Importance

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Abstract

A fluid pressure actuated immobilizing structure finds particular utility as a reusable, temporary emergency cast. The structure includes a flexible, nonexpandable outer container, a flexible, non-porous inner container and a pressure-sensitive matrix material. The matrix material and the inner container are both housed within the outer container. The matrix material is adapted to permit relatively unhindered relative movement among the matrix elements under normal conditions; the matrix material locks into a substantially rigid mass when squeezed together to freeze the immobilizing structure into the shape existing immediately before pressurization. Since the outer container does not expand, pressurizing the structure causes the structure to turn rigid without squeezing the patient.

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First Claim