Turtlebrace
Thumb add-on
An auto-fusing thumb extension that can be applied on the popular Turtlebrace wrist.
The unique design and great flexibility of the components stabilize the thumb 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 morphological changes or a specific protocol.
CHARACTERISTICS
Molding instruction
- Universal size
- Direct molding on the thumb
- Auto sticking and permanent fusion to the wrist brace
- Can be cut to fit your needs
- Antibacterial fabric
- Radiotransparent
- Submersible and auto-draining
- Remoldable without limits or degradation
- 3.2 mm thickness
- Compostable eco-friendly plastic
Remove the strip.
Make sure that your patient is wearing his previously moulded dry wrist brace.
Heat the add-on (dry heat), 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 add-on 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.
Do not use water or water vapor to heat the add-on. Moisture will affect the fusion to
the brace.
PDF for the methods of heating
Dry heat method
Once the add-on has become soft and elastic, you can drape the add-on over the
fingers. Make sure that the temperature of the add-on is not too hot for comfort or at
risk of burning your patient. The bare plastic can feel hotter than the rest, be careful
not to burn your client.
Wrap the add-on around the thumb.
- Fold the add-on in two with the bare plastic facing outward.
- Starting at the web of the thumb. Press the bare plastic on the dry brace, to fuse
the add-on to the brace.
- Stretch to add-on to cover the thumb, finishing at the dorsal part of the thumb.
Cut the excess material, maintain the two borders together with the Velcro strip, and
place the thumb in the proper position.
When your client’s thumb is in the desired position, wait for the add-on to harden.
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.
- The bare plastic becomes sticky when ready. Be careful not to stick it to surrounding elements or itself.
- Moisture will affect the fusion efficiency. Make sure the surfaces, that are going to be fused together, are dry and clean.
- Do not use a heat gun as it may burn the brace.
- Do not drape the ad-on if it is too hot to avoid skin burns or discomfort.
- It is recommended to check the blood circulation often. If the brace becomes too tight, advise the client to loosen (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 add-on over 108 °C (225 °F), because the fabric 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.
