[Development and application of a new polyurethane plastics support bandage (author's transl)]

Experiences with a newly developed plastics support bandage on 1007 patients are reported. A polyurethane hard foam composition developed specially for medical purposes was used, which is created by blending the two components A (polyol) and B (isocyanate). The principle of our support bandage lies in the fact that after being mixed in a 1:1 ratio, the two highly viscous components are packed into a cotton stocking having a high transverse elasticity. After being rolled out to the desired thickness, the stocking is wrapped around the extremity which it is to support, where it hardens out into a polyurethane hard foam composition. By reason of the moisture content of the scoured cotton stocking, a 1 to 2 mm thick layer of foam forms in the contact region and renders any further padding unnecessary. Correspondingly, by using a double chamber stocking, circular bandages have been produced which can be removed, by means of incorporated zip and interengaging hook fasteners. Reclining shells, abduction bandages and body corsets can be made in the same way. The physical properties of the support bandage are illustrated: apart from its low weight, the bandage is particularly advantageous by reason of its high strength, insensitivity to water and ideal permeability to X-rays. The support bandages are easily made up and entail negligible cost.