Medical Textiles

By:

Talha
Malik
 Abstract
 Medical textiles are one of the most rapidly expanding sectors
in the technical textile market, according to reports, and
hosiery products with medical industry applications are
among a long list of textile products being consumed in that
market.
 An important field of application of textile in medicine has
been developed such as wound care and preventing chronic
wounds. Bandages and wound dressings are most commonly
used because they are affordable and reusable. The medical
textile should have bio-compatibility, flexibility and strength.
 This important category of textile has got a sufficient share in
market worldwide & as well as in Pakistan.
Contents
 Preamble
 Constituent Elements of Textile Medical Products
 Characteristics of materials for Medical use
 Classification of Medical Textiles
 Applications of various fibers in Medical Field
 Medical Textiles Worldwide
 Medical Textiles in Pakistan
 Latest Innovations in Medical Textiles
Preamble
Combination of textile technology and medical
sciences has resulted into a new field called medical
textiles. New areas of application for medical textiles
have been identified with the development of new
fibers and manufacturing technologies for yarns and
fabrics.
Development in the field of textiles, either natural or
manmade textiles, normally aimed at how they
enhance the comfort to the users. Development of
medical textiles can be considered as one such
development, which is really meant for converting the
painful days of patients into the comfortable days.
(1)
Constituent elements of Medical Textile products:-
Polymers

Fibers

Woven Knitted Yarns

Braided Non Woven

Fabrics

(1)
Textile Medical Products
Characteristics of materials for Medical use:-
The major requirements for biomedical polymers are
 Non toxicity
 Non allergenic response
 The ability to be sterilized
 Mechanical properties
 Strength
 Elasticity
 Durability
 Biocompatibility
(1)
Classification of Medical Textiles
Depending upon the usage, Medical Textiles are classified as:

Healthcare and Hygiene products

Extracorporeal devices
Implantable materials
Non-implantable materials

(1)
Healthcare & Hygiene
Products
 Products included in Healthcare & Hygiene category contains:


Medical & Pharmacy Divisions

Feminine Hygiene and Baby care Division

Bandages

General Hygiene

Cleaning products

Wipes

Textile materials used in the operating theatre and
emergency rooms

(2)
 Gowns, Drapes and Caps
 Surgical Hosiery
 Masks

(2)
 Extra
Corporeal
Devices
 Artificial Kidney
 Function

To remove waste products from patient’s blood.

 Fiber Types

Hollow viscose, hollow polyester, cuprophan, hollow

cuprammonium fiber.
 Key points for medical usage

Moderate mechanical strength and permeability, blood

compatibility.

(3)
 Artificial Liver
 Function
To separate & dispose off patient’s plasma and
supply fresh plasma.
 Fiber Type
Hollow viscose
 Key points for medical usage
Blood compatibility, adsorptive activity.

(3)
Mechanical Lung
 Function
To remove carbon di oxide from patient’s blood &
supply fresh oxygen.
 Fiber Type
Hollow polypropylene fiber, hollow silicon, hollow
silicon membrane
 Key points for medical usage
Gas exchange effect, blood compatibility, suppression
of blood plasma leak

(3)
Implantable Materials
 Biomedical implants are used to aid or replace damaged
tissues or organs. These materials are used in affecting repair
to the body whether it is wound closure (sutures) or
replacement surgery (vascular grafts, artificial ligaments, etc.).

 Sutures & Ligatures

The term ‘Ligature’ denotes tying something such as blood

vessel, whereas ‘suture’ denotes sewing by means of a needle
and a thread made of suture material.
 Vascular Implants

Vascular graft is an artificial vein or artery used to replace

segments of the natural cardiovascular system that are blocked
or weakened. (4)
 Soft tissue implants

Biomedical materials are used in applications such as soft tissue

compatible artificial prosthesis, artificial skin patches, artificial tendon
and artificial corneas.
 Hernia repair

Meshes find use in hernia repair and abdominal wall replacement, where
mechanical strength and fixation are very important. Polypropylene
mesh is an example of fabrics used in hernia repair.
 Hard tissue implants

Hard tissue compatible materials must have excellent mechanical

properties compatible to hard tissue. The characteristics of polymers
related to hard tissue replacements are good process-ability, chemical
stability and bio compatibility. Applications include artificial bone, bone
cement and artificial joints. (4)
 Dental biomaterials

Requirements of dental polymers include transparency, stability,

good resilience and abrasion resistance, insolubility in oral fluids,
non-toxicity , easy fabrication and repair. The most widely used
polymer for dental use is poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and
its derivatives.

(4)
Non Implantable Materials
 Non-implantable materials includes:

 Disposables
 Bandages
 Plasters
 Cervical Collar
 Stockings
 Applications of various fibers in Medical Field:
Sr. Fibers Application in Medical Field
No.

1. Cotton Surgical clothing gowns, Beddings, Sheets,

Pillow cover, Uniforms, Surgical hosiery

2. Viscose Caps, Masks, Wipes

3. Polyester Gowns, Masks, Surgical cover drapes,

Blankets

4. Polyamide Surgical hosiery

5. Polypropylene Protective clothing

6. Polyethylene Surgical covers, Drapes

7. Glass Caps, masks

8. Elastomeric Surgical hosiery (1)

Medical Textiles World
Wide
World consumption of this sector was 19.6 Million tons in 2005
and that rise to 23.8 Million tons in 2010 with an average growth
rate of 3.8%.
In total, over 1.5 Million tons of textile materials, with a value of
US$5.4 Billion, were consumed worldwide in the manufacture of
medical and hygiene products in 2000. This is increased in volume
terms by over 4% per annum up to 2010 to reach 2.4 Million tons
with a value of US$8.2 Billion.

(7)(8)(9)
Medical Textiles in
Pakistan
The Annual procurement of the products related to Medical
Textiles is amounted over PKR 100 million. The gross share of
the products imported from foreign countries is 69% with a
value PKR 69.03 million, while the rest 31% only with the value
of PKR 30.89 million, has been procured from indigenous
manufacturing.

(5)
Annual Consumption of Non-Implantable Materials
in Pakistan
The graph represents the country-wise synopsis of the procurement of
Non-Implantable goods. Pakistan possessed the highest share with a
value of PKR. 22.28 million while the UK and Germany followed next
with the values of PKR 11.95 and 9.64 million respectively .

REST of WORLD; 0.85 mil.; 2%

USA; 9.31 mil.; 17% GERMANY; 9.64 mil.; 18%

UK; 11.95 mil.; 22%

PAKISTAN; 22.28 mil.; 41%

TURKEY; 0.43 mil.; 1%

(5)
 Annual Consumption of Healthcare & Hygiene
Products in Pakistan
ROW has got the highest share of 40% with a value of PKR 14.83
million while China has got the second highest share in Healthcare
and hygiene products with a value of PKR. 9.9 million. Pakistan’s
share in this category is of worth PKR 8.60 Millions.

ROW
14.83 mil.
40%
CHINA; 9.97 mil.; 27%

PAKISTAN; 8.60 mil.;

23%

UK; 0.79 mil.; 2%

TURKEY; 2.42 mil.; 7%

(5)
Latest Innovations in Medical Textiles
Some of the latest innovations in the field of Medical textiles
are:

 Development of hi-tech Swiss knits in

hospital clothing. The 100% micro-polyester
knit is said to be permanently anti-bacterial
and have a velvet-soft texture. The outer side
of the fabric is water-repellent, whereas the
inner side is water-absorbent.
 Scientists say that human skin will be
unaffected by using antibacterial clothing.
 Teijin Fibers Limited Tokyo has developed a
new polyester fabric that is gentle on the human
skin by stably maintaining its mildly acidic
pH level, similar to healthy skin. Teijin
says that it will be the world’s first commercial
polyester material to offer pH control.

(6)
 A recent study highlights the risks of nicotine
transfer from clothing. The term ‘third-hand smoke’,
coined by scientists, refers to that part of cigarette
smoke which is not inhaled by either the smoker
themselves, but is deposited on surfaces, cushions, carpets, or
clothing. Scientists say, the
concentrations of toxic
substances from cigarettes are far higher
than in smoky air, and they can be released again.
for example by contact with the skin. In fact
only about 30% of the smoke is inhaled, scientists say.
 Medical-grade hydrating silk garments are designed
to relieve the itching and irritation of eczema and
dermatitis.

(6)
References:
1. http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/4/330/medi
cal-textiles1.asp

2. http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/textile-indus
try-articles/medical-textiles-healthcare-and-hygiene/medical
-textiles-healthcare-and-hygiene1.asp

3. http://www.indiantextilejournal.com/articles/FAdetails.asp
?id=1887

4. http://www.swicofil.com/biomedical_textiles.html

5. danishchandna.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/medical-
textile-report-31.docx

6. http://www.innovationintextiles.com/textiles-medical-healt
h-hygiene.php

7. http://www.biztek.edu.pk/downloads/research/jmss_v3_n2/
8%20Pakistan%20lags%20behind%20in%20Technical
%20Textiles.pdf

8. http://www.davidrigbyassociates.co.uk/DRA%20WEBSITE%