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| CSIRO | SOLVE | Issue 7 | May 06 | |
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APOLOGY
The CSIRO unreservedly apologises for the use of the term ‘second skin’ in its Media Release dated 10 May 2006 titled "Second Skin Helps Care For All"; in the article published by CSIRO in its magazine ‘Solve’ in Issue 7, May 2006 and on the CSIRO website titled "Textiles: Second Skin to Protect the Elderly"; and in the printed edition of Solve magazine, Issue 7, May 2006 in the article titled "Second Skin" circulated as an insert in the ‘Australian Financial Review’ newspaper on 15 May 2006. CSIRO is not affiliated in any way with the business known as Second Skin or the registered proprietor of that business, Second Skin Pty Ltd, who manufactures and sells custom pressure garments, similar to those featured in CSIRO's media release and Solve magazine article, under the registered trade mark ‘Second Skin’. Second Skin Pty Ltd also has no affiliation with the company Smith & Nephew, with whom CSIRO has collaborated in the development of its featured pressure garment product. CSIRO has no proprietary rights or ownership whatsoever of the name or registered trade mark ‘Second Skin’ and unreservedly apologises for any confusion or deception that may have occurred by referring to products developed by CSIRO as 'second skin'. ARTICLE
TEXTILES:
Smart Textiles to Protect the Elderly By Gio Braidotti
Advanced textile structures are being used to create 'next-to-skin' garments that will help with aged care and injury prevention. Anyone who has used a bandaid against a fussy pair of shoes in a pre-emptive bid to avoid a blister will appreciate the benefit of an artificial skin in preventing a painful sore. However, the concept is being taken to new levels by advances in material science that are creating ‘next-to-skin’ technology to protect the body against impact wounds and major traumas, including those suffered in sport or military conflict. By incorporating so-called ‘smart textiles’, next-to-skin technology is an emerging biomedical field with applications in medicine, sport, occupational safety, the military and emergency services. The basic strategy was illustrated at the recent 2006 Winter Olympics, where skiers wore garments that incorporated impact-activated polymers capable of hardening into a bone-protecting shell if struck with a blow of sufficient force. However, a more universal use of the technology is expected to be in patient care – in particular the care of the elderly or bed-ridden. Nearly 15 per cent of people in high-care nursing homes have a ‘skin tear’ at any one time, according to a study by Geoff Sussman, director of the Wound Education and Research Group at the Victorian College of Pharmacy. The issue, and the potential, have attracted the interest of CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology (CTFT). Researchers at the Geelong-based centre, a long-time global leader in textiles research, have set out to develop a fabric that in the first instance will prevent skin tears among frail patients. The initial fabric that has been developed is about to undergo clinical trials after favourable patient trials.
Dr Andrew Poole, from CTFT, says skin tears are caused by age-related changes that reduce blood flow to the skin and cause a flattening of skin layers. “Because the layers are not anchored together as well, the skin becomes susceptible to shear injuries,” he says. “Simple knocks or even being helped from a wheelchair can cause the skin to tear.” In response to the Sussman report, CSIRO has assembled a research team comprising Dr Poole, Dr Ian Blanchonette and Robin Cranston as project leader. ‘In advanced wound management we can conceive textiles that will be able to sense and respond to biological or physical changes’ “A list of 20 features that a next-to-skin product needs to have to satisfy both clinicians and patients was created by the team,” Mr Cranston says. “Preventing tears is only one requirement. To make sure the garments are used, we have also had to get the comfort, ease of use and aesthetics right.” The textile chosen by the CSIRO team is 95 per cent fine Merino wool and five per cent Lycra®, a combination that can be worked into a soft, lightweight textile that is cool in summer while still preventing the chills that accompany poor circulation. The researchers have developed a specialised knit structure with two crucial mechanical properties. The textile can stretch by 100 per cent without applying any significant extra pressure, which in itself would be problematic. This makes garments easy to put on over ankles and wrists, as well as contracting to provide the necessary fitting to protect the skin against the friction that causes tears. The textile is also chemically treated to provide a machine-washable garment that maintains its integrity. Achieving this has been a trial and error process, with the scientists testing prototypes on themselves before approaching nursing home staff for more insightful critiques. With the support of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and an international manufacturer of wound management products, Smith & Nephew, CSIRO has recently undertaken a wearer trial. In the trial, nursing home residents wore the garments for extended periods. The material left no marking on the skin and because of the high wool content did not accumulate moisture, which can cause fabric to smell. The trial ‘next-to-skin’ garments were worn for five consecutive days before laundering. With the success of the wearer trial, the research team is seeking the go-ahead for a six-month clinical trial with about 400 participants, to be conducted by Mr Sussman’s Wound Education and Research Group. Having established proof of concept, Mr Cranston and his team are now planning to extend their research into ‘smart textiles’ – materials able to alter their characteristics in response to external stimuli. “In advanced wound management we can conceive textiles that will be able to sense and respond to biological or physical changes like temperature, pH, wound inflammation or vital life signs like cardio rhythm,” Mr Cranston says. “In other areas, there are phase-changing polymers that can change their form and allow a textile to go from being a flat, cool fabric to a high-bulk insulating material as the temperature drops.” Mr Cranston says CSIRO is developing textiles able to carry these types of technologies. The challenge is to create the appropriate textile for a particular purpose, such as wound dressing, and then give it the capacity to incorporate these other related technologies. “One of the most exciting areas of potential involves incorporating electronic sensors linked to telemetry devices that are capable of functions such as monitoring cardiovascular function. We already have a lot of ideas about the kind of textiles that are needed,” Mr Cranston says. APPLICATION Advances in material science have created ‘next-to-skin’ technology with major applications in patient care BENEFIT The specialised technology seeks to prevent skin injuries common among the frail aged For further information contact: |
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