Orthopaedic device and a method of use thereof are provided for treating a bone fracture. The orthopaedic device includes a sheet cover configured to extend over a portion of a patient's skin corresponding to a bone fracture under the skin, the sheet cover configured to form an enclosed volume between the portion of the patient's skin and the sheet cover, wherein the sheet cover comprises a vacuum port, the vacuum port configured to apply a vacuum to withdraw a gaseous volume from the enclosed volume and a member, the member configured to be in the enclosed volume, the member configured to deform in at least a direction towards the skin and apply a force to the fracture.

A particle filled neck brace is used for immobilizing the neck of a patient and includes a single handedly operable vacuum hand pump disposed on the neck brace, which pump is communicated to the interior of the neck brace. After the neck brace is secured around the neck of the patient, the vacuum hand pump is manipulated to remove air from the neck brace to form a rigid mold about the patient's neck. The vacuum hand pump has a one way directional valve so that the neck brace remains in a rigid configuration for as long as the neck brace is applied to the patient. The vacuum hand pump also includes a plurality of springs which assist the user in completing a vacuum pump cycle. To release the neck brace, the user opens a release valve which allows ambient air to refill the neck brace and increase its flexibility.

A particle filled neck brace is used for immobilizing the neck and chin of a patient and includes a vacuum pump disposed on the neck brace, which pump is communicated to the interior of the neck brace. After the neck brace is secured around the neck and chin of the patient, the vacuum pump is manipulated to remove air from the neck brace to form a rigid mold about the patient's neck and chin. The vacuum pump has a one way directional valve so that the neck brace remains in a rigid configuration for as long as the neck brace is applied to the patient. The neck brace also specifically forms a rigid mold over the patient's chin so as to immobilize the patient as well as to provide a comfortable fit without inducing further stress onto the patient.

A surgical positioning system includes a flexible air-impermeable shell filled with beads that is wrapped against the patient and subjected to a vacuum to hold the patient in place. An air-impermeable top wall can be joined with an air-impermeable bottom wall to define a plurality of chambers. Each of the chambers can include a peripheral edge that extends around the periphery of the respective chamber. The plurality of chambers can include a first shoulder chamber, a second shoulder chamber, and a main chamber.

A device for supporting a body part, the device including a sleeve adapted to support the body part, the sleeve containing a chamber that is configured to have substantially all of the air contained therein evacuated, the device further including a flexible radiofrequency surface receive coil disposed within the chamber.

A surgical positioning system includes a flexible air-impermeable shell filled with beads that is wrapped against the patient and subjected to a vacuum to hold the patient in place. An air-impermeable top wall can be joined with an air-impermeable bottom wall to define a plurality of chambers. Each of the chambers can include a peripheral edge that extends around the periphery of the respective chamber. The plurality of chambers can include a first shoulder chamber, a second shoulder chamber, and a main chamber.

A pressurized fluid cast for stabilizing a broken bone of a patient includes a sleeve having an inner wall and an outer wall with a fluid cavity between the inner and outer walls. The outer wall has at least one access port established therethrough. The sleeve is configured to be placed at a limb of a patient such that the inner wall circumscribes the limb and is disposed at least partially along the limb, with the fluid cavity and the outer wall being radially outward of the inner wall. The sleeve is adaptable to accommodate a particular patient injury and limb. Fluid is provided within the fluid cavity and is pressurized to a selected pressure to apply substantially uniform pressure at the limb of the patient. An outer protective shell may be provided at least partially around the sleeve to limit puncturing of the sleeve.

A method is provided for filling a flexible element with a loose granular material, wherein the element has two lengths of material connected to each other at points in the interior and along the edge, and includes leaving a filling opening. An air pressure difference between the interior and the external environment is generated, which widens the interior before it is filled with the granular material.

A rib brace includes: a sealed enclosure; an adhesive on an external side of the sealed enclosure, the adhesive configured to adhere the rib brace to a person externally and noninvasively to the person; a layered structure inside the sealed enclosure; and a port through a wall of the sealed enclosure, wherein a stiffness of the layered structure is adjustable by applying suction to an interior of the sealed enclosure via the port.

A brace for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one sheet of thin malleable material forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one sheet being enclosed and configured to rigidify and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. The brace can be incorporated into a brassiere.