US4946726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthopedic splinting articles and methods
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1987-02-18
•
Granted: 1990-08-07
•
Expires: 2007-02-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to orthopedic splinting articles and methods for forming orthopedic splints at least part way around an animal body part. The splinting articles comprise a unitary blank formed of an open-celled foam sheet impregnated with a water curable, isocyanate functional, polyurethane prepolymer resin. The blank is dimensioned to extend the length of the body part to be immobilized and to partially, but preferably not completely, extend around the circumference of the body part. Upon activation of the resin impregnated foam sheet and molding the same around the body part, an orthopedic splint is formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy C. Sandvig
- 👤 Dennis C. Bartizal
- 👤 Matthew T. Scholz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/04; A43; A43D; A43D999/00; A61F13/00; A61F13/04; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/07; A61L15/12; C; C08; C08J; C08J2205/00; C08J2205/04; C08J2205/05; C08J2475/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/239; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249955; Y10T428/249958; Y10T428/249982; Y10T428/249983; Y10T428/249985; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31551; Y10T428/31554
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said unitary blank being packaged as an orthopedic splinting material and comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol wherein the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol is between about 2 to 1 and about 3.5 to about 1, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said unitary blank being packaged as an orthopedic splinting material and comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol wherein the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol is between about 2 to 1 and about 3.5 to about 1, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said prepolymer resin is formed by reacting said polyisocyanate with said polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has from about 30 to about 120 pores per inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a density of from about 1 to about 4.5 lbs/ft 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said prepolymer resin comprises from about 70% to about 95% by weight of said unitary blank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein, after reaction of said polyisocyanate and said polyol, said prepolymer resin has a viscosity of about 75,000 centipoise or greater.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said prepolymer resin has an NCO equivalent weight of from about 370 to about 600 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein upon curing said prepolymer resin, a temperature of about 48° C. or less is felt by the animal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said unitary blank is dimensioned in said second direction so as to extend around about 40% to about 90% of the circumference of said body part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said article further comprises a tack reducing agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article as defined in claim 1 further comprising an extensible fabric positionable between said unitary blank and said body part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article as defined in claim 1 further comprising a cast pad positionable between said unitary blank and said body part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An article as defined in claim 1 further comprising wrapping means for securing said unitary blank to said body part during curing so as to conform said unitary blank to said body part.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said prepolymer resin further comprises a catalyst and wherein said article is sealed within a water vapor impermeable package.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a thickness of from about 5/16 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
225 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said blank comprising: an open-celled foam sheet having from about 45 to about 100 pores per inch and having a density of from about 1 to about 3 lbs/ft 3 ; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, polyurethane resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet in sufficient quantity such that said polyurethane resin comprises from about 70% to about 95% by weight of said unitary blank, said polyurethane resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet, the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol being between about 2.5 to 1 and about 3 to 1, said polyurethane resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 370 to about 600 grams of polyurethane resin per NCO group and a viscosity of about 100,000 centipoise or greater, whereby upon activating said water curable polyurethane resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
225 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said blank comprising: an open-celled foam sheet having from about 45 to about 100 pores per inch and having a density of from about 1 to about 3 lbs/ft 3 ; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, polyurethane resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet in sufficient quantity such that said polyurethane resin comprises from about 70% to about 95% by weight of said unitary blank, said polyurethane resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet, the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol being between about 2.5 to 1 and about 3 to 1, said polyurethane resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 370 to about 600 grams of polyurethane resin per NCO group and a viscosity of about 100,000 centipoise or greater, whereby upon activating said water curable polyurethane resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as defined in claim 16 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a thickness of from about 5/16 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
160 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said unitary blank being packaged as an orthopedic splinting material and comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyante functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, said prepolymer resin having a viscosity of about 75,000 centipoise or greater after the reaction is complete, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
160 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said unitary blank being packaged as an orthopedic splinting material and comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyante functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, said prepolymer resin having a viscosity of about 75,000 centipoise or greater after the reaction is complete, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as defined in claim 18 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a thickness of from about 5/16 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
An article as defined in claim 18 wherein said prepolymer resin is formed by reacting said polyisocyanate with said polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of animal body part, comprising the steps of: providing a unitary blank according to claim 1; activating said prepolymer resin within said blank; and applying said blank around said portion of said body part so as to conform said blank to said body part and form said orthopedic splint.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
172 words
An article capable of being applied around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said animal body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said animal body part, said blank comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet, wherein the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol is between about 2 to 1 and about 3.5 to 1, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said animal body part, said blank becomes rigid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
172 words
An article capable of being applied around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said animal body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said animal body part, said blank comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet, wherein the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol is between about 2 to 1 and about 3.5 to 1, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said animal body part, said blank becomes rigid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as defined in claim 22 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a thickness of from about 5/16 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
172 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said blank comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet, wherein the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol is between about 2 to 1 and about 3.5 to 1, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
172 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said blank comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet, wherein the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol is between about 2 to 1 and about 3.5 to 1, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as defined in claim 24 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a thickness of from about 5/16 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
124 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said blank comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
124 words
An article suitable for forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, comprising: a unitary blank dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part, said blank comprising: an open-celled foam sheet; and a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin impregnated into said open-celled foam sheet, said prepolymer resin being formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol while said polyisocyanate and said polyol are inside said open-celled foam sheet, whereby upon activating said water curable prepolymer resin and applying said blank around said portion of said body part, said orthopedic splint is formed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as defined in claim 26 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a thickness of from about 5/16 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of preparing a unitary blank suitable for use in forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, said method comprising the steps of: providing an open-celled foam sheet dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part; and impregnating said open-celled foam sheet with a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol, the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol being between about 2 to 1 and about 3.5 to 1, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, said resin-impregnated foam sheet being a unitary blank which is packaged at an orthopedic splinting material.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of preparing a unitary blank suitable for use in forming an orthopedic splint around at least a portion of an animal body part, said method comprising the steps of: providing an open-celled foam sheet dimensioned in a first direction sufficient to extend the length of said body part and dimensioned in a second direction sufficient to extend at least partially around the circumference of said body part; and impregnating said open-celled foam sheet with a water curable, isocyanate functional, prepolymer resin formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol, the ratio of NCO groups in said polyisocyanate to OH groups in said polyol being between about 2 to 1 and about 3.5 to 1, said prepolymer resin having an NCO equivalent weight of from about 350 to about 1000 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group, said resin-impregnated foam sheet being a unitary blank which is packaged at an orthopedic splinting material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 28 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a thickness of from about 5/16 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 28 wherein said polyisocyanate and said polyol are reacted within said foam sheet to form said prepolymer resin in situ.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 28 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has from about 30 to about 120 pores per inch.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 28 wherein said open-celled foam sheet has a density of from about 1 to about 4.5 lbs./ft 3 .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 28 wherein said prepolymer resin comprises from about 70% to about 95% by weight of said article.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 28 wherein after reaction of said polyisocyanate and said polyol, said prepolymer resin has a viscosity of about 75,000 centipoise or greater.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 28 wherein said prepolymer resin has an NCO equivalent weight of from about 370 to about 600 grams of prepolymer resin per NCO group.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1914049A
Cited
US2759475A
Cited
US2800129A
Cited
US2973529A
Cited
US3040740A
Cited
US3048169A
Cited
US3572330A
Cited
US3301252A
Cited
US3320347A
Cited
US3375822A
Cited
US3373741A
Cited
US3819796A
Cited
US3608238A
Cited
US3656475A
Cited
US3728206A
Cited
US3799755A
Cited
US3935355A
Cited
US3847722A
Cited
US3889417A
Cited
US3900024A
Cited
US4019506A
Cited
US3985128A
Cited
US3998219A
Cited
US4060075A
Cited
US4182056A
Cited
US4144658A
Cited
US4376438A
Cited
US4083127A
Cited
US4346525A
Cited
US4301564A
Cited
US4280489A
Cited
US4411262A
Cited
US4411262B1
Cited
US4193395A
Cited
US4323061A
Cited
US4211019A
Cited
US4232457A
Cited
US4245410A
Cited
US4235228A
Cited
US4502479A
Cited
US4255202A
Cited
US4347213A
Cited
US4370976A
Cited
US4325380A
Cited
US4309990A
Cited
US4419261A
Cited
US4414762A
Cited
US4331134A
Cited
US4442833A
Cited
US4451310A
Cited
WO1983001736A1
Cited
US4450833A
Cited
US4520581A
Cited
US4433680A
Cited
US4439934A
Cited
US4510700A
Cited
US4522777A
Cited
US4470782A
Cited
US4565250A
Cited
US4638795A
Cited
US4597196A
Cited
US4609578A
Cited
US4628621A
Cited
US4667661A
Cited
US4683877A
Cited
US4705840A
Cited
EP0223380A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |