Medical Non-Woven Fabrics: The Invisible Guardian of the Medical Field

In the modern healthcare system, medical non-woven fabrics play a vital role, quietly safeguarding the health of medical staff and patients. This seemingly ordinary material, thanks to its unique properties and diverse applications, has become an indispensable part of the medical industry.

Definition and Manufacturing Process of Medical Non-Woven Fabrics
Medical non-woven fabrics are not traditionally woven fabrics, but rather sheets, webs, or mats made from oriented or randomly arranged fibers, bonded together through friction, cohesion, bonding, or a combination of these methods. A wide variety of manufacturing processes exist, each imparting unique properties to nonwoven fabrics. The spunbond process sprays and stretches molten fibers through a high-pressure nozzle to form continuous filaments, which are then laid and thermally bonded into cloth. The resulting non-woven fabric has high strength and stable dimensions. The meltblown process extrudes the polymer melt through extremely fine spinneret holes, where it is stretched into ultrafine fibers under the action of high-speed hot air flow and randomly laid into a web. This type of non-woven fabric has excellent filtration properties and can effectively block tiny particles and microorganisms. The hydroentanglement process uses high-pressure water to spray the fiber web, causing the fibers to entangle with each other, forming a soft, highly hygroscopic and strong non-woven fabric. The needlepunch process uses a barbed needle to repeatedly puncture the fiber web, allowing the fibers to intertwine, increasing the tightness and strength of the non-woven fabric. It is often used to make products that require thickness and fluffiness.

Classification and Characteristics of Medical Non-Woven Fabrics
Medical non-woven fabrics come in a wide variety. Based on their production processes and performance characteristics, they can be primarily categorized as spunbond nonwovens, meltblown nonwovens, SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) composite nonwovens, spunlace nonwovens, and needlepunch nonwovens. Spunbond nonwovens are lightweight, breathable, and possess high tensile strength, providing the fundamental structural support for medical protective equipment. Meltblown nonwovens, thanks to their ultrafine fiber structure, exhibit exceptional filtration efficiency, effectively filtering out tiny particles such as bacteria and viruses from the air, making them ideal for the core filter layer of face masks. SMS composite nonwovens combine the strength of spunbond nonwovens with the barrier properties of meltblown nonwovens, offering excellent liquid barrier properties while maintaining a certain degree of breathability. They are widely used in surgical gowns, drapes, and other products requiring extremely high levels of protection. Spunlace nonwovens are soft, skin-friendly, and highly absorbent, making them non-irritating to wounds. They are ideal for wound care products such as medical gauze and wound dressings. Needlepunch nonwovens, with their high bulk and fluid absorption capacity, are often used in products that require the absorption of large amounts of exudate, such as wound drainage pads.

These nonwovens also possess a range of specialized properties. Most medical nonwovens have excellent chemical stability and a certain degree of tolerance to chemicals such as acids and alkalis, making them less likely to react chemically in medical environments and affect their effectiveness. Antimicrobial properties are also a key characteristic. Through special treatments or the use of fibers with antimicrobial properties, they can effectively inhibit bacterial growth and reduce the risk of infection. Medical nonwovens are also waterproof and breathable, preventing the intrusion of external liquids and microorganisms while ensuring comfort during use and allowing the skin to breathe normally.

Wide Applications of Medical Nonwovens in the Medical Field

Surgical Protection

In the operating room, a place with extremely strict requirements for a sterile environment, medical nonwovens are ubiquitous. Surgical gowns, serving as the first line of defense for medical staff, are often made of SMS composite nonwoven fabrics. Their excellent liquid barrier properties effectively block splashes of blood and bodily fluids from patients, preventing the transmission of pathogens to medical staff. Their breathability also ensures comfort during prolonged surgeries, reducing the feeling of stuffiness. Surgical drapes are also crucial. Covering the surgical area extensively, they not only create a sterile space and prevent contamination of surgical instruments from contact with the surrounding environment, but also absorb fluids produced during surgery, maintaining a clear surgical field of view. Their high strength and stability ensure they will not easily break or shift during surgery.

Wound Care

Wound care is a key application area for medical nonwovens. Medical gauze, often made from spunlace nonwovens, is soft and does not cause secondary damage when in contact with wounds. Its excellent water absorption allows for rapid absorption of wound exudate, maintaining a moist environment and promoting wound healing. Furthermore, its loose fiber structure facilitates air circulation and inhibits the growth of anaerobic bacteria. Wound dressings are even more diverse. Some nonwovens with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, along with special ingredients such as silver ions, effectively prevent wound infection and accelerate healing. For chronic wounds or large-area trauma, highly absorbent and self-adhesive nonwoven dressings are also used. They adhere to the wound for extended periods while absorbing large amounts of exudate, reducing the need for dressing changes and alleviating patient pain.

Medical Supplies

In addition to surgical protection and wound care, medical nonwovens are widely used in a variety of medical supplies. Masks, essential for both daily and medical protection, often utilize spunbond nonwovens for their outer layer, providing structural support and initial filtration. A meltblown nonwoven middle layer performs the core filtration function, effectively blocking droplets, dust, bacteria, and viruses. The inner spunbond nonwoven absorbs exhaled moisture for increased comfort. Disposable medical bed sheets and pillowcases are made from medical nonwovens, offering easy replacement, effective protection against cross-infection, and relatively low cost.

With continuous technological advancements, the performance of medical nonwovens will continue to improve, and their application areas will expand. As invisible guardians, medical nonwovens will continue to shine in the medical field, safeguarding human health.