OKM Technical solutions for orthopaedics

Polyurethane is a polymer that is obtained from the chemical reaction of two liquid components: polyol and isocyanate. Depending on the kind of polyol and isocyanate used, it reacts in differetn ways forming a great variety of materials with very different characteristics and properties. Additives (foaming agents, pigments, hardeners, etc.) can be added to the above components, which also change the end product, thus increasing the possibilities of design and size.

KINDS OF POLYURETHANE
– Flexibles compactos (not expansive)
– Foamed flexible (expansive)
– Compact rigid (not expansive)
– Foamed rigid (expansive)

POLYURETHANE (PU) > A material for the future
Maybe we are not aware of the importance this material has in our everyday lives; we find it on the walls of our houses to insulate us from cold and heat, it is the main component inside the our cars, we siton chairs or armchairs and rest on mattresses with polyurethane foam, the soles of our shoes, the shells of our computers, mobiles phones and televisions, and maybe even an artifical PU heart will save our lives.

POLUYRETHANE IN THE FIELD OF ORTHOAPEDICS
This sector has found that PU offers great possibilities improving materials and techniques, optimising processes, etc. as it offers notable advantages thanks to its versatility, malleability, the easy with which it can be worked, cleanness, comfort, lightness, economy and immediateness. 

Therefore, it is easy to undertsand it idealness and suitabilty in bio-medicinal applications as well as orthopaedics, given the infinity of solutions this material offers.

All these properties provide a great number of solutions in the field of prosthetics and current orthotics.

The main uses of polyurethane on orthopaedics:
– Body immobilisation
– Reproduction of shapes, moulds
– Prostheses, sockets and structures
– Therapeutic comfort, positional seats
– Insoles
– CAD-CAM blocks