Water resistant undercast liner

Abstract

The present invention provides an undercast liner for being applied to an anatomical shape of a patient and overlaid with a cast material. The undercast liner includes an elongate fabric having two opposing faces and an intermediate spacer area that both separates and interconnects the opposed faces. The liner is constructed at least in part of hydrophobic, water resistant monofilament yarn for providing enhanced water resistance, light weight, breathability and resistance to collapse and degradation due to moisture and bacteria during extended use of the liner. The liner has sufficient stretch in both a length-wise and width-wise direction to facilitate conforming the undercast liner around the anatomical shape without wrinkling during application.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 827,534, filed Sep. 29, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to an undercast liner of the type used to protect and cushion the skin of a patient from the relatively rigid material of a cast, such as those constructed of plaster of Paris or synthetic cast tape. The liner allows the patient to carry out routine activities such as bathing, showering, swimming, and the like without fear of the liner getting wet. [0003] Traditional cast padding is constructed from a simple stockinette and padding material made from cotton or synthetic fibers, and offers poor or no water resistant capability. Cotton and some synthetic paddings actually absorb and retain large quantities of water. A cast is typically worn for a period of 6-8 weeks. During this period of time, traditional casts having a water-absorbent stockinette can promote skin maceration, discomfort. Traditional cast paddings ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an undercast liner that is comfortable when worn under a plaster or synthetic cast.

[0051] According to another embodiment of the invention, an undercast liner for being applied to an anatomical shape of a patient and overlaid with a cast material is provided, and comprises an elongate fabric in roll form having two opposing faces and an intermediate spacer area that both separates and interconnects the opposed faces. The liner is constructed at least in part of hydrophobic, water resistant monofilament yarn for providing enhanced water resistance, light weight, breathability and resistance to collapse and degradation due to moisture and bacteria during extended use of the liner. The liner has sufficient stretch in both a length-wise and width-wise direction to facilitate conforming the undercast liner around the anatomical shape during application.

Problems solved by technology

Traditional cast padding is constructed from a simple stockinette and padding material made from cotton or synthetic fibers, and offers poor or no water resistant capability.

During this period of time, traditional casts having a water-absorbent stockinette can promote skin maceration, discomfort.

The stockinette remains wet or damp for an extended period of time, causing the problems mentioned above.

One of the problems with conventional cast padding as well as commercially available water resistant padding is that the padding collapses underneath a cast over the duration of 4-6 weeks as water and perspiration are absorbed into the structure.

This reduction in thickness and resultant increase in density retards moisture transfer by both wicking and evaporation, and lessens the protection offered by the padding.

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