Medical Foam
Foam made for medical applications must be non-toxic, airtight and disposable. It is used in hospitals, doctor offices, at-home care and nursing homes as many different products that dramatically range in properties. Medical bedding supplies like pillows, supports, wedges, bed toppers and the mattresses themselves are made out of foam. Foam for bandages, surgical scrubbers and patches must be super absorbent and non-irritating. Other products that come into contact with human skin include x-ray positioning pads, EKG pads, orthotics, braces, swabs and tape are made of polyolefin transdermal foam. Medical foam like positioning devices, protective packaging for medical and surgical instruments, wheelchair pads and surgical drapes are made of polyurethane foam.
Some medical foam is closed cell, meaning it is non-permeable to gases and air. It won't absorb liquids and is considered more dense. Other foams that require absorbency like bandages and swabs, are open cell and have pores that are connected to each other to form a network of air pockets. They are less dense and softer than closed cell. Medical foam is made through thermosetting and is either manufactured into large squares and then die cut to specific sizes, or heated and shaped in a molding process to maintain odd or complex shapes. Rigid foam is rarely used because of its abrasive properties. Because foam can alter its shape, size, softness, firmness and density so easily, many medical applications use it as a material for countless products and instruments.