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Technical Textiles - Buyer’s Perspective

With Regards

Medical Department,

Indian Railways

Dr. A K Kanchan, Chief Medical Director, Central Railway

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Indian Railways Medical Department Statistics

Description Figures

Number of EmployeesRELHS (Retd. Employees)

14.11 Lakhs3.14 Lakhs

Number of Beneficiaries 62.71 Lakhs

Number of Railway DoctorsOther Specialists

25061000

Number of Para-medical and other staff

57,000

Number of Hospitals 125

Health Units 586

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Description Figures

Number of Beds 13,963

Number of Indoor Patients 5.1 Lakhs / Yr

Number of OPD Patients 2.60 Cr / Yr

Number of Operations

Supra Major

Major

Minor

3153 / Yr

40,579 / Yr88,332 / Yr

Indian Railways Medical Department Statistics (contd ….)

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Description Figures

Traveling passengers attended

24,000 / Yr

Medical Examinations conducted per Year

67,000 (Pre-placement)1,27,000 (Serving Employees)

Indian Railways Medical Department Statistics (contd ….)

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Estimated budget of Medical Department Rs. 1322 (which is 2.3 % of total Railway Budget ) Crores

Value of above mentioned services 2146 as per CGHS rates Crores

Budget

Indian Railways Medical Department Statistics (contd ….)

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From ancient times the textile materials were used for medical applications in India viz. surgical sponge, linen, silk sutures, strips, catgut, etc.

Latest technological developments has enabled extensive use of technical textiles in healthcare industry today.

Introduction

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In the Patient (Intra-corporal applications)

On the Patient

Near the Patient

For the Patient

Categorisation of Technical textiles in Medical Field

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Sutures (biodegradable and non biodegradable)

soft tissue implants Artificial tendon (meshes) Artificial ligament Artificial cartilage, Orthopedic implants artificial joint Cardiovascular implants vascular grafts Heart valves

Usage category

In the Patient – bio-contact for days to months

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Simple bandages Light support bandages Compression bandages Orthopedic bandages Surgical GauzeCottonSlingsDiapersEye PadsDrapersSanitary productsPatient Hospital UniformAdhesive tapes

On the Patient – bio-contact for minutes to hours

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Near the Patient – No bio-contact, ordinary contact possible

Bed sheetPillow coverOther linen items viz. Blanket, Hand Towels etc.Heating Pad

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Face MaskGownsCapsApronsMopsShoe Cover

For the Patient – No contact

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Healthcare/ hygiene products

Include bedding, clothing, surgical clothes, products for feminine hygiene like sanitary napkins, baby and adult diapers etc.

Non-implantable materials

For wound care that includes absorbent pad (wound contact layer, base material viscose, plastic film) and bandages (simple inelastic/elastic, orthopaedic, plasters, gauzes, lint, padding)

Areas of usage

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A range of natural fibers and biodegradable polymers with non-biodegradable synthetic polymers are being utilised for developing new products in medical textiles.

Since the medical textile applications are directly related to the life of human being, these are required to undergo stringent testing and hygienic criteria.

This led to innovative use of variety of fibers and lot of developments taking place in this field.

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•Cotton  •Polyester  •Polypropylene  •Viscose glass fiber  •Wood fluff  •Polyamide   

Fibers used in manufacturing of nonwovens for medical applications 

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Quality Standards as per FDA

Item Threads per

Dimensions

Weight in g/m2

Length and Width

Other

Bandage Cloth

Wrap 150, Weft 85

57 tolerance of 5%

99 % of size mentioned on the label

Foreign MatterNot more than 2%

Absorbent Gauze

Wrap 75, Weft 55

30 tolerance of 5%

98 % of size mentioned on the label

Foreign MatterNot more than 1%Avg. sinking time not more than 10 secs.

Roll Bandage for POP

Wrap 150, Weft 75

35 tolerance of 5%

98 % of size mentioned on the label

Standards prescribed by FDA for some of the items is tabulated below

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Textiles are very important in all aspects of medicine and surgery.

Advances in nonwovens have resulted in a new breed of medical textiles.

Advanced composite materials containing combination of fibres and fabrics have been developed for applications where biocompatibility and strength are required.

It is predicted that the nonwoven materials will continue to have greater impact in this sector because of large member of characteristics and performance criteria required from these materials. 

Conclusion

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