.
An orthopedic/orthotic cast configured to conform to at least one portion of the animal or human anatomy so as to immobilize said portion, said cast comprised of a blend of:
- (a) from about 90 to about 65 weight percent of an aliphatic polyester having a crystalline melting point of from 50.degree.-70.degree. C.,
- (b) from about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyurethane,
- and optionally, up to about 20 weight percent of at least one orthopedically acceptable additive, added to said blend of said aliphatic polyester and said polyurethane, said polyurethane comprised of up to 65 weight percent of a hard block segment formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and an aliphatic polyol, and at least 35 weight percent of a soft block segment comprised of at least one of a polyether or a polyester.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.