Search

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are a key constituent in baby diapers and adult incontinence products. To develop new SAPs, lab tests are used to measure properties that are considered important for these products. However, these manual tests are often time-consuming and tedious. This paper introduces an automatic method to measure absorption under pressure (aAUP) using industry robots. The new robotic method addresses limitations in an industry standard absorption under pressure (AUP) method. The new aAUP method can run continuously, generating more and better data to aid in product development. It enables to put the Buchholz theory on SAPs for predicting their properties to practice by reduction of manual effort and by producing excellent data quality. This has been shown on commercial polymers from different production processes, with varied particle size distributions and shapes. The aAUP data has also been shown to accurately predict other properties of SAPs relevant for their application in hygiene articles, making it a useful tool for understanding the underlying science and facilitating product development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure of the skin to excessive moisture, such as in cases of incontinence, can damage its natural barrier function and lead to tissue damage and breakdown. Common methods for managing incontinence and preventing related skin damage include the use of incontinence pads and the application of skin barrier creams to reduce exposure to moisture and irritants. Previous reports have indicated that barrier creams can transfer onto incontinence pads from the skin and reduce their absorbency, and thus the efficacy of both products. This study, using non-patient volunteers, investigated the effect on incontinence pad absorbency of Medi Derma-S and Medi Derma-Pro; two products from the Medi Skin Protection range, in comparison with other market-leading products. Results indicated that, while there was a small degree of product transfer onto the incontinence pads, this did not have a major impact on the absorption of synthetic urine. Medi Derma-S and Medi Derma-Pro performed consistently with other similar market-leading products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining skin integrity and managing the microclimate around the skin is of paramount importance. Incontinence products such as pads or full bed mats are often used in order to absorb moisture and maintain a dry environment around the skin. Another method of protecting the skin from moisture contact is to apply a barrier cream; this is routinely done by healthcare professionals and carers. Some reports have suggested that the use of a barrier cream will hinder the efficacy of any products designed to move moisture away from the skin interface and, therefore, the use of both products in conjunction may limit their performance for their intended purpose. There are several different formulations of barrier cream commercially available for use, with various active ingredients that produce a protective barrier between the patient’s skin and moisture. This can either be a paste-type application or a film-type formulation that dries and leaves a protective barrier. This study aimed to identify whether there is a performance limitation of absorbent incontinence products following the application of a selection of commercially-available barrier creams and to identify whether LBF barrier cream varies significantly with respect to other barrier creams. All of the creams were found to have similar effects on incontinence pad performance, with the absorbency of the incontinence products not being significantly affected by the transfer of cream. The LBF barrier cream product compared favourably with the other commercially available formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ISO 11948-2 – an international standard laboratory method developed to predict the leakage performance of small disposable pads for lightly incontinent women – was investigated. The repeatability and reproducibility (precision within and between laboratories, respectively) of two variants on the method were found to be poor. The coefficient of variation for each method variant in each laboratory (two laboratories ran each variant) was higher than 40% for about half the 12 products evaluated. Results differed by up to 94% between laboratories for a given product. The ability of the method to predict the leakage performance of pads was investigated by measuring correlations between the clinical evaluations of the 12 products, and technical evaluations using ISO 11948-2. Correlations were very weak (r ≤0.487). Accordingly, it is recommended that 11948-2 is withdrawn. A second international standard method (ISO 11948-1) – developed for evaluating large pads, but sometimes used on small ones – was also investigated. Correlations between the clinical evaluations of the 12 products and technical evaluations using ISO 11948-1 were weak (r ≤0.560). Accordingly, it is recommended that ISO 11948-1 is not used for evaluating small disposable bodyworn pads for women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The ability of ISO 11948-1 (the Rothwell method) to predict the leakage performance of disposable bodyworn pads for heavy urinary incontinence was investigated by measuring correlations between models based on clinical evaluations of 138 diapers and inserts (the two major design categories), and technical models based on their Rothwell absorption capacities and design features. Correlations were poorer than in the original 1993 study for the standard (r≤0.87 compared with r≤0.95), but still strong enough to help with purchasing choices.For a given Rothwell capacity, the leakage performance of diapers was far superior to inserts; for example, diapers containing 450 and 300 g of urine performed, as well as inserts containing 300 and 100 g, respectively. No evidence was found for any other design feature having a significant impact on leakage performance. The coefficient of variation for Rothwell capacity (a measure of product consistency) had significant impact on the leakage performance of diapers, but not inserts. The probability of diapers with the poorest consistency leaking exceeded that for the best by about 10 percentage points. Similarly, diapers were about 10 percentage points more likely to leak when used at night than during the day. Differences between day-time and night-time use of inserts were not studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reviews methods available for mapping the distribution of fluid in incontinence pad materials to assist with evaluating existing products and developing new ones, and to provide data for building and validating predictive models. Specifically, the following technologies are considered and their strengths and limitations described: discrete sensors based on conductance, temperature or optical measurements, optical imaging, gravimetric methods, X-ray imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. It is suggested that the ideal method would enable fluid distribution to be mapped in three dimensions with good spatial and time resolution in single materials and composite structures of simple and complex geometries under static and dynamic mechanical loading. It would also allow liquid to be mapped in products when worn by users. It is concluded that, although each existing method meets some of these requirements, and each requirement is met, at least reasonably well, by at least one method, improved techniques are needed. The particular need for methods that can provide some measurement of liquid saturation within absorbent products, both in the laboratory and in real use, is highlighted. In many cases, simple methods used appropriately are sufficient to elicit the important aspects of liquid transport and storage within absorbent products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repeatability and reproducibility (precision within and between laboratories, respectively) of an international standard method (ISO 11948-1, the Rothwell method) for measuring the absorption capacity of incontinence pads was investigated. The 74 shaped disposable bodyworn insert pads for heavy incontinence on the UK market in spring 1997 were tested in three laboratories experienced in using the method, one in each of England, Spain and Sweden. Coefficients of variation (standard deviation as a proportion of the mean) for five repeats rarely exceeded 5% within any laboratory. However, there were systematic differences between laboratories: results from the Swedish and Spanish laboratories typically exceeded those from the English laboratory by 13% and 8%, respectively. The good repeatability suggests that the method is capable of adequate precision but the poor reproducibility implies that the instructions in the standard for building and/or using the test apparatus are inadequate, leaving too much room for interpretation. Having studied the data presented here and viewed videos of the apparatus in use in five laboratories (including the three contributing to this note) the ISO working group which wrote the original standard has identified several likely sources of imprecision and is now working to revise the standard to improve its reproducibility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]