Foams

Chempilots formulates and engineers polymeric foams and foam-based systems that meet a wide range of design requirements within medical applications. Here are examples of several of our recent polymeric foam projects.

Post-op pain relief
Chempilots formulated and engineered a compliant, open-cell hydrophobic polyurethane foam suppository (AnalGetic™) loaded with a drug delivery vehicle for sustained release of Lidocain. Processing studies included two-component injection molding and cost-effective 3D-shaping by cutting. The product was developed for the treatment of patients with rectal pain following anorectal surgery.

Transdermal drug delivery
Chempilots has developed aerosol foams loaded with steroids and delivered in pressurized-canisters. These dermal-mousse products are prescribed for treatment of psoriasis and various other skin diseases.

Urinary continence device
The formulation and process development of moist-curing hydrophilic polyurethane foam with controlled water-swelling character (Contrelle®) is yet another example of how Chempilots has created new drug delivery systems. This sterile product is inserted vaginally to support the neck bladder in the treatment of stress incontinence in women.

Wound care product
Our formulation of a new reticulated hydrocolloid adhesive was optimized with permanent wet-tack for oral wound care.

Haemostasis product
Chempilots performed troubleshooting and process optimization during the production of expanded cellulose used for post-op haemostasis.

Foam design challenges
Our work has included various types of foams featuring distinct characteristics. When designing these foams, there are several typical challenges that must be addressed: 

• Foam hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity (water swelling) character: in some projects with polyurethane foams, we have customized polyol-adducts to obtain the desired hydro-character.
• Foam compliance and durability: customized polyol adducts have been synthesized to obtain desired bulk characteristics.
• Type of reticulation: surface-active agents and blowing principles may be carefully selected. 
• Skinning tendency: in two-component injection molded open-cell foams, skinning is often a persistent problem that must be overcome.
• Foam density: processing conditions can be adjusted to obtain optimal bulk densities.
• Foam discoloration, e.g. after prolonged storage or sterilization by irradiation: on several occasions, we have overcome this problem through the careful choice of chemistry.

Contact us for a discussion
For a confidential discussion of your needs and our capabilities, please contact Richard Schmidt on +45 44 39 61 15 or Robert Lessèl
on +45 44 39 61 16 (9-17 CET) or by e-mail.