Title

Advanced Materials in Healthcare

ADVANCED MATERIALS

Overview

Brightwake stands at the forefront of innovation in the healthcare industry, leveraging advanced materials science to create high-performing value-adding solutions that enhance the safety and efficacy of medical devices. Our expertise in anti-microbial and bioactive materials across a vast range of material types, enables us to develop products that prevent infections and promote healing, making them essential in wound care and other critical applications.


By utilising our deep knowledge of advanced materials, we assist our clients in developing products that not only meet but exceed the highest standards of safety and performance. Below is an overview of the various advanced materials we offer, their features and benefits, and their applications across healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and defence industries.

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Brightwake's commitment to advancing material science ensures that our products not only meet but exceed the industry's most stringent standards. Our innovative solutions, derived from a deep understanding of material properties, provide our customers with what they need to add value to their products. Whether it's in wound care, surgical applications, medical devices, automotive, aerospace, or defence sectors, our advanced materials offer unparalleled performance, safety, and efficacy.

SILICONE ADHESIVE

Overview

Silicone Adhesive is a medical-grade adhesive known for its gentle, yet secure bonding properties, making it ideal for use on delicate or compromised skin. Unlike traditional adhesives, silicone adhesives do not irritate the skin or leave residues, and they can be easily removed without causing trauma to the underlying tissue. This makes them particularly suitable for use in wound dressings, ostomy products, and other medical applications where frequent dressing changes are required.

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Features and Benefits


•    Gentle on the skin, reduces the risk of irritation
•    Secure adhesion without residue
•    Water-resistant and durable
•    Easy to remove without damage to the skin


Applications
•    Wound dressings
•    Ostomy products
•    Medical tapes

FOAM

Overview

Foam materials, including PU Foam (polyurethane foam) and PVC Foam (polyvinyl chloride foam), are widely used in the healthcare industry for their cushioning, absorbency, and protective properties. PU foam is known for its softness and flexibility, making it ideal for use in wound dressings that need to conform to the body's contours while providing a moist environment for healing. PVC foam, on the other hand, offers more durability and is often used in applications requiring more robust support and protection.

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Features and Benefits
•    Excellent cushioning and support
•    High absorbency for wound exudates
•    Breathable and comfortable
•    Customisable to various thicknesses and densities


Applications
•    Wound dressings
•    Medical cushioning
•    Orthopaedic supports
•    Orthoses

THERMOPLASTIC TPU FILM AND PVC FILM

Overview

Thermoplastic TPU Film (Polyurethane Film) and PVC Film (Polyvinyl Chloride Film)
Medical films, such as PU Film (polyurethane film), PVC Film (polyvinyl chloride film), and Copolymer Film, are used to create protective barriers over wounds, surgical sites, and other areas requiring isolation from external contaminants. These films are typically waterproof yet breathable, allowing oxygen and moisture vapor to pass through while keeping out bacteria and other harmful agents. Their transparency also enables easy monitoring of the wound without removing the dressing, reducing the risk of infection.

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Features and Benefits
•    Waterproof and breathable
•    Provides a protective barrier
•    Transparent, allowing wound inspection
•    Flexible and conformable


Applications
•    Wound dressings
•    Surgical drapes
•    Barrier films
•    Inflatable products
•    Pressure care devices
•    Automotive seating systems

YARN

Overview

Specialised yarns, including Nylon Yarn, Polyester Yarn, and X-ray Detectable Yarn, are essential components in medical technical textiles, sutures, and implantable devices. Nylon and polyester yarns are prised for their strength, flexibility, and biocompatibility, making them suitable for use in durable, long-lasting medical products. X-ray-detectable yarns are particularly important in surgical applications, as they allow for easy detection of materials left in the body, thereby enhancing patient safety.

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Features and Benefits
•    High tensile strength
•    Biocompatible
•    Customisable for various medical applications
•    Detectable by X-ray for safety


Applications
•    Surgical sutures
•    Medical textiles
•    Implantable devices

NONWOVENS

Overview

Nonwoven materials are engineered fabrics made by bonding fibres together through mechanical, chemical, or thermal processes, rather than weaving or knitting. These materials are highly versatile and widely used in the healthcare industry for applications ranging from disposable surgical masks and gowns to wound dressings and sanitary products. Nonwovens are valued for their lightweight nature, high absorbency, and breathability, as well as their ability to be produced cost-effectively.

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Features and Benefits
•    Lightweight and breathable
•    High absorbency
•    Customisable for various medical needs
•    Cost-effective production


Applications
•    Wound dressings
•    Surgical masks
•    Disposable medical garments

TEXTILES

Overview

Medical textiles encompass a wide range of fabric materials used in the production of garments, drapes, and wound care products. These textiles are specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of the healthcare environment, offering properties such as durability, breathability, and biocompatibility. The ability to customise textiles for specific medical applications makes them indispensable in creating comfortable, protective, and functional healthcare products.

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Features and Benefits
•    High durability and comfort
•    Breathable and flexible
•    Customisable for various applications
•    Biocompatible


Applications
•    Surgical drapes
•    Medical garments
•    Wound dressings
•    Inflatable products
•    Pressure care devices
•    Automotive seating systems
 

SUPER ABSORBENT MATERIALS

Overview

Super Absorbent Materials (SAMs) are polymers with the extraordinary ability to absorb and retain large quantities of liquid relative to their mass. These materials are essential in managing high-exudate wounds, incontinence products, and other moisture-intensive applications. By absorbing and locking away fluids, SAMs help maintain a dry environment, which is crucial in preventing skin maceration and promoting wound healing. Their high absorbency also reduces the frequency of dressing changes, enhancing patient comfort and care efficiency.

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Features and Benefits
•    Extremely high absorbency
•    Maintains a moist wound environment
•    Reduces the need for frequent dressing changes
•    Biocompatible


Applications
•    Wound dressings
•    Incontinence products
•    Absorbent pads

CALCIUM ALGINATE

Overview

Calcium Alginate is a naturally derived polysaccharide obtained from brown seaweed, widely recognised for its exceptional wound-healing capabilities. This biocompatible material forms a gel upon contact with wound exudate, creating a moist environment that is conducive to healing. Calcium alginate's ability to absorb large amounts of fluid makes it particularly effective in managing wounds with heavy exudation. It also plays a role in maintaining the wound's pH balance, which can further enhance the healing process.


•    Reinforced Alginate: This variant of calcium alginate is designed to provide increased structural integrity, making it more durable and suitable for wounds requiring longer-term treatment. The reinforcement enhances the material's strength without compromising its gel-forming properties.

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•    Reinforced Alginate with Silver: By incorporating silver into the alginate matrix, this material gains potent antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for preventing infection in wounds, particularly in settings where bacterial contamination is a concern.


Features and Benefits
•    Excellent moisture retention
•    High absorbency for exudate management
•    Promotes a moist wound-healing environment
•    Antimicrobial properties (with silver)


Applications
•    Wound dressings
•    Surgical dressings
•    Burns treatment

CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE

Overview

Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) is a cellulose derivative used extensively in wound care due to its high absorbency and ability to form a gel when in contact with moisture. This material effectively manages exudate, helping to prevent maceration of the surrounding skin while maintaining a moist wound environment, which is essential for optimal healing. CMC is also known for its biocompatibility, making it safe for use in a variety of medical applications. 

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Features and Benefits
•    High fluid absorption
•    Forms a protective gel upon contact with wound exudate
•    Maintains a moist wound environment
•    Non-toxic and biocompatible


Applications
•    Hydro Fiber dressings
•    Wound care products
•    Drug delivery systems

MANUKA HONEY

Overview

Manuka Honey, derived from the nectar of the Manuka tree in New Zealand, is known for its unique antibacterial and healing properties, which are attributed to its high concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO). Unlike regular honey, Manuka Honey is effective against a wide range of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition to its antimicrobial activity, Manuka Honey helps to reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration, making it a valuable component in wound care.


•    Manuka Honey Oil: This concentrated form of Manuka Honey retains its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in products that require a more potent formulation for treating wounds and skin conditions.

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Features and Benefits
•    Natural antibacterial properties
•    Promotes rapid wound healing
•    Reduces inflammation
•    Helps debride wounds


Applications
•    Wound dressings
•    Topical ointments
•    Anti-inflammatory creams

ZINC OXIDE

Overview

Zinc Oxide is an inorganic compound that has been used for centuries in skincare and wound care due to its soothing, protective, and antimicrobial properties. It forms a barrier on the skin, protecting it from irritants and moisture, which helps prevent and treat conditions such as diaper rash, minor burns, and abrasions. Zinc oxide also has mild astringent properties that can help reduce inflammation and promote healing in compromised skin. 

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Features and Benefits
•    Antimicrobial
•    Soothes irritated skin
•    Provides a protective barrier
•    Promotes healing of minor wounds


Applications
•    Barrier creams
•    Diaper rash treatments
•    Topical ointments