The healthcare industry and foam manufacturing are more closely interconnected than many people think. From medical product manufacturing to shipping, different types of foams have their uses in a variety of healthcare applications. But no single foam can cover all applications in the healthcare industry. What works for foam mattresses and pillows is not necessarily ideal for custom orthotics or medical equipment shipping packaging.
There are thousands of types of foam materials and properties, from density to porosity, durability and compressibility. We can help you choose the right medical-grade foam for any application, including
Mattresses and pillows
Cushioning
Customization Orthotics
Filtration and fluid management
Packaging and shipping
Below are some of the main options for medical foam applications.
Medical PE Foam
The primary choice for medical cushioning foam is open-cell polyurethane. Known for their ability to compress and stretch, open-cell foams are widely used for the comfort and support they provide. They have high tensile strength, which makes them durable when stretched and under pressure, but they are also viscoelastic, which means the material easily returns to its normal shape after the compressive forces are removed. They also meet UL 94 flame-retardant safety standards and can be easily made in any shape, size and thickness.
There are two main types of polyurethane foams: ester polyurethanes and ether polyurethanes. Ester polyurethanes are more rigid and supportive and have better vibration damping , but are easily hydrolyzed and will break down when exposed to water. Ether polyurethane allows for more airflow and moisture permeability. It is more flexible and can be used in a wide range of products.
The second most popular choice for medical cushioning is polyethylene foam, which is a resilient closed-cell foam with excellent shock absorption and resistance to bacteria and mold. In some cases, many types of medical cushioning will use both closed-cell and open-cell polyethylene, laminating them together to achieve the proper comfort and feel of the product.
Polyurethane Foam Tray
These types of foams can be used for everything from mattresses to medical cushions, pillows, wheelchair cushions, orthopedic bed railing cushions and fall injury prevention cushions.
Reticulated foams, or foams with increased porosity, are commonly used in medical products and applications. Because of their many properties, including filtration and fluid management, these types of foams can be used in many medical devices. Learn more about reticulated foams here (link to reticulated foam blog post).
Foam positioners can also be coated with vinyl spray products. This will extend the life of the product and allow for cleaning and sanitation between uses.
Needle Collector Foam
Foams for medical device and pharmaceutical transport need to have some outstanding properties.
Insulation
Non-abrasive
Chemical resistant
Non-exhausting
These types of foams allow sensitive products to be transported without damage. They also excel at temperature control, a necessity for transporting certain types of pharmaceuticals.
Some major types of foam used for these applications include beaded polyethylene foam, crosslinked polyethylene foam, and expanded polystyrene foam.
We can help you with all your healthcare foam needs. For help choosing a foam type or custom manufacturing, contact MUNKCARE today.
