The medical textiles may have 'Interactive materials', which can react to human and environmental conditions: phase-change materials (thermo-regulating systems), shape memory materials, change of colour in case of emergency, reaction by change of temperature, pH-value and electro active influences, microencapsulation of specific agents, transdermal systems - coating of textiles with active substances and medicals, production of layers from gel with encapsulation of additional substances.

In the following sections a brief description of some of the product and the requirement of the finish is discussed.

Non-implantable materials

Generally wound care products such as absorbent pads, bandages and plasters are classified as non-implantable medical textiles. Other textile products such as, protective gowns, gloves, operating-room drapes masks, shoe covers also form a part of non-implanted textile materials. However, they will be discussed under healthcare and hygiene products category.

Such materials are used for external application and they mayor may not come in contact with the skin. Wound dressings that generally are made from highly absorbent fibres or polymer coatings absorb blood and provide medication and are composite fabrics that are produced by coating an adhesive (in many cases pressure sensitive) between the fabric layers and may also be an absorbent polymer and a medication. These are auxiliary finishing compositions that become an integral part of the product.

The dressings come in a variety of styles and sizes for all parts of the body, enabling wounds from surgical procedures, and plaster casts, to be kept dry and prevent unnecessary dressing changes. This minimises damage to the wound, pain and the chance of cross infection, maximising how quickly the wound heals.

A number of wound care companies have launched different kind of wound care materials that have been classified into 10 different categories, namely

1. low-adherence dressings
2. gauze impregnated dressings,
3. dextranomer paste pad and dressing
4. alginate dressing
5. hydrocolloid dressings
6. hydrogels
7. vapour permeable adhesive film dressings
8. polyurethane foam dressings
9. zinc paste bandages, and
10. iodine containing dressing.

(Y Quin, 'Smart wound-care materials, in 'Smart textiles for medicine and healthcare: Materials, systems and application', Ed. By L. Van Langenhove, Woodhead Pulishing Limited, England, 2007, p 27-49).

Wound dressings generally consist of a layer of absorbent material, such as an absorbent gauze or foam layer, wherein the layer is supported on an adhesive coated semi-permeable backing sheet. An adhesive-coated margin of the backing sheet extends outwardly from the edges of the absorbent layer for attachment of the dressing over a wound by adhesion to the skin surrounding the wound. The absorbent layer serves to absorb wound exudates.

Such dressings require a coat of an adhesive layer that may consists of acrylate ester copolymers, polyvinyl ethyl ether or polyurethane of these adhesives polyurethane-based pressure sensitive adhesives are preferred. The basis weight of the adhesive layer is between 50 to 150 g/m². The adhesive layer should be moisture vapor transmitting and/or patterned to allow passage of water vapour.

The zinc oxide based dressings consist of zinc oxide, glycerin, water, and a preservative. A number of other natural substances, such as gelatin, alginates, gum arabic, and agar agar, are also added as binders. The preservatives ore commonly esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid or boric acid.