More responses to face mask question

More responses to face mask question

jerry & kim

3/15/2007

----- Original Message -----
From: jerry & kim
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 6:03 PM
Subject: responses to face mask


Here are the responses :


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Try ortho craft at 1-800-436 7846 he makes a lot of these and can tell you
how to mould.
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Alginate and plaster work fine. I've decided that the next one I do I
will just have pt. breathe out of a straw and just cover the whole face
in Alginate. Also use some Vaseline, I've had Alginate pull out
eyebrows. After poured with plaster I usually just build up about 1/4
over the nose with plaster and if fleshy might take a bit off of the
cheeks to provide good compression. I used vivak on my last mask and it
seemed to work out pretty well. I had set it up with two straps and she
ended up only using one behind the ears.
 Good luck
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Try this website, they have a good tutorial on various casting techniques
using Alginate.

<URL Redacted>


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Forget alginate, it's typically only necessary when you're trying to capture
fine topography (i.e. burn masks). And if you convinced you need this level
of detail, consider 2 part silicone mixes: they're expensive but no mess, no
creating levees around face, no straws up the nose, etc. Remember Fx masks
are for gross/large pressure redistribution, they could almost be pre-fab'd.
Just use nice, especially creamy (Cellona maybe?), non-elastic, medium set
plaster and liberally apply separating agent everywhere, especially
hairline/eyebrows (Vaseline or might consider placing small/thin strip of
not overly sticky tape over brows if patient is wolf-boy or of Irish or
Armenian descent). Keep plaster pieces large as possible: large pieces over
cheeks/zigomatic arches and forehead, connect with smaller strips over nose
bridge and lateral borders. No worries if pieces are too large as all
borders of wet plaster bandage may be bunched up as it sets to increase
stability. Keep tissue and clean set of addition hands ready to mop eyes.
Once firm: remove, reinforce entire splint (including over eyes) with large
pieces, build-up sides with tape or additional plaster splints if you like
to add fab time/waste $$, pour with well mixed plaster, tap to remove
bubbles, add tongue depressors if pour appears thin to avoid breaking under
vacuum, MINIMAL modifications are necessary (i.e. build-up bridge), vac
plastic, and presto-chango good-to-go. At fitting feel free to heat/contour
if your cast changed shape when setting or during pour or if plastic splayed
during fab. Again, gross pressure distribution is all we're after. Just my
2 cents.
Cheers,
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I usually just use 1 x 3 strips of plaster bandage - no alginate, but that sounds interesting.
Vaseline the eyebrows and hairline. Use KY or similar lubricant on the rest of the skin. Carefully cover the face w/ the 1x3 strips. Voila!
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 have done a few. Call me PST I am with Nobbe Orthopedic in Santa Maria California.
rick/cpo..ph. # 805-925-8290

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the molding process is fine the way you are doing it,
you could send it to AOPS (advanced
orthotic/prosthetic solutions in chicago(hickory
hills) or send to Levi Batson in Rockford, IL. Levi
fabricates the masks for the Detroit Pistons. He uses
polycarbonate, heats at a low temp for an hour or so
to rid of air bubbles to minimize weakness/breakage
and then heats higher for blister forming. We at
Hanger fabricate with surlyn.

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Use Surlyn. Google Rip Hamilton Facemask

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I only use algenate when there is a burn involved...vaseline the eyebrows
and use splints....
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I have used plaster strips over regular stockenette with cut outs for
the nose and mouth if necessary. It worked great each time . You do not
need the detail of alginate. When you alginate someone it can be
stressful to the patient since the breathing becomes a problem. You
really only need coverage with the plastic over the bridge of the nose
the forehead and cheek bones. You don't need the jaw. I put a little
build up over the nose in modification so that another blow to the nose
would be distributed through the plastic to the cheek bones and forehead
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We put saran wrap over the face with holes for the mouth to breathe, push the saran wrap well into the eye sockets then lay plaster strips over the face and mold in very well around the nose and eyes, under the nose especially because the trim is just above the mouth, so the part under the nose has to be good. We use either vivac or uvex, 3/16. All the best.
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Afraid I'm at a loss when it comes to material science. I'm thinking typical
Prosthetic check socket-type materials: clear and rigid, perhaps 1/4 with
lots of stretch or 3/16 with less stretch, maybe Vivak. Or you could call
Otto Bock, tell them that for the 200+ check sockets you crank out each
month you're considering switching from your standard material (Vivak or
similar) to their proprietary, freakishly expensive, absolutely
shatter-proof, stop a bullet, clear plastic (think it's called
Thermolyn-stiff), available in multiple thicknesses. If you don't already
use it they'll comp you a piece, just work'em a bit. If permissible with
gaming regulator, transfer patterns add interest and go over big with kids

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