Medical air mattresses are an invaluable way of preventing and treating bed sores, which can be an infuriatingly painful complication for bedridden patients

Medical air mattresses are an invaluable way of preventing and treating bed sores, which can be an infuriatingly painful complication for bedridden patients. Not only can these air beds relieve pressure on various points of the body, they also enhance blood circulation by decreasing deep vein thrombosis risks while speeding up healing times.

PVC remains the go-to material for medical air mattresses, yet more manufacturers are turning to thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). TPU is a flexible plastic that offers similar performance characteristics but without toxic additives; making it easy to work with and providing numerous important performance characteristics like flexibility, resistance to abrasion, durability and sanitary qualities that make medical applications possible.

TPU plastic is a flexible, odorless and tasteless material which can be formed into various shapes and sizes without creating an unpleasant taste or smell. Furthermore, TPU has the added advantage of being durable against oil and abrasion damage and easy to clean, while its natural antimicrobial coating reduces bacteria growth which makes it suitable for medical device production and healthcare product manufacture.

TPU film can be heat laminated or adhesive bonded directly onto fabrics for use in medical air mattresses and other healthcare products, including wipe-clean duvets and sheets for hospital beds and long-term care facilities using Tuftane(r) clear TPU film as an abrasion-resistant surface that's easy to keep clean. Many leading OEMs of wipe-clean duvets use Tuftane(r) clear TPU film to provide this function while meeting National Sanitation Foundation standards as well as food-grade requirements as well as USP Class VI certification for certain applications.

Another key consideration when purchasing a TPU or medical air mattress is organic or natural latex. Both varieties come from rubber trees, yet organic latex contains no synthetic agents while natural latex may contain up to 5% chemical inputs. Look for certification from Global Organic Latex Standard or Rainforest Alliance when making your selection.

TPU makes an excellent material choice for medical air mattresses due to being odorless and tasteless, not degrading or releasing volatile organic compounds into the environment, being easier on patients' skin, not being susceptible to mold/mildew growth, withstanding high levels of humidity and biodegrading with ease. Its biodegradability further contributes to environmental sustainability.


TPU Medical Pads