Turtlebrace
Baby
An “apply and forget” type brace made of stratification of
multi-perforated low-temperature thermoplastic and a
microfiber fabric.
The great flexibility of the components stabilizes the joint more
easily and with more precision than a traditional brace or
cast.
It can be reshaped many times, without losing its qualities; allowing adjustment
according to the loss of swelling or morphological changes
CHARACTERISTICS
Molding instruction
- Direct molding on the limb
- Antibacterial fabric
- Radiotransparent
- Submersible and auto-draining
- Remoldable without limits nor degradation
- 3.2 mm thickness that permits normal dressing
- Compostable eco-friendly plastic
Heat the brace (dry heat or hot water), between 67 °C and 108 °C (152 °F and
225 °F) until it becomes soft and elastic. The plastic must fill doughy when pinched
between two fingers.
Dry heat method
Put the brace in either the Turtlebrace heating bag, a regular or convection
oven. If you use a regular or convection oven, pre-heat them to 102 °C (215 °F)
before heating the brace.
Hot water method
Place the brace in a hydrocollator or a hot-water heating pan, between 67°C
and 100°C (152°F and 212°F). If you use a hot water pan, make sure that the
brace doesn’t touch the bottom because the bottom temperature can exceed
108 °C (225 °F).
PDF for the methods of heating
Dry heat method
Hot water method
Once the brace has become soft and elastic, you can drape the brace on the
body. Make sure that the temperature of the brace is not too hot for comfort or at
risk of burning your patient. Small padding, about 3 mm (1/8”), can be placed at the
bony apex and removed after the molding.
Overstretch the forefoot before attaching the zipper. This will reduce the tension at
that point. The brace should by itself close down on the patient. Zip to midfoot.
At the ankle and hindfoot, stretch the plastic starting from the bottom of the heel
pulling material all the way to the hindfoot. Next, pull up the zipper all the way to the
end. Make sure that you’ve pulled enough material to reduce the tension on the
zipper.
Place your patient in the desired position and wait for the brace to harden. To avoid
the rippling of the zipper, keep a tension on the top end of the zipper, or on both
ends.
RECOMMENDATIONS / PRECAUTIONS
- Molding should be done only by a health professional, or somebody trained in bracing, casting, or similar medical devices.
- This is a single patient use, it cannot be transferred, even if it had been washed thoroughly.
- Do not use a heat gun as it may burn the brace.
- Do not drape the brace if it is too hot to avoid skin burns or discomfort.
- Do not permit full weight bearing or walking with the brace before 15 to 20 minutes.
- It is highly recommended to always wear a shoe, sandal, or foot cover when the wearer has to walk with the brace because the brace can be very slippery on certain surfaces.
- It is recommended to check the blood circulation often. If the brace becomes too tight, advise the client to unzip (or remove if possible) the brace and call his health professional.
- It is recommended to check the skin often. If the show signs of maceration, irritation (redness), rashes, or other skin problem, advise the client to remove the brace (if possible) and immediately call his health professional.
- Do not heat the brace over 108 °C (225 °F), because the fabric or/and the zipper could burn or melt.
- Any serious incident that has occurred in relation to the device should be reported to the manufacturer and the competent authority of the Member State in which the user and/or patient is established.
