Authored by a practicing surgeon with extensive knowledge of textile materials and an internationally renowned textile scientist, this book offers a comprehensive review of textile materials used in medical and healthcare end-uses. It provides a logical progression from raw material to finished products, including an overview of textiles used in the medical environment and the necessary properties required from different fibre types. - Focuses on the medical and healthcare needs for products engineered from textiles - Explains these requirements in detail and where textiles are replacing traditional methods of healing - Offers readers comprehensive knowledge of textile materials together with an understanding of medical and healthcare issues benefitting from their intervention - Covers appropriate fabric constructions and finishes, as well as implantable, non-implantable, healthcare and hygiene products, extracorporeal devices, and SMART textiles - Discusses current medical device legislation and the appropriate testing of products, in line with current practice - Considers a wide range of medical and healthcare end applications as well as case studies The book provides essential reading for textile professionals, biomedical engineers, and others involved in the research, design and engineering of medical and healthcare appliances, and for those employed in the medical profession wishing to gain new insights into the wealth of materials at their disposal.