Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Signet Armorlite, Inc.

Dean A Ersfeld

Timothy C Sandvig

Matthew T Scholz

Jason L Edgar

Andrew J Callinan

Worku A Mindaye

Paul E Hansen

Richard S Buckanin

Dennis C Bartizal

Katherine E Reed

Andrew J Mahler, Jr

Dean M Moren

Eric Peter Berg

Wayne K Larson

Daniel W Davis

Anthony J Campagna

Steven H Gotz

John F Reed

Dan L Fanselow

Richard A Mallo

Michael L Ruegsegger

Kelly T McGurran

Richard E Anderson

Mathew T Scholz

Diane S Gobran

Wayne E Larson

A custom-formable shoe insert is disclosed that comprises (1) a conformable substrate layer, where at least a portion of the substrate layer is impregnated with a storage-stable, settable resin that set after exposure to an activator; and (2) an outer layer that is impervious to the settable resin but at least a portion of which is pervious to the activator.

Custom-formable shoe insert

The present invention provides an article comprising a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour.

Composite casting tape

Light-weight orthopedic casting article

Method of immobilizing a body member using a composite article

The present invention provides an article comprising a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour. The ratio of the volume of filler to volume of prepolymer or resin is &gt;0.40.

Method of making a light-weight orthopedic casting article

An orthopedic casting material is disclosed comprising a water-curable, isocyanate-functional prepolymer. The prepolymer comprises the reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a polyol having an HLB number per hydroxy group less than zero.

Orthopedic casting material having improved wet strength

The present invention provides an article including a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour.

Method of making a light weight orthopedic casting tape

A protective covering of nonwoven fabric for an orthopedic cast, wound dressing or other bandage is disclosed. The covering is adapted to fit loosely about the bandage to be protected and is capable of being heat-shrunk at a relatively low temperature to closely cover the bandage. The covering is permeable to water vapor and air, it may be treated with a surface active agent to provide superior water and soil repellency, and it may be provided in various colors or with various decorative designs.

Heat shrinkable bandage cover

The present invention provides a water-curable resin composition for use in an orthopedic cast composed of a water-reactive liquid organometallic compound having at least one hydrolyzable group per molecule and a viscosity of no greater than about 100,000 centipoise under ambient conditions; and an organic polymer, having a number average molecular weight of at least about 400, mixed with the water-reactive liquid organometallic compound. Preferably, the water-reactive liquid organometallic compound is a compound of the formula (R.sup.1 O).sub.x MR.sup.2.sub.(y-x) wherein: each R.sup.1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.100 hydrocarbon group, optionally interrupted in the backbone by 1-50 nonperoxide --O--, --S--, --C(O)--, or --N-- groups; each R.sup.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.100 hydrocarbon group, optionally interrupted in the backbone by 1-50 nonperoxide --O--, --S--, --C(O)--, or --N-- groups; x is an integer between 1 and y, inclusive; y is the valence of M; and M is boron, aluminum, silicon, or titanium.

Orthopedic support materials

The present invention provides a water-curable resin composition for use in the preparation of composite materials. The resin composition is composed of a water-reactive liquid organometallic compound having a viscosity of no greater than about 500,000 centipoise under ambient conditions; and a nonreactive organic thermoplastic polymer, having a number average molecular weight of at least about 1,000, mixed with the water-reactive liquid organometallic compound. Preferably, the water-reactive liquid organometallic compound is a compound of the formula (R.sup.1 O).sub.x MR.sup.2.sub.(y-x) wherein: each R.sup.1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.100 hydrocarbon group, optionally interrupted in the backbone by 1--10 nonperoxide--O--, --S--, --C(O)--, or --N-- groups; each R.sup.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.100 hydrocarbon group, optionally interrupted in the backbone by 1--10 nonperoxide--O--, --S--, --C(O)--, or --N-- groups; x is an integer between 1 and y, inclusive; y is the valence of M; and M is boron, aluminum, silicon, or titanium.

Water curable resin compositions

A method of immobilizing a body part with an improved orthopedic cast or splint having a padding that has been treated with a fluorochemical or silicone. The padding has an apparent surface tension of less than 60 dynes per centimeter and a porosity of less than about 15 seconds. The padding is able to shed water rapidly, thereby providing more comfort for the user.

Method of immobilizing a body part with an orthopedic cast

An improved orthopedic cast or splint includes a padding that is treated with a fluorochemical or silicone. The padding has an apparent surface tension of less than 60 dynes per centimeter and a porosity of less than about 15 seconds. The padding is able to shed water rapidly, thereby providing more comfort for the user.

Orthopedic cast

The present invention relates to orthopedic casting materials having reduced tack and methods for preparing and using such orthopedic casting materials, wherein the materials comprise a nonwoven, stretchable fabric which is impregnated with a curable prepolymer resin. The nonwoven fabric comprises fiber bundles and apertures between the fiber bundles, with each of the fiber bundles comprising a plurality of fibers having interstices therebetween. The curable prepolymer resin is impregnated into the nonwoven fabric such that the interstices between the fibers receive the resin, while leaving the apertures between fiber bundles substantially unoccluded. Such orthopedic casting materials are relatively inexpensive and exhibit improved properties.

Curable resin coated sheets having reduced tack

The present invention relates to orthopedic casting materials and methods for preparing and using such orthopedic casting materials, wherein the materials comprise a nonwoven, stretchable fabric which is impregnated with a curable prepolymer resin. The nonwoven fabric comprises fiber bundles and apertures between the fiber bundles, with each of the fiber bundles comprising a plurality of fibers having interstices therebetween. The curable prepolymer resin is impregnated into the nonwoven fabric such that the interstices between the fibers receive the resin, while leaving the apertures between fiber bundles substantially unoccluded. Such orthopedic casting materials are relatively inexpensive and exhibit improved properties.

Growing community of inventors

Maplewood, MN, United States of America

Dean A Ersfeld