Medical and Healthcare Textiles 2007: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Healthcare and Medical Textiles (Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles)

Medical textiles remain one of the most dynamic areas of research in textiles. Medical and Healthcare Textiles is a compendium of worldwide research into medical textiles written by leading experts in the area. Part 1 contains papers addressing the risk of infection control and barrier materials. Part 2 demonstrates the significance of textile products in healthcare and hygiene applications for hospitals and other environments where hygiene is essential. Advanced wound dressings, such as drug delivery dressings, are evaluated in part 3. Papers in part 4 examine the use of bandaging and pressure garments. Recent developments and application of implantable medical devices are covered in part 5. Part 6 consists of topics which emphasize the role of medical devices in applications including dentistry and oncology. Research related to smart material developments are discussed in part 7. Part 8 concludes with industry standards and regulations. Medical textiles remain one of the most dynamic areas of research in textiles. Medical and healthcare textiles is the fourth in a series of conferences held at the University of Bolton. Like its predecessors, it has attracted papers from some of the leading international centres of expertise in the field. Contributors cover a range of topics including emerging textile-based biomaterials, hygienic textiles, the use of textiles in infection control and as barrier materials, bandaging and pressure garments for managing chronic infections such as ulcers, the role of textiles in the management of burns and wounds, textile-based implantable devices such as tissue scaffolds and sutures, and intelligent textiles. Provides a comprehensive overview of medical textiles from the risk of infection control and barrier materials through to directives, regulations and standards shaping the medical device industryExplores developments in healthcare and hygiene products, including odor and pH control as well as protective and disposable fabricsReviews development in the area of implantable materials featuring vascular grafts, knee implants and scaffolds