Lodaer Img

Knitting

Knitting is a core technology in biomedical textiles, used to create flexible and elastic structures for medical applications. For example, knitted fabrics are used often in the left atrial appendage implant for two reasons:

1) To incorporate tissue growth to close the appendage.
2) To filter the blood until it is closed so the blood clots will be trapped in the appendage.

Another reason to choose Knitting is because the implants are usually made of nitinol braided scaffold with knitted fabric sewn to it. Since woven fabric does not have good elongation, it allows for the production of 2D and 3D textile architectures with controlled porosity and mechanical properties.

Key Applications:

  • Soft tissue repair: Knitted meshes are used in hernia repair, tendon reinforcement, and soft tissue support.
  • Vascular grafts:Knitted tubular structures with elastic properties suitable for blood flow.
  • Scaffolds:Knitted designs enable tissue ingrowth for regenerative medicine.

Advantages of Knitting:

  • Elasticity and Flexibility: Knitted textiles are ideal for applications that require movement and adaptability, such as implants that expand and contract.
  • Porosity Control:Knitting allows precise control over the size and shape of pores, which is crucial for tissue ingrowth, fluid transfer, or drug delivery.
  • Customization:Knitting technologies enable the creation of patient-specific solutions, tailored to meet individual needs and medical challenges.

Types of Knitting Technologies

Types of Knitting Technologies

Warp Knitting

Known for creating strong, stable structures. It is commonly used for vascular grafts and hernia meshes due to its low stretch and high mechanical strength. This technology is characterized by multiple yarns being looped in the warp (longitudinal) direction, making the fabric resilient and capable of maintaining shape.

Weft Knitting

Produces highly elastic structures ideal for applications that require flexibility, like scaffolds for tissue regeneration and wound care products. Weft knitting forms fabric by looping yarn horizontally, allowing for greater stretch, softness, and conformability.

Circular Knitting

Primarily used for creating seamless tubular structures, such as vascular grafts and catheters. The seamless nature of circular knitting reduces points of weakness, making it suitable for applications where uniformity and durability are critical.

Warp Knitting

Known for creating strong, stable structures. It is commonly used for vascular grafts and hernia meshes due to its low stretch and high mechanical strength. This technology is characterized by multiple yarns being looped in the warp (longitudinal) direction, making the fabric resilient and capable of maintaining shape.

Weft Knitting

Produces highly elastic structures ideal for applications that require flexibility, like scaffolds for tissue regeneration and wound care products. Weft knitting forms fabric by looping yarn horizontally, allowing for greater stretch, softness, and conformability.

Circular Knitting

Primarily used for creating seamless tubular structures, such as vascular grafts and catheters. The seamless nature of circular knitting reduces points of weakness, making it suitable for applications where uniformity and durability are critical.