The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 17, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 21, 1995
Matthew T Scholz, Woodbury, MN (US);
Jason L Edgar, Bloomington, MN (US);
Dennis G Welygan, Woodbury, MN (US);
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
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.