US4286586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Orthopedic devices, materials and methods
Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
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Filing: 1980-01-18
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 2000-01-18
Abstract
Abstract There are provided orthopedic casts, splints, and the like, for use on a portion of a human or animal body, which are produced from a crosslinked copolymer of a lactone monomer and a polyfunctional acrylate monomer. The crosslinked copolymer, in the form of a sheet, web, bandage, etc., and, optionally, a supportive substrate, is heated above the softening point of the copolymer, manipulated to conform to the body portion, and cooled to a rigid state. In one embodiment, there is provided a bandage material, convertible to a rigid, porous, light-weight orthopedic cast, which comprises a substrate in the form of a netting, having on the surface of its strands a coating of the aforementioned crosslinked copolymer. The bandage material is heated to a temperature at which the crosslinked copolymer is soft and self-adherent and is then wrapped around the body portion in a series of overlying layers so as to conform to the contours of the body portion. The overlying layers are fused together to form a close-fitting unitary cast and are then cooled to a rigid state.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Potts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/10; Y10T442/102; Y10T442/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
Orthopedic device for the fixation and immobilization of a portion of the human or animal body comprising a solid, polymeric material, shaped to the contours of said body portion, said polymeric material comprising crosslinked copolymer which is produced by crosslinking a thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer, having a reduced viscosity of from 0.2 to 2.0, at a concentration of 2 grams/ml. in benzene, which thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer is produced by reacting, at a temperature of from 25° to 300° C., an active-hydrogen containing initiator with a molar excess of a monomer mixture comprising: (A) from 90 to 99.5 weight percent of at least one lactone of the formula ##STR4## wherein n is an integer having a value of from about 3 to 6, at least n+2 of the R's are hydrogen and the remaining R's are each alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons; and (B) from 0.5 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
Orthopedic device for the fixation and immobilization of a portion of the human or animal body comprising a solid, polymeric material, shaped to the contours of said body portion, said polymeric material comprising crosslinked copolymer which is produced by crosslinking a thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer, having a reduced viscosity of from 0.2 to 2.0, at a concentration of 2 grams/ml. in benzene, which thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer is produced by reacting, at a temperature of from 25° to 300° C., an active-hydrogen containing initiator with a molar excess of a monomer mixture comprising: (A) from 90 to 99.5 weight percent of at least one lactone of the formula ##STR4## wherein n is an integer having a value of from about 3 to 6, at least n+2 of the R's are hydrogen and the remaining R's are each alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons; and (B) from 0.5 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Orthopedic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said crosslinked copolymer has a gel content of from 20 to 70 weight percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
126 words
Orthopedic device comprising a composite of a solid, polymeric material, comprising a crosslinked copolymer which is produced by crosslinking a thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer, which thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer is produced by reacting, at a temperature of from 25° to 300° C., an active hydrogen-containing initiator with a molar excess of a monomer mixture comprising: (A) from 90 to 99.5 weight percent of at least one lactone of the formula ##STR5## wherein n is an integer having a value of from about 3 to 6, at least n+2 of the R's are hydrogen and the remaining R's are each alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons; and (B) from 0.5 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer; and bonded thereto a substrate web of a different material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
Orthopedic device comprising a composite of a solid, polymeric material, comprising a crosslinked copolymer which is produced by crosslinking a thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer, which thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer is produced by reacting, at a temperature of from 25° to 300° C., an active hydrogen-containing initiator with a molar excess of a monomer mixture comprising: (A) from 90 to 99.5 weight percent of at least one lactone of the formula ##STR5## wherein n is an integer having a value of from about 3 to 6, at least n+2 of the R's are hydrogen and the remaining R's are each alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons; and (B) from 0.5 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer; and bonded thereto a substrate web of a different material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Orthopedic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said different material is one which is flexible and which is solid at temperatures up to 80° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Orthopedic device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a composite wherein said crosslinked copolymer has embedded therein a substrate web of a different material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Orthopedic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said different material is one which is flexible and which is a solid at temperatures up to 80° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Orthopedic device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a composite wherein said polymeric material has up to 20 weight percent of a particulate or fibrous filler therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Orthopedic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the polymeric material which is shaped to the contours of the body portion is foraminous.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
Bandage material, suitable for forming an orthopedic cast, comprising a substrate in the form of a netting, the strands of said netting having on their surfaces a coating comprising a crosslinked copolymer, said crosslinked copolymer being produced by crosslinking a thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer which is produced by the process which comprises reacting, at a temperature from 25° to 300° C., an active-hydrogen containing initiator with a molar excess of a monomer mixture comprising: (A) from 90 to 99.5 weight percent of at least one lactone of the formula ##STR6## wherein n is an integer having a value from about 3 to 6, at least n+2 of the R's are hydrogen and the remaining R's are each alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and (B) from 0.5 to 99.5 weight percent of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
Bandage material, suitable for forming an orthopedic cast, comprising a substrate in the form of a netting, the strands of said netting having on their surfaces a coating comprising a crosslinked copolymer, said crosslinked copolymer being produced by crosslinking a thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer which is produced by the process which comprises reacting, at a temperature from 25° to 300° C., an active-hydrogen containing initiator with a molar excess of a monomer mixture comprising: (A) from 90 to 99.5 weight percent of at least one lactone of the formula ##STR6## wherein n is an integer having a value from about 3 to 6, at least n+2 of the R's are hydrogen and the remaining R's are each alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and (B) from 0.5 to 99.5 weight percent of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Bandage material as claimed in claim 9, wherein the crosslinked copolymer has a gel content of from 20 to 70 weight percent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Bandage material as claimed in claim 9, wherein the thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer has a reduced velocity of from 0.2 to 2.0 at a concentration of 2 grams/ml. in benzene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Bandage material as claimed in claim 9, wherein the thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer has a reduced velocity of from 0.5 to 1.0, at a concentration of 2 grams/ml. in benzene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
Bandage material as claimed in claim 9, wherein said netting is a knitted netting.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
Bandage material as claimed in claim 9, wherein said lactone is epsilon-caprolactone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Bandage material as claimed in claim 14, wherein said polyfunctional acrylate monomer is neopentyl glycol diacrylate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
Bandage material as claimed in claim 9, wherein the monomer mixture comprises from 95 to 99.5 weight percent of said lactone and from 0.5 to 5 weight percent of said polyfunctional acrylate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
Bandage material as claimed in claim 9, wherein said netting is a nylon netting.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
197 words
Orthopedic cast for the fixation and immobilization of a portion of the human or animal body comprising a structure shaped to the contours of said body portion to form a close-fitting encasement therefor and having openings in its surface suitably disposed for the protrusion of connected non-encased body portions, the walls of said structure being a rigid, porous composite material comprising a plurality of fused overlying layers, each layer comprising: (A) a substrate in the form of netting; (B) a polymeric coating on the strands of said netting, said polymeric coating comprising a crosslinked copolymer which is produced by crosslinking a thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer which thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer is produced by reacting, at a temperature of from 25° to 300° C., an active-hydrogen containing initiator with a molar excess of a monomer mixture comprising: (1) from 90 to 99.5 weight percent of at least one lactone of the formula ##STR7## wherein n is an integer having a value from about 3 to 6, at least n+2 of the R's are hydrogen and the remaining R's are each alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and (2) from 0.5 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
197 words
Orthopedic cast for the fixation and immobilization of a portion of the human or animal body comprising a structure shaped to the contours of said body portion to form a close-fitting encasement therefor and having openings in its surface suitably disposed for the protrusion of connected non-encased body portions, the walls of said structure being a rigid, porous composite material comprising a plurality of fused overlying layers, each layer comprising: (A) a substrate in the form of netting; (B) a polymeric coating on the strands of said netting, said polymeric coating comprising a crosslinked copolymer which is produced by crosslinking a thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer which thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer is produced by reacting, at a temperature of from 25° to 300° C., an active-hydrogen containing initiator with a molar excess of a monomer mixture comprising: (1) from 90 to 99.5 weight percent of at least one lactone of the formula ##STR7## wherein n is an integer having a value from about 3 to 6, at least n+2 of the R's are hydrogen and the remaining R's are each alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and (2) from 0.5 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
Orthopedic cast as claimed in claim 18, wherein said lactone is epsilon-caprolactone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
Orthopedic cast as claimed in claim 19, wherein said polyfunctional acrylate monomer is neopentyl glycol diacrylate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
Orthopedic cast as claimed in claim 18, wherein said monomer mixture comprises from 95 to 99.5 weight percent of said lactone and from 0.5 to 5 weight percent of said polyfunctional acrylate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
Orthopedic cast as claimed in claim 18, wherein said crosslinked copolymer has a gel content of from 20 to 70 weight percent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
Orthopedic cast as claimed in claim 18, wherein said thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer has a reduced viscosity of from 0.2 to 2.0, at a concentration of 2 grams/ml. in benzene.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
Orthopedic cast as claimed in claim 18, wherein said thermoplastic, crosslinkable copolymer has a reduced viscosity of from 0.5 to 1.0, at a concentration of 2 grams/ml. in benzene.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
Orthopedic cast as claimed in claim 18, wherein said netting is a nylon netting.
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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) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |