KRAIBURG TPE Delivers Anti-Slip and Enhanced Grip Solutions for Emergency Responder Stretcher Handles and Mats

Stretcher devices are essential tools for emergency responders, enabling the safe transport of patients in critical situations. With a wide variety of stretchers available, ensuring a secure grip on the handles and incorporating anti-slip mats within basket stretchers is crucial to safeguarding both patients and rescuers during transit. Thermoplastic elastomers emerge as a cost-effective and practical choice of solutions for manufacturing stretcher components, providing the necessary flexibility, durability, and safety features required for these critical applications.

Optimizing Ergonomics and Safety in Handle, Grip and Anti-slip Mat Designs
The THERMOLAST® H HC/AP series from KRAIBURG TPE represents a significant advancement in stretcher safety, as it offers excellent compression set properties that allow manufacturers to mold it into the precise shapes and textures needed for stretcher handles and grips. This customization not only ensures a comfortable fit but also contributes to the overall safety and ergonomics of the stretcher.

The TPE series is an ideal choice for stretcher grips and handles due to its haptics and soft-touch surface characteristics, which enhance the ergonomic comfort for rescuers, especially in complex and high-pressure emergency situations. This grip minimizes user fatigue and reduces the risk of injuries to the rescuer's hand, emphasizing the importance of safety and ease of use in stretcher design.

Overmolding TPE compounds on the handle and anti-slip mat of a basket stretcher creates a crucial anti-slip surface. This surface enhances safety during patient transfers, ensuring a secure grip and preventing accidents during rescue operations. It plays a vital role in the overall effectiveness and reliability of the stretcher in emergency situations.

THERMOLAST® H HC/AP series has undergone testing, including ISO 10993-5 and GB/T 16886.5 (cytotoxicity), ensuring its safety and compliance. It conforms to strict regulatory standards, including US FDA CFR 21 and Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. Additionally, the series is free of animal ingredients and devoid of PVC, silicone, and latex. Its versatility extends to sterilization methods, as it can be safely autoclaved at 121°C or sterilized using EtO, ensuring a high level of hygiene in medical settings.

The HC/AP series exhibits excellent adhesion to PP and PE when used in injection molding processes.

THERMOLAST® H is available as translucent, and pre-coloration is available subject to the requirement of the customers.

In addition to the HC/AP series, KRAIBURG TPE THERMOLAST® H provides alternative solutions like the resealing series and polar adhesion series, addressing diverse customer needs and offering a range of specialized options for various applications.

Sustainability successes of our TPEs
KRAIBURG TPE’s recent sustainability innovations include a series of material solutions specially developed for automotive, consumer, consumer electronics, wearables and industry applications. Comprising up to 48% post-consumer recycled (PCR) and 50% post-industrial recycled (PIR) content, the material complies with multiple global standards such as FDA raw material compliance, RoHS and REACH SVHC requirements. KRAIBURG TPE also provides customers with product carbon footprint values.

Are you looking for a sustainable TPE solution? Talk to us! 
Our experts are happy to answer any questions you have, as well as to offer the right solution for your application.