Review of multifarious applications of polymers in medical and health care textiles

The medical and related healthcare and hygiene sector is the most important and growing part of the textile industry. Due to recent development and advancement in polymer science, the research fraternity explored variety of polymers in medical applications ranging from a single thread suture to the complex composite structures for the replacement of bone and cartilage, and from simple cleaning wipes used in operation rooms to advanced barriers fabrics, all are majorly categorised as health care and hygiene products, extracorporeal, implantable and non –implantable devices. The polymers with desirable properties such as bio-compatibility, non-toxic, non-allergic, non-carcinogenic and good mechanical properties like flexibility, durability and strength have found diverse specialized applications. Chitin, the nitrogen rich polysaccharide has many bio active properties such as anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal, which are promising for use in pharmaceutical and scaffolds applications. Protein based natural polymers like collagen; albumin and gelatine are used as membranes for wound healing. Polymeric materials like hydrogels and bio-degradable polymers are inherently capable of taking care of the infection in sutures and wound dressings, also preventing pollution. Polymers with bio active coatings or bio functional surfaces like herbal agents, nano-silver and plasma offer desired anti-microbial features on material surface required in health care regime. Biological, natural or synthetic derived biopolymers find major application as haemostats due to their structural integrity, flexibility and ease of handling. Shape memory and conductive polymers add unimaginable scope in therapeutic care. This paper presents an overview of polymers used in medical and health care textiles and their wide spread applications classified as in the patient, on the patient, for the patient and near the patient. The future holds bounteous scope for research in the fields of bio-polymers and medical sciences, which help in improving healthcare quality globally by introducing meaningful, new and invaluable products to market.