| CPC A61F 5/0111 (2013.01) [A61F 5/0109 (2013.01)] | 26 Claims |
|
1. A cast for a lower extremity to be treated, the cast comprising:
at least two layers of sheet-like material, wherein the layers have a predetermined, combined flexibility selected to have the layers manually transformable from a first, pre-application configuration before fitting on the lower extremity, to a second, post-application configuration after the fitting on the lower extremity;
wherein the first, pre-application configuration comprises a blank of the sheet-like material in a semi-rigid state extending transversely between opposite side edges by a first amount sufficient to substantially, circumferentially enclose the lower extremity by manually urging said edges toward each other, the sheet-like material extending longitudinally between upper and lower ends by a second amount sufficient to locate the leg and the foot of the lower extremity at the upper and lower ends, respectively, after fitting on the lower extremity
wherein the second, post-application configuration is formed in response to manual force applied to the blank to bring the side edges relatively toward each other to define a volume into which the lower extremity is received and to define an inner surface to substantially contact opposing portions of the lower extremity when received therein;
wherein the predetermined flexibility is selected to permit the inner surface of the cast to maintain the substantial contact with the lower extremity during walking on the lower extremity; and
wherein the predetermined flexibility is selected to limit at least one of plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, eversion, and inversion of the ankle of the lower extremity by at least 50% compared to a corresponding, non-casted movement of said ankle.
|