look what we did!
Category: Innovation Bonds
Polyurethanes Breathe New Life into Wound Care Options
Healing people may not be the first thing that come to mind when you think of what polymers can do, but polyurethane-based films, adhesives and foams are useful for a variety of wound care treatments that help accelerate healing and prevent infection.
Adjustable Adhesives
Polyurethane raw materials have been successfully used internationally in wound dressings for more than 15 years, although utilization in the U.S. is just starting to expand. For example, Baymedix® A, a polyurethane-based adhesive from Bayer MaterialScience, has been used in a wide range of wound care and skin contact applications. In addition to being tolerant of common sterilization technologies, it is highly breathable, can be removed gently from the skin and can be adapted to different levels of adhesive strength for a wide range of wound care and skin contact applications.
Conformable Foam Coverings
Bayer’s Baymedix FP reactive foam technology depends on these same desirable characteristics of polyurethanes to create smooth, conformable foams that enable wound care dressings to act as a second skin during the healing process. The highly breathable, non-yellowing foams also feature above-average absorption rates and fluid retention capabilities, allowing them to meet moisture management requirements for advanced wound dressings. Strong chemical stability enables the foams to stand up well to disinfectants commonly used in medical settings.
Flexible Films
Thermoplastic polyurethane films (under the brand names Dureflex® and Platilon ®) can be tailor made into soft, protective coverings. In addition to being highly flexible for added comfort, these films are able to control water vapor transmission and maintain a matte surface, for unobtrusive wound coverage. The films are also used to make medical bladders and surgical drapes, which adhere well but peel off easily, and conform to various body shapes.
Bayfol® UX502 multilayer medical packaging film is also used to protect sensitive medical devices, like orthopedic implants. Its high abrasion resistance helps address material wear issues associated with standard medical packaging.
From a wide range of wound care options to flexible surgical drapes, the medical solutions made possible by polyurethanes are just what the doctor ordered.
Related Articles
As you travel in a car, bus, or train you might not give much thought to the windows and windshields…Read more
The Annual Polyurethane Innovation Award Each year, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry presents the Polyurethane Innovation Award. This honor…Read more
Name: Norman Su Age: 33 Title: New Business Development Manager Company: Huntsman Educational Background: B.S. Chemical Engineering, Business Minor, Cornell…Read more
Homeowners today are looking to maximize every square inch of their living space. As we find ourselves not just eating…Read more
As readers of this blog know, 3D printing has helped revolutionize the design and manufacturing of everything from housing to…Read more
Planning an outdoor adventure? Here are 10 items to be sure to bring for maximum comfort and fun, all thanks…Read more
Have you ever thought about what makes the seats, armrests, or headrests in your car so comfortable? What is keeping…Read more
3D printing with polyurethane is showing up in one of the most unlikely of places — baseball gloves. Baseball gloves…Read more
Fresh air, delicious food, good times — there’s a lot to love about picnic season. Thanks to polyurethane, you can…Read more
Name: Brandon Parks Age: 34 Title: Senior Scientist Company: Covestro Educational Background: BS Chemistry – Lebanon Valley College BS Biochemistry…Read more
Wheat is one of the most widely grown crops on the planet, and it’s no wonder why. Wheat is a…Read more
Replacing an existing roof can be expensive and time consuming, especially when the goal is to cover tens of thousands…Read more
Name: Stephen MartinAge: 33Title: Technical ManagerCompany: BASF CorporationEducational Background: B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan Like many young…Read more
With fall in full swing, football season is here. As your favorite teams take to the field this autumn, you…Read more
You likely know that cornhole is a favorite pastime at backyard barbecues and tailgates. But, you might be surprised to…Read more
You’ve heard of renewable energy sources like the wind and the sun, but what about a stretchy battery powered by…Read more
When it comes to spending a leisurely summer day out on the water, polyurethane plays many important roles. For example,…Read more
From the cars we drive to the mattresses we sleep on, polyurethane touches upon multiple aspects of day-to-day living —…Read more
As a young man growing up in Mexico, Jorge Vazquez says he was always curious about the world around him…Read more
This summer, we will come together in celebration and competition to crown top athletes from around the world. As these…Read more