Vitebsk and Gomel scientists have produced experimental samples of biocompatible knitwear

March 17, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. Scientists from the Department of Knitting Technology of the Vitebsk State Technological University (VSTU) have developed and manufactured experimental samples of knitted materials with enhanced biocompatibility with the human body. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the head of the department, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Alexander Charkovsky. The development is carried out jointly with scientists from the V.A. Belogo Institute of Mechanics of Metallopolymer Systems of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (Gomel) within the framework of the State Comprehensive Program of Scientific Research "Mechanics" (subsection "Creation of Biocompatible Polymer Knitted Grafts"). Obtaining biocompatible knitwear opens up the possibility of developing a wide range of medical devices in the future, including implants used in surgery for placement inside the human body, Alexander Charkovsky noted. The principle of obtaining such a material is based on the technology of applying a thin-film polymer coating with inherently high biocompatibility directly to knitwear made of synthetic material. Thus, a kind of barrier layer is created on the surface of the knitted threads, which is subsequently intended to come into contact with the human body. In this case, the knitted base must also have biocompatibility. In fact, it is about introducing a polymer material into the structure of knitted threads and creating a new composite material, which, after implantation into the body, should grow with living tissue. During the research, scientists determined which type of polymers can be used and the technology for applying the polymer to the knitted matrix, which minimizes changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the material after processing. The obtained results open up new possibilities in medicine, including the creation of artificial materials with biologically active components that, after administration into the human body, can have a therapeutic effect. Also, based on biocompatible knitwear, it is possible to create and artificially grow implants for the human body. This is a complex task that requires the joint efforts of engineers, doctors, biologists, and textile production specialists, Alexander Charkovsky added. -0-