Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water-hardenable orthopedic splinting bandage. The substrate comprises inelastic fibers being incorporated in the substrate in the lengthwise direction. In a preferred substrate, the low modulus fiber is a multifilament polypropylene and the elastic fiber is a polyurethane yarn. Comformable orthopedic bandages employing the substrate are also described.

Abstract: An eight ply surgical wrap used for wrapping over and around a bandage to secure it in place, after it has been applied to a patients limb. The surgical wrap is formed from a single ply gauze fabric which is first bleached and washed, then folded into a four ply and then the fabric is overfed into a hot bath which agitates the fabric to make the yarns absorbent, fluffy, and elastic. The fabric is then passed through embossing rolls. The hot bath and the embossing roll causes the yarns to distort into an oblique and serpentine arrangement. The four ply fabric is then folded in a series of folds to create an eight ply fabric, that is highly absorbent, and because of the manner in which the fabric is folded, the surgical wrap is free of exposed selvege edges eliminating any chance of the selvege edges forming or causing a binding effect in the wrap.

Abstract: A composite stretch fabric is disclosed that is comprised of a laminate of three layers, the center layer being comprised of a web of a nonwoven polyurethane resin with a basis weight in the range of 50-250 g/m.sup.2 and an air permeability of at least 10 cc/sec/cm.sup.2 with stretchable fabric layers adhered to each side thereof, one of which can be a nylon pile and the other of which is a double knit fabric that can be of porous, hollow fiber for sweat absorption, the composite can also be embossed.

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: A method of making a breathable elastic web fabric comprises the steps of forming rows of chain stitches using a set of chain threads to define a plurality of lengthwise wales and widthwise courses, moving the front and back weft threads from side to side on each course in a pre-determined pattern as each course is formed to tie the wales and chain stitches together and to provide a plurality of staggered ventilation holes, and laying-in one elastomeric thread in each of the wales. The elastomeric thread is sandwiched between the front weft threads and the back weft threads, and enclosed in the underlap of each chain stitch. Preferably, the holes are formed in sets, the holes in each set being separated by at least one locking stitch to provide widthwise stability. In a pattern repeat of twelve courses and twenty four wales, the pattern for each weft bar is 1, 9, 1, 10, 1, 9, 5, 13, 4, 13, 5, 13. The holes comprise approximately 12 to 25 per cent of the extended surface area of the fabric.

Abstract: A nonwoven elastomeric web is provided. The web comprises thermoplastic elastomeric melt-blown small diameter fibers having a diameter of less than about 50 microns, the small diameter fibers being randomly arrayed and bonded at points of contact such that the tensile strength of the web in the direction of web formation is no greater than about 2.5 times the tensile strength of the web in a direction perpendicular to the direction of web formation and the web recovers at least about 85% in the machine direction after being stretched 50%. The web is particularly useful as wound dressing or bandaging materials.

Abstract: The compression bandage with calibration means has visual marks (1) arranged according to a variable and gradually increasing distance (X), (X+1), (X+2), . . . (X+n) in order to correspond to a decreasing pressure applied as and when the bandage is wrapped.

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: A lightweight, porous knitted elastic bandage produced from a warp of false-twist synthetic yarns with a filling inlay of cotton yarn arranged in varying patterns across the warp yarns, wherein the filling cotton yarn is slack mercerized whereby to provide increased ply adhesion over that of the regular cotton yarn.

Abstract: An apparatus for the repair of hernias comprising a plug positionable in an opening in the abdominal wall; a patch positionable over weakened portions of the abdominal part adjacent to the opening, a central extent of the patch being coupled to the proximal end of the plug; and a resilient means coupled to the patch and provided with memory to assume a configuration of an extended shape for the proper positioning of the patch with respect to the weakened portions of the abdominal part.

Abstract: An equine limb bandage comprises a length of at least partially elastic flexible sheet material having at least one zone of loops adapted to engage at least one zone of small plastic hooks. At least one zone of said hooks disposed thereon such that the bandage can be elastically stretched and wrapped around a limb with the loop zones at least partially overlying, and thus engaging, the hook zones to prevent loosening of the bandage. The hook and loop zones are disposed such that, in use, successive wraps of the bandage results in successive overlapping of hooks and loops so that each wrap is secured under tension to an immediately adjacent underlying wrap.