Textiles for healthcare and medical applications

Abstract This chapter discusses the need for understanding the application of textile materials and textile-based medical devices to enhance the healthcare and well-being of people. The aim of the chapter is to highlight the specific medical and surgical applications for which textile materials are currently being used. A variety of products and the properties that make them suitable for these applications are discussed. Speciality polymers and fibres and their use in designing and developing medical devices for wound management, infection control management, and life-saving risk management are highlighted. The physiology of wounds, the classification of wounds, and appropriate dressing selection for successful wound management are outlined. High-tech wound dressings and the current state of the art of novel dressings such as odour adsorbent and antimicrobial dressings are critically reviewed. The role of compression therapy in the treatment and prevention of venous leg ulceration is discussed. The merits and limitations of the current compression therapy regime and the research into the development of novel compression bandages are highlighted.