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An important technical textiles segment: Medical textiles
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By
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G S Nadiger, P S Ghosh
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Technical textiles have many applications including bed
sheets; furniture and healthcare, upholstery; filtration and abrasive
materials; thermal protection and blood-absorbing materials; seatbelts;
adhesive tape, and other specialized products and applications. In other words,
the technical textiles focus more on specific functional requirements, rather
than aesthetics and comforts.
Technical Textiles are defined as 'textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than
their aesthetics or decorative characteristics'. Unlike conventional textiles
used traditionally for clothing or furnishing, technical textiles are used
basically on account of their specific physical and functional properties. The latest study on 'World Market Forecast for 201 0' of technical textiles by David
Rigby Associates (DRA) report indicates that average annual growth in terms of
volume is expected to be 3.6% for the period between 2000-2010. In Asia, the annual growth ratio is projected to be 4.23% during the same period.
Depending on the characteristics of the product, functional requirements and end-use application the technical textiles are classified
into 12 categories.
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The medical textile industry has diversified with new products and innovative designs. Depending upon the nature of the application, many textile products are disposable, a made out of nonwovens.
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While all the sectors of the technical textiles are potent
and unique in their application areas, an attempt has been made here to discuss
the scope and prospects of Medical Textiles - one of the important fields of
application of textiles.
Medical Textiles
All textiles used in the operative and post-operative tasks
in and around a patient and the medical practitioners are termed as Medical
Textiles.
Medical textile products are of four types. They are:
- Woven
- Knitted
- Braided
- Nonwoven.
Categories of medical textiles
These are broadly classified as,
- Non-implantable
materials:
Wound
dressing, bandages, pressure garments, prosthetic socks etc.
- Implantable
materials:
Sutures,
vascular grafts, artificial ligaments, etc
- Extra-corporeal
devices:
Artificial
liver, artificial kidney, artificial lungs etc
- Hygiene
products:
Incontinence
pads, nappies, tampons, sanitary towels, etc
- Protective
and health care textiles:
Surgeons' wear,
operating drapes, staff uniforms etc.
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