| Abstract [eng] |
Knitted orthopaedic compression supports are classified as not implantable medical textiles group. During design process of medical compression supports, it is essential to pay attention to generated compression value. Manufacturing process of these products, as well as of other medical textile products, has to be regulated and carefully supervised. But the field of knitted orthopaedic supports is not developed wide enough, so during design methodologies and standards of compression socks for venous diseases are often used. Also, one more essential factor of modern products is its comfort. The aim of this study was to investigate influence of structure and construction of compression orthopaedic supports on compression and comfort parameters. Compression supports knitted samples were designed especially for this study. Samples were knitted in JSC „Ortopagalba“ on a flat double needle bed knitting machine (with an E14 gauge) in rib 1x1 pattern with elastomeric inlay yarns. In order to obtain samples with different compression parameters, two types of inlay yarns were used for insertion in four different densities: in each course, every second course, every fourth course and two yarns in every second course. Samples with different relative surface area of rigid element were designed. During the study, course and wale densities were measured; course and wale spacing were calculated. Tensile and multi cycle fatigue tests were performed, compression generated by samples was calculated, air permeability and friction characteristics were determined. Statistical analysis was carried out for all experimental results. It was investigated that there is strong linear dependence between tensile force and compression of knitted orthopaedic fabrics as well as relative area of rigid element. Also it was found that decisive influence on tensile force value has insertion of inlay yarn in the kit structure, but not its absolute amount. Investigations shown, that rigid element has valuable influence to product compression and can even change its compression class. Also, it was found that after multi cycle fatigue generated compression do not differ significantly. It was investigated that air permeability depends on both inlay yarn linear density and insertion density – the highest air permeability have samples with two inlay yarn inserted every second course and these parameters do not have significant influence to knits friction properties. |
