Medical textiles

Health workers in PPE kits

Medical textiles are numerous fiber-based materials intended for medical purposes. Medical textile is a sector of technical textiles that emphasizes fiber-based products used in health care applications such as prevention, care, and hygiene.[1]

The spectrum of applications of medical textiles ranges from simple cotton bandages to advanced tissue engineering.[2] Common examples of products made from medical textiles include dressings, implants, surgical sutures, certain medical devices, healthcare textiles, diapers, menstrual pads, wipes, and barrier fabrics.[3]

Medical textiles include many fiber types, yarns, fabrics, non-woven materials, woven, braided, as well as knitted fabrics.[4] Physical and chemical alterations of fiber architectures, the use of functional finishes, and the production of stimuli-sensitive materials are major approaches for developing innovative medical textiles.[3]

Advances in textile manufacturing and medical technologies have made medical healthcare an important industry in textiles.[3] Textiles are used in the production of a variety of medical devices, including replacements for damaged, injured, or non-functioning organs.[5] The manufacture of medical textiles is a growing sector. There are many reasons for its growth, such as new technology in both textiles and medicine; ageing populations; growing populations; changes in lifestyles; and longer life expectancies.[6]: 136  Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic generated higher demand for certain medical textile applications [such as PPE, medical gowns and face masks], and there were shortages worldwide.[7][8][9] Even China, the world's largest manufacturer of such applications, has struggled to keep up with demand.[10]

  1. ^ "Medical textiles - Knowledge and References". Taylor & Francis. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  2. ^ Qin, Yimin (2015-11-21). Medical Textile Materials. Woodhead Publishing. pp. 13, 14. ISBN 978-0-08-100624-5.
  3. ^ a b c Rohani Shirvan, Anahita; Nouri, Alireza (2020). "Medical textiles". Advances in Functional and Protective Textiles. pp. 291–333. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-820257-9.00013-8. ISBN 978-0-12-820257-9.
  4. ^ Anand, Subhash C.; Kennedy, J. F.; Miraftab, M.; Rajendran, Subbiyan (2005-11-30). Medical Textiles and Biomaterials for Healthcare. Elsevier. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-84569-410-4.
  5. ^ King, M.W.; Gupta, B.S.; Guidoin, R. (2013). "Introduction". Biotextiles as Medical Implants. pp. xxxi–xxxvii. doi:10.1016/B978-1-84569-439-5.50027-2. ISBN 978-1-84569-439-5.
  6. ^ Horrocks, A. R.; Anand, Subhash C. (2016-03-09). Handbook of Technical Textiles: Technical Textile Applications. Woodhead Publishing. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-78242-488-8.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Textile industry focusing on medical garments amid COVID-19 pandemic: TRSA Reports - The Textile Magazine". 21 April 2020. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  10. ^ "一罩难求：南都民调实测走访发现，线上线下口罩基本卖脱销_进货". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.