Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Jason L Edgar

Matthew T Scholz

Dean A Ersfeld

Andrew J Callinan

Worku A Mindaye

Dennis G Welygan

Miroslav M Tochacek

Andrew J Mahler, Jr

Eugene G Joseph

Scott J Tuman

Robert J Maki

John E Riedel

Gerald E Drake

Dennis C Bartizal

Leon Levitt

Robert H Menzies

Anthony J Campagna

Brandon T Berg

Patricia A Eull

David L Seidel

Barry J Novak

Mathew T Scholz

Michael J Jarzynski

A laminated composite suitable for use in medical products such as tapes and wraps. The composite includes, for example, a first nonwoven fiber layer, an elastic layer, a melt blown adhesive fiber layer, and a second nonwoven fiber layer. A scrim layer serves as a deadstop, or stretch limit, to prevent over stretching. The non-woven fiber layer(s) and/or the scrim layer form suitable loops for a hook and loop fastening system. The scrim layer in some embodiments is employed to make the composite finger tearable. The melt blown adhesive layer, nonwoven web layer and elastic layer form a breathable, porous elastic composite. Methods of manufacturing the composite are also disclosed.

Laminated composites

The present invention provides a unique knit construction having a nonfiberglass yarn for controlling stiffness, i.e., a stiffness-controlling yarn. The knit may optionally have a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn and/or a heat shrinkable yarn.

Fabric backing for orthopedic support materials

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

The present invention provides an orthopedic casting article comprising an apertured, extruded sheet. The present invention also provides a method of enclosing a body member, comprising the steps of: heating an apertured, extruded sheet comprising a low temperature thermoplastic polymer having a softening or melting temperature less than about 90.degree. C.; wrapping the article about the body member; and molding the wrapped article about the body member such that the article is used as an orthopedic casting material and has a sufficient number of apertures after application to the patient to allow moisture vapors produced by the skin to freely escape through the cast or splint. The present invention also provides a method of enclosing a body member, comprising the steps of: initiating the curing of an apertured, extruded sheet comprising a viscous curable resin having a sufficient yield stress to resist flow at ambient temperature for extended periods of time; wrapping the article about the body member; and molding the wrapped article about the body member such that the article is used as an orthopedic casting material and has a sufficient number of apertures after application to the patient to allow moisture vapors produced by the skin to freely escape through the cast or splint. The apertured, extruded sheet may optionally contain a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage.

Orthopedic casting article comprising an apertured, extruded sheet

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

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

The present invention relates to an easy-to-use and effective magnetically resealable moisture-proof pouch containing moisture-curable orthopedic splinting/casting product in bulk form or in individually packaged rolls. The preferred pouch incorporates a frame disposed about an opening into the pouch which provides a mounting place for a moisture-proof magnetic seal. Also disclosed are containers for the preferred pouches which are adapted for use with the magnetic sealing system according to the present invention.

Moisture-proof resealable pouch and container

The present invention provides a method of making an orthopedic casting article comprising an apertured, extruded sheet. The method involves the steps of charging an extrudable material selected from the group consisting of low temperature thermoplastic polymers and viscous curable resins to an extruder; and extruding the material through a die to form an apertured sheet. The sheet is used as an orthopedic casting material and has a sufficient number of apertures after application to the patient to allow moisture vapors produced by the skin to freely escape through the cast or splint. The sheet preferably has at least 20 percent aperture volume. The apertured, extruded sheet may optionally contain a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage.

Method of making an orthopedic casting article comprising an apertured,

The present invention provides a method of enclosing a body member, comprising the steps of: heating an apertured, extruded sheet comprising a low temperature thermoplastic polymer having a softening or melting temperature less than about 90.degree. C.; wrapping the article about the body member; and molding the wrapped article about the body member such that the article is used as an orthopedic casting material and has a sufficient number of apertures after application to the patient to allow moisture vapors produced by the skin to freely escape through the cast or splint. The present invention also provides a method of enclosing a body member, comprising the steps of: initiating the curing of an apertured, extruded sheet comprising a viscous curable resin having a sufficient yield stress to resist flow at ambient temperature for extended periods of time; wrapping the article about the body member; and molding the wrapped article about the body member such that the article is used as an orthopedic casting material and has a sufficient number of apertures after application to the patient to allow moisture vapors produced by the skin to freely escape through the cast or splint. The apertured, extruded sheet may optionally contain a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage.

Method of enclosing a body member using an apertured, extruded sheet

The present invention provides a unique knit construction having a nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn in the fabric of the backing. Preferably, the nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn is used in combination with a heat shrinkable yarn or a stretch yarn, and alternatively a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn. More preferably, the nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn is in combination with a stretch yarn and a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn. Most preferably, the nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn is in combination with a heat shrinkable, elastically extensible yarn, and a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn.

Growing community of inventors

Bloomington, MN, United States of America

Jason L Edgar