CONFORMING RIGID CAST AND BRACE COMPRISING A CURABLE POLYMERIC MATERIAL

Abstract

A formable cast (100) or brace is provided herein which comprises a padding (101), an outer shell (103) spaced apart from the padding, and a ridge (109) disposed along the perimeter of the shell. The ridge, shell and padding define an interior space (115), with a curable polymeric material disposed in the interior space. The curable polymeric material undergoes a phase transition, upon curing, from a liquid or gel phase to a substantially rigid solid phase. The cast or brace (100) may be readily customized to the patient by fitting the cast to the patient's body, positioning the cast in the desired orientation, and curing the curable polymeric material through exposure to actinic radiation or by other suitable means.

Claims

1. A formable cast, comprising: a padding; an outer shell; and a ridge disposed along the perimeter of the outer shell, wherein the ridge, the outer shell and the padding define an interior space; and a curable polymeric material disposed in the interior space, wherein the polymeric material is a liquid or get in a first phase and, upon exposure to an appropriate energy source for curing the curable polymeric material, cures to a hardened material in a second phase.

2. The cast of claim 1, wherein the appropriate energy source is actinic radiation.

3. The cast of claim 1, wherein the appropriate energy source is UV radiation.

4. The cast of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is transparent to the appropriate energy source for curing the curable polymeric material.

5. The cast of claim 1, further comprising one or more radiation access ports for exposing the curable polymeric material to the appropriate energy source for curing the curable polymeric material.

6. The cast of claim 5, further comprising a reflective layer on the interior space side of at least one of the pad and outer shell for reflecting radiation corresponding to the appropriate energy source.

7. The cast of claim 1, wherein the padding is adapted to cushioning the skin of a patient from the outer shell.

8. The cast of claim 1, wherein the padding is adapted to insulate the skin from heat produced during the curing of the curable polymeric material.

9. The cast of claim 1, further comprising a mesh positioned within the curable polymeric material.

10. An energy-sensitive, formable cast, comprising: a pad adapted to cushioning the cast against the skin of a patient; an outer shell; ridges disposed along an edge of the outer shell, wherein the ridges serve as a point of attachment to connect the pad and the outer shell and create a gap between the pad and outer shell; and an energy-sensitive polymeric material that fills the gap, wherein the energy-sensitive polymer is formable whets placed into the gap and hardens when exposed to the type of energy to which the polymer is sensitive such that the cast is able to be configured to conform to a particular body part of the patient when the polymer is formable and the cast provides support to the body part once the polymer has hardened.

11. The energy-sensitive, formable cast of claim 10, wherein the type of energy to which the polymer is sensitive is ultraviolet (UV) light.

12. The energy-sensitive, formable cast of claim 10, wherein the type of energy to which the polymer is sensitive is an electric current.

13. The energy-sensitive, formable cast of claim 10, further comprising one or more radiation access ports for transmitting the energy to which the polymer is sensitive to the energy-sensitive polymer.

14. The energy-sensitive, formable cast of claim 10, further comprising a mesh positioned within the energy-sensitive polymeric material.

15. The energy-sensitive, formable cast of claim 10, further comprising a reflective layer on the gap side of at least one of the pad and outer shell for reflecting the energy to which the polymer is sensitive.

16. The energy-sensitive, formable cast of claim 10, wherein the pad is made of neoprene.

17. The energy-sensitive, formable cast of claim 10, wherein the particular body part is the lower arm.

18. The energy-sensitive, formable cast of claim 10, wherein the particular body part is the leg.

19. An energy sensitive, formable brace, comprising: one or more pads for cushioning the brace against the skin of a patient; one or more flexible outer shells, each shell corresponding to one and only one of the one or more pads; ridges positioned along an edge each outer shell, wherein the ridges serve as a point of attachment to connect the corresponding pad and the particular outer shell and serves to create a gap between the corresponding pad and the particular outer shell; an energy-sensitive polymer that fills the gap, wherein the energy-sensitive polymer is formable when placed into the gap and hardens when exposed to the type of energy to which the polymer is sensitive such that the brace is able to be configured to conform to a particular body part of the patient when the polymer is formable and the brace provides support to the body part once the polymer has hardened; and hardware for a attaching the brace to the body part.

20. The energy-sensitive, formable brace of claim 19, further comprising one or more radiation access ports for transmitting the energy to which the polymer is sensitive to the energy-sensitive polymer.

21. The energy-sensitive, formable brace of claim 19, further comprising a reflective layer on the gap side of the one or more pads and one or more outer shells for reflecting the energy to which the polymer is sensitive

22. The energy-sensitive, formable brace of claim 19, wherein the type of energy to which the polymer is sensitive is ultraviolet (UV) light.

23. The energy-sensitive, formable brace of claim 19, wherein the hardware is non-opaque to UV light.

24. The energy-sensitive, formable brace of claim 19, wherein the type of energy to which the polymer is sensitive is electricity.

25. The energy-sensitive, formable brace of claim 19, wherein each pad of the plurality of pads is made of neoprene.

26. The energy-sensitive, formable brace of claim 19, wherein the brace is a back brace.

27. The energy sensitive, formable brace of claim 19, wherein the brace is a knee brace.

28. An energy-sensitive, formable cast, comprising: a curable polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material is a liquid or gel in a first phase and, upon exposure to an appropriate energy source for curing the curable polymeric material, cures to a hardened material in a second phase; and a casing for containing the curable polymeric material such that the curable polymeric material can be shaped to conform to a particular body part in the first phase and the cast provides support to the body part in the second phase.

29-30. (canceled)

31. A method of applying a medical cast, comprising the steps of: sandwiching a energy-sensitive polymer between a pad and an outer cover; shaping the combined pad, cover and polymer around a patient's body part to form a cast; and affecting a change in the polymer by exposing the polymer to a type of energy to which the polymer is sensitive, wherein the change is a transition from a gel-like material to a hardened material.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the type of energy top which the polymer is sensitive is ultraviolet (UV) light.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the type of energy to which the polymer is an electrical current.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary arm cast system constructed in accordance with the claimed subject matter.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the arm cast system of FIG. 1 taken along a LINE 1A-1A.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the arm cast system of FIG. 1 taken along a LINE 1B-1B.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a to view of the arm cast system of FIG. 1 as applied to a patient's arm.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the arm cast system of FIGS. 1-4 as applied o the patient's arm.

[0019] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of a back brace made in accordance with the claimed subject matter.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the back brace of FIG. 6 taken along a LINE 6A-6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the ensuing detailed description, the systems, methodologies and devices disclosed herein will frequently be described with reference to particular embodiments, such as back braces, knee braces and casts, and with respect to particular applications, such as the treatment of broken bones in the arms or legs. However, it will be appreciated that the systems, methodologies and devices disclosed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments and applications. Moreover, while the systems, methodologies and devices disclosed herein will be described primarily with reference to their use in human medical applications, it will be appreciated that these systems, methodologies and devices will also find use in various other fields, such as the veterinary arts.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an arm cast system 100 which may be constructed in accordance with the claimed subject matter. A bottom portion or pad 101 is provided which is preferably constructed of a breathable, resilient material, such as GORETEX® neoprene, and which allows air to permeate to the injured area while also protecting the area from other, perhaps harder portions of cast system 100. Pad 101 also serves, if necessary, to insulate a patient from heat produced by the curing of cast system 100. A top portion 103 is provided which is constructed of a flexible material such as standard, medical grade silicon. In an alternative embodiment, pad 101 is made of the same material as top portion 103, and a separate padding material is used beneath cast system 100. It should be noted that pad 101 may extend from one side of top portion 103 to the other side, i.e., pad 101 includes material beneath top portion 103. In this view, pad 101 extends out from the edges of top portion 103. In an alternative embodiment, pad 101 may have the same approximate size and shape as top portion 103 so that pad 101 does not extend past the edge of top portion 103.

[0023] The perimeter of top portion 103 of the cast system 109 is equipped with a ridge 105. The top portion 103 and ridge 105 are preferably fabricated as a single piece of flexible material, though in some embodiments top portion 103 and ridge 105 may be fabricated separately or as distinct components. Thus, for example, ridge 105 may be fabricated as a distinct component similar to a gasket. Top portion 103 and pad 101 are affixed to each other along the length of ridge 105. This may be accomplished by means of a suitable adhesive, by thermally bonding the materials together, or through other suitable means as are known to the art. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the choice of a suitable adhesive for attaching pad 101, top portion 103 and ridge 105 may vary, and may depend on such factors as the specific materials employed in the manufacture of pad 101, top portion 103 and ridge 105. Ridge 105 is sufficiently raised from top portion 103 such that there is a gap 131 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) between top portion 103 and pad 101. As explained in greater detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3, gap 131 is preferably filled with a radiation curable or energy-sensitive material, such as a polyurethane- or polyacrylate-based resin.

[0024] In this embodiment, top portion 103 has ten (10) holes 107, each of which is surrounded by a corresponding ridge 109. Ridges 109 are approximately the same height as a ridge 105 and also are affixed to pad 101. In this manner, the radiation curable or energy curable resin that fills gap 131 does not leak out through holes 107. Holes 107 are designed to enable cast system 100 to breath, and thus increase the comfort to a patient employing cast system 100. The precise arrangement, size and number of holes 107 may vary. In an alternative embodiment, pad 101 is also cut out in areas corresponding to holes 107 such that holes 107 extend through both pad 101 and top portion 103.

[0025] Pad 101 and top portion 103 are contoured such that portions are convex and concave in corresponding portions of opposing sides of pad 101 and top portion 103, e.g. e.g. a convex portion 111 and a concave portion 113. When cast system 100 is wrapped around a patient's limb, convex portion 111 fits into concave portion 113. This positioning is shown in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 5. In alternative embodiments, cast system 100 may have multiple convex and corresponding concave portions, or simply have a straight edge.

[0026] A portion of pad 101 and top portion 103 also extend outward in a finger-like extension 115. Extension 115 is configured, in the context of an arm cast such as cast system 100, to extend between the patient's thumb and first finger when cast system 100 is positioned on the patient's arm. Extension 115 helps cast system 100 from moving relative to the patient's arm once cast system 100 has been positioned on the patient's arm and hardened. The relative position of extension 115 with respect to cast system 100 and an exemplary patient's arm are shown in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 5.

[0027] Cast system 100 also includes one or more radiation access channels 117 and 119, each of which is constructed of a transparent material through which radiation for curing the energy sensitive material that fills gap 131 can pass. Radiation access channels 117 and 119 are positioned on top of pad 101 and extend through ridge 105.

[0028] Also shown in FIG. 1 are dotted lines 1A-1A and 1B-1B. Lines 1A-1A and 1B-1B are not actually part of cast system 100, but rather are used to provide points of reference in cast system 100 corresponding to the cross-sectional views illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view 130 of arm cast system 100 (FIG. 1) taken along LINE 1A-1A (FIG. 1). The relationship of pad 101, top portion 103 and ridge 105 is clearly illustrated. Ridge 105 is raised from pad and attached to 101 top portion 103 such that gap 131 is created in between pad 101 and top portion 103. As alluded to above in conjunction with FIG. 1, gap 131 is filled with a curable polymeric material, such as a radiation curable or energy-sensitive polymeric material or resin. The curable polymeric material or resin is preferably curable through exposure to a source of actinic radiation such as, but not limited to, ultraviolet (UV) light, or through exposure to an electrical current or voltage. The curable polymeric material that fills gap 131 is typically a liquid or gel that solidifies upon curing into a substantially rigid mass. The curable polymeric material may solidify as a result of various chemical reactions, including crosslinking and addition reactions. Within gap 131 is a mesh 137 that serves prevent cast 100 from stretching and thus strengthening cast 100 in much the same way that iron rebar placed within concrete strengths, or reinforces, the concrete.

[0030] A layer 133 positioned on gap 131 side of top portion 103 is reflective to the radiation that cures the energy-activated polymeric material that fills gap 131. Layer 133 serves to enable radiation passing through radiation access channels 117 and 119 to be distributed throughout gap 131, thus enabling all the curable polymeric material to be exposed to the radiation and thereby cured or hardened. A layer 135 on the gap 131 side of pad 101, like layer 133, also enables radiation transmitted through radiation access channels 117 and 119 to expose and thereby cure the curable polymeric material that fills gap 131.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, cast system 100 does not include radiation access channels 117 or 119, or layers 133 or 135 but, rather, top portion 103 allows enough curing radiation from an external exposure unit to pass through the material of which it is constructed to quickly cure the energy-activated polymeric material.

[0032] In another embodiment, an electric current is introduced to the polymeric material by means of electrodes (not shown) implanted into gap 131 through either top portion 103 or ridge 105. This electric current causes the polymeric material to undergo a reaction by which it changes from a liquid or gel to a substantially rigid mass. In this manner, cast system 100 may be configured into a desired shape (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and subsequently (as through exposure to a suitable activation energy source to which the polymeric material is sensitive) turned into a hardened shell that functions as a medical cast.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view 140 of arm cast system 100 taken along LINE 1B-1B of FIG. 1. In view 140, pad 101, top portion 103, holes 107 and their respective ridges 109, ridge 105, layers 133 and 135 and radiation access channels are the same as described above in conjunction with FIG. 2. As explained above in conjunction with FIG. 1, holes 107 may extend through pad 101 rather than only through top portion 103. As explained shove in conjunction with FIG. 2, gap 131 is filled with an energy-activated polymeric material so that, when cast system 100 is exposed to the particular UV or electrical energy to which the polymeric material is sensitive, system 100 turns into a hard shell that functions as a medical cast. Mesh 137 positioned within gap 131 provides extra strength to cast 100 once energy-activated polymeric material is hardened.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating the application of the arm cast system 100 of FIG. 1 to a patient's lower arm 151. FIG. 4 shows pad 101, top portion 103, holes 107 and radiation access channels 117 and 119, all of which are introduced above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Arm 151 includes a first metacarpal, or “thumb,” 153 and a second metacarpal, or “index finger,” 155. Cast system 100 is placed against arm 151 such that pad 101 is in contact with the skin of arm 151 and functions both to both cushion arm 151 from the rest of cast 100 and to insulate arm 100 form any heat that may be generated during the curing of the polymeric material encased in gap 131 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Cast system 100 is positioned upon arm 151 such that finger-like extension 115 (FIG. 1) wraps around arm 151 in between thumb 153 and index finger 155. The positioning of extension 115 between thumb 153 and index finger 155 may also be seen below in FIG. 5.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a bottom view illustrating the application of arm cast system 100 of FIGS. 1-4 to a patient's lower arm 151 (FIG. 4). In this perspective, arm 151 is turned over so that the bottom side is up. Pad 101 (FIGS. 1-4) and top portion 103 (FIGS. 1-4) are wrapped around arm 151 such that convex portion 111 (FIG. 1) fits adjacent to corresponding convex portion 113 (FIG. 1). Extension 115 (FIG. 1) is positioned between thumb 153 (FIG. 4) and index finger 155 (FIG. 4).

[0036] In this embodiment, cast system 100 is positioned against arm 151 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 while the polymeric material that fills gap 131 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is still of a liquid or gel-like consistency. Once positioned against arm 151, cast system 100 is then exposed to the activating energy source to which it is sensitive, thus causing the polymeric material to harden. Thus, cast system 100 becomes a hard cast with padding material provided by pad 101, a protective shell provided by the hardened polymeric material that fills gap 131, and a cushion for the protective shell provided by top portion 103.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, pad 101 is made of the same material as top portion 103 and a separate, more traditional padding is employed between cast system 100 and arm 151. In this embodiment, the polymeric material is simply encased in a single piece of material of the type used to construct top portion 103 above. The corresponding pad may be attached to the encasing material or applied separately as the cast is positions on the patient's arm.

[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of an exemplary back brace 180 that incorporates the claimed subject matter. In this example, brace 180 is shown installed on the posterior side of a human torso 181. Typically, a posterior back brace such as brace 180 is employed for either corrective or immobilizing purposes, and may have either a “short” or “long” configuration. Of course, it will be appreciated that the teachings herein may be applied to the construction of a brace having almost any purpose or configuration.

[0039] Brace 180 includes a posterior shell 183, adjustable straps 185 and elastic webbing 189. Adjustable straps 185 and elastic webbings 189 hold shell 183 in place against torso 181. Both straps 185 and webbings 189 fasten in the anterior, or front, (not shown) of torso 181. Dotted lines shown in the outline of straps 185 and webbing 189 indicate that those particular potions of straps 185 and webbing 189 are obscured from view by shell 183.

[0040] The teachings herein are equally applicable to an anterior shell brace (not shown), whether used on its own or in conjunction with a posterior brace such as brace 180. One with skill in the medical arts should recognize that there are many configurations suitable for securing a brace such as brace 180 to a torso or other body part. The particular brace configuration or body part application may vary from one implementation to the next.

[0041] Webbings 189 are attached to shell 183 at attachment points 191 by suitable fasteners, including, but not limited to, hook-and-loop type fasteners and repositionable adhesives. Straps 185 are likewise attached at attachment points 187 by suitable fasteners, which may be of the same or different type as the fasteners used to attach webbings 189 to shell 183. In one particular embodiment, an actinic radiation source is used to cure the polymeric material, and the fasteners that attach straps 185 and webbings 189 to shell 183 comprise a material that is transparent to the actinic radiation source. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of plastics may be used for this purpose, and that the particular choice of plastic may depend on the actinic radiation source that is to be used to cure the polymeric material.

[0042] Brace 180 also includes one or more radiation access channels, in this example, radiation access channels 193 and 195. Radiation access channels 193 and 195 serve the same function with respect to brace 180 as radiation access channels 117 and 119 (FIGS. 1 and 4) serve with respect to cast 100 of FIGS. 1-5. Of course, as with cast system 100, there are alternative methods to ensure that shell 183 is properly cured.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, shell 183 is cured without the fasteners, straps 185 and/or webbing 189 attached, and these items are added subsequent to curing. A dashed LINE 6A-6A is not part of brace 180 but rather indicates the position of a cut-away view 200 along a LINE 6A-6A with respect to brace 180. View 200 is illustrated below in conjunction with FIG. 7.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of brace 180 taken along LINE 6A-6A of FIG. 6 and depicting brace 180 positioned against a surface 203 of torso 181. The curvature of surface 203 may be equal, greater or less than the actual curvature of a human torso. Surface 203 is used only as an example of part of a human torso's topology, which may in fact be quite irregular. However, the teachings herein may be used to construct a brace having a shell (FIG. 7) that conforms to whatever shape torso 181 assumes, however irregular.

[0045] Like cast system 100 (FIGS. 1-5), brace 180 includes a pad 201 and an upper portion 203. Although view 200 appears to show several pieces to pad 201 and upper portion 203, preferably, pad 201 and top portion 203 are each of a singular construction and spaces 207 represent fastening points 187 (FIG. 5) through which fasteners (not shown) extend to attach straps 185 (FIG. 5) to shell 183 (FIG. 5), which in this illustration is represented by pad 201, top portion 203, holes 207 and so on. At the bottom of holes 207 are notches or recessions 209 that serve as space for heads (not shown) on fasteners 187 (FIG. 7) to fit so that fasteners 187 do not pull out of holes 207. Each notch 213 may extend entirely around the circumference of corresponding hole 207, or, in the alternative, may only be partially around hole 207 such that a fastener 187 with a matching head is prevented from rotating.

[0046] Pad 201 and top portion 203 are attached to each other at ridges 205 formed at the edges of top portion 203 and at ridges 209 formed on top portion 203 around holes 207. Similar ridges are formed in upper portion 203 around holes (not shown) at attachment points 191 (FIG. 7). Ridges 205 and 209 enable pad 201 and upper portion 203 to be attached to each other while leaving a gap 211 in between the portions of pad 201 and upper portion 203 that are not attached.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment, either or both ridges 205 and 209 are formed on pad 201 rather than upper portion 203. Further, pad 201 and upper portion 203 may not include ridges 205 and 209 but rather their function, i.e., attaching and creating gap 211 between pad 201 and upper portion 203, may be performed by a separate piece of suitable material in the form of one or more gaskets. In another embodiment, pad 201 is constructed of the same material as top portion 101, both of which are a single piece of material molded to create a gap such as gap 211. In this embodiment, a separate piece of material, either attached or unattached, is employed as padding.

[0048] Like gap 131 of cast system 100, gap 211 is filled with an energy-activated polymeric material. Thus, for example, the polymeric material may be curable through exposure to a particular type of energy such as, but not limited to, UV light or an electrical current. In the example of UV light, the energy-activated polymeric material that fills gap 211 has a liquid or gel-like consistency when placed into gap 211. When brace shell 180 is exposed to a UV light source, the polymeric material in gap 211 hardens or cures, forming a permanent, custom-fitted shell. Both UV curable and electrically curable polymeric materials can be employed in gap 211 that are curable relatively quickly.

[0049] Various curable polymeric materials may be used in the devices and methodologies disclosed herein. These include, but are not limited to, radiation curable materials based on acrylates, epoxides, urethanes, urea-acrylates, urethane-acrylates, epoxy-acrylates, polyether acrylates, polyester acrylates, urethane epoxides, silicone acrylates, acrylate-thiol-ene systems, ethylene copolymer elastomer compositions, acrylate rubber compositions, nitrile rubber compositions, fluoroelastomer compositions, chlorinated elastomer compositions, and silicone polymers. When the curable polymeric materials comprise photocurable polymers, they may be employed with appropriate catalysts, photoinitiators or crosslinking agents. Thus, for example, some epoxide-based systems may be cured through crosslinking reactions based on photoinitiated acid formation (using, for example, photo-acid generators based on aromatic diazonium salts, aromatic iodonium salts and triarylsulfonium salts), photoinitiated base formation (using, for example, photo-base generators bearing acyloxyimino groups), or photogenerated amines (using, for example, oxime-urethane derivatives). Photocurable polymeric materials may also be formed from various multifunctional monomers.

[0050] The curable polymeric materials employed in the devices and methodologies described herein may be cured through a variety of means. Thus, for example, these materials may be cured through irradiation with actinic energy rays, such as UV radiation (both short and long wavelength UV radiation), IR radiation, electron rays, and X-rays. Suitable sources of actinic radiation may include mercury lamps of low, medium, high, or super-high pressure, metal halide lamps, xenon lamps, and carbon arc lamps. These materials may also be cured through exposure to various laser sources, including semiconductor lasers, argon lasers and He—Cd lasers, or through exposure to ionizing radiation, such as alpha-rays, beta-rays, gamma rays, neutron beams, X-rays and accelerated electron rays. In some embodiments, one or more layers of materials that reflect or adsorb the radiation emitted by the radiation source may be disposed between the curable polymeric material and the patient to protect the patient from any harmful effects associated with exposure to the emitted radiation.

[0051] The curable polymeric materials employed in the devices and methodologies described herein may have various components as are known to the art. These include, in addition to the curable polymers themselves, various crosslinking agents, activators, photoinitiators, fillers, plasticizers, pigments, dyes, solvents, cosolvents, stabilizers, surfactants, metallocene compounds (these may have various aromatic electron system ligands), and the like.

[0052] While various embodiments of the application have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.