The invention relates to a method of manufacturing wound dressing material using flax fibres and to a wound dressing materia! made using flax fibres which may be applied to wounds and cuts in the form of a dressing, bandage or compress.

In order to protect wounds and injuries and to isolate them from the external environment, and to prevent further infection, various types of dressings are used in medicine.

The Polish patent specification PL 220546 describes a method of preparation of a dressing from natural bast fibres of flax and/or hemp. Fibres are retrieved using the dew retting method, after which follows mechanical processing comprising: breaking, scutching, hackling, spinning - either worsted-style or, in the case of cottonized fibres, cotton-style spinning. The yarn obtained is then weaved into wound dressing fabrics on rapier looms. The linear density of the yarn is no more than 100 tex in the case of cottonized fibres and no more than 30 tex in the case of long fibres, and the density of the fabric in warp and weft direction is no less than 160 threads/dm in the case of yarn from cottonized fibres and no less than 300 threads/dm in the case of long fibres, whereas the flexural rigidity of the wound dressing fabric is no more than 400 mg/cm, and the fluid retaining capacity is no less than 55% of the dry matter content of the dressing.

The dressing from natural bast fibres of flax and/or hemp according to the invention cited is designed to cure wounds and it contains non-genetically modified flax fibres, which in their chemical composition comprise at least 4% of iignins, and/or non-genetically modified hemp fibres, which comprise at least 5% of iignins.

Woven dressing materials in the form of bandages and pads are also known, as are elastic knitted medical products made with the use of third elastic fibres. The Polish patent specification PL 213595 describes a textile designed for the manufacture of a dressing material, said textile containing genetically modified flax fibres obtained from flax possessing cells containing a polynucleotide encoding chaicone synthase (CHS), a polynucleotide encoding chaicone isomerase (CHI) and a polynucleotide encoding dihydrofiavonol reductase (DFR). The cells are preferably transformed by a multigene costruct encoding chaicone synthase (CHS), chaicone isomerase (CHI) and dihydrofiavonol reductase (DFR). Additionally the fibre contains an emulsion of linseed oil or an extract of seed pressings. The textile is used preferentially for the production of wound dressings used to treat mechanical, physical and chemical bodily damage.

As the flax fibres are continuous and non-elastic, the methods of their production used up to now require either addition of fibres made from artificial elastic polymers or genetic modification of flax fibres. The lack of such modification results in insufficient elasticity of the dressing or bandage.

The object of the invention is to provide a wound dressing material of defined elasticity and softness that is most advantageous from the viewpoint of compression of the patient's body parts being dressed and of promoting the healing process of the wound.

The essence of the method according to the invention is the preparation of a wound dressing material with the use of flax fibres wound on a winding machine with a spindle fitted with a block containing a friction reducing agent. The flax fibres of 38.46 to 41.67 TEX and Number metric Nm of 24 to 26 LML for preparing a knitted dressing fabric are wound at least once on a winding machine with a variable speed of 400 to 500 rpm, wherein a friction reducing agent is applied onto the flax fibre during winding. The friction reducing agent may comprise paraffin applied in an amount of between 0.0015 and 0.0025 kg per 1 kg of fibre, or beeswax in an amount of between 0.00075 and 0,0015 kg per 1 kg of fibre. The thus prepared fibre is wound onto the feed spool of the winding machine, and is subsequently subjected to the knitting process, wherein one thread of the flax fabric is used to obtain a rib weft knitted fabric. The course count of the fabric is CC = 5.5/lcm to 6.5/lcm, and the wale count WC = 3.5/lcm to 5/lcm. The knitting machine used is a flat crochet machine with two beds and metric gauge 8.

The essence of the method according to the invention is the preparation of a wound dressing material from flax fibres spinned with the use of a water and oil emulsion. The flax fibres of 55.56 to 66.67 TEX and Number metric Nm of 18 to 15 LML for preparing a knitted dressing fabric are formed into a web in the form of a belt (beam) of parallel, evenly spaced fibres, the belt being several centimetres wide and several hundred metres long, on a set of 6 drafting machines. In the next step, spinning is carried out on a ring spinning machine where the fibre is wetted with an emulsion of water and linseed or hempseed oil of a concentration of up to 2%, whereas the moisture content in yarn is up to 25%. The yarn thus obtained is dried in a microwave drier to moisture content of up to 12%, and then wound on a cross winding package weighing up to 1 kg. The fibre thus processed is then wound on a winding machine with a spindle fitted with a block containing a friction reducing agent. The flax fibre for preparing a knitted dressing fabric is wound at least once on a winding machine with a variable speed of 400 to 500 rpm, wherein a friction reducing agent is applied onto the flax fibre during winding. The friction reducing agent may comprise paraffin applied in an amount of between 0.0015 and 0.0025 kg per 1 kg of fibre, or beeswax in an amount of between 0.00075 and 0.0015 kg per 1 kg of fibre. The thus prepared fibre is wound onto the feed spool of the winding machine, and is subsequently subjected to the knitting process, wherein one thread of the flax fabric is used to obtain a rib weft knitted fabric. The course count of the fabric is CC = 4/lcm to 5/lcm, and the waie count WC = 3/lcm to 4/lcm. The knitting machine used is a flat crochet machine with two beds and metric gauge 8.

The essence of the invention is a wound dressing material made using flax fibres in the form of a rib weft knitted fabric made of a single flax thread. The average linear mass density of the fibre is between 38.46 and 41.67 Tex, whereas the Number metric Nm of the fibre is between 26 and 24 LML, and its elasticity is between 120% and 180%. The course count is CC = 5.5/lcm to 6.5/lcm, and the wale count WC = 3.5/lcm to 5/lcm. The wound dressing material is formed using a single thread of flax fibre by creating stitches and linking them with adjacent stitches in the vertical and horizontal directions. Horizontal stitches form courses, vertical stitches form wales.

The essence of the invention is a wound dressing material made using flax fibres in the form of a rib weft knitted fabric made of a single flax thread. The average linear mass density of the fibre is between 55.56 and 66.67 Tex, whereas the Number metric Nm of the fibre is between 18 and 15 LML, and its elasticity is between 120% and 180%. The course count is CC = 4/lcm to 5/lcm, and the wale count WC = 3/ lcm to 4/lcm. The wound dressing material is formed using a single thread of flax fibre by creating stitches and linking them with adjacent stitches in the vertical and horizontal directions. Horizontal stitches form courses, vertical stitches form wales.

The desired softness and flexibility is attained as a result of using thin flax fibres in conjunction with the use in the knitting process of a knitting machine of metric gauge 8, such machine being usually used for processing thick fibres.

The use during the production process of a winding machine with adjustable speed allows for looser winding of yarn on the feed spool. The difference between the package of the yarn manufacturer and the yarn obtained in the process discussed is in the order of 30% to 40%. Looser winding of yarn is attained by reducing the speed of the winding machine from maximum speed of 1200 rpm to 400/500 rpm.

Additional winding of flax yarn enables application of appropriate amount of paraffin or beeswax coating onto the fibre, which facilitates fibre flow during the knitting process.

In turn, the addition of a water and oil emulsion in proportions of up to 20 mL of oil per 1L of water enriches the fibres with linseed or hempseed oil, which further improves those properties of the dressing materials obtained from these fibres that promote wound healing. Enriching the fibres with ingredients contained in the flaxseed/hempseed oil is intended to nourish the skin from the outside and to stimulate natural healing. The method of fabricating the wound dressing material according to the invention enables obtaining elastic flax dressings, bandages or compresses without using additional elastic fibres. By applying proper knitting parameters, rib elasticity of the fabric is attained without the use of elastic fibres.

The finished product in the form of dressing or bandage is characterized by high elasticity, extensibility in all directions, softness and breathabiiity, while preserving all of the natural assets of flax fibres.

Bandages and dressings made according to the present invention can be applied directly to the wound, they do not cause allergies, they enhance the patient's immune system and promote wound healing, and are characterized by high hygienic qualities. In addition, due to the flexibility of the knitted fabric, they may be used as supporting means for compresses applied to the moving parts of limbs without having to brace or block the patient's body parts being dressed.

Bandages and dressings made with the use of a water and oil emulsion may be effectively used to remove excess exudate along with necrotic tissues, and they exhibit antimicrobial effect. Clinical trials of applying linseed oils to assist in the healing process of wounds and ulcers indicate an effect of promoting tissue regeneration, reparation and of modulating the functions of monocytes in the inflammatory reaction.

The method according to the invention is illustrated by the following examples:

Example I

Flax fibres of 38.46 TEX and Number metric Nm of 26 LML for preparing a knitted dressing fabric are wound twice on a winding machine at a speed of 500 rpm. During the second winding a paraffin coating is applied by means of friction onto the flax fibre in an amount of 0.0025 kg paraffin per 1 kg of fibre. A paraffin block is placed on a spindle installed in the winding machine, the fibre is passed between the paraffin block and a disk on which the block rests, and paraffin is applied onto the fibre under the action of friction during fibre winding. The fibre is wound onto the feed spool of the winding machine. The fibre thus prepared is subjected to the knitting process, wherein one thread of flax fibre is used to form stitches which are then linked with adjacent stitches in the vertical and horizontal directions so that horizontal stitches form courses, and vertical stitches form wales.

Example II

Flax fibres of 40 TEX and Number metric Nm of 25 LML for preparing a knitted dressing fabric are wound twice on a winding machine at a speed of 450 rpm. During the second winding a beeswax coating is applied by means of friction onto the flax fibre in an amount of 0.00075 kg beeswax per 1 kg of fibre. A beeswax block is placed on a spindle installed in the winding machine, the fibre is passed between the beeswax block and a disk on which the block rests, and beeswax is applied onto the fibre under the action of friction during fibre winding. The fibre is wound onto the feed spool of the winding machine.

The fibre thus prepared is subjected to the knitting process, wherein one thread of flax fibre is used to form stitches which are then linked with adjacent stitches in the vertical and horizontal directions so that horizontal stitches form courses, and vertical stitches form wales.

Example III

Flax fibres of 41.67 TEX and Number metric Nm of 24 LML for preparing a knitted dressing fabric are wound twice on a winding machine at a speed of 400 rpm. During the second winding a beeswax coating is applied by means of friction onto the flax fibre in an amount of 0.0015 kg beeswax per 1 kg of fibre. A beeswax block is placed on a spindle installed in the winding machine, the fibre is passed between the beeswax block and a disk on which the block rests, and beeswax is applied onto the fibre under the action of friction during fibre winding. The fibre is wound onto the feed spool of the winding machine.

The fibre thus prepared is subjected to the knitting process, wherein one thread of flax fibre is used to form stitches which are then linked with adjacent stitches in the vertical and horizontal directions so that horizontal stitches form courses, and vertical stitches form wales.

Example IV

Flax fibre of 55.56 TEX and number metric Nm of 18 for preparing a knitted dressing fabric is formed into a web on a set of 6 drafting machines, after which spinning is carried out on a ring spinning machine where the fibre is wetted with a 2% emulsion of water and linseed oil, whereas the moisture content in yarn is 25%. The yarn thus obtained is dried in a microwave drier to moisture content of up to 12%, and then wound on a cross winding package weighing up to 1 kg. The fibre is then wound twice on a winding machine at a speed of 500 rpm. During the second winding a paraffin coating is applied by means of friction onto the flax fibre in an amount of 0.0025 kg paraffin per 1 kg of fibre. A paraffin biock is placed on a spindle installed in the winding machine, the fibre is passed between the paraffin block and a disk on which the block rests, and paraffin is applied onto the fibre under the action of friction during fibre winding. The fibre is wound onto the feed spool of the winding machine.

The fibre thus prepared is subjected to the knitting process, wherein one thread of flax fibre is used to form stitches which are then linked with adjacent stitches in the vertical and horizontal directions so that horizontal stitches form courses, and vertical stitches form wales.

Example V

Flax fibre of 66.67 TEX and number metric Nm of 15 for preparing a knitted dressing fabric is formed into a web on a set of 6 drafting machines, after which spinning is carried out on a ring spinning machine where the fibre is wetted with a 1.5% emulsion of water and hempseed oil, whereas the moisture content in yarn is up to 20%. The yam thus obtained is dried in a microwave drier to moisture content of up to 12%, and then wound on a cross winding package weighing up to 1 kg. The fibre is then wound twice on a winding machine at a speed of 400 rpm. During the second winding a paraffin coating is applied by means of friction onto the flax fibre in an amount of 0.0015 kg paraffin per 1 kg of fibre. A paraffin block is placed on a spindle installed in the winding machine, the fibre is passed between the paraffin block and a disk on which the block rests, and paraffin is applied onto the fibre under the action of friction during fibre winding. The fibre is wound onto the feed spool of the winding machine.

The fibre thus prepared is subjected to the knitting process, wherein one thread of flax fibre is used to form stitches which are then linked with adjacent stitches in the vertical and horizontal directions so that horizontal stitches form courses, and vertical stitches form wales.

Example VI

Flax fibre of 62.5 TEX and Number metric Nm of 16 for preparing a knitted dressing fabric is formed into a web on a set of 6 drafting machines, after which spinning is carried out on a ring spinning machine where the fibre is wetted with a 2% emulsion of water and linseed oil, whereas the moisture content in yarn is up to 20%. The yarn thus obtained is dried in a microwave drier to moisture content of up to 12%, and then wound on a cross winding package weighing up to 1 kg. The fibre is then wound twice on a winding machine at a speed of 450 rpm. During the second winding a beeswax coating is applied by means of friction onto the flax fibre in an amount of 0.00075 kg beeswax per 1 kg of fibre. A beeswax block is placed on a spindle installed in the winding machine, the fibre is passed between the beeswax block and a disk on which the block rests, and beeswax is applied onto the fibre under the action of friction during fibre winding. The fibre is wound onto the feed spool of the winding machine.

The fibre thus prepared is subjected to the knitting process, wherein one thread of flax fibre is used to form stitches which are then linked with adjacent stitches in the vertical and horizontal directions so that horizontal stitches form courses, and vertical stitches form wales.

The subject of the invention is illustrated by an embodiment shown in drawings, of which Fig. 1 depicts a magnified and stretched plait, whereas Fig. 2 depicts a finished stretched dressing material. Example I

Dressing materia! made by the method according to the invention, of 38.46 TEX and Nm 26, resulting in CC = 5.5/lcm; WC = 3.5/lcm, where:

CC = course count expressed as number of stitches per 1cm

WC = wale count expressed as number of stitches per 1cm

TEX = average linear mass density of the fibre

Nm = Number metric

Applying a tensile force of a magnitude applicable by an adult causes the dressing material 5 cm wide to expand along the course direction by up to about 180% in relation to its initial width. When the direction of force is changed to that of the wale, the knitted fabric is restored to its initial dimensions.

Example II

Dressing material made by the method according to the invention, of 40 TEX and Nm 25, resulting in CC = 5/lcm; WC = 3/lcm, where:

CC = course count expressed as number of stitches per 1cm

WC = wale count expressed as number of stitches per 1cm

TEX = average linear mass density of the fibre

Nm = Number metric

Applying a tensile force of a magnitude applicable by an adult causes the dressing material 5 cm wide to expand along the course direction by up to about 160% in relation to its initial width. When the direction of force is changed to that of the wale, the knitted fabric is restored to its initial dimensions.

Example li!

Dressing material made by the method according to the invention, of 41.67 TEX and Nm 24, resulting in CC = 6.5/lcm; WC = 5/lcm. Applying a tensile force of a magnitude applicable by an adult causes the dressing material 5cm wide to expand along the course direction by up to about 120% in relation to its initial width. Thus a material 5 cm wide can be stretched to nearly 15 cm. When the direction of force is changed to that of the wale, the knitted fabric is restored to its initial dimensions.

For comparison, a 5 cm wide knitted fabric made of yarn of Nm 12 is expanded by 80% in relation to its initial width (thus a 5 cm wide knitted fabric is stretched to about 9 cm).

Example IV

Dressing material made by the method according to the invention, of 55.56 TEX and Nm 18, resulting in CC = 5/lcm; WC = 4/lcm.

Applying a tensile force of a magnitude applicable by an adult causes the dressing material 5 cm wide to expand along the course direction by up to about 120% in relation to its initial width.

Example V

Dressing material made by the method according to the invention, of 66.67 TEX and Nm

15, resulting in CC = 4/lcm; WC = 3/lcm.

Applying a tensile force of a magnitude applicable by an adult causes the dressing material 5 cm wide to expand along the course direction by up to about 110% in relation to its initial width.

Example VI

Dressing material made by the method according to the invention, of 62.5 TEX and Nm

16, resulting in CC = 4.5/lcm; WC = 3.5/lcm.

Applying a tensile force of a magnitude applicable by an adult causes the dressing material 5 cm wide to expand along the course direction by up to about 100% in relation to its initial width.