Abstract: The present invention relates to a template for a positioning, fixation, mobilization or immobilization device, wherein the template comprises a sheet of a thermoplastic material, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises between 3.0 and 95.0 wt. % of a poly-?-caprolactone polymer, preferably a poly-?-caprolactone homopolymer, and at least 5.0 wt. % of at least one second polymer material with a melting temperature of between 40 and 85° C., wherein the at least one second polymer material is selected from the group of one or more of a polyalkenamer or a thermoplastic linear polyurethane which contains as a polyol a poly ?-caprolactone or a polyester polyol, wherein the poly-?-caprolactone polymer and the second thermoplastic material are cross-linked.

Abstract: A joint assembly releasably connecting an extension panel to a patient support panel mounted on a pedestal includes a first body member configured to be coupled to the extension panel and a second body member configured to be coupled to the patient support panel. The first body member has a cavity member extending in an engagement direction and an attachment member. The second body member includes a tab member and a latch. The first body member is engageable with the second body member by moving the cavity member with respect to the tab member and by latching the attachment member with the latch. The cavity member is moveable translatable over the tab member in the engagement direction up to a locking position where the latch latches on the attachment member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a template for a positioning, fixation, mobilization or immobilization device, wherein the template comprises a sheet of a thermoplastic material, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises between 3.0 and 95.0 wt. % of a poly-?-caprolactone polymer, preferably a poly-?-caprolactone homopolymer, and at least 5.0 wt. % of at least one second polymer material with a melting temperature of between 40 and 85° C., wherein the at least one second polymer material is selected from the group of one or more of a polyalkenamer or a thermoplastic linear polyurethane which contains as a polyol a poly ?-caprolactone or a polyester polyol, wherein the poly-?-caprolactone polymer and the second thermoplastic material are cross-linked.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing an individualized immobilization element for the non-invasive immobilization and/or mobilization of at least a segment of a body part of a patient in a predetermined position relative to a reference and/or in a pre-certain configuration. The method comprises the steps of (i) providing a data set that comprises a three-dimensional image of an outer contour of at least a part of the segment of the body part to be immobilized and/or mobilized and (ii) the manufacture of at least a part of the immobilization element by rapid manufacturing of a shape on the basis of said data set using a polymeric material containing a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point less than or equal to 100° C., wherein the polymer material contains a nucleating agent for enhancing the of the crystallization of the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A method for producing an immobilisation element for immobilising a body part of a patient on a supporting surface, wherein the immobilisation element includes a sheet of thermoplastic material for receiving the body part to be immobilised, and at least one profile for fixing the immobilisation element to the supporting surface, wherein the profile includes a first fixing means for fixing the profile to the sheet, wherein the fixing means includes a groove that receives the sheet so that the first and the second contact surfaces lie along the sheet, and wherein at least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface is provided with at least one protrusion that penetrates the sheet in order to anchor the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a polymer sheet for use as an immobilization element, wherein the sheet is at least partly made of a polymer material comprising a polymer from the group of polycaprolactone, a copolymer of polyethylene with at least one ?-olefin having 3-10 C atoms, or a mixture of two or more of the aforementioned polymers, a photo-initiator, and a photo-cross-linker, wherein the polymer sheet has a thickness of 1.0 to 5 mm and wherein the polymer sheet is at least partially cured by exposing to UV radiation for the at least partially cross-linking of the polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid fabric comprising at least one structural fiber having a first melting temperature range and at least one thermo-formable fiber of having a second melting temperature range which is lower than the first melting temperature range to such an extent that the structural fiber does not melt in the second melting temperature range of the thermo-formable fiber. The hybrid fabric comprises (1) a first network comprising the structural fibers, (2) a second network comprising the thermo-formable fibers, the thermo-formable fibers comprising non-relaxed fibers made of a thermoplastic material, and (3) a plurality of openings between the fibers of the first and second network. The structural and thermo-formable fibers of respectively the first and second network interpenetrate one another and are connected to each other over at least part of the first and second network at a plurality of knot positions in the fabric where the structural and thermo-formable fibers are interwoven.

Abstract: Use of a sheet-like composite material for the manufacture of an immobilization element, wherein the sheet-like composite material is made from a material comprising a thermoplastic polymer containing carbon nanotubes as a fibrous reinforcing material, obtainable by dispersing carbon nanotubes in a dispersing liquid in which the thermoplastic polymer does not dissolve, subjecting the dispersion to an ultrasonic treatment, adding of particles thermoplastic polymer to the dispersion and mixing of the thermoplastic polymer with the dispersion of carbon nanotubes, removing of the dispersing liquid, forming of the thermoplastic polymer impregnated with carbon nanotubes into a sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing an individualized immobilization element for the non-invasive immobilization and/or mobilization of at least a segment of a body part of a patient in a predetermined position relative to a reference and/or in a pre-certain configuration. The method comprises the steps of (i) providing a data set that comprises a three-dimensional image of an outer contour of at least a part of the segment of the body part to be immobilized and/or mobilized and (ii) the manufacture of at least a part of the immobilization element by rapid manufacturing of a shape on the basis of said data set using a polymeric material containing a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point less than or equal to 100° C., wherein the polymer material contains a nucleating agent for enhancing the of the crystallization of the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immobilization device for immobilizing a body part, the immobilization device comprising a sheet of a thermoplastic material which has been shaped to conform to the body part to be immobilized. The thermoplastic material contains at least one nano filler material which is exfoliated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a polymer sheet for use as an immobilization element, wherein the sheet is at least partly made of a polymer material comprising a polymer from the group of polycaprolactone, a copolymer of polyethylene with at least one ?-olefin having 3-10 C atoms, or a mixture of two or more of the aforementioned polymers, a photo-initiator, and a photo-cross-linker, wherein the polymer sheet has a thickness of 1.0 to 5 mm and wherein the polymer sheet is at least partially cured by exposing to UV radiation for the at least partially cross-linking of the polymer.

Abstract: Use of a sheet-like composite material for the manufacture of an immobilization element, wherein the sheet-like composite material is made from a material comprising a thermoplastic polymer containing carbon nanotubes as a fibrous reinforcing material, obtainable by dispersing carbon nanotubes in a dispersing liquid in which the thermoplastic polymer does not dissolve, subjecting the dispersion to an ultrasonic treatment, adding of particles thermoplastic polymer to the dispersion and mixing of the thermoplastic polymer with the dispersion of carbon nanotubes, removing of the dispersing liquid, forming of the thermoplastic polymer impregnated with carbon nanotubes into a sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immobilization device for immobilizing a body part, the immobilization device comprising a sheet of a thermoplastic material which has been shaped to conform to the body part to be immobilized. The thermoplastic material contains at least one nano filler material which is exfoliated.

Abstract: A hybrid immobilisation device which is provided to cover at least a part of a patients' body that needs to be supported and/or immobilised, the immobilisation device being at least partly made of a plastic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent immobilization device which is able to be molded direct on a patient and which is provided to cover at least a part of a patients' body that needs to be fixed, supported and/or immobilized, which immobilization device is at least partly made of a plastic material. The immobilization device is at least partly made of a sheet of a material comprising at least one thermoplastic elastomer which is a copolymer of ethylene with at least one ?-olefin having 3-10 carbon atoms, or a blend of two or more of such copolymers. The present invention also relates to a method for producing such an immobilization device, according to which the plastic material is first heated to a temperature which is 15-20° C. above the melting temperature, then cooled to a temperature which may be supported by the body and molded on the body part of the patient that needs to be immobilized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-invasive patient immobilisation assembly for immobilising a body part of a patient and for at least temporarily fixing the position thereof. The immobilisation assembly comprises a rigid template (1) made of a thermoplastic material. The template is thermoformed or otherwise moulded in such a way that the inner surface conforms to and contacts the body part to be immobilised along a contact surface area between the template and the body part. The contact surface area corresponds to at least part of the inner surface of the template. The immobilisation assembly also comprises a fixation plate (3, 12, 13) and connecting means (10, 11, 14, 15, 16) for connecting the template (1) to the fixation plate (3, 12, 13) in view of fixing the position of the template and the body part with respect to the fixation plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid fabric comprising at least one structural fiber having a first melting temperature range and at least one thermo-formable fiber of having a second melting temperature range which is lower than the first melting temperature range to such an extent that the structural fiber does not melt in the second melting temperature range of the thermo-formable fiber. The hybrid fabric comprises (1) a first network comprising the structural fibers, (2) a second network comprising the thermo-formable fibers, the thermo-formable fibers comprising non-relaxed fibers made of a thermoplastic material, and (3) a plurality of openings between the fibers of the first and second network. The structural and thermo-formable fibers of respectively the first and second network interpenetrate one another and are connected to each other over at least part of the first and second network at a plurality of knot positions in the fabric where the structural and thermo-formable fibers are interwoven.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent immobilization device which is able to be moulded direct on a patient and which is provided to cover at least a part of a patients' body that needs to be fixed, supported and/or immobilized, which immobilization device is at least partly made of a plastic material. The immobilization device is at least partly made of a sheet of a material comprising at least one thermoplastic elastomer which is a copolymer of ethylene with at least one ?-olefin having 3-10 carbon atoms, or a blend of two or more of such copolymers. The present invention also relates to a method for producing such an immoblisation device, according to which the plastic material is first heated to a temperature which is 15-20° C. above the melting temperature, then cooled to a temperature which may be supported by the body and moulded on the body part of the patient that needs to be immobilized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-invasive patient immobilisation assembly for immobilising a body part of a patient, the immobilisation assembly comprising a rigid template (1) made of thermoplastic material, the template being thermoformed or otherwise moulded to conform to the body part to be immobilised, the immobilisation assembly also comprising a fixation plate (3, 12, 13) and connecting means (10, 11, 14, 15, 16) for connecting the template (1) to the fixation plate (3, 12, 13) in view of fixing the position of the template with respect to the fixation plate, the template being provided to at least partly cover the body part to be immobilised.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-invasive patient immobilisation assembly for immobilising a body part of a patient and for at least temporarily fixing the position thereof. The immobilisation assembly comprises a rigid template (1) made of a thermoplastic material. The template is thermoformed or otherwise moulded in such a way that the inner surface conforms to and contacts the body part to be immobilised along a contact surface area between the template and the body part. The contact surface area corresponds to at least part of the inner surface of the template. The immobilisation assembly also comprises a fixation plate (3, 12, 13) and connecting means (10, 11, 14, 15, 16) for connecting the template (1) to the fixation plate (3, 12, 13) in view of fixing the position of the template and the body part with respect to the fixation plate.