Abstract
Compression therapy is the preferred choice for the management of chronic venous disorders. Some major challenges, eg, achieving the recommended pressure range and sustaining it during normal daily activities, have been found in using conventional compression products (bandage or stocking) with regular textile structures and materials. These challenges could be solved if there were a possibility of stress control in the fabric. This chapter introduces the potential of shape memory polymers for the design and investigation of a smart fabric for external pressure control. Shape memory polyurethane filaments are incorporated in the structure of the fabric, which control the level of internal stress externally at ambient conditions. Useful design criteria have been proposed to ensure controlled pressure adjustment by the fabric. This smart fabric could have immense potential for functional compression management in novel wound care management.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Smart Textiles and Their Applications |
| Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
| Pages | 145-159 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780081005835 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780081005743 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 16 May 2016 |
Keywords
- Bandage
- Compression therapy
- Pressure
- Shape memory polymer
- Smart fabric
- Venous ulcers
- Wound care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Engineering
- General Materials Science