Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Novel Deproteinised Natural Rubber Latex Slow-recovery Foam for Health Care and Therapeutic Foam Product Applications

  • Published:
Journal of Rubber Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, deproteinised natural rubber (DPNR) latex has been used to fabricate three prototypes of DPNR slow-recovery latex foam, which are latex foam mattress, shoe insoles and wheelchair cushion. The uniqueness of the DPNR slow-recovery latex foam is its ability to conform to the body shape according to both body weight and pressure, and thereafter to recover slowly from the impression made by the body. This ability increases surface contact area between the foam and the body, which helps to redistribute the body weight pressure over a larger area, thereby relieving pressure at stress points of the body. In this manner, DPNR slow-recovery latex foam ofers healthier blood circulation, extra comfort and prevents lower back pain. As such, DPNR slow-recovery latex foam will be effective to mitigate pressure ulcers caused by aggravated pressure between the skin and bony areas of the body such as beneath heels, hips, elbows and sacrum as well as buttock areas. It will also prevent development of foot ulcers associated with diabetic patients. Such uniqueness was confirmed using a modern pressure mapping system known as F-scan™ for shoe insoles and CONFORMat™ for wheelchair cushions from Tekscan® USA. The DPNR slow-recovery latex foam also exhibits a lower bounce effect compared to standard natural rubber (NR) latex foam, indicating its impact absorption capability which is important for application in athletic shoe insoles to mitigate potential injuries during sport activities such as running and landing. Besides having excellent mechanical properties and improved durability, DPNR slow-recovery latex foam is also a “greener” material due to its natural origin compared to conventional slow-recovery foam from man-made synthetic polymers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. BEREZVAI, S. (2015) Visco-Hyperelastic Characterization of Polymeric Foams. PhD Thesis, Hungary: Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

    Google Scholar 

  2. POLYURETHANE FOAM ASSOCIATION (2016) Viscoelastic Memory Foam. In-Touch, 11, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  3. DHANAPAL, D. AND RAJA, K. (2016) PU Memory Foam for Application as Insole in Therapeutic Footwear for Patients with Diabetes. Int. J. Eng. Sci. Comput., 6, 7784–7785.

    Google Scholar 

  4. PRASAD RAJAN, K., DHILIPRAJ, D. B., MANIKANDAN, R. AND VEENA, N. R. (2011) Preparation of Molded Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foam for Pillow Applications. Cell. Polym., 30, 13–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. LANDERS, R., HUBEL, R. AND BORGOGELLI, R. (2008) The Importance of Cell Structure for Viscoelastic Foams. PU Mag. Int., 40–48.

    Google Scholar 

  6. THILINA, W. W., RAVINDRA, S. G. AND UWE, R. (2017) Pressure Thresholds and Stifness on The Plantar Surface of The Human Foot. Ergonomics, 60, 985–996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. NICOL, K. AND RUSTEBERG, D. (1993) Pressure Distribution on Mattresses. J. Biomech., 26, 1479–1486.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. BERGSTRAND, S. (2014) Preventing Pressure Ulcers by Assessment of The Microcirculation in Tissue Exposed to Pressure. PhD. Thesis, Sweden: Linköping University.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  9. SURAJIT, B. AND MISHRA, R. K. (2015) Pressure Ulcers: Current Understanding and Newer Modalities of Treatment. Indian J. Plast. Surg., 48, 4–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. SUZIE, C. (2010) Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Pressure, Shear, Friction and Microclimate in Context. A Consensus Document. Wounds International, 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  11. RASPOVIC, A., LANDORF, K. B., GAZAREK, J. AND STARK, M. (2012) Reduction of Peak Plantar Pressure in People with Diabetes-Related Peripheral Neuropathy: An Evaluation of the DH Pressure Relief Shoe™. J. Foot Ankle Res., 5, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. BREM, H., MAGGI, J., NIERMAN, D., ROLNITZKY, L., BELL, D., RENNERT, R., GOLINKO, M., YAN, A., LYDER, C. AND VLADECK, B. (2010) High Cost of Stage IV Pressure Ulcers. Am. J. Surg., 200, 473–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. URABE, Y., MAEDA, N., KATO, S., SHINOHARA, H. AND SASADAI, J. (2014) Effect of Shoe Insole for Prevention and Treatment of Lower Extremity Injuries. J. Phys. Fit. Sport. Med., 3, 385–398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. BONANNO, D. R., LANDORF, K. B., MUNTEANU, S. E., MURLEY, G. S. AND MENZ, H. B. (2017) Effectiveness of Foot Orthoses and Shock-Absorbing Insoles for The Prevention of Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Br. J. Sports Med., 51, 86–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. JESSICA, C. (2012) The Toxic Home. The Wellness Family, 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

  16. BLACKLEY, D. C. (1997) Polymer Latices Science and Technology. Vol. 2: Types of Latices. Polymer Latices. London: Chapman and Hall.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  17. ARIYAWIRIYANAN, W., NUINU, J., SAE-HENG, K. AND KAWAHARA, S. (2013) The Mechanical Properties of Vulcanized Deproteinized Natural Rubber. Energy Procedia, 34,728–733.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. YAMAMOTO, Y., NGHIA, P. T., KLINKLAI, W., SAITO, T. AND KAWAHARA, S. (2008) Removal of Proteins from Natural Rubber with Urea and Its Application to Continuous Processes. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 107, 2329–2332.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. ROSLIM, R., FATIMAH RUBAIZAH, M. R., MOK, K. L. AND AMIR HASHIM, M. Y. (2017) Composition and Method for Producing Natural Rubber Latex Memory Foam and Applications Thereof. Patent Application Number: 20177033435.

    Google Scholar 

  20. TINKER, A. J. AND JONES, K. P. (1998) Blends of Natural Rubber: Novel Techniques for Blending with Specialty Polymers. London: Chapman and Hall.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  21. ASRUL, M., DAVIES, R. T. AND IKRAM, A. (2003) Visualisation of the Network Structure in Some Environmentally Degraded Natural Rubber Gloves. J. Rubb. Res., 6, 84–93.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. ATTILA, K. AND BEREZVAI, S. (2015) Visco-hyperelastic Characterization of Polymeric Foams. 32nd Danubia Adria Symposium on Advanced in Experimental Mechanics, Slovakia.

    Google Scholar 

  23. SEIGLER, T. (2002) A Comparative Analysis of Air-Infated and Foam Seat Cushions for Truck Seats. MSc. Thesis, USA: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

    Google Scholar 

  24. ASIMUS, M. AND LI, P. (2011) Pressure Ulcers in Home Care Settings: Is It Overlooked? Wound Pract. Res., 19, 88–97.

    Google Scholar 

  25. BERGSTRAND, S. (2009) Tissue blood Flow Responses to External Pressure Using LDF and PPG: Testing A System Developed for Pressure Ulcer Research. MSc. Thesis, Sweden: Linköping University.

    Google Scholar 

  26. MC GINNIS, E. (2011) Heel Pressure Ulcers: A Study of Wound Healing. PhD Thesis, UK: University of Leeds.

    Google Scholar 

  27. ROSLIM, R., TAN, K. S. AND JEFRI, J. (2018) Study on Morphological Structures and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Latex Films Prepared at Diferent Prevulcanisation and Drying Temperatures. J. Rubb. Res., 21, 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technology and Engineering Division, Malaysian Rubber Board., Malaysia

    Roslim R., Mok K. L., Fatimah Rubaizah M. R., Shamsul K., Tan K. S. & Amir Hashim M. Y.

Authors
  1. Roslim R.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mok K. L.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fatimah Rubaizah M. R.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shamsul K.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Tan K. S.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Amir Hashim M. Y.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roslim R..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Roslim, R., Mok, K.L., Fatimah Rubaizah, M.R. et al. Novel Deproteinised Natural Rubber Latex Slow-recovery Foam for Health Care and Therapeutic Foam Product Applications. J Rubber Res 21, 277–292 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03449175

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03449175

Keywords

Search

Navigation