US4784123A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthopedic/orthotic splint materials
Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
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Filing: 1986-01-03
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Granted: 1988-11-15
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Expires: 2006-01-03
Abstract
Abstract New and improved orthopedic/orthotic splint materials are provided which exhibit excellent elasticity, do not easily fingerprint, retain adhesion and have high toughness and flexural strength. The materials employed in the casts of this invention are blends of an aliphatic polyester, such as poly(epsilon-caprolactone), with certain thermoplastic polyurethanes having a hard block segment and a soft block segment, which possess a combination of desirable properties not heretofore found in cast materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd M. Robeson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/07; A61L15/12; A61L15/125; C; C08; C08L; C08L67/00; C08L67/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A thermoplastic polymeric material useful in the preparation of orthopedic/orthotic splints comprised of a blend of: (a) from about 90 to about 65 weight percent of an aliphatic polyester having a crystalline melting point of from 50°-70° C., (b) from about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and optionally, up to about 20 weight percent of at least one orthopedically acceptable additive, added to said blend of said aliphatic polyester and said polyurethane, said polyurethane comprised of up to 65 weight percent of a hard block segment formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and an aliphatic polyol, and at least 35 weight percent of a soft block segment comprised of at least one of a polyether or a polyester.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A thermoplastic polymeric material useful in the preparation of orthopedic/orthotic splints comprised of a blend of: (a) from about 90 to about 65 weight percent of an aliphatic polyester having a crystalline melting point of from 50°-70° C., (b) from about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and optionally, up to about 20 weight percent of at least one orthopedically acceptable additive, added to said blend of said aliphatic polyester and said polyurethane, said polyurethane comprised of up to 65 weight percent of a hard block segment formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and an aliphatic polyol, and at least 35 weight percent of a soft block segment comprised of at least one of a polyether or a polyester.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic polyester has a weight average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 90,000.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic polyester has a weight average molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 60,000.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic polyester is poly(epsilon-caprolactone).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is based on a methylene bis(para-isocyanatophenyl)butane diol hard block segment and a poly(tetrahydrofuran) soft block segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is based on a methylene bis(para-isocyanatophenyl)butane diol hard block segment and an aliphatic polyester soft block segment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 1 which contains an additive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 7 wherein the additive is a silica filler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 7 wherein the additive is attapulgus clay.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The thermoplastic polymeric material of claim 7 wherein the additive is titanium dioxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
An orthopedic/orthotic cast configured to conform to at least one portion of the animal or human anatomy so as to immobilize said portion, said cast comprised of a blend of: (a) from about 90 to about 65 weight percent of an aliphatic polyester having a crystalline melting point of from 50°-70° C., (b) from about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and optionally, up to about 20 weight percent of at least one orthopedically acceptable additive, added to said blend of said aliphatic polyester and said polyurethane, said polyurethane comprised of up to 65 weight percent of a hard block segment formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and an aliphatic polyol, and at least 35 weight percent of a soft block segment comprised of at least one of a polyether or a polyester.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
An orthopedic/orthotic cast configured to conform to at least one portion of the animal or human anatomy so as to immobilize said portion, said cast comprised of a blend of: (a) from about 90 to about 65 weight percent of an aliphatic polyester having a crystalline melting point of from 50°-70° C., (b) from about 10 to about 35 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and optionally, up to about 20 weight percent of at least one orthopedically acceptable additive, added to said blend of said aliphatic polyester and said polyurethane, said polyurethane comprised of up to 65 weight percent of a hard block segment formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and an aliphatic polyol, and at least 35 weight percent of a soft block segment comprised of at least one of a polyether or a polyester.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 11 wherein the aliphatic polyester is poly(epsilon-caprolactone).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 11 wherein the aliphatic polyester has a weight average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 90,000.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 11 wherein the poly(epsilon-caprolactone) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 60,000.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 11 wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is based on a methylene bis(para-isocyanatophenyl)-butane diol hard block segment and a poly(tetrahydrofuran) soft block segment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 11 wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is based on a methylene bis(para-isocyanatophenyl)-butane diol hard block segment and an aliphatic polyester soft block segment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 11 which contains an additive.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 17 wherein the additive is a silica filler.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 17 wherein the additive is attapulgus clay.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 17 wherein the additive is titanium dioxide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 11 which contains embedded therein a reinforcing structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 21 wherein the reinforcing structure is a web.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The orthopedic/orthotic case of claim 21 wherein the reinforcing structure is a netting.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The orthopedic/orthotic cast of claim 21 wherein the reinforcing structure is a fabric.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-15 | 1992-05-16 | 1992-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-15 | 1996-05-16 | 1996-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-05-16 | 2000-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |