20 - Nonwoven materials and technologies for medical applications

Abstract

Recent developments in nonwoven technology have led to significant reductions of production costs in nonwoven materials, giving indispensable support for the constant growth of medical textiles in the market. Because of their superior cost-effectiveness and satisfying performance in the intended use fields, medical nonwoven textiles are widely distributed in many sectors for first aid, clinical, surgical and hygienic purposes, playing prevention and protection roles in the health care industry. This chapter looks at the current nonwoven materials and technologies for medical application including the most commonly used materials from natural resources, production processes and techniques from web formation, bonding, to finishing. Cohesively, this chapter introduces typical nonwoven medical textiles, such as surgical products, wound dressings, disinfectant wipes and so forth covering the aspects of material, fabrication techniques and performance requirements. The comprehensive insights into the nonwoven materials and technologies for medical applications contribute to the development of future nonwoven medical textiles.