A protective and/or splint device, for example a distal radial splint
device (200), comprises a protective and/or splint member (201) and a
spacer member (13). The protective and/or splint member (201) comprises a
composite protective and/or splint material and is formable at a forming
temperature and is substantially rigid at ambient temperature. The
material comprises a polycaprolactone and a ligno-cellulose additive
material. The protective and/or splint member (201) comprises a mesh of
elements (202), with a plurality of openings (203) through the protective
and/or splint member (201). Away from the periphery of the splint member
(201), the openings (203) are diamond-shaped. Two border elements (204)
extend along the two sides of the periphery of the splint member (201).
The three point bending strength to openness ratio of the member is
greater than 0.1 and the unidirectional bending strength to openness
ratio of the member is greater than 4. This results in a device (200)
with sufficient strength, which is breathable with open surfaces, and the
volume of material used is optimized. The strength of the member (201)
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the arm is greater than the
strength parallel too the circumferential direction. At the forming
temperature the member (201) is stretchable. The member (201) is rounded
between the outer surface of the member (201) and the edges around the
openings (203).