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The article presents the results of measurements of pressure exerted by two model knitted products – bands with different structure (WI jersey weft-knitted fabric and WII openwork warp-knitted fabric). The tests were carried out with using the I-Scan system (in vivo and in vitro tests) and the STM 579 device (in vitro test). A comparative analysis of the in vivo and in vitro results for the I-Scan method and in vitro results for the I-Scan and STM 579 method was performed. It was found that the pressure values are lower for openwork warp-knitted fabric than for jersey weft-knitted fabric both in the case of the in vitro and in vivo tests, and the values of pressure for the same band are higher in the case of the in vitro tests.

A convenient and simple method for preparation of commercial nonwovens with antimicrobial properties was elaborated. The process consists in preparation of poly(L-lactide) microspheres (from poly(L-lactide) with M n = 10,560 and M w /M n = 1.39) containing triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol) and loading them onto the nonwovens. The microspheres were prepared by spray drying (D n = 3.91 μm, D w /D n = 2.43) and oil-in-water emulsification-solvent evaporation method (D n = 5.84 μm, D w /D n = 1.25). Content of triclosan in microspheres ranged from 4.65 to 4.95 wt%. The antibacterial nonwovens were prepared by padding of the fibers with the microspheres using the microsphere suspension. The resulting antibacterial nonwovens were examined using inhibition zone measurement method. Inhibition zones from 4 to 9 mm indicated that the modified nonwovens had antibacterial properties against Gram (+)-Staphylococcus aureus and Gram (À)-Klebsiella pneumoniae. Nonwovens were conditioned up to 12 months at relative humidity <5%, 50%, and 100% in desiccators and up to 6 months air-conditioning system at relative humidity = 65%. Antimicrobial activity of the modified nonwovens was examined as a function of time and air humidity. Time of conditioning has strong influence on antibacterial activity, whereas the impact of the air humidity was negligible. All nonwovens had antibacterial properties even after 12 months of conditioning.

The capabilities of the I-SCAN (TekScan) system for pressure measurements were tested in in vivo and in vitro condition using hosiery articles at a pressure of 18-21mmHg, as declared by the manufacturers. For two types of knee-length socks with the same structure and slight difference in composition (polyamide/elastomer 78/22% and 64/36%) the pressure was measured on the ankle and calf in four positions (1-front, 2-inner side, 3-back, 4-outer side). The highest pressure values were found for the 1-front position and the lowest for the 2-inner side position. It was shown that there is a correlation between the in vivo and in vitro tests. The I-SCAN method allows to take measurements in various place and to create maps of the pressure distribution.