Medical textiles: markets,applications,developments and regulations

摘要

Medical textiles are used in a broad range of applications.These include: non-implantable products such as adhesive tapes,compression garments and wound care dressings;implantable products such as surgical meshes;and hygiene products such as bedding and surgical gowns.The core physical properties required of medical textiles include air permeability,durability,elasticity,moisture absorption and strength.However,medical textiles which are used in contact with living substances such as blood and tissues must also adhere to strict regulations and must be biocompatible,chemically inert,hypoallergenic,non-carcinogenic,non-toxic and sterile.The number of applications in which medical textiles can be used is continuing to grow as advances in technologies open up new opportunities.In response to these opportunities,much research and development work is being carried out.Such work is especially active in the areas ofnanocomposites— particularly those made using biopolymers,hydrogels and nanocellulose—and in materials whose properties can be changed in a controlled manner in response to stimuli.Also,new products are being developed to comply with the latest regulations.In the EU.for example,a new regulation for medical devices called the Medical Devices Regulation(MDR)entered into force in May 2017 and will become mandatory in 2020 after a three-year transition period.The MDR was introduced to tighten regulations and,as such,several of the criteria within the new regulation have been made more stringent compared with those of its predecessors and a number of new criteria have been introduced.The introduction of new products is expected to contribute to significant growth in the market for medical textiles.Other factors which will contribute to growth include: ageing populations in developed countries;growing middle classes and rising disposable incomes in several developing countries;and increasing awareness among patients regarding innovative wound care applications.Reflecting these factors,the market for medical textiles is expected to be one of the fastest growing categories within the technical textiles sector.In fact,it is expected to increase in value terms by an average of 4.9% per annum between 2018 and 2025,to reach US$23.3 bn.