Incontinence pads: clinical performance, design and technical properties.

The paper describes the functional requirements of urinary incontinence pads and reviews the results of several studies which seek to relate the clinical performance of pads to their design and the technical properties of their constituent materials. Pad designs covered include: simple rectangular (for use with conventional pants or marsupial pants containing a pouch); wing-folded; shaped; and all-in-one infant-style diapers. Data on the clinical and technical properties of fluff wood pulp and hydrogel absorbents, and viscose rayon, polyester, polypropylene and polyethylene coverstocks are presented. Attention is focussed on four major aspects of pad function: freedom from leakage; freedom from discomfort and skin damage; ease of application and removal; and aesthetic properties. The relationships established between clinical and technical data will be of interest to health care professionals selecting products; organizations seeking to create standards; and pad designers.