A study of the modelling and characterisation of compression garments for hypertrophic scarring after burns. Part 2: characterisation of compression garments

Medical textiles

“…Little information regarding the properties of fabrics used in the construction of existing pressure garments exists in the literature and the pressure that is exerted by the pressure garments is not routinely measured with suitable instruments, at least not in UK hospitals. So, the real pressures exerted by each pressure garment, currently used to treat hypertrophic scars, are not normally known [453]. ii.…”

“…ii. During pressure-garment application in UK hospitals, there is no awareness of the impact that the various fabric types will have on the different pressures exerted by pressure garments, nor is there a standard test method for the evaluation of fabrics for their use in pressure garments -pressure garments are normally exempt from Conformit e Europ eenne (CE) marking under the Medical Devices Directive because they are custom made and, therefore, fall into a gap in standards legislation [453].…”

“…Starting with modelling of compression garments following burns [453,454], in this case, the Laplace equation was used to model a pattern-cutting chart refined to predict the sub-garment pressure more accurately, irrespective of the shape and size of the limb. The model's accuracy was validated by constructing garments for the arms and legs of a male volunteer and measuring the actual pressures by using a Kikuhime pressure-measuring device.…”

“…One of the desirable properties of compression garments is that the pressure exerted by the garment on the limb should be uniform in all directions; mechanical properties, such as fabric stiffness, extension and recovery, should be close to isotropic to prevent the skin from stretching in the direction where the fabric extension is highest, particularly important when the pressure garment is used on areas of limbs with bony protrusions and areas with a small radius of curvature. It was a power net, the bulkiest one of the four fabrics tested (three power nets and one solid warp-knitted fabric) that was found to possess the best properties for the purpose, but it was also found to be capable of improvement [453].…”