This volume offers unique insight into the uses of smart textiles in the medical field. It addresses topics such as wound care materials, drug-based release systems, and electronic sensors for health care. It also discusses the role of smart textiles in monitoring the health of particular groups, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with particular physical disabilities. This book presents a good overview of a dynamic, emerging field of technology.

From the Introduction: “...Intelligent textiles are a relatively new discipline in the textile sector. They are active materials that have sensing and actuation properties. Their potential is enormous...The potential impact of smart textiles for healthcare is significant: risk assesssment and diagnosis will be faster and more accurate, treatment and care will be more effective...”

Target Audience: Materials scientists, biomedical engineers, product development technologists, and other professionals and upper-level students concerned with healthcare and smart textiles.

Table of Contents:

Types of Smart Medical Textiles:

Trends in Smart Medical Textiles

Smart Wound-Care Materials

Textile-Based Drug Release Systems

Application of Phase Change and Shape Memory Materials in Medical Textiles

The Use of Electronics in Medical Textiles

Textile Sensors for Healthcare

Smart Dyes for Medical and Other Textiles

Smart Medical Textiles for Particular Types of Patient:

Intelligent Garments for Prehospital Emergency Care

Smart Medical Textiles in Rehabilitation

Smart Medical Textiles for Monitoring Pregnancy

Smart Medical Textiles for Monitoring Chlidren in Hospital

Wearable Textiles for Rehabilitation of Disabled Patients Using Pneumatic Systems

Wearable Assistants for Mobile Health Monitoring

Smart Medical Textiles for Monitoring Patients with Heart Conditions

Index