US4240415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthopedic cast
Assignee: WFR Aquaplast Corp
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Filing: 1978-12-18
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1998-12-18
Abstract
Abstract An orthopedic cast made of a thermoplastic polyester having a melting point between 50° C. and 100° C., particularly poly (epsilon-caprolactone) having a weight average molecular weight of over 5,000 subjected to electron radiation in the range from 0.25 to 15.0 megarads.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd H. Wartman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/07; A61L15/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
An orthopedic cast comprised of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) having a formula --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --CO).sub.x where x makes the weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 subjected to electron radiation in the range from 0.5 to 15.0 megarads and having a melting point in the range from 50° C. to 100° C. with a half-time crystallization at 36° C. of between 0.5 minute and 10.0 minutes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
An orthopedic cast comprised of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) having a formula --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --CO).sub.x where x makes the weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 subjected to electron radiation in the range from 0.5 to 15.0 megarads and having a melting point in the range from 50° C. to 100° C. with a half-time crystallization at 36° C. of between 0.5 minute and 10.0 minutes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An orthopedic cast as recited in claim 1, wherein the poly (epsilon-caprolactone) is in the form of a precast element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An orthopedic cast as recited in claim 1, wherein the poly (epsilon-caprolactone) is coated on a substrate, the substrate being a solid at the melting point of the poly (epsilon-caprolactone).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An orthopedic cast as recited in claim 1, wherein the substrate is a netting and the polyester is coated around each strand of the netting to form a foraminous sheet.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of forming an orthopedic cast comprising the steps of: (a) forming a preform sheet of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) of weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 having a melting point of between 50° C. and 100° C., (b) subjecting the sheet to electron radiation in the range from 5.0 to 15.0 megarads, (c) heating the sheet to its softening point, (d) forming the sheet into a desired shape, and (e) allowing the sheet to cool below its melting point.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of forming an orthopedic cast comprising the steps of: (a) forming a preform sheet of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) of weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 having a melting point of between 50° C. and 100° C., (b) subjecting the sheet to electron radiation in the range from 5.0 to 15.0 megarads, (c) heating the sheet to its softening point, (d) forming the sheet into a desired shape, and (e) allowing the sheet to cool below its melting point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the sheet is heated by immersing it in water at a suitable temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the sheet contains a mixture of 95% poly (epsilon-caprolactone) and 5% trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of forming an orthopedic cast comprising the steps of: (a) forming a preform sheet of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) of weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 having a melting point of between 50° C. and 100° C., (b) subjecting the sheet to electron radiation in the range from 0.25 to 15.0 megarads, (c) heating the sheet to its softening point, (d) forming the sheet into a desired shape, and (e) allowing the sheet to cool below its melting point.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of forming an orthopedic cast comprising the steps of: (a) forming a preform sheet of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) of weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 having a melting point of between 50° C. and 100° C., (b) subjecting the sheet to electron radiation in the range from 0.25 to 15.0 megarads, (c) heating the sheet to its softening point, (d) forming the sheet into a desired shape, and (e) allowing the sheet to cool below its melting point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the sheet is heated by immersing it in water at a suitable temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the sheet contains a mixture of 95% poly (epsilon-caprolactone) and 5% trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of forming an orthopedic cast comprising the steps of: (a) forming a preform sheet of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) of weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 having a melting point of between 50° C. and 100° C. mixed with a radiation-sensitive cross-linking agent, (b) subjecting the sheet to electron radiation in the range from 3.0 to 15.0 megarads, (c) heating the sheet to its softening point, (d) forming the sheet into a desired shape, and (e) allowing the sheet to cool below its melting point.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of forming an orthopedic cast comprising the steps of: (a) forming a preform sheet of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) of weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 having a melting point of between 50° C. and 100° C. mixed with a radiation-sensitive cross-linking agent, (b) subjecting the sheet to electron radiation in the range from 3.0 to 15.0 megarads, (c) heating the sheet to its softening point, (d) forming the sheet into a desired shape, and (e) allowing the sheet to cool below its melting point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the sheet is heated by immersing it in water at a suitable temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the sheet contains a mixture of 95% poly (epsilon-caprolactone) and 5% trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of forming an orthopedic cast comprising the steps of: (a) forming a preform sheet of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) of weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 having a melting point of between 50° C. and 100° C. mixed with a radiation-sensitive cross-linking agent, (b) subjecting the sheet to electron radiation in the range from 0.25 to 15.0 megarads, (c) heating the sheet to its softening point, (d) forming the sheet into a desired shape, and (e) allowing the sheet to cool below its melting point.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of forming an orthopedic cast comprising the steps of: (a) forming a preform sheet of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) of weight average molecular weight greater than 5,000 having a melting point of between 50° C. and 100° C. mixed with a radiation-sensitive cross-linking agent, (b) subjecting the sheet to electron radiation in the range from 0.25 to 15.0 megarads, (c) heating the sheet to its softening point, (d) forming the sheet into a desired shape, and (e) allowing the sheet to cool below its melting point.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the sheet is heated by immersing it in water at a suitable temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the sheet contains a mixture of 95% poly (epsilon-caprolactone) and 5% trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |