Which Orthotic and Prosthetic Fabrication Material Should You Use?

Overview of all Orfitrans Thermoplastic Products

With so many orthotic and prosthetic fabrication materials to choose from, you may wonder which one is most suitable for your patient’s needs. But we’ve got you covered! Here’s an overview of all Orfitrans thermoplastic products and their most important characteristics.

Orfitrans thermoplastics all pull easily and uniformly and are simple to mold. They have a low shrinkage rate with no risk for excessive pressure or compression; the materials will keep the shape and dimensions determined by the model. But, of course, there’s a lot more to take into account when choosing a suitable material.

The Orfitrans family of products contains many different colors, thicknesses, and physical attributes. It is important to understand the product properties to make appropriate selections for orthotic or prosthetic device fabrication.

 

Overview

Here are specifications about the various Orfitrans products that will help you select the right product for your next O&P device. We provide recommended uses and fabrication techniques, product attributes, as well as colors and thickness options. The orthotic and prosthetic fabrication materials are listed from stiffest to softest in each category of this article.

We divided the materials into the following three categories:

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Test Sockets

Orfitrans PETG

Use: Short-term prosthetic test sockets
Recommended fabrication method: Bubble forming
Thermoplastic type: PETG base
Available thicknesses: 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm and 20 mm (5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 19/32” and 3/4”)

 

Benefits and characteristics: PETG stands out for its exceptional strength for the fabrication of test sockets — no cracking, no breaking! Crucially, it prioritizes patient safety. Thanks to the dedicated, upheld and cleaner production line, the new PETG now features a crystal clear color and enhanced durability, while retaining the same strenght as the previous version.

 

Orfitrans Stiff

Use: Long-term prosthetic test sockets
Recommended fabrication method: Bubble forming
Thermoplastic type: Styrene base
Available thicknesses: 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 15 mm (5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 19/32”)

 

Benefits and characteristics: This material is virtually indestructible, yet easy to drill into or modify. With a high impact resistance, Orfitrans Stiff will not break, crack, or shatter when dropped. The socket will remain transparent with a slight blue tint that will allow the limb to remain visible. The working properties of Orfitrans Stiff include a non-sticky exterior.

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Inner Socket Materials

 

Orfitrans Medium Soft

Use: Inner prosthetic sockets and vacuum transtibial and transfemoral sockets.
Recommended fabrication method: Bubble-forming
Color options: Beige and natural (which is a semi-transparent whitish color).
Thermoplastic type: EVA base
Available thicknesses:
– Orfitrans Medium Soft Beige: 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 15 mm (15/64”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 19/32”)
– Orfitrans Medium Soft Natural: 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 15 mm (5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 19/32”)

 

Benefits and characteristics: These non-stick prosthetic fabrication materials combine enough rigidity to give control and enough flexibility to allow range of motion; they are structurally sound and will not cold flow at thinner areas of the flexible interface. Orfitrans Medium Soft allows for the change or flattening of the limb when sitting; yet the material will maintain its shape without stretching outward and the volume will not change. There is an aesthetic benefit for the user, since Orfitrans Medium Soft has reduced yellowing discolorations.

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Orfitrans Excel

Use: Inner prosthetic sockets
Recommended fabrication method: Bubble and drape forming
Thermoplastic type: PE Copolymer base (comparable to EVA-based products)
Color options: Black and semi-transparent (almost clear)
Available thicknesses:
– Orfitrans Excel Black: 3 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 15 mm (5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 19/32”)
– Orfitrans Excel Semi-Transparent: 3 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm (1/8”, 5/32”, 13/64”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 19/32”)

 

Benefits and characteristics: Orfitrans Excel is a flexible material that provides a surface finish that is silky and smooth. This thermoplastic has a self-adhesive property and will bond permanently to itself. Correction of shape is possible as this thermoplastic can be reheated and remolded allowing easy relief of pressure points. Orfitrans Excel is 8% lighter than other competitive EVA-type products; this lighter weight makes the product wear more comfortable. The transparency of the semi-transparent color offers observation of anatomy while being worn; it allows monitoring of potential pressure areas; and it allows control to ensure total surface contact. Furthermore, Orfitrans Excel has excellent U.V. stability which means that it has no yellowing, and it is not susceptible to aging under normal storage conditions.

 

Orfitrans Extra Soft

Use: Inner prosthetic sockets (upper and lower extremity)
Recommended fabrication method: Bubble forming
Thermoplastic type: EVA base
Color options: Beige and natural (which is a semi-transparent whitish color)
Available thicknesses:
– Orfitrans Extra Soft Beige: 5 mm, 9 mm, and 12 mm (13/64”, 23/64”, and 1/2”)
– Orfitrans Extra Soft Natural: 9 mm and 12 mm (23/64”, and 1/2”)

 

Benefits and characteristics: Very flexible prosthetic fabrication materials that are extremely smooth with no tacky or sticky feel. Orfitrans Extra Soft offers outstanding patient comfort.

 

Orfitrans Extra Soft Silicone

Use: Inner prosthetic sockets
Recommended fabrication method: Bubble forming
Thermoplastic type: EVA base
Color options: Natural (which is an opaque whitish color; the whitest of all the Orfitrans products)
Available thicknesses: 9 mm and 12 mm (23/64”, and 1/2”)

 

Benefits and characteristics: Just like its cousin discussed above, Orfitrans Extra Soft Silicone is a very flexible material that is extremely smooth with no tacky or sticky feel and offers an outstanding patient comfort. Thanks to the silicone, this product prevents the need for powder on the inside and it eliminates all the difficulties and inconveniences often experienced in donning and doffing other socket materials.

 

Orthotic Materials

Orfitrans Excel

Use: Hand, wrist, and ankle lining orthoses
Recommended fabrication method: Drape forming
Thermoplastic type: PE Copolymer base (comparable to EVA-based products)”
Color options: Black and semi-transparent (almost clear)
Available thicknesses:
– Orfitrans Excel Black: 3 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 15 mm (5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 19/32”)
– Orfitrans Excel Semi-Transparent: 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm (1/8”, 5/32”, 13/64”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 19/32”)

 

Benefits and characteristics: In addition to the characteristics of Orfitrans Excel we described earlier, the main benefit for orthotics is that Orfitrans Excel can be drape formed. This is thanks to its self-adhesive properties and ability to bond permanently to itself.

 

Learn more

To learn more about Orfitrans products, visit our Orfit Academy, Orthotic and Prosthetic Institute where we have an overview course relating to all Orfitrans orthotic and prosthetic fabrication materials.

If you have any questions about product selection for your next orthotic or prosthetic device, please feel free to contact us.

 

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