BIVALVED CAST

• US 3,580,248 A
• Filed: 12/02/1968
• Issued: 05/25/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leighton W. Larson
• Original Assignee: Leighton W. Larson
• Inventors: Larson, Leighton W.
• Application Number:
  US04/780,335
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• US Class Current: 602/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/05816 Inflatable splints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/20 Inflatable splint

Abstract

A cast for immobilizing broken limbs which includes a pair of bivalved shells, an inflatable liner in each of the shells, an absorbent liner or padding, and means for releasably securing the bivalved shells together. The cast is reuseable, permits convenient visual inspection of the broken limb without destruction of the cast, and provides for adjustment of the volume of the inside cavity and the pressure on the immobilized limb through adjustment of the inflatable liners.

Claims

1. A bivalved cast comprising:

a first and second rigid shell corresponding in configuration to the body portion to be immobilized, each of said shells having a generally channeled-shaped cross section and mating edges which define a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of said body portion;

first and second inflatable liner disposed in said first and second rigid shells, respectively, and extending over substantially the entire inner surface thereof;

first and second means exterior of said first and second rigid shells for introducing air into said first and second inflatable liners, respectively;

a first and second layer of absorbent material adapted to engage said body portion disposed inwardly of said first and second inflatable liners, respectively; and

means releasably joining said first and second rigid shells at said mating edges to thereby form a cast conforming in configuration to said body portion.

2. The cast of claim 1 wherein said first and second inflatable liners confine air under pressure in the range of 75 to 95 percent of diastolic pressure.

3. The cast of claim 2 wherein said mating edges on one side of said rigid shells are hinged together to thereby allow opening of one of said rigid shells with respect to the other for visual access to said body portion without destruction of said cast.

4. The cast of claim 3 wherein said first and second rigid shells are formed of rigid plastic material.

5. The cast of claim 4 and means for preventing lateral movement of said first rigid shell with respect to said second rigid shell when said shells are secured in mating relationship.

6. The cast of claim 5 wherein said first and second inflatable liners are adhesively secured to said first and second rigid shells, respectively.

7. The cast of claim 6 wherein said first and second layer of absorbent material is adhesively secured to said first and second inflatable liners, respectively.

8. The cast of claim 7 and check valve means for allowing introduction of air into said liners and preventing deflation thereof.