Application of knitted fabrics for medical purposes

Abstract

Knitted textile products, with different structures and properties, are increasingly used in all areas of medicine - as non-implantable products, implantable products, extracorporeal devices and products for healthcare and hygiene. Particular functional properties for specific purposes are achieved by appropriate finishing of knitted fabrics, or by their incorporation into composite materials. For these purposes both types of basic knitted fabrics, warp and weft, are using taking into account their properties and applicability for intended purposes. Of particular importance are networks, knitted fabrics with spatially oriented bahavior, spatially shaped (three-dimensional - 3D) knitted products, especially sandwich/spacer knitted products, as well as integrated knitted fabrics - seamless knitted products made in one piece, in the requared form for a particular purpose, without cutting and sewing, which significantly accelerates production and makes it flexible for obtaining complex shapes that are very comfortable. Knitted fabrics are also suitable for the production of ”smart“ clothes - for light sensor equipment incorporation, wich enables constant monitoring of medical and microclimate information relevant to the clothing wearer.