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Speciality Fibres and Materials Ltd

PO Box 111

101 Lockhurst Lane

Coventry CV6 5RS

UNITED KINGDOM

 

Tel: +44 (0)24 7670 8200

 Case studies

SFM

Sorbsan

Business Goal

Wound care has always been a priority for the medical profession as successful treatment can speed recovery, reduce discomfort for the patient and reduce the cost of care. Following the discovery that wounds would heal better if kept moist, it was suggested that calcium alginate might make a good wound dressing material.

Solution

By gelling in the presence of wound exudate calcium alginate fibres could potentially create this ideal wound healing environment. Speciality Fibres and Materials Ltd developed a process for the manufacture of alginate fabrics for Sorbsan, the modern wound dressing we know today, marketed by Unomedical. This required the development of a unique, patented fibre making process and the pioneering work to establish a medical acceptable fibre and fabric manufacturing route.

Outcome

Not only was the solution a worldwide commercial success, Sorbsan went on to win the Queens Award for Technological Achievement 1989.

Micropake - an innovation for improved health and safety

Following a customer enquiry Speciality Fibres and Materials Ltd developed an X-ray detectable yarn that met European standards for radiopacity, combined with the unique ability to be woven into surgical gauze.

This required a flexible thread with high strength and dimensional stability with good opacity. MicropakeŽ was developed using our expertise in melt spinning of highly filled thermoplastic polymers. Speed to market was very important and was achieved whilst maintaining both product quality and performance.

MicropakeŽ is now a European market leader in X-ray detectable yarns and used by several of the European surgical gauze marketers. There is now a significant increase in use in the Asian markets.

For further information on our products and services please visit our downloads section or feel free to contact us on +44 (0)24 7670 8200 — find out how we can help you today.

Links to our other products and services:

Alginate medical fibres - used worldwide in the production of wound dressings

Micropake medical fibre - an X-ray detectable yarn

Wet spinning - we have expertise in water-based spinning systems

Melt spinning - we have expertise in highly filled yarns

GMP production facilities - clean room production facilities

Healthcare - we use a systematic approach to new product development

Non-woven fabrics - nonwoven, knitted and woven fabric

Research and development - we transform concepts into marketable products