Constituent elements of medical textile products

Depending upon the applications, the major requirements for medical textiles are absorbency, tenacity, flexibility, softness, biocompatibility, and at times biostability or biodegradability. These requirements are met by using appropriate polymers processed into fibers and textiles that possess the right structures to meet the needs of various end users. 

Fibers used in the medical textile industry may vary from natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and regenerated wood fluff to synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, and glass fiber. Table 2.1 shows the applications of different types of fibers in medical textile products. 

Cotton Smgical gowns, bedding, sheets, pillow covers, uniforms. 

Polyester Gowns, masks, surgical cover drapes, blankets, cover stock 

For the production of medical textile products for healthcare and hygiene, a number of crucial issues have been identified and debated among clinicians, environmentalists, and pharmaceutical companies for a long time. These issues include  

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