Hexcel Corporation

Kenneth M Holland

Milton F Custer

Orthopedic structures are prepared from a thermal softening resin (e.g. polycaprolactone) impregnated large mesh knit fabric carrier having relatively large diameter strands and having a relatively high weight ratio of the polycaprolactone or equivalent resin composition to the fabric carrier. The impregnated fabric can be formed in rolls which may be warmed above the softening temperature of the resin. The thermally softened impregnated fabric becomes highly flexible and pliant and may then be wrapped in multiple layers about the limb to be immobilized. The large knit fabric carrier allows for twisting of the fabric, forming and reforming, so as to obtain the desired shape and degree of support. The overlapping layers of impregnated fabric bond to each other during wrapping and whereafter the impregnated fabric rapidly cools to a hard structurally stable cast, which is porous so as to minimize maceration or other deleterious skin conditions from developing.

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Pebble Beach, CA, United States of America

Kenneth M Holland