08/15/2005 • Focus on Products at Analytica • Hygiene

Filament Yarns for Medicine Textiles

Trevira GmbH is again presenting its latest products for technical textiles at this year's Techtextil Trade Fair in Frankfurt/ Main. Alongside yarns for flame retardant print base material and hybrid yarns used in bonding fabrics, the polyester fibre specialist will be displaying new filament yarns for applications in the field of medicine.

Medicine and hygiene textiles will continue to figure in growth markets, as the age structure of the populations in industrial countries continues to lengthen and with it the demand
for textiles of this kind. As a rule, very varied and extreme demands are placed on medicine and hygiene textiles in terms of function, comfort and compatibility with the body, elements that must be sustained throughout the complete life cycle of the textile.

Special Trevira polyester fibres and filament yarns make an important contribution here, supplying the prerequisites to meet the required specifications and functions. Trevira microfilament yarns are used for textiles required in the operating theatre, such as surgical gowns and patient covers. They ensure outstanding breathability, which is necessary since doctors are exposed to extreme conditions while operating. Furthermore, in exposed areas surgical textiles must perform a barrier function against liquids, bacteria and air-borne particles. Two or three layer textile laminates are mostly employed to this end. While offering protection against contamination, the laminates allow steam to pass, thus ensuring adequate transpiration.

Compared with single use materials, reusable textiles in polyester are growing in importance. Both in economic and ecological terms they offer an interesting alternative to the single use article, as they can sustain up to around 80 wash cycles with no detrimental effect on the textile function.

Trevira Bioactive is a polyester fibre/filament yarn with antimicrobial effect that is being increasingly used in medicine textiles and in professional wear for the care staff of hospitals and institutes for the elderly. In the process Trevira Bioactive is making a vital contribution towards cutting the numbers of bacteria, and so lowering the risk to patients of infection. It helps reduce both the formation of bacteria and of odours, for instance by means of spacer fabrics. These usually consist of two outer textiles with a pile layer in between and they are used in covers for mattresses and operating tables. Compared with traditional gel mats, they offer the benefit of very good heat insulation, which stops the patient from chilling on the operating table. Another advantage they have is the relief of pressure, reducing the risk of bed sores (decubitus ulcers). To achieve even better breathability there are now textured Trevira Bioactive microfilament yarns available.

A further area in medicine is that of elastic bandages and transdermal therapeutic systems (drug-releasing patches). Here the recommendation is to use high-elasticity textured Trevira polyester filament yarns. Skin irritations often occur with such systems when the elasticity of the patch is not adequate to adjust to the skin torsions occurring underneath.

Trevira polyester fibres and filament yarns meet the Oeko-Tex Standard and are compatible with the skin.
This product information
is expired!

Use our search-function for current products ...
gradient arrows

Trevira GmbH

Philipp-Reis-Str. 2
65795 Hattersheim

Fax: +49/(0)69/305-16342