Formula proposes a range of high quality unformulated base plasters and gypsums, for manufacturing medical “plaster of Paris” bandage plasters. Plaster bandages are a safe, economic, fast and easy to apply solution in this application, and may be produced in different forms and lengths according to the required application:
- setting limbs in an immobile position for fractures, sprains, strains
- total contact casts (footwear which reduces weight- bearing pressure in the treatment of chronic foot ulcers)
- castings for orthotic devices used to correct musculoskeletal deformities
- castings for orthopaedic devices
In these applications plaster bandages are used either as a moulding material to make a mould of a patient’s limb, or are applied and worn as a rigid support, as in the case of an arm fracture or total contact cast boot. Depending on the application, a splint, foam padding etc will also be incorporated into the cast.
Plaster bandages are fast wetting, allowing the bandage roll to be immersed in warm water for a few seconds without unrolling prior to application. The setting properties of plaster bandages allow enough time for the doctor to correctly position the limb, before proceeding to set and harden quickly. As plaster heats and hardens when mixed with water, it should be noted that in medical applications, formulators adjust plaster’s properties to obtain plasters which will attain gentle temperatures during setting to avoid any risk of skin sensitivity or burning. As with all plaster based products, final hardness will only be achieved after complete drying (24hours).
The requirements for plasters in this application include:
- Safe, non toxic, non-irritating for the skin (high purity, neutral pH, low heavy metal content).
- Gentle temperature during setting (to reduce risk of skin irritation or burns)
- Odour-free.
- Unformulated to ensure compatibility with any additives used by the formulator
- Fine, lump-free products to facilitate wetting and give a smooth, creamy texture to the bandage during application