Orthopaedic splinting system

摘要

A composite material in the form of a linear structure having a width, a length and a thickness, comprising a composite material with a first component formed by a polymer and a second component formed by a reinforcing material, wherein the first component comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group of biodegradable polymers and mixtures thereof, and the second component comprises a woody material derived from platy or granular wood particles. The composite material being formable at a temperature of about 50 to 70° C. and it can be used as a blank for an orthopedic splint.

主权项

1. A method of shaping a composite material to snugly fit against a part of the body of a mammal, comprising
providing the composite material in the form of an essentially rectangular, planar blank having a first component formed by a polymer and a second component formed by a reinforcing material, wherein
the first component comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group of biodegradable polymers and mixtures thereof, andthe second component comprises a woody material derived from platy wood particles, heating the blank to a temperature in the range of 50 to 70° C. to convert the material into a manually formable state, applying the material against the target part of the body to as to make the material take up the form of the target part, and cooling the material to a temperature of less than 45° C. to make the material rigid.