Novel Medical Fabrics Could Serve as Delivery Devices

The fabrics have precisely defined cavities within the cross-section; these cavities can be of many different shapes and sizes. This enables the storage, release, or the controlled delivery of functional or active agents. A variety of fragile, hydrophilic, and particulate materials can be introduced during the fabric formation. Adjacent spaces can be filled with different materials or the same spaces can be filled with dispersions, gels, or combinations of solids and liquids as the fabric is made.

Potential applications for the fabrics include applicators for cosmetics, lotions, medicaments, etc.; lightweight cellular composites; wipes and absorbents; insulators; different types of filter media; and security and protection products. The Hydrospace fabric was developed at the Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute (NIRI, Leeds, UK), a spinoff company of the University of Leeds (UK).

Related Links:
Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute
University of Leeds