Orthopedic splinting article
AssigneeM-Pact Worldwide Management Corporation
InventorThomas W. Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A polyvinyl acetal sponge formed from a high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol is used for forming a splint for a portion of body, such as during healing of a bone fracture or other injury. The sponge is maintained in a softened condition in the presence of vapors of a softening agent such as ethyl alcohol within a sealed pouch. Upon removal from the pouch, the sponge is applied to the body portion and it hardens to form the splint as the softening agent vapors dissipate.
Claims18
A packaged splint for use in forming a hard structure about a body portion, said packaged splint comprising:
- a layer of polyvinyl acetal sponge made from a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight within the range of approximately 85,000 to approximately 186,000;
- softening agent vapors associated with said sponge for softening the sponge to permit placement thereof about said body portion;
- and
- a package sealingly enclosing said sponge to maintain the softening agent in association with the sponge, said package being constructed to permit removal of the softened sponge from the package for placement about said body portion, whereupon said sponge sets to a hardened state having a modulus of elasticity within the range of 132,000 to 172,000 psi to form said structure as the softening agent vapors disassociate from the sponge.
A packaged splint for use in forming a hard structure about a body portion, said packaged splint comprising:
- a layer of polyvinyl acetal sponge made from a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight within the range of approximately 85,000 to approximately 186,000;
- softening agent vapors associated with said sponge and causing softening of the sponge to permit placement thereof about said body portion;
- and
- a package sealingly enclosing said sponge to maintain the softening agent in association with the sponge, said package being constructed to permit removal of the softened sponge from the package for placement about said body portion, whereupon said sponge sets to a hardened state to form said structure as the softening agent vapors disassociate from the sponge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.