Ventilated and water-washable orthepedic splint using functional polyurethane resin

The surgical splint with a laminated polyurethane resin structure addresses ventilation and washing issues of conventional casts by maintaining skin distance and providing thermal insulation, enhancing user comfort and safety.

WO2026089093A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-04-30LIBERTECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
LIBERTECH CO LTD
Filing Date
2024-10-28
Publication Date
2026-04-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional casts made of plaster or water-curable polyurethane suffer from poor ventilation, difficulty in washing, skin irritation due to heat generation during hardening, and limitations in shape adjustment, leading to discomfort and skin damage.

Method used

A surgical splint using functional polyurethane resin with a laminated structure comprising a sealed layer and an insulating layer, featuring a filling space for a curing liquid, and a spacing layer to maintain skin distance, allowing for breathability, washability, and thermal insulation.

Benefits of technology

The splint provides improved air circulation, allows for water washing, prevents skin damage from heat, and ensures thermal insulation, ensuring smooth oxygen supply and comfort during wear.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a ventilated and water-washable orthopedic splint using functional polyurethane resin, the splint being structured as sealed laminated layers each having a cured layer forming a filling space to be filled with curing liquid and an insulation material layer corresponding to the filling space, and being produced in three-dimensional shape conforming to the orthopedic treatment part that solidifies to form a splint when filled with the curing liquid.
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Description

Surgical splint with breathability and washability using functional polyurethane resin

[0001] The present invention relates to a surgical splint having breathability and washability utilizing a functional polyurethane resin, wherein the splint is manufactured conventionally with a three-dimensional shape corresponding to a surgical treatment area, having a laminated structure of a sealed layer having a curing layer forming a filling space for a curing liquid and an insulating layer corresponding to the filling space, and solidifies to form a splint when the curing liquid is filled.

[0002] Generally, a cast refers to a bandage made by hardening plaster or water-curable polyurethane, and it is a medical device used to fix a bone in place by wrapping it around the injured area to prevent movement until the broken bone heals, in cases of bone fractures, injuries, or surgical damage.

[0003] These casts have used materials such as plaster or water-curable polyurethane to fix the fracture site.

[0004] In addition, it is not advisable for plaster materials or water-curable polyurethanes used for casting as described above to come into direct contact with the skin. Therefore, a cotton skin protector is essential to prevent skin contact with such materials, to act as a buffer between the material and the skin, and to protect the skin from an electric saw when removing the cast.

[0005] However, these casts have the problem that water must not come into contact with the cotton skin protector, making washing impossible, and that ventilation is poor due to the cotton skin protector.

[0006] In addition, since it does not allow air circulation, there are problems such as bad odor and skin itching when worn for a long period.

[0007] In addition, since it is made of plaster, it has the disadvantage of being heavy, and the working and hardening times during the procedure are prolonged.

[0008] To solve such problems, the technology of the conventional cast disclosed in Korean Patent No. 1425883 is presented, and as shown in FIG. 1, the composition comprises a core material having a net shape formed by a plurality of wires intersecting diagonally and impregnated with a water-curable resin; an outer layer material that wraps around the outside of the core material so that the core material is placed inside; and when water comes into contact with the core material through the micro-holes of the outer layer material, the core material hardens due to the curing of the water-curable resin to support the net-shaped outer layer material, thereby forming a cast that can support the wound area.

[0009] And, the above cast (1) forms a net shape by having a plurality of first diagonal bars (3) and second diagonal bars (5) that proceed diagonally intersect each other, and a plurality of large ventilation holes (7) formed between them.

[0010] However, the above-mentioned cast (1) has a problem in that heat is generated when the water-curable resin coated on the core material hardens, causing damage to the skin and discomfort to the wearer.

[0011] In addition, the above cast (1) has a disadvantage in that the core material is configured to maintain a net shape by having a plurality of wires intersect diagonally, which has limitations in shape and makes it difficult to adjust the size.

[0012] The objective of the present invention, which aims to improve upon the aforementioned conventional problems, is to provide a surgical splint having breathability and washability utilizing a functional polyurethane resin that can be manufactured in various shapes to fit the user's body type, prevents skin damage and discomfort caused by heat by preventing contact with the skin during curing after wearing, and enables thermal insulation and cooling even when worn to ensure smooth oxygen supply to the skin.

[0013] To achieve the above objective of the present invention, a surgical splint having breathability and washability utilizing a functional polyurethane resin is provided, which is manufactured as a conventional structure having a three-dimensional shape corresponding to a surgical treatment area, a sealed layer having a curing layer forming a filling space into which a curing liquid is injected and filled, and an insulating layer corresponding to the filling space, and is installed to solidify upon filling with the curing liquid to form a splint.

[0014] In addition, the present invention provides a surgical splint having breathability and washability using a functional polyurethane resin, wherein a spacing layer is formed to create an insulating space that maintains a distance from the skin at the bottom of the sealing layer.

[0015] In addition, the present invention provides a surgical splint having breathability and washability utilizing a functional polyurethane resin, wherein the sealing layer or the spacing layer is further provided with a filling layer made of non-woven fabric or sponge.

[0016] In addition, the spacing layer of the present invention is connected to a valve with both ends exposed to the outside of the splint body, and is installed to allow fluid cooled and heated from the outside to flow, thereby providing a surgical splint having breathability and washability using a functional polyurethane resin.

[0017] As described above, the present invention enables the production of various shapes suitable for the user's body type by a configuration in which plastic sheets are bonded in multiple layers.

[0018] Furthermore, the splint of the present invention is easy to use as it is configured to harden after being worn on the injured area, and prevents skin damage and discomfort caused by heat by preventing contact with the skin.

[0019] In addition, the splint of the present invention has a net shape that is not affected by contact with water, allowing for water washing while increasing breathability.

[0020] In addition, the splint of the present invention enables heat retention and cooling even when worn, thereby facilitating the supply of oxygen to the skin.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating a conventional cast.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the usage state of a splint according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the manufacturing state of a splint according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the joining state of the splint and the cutting state of the through hole according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the manufacturing state of the filling space and insulation space of a splint according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the manufacturing state of a splint according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a splint according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the attached drawings.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the splint (100) of the present invention is formed with a laminated structure of a hardening layer (110) that forms a filling space (111) to be filled with a hardening liquid (300) and a sealing layer (130) having an insulating material (131) corresponding to the filling space (110).

[0030] At this time, the insulating material applied to the insulating layer is made of ceramic powder selected from the group consisting of alumina, zeolite, zirconia, silicon carbide, silica, bauxite, bentonite, alumina-toughened zirconia (Al2O3-Zr), and zirconia-toughened alumina (Al2O3-ZrO2).

[0031] At this time, the filling space (111) is installed to have a net shape overall, with a plurality of through holes (500) formed on the outside while having an area corresponding to the injured area.

[0032] Additionally, the through hole (500) may be formed by a separate cutter (950) after the hardened layer (110), the sealing layer (130), and the spacing layer (150) are closely bonded together, and the hardened layer, the sealing layer, and the spacing layer are installed to have a recessed space, etc., by vacuum forming the sheet.

[0033] Furthermore, the above splint (100) is typically manufactured to have a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the surgical treatment area.

[0034] At this time, a main valve (400) connected to the filling space (111) and capable of injecting a curing liquid is provided, and the splint is installed to form a configuration that solidifies when the curing liquid is filled.

[0035] And, a sealing layer (130) having an insulating layer (131) corresponding to the filling space (110) is laminated on the lower part of the hardened layer (110).

[0036] Additionally, a spacing layer (150) may be further formed to form an insulating space (151) that maintains a distance from the skin at the bottom of the sealing layer (130).

[0037] In addition, the hardened layer, the sealing layer, and the spacing layer are formed such that the insulation space and the filling space have a sealed structure by joining using thermal fusion, ultrasonic fusion, or an adhesive.

[0038] Additionally, the sealing layer or the spacing layer may further be provided with a filling layer (600) made of non-woven fabric or sponge.

[0039] Additionally, the above-mentioned spacing layer (150) is connected to a control valve (155) with both ends exposed to the outside of the splint body, so that fluid cooled and heated from the outside flows.

[0040] And, the above curing agent is made of polyurethane resin.

[0041] That is, the above curing agent is a polyurethane resin mixed with a main component made of isocyanate (iso) and a curing agent made of polyol, and the main component and the curing agent are installed to be diluted in a ratio of 10:8.

[0042] The specific operation of the present invention, configured as described above, is explained.

[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, ceramic powder is used as the insulating material of the present invention, and the ceramic powder has excellent insulating properties due to its very low thermal conductivity, and the ceramic powder is attached to the upper surface of the sealing layer (130) through one or more water-soluble adhesives selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, polyacrylamide, glycerin, pullulan, super absorbent polymer, and gelatin.

[0044] And, the above splint (100) is formed with a laminated structure of a curing layer (110) that forms a filling space (111) to be filled with a curing liquid (300) and a sealing layer (130) that has an insulating layer (131) corresponding to the filling space (110), so that when the curing liquid (300) is filled into the filling space (111) and then cured, it forms a net-shaped splint with a certain strength to firmly support the injured area.

[0045] At this time, the filling space (111) is installed to have a net shape overall by forming a plurality of through holes (500) while having an area corresponding to the injured area (900), thereby increasing air permeability and enabling cleaning by the inflow of water.

[0046] Furthermore, the above splint (100) is manufactured in a conventional manner having a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the surgical treatment area when the cutting and joining processes are performed as a single unit, so that it accurately corresponds to the user's body shape when worn.

[0047] At this time, when a pack (not shown) into which a curing agent is injected is connected to a main valve (400) that is connected to the filling space (111) and capable of injecting a curing agent, the pack is installed to form a splint in such a way that the main raw material and the release agent of the reaction agent are stored separately and then broken and mixed upon use, and the curing liquid solidifies when filled into the filling space.

[0048] In addition, the heat generated during the reaction of the curing liquid is prevented from being transferred to the outside by a sealing layer (130) having an insulating layer (131) corresponding to the filling space (110), thereby preventing damage such as skin damage caused by heat transfer to the skin of the patient wearing it.

[0049] Furthermore, by further closely bonding the spacing layer (150) to form an insulating space (151) that maintains a distance from the skin at the bottom of the sealing layer (130), the gap between the skin and the splint is maintained, thereby providing a constant cushion and once again preventing heat transfer.

[0050] Additionally, the above-mentioned spacing layer (150) is connected to a control valve (155) with both ends exposed to the outside of the splint body, allowing a fluid that has been cooled and heated from the outside to flow, thereby preventing poor ventilation or blood supply caused by the splint that is in close contact for a certain period of time.

[0051] At this time, if a plurality of insulation spaces (151) are formed separately in the above-mentioned separation layer (150) and air is supplied alternately thereto, the space expands and contracts alternately, thereby preventing skin ventilation problems or problems caused by prolonged pressure.

[0052] In addition, the hardened layer, the sealing layer, and the spacing layer are formed to have a sealed structure by joining using thermal fusion, ultrasonic fusion, or an adhesive.

[0053] In addition, if the sealing layer or the spacing layer is further provided with a filling layer (600) made of non-woven fabric or sponge, the foreign body sensation on the skin is removed and the discomfort caused by wearing is minimized.

[0054] The present invention relates to a technology for a splint used in surgical treatment such as fractures, wherein the splint is manufactured in a conventional manner having a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the surgical treatment area and is formed by a laminated bonding structure of a sealed layer having a hardening layer forming a filling space for a hardening liquid and an insulating layer corresponding to said filling space, and solidifies to form a splint when the hardening material is filled.

Claims

1. A laminated structure of a sealed layer having a hardening layer forming a filling space for a hardening liquid to be filled and an insulating layer corresponding to the filling space, which is conventionally molded to have a three-dimensional shape corresponding to a surgical treatment area and installed to solidify when the hardening material is filled into the filling space to form a splint. The above-mentioned filling space is a surgical splint having breathability and washability utilizing a functional polyurethane resin, formed by bonding a hardened layer and a sealing layer to form a sealed space, with a through hole formed on the side.

2. A surgical splint having breathability and washability using a functional polyurethane resin, characterized in that, in claim 1, a spacing layer is further laminated to form an insulating space below the sealing layer that maintains a distance from the skin.

3. A surgical splint having breathability and washability using a functional polyurethane resin, characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2, the sealing layer or spacing layer is further provided with a filling layer made of non-woven fabric or sponge.

4. A surgical splint having breathability and washability using a functional polyurethane resin, characterized in that, in paragraph 2, the above-mentioned spacing layer is installed such that both ends are connected to a control valve exposed to the outside of the splint body, allowing a fluid cooled and heated from the outside to flow.

Citation Information

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