What are the applications of polyester fiber in the medical industry
source:
www.artisanleather.com.cn | Release time:2025-10-10
Polyester fiber, commonly known as "polyester", has extended its application in the medical industry from "basic auxiliary materials" to "functional medical supplies" due to its high strength, chemical corrosion resistance, easy disinfection, controllable cost and other characteristics. It can also be modified (such as antibacterial, anti-static, biocompatibility optimization) to meet the special needs of medical scenes. Specifically, it can be classified and analyzed according to the four core scenarios of "clinical operation, patient care, medical equipment, and environmental protection"
1、 Clinical operation scenario: adapted to the requirements of "sterility, disinfection resistance, and high strength"
In clinical practice, polyester fiber products need to come into direct contact with medical staff or patients, and the core requirements are "sterile, stain free, tolerant of high-frequency disinfection, and not easily damaged" to avoid cross infection or operational failure:
1. Surgical related supplies:
Surgical suture: Polyester fiber suture (such as non absorbable polyester suture) is a commonly used surgical suture material in clinical practice, with the advantages of: ① high strength (2-3 times the breaking strength of cotton thread), and is not easily broken due to tissue tension after suturing; ② Resistant to chemical corrosion (resistant to disinfection methods such as ethanol, iodine, and high-temperature steam), and does not degrade in the body (suitable for tissues that require long-term fixation, such as skin and fascia sutures); ③ Smooth surface, less likely to damage tissue during suturing, and low postoperative foreign body reaction.
Surgical drape/hole towel: made of a blend of polyester fiber and cotton fiber, combining the "wrinkle resistance and easy disinfection" of polyester and the "breathability" of cotton - the drape can cover the surrounding area of the surgical site, preventing hair and dandruff from contaminating the surgical field; The reserved holes in the surgical gown can accurately expose the surgical site and maintain integrity even after high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization (121 ℃, 20 minutes), without the risk of fiber detachment (to prevent foreign objects from entering the wound).
2. Protective glove lining: Some medical latex/nitrile gloves are lined with ultra-fine
polyester fibers to reduce friction between the gloves and the skin, making it convenient for medical staff to quickly put on and take off (especially during long-term surgeries); ② Absorb sweat from hands, keep hands dry, and reduce the risk of glove slippage; ③ The low allergenicity of polyester fibers can reduce allergic reactions caused by direct contact of latex with the skin.
2、 Patient care scenario: focusing on the needs of "comfort, durability, and functional adaptation"
Patient care products require long-term contact with the patient's skin, balancing comfort and durability. Some products also need to have functions such as antibacterial and moisture absorption. Polyester fibers can be modified to accurately match these needs
1. Medical dressing substrate:
Non woven polyester fibers (such as spunbond and hydroentangled non-woven fabrics) are one of the core substrates for wound dressings, with the advantages of: ① good breathability (the gaps between fibers allow moderate contact between the wound and air, promoting healing); ② Strong liquid absorption ability (can absorb wound exudate, keep the wound dry, and reduce the risk of infection); ③ Antibacterial dressings can be made by loading antibacterial agents (such as silver ions) to prevent bacterial growth on the surface of wounds (suitable for infectious wounds); ④ Good flexibility, can fit irregular wound areas such as joints and limbs, and is not easily detached due to movement.
Chronic wound care pad (such as pressure ulcer care pad): made of "hollow polyester fiber", the hollow structure can store air, form a "buffer layer", reduce local skin pressure (prevent pressure ulcers); At the same time, polyester fiber is washable (can be repeatedly machine washed and disinfected), with a much longer service life than cotton care pads, reducing long-term care costs.
2. Patient clothing and bedding:
Patient gowns, bed sheets, and duvet covers are often made of a blend of polyester fiber and cotton (such as 60% polyester+40% cotton), which has better wrinkle resistance compared to pure cotton (no need to iron after washing, reducing the workload of medical staff); ② Wear resistance (less prone to pilling and deformation after repeated cleaning, extending service life by 2-3 times); ③ Easy to dry (with a lower water absorption rate than cotton, fast drying or air drying speed, suitable for the hospital's "high-frequency cleaning and fast turnover" needs).
Recovery elastic bandage: Made of a blend of polyester fiber and spandex, polyester provides "high-strength support" (preventing the bandage from failing due to excessive stretching), while spandex provides "elastic recovery" (fitting the limb curve without affecting blood circulation). It is suitable for compression bandaging after fracture fixation and joint sprain, and is resistant to disinfection (can withstand alcohol wiping, repeated use).
3、 Medical equipment scenario: supporting the demand for "structural stability and environmental corrosion resistance"
The components of medical equipment need to withstand "long-term use, environmental corrosion (such as disinfectant liquids, humidity)", and polyester fibers (especially high-strength, high modulus varieties) can be used as "structural materials" or "functional components" of the equipment:
1. Equipment filtering material:
Air filters (such as operating room purification systems and ventilator filters): made of "ultra-fine polyester fiber non-woven fabric" with a fiber diameter of only 1-5 μ m, can efficiently intercept dust and bacteria in the air (with a filtration efficiency of over 99.97%, meeting HEPA standards); And polyester is resistant to moisture and heat (can withstand high temperature sterilization at 121 ℃), resistant to chemical corrosion (does not react with hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid used for disinfection), suitable for the needs of "high-frequency disinfection and long-term use" of medical equipment.
Liquid filters (such as hemodialysis machines and liquid filters): using "polyester fiber woven mesh" or "melt blown polyester filter element", with uniform pore size (can be controlled at 0.22-10 μ m), can filter impurities, particles, or small molecule waste in the liquid or in hemodialysis; Polyester has good biocompatibility, does not react chemically with drugs or blood, and has no risk of dissolution.
2. Equipment structure and protective components:
The handrails/protective covers of medical carts and hospital beds are wrapped in "polyester fiber woven fabric", which has the advantages of: ① wear resistance (not easily damaged by long-term contact); ② Easy to clean (smooth surface, wipe with disinfectant wipes to remove stains and bacteria); ③ Anti slip (increases friction between hands and handrails to prevent slipping when pushing).
Medical catheter outer layer: The outer layer of some disposable medical catheters (such as drainage tubes and urinary catheters) is reinforced with a "polyester fiber woven layer", which is used to: ① enhance the "bending resistance" of the catheter (prevent the catheter from bending and blocking in the body); ② Enhance the strength of the tube wall (to avoid catheter rupture due to negative pressure or pressure), and the polyester is resistant to body fluid corrosion (does not react with urine or blood, ensuring safe use).
4、 Environmental Protection Scenario: Building "Aseptic Barrier, Pollution Control" Requirements
The hospital environment needs to strictly control "cross infection", and polyester fiber products can serve as a "protective barrier" to block the spread of pollutants:
1. Disposable protective equipment:
Medical protective clothing (non core area use): Some basic protective clothing is made of "spunbond polyester non-woven fabric", which is lightweight, breathable, and can block droplets and dust (in accordance with GB 19082-2009 standard), suitable for medical staff in fever clinics and general wards; Compared to non-woven polypropylene, polyester has better "tear resistance" (less likely to tear due to activity, improving protection integrity).
2.Disposable shoe covers and hat covers: made of "low weight polyester non-woven fabric",
with a lower cost than polypropylene, and resistant to wear and tear (not easily damaged when worn on and off), can effectively block pollutants carried by shoe soles and hair, and maintain a sterile environment in clean areas such as operating rooms and ICUs.
2. Environmental cleaning and disinfection supplies:
Medical cleaning cloth (such as wiping cloth, disinfectant cloth): using "polyester fiber water jet non-woven fabric", compared to traditional cotton cloth: ① stronger liquid absorption ability (can absorb 3-5 times its own weight of liquid); ② No fiber shedding (to avoid fiber residue contaminating the equipment surface during wiping); ③ Resistant to disinfection (can be repeatedly soaked in disinfectant, does not dissolve or deform), suitable for high-frequency cleaning and disinfection of hospital equipment and tabletops.