Our world-class forms offer maximum safety and security, with the best immobilization and repositioning in the world. Our product line is designed for patients who need maximum security, stability and safety.
Creating custom repositioning molds for your patient is quick and easy using any of our Alpha Cradle® brand kits. Our forms not only hold your patient securely in the exact position for each treatment session, but are designed to increase the patient’s sense of comfort and security throughout the treatment.
Beginning with the creation process, the foam warms to a comfortable temperature and creates a safe environment for the patient, alleviating many fears and tensions. After the form has been completed, the patient can slip back and forth into the identical treatment position for each session, and lay comfortably without worry of movement. Kits are available for every treatment modality, and come pre-measured. These durable, completed forms are fully customizable using a simple serrated knife to cut ports, and are designed to be used through the patient’s entire course of treatment.
PREPARE THE FORM
Remove the insert piece. If your form comes with a 15° wedge, you can leave the wedge inside the form, as needed. Place the form deep inside the bag. Wearing gloves, goggles, and a smock, prepare the foaming agents. Smithers Medical Products, Inc. is the only company in the world to offer the safety of collapsible bottles with our standard foaming agents. Each Alpha Cradle® kit comes with everything necessary to create one customized anatomical form on your patient: foaming agents, anatomical form, and polyform bag.
MIX THE FOAMING AGENTS
Pour the entire contents of bottle #1 into bottle #2, recap and shake for 10 timed seconds. Immediately open the bottle and pour the entire contents into the form, along the edges, collapsing the bottle, using as much of the hang up foam as possible.
Expand the center ribs of the bottle, leaving the 3 top ribs collapsed for safety. If you shake the bottle too long, it will start to expand, and the collapsed ribs will expand, allowing you to safely discard before the foam expands out of the bottle. Our bottles are the only bottles on the market with this built-in safety feature if the foam starts to expand before you open the bottle. Only SMP’s collapsible bottles allow you to use all of the foam, minimizing hang up.
PLACE PATIENT IN THE FORM
Pull the bag down, pressing it against the foam. Try to smooth as much air out as possible without pushing the foam out.
Now fold the end of the bag underneath the form, so that the expanding foam cannot leak outside of the bag.
Guide your patient into the form and place in the desired set-up position. The foam will begin to expand, up to 30 times its volume, feeling warm and comfortable to the patient. The foam will rise up and harden within 15 minutes, comfortably and securely holding your patient during treatment.
RISING FOAM IN THE FORM
If foam rises above the form, push it back into the form with your hands and hold down for one minute. The foam will stop rising in that area and will be diverted to another area.
After 15 minutes, the foam should feel cool to the touch, back to room temperature. This lets you know the form is completed, and the patient may now be moved from the form, as needed. Carefully assist your patient out of their form. The completed form is now ready for use.
Deep, Safe Forms for Precision Targeting
Is There a Difference between Alpha Cradle® Forms and Vacuum Forms?
Alpha Cradle® forms are the superior choice for patient repositioning. These forms create deep anatomical impressions and securely hold the patient in place for each treatment. Unlike vac bags, it has a completely flat bottom surface. After time, vac bags leak air, disrupting your treatment plan, and can force you to re-simulate your patient. Alpha Cradle forms hold shape and durability even with the heaviest of patients. With Alpha Cradle® foam, you don’t have to worry about air leaking out and starting all over again! With MERS, SARS, and COVID, don’t re-use a filthy bag that was used on someone else.