Obtaining high-capacity absorption radiopaque surgical gauzes by using modified cellulose nanofibres

Rutllan Esteba, Jordi
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The present final degree work has been carried out in order to fulfil several objectives: the first and most important one is to try to improve the absorption capacity of conventional gauzes such as those that can be obtained from a pharmacy or those used in medical centres. The second main objective of this project is to find a possible substitute for the titanium threads which are sewn in surgical gauzes. On the other hand, in order to substitute gauzes for a consumable easier to manage once their useful life ends, it will be evaluated the possibility to manufacture highly absorbent aerogels. However, it is a secondary objective to improve some other properties of these type of medical fabrics, such as evaporation, capillarity and mechanical properties. Therefore, the general purpose of this research is to aid biomedical companies sensitized and worried about sustainable development to improve constantly their products to be more competitive. Taking into account the objectives set out above, the research will start by carrying out a type of market study to know the initial properties value to be exceeded. All types of analyses are going to be done on the reference gauze (provided by Josep Trueta’s Hospital) and as well as on other gauzes that can be used in a surgery or can be bought in a pharmacy. More specifically, the studies that will be carried out are: water absorption tests, water holding time tests, capillarity tests and stress-strain tests. Once the initial properties of gauzes are known, the research will proceed to the production of cellulose nanofibres, obtained from eucalyptus paper fibres. Subsequently, in order to improve the properties of the studied gauzes, part of the nanofibres produced will be infused to different gauze brands, while the rest will be used to produce aerogels. During this phase, we will also add some titanium dioxide and glycerol to some gauzes and only titanium dioxide to aerogels in order to prepare all the samples we need. Once all the samples are ready, all the analysis mentioned above will be repeated to see if nanofibres have produced an improvement on gauzes and if there are differences between aerogels. However, clinical trials on gauzes and aerogels will be carried out to ensure the preservation of biocompatibility with the human body. In particular, antimicrobial tests will be done ​
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