Hardenable orthopaedic support (free edge)

摘要

The present invention provides improved hardenable orthopaedic supports and methods of making the same. One embodiment provides a support which includes a blank made of a permeable, flexible material and including a structural region impregnated with a hardenable material and a peripheral region which will remain flexible after the hardenable material is hardened. Another embodiment provides a method of manufacturing an orthopaedic support in which a permeable, flexible material is positioned adjacent a recess of a molding element; the flexible material is contacted with a hardenable material; and the hardenable material is placed under pressure in the molding element to impregnate the section of the flexible material with the hardenable material.