Patent ID: 6022331
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An ankle splint product including an ankle splint for being custom-formed to the shape of an ankle while flexible and upon hardening providing a rigid, supporting custom fit, said ankle splint product comprising:(a) an outer container formed of moisture-impervious material;(b) first and second flexible ankle splint segments positioned in the container in substantially moisture-free conditions and sealed therein against entry of moisture until use, each of the first and second ankle splint segments comprising:(i) an elongate substrate;(ii) a reactive system impregnated into or coated onto the substrate, the system remaining stable when maintained in substantially moisture-free conditions and hardening upon exposure to moisture to form a rigid, self-supporting structure;(iii) an elongate, flexible protective pad positioned on one side of the substrate along its length to provide a cushioning barrier between the substrate and the skin of a patient when the ankle splint is in use;(iv) an elongate outer cover covering the substrate on a side opposite the protective pad; and(v) said substrate, protective pad, and outer cover being connected together into a unitary structure for being molded while flexible to an aspect of the lower leg;(c) a flexible cushion insert having a first major surface overlying said protective pad and an opposing second major surface adapted for residing adjacent an ankle bone of the patient, said cushion insert cooperating with said protective pad to further protect and cushion the ankle of the patient when the ankle splint is in use.