About bandages

• A bandage is a part of material used either to hold up a medical apparatus such as a dressing or splint, or on its own to offer support to the body. Bandages are existing in an ample range of varieties, from common cloth strips, to specialized fashioned bandages designed for a precise limb or part of the body, even though bandages can frequently be improvised as the situation demands, using clothing, blankets or other stuff.
• In ordinary speech, the word "bandage" is often used to mean a dressing, which is used directly on a wound, whereas a bandage is technically only used to support a dressing, and not directly on a wound.
• According to “Stedman’s” Bandages are “...piece[s] of cloth or other material, of varying shape and size, applied to a body part to make compression, absorb drainage, prevent motion, retain surgical dressings”.

Wound Dressing Material
Three layers to a classic bandage

• Contact  or Primary Layer-Adherent bandage for inflammatory stage of healing &Non-Adherent for repair stage
• Intermediate or Secondary Layer-Bulky for absorbency and padding
• Outer or Tertiary Layer-Holding strength

Types of bandages:

• Gauze bandage
• Adhesive bandage
• Compression bandage
• Triangular bandage
• Tube bandage
• Splint
• Velpeau Sling
• Carpal Flexion Bandage
• Robert Jones Bandage

Product characteristics
A bandage holds a dressing in place over an open wound .So whenever possible a bandage should

• A well padded bandage is almost always comfortable to wearer
• As primary dressing, open-weave design provides fast wicking action, superior aeration and excellent absorbency.
• As secondary dressing, it provides bulk, cushioning and ultimate conformability
• Contains no latex, will not melt, harden or dry out from heat or cold.
• Easier removal
• Excellent extensibility
• High elasticity, washable, sterilizable, non-aging
• Made of a lining that is perforated and tough
• Non-irritating adhesive
• Not to stick to the wound
• Provides softness, conformability, low lint, high absorbency
• Reduce bacterial penetration through the dressing.
• Resists bacterial colonization within the dressing
• Stays in place with minimal taping
• Water resistant- yet breathable

Application
The purpose of using dressing like bandage is to

• Control bleeding
• Prevent infection & contamination
• Absorb blood & wound drainage
• Protect the wound from further injury
• treatment of lymph edema or venous ulcers
• provide support to sprains and strains
• avoid pressure sores
• Utilized for shoulder and scapular fractures and injuries
• Useful for short-term stabilization in wounds
• The types of wounds for which they are used include:
• Skin flaps
• Leg ulcers
• Foot ulcers
• Diabetic wounds
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Toe amputations

Raw materials
In general, the main raw materials used to manufacture the bandages are Cotton & Spandex.

Technology
Weaving