Method and apparatus for correcting auricular deformities

Abstract

An auricular support system can include a substrate and a mold material. The substrate can include a substrate body having a first end and an opposed second end. At least a portion of the first end can be configured to carry an adhesive suitable to attach to a dermal surface. The second end defines at least one void. The mold material can be configured to be applied to both an auricular structure and the second end of the substrate body such that the mold material becomes disposed in the void and molds about the auricular structure. The mold material can be configured to cure after the mold material is applied to the auricular structure and the substrate body so as to support the auricular structure relative to the substrate. The auricular support system can further include an auxiliary support structure configured to attach to the auricular structure, such that the mold material is further configured to be applied to the auxiliary support structure so as to support the at least one auxiliary support structure relative to the substrate, and thus the dermal surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for improving an auricular deformity, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching at least a portion of a first end of a substrate to a dermal surface, the substrate including a second end that defines at least one void;   applying a mold material to both an articular structure and at least a portion of the substrate such that at least a portion of the mold material is embedded in the void; and   after the applying step, allowing the mold material to cure so as to support the auricular structure relative to the substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the attaching step further comprises attaching at least a portion of a first surface of the first end of the substrate to the dermal surface, and the applying step further comprises applying the mold material to at least one finger of the substrate that extends from out a second surface of the first end that is opposite the first surface, so as to embed the at least one finger in the mold material. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of fingers that project from the second surface, and the applying step further comprises embedding the plurality of fingers in the mold material. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the attaching step further comprises attaching the first surface of a first region of the substrate to the dermal surface, such that a second region of the substrate projects out from the dermal surface at a non-zero angle with respect to the first region. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the attaching step further comprises orienting the second region substantially perpendicular to the first region. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of fingers extend out from the second surface at the first region, and the applying step further comprises coating at least a portion of the second surface with the mold material at the first region so as to embed the plurality of fingers in the mold material. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of fingers further project out from the second surface at the second region, and the applying step further comprises coating at least a portion of the second surface with the mold material at the second region so as to embed the plurality of fingers in the mold material. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the auricular structure is a first auricular structure, the method further comprising the step of attaching at least one auxiliary support structure to a second auricular structure, and the applying step further comprises applying the mold material to the auxiliary support structure so as to support the at least one auxiliary support structure relative to the substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one auxiliary structure comprises a splint including a splint body that defines a gap, and the method further comprises the step of receiving the second auricular structure in the gap. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the splint is a helical rim retractor and the second auricular structure includes a helical rim, and the receiving step further comprises receiving a helical rim in the gap. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one auxiliary support structure comprises a conchal cavity former and the second auricular structure includes a conchal cavity, and the method further comprises the step of inserting the conchal cavity former into a conchal cavity.