COMPOSITE MATERIAL, COMPRESSION SUPPORT BRACES THEREFROM AND A METHOD FOR MAKING BRACES

摘要

A multisection composite material useful in forming compression braces for orthopedic support of a body part includes a user contacting fabric section, an outermost fabric section formed from bonding two dissimilar fabrics and an intermediate se ction formed from a closed cell foam. The user contacting fabric section is a fabric h aving multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophobic fibers and bonded to a surface of the intermediate foam section. The outermost section includes a first fabric layer having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophilic fibers and a second fabric layer having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydro phobic fibers. The intermediate foam section has a first surface and a second surface a nd has a multiplicity of perforations therethrough from the first surface to the second s urface. The foam has multidimensional elastic properties sufficient for providing compressiv e strain useful for supporting the body part. The first layer of the outermost section is bonded to the second surface of the intermediate section. Moisture emitted from a user's s kin passes through the hydrophobic user contacting section to the intermediate section wher eupon it passes through the perforations and is spread by the hydrophilic first fabric la yer. The spreading of the emitted moisture by the hydrophilic layer increases the surface area of the moisture thereby substantially increasing the rate of evaporation of the moistur e through the hydrophobic second layer. The spreading of the moisture by the hydrophilic l ayer also improves user comfort by preventing wet spots on the outside surface fabric arou nd the openings of the perforation. The invention includes compressive orthopedic suppo rt braces for the wrist, elbow, thigh, knee and ankle formed from the material of t he invention in sizes suitable for users having different physical stature. Orthope dic support braces formed from the composite material of the present invention provide the s upport advantages of foam braces with the comfort of elasticized knit braces.