The Best Types of Medical Foam Pads to Use for Positioning Aids

Medical grade foam pads are crucial to patients’ care and recovery. Discover the various types of foam padding and what the best solution is for you.

Foam padding plays a vital role in the medical industry for various purposes. Whether it’s providing cushioning or custom orthotics, multiple types of foam support specific medical requirements and patient needs. Between 2022 and 2032, the medical foam market is predicted to increase at a rate of 4% CAGR, with a market value reaching $38 billion.

But with so many different types of medical foam available, what is the ideal solution for your positioning aid needs?

What Is Medical Grade Foam? 

Also referred to as “medical foam”, medical-grade foam is used in the healthcare industry for various purposes.

Medical grade foam offers sterile qualities, tensile strength and durability with stain and fungal resistance. While most medical foams contain viscoelastic qualities, industry requirements demand they meet UL 94 safety standards.

It can be manufactured in any shape, size or thickness and be used for multiple applications in the healthcare industry, including:

• Gasketing and sealing medical devices
• Fluid management is long-term wound dressings
• Patient cushioning and positioning aids

As a medical foam manufacturer, there are specific considerations to include when developing products, such as performance, biocompatibility, sterilisation and potential contamination.

What Is Medical Grade Foam Made From?

Generally, medical foam material consists of two types of polyurethane:

Ester polyurethane
Advantages – Rigid and supportive with shock absorption qualities.
Disadvantages – Breaks down in wet conditions and is prone to failure with hydrolysis.

Ether Polyurethane
Advantages – A open cell structure makes it permeable for airflow and moisture while being more flexible and versatile for a wide range of products.
Disadvantages – Polymer chains disintegrate under hot temperatures causing them to break down.

What Are Positioning Aids?   

The purpose of positioning aids is to support patients with extra cushioning for parts of the body that require recovery, healing or attention. Positioning aids are applied to support patients recovering from surgery, injury or chronic pain.

The main aim of a positioning aid is to keep patients in healthy positions and postures, while comforting them through their recovery or suffering.

8 Types of Medical Foam Pads as Positioning Aids

1. Leg Hip Support
A leg hip support device allows a patient’s leg to be raised and supported at a 45-degree angle. This medical foam solution provides doctors, nurses and professional healthcare workers with unrestricted access from the hip down.

The foam elevated on top of the device can be easily removed for cleaning. The base of the structure is made from radiolucent plastic and is designed to remain stable when under pressure. It will often include a handle for ease of positioning and movement.

2. Finger Block
The job of a medical foam finger block is to support a patient’s hand, wrist and fingers during examinations. It’s ideal for individual finger analysis and can be produced in customised sizes with non-coated, non-porous, and high friction properties. Specific finger blocks can also accommodate both left and right hands.

3. Transvaginal Ultrasound Pad
A transvaginal ultrasound pad is designed for ultrasound imaging (sonogram) and works as an effective positioning aid when using a non-tilting couch during ultrasound scanning. Providing a heat-treated surface with a non-coated, non-porous and increased friction rating, the pads also offer cleanable features to counteract any spread of infection.

4. Lumbar Support Pack
The lumbar support pack medical foam solution is a versatile, non-slip and radiolucent option available to purchase in customisable wedge shapes. The overriding quality of a lumbar support pad is supporting the spine to remain in a natural, neutral and comfortable position.

Originally, lumbar support packs offered lumbar flexion support upon solid imaging tables. However, now lumbar support packs are utilised for a variety of applications in various clinics, theatres and radiology departments.

5. Foam Headrest
A medical foam headrest must prevent movement and stabilise the head as much as possible during procedures. It provides maximum comfort for the patient and enables healthcare professionals to assess the issue easily during any intubation and spontaneous respiration procedures.

6. Foam Cassette Block (Standing feet)
A foam cassette block is designed to support the patient’s feet during an examination. This medical foam “Cassette Block” is solid and flexible and has a specially treated surface containing high friction capabilities with non-porous and non-coated properties.

7. Lateral Knee

The lateral knee medical foam positioning aid supports exposures for both left and right knees while relieving any lateral pain above and below the knee. The foam offers a comfortable cushion and ensures the knee is well supported to alleviate any pain or unnecessary pressure.

8. Skull Block
A medical foam block aims to keep the patient’s head in position while reducing movement. Doctors, nurses, and medical professionals use the skull block for skull projections and facial examinations. The skull block is a comfortable medical foam solution with a high-density open-cell supportive network.

Speak to Specialist Medical foam pads provider

Medical foam manufacturers can offer bespoke foam solutions tailor-made to a patient’s specific size and medical issue. At Wolverson Xray, we supply numerous foam pads of varying design and purposes, with customisable features available.

Our foam positioning aids range between specific F1 dimensions up to F36. To learn about our positioning aid medical foam solutions, visit our website products page for more information. With over 85 years of experience as a leading independent supplier of innovative imagining equipment and associated healthcare products, you can trust us to deliver quality solutions for your facility.

If you have any questions, please get in touch. Keep up to date by connecting with us on LinkedIn.