Medical TextilesMedical TextilesUser's Perpesctive & User's Perpesctive &

RequirementsRequirements

Dr B Prakash MD/Northern Railway Central Hospital Dr RK Manocha Orthopaedic Surgeon/N.Rly.Central Hospital

We are using moreWe are using more

Population – More People Demography – More People who need Income – More People who can afford Products – Increasing Range of products Attitudes & Awareness

Classification of Medical TextilesClassification of Medical Textiles

In the Patient – Most Strindent sterility & biocompatibility needs

On the Patient Near the Patient For the Patient – Less Strindent

sterility & biocompatibility needs

Rationale of ClassificationRationale of Classification In the Patient – bio-contact for days to

months On the Patient – bio-contact for minutes

to hours Near the Patient – No bio-contact,

ordinary contact possible For the Patient – No contact

RequirementsRequirements

In the Patient – Biocompatible, Non toxic, Non Allergenic, Sterility Standards of Highest Level

On the Patient – Non toxic, Non Allergenic, Sterile, Biocompatibility ?!!

Near the Patient – Sterile, Lint free For the Patient – Clean General Properties – Strength, Elasticity,

Durability, Fire Resistance, Antistatic, Biodegradability

ExamplesExamples

In the Patient – Sutures, Implants like Meshes, Extracorporeal Membranes

On the Patients – Surgical Swabs, Dressings

Near the Patient – Gowns, Masks, Caps etc

For the Patient – Wraps for Sterilisation

Global Harmonisation

Task Force (GHTF)

ClassificationClass IIIClass IIbClass IIaClass I

Classification of Medical Textiles

In the PatientOn the PatientNear the PatientFor the Patient

Disposables vs ReusablesDisposables vs Reusables

Cost Issues – either may prove cost effective

Quality Issues – reusables start as better quality

Environmental Issues – waste load & resource utilisation

Inhouse Processing Standards – may be low/unmonitored

Quality StandardsQuality Standards

No mandatory standards !!!! Tendency to cut corners Tendency for cheaper Production Process

– Polypropylene spun bond vs Spunbond – Meltblown – Spunbond (SMS)

Biomedical Waste DisposalBiomedical Waste Disposal

Landfill – Fibreglass Orthopaedic casting bandages

Incineration – Polyurethane Orthopaedic Casting Bandages

Recycling ???

Adaptation to Local NeedsAdaptation to Local Needs

Western products are not automatically suitable Tropicalisation – higher working

place temperature & humidity levels, Often non AC environments

Packaging – No trained/organised handlers so needs to be robust

InnovationsInnovations

Endless possibilities – Surgical Cap with integrated eye

protection Spray on Surgical Drapes (with or without

antibacterials) Nano-silver treated hospital linen for burn

patients Controlled drug release Risks – Microbial Resistance

Thank You