FLEXIBLE ELEMENT AND FLEXIBLE FABRIC AND IN SITU ORTHOPEDIC CAST OR SUPPORT MEMBER AND METHOD OF FORMING

摘要

TITLE: FLEXIBLE ELEMENT AND FLEXIBLE FABRIC AND IN SITU ORTHOPEDIC CAST OR SUPPORT MEMBER AND METHOD OF FORMING A flexible element such as a small diameter filament or tubule comprising an outer body portion formed of a high molecular weight organic composition which protectively encloses therein polymerizable organic material in a pliable form and which is transformed into a rigid element when exposed to a source of wave energy having an intensity sufficient to effect substantial polymerization of said polymerizable material; whereby said element is adapted to be shaped into any desired configuration before exposure to said wave energy and rigidifiable while in said configuration on exposure to said wave energy without application of any surface coating to said element, and a pliable fabric which is formed by interlacing at least one of said flexible elements and which is rigidified by exposure to a source of radiant energy.