Abstract: A casting tape comprising a fabric substrate with pigment bound thereto is provided. The preferred fabric substrate comprises inorganic material such as fiberglass. The preferred pigments are selected such that they will not interfere with shelf stability of the orthopedic casting tape. The preferred pigments are those selected from the group consisting of Colour Index Pigments Blue 15.3; Red 202; Green 7; Red 166; Red 178; Yellow 109; Violet 23; Red 242; Red 122; Red 124; Black 7; White 6; Violet 19; Violet 42; and, mixtures thereof. Methods for preparing preferred orthopedic casting tapes are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-layer moisture management elastic fabric including a moisture transport fabric layer constructed of hydrophobic yarns and defining a first fabric face for residing in skin contact during garment wear and for wicking moisture away from the skin. A moisture dispersal fabric layer is constructed of hydrophilic yarns and defines a second fabric face for residing in spaced-apart relation from the skin during garment wear and for receiving moisture from the hydrophobic moisture transport layer. Elastic yarns are integrated with the yarns of the moisture transport fabric layer and the yarns of the moisture dispersal fabric layer to form a single, integrated fabric which is highly elastic. The fabric is useful as waistband material and as athletic headbands, wristbands and as medical bandages and braces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel orthopedic casting materials having superior layer to layer lamination, and methods for preparing the same. The orthopedic casting materials comprise a resin-coated scrim having a plurality of projections along at least one surface thereof. Preferably, each projection comprises a bundle of at least about 8 filaments, and the scrim has from about 75 to about 1500 projections per gram of scrim. The projections serve to mechanically interact with adjacent layers of the material, thereby significantly enhancing the lamination properties of the resultant material and resisting delamination once the material has cured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotator cuff reinforcement device for surgical implantation to a shoulder of a person, including a strip having a rear heel for fixation to at least one of a trochiter and a tendinous mass of a rotator cuff, the strip having a linear extension or divergent legs from the heel defining opposite end(s) for fixation to respective tendon(s) of such a rotator cuff.

Abstract: A self-adhesive bandage is provided. The bandage comprises a substrate having a first side and a second side and a plurality of layers including a backing layer which forms the first side of the substrate, and an adhesive layer which forms the second side of the substrate. A hydrogel layer is disposed over the second side of the substrate and is made from a polyurethane hydrogel material especially suitable for absorbing bodily fluids, such as wound exudate. Additionally, a plurality of support layers may be interposed between the substrate and the hydrogel layer to provide the bandage with additional support.

Abstract: A method of applying an orthopedic cast to an injured body portion consisting of braiding a tubular cast, in situ, around the injured body portion. A somewhat modified conventional braiding machine is operative for applying the tubular braid of fibrous casting yarns around the injured body portion, to form a braided cast which conforms to the shape of the injured body portion. The braided cast is then coated with a matrix material, which provides the necessary rigidity to the cast, yet allows the cast to breathe.

Abstract: The invention provides improved orthopedic cast bandages and improved orthopedic casts which include one or more colors. The orthopedic cast bandages of the invention comprise an open mesh fabric tape and a hardenable liquid resin coated onto the fibrous tape. At least one coloring agent is visibly disposed on at least a portion of the fibrous tape. The coloring agent is stably retained by the fibrous tape in the presence of the hardenable liquid resin. Because the coloring agent is stably retained by the fibrous tape, the invention provides for colored orthopedic casting tapes which do not require the use of colored liquid resins. In addition, multiple colored, patterned orthopedic casts, not heretofore available, are provided by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in puncture-resistant and medicinal treatment garments. Garments made from fibers such as KEVLAR.RTM. and designed to deter penetration of objects are subjected to an additional brushing step to enhance the fibers' abilities to prevent penetration of sharp needle-like penetrating objects. The fibers may also be coated with an abrasive material to further engage and deflect penetrating objects. In another aspect of the invention, the fibers may be coated with a disinfectant or pharmaceutical agent. The coated fibers, having the improved fiber structure resulting from the brushing step, may be used in fabrics to treat skin conditions, disinfect penetrating objects in puncture-resistant materials, or as a disinfecting prevention fabric for use in textiles in high risk infection areas such as hospitals and public facilities.