Patent ID: 8100843

Claim:
A method of using a medical cast for a limb of a subject, the method comprising: providing a shape memory polymer in a permanent shape, the permanent shape corresponding to a general shape of the limb but having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the limb; converting the shape memory polymer from the permanent shape into a primary temporary shape, the primary temporary shape having a diameter that is larger than both a diameter of the permanent shape and a diameter of the limb; at least partially surrounding the limb with the shape memory polymer in the primary temporary shape; heating the shape memory polymer, thereby causing the primary temporary shape to i) attempt to revert to the permanent shape, and ii) conform to a secondary temporary shape having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the primary temporary shape and larger than that of the permanent shape, wherein the shape memory polymer in the secondary temporary shape conforms to the limb; removing the shape memory polymer from the limb by converting the shape memory polymer from the second temporary shape to the primary temporary shape; reusing the shape memory polymer for an other limb having a different shape than the limb; and readjusting the permanent shape of the shape memory polymer such that the adjusted permanent shape conforms to the shape of the other limb.