Design and development of novel bandages for compression therapy

During the past few years there have been increasing concerns relating to the performance of bandages, especially their pressure distribution properties for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. This is because compression therapy is a complex system and requires two or multilayer bandages, and the performance properties of each layer differs from other layers. The widely accepted sustained graduated compression mainly depends on the uniform pressure distribution of different layers of bandages, in which textile fibres and bandage structures play a major role. This article examines how the fibres, fibre blends and structures influence the absorption and pressure distribution properties of bandages. It is hoped that the research findings will help medical professionals, especially nurses, to gain an insight into the development of bandages. A total of 12 padding bandages have been produced using various fibres and fibre blends. A new technique that would facilitate good resilience and cushioning properties, higher and more uniform pressure distribution and enhanced water absorption and retention was adopted during the production. It has been found that the properties of developed padding bandages, which include uniform pressure distribution around the leg, are superior to existing commercial bandages and possess a number of additional properties required to meet the criteria stipulated for an ideal padding bandage. Results have indicated that none of the mostly used commercial padding bandages provide the required uniform pressure distribution around the limb

In vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activities of cotton fabrics treated with bael fruit shell extract

The present study is aimed at evaluating the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of bael fruit shell (BFS) extract. Hot water extraction (HWE) and ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) techniques have been used to understand the effectiveness of the extraction process and its relation to impart enhanced functional property of cotton fabric. The cotton fabric has been treated with BFS extract by using padding mangle. The effectiveness of antibacterial activity against both the Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and antioxidant property has been evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results reveal that UAE-BFS treated fabric shows 93% reduction for E coli and 82% for S aureus, which is higher as compared to HWE-BFS treated fabric (91% for E coli and 61 % for S aureus). This trend has also been observed in qualitative zone of inhibition method. Antioxidant efficacy of UAE treated fabric is 86%, whereas HWE treated fabric registers 80% activity

In vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activities of cotton fabrics treated with bael fruit shell extract

116-124The present study is aimed at evaluating the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of bael fruit shell (BFS) extract. Hot water extraction (HWE) and ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) techniques have been used to understand the effectiveness of the extraction process and its relation to impart enhanced functional property of cotton fabric. The cotton fabric has been treated with BFS extract by using padding mangle. The effectiveness of antibacterial activity against both the Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and antioxidant property has been evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results reveal that UAE-BFS treated fabric shows 93% reduction for E coli and 82% for S aureus, which is higher as compared to HWE-BFS treated fabric (91% for E coli and 61 % for S aureus). This trend has also been observed in qualitative zone of inhibition method. Antioxidant efficacy of UAE treated fabric is 86%, whereas HWE treated fabric registers 80% activity

Leveraging antibacterial efficacy of silver loaded chitosan nanoparticles on layer-by-layer self-assembled coated cotton fabric

The present study relates to forma self-assembled coating on cotton fabric using layer-by-layer (L-B-L) technique to impart antimicrobial property. Poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and synthesised silver loaded chitosan (CS-Ag) nanoparticles were used as anionic and cationic agents, respectively, for the L-B-L electrostatic assembly of polyelectrolytes. The alternate L B-L deposition of PSS and CS-Ag nanoparticles on fabric was done up to 15 bi-layers, which was confirmed by measuring the change in depth of colour of fabric after each single layer deposition. Scanning electron micrographs showed the successful deposition of CS-Ag nanoparticles as the topmost surface layer of coated fabric, which was further reaffirmed by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Results of both qualitative and quantitative analysis showed enhancement in the antibacterial activity of fabric coated L-B-L with CS-Ag nanoparticles (using minimal loading of silver) with respect to that of fabric coated L-B-L with chitosan (CS) nanoparticles. This was further substantiated by sustained release of Ag+ from fabric coated L-B-L with CS-Ag nanoparticles, as observed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Besides, no adverse effect on the physical and mechanical properties of the fabric, such as air-permeability, tensile strength and bending (flexural) rigidity, was observed after L-B-L coating of nanoparticles

Insight into the development of non-adherent, absorbent dressings

Objective: This study aimed to develop a variety of wound dressing materials, made from standard natural fibres, that have high absorption and non-adherent characteristics. Method: A total of 21 dressings were made using knitted and crochet technologies and their absorbency was tested. Five non-adherent recipes were selected from a range of chemical formulations and the optimised non-adherent finishes were applied to the four best dressings. Their absorbency and non-adherent properties were evaluated. Results: The study demonstrated that rib cotton (RC), rib viscose (RV), crochet cotton medium (CCM) and crochet viscose medium (CVM) dressings possess high absorption and that five finishing recipes, C+D, A+G, I, I+N and I+G, impart high absorption as well as non-adherent properties. The finish I+G is superior in imparting non-adherence to RV dressing, both in dry and moist conditions. This means that irrigation with water, saline or sodium citrate solution before removing the dressing from a wound is not needed. Conclusion: A number of novel knitted and crochet structures with enhanced absorbency have been designed for wound management using standard bleached fibres. Novel non-adherent finishes for the developed structures have been formulated for the developed dressings, and offer an alternative to existing non-adherent dressings

Smart textiles for infection control management

Infection, cross-infection, and infectious diseases are critical for health care personnel and patients in hospitals mainly owing to multi-drug-resistance pathogens. Textile materials and garments used in hospitals promote cross-infection as they are used as a vehicle by the pathogenic disease-causing bacteria to spread the infection. However, smart textile materials play a vital role in protecting against the transmission of diseases not only in hospitals but also in other environments where people gather in large numbers. This chapter discusses the application of such materials for infection control management including wound infection management in hospitals. The role of hospital protective garments is summarised. Test methods and standards that cover surgical gowns, drapes, and clean air suits are highlighte

Influence of silver loaded antibacterial agent on knitted and nonwoven fabrics and some fabric properties

The antibacterial effect of silver on knitted and nonwoven structures has been investigated. Three types of interlocked knitted fabrics (100% polyester, 100% viscose and 50%/50% polyester/viscose) were scoured and treated with silver ions by pad-dry-cure method. A nonwoven fabric (100% bleached cotton) was also treated with silver ions by using a spray technique. Physical and tensile properties of the treated fabrics were analyzed and compared with those of corresponding untreated ones. Results indicate that scouring process and antimicrobial treatment influenced the physical properties and antimicrobial effectiveness of the fabrics. An increase in tensile strength of 100% polyester and 100% viscose is observed after the antimicrobial treatment. The absorbency of all the treated knitted fabrics is decreased but it is substantially increased in the case of nonwoven fabrics. Antimicrobial activity of the treated fabrics was tested against Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The results show that the treated nonwoven and blended (50%/50% polyester/viscose) knitted fabrics registered highest antimicrobial effect

Modulation of size, shape and surface charge of chitosan nanoparticles with reference to antimicrobial activity

Chitosan is extensively used in medicine and medical textiles for drug delivery and other applications because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability and inherent antimicrobial properties. In this study, we demonstrated a manipulating route with suitable process conditions to synthesize chitosan nanoparticles which are expected to have the best antibacterial activity for medical application. Ionotropic cross-linking using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) was the chosen route for synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles. It was interesting to observe that pH of the chitosan and TPP solution has a significant role in controlling the nanoparticle shape and size and thus can be fine tuned to achieve optimum antimicrobial activity. Solution pH of both chitosan and TPP was demonstrated to be the most critical factor in controlling particle size, surface charge and even shape as revealed by the SEM and TEM micrograph. It was also found that variation in size, shape and surface charge of chitosan nanoparticles resulted in significant variation in their antibacterial activity. The study demonstrated that best antimicrobial activity against bacteria S. aureus was achieved when the chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized at chitosan solution pH fixed at 6.0 and the TPP solution pH at 8.9. These observations can be used to fine tune the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles for their application as an effective antimicrobial agent in polymers and textiles for their noble use in medical field

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan and silver loaded chitosan nanoparticles for bioactive polyester

The paper focuses on the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles (CSN) by ionic gelation with sodium tripolyphosphate and subsequently its loading with silver ions to produce silver loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Ag-CSN). The aim was to enhance the antibacterial property of chitosan in the nanoparticle form and thus improve its bactericidal efficacy when applied on polyester fabrics. The average particle size of CSN and Ag-CSN was 115 nm and 165 nm, respectively. The structure of CSN and Ag-CSN was studied by XRD, FTIR, DSC, TGA and TEM analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentration of both the CSN and Ag-CSN against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was found to be 50 and 500 times less, respectively, as compared to bulk chitosan. Silver loading on the synthesized CSN showed synergistic antimicrobial effect against S. aureus bacteria. The release of Ag+ from Ag-CSN finished polyester fabric is substantiated by antibacterial testing which shows a clear zone of inhibition