TEXTILES.ORG
Ahlstrom-Munksjö recently announced the launch of ViroSēl. The new fabric (pronounced Vi-ro-seal) is designed for surgical gowns to keep medical professionals protected and comfortable. ViroSēl is the company’s next generation breathable viral barrier and provides the opportunity to create robust seam seals for critical areas of a surgical gown.
The tri-laminate fabric was created to be impervious, breathable and comfortable. The outer layer is fluid repellent and durable. The barrier layer has a monolithic film membrane impervious to liquids, viruses and bacteria. The chemical composition of the film allows moisture vapor to pass through it, keeping the surgical staff cool and dry. Its darker inner layer was designed to reduce shadowing and is soft to the touch, which makes it comfortable to wear for long periods of time, the company says.
A recent release notes that protection and comfort are essential for the medical professionals wearing the surgical gown. Surgeries like Cesarean sections as well as gastric and cardiac operations often have a substantial amount of fluids involved and are lengthy to complete.
Infection control is also imperative as there is risk to the patient and staff to potentially come into contact with bodily fluids. International industry standards are used to test and measure the barrier performance for liquids and blood-borne pathogens for materials used in protective clothing. ViroSēl passes these standards, the company reports.
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a manufacturer of sustainable and innovative fiber solutions. It is headquartered in Finland.