Orthotics
“Orthotics(Greek: Ορθός, ortho, "to straighten" or "align") is a section within the medical field concerned with the design, manufacture and application of orthoses. An orthosis or orthotic (plural: orthoses or orthotics) is an orthopedic device which support or correct the function of a limb or the torso.”
(Wikipedia, Orthotics, 12/10/2010)
“A prosthesis is an artificial replacement for an amputated limb that is secured to the remainder of the limb and specifically and particularly to the amputated limb. To this end, the prosthesis has a receptacle in the shape of a funnel or cup for the amputated limb, hereinafter termed "prosthesis socket". Ideally, the prosthetic socket is intended to precisely fit the amputated limb and to an produce a transfer of force from the amputee's body to the prosthesis with no significant areas generating pressure or chafing. If possible, the socket should be capable of elastic adaptation to small dimensional changes of the limb (for example, when the amputated limb swells and reverts to normal size after swelling).”
“There are similar requirements placed upon what are known as orthoses or those retaining parts which are close to the body. Orthoses are devices which externally hold and support the body or limbs of the body, often being termed braces or splints.”
“In order to meet the requirements, sockets and other orthopaedic holders (orthoses) that directly contact the body are generally manufactured from plastics which while strong and dimensionally stable, have at least some regions of elasticity or softness and pliability.”
Recent US Patents
9/28/2010
7,803,301
Process for making a molded valve housing for a prosthesis or an orthosis
Becker and Anhalt formed the housing by providing by casting ans assembling a number of reinforced polyurethane layers. (RDC 12/8/2010)
Recent Journal Articles
Tough shape-memory polymer—fiber composites
(371-380) Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites 30 #5 (2011)
Abstract
Ware et al of the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas, and Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia have developed polymer—fiber composites with failure strains of near 400% and ultimate tensile strengths up to 20 MPa. Independent control of the rubbery modulus is by altering the crosslink density of the polymer matrix and the fiber weave. The stress the composite can withstand can be modified with changing fiber material and weave geometry. The resulting shape memory polymer—fiber composites can be designed with glass transition temperatures (Tg’s) ranging from 0 C to 75 C, and specific multi-layer combinations of these systems provide a promising candidate for orthopedic casts: specifically, a woven anteres nylon lycra mesh rigidized with a polymer synthesized from methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, and trimethylol propane triacrylate. The results of this study are intended to enable future orthopedic applications where the ability to adjust the glass transition and the recoverable force in toughened, fiber-reinforced shape memory polymers is required. (RDC 4/22/2011)