Breathable and customized cast for immobilization of fractured limb
The present invention provides a breathable orthopedic cast device for immobilizing and stabilizing at least one fractured limb. The breathable orthopedic cast device comprising: a customizable cast member having hollow tubes pre-injected with at least one infusion material, wherein hollow tubes are interlinked with each other to form a mesh structure to provide breathability to a fractured limb. The breathable orthopedic cast device is a flat unfolded geometry that can be applied by wrapping over an injured body member, or is customized to a shape corresponding to the contours of the body member.
1. A breathable orthopedic cast device comprising:
a cast member consisting of a single layer cavity sheet structure of small and inflated hollow tubes interlinked and in fluid communication with each other to form a mesh structure; wherein said hollow tubes are adapted to be in direct contact with skin of a selected limb of a user during use of the orthopedic cast device and said orthopedic cast device is devoid of fabric or cushioning material intervening between said hollow tubes and the skin of the selected limb during use,
said cast member adapted to be injected with at least one infusion material in said hollow tubes, wherein said at least one infusion material is configured to harden in said hollow tubes when said hollow tubes are in direct contact with the skin of the selected limb in use, said at least one infusion material being selected from a group consisting of polyepoxide material that includes epoxy resins, acrylate fillers and activators, polymer or any combination thereof, wherein said at least one infusion material is adapted to be hardened or cured by application of external UV light or natural light for at least 10 minutes;
wherein said cast member is formed of flexible material consisting of silicone rubber, latex rubber, synthetic rubber or any combination thereof;
wherein said cast member is configured to be in a rolled configuration initially and then unrolled onto the selected limb during use;
wherein said cast member has a flat unfolded geometry wherein said mesh structure is preshaped and configured to conform to a portion of the selected limb; and
said orthopedic cast device further comprising at least one locking member provided on at least one periphery surface of said cast member, to provide means for attachment and removal of said cast member;
wherein said at least one locking member is a hook and loop or snap fit attachment member adapted to secure said at least one periphery surface to a second end when said cast member is applied to the selected limb, and provides adjustment in said cast member to conform to the selected limb.
2. The breathable orthopedic cast device of claim 1 , wherein said cast member has a shape configured for corresponding to contours of the portion of the selected limb and wherein the device is a glove wearable over the portion of the selected limb.
3. The breathable orthopedic cast device of claim 1 , wherein said cast member is configured to be adjusted according to a contour of the selected limb of the user during hardening or curing of said cast member, due to an elasticity and flexibility of silicone rubber used for said cast member and non-rigid locking provided by said hook and loop or snap fit attachment member used as the at least one locking member for said cast member.