Silicone Foam Research Articles

Effect of Silicone Inlaid Materials on Reinforcing Compressive Strength of Weft-Knitted Spacer Fabric for Cushioning Applications.

Spacer fabrics are commonly used as cushioning materials. They can be reinforced by using a knitting method to inlay materials into the connective layer which reinforces the structure of the fabric. The compression properties of three samples that were fabricated by inlaying three different types of silicone-based elastic tubes and one sample without inlaid material have been investigated. The mechanical properties of the elastic tubes were evaluated and their relationship to the compression properties of the inlaid spacer fabrics was analysed. The compression behaviour of the spacer fabrics at an initial compressive strain of 10% is not affected by the presence of the inlaid tubes. The Young’s modulus of the inlaid tubes shows a correlation with fabric compression. Amongst the inlaid fabric samples, the spacer fabric inlaid with highly elastic silicone foam tubes can absorb more compression energy, while that inlaid with silicone tubes of higher tensile strength has higher compressive stiffness.

Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds Absorption and Desorption by Solid Silicone under Shock-Loading Conditions

AbstractVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) absorption and desorption capacity of silicone rubber (SR) and silicone foam (SF) was characterized under shock loading conditions to evaluate their potent...

Effect of Self-Adhesive Soft Silicone Foam Dressing Combined with Clustered Nursing Strategy on Prevent Pressure Injury in Patients after Pancreaticoduodenal Surgery

Background and purpose: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a kind of abdominal surgery with large trauma, complicated operation and high incidence of postoperative complications especially for elderly patients. Pressure injury is one of its common complications. This study explored the preventive effect of self-adhesive soft silicone foam dressing combined with clustered nursing strategy on patients with pressure injury after pancreaticoduodenal surgery. Methods: From November 2018 to November 2020,120 elderly patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group. The control group was treated with routine care, and the observation group was treated with self-adhesive soft silicone foam dressing combined with clustered care. The pressure injury risk score, pressure injury incidence rate, skin complication rate, psychological concern score, and sense of trust score, comfort score, physiological problem score and nursing satisfaction score were compared between the two groups. Results: Compared with the control group, the pressure injury risk score, pressure injury incidence rate, and skin complications incidence rate of the observation group were lower (P < 0.05), while the psychological concern score, trust score, comfort score, the scores of physiological problems and nursing satisfaction were higher (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Self-adhesive soft silicone foam dressing combined with clustered nursing strategy can reduce the risk score and incidence of pressure injury in elderly patients after pancreaticoduodenal surgery, reduce the occurrence of complications, and improve nursing comfort and satisfaction. It is worthy of promotion

Liquid Silicone Rubber Foams Made with Water as Blowing Agent

Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is primarily used in injection molding. Foamed molded parts made of LSR are almost nonexistent because the process reliability of LSR foam injection molding is currently not given. It makes sense to have suitable foaming processes for this material as well, because the density of this elastomer is about 1.15 g cm−3. With the injection molding process presented herein for foaming LSR, density reductions of up to 40% can be achieved. In this process, up to 3% by weight of water is added to the material. In addition, the hardness of the component changes, it becomes softer. Especially in the case of hardness, the process parameter mold temperature has a decisive influence, as it determines the pore size in the component. Herein, the structural properties of the silicone foam are now discussed as a function of the process parameters and additives for foaming. Thus, with the new process, material can be saved, the haptic properties of components can be changed, and a stable processing method for foamed components made of LSR is found.

Use of multilayer silicone foam dressings as adjuvant therapy to prevent pressure injuries.

Despite progress in the prevention of pressure injuries (PIs), they remain a challenging public health problem because of their frequency and morbidity. Protection of the skin by multilayer silicone foam dressings may be an adjuvant measure to prevent PIs in high-risk patients. Despite the available clinical data and published recommendations on this measure, caregivers face difficulties in identifying patients who would benefit from this adjuvant measure. The objective of this work was to define the profiles of high-risk patients who would benefit optimally from this measure in combination with basic preventive procedures. This consensual expert opinion was drawn up using two methods: the Nominal Group Technique with eight medical and paramedical experts, and the Delphi process with 16 experts. The bases for this expert consensual opinion were a formal search and analysis of the published literature regarding evidence on the prevention of PIs using multilayer silicone foam dressings. The consensual expert opinion reported here addresses five proposals mostly intended to define patients who would benefit from the use of a multilayer silicone foam dressing (≥4 layers) to prevent PIs (sacrum and heels).

118. Reduction of facial pressure injuries after prone positioning in spine surgery: a multidisciplinary approach

<h3>BACKGROUND CONTEXT</h3> Spine surgery requiring prone positioning subjects the skin to friction, shear, moisture, and pressure. These factors increase the risk of facial pressure injuries. Prone positioning for thoracolumbar spine surgery allows the surgeon access to the dorsal spine and is the most common positioning method. Facial pressure injury must be carefully considered during prone positioning with pressure sore rates reported between 5%-66%. These injuries may result in longer hospital stays, patient morbidity and increased health care costs. Literature addressing facial pressure injury prevention strategies during prone spinal surgery is limited. <h3>PURPOSE</h3> The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a multidisciplinary-derived pressure ulcer prevention bundle intended to prevent facial pressure injuries during prone spinal surgery. <h3>STUDY DESIGN/SETTING</h3> Review of pre- and postintervention consecutive cases. <h3>PATIENT SAMPLE</h3> Patients undergoing prone spinal surgery between November 2018 and August 2020. <h3>OUTCOME MEASURES</h3> Total case volume, pre- and postintervention monthly case volumes, total and monthly facial pressure ulcer rates. <h3>Methods</h3> A multidisciplinary group at a quaternary academic medical center developed a plan to address facial pressure injuries. The group reviewed institutional baseline facial pressure injury data and a literature review was conducted for previously studied prevention techniques. A pressure injury prevention bundle was developed including the following elements: (1) prophylactic placement of silicone foam dressings on the chin and forehead, (2) use of a contoured foam head positioner, and (3) application of a skin barrier wipe prior to securing the endotracheal tube with tape. A preoperative baseline skin assessment was performed. Postoperative pressure injury staging was assessed on our inpatient unit postoperatively. Monthly ulcer rates were calculated by dividing the number of pressure injuries by the monthly case volume. Differences in monthly ulcer rates were evaluated between intervention groups. A cross-tabulation of intervention group versus presence/absence of an ulcer was performed and an odds ratio of ulcer occurrence was calculated. <h3>Results</h3> Intervention compliance was greater than 90% within 1 week of bundle implementation. There were 22 total months of data reviewed with 2,331 total prone spinal procedures. Mean cases per month for the entire period was 106.0±23 (range 20-127). There were no significant differences in mean cases per month between intervention groups (P>0.05). There were 17 total facial ulcers encountered across all 2,331 cases (0.73%). There were 15/992 (1.50%) total ulcers in the preintervention group and only 2/1339 (0.15%) ulcers in the postintervention group. Monthly ulcer rates were calculated and displayed a non-normal distribution. The median monthly ulcer rate was significantly lower in the postintervention vs the preintervention group (0.000% vs 0.820%, P=0.021). Cross-tabulation of the intervention group vs presence/absence of an ulcer revealed a 10.1x higher odds of sustaining an ulcer in the preintervention group (odds ratio 10.1; 95% confidence interval 2.3-44.2). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Utilizing a standardized pressure injury prevention bundle during prone spinal surgery reduces the occurrence of facial pressure injuries. <h3>FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS</h3> This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Self-healing High-performance dielectric elastomer actuator with novel Liquid-solid interpenetrating structure

A self-healing dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) composed with sandwich structure using silicone rubber as an encapsulating thin shell layer and a piece of open-cell silicone foam filled with hydroxyl silicone oil as an interpenetrating core layer was designed and developed. The novel DEA showed an improved actuated out-of-plane displacement of 10.2 mm and an area strain of 52 % at an electric field of 22.7 kV mm−1 without pre-stretching, which was over 6 times higher than that of raw silicone rubber. Moreover, the DEA provided a blocking force of 499.1 Pa when displaced out-of-plane by 3.0 mm and was used to grasp a balloon. In addition, such actuator presented excellent self-healing ability after an electrical breakdown, which is crucial for improving reliability and lifetime of the DEA device. Therefore, the above DEA provides new understanding of the concept of high-performance actuators for promising applications in artificial muscles and soft robots.

Electroplating and Ablative Laser Structuring of Elastomer Composites for Stretchable Multi-Layer and Multi-Material Electronic and Sensor Systems.

In this work we present the concept of electroplated conductive elastomers and ablative multi-layer and multi-material laser-assisted manufacturing to enable a largely automated, computer-aided manufacturing process of stretchable electronics and sensors. Therefore, the layers (conductive and non-conductive elastomers as well as metal layers for contacting) are first coated over the entire surface (doctor blade coating and electroplating) and then selectively removed with a CO2 or a fiber laser. These steps are repeated several times to achieve a multi-layer-structured design. Is it not only possible to adjust and improve the work previously carried out manually, but also completely new concepts such as fine through-plating between the layers to enable much more compact structures become possible. In addition, metallized areas allow the direct soldering of electronic components and thus a direct connection between conventional and stretchable electronics. As an exemplary application, we have used the process for manufacturing a thin and surface solderable pressure sensor with a silicone foam dielectric and a stretchable circuit board.

Silicone Polymers—Celebrating 80 Years of the Direct Process

Silicone Polymers—Celebrating 80 Years of the Direct Process

A soft silicone foam dressing that aids healing and comfort in oncology care.

Maintaining skin integrity plays a key role in the ongoing care and comfort of patients at the end of life. Unfortunately, patients receiving cancer treatments are at higher risk of altered skin integrity. Cancer treatments involve multiple modalities, all of which impair wound healing. Excess exudate can be distressing to patients, resulting in catastrophic damage to the wound bed and surrounding skin, reducing quality of life and increasing the need for specialist services. This article describes the use of the Kliniderm foam silicone range of dressings, in combination with best practice, in the treatment of wounds in the oncology setting. The case study evidence presented indicates that this range of dressings is useful in the management of radiotherapy and oncology wounds. It had a positive effect on the exudate level, wound-association pain and the peri-wound skin in these patients, aiding the management of the wound bed.

Preventing and managing device-related pressure ulcers in oncology.

There is growing evidence that medical device-related pressure ulcers (MDRPUs) are an increasing healthcare concern in all aspects of care. It is especially important to develop an individualised care plan for people at the end of life to prevent pressure ulceration and to treat this if it occurs. Tissue viability nurses have a responsibility to review and assess new prophylactic devices and dressings, to ensure a high standard of care is provided. This article describes the use of a soft silicone dressing, Kliniderm foam silicone lite, in combination with best practice, to prevent MDRPUs in the oncology setting. Three case studies show that the dressing helped avoid the occurrence of ulceration on the ears and nose in patients receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula.

Improved Mechanical and Sound Absorption Properties of Open Cell Silicone Rubber Foam with NaCl as the Pore-Forming Agent.

Porous materials hold great potential in the field of sound absorption, but the most abundantly used materials, such as Polyurethane (PU) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam, would inevitably bring environmental harms during fabrication. In this study, the nontoxic addition-molded room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber is chosen as the matrix, and NaCl particles are chosen as the pore forming agent to prepare open cell foams via the dissolve-separating foaming method. The effect of different amounts of NaCl (0–100 phr) on the cell structure, mechanical and sound absorption properties is investigated and analyzed. The results indicate that the cell structure could be tailored via changing the addition amount of NaCl, and open cell silicon rubber foams could be achieved with more than 20 phr NaCl addition. Open cell silicon foams show the most effective sound absorption for sound waves in middle frequency (1000–2000 Hz), which should be attributed to the improved impedance matching caused by the open cell structures. Additionally, the mechanical properties, including hardness, tensile strength and corresponding elastic properties, gradually decay to a steady value with the increasing addition amount of NaCl. Therefore, open cell silicone rubber foams are capable of sound absorption in middle frequency.

Silicone adhesive multilayer foam dressings as adjuvant prophylactic therapy to prevent hospital-acquired pressure ulcers: a pragmatic noncommercial multicentre randomized open-label parallel-group medical device trial.

SummaryBackgroundSilicone adhesive multilayer foam dressings are used as adjuvant therapy to prevent hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers (PUs).ObjectivesTo determine whether silicone foam dressings in addition to standard prevention reduce the incidence of PUs of category 2 or worse compared with standard prevention alone.MethodsThis was a multicentre, randomized controlled medical device trial conducted in eight Belgian hospitals. At‐risk adult patients were centrally randomized (n = 1633) to study groups based on a 1 : 1 : 1 allocation: experimental groups 1 (n = 542) and 2 (n = 545) – pooled as the treatment group – and the control group (n = 546). The experimental groups received PU prevention according to hospital protocol, and a silicone foam dressing on the relevant body sites. The control group received standard of care. The primary endpoint was the incidence of a new PU of category 2 or worse at the studied body sites.ResultsIn the intention‐to‐treat population (n = 1605), PUs of category 2 or worse occurred in 4·0% of patients in the treatment group and 6·3% in the control group [relative risk (RR) 0·64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·41–0·99, P = 0·04]. Sacral PUs were observed in 2·8% and 4·8% of the patients in the treatment group and the control group, respectively (RR 0·59, 95% CI 0·35–0·98, P = 0·04). Heel PUs occurred in 1·4% and 1·9% of patients in the treatment and control groups, respectively (RR 0·76, 95% CI 0·34–1·68, P = 0·49).ConclusionsSilicone foam dressings reduce the incidence of PUs of category 2 or worse in hospitalized at‐risk patients when used in addition to standard of care. The results show a decrease for the sacrum, but no statistical difference for the heel and trochanter areas.

Prevention of pressure injury in the operating room: Heels operating room pressure injury trial.

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of multi‐layered silicone foam (intervention) compared with transparent polyurethane film (control) in preventing heel pressure injuries caused by surgical positioning of individuals undergoing elective surgery. It was designed an intra‐patient, open, parallel, randomised controlled trial was conducted in a university hospital in southern Brazil, from March 2019 to February 2020, with patients undergoing elective surgeries of cardiac and gastrointestinal specialties. The patients who met the selection criteria constituted, simultaneously, a single group receiving the intervention and active control, through paired analysis of the cutaneous sites (right heel and left heel). The outcome was the occurrence of PI, within the follow‐up period was 72 hours. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR‐5GKNG5. There was analysis of 135 patients/270 heels, with an overall incidence of 36.7%. The pressure injury incidence was significantly lower in the intervention group (26.7%), compared with the control group (P = .001); relative risk of 0.57. In the intervention group, the estimated pressure injury‐free time (survival) was 57.5 hours and in the control group, 43.9 hours. It was concluded that Multi‐layered silicone foam (intervention) is more efficacious than transparent polyurethane film (control) in the prevention of pressure injuries caused by surgical positioning of individuals undergoing elective surgery.

Interdigitated Sensor Based on a Silicone Foam for Subtle Robotic Manipulation.

In this contribution, a soft sensor configuration based on silicone foam is developed to measure compressive forces in the range of 50N with the aim of providing proprioceptive capabilities to conventional robotic manipulators based on hard materials. This then makes them capable of interacting with soft and fragile objects without damage. The concept relies on interdigitated electrodes that are patterned on the backside of the sensor to generate a fringing electric field into a soft compressible polymeric foam. The deformation of the foam causes changes to relative permittivity as the air-filled cells compress. The model in this article shows how the different parameters of the foam, such as air volume fraction, permittivity, and Young's modulus, affect the stiffness and electrical sensitivity of the sensor, and how controlling the porosity of the foam is key to optimizing the sensitivity of the sensor. This sensor is easy to fabricate and does not require compliant electrodes, while exhibiting high sensitivity values of 33% capacitance change for as little as 10N appliedforce.

Lumbar Drains After Cardiac Surgery: Evidence-Based Solutions for Safe Management.

Lumbar Drains After Cardiac Surgery: Evidence-Based Solutions for Safe Management.

Pyrolysis and oxidation behaviour of dehydrogenation silicone foam containing Pt compounds

In this paper, effects of Pt compounds (C8H18OPtSi2) on pyrolysis and oxidation characteristics of silicone foam (SiFs), gas volatiles of SiFs during pyrolysis and oxidation process, influence of heating rate on pyrolysis and oxidation of SiFs, and the thermal reaction kinetics of SiFs were analysed. The residual mass of SiFs at 900.0 °C in N2 atmosphere increased from 59.7 to 74.1% as the content of Pt compounds changed from 0.3 to 1.2 mass%. Whereas, the residual mass of SiFs in air atmosphere was higher than in N2 atmosphere. CO2 and CO as new gas volatiles appeared in air atmosphere when compared in N2 atmosphere. The residual mass of SiFs rose with the increase of heating rate. Besides, the apparent activation energy in N2 atmosphere grew significantly with conversion rate, and the apparent activation energy in air atmosphere was significantly lower than that in N2 atmosphere.

Effect of Soft Silicone Foam Dressings on Intraoperatively Acquired Pressure Injuries: A Randomized Study in Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery

To examine how the use of a soft silicone foam dressing affects the development of IAPIs in patients undergoing spinal surgery to obtain baseline data supporting evidence-based nursing care. Using a self-controlled study design, 64 patients requiring thoracic or lumbar surgery on a Wilson frame at a hospital in Seoul, South Korea, were recruited between February 12 and September 1, 2018; 50 patients were eligible. Basic demographic, health, and surgical data were obtained. Before surgery, the left or right side chest and iliac crest areas were randomly assigned to be covered with a soft silicone foam dressing. The areas were assessed at 2 time points: immediately after and 30 minutes after surgery. If an IAPI was present at 30 minutes after surgery, all sites were reevaluated after 7 days. The majority of participants were male (26 participants, 52%). Average patient age was 62.54 (± 13.83) years, with a body mass index of 24.32 (± 4.23) kg/m2. Average length of surgery was 218.4 (± 137) minutes. Immediately after surgery, 26 IAPIs were observed and there was a significant difference between dressed and non-dressed chest areas for the number of IAPIs (4% vs. 28%; P = .002). After 30 minutes, the total number of IAPIs was 20 and the difference between IAPIs in the iliac crest area was significant between dressed and non-dressed areas (0% vs. 14%; P = .012). After 1 week, there were no chest or iliac crest IAPIs in the areas that had been covered by a dressing; however, 8 chest (61.5%) and 4 iliac crest (30.8%) area IAPIs remained when no dressing had been applied. The majority of IAPIs were stage 1 at all assessment times. After 1 week, 1 IAPI had evolved into a stage 3 injury. The results of this study show that many stage 1 IAPIs do resolve over time and that use of soft silicone foam dressings during spinal surgery can significantly reduce IAPI rates. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to help guide postoperative skin assessment intervals and increase the understanding about the evolution of stage 1 IAPIs.

Synthesis and Characterization of Graphite Composite Foams for Oil Spill Recovery Application

The aim of this paper is the synthesis and characterization of a composite silicone foam filled with expanded graphite (EG) for oil spill recovery applications. The EG foams were obtained using a foaming slurry consisting of a mixture of siloxane compounds as the matrix with an EG filler. The effect of the filler content’s performance on an innovative composite silicone-based foam was investigated. All the obtained samples exhibited an open cell morphology. Each foam was evaluated in four commonly used oils (kerosene, pump oil, naphtha and crude oil). Additionally, kinetics was studied in order to investigate the physical, chemical and mass transport mechanisms that act during the absorption phenomenon and uptake evolution of the contaminants. Foam filled with 3% of EG exhibited the highest absorption capacity, particularly with light oils kerosene and virgin naphtha (854 and 1016 wt.%, respectively). Furthermore, the kinetic study showed that pseudo-second order mechanisms better fitted the composite absorption performances, suggesting that the oil sorption into EG filled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foams could be related to chemisorption mechanism. The results evidenced a good oil sorption capability and water/oil selectivity indicating this class of materials as a potentially applicable material for oil spill remediation.

Finite Element Analysis Modeling of a Novel Silicone Dressing.

IntroductionIn the United States (US), pressure injuries are believed to affect over 2.5 million people. The prevalence of pressure ulcers in the European Union (EU) is believed to be 13.7%. Recent guidelines have recommended the consideration of polyurethane foam dressings as part of pressure injury prevention strategies. This study assesses the reduction in tissue strain and stresses associated with the use of a new silicone foam dressing. MethodsFinite element analysis (FEA) models were used to investigate the ability of silicone foam dressings to reduce tissue stress and strain energy density (SED) in the regions adjacent to the sacral bone. The loading modeled on the dressings was for combined compression and shear (modeling a patient lying in a 45° Fowler's position). Nine commercially available silicone foam dressings and a no-dressing control were modeled.ResultsFEA modeling showed that all silicone dressings tested, including Tegaderm™ Silicone Foam (TSF; 3M Health Care, St. Paul, MN) dressings, achieved reductions in tissue distortional stress and SED relative to no-dressing conditions. The use of silicone foam dressing results in a lower volume of tissue at higher stresses and deformation compared to no dressing.ConclusionThe results presented indicate that TSF may provide an appropriate option for pressure ulcer prevention programs.