Orthopedic cast construction
First Claim
1. A multilayered cast construction for applying to a body part comprising:
- an inner layer forming an interior surface of the multilayered cast construction;
an outer layer of a material suitable for forming an exterior surface of the multilayered cast construction; and
one or more central layers sandwiched between said inner layer and said outer layer, wherein the central layers form alternating flexible regions of one or more layers of a padding material and adjacent hardenable regions formed of a channel of a hardenable material sandwiched between the one or more layers of a padding material;
the inner layer, outer layer and central layers form the multilayered cast construction which is generally configured to the shape of a body part and has a lengthwise direction parallel to a vertical axis of the body part, the multilayered cast construction terminates in the lengthwise direction in a first longitudinal edge and an opposing second longitudinal edge;
the plurality of alternating flexible and hardenable regions, extend in the lengthwise direction to form a ribbed structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cast or splint construction that is provided as a flat, multilayered construction pre-configured to have a general form specific to the type of cast to be applied. The multilayer cast construction can be trimmed to size appropriate for the individual body part. The cast construction has one or more inner layers that rest against the patient'"'"'s skin. Preferably, the skin-contacting layer is made of a material capable of wicking away moisture from the patient'"'"'s skin. An outer layer of a wettable, breathable, and durable fabric forms the exterior surface of the multilayered cast construction. One or more central layers are sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer. The central layers contain one or more layers of padding material and channels of hardenable material. Stitching binds the multiple layers into a unitary multilayer cast construction and defines alternating flexible and hardenable regions. The plurality of alternating flexible and hardenable regions extends in the lengthwise direction relative to the longitudinal axis of a body part, and generally form a ribbed structure. Even after the hardenable regions have been hardened, the flexible regions bend bidirectionally upward and downward in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the ribbed structure. This allows for the cast to be removed and re-used during the patient'"'"'s course of treatment.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A multilayered cast construction for applying to a body part comprising:
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an inner layer forming an interior surface of the multilayered cast construction;
an outer layer of a material suitable for forming an exterior surface of the multilayered cast construction; and
one or more central layers sandwiched between said inner layer and said outer layer, wherein the central layers form alternating flexible regions of one or more layers of a padding material and adjacent hardenable regions formed of a channel of a hardenable material sandwiched between the one or more layers of a padding material;
the inner layer, outer layer and central layers form the multilayered cast construction which is generally configured to the shape of a body part and has a lengthwise direction parallel to a vertical axis of the body part, the multilayered cast construction terminates in the lengthwise direction in a first longitudinal edge and an opposing second longitudinal edge;
the plurality of alternating flexible and hardenable regions, extend in the lengthwise direction to form a ribbed structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18)
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- 14. The multilayered cast construction of claim 14 wherein the stitched seam is a hot welded seam.
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16. A method of applying a multilayered cast construction comprising the steps of:
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sizing a multilayered cast construction to a body part by trimming the multilayered cast construction with a cutting instrument;
moistening the trimmed multilayered cast construction in a reactant that will react with a channel of hardenable material located in the multilayered cast construction;
wringing out the excess reactant;
mounting the multilayered cast construction over a body part; and
hardening the cast construction by allowing it to dry.
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Specification