Fastform Research Limited

Morgan Tierney

David Sheehan

A protective and/or splint device, for example a distal radial splint device (), comprises a protective and/or splint member () and a spacer member (). The protective and/or splint member () comprises a composite protective and/or splint material and is formable at a forming temperature and is substantially rigid at ambient temperature. The material comprises a polycaprolactone and a ligno-cellulose additive material. The protective and/or splint member () comprises a mesh of elements (), with a plurality of openings () through the protective and/or splint member (). Away from the periphery of the splint member (), the openings () are diamond-shaped. Two border elements () extend along the two sides of the periphery of the splint member (). The three point bending strength to openness ratio of the member is greater than 0.1 and the unidirectional bending strength to openness ratio of the member is greater than 4. This results in a device () with sufficient strength, which is breathable with open surfaces, and the volume of material used is optimized. The strength of the member () parallel to the longitudinal direction of the arm is greater than the strength parallel too the circumferential direction. At the forming temperature the member () is stretchable. The member () is rounded between the outer surface of the member () and the edges around the openings ().

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County Offaly, Ireland

Morgan Tierney