Patent · US Expired

Process for producing orthopedic structures and a thermoplastic linear polyurethane for use in such process

US4316457A · kind A · utility

49Cited by
9References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 9, 1980
Grant dateFeb 23, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 9, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S602/90
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A process for producing a rigid orthopedic cast in which a bandage material is provided which is impregnated or coated in the form of webs or sheets with a solvent solution of a polyurethane prepolymer, a bifunctional chain-extender and a catalyst. The prepolymer urethane having two isocyanate end groups, being formed by the reaction of a bifunctional compound reactive with an isocyanate group with a molar excess of a diisocyanate, forms a final thermoplastic polymer in the presence of the chain-extender when the solvent is removed under evaporative conditions. The heated thermoplastic impregnated fabric can be wrapped in multiple layers under normal conditions around a broken body member, molded and cooled to form a strong, rigid supportive cast which is porous so as to prevent skin maceration or other medical ramifications related to a non-porous material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.