Medical textiles used as operation theatre apparels benefit from SITRA research

The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) has conducted studies on cut-resistant fabrics and use of nano finishes for anti-microbial and blood repellent operation theatre apparels.


Sterilisation

Repeated sterilisation might reduce the special properties of the product if it was not finished properly. With the use of nano finishes, blood would not penetrate the apparel and the properties would not be lost due to sterilisation. This helped avoid cross infection.

SITRA scientists found that application of nano finish was able to control the bacterial growth on operation theatre apparels even after 50 home launderings.

Breathability

It also helped improve the breathability in terms of water vapour resistance, air permeability and wicking compared to fabrics treated with normal finishes.

In another project, the association had attempted to produce cut-resistant and puncture- proof fabric. This could be used by sportspersons, the official said.

Spun yarns

Different types of cut-resistant fabrics using core spun yarns were produced. Spectra core yarn and Zylon core yarn fabrics exhibited high levels of blade-cut resistance, puncture resistance and abrasion resistance. It may be noted that the textile industry was involved in these projects also.

The Union Ministry of Textiles had identified SITRA as a Centre of Excellence for medical textiles. The centre was developed at a cost of Rs. 10 crore for product development, testing, prototype development and consultancy. Most of the machinery was installed and the centre was likely to be commissioned in a couple of months, the official said.

The Hindu