Medical textiles are items made of fiber utilized in a medical setting. These flexible fibrous materials are used to treat injuries and dress wounds safely. Medical textiles must meet EN 13795-1, EN 13795-2, and other related standards. The applications of compressed and folded medical textiles are extensive, ranging from baby diapers, sanitary pads, contact lenses, surgical masks and gowns, artificial ligaments, bandages, etc.
What Are Different Types Of Medical Textiles
Compressed and folded medical textiles are often split into two primary groups: commodity fibers and specialty fibers. Check out the various types of medical textiles in this section.
Commodity Fibers
The commodity fibers are typically uniform and commonly produced from natural and synthetic substances. The regenerative and natural fibers include cotton, wood pulp, silk, and viscose. On the other hand, synthetic materials include polyethylene, polyester polypropylene, PTFA, carbon, polyamide, silica, glass, etc.
Specialty Fibers
Specialty fibers, also referred to as high-performance fibers, are more distinctive. Compared to standard fibers, they are made to retain several technical applications. Standard materials are calcium alginate, collagen, chitosan, and chitin. It is possible to categorize them into three classes, such as heat-resistant, chemical-resistant, and high-strength.
What Are Essential Features Of Medical Textiles
Medical textile substances should show resistance to allergens and be non-toxic. They should be biologically compatible and retain decent dimensional stability, and textiles must resist acids and alkalis. They should possess the capacity to disinfect with no chemical or structural alterations.
Medical textiles should show waterproofing and air permeability properties. They should be accessible in free size and reusable after washing. The fibers should be anti-microbial, which means resistance to microorganisms.
What Are Different Applications Of Medical Textiles
All textiles used for clinical, surgical, first aid, and healthcare objectives are medical. The most common medical textile applications are as follows:
Healthcare And Hygiene Medical Textiles
Medical textiles for use in healthcare and hygienic purposes can be reusable after washing or thrown away after use. They include diapers, surgical gowns, sanitary pads, body slings, masks, wipes, mattress covers, bedding, etc.
Non-implantable Applications
Medical textiles are used to make non-implantable substances for wound care. They are designed to cover wounds on the skin’s surface. They include gauze, absorbent pads, bandages, plasters, plastic film, etc.
Implantable Applications
Specific types of medical textiles are also utilized to produce implantable substances. These are biocompatible and are made to be used within the human body. They include the artificial cornea, artificial tendon, vascular grafts, artificial skin, artificial ligament, etc.
Extracorporeal Devices
When vital organs are not working correctly, this kind of medical cloth is employed in their place. Typically, hollow fibers are used to create these devices. Artificial kidneys, artificial lungs, and artificial livers are some extracorporeal device applications.
Significance Of Medical Textiles
Premium-quality textiles for medical use can stop the development of harmful microorganisms. Areas of personal care where the buildup of dangerous bacteria could be unhealthy utilize it. The fiber composite substance in the fiber matrix is also wear-resistant to make it easy to clean.
Surgical medical textiles offer sufficient defense against microbes, aerosols, and bodily liquids. Surgical masks, gowns, and gloves are used to prevent the spreading of harmful bacteria and viruses. Also, medical textiles make high-end and advanced artificial parts vital to the human body.
Bottom Line
The types of fibers used in the medical industry range from artificial to natural and specialty fibers. The usage of medical textiles is increasing due to the wide range of applications in the healthcare and hygiene field. It is also possible to acquire customized medical textiles and components for better medical treatment.
