Ahlstrom - Nonwoven Medical Fabrics for Single Use Surgical Gowns, Drapes, Face Masks and Sterile Barrier Systems

In the healthcare industry where quality and performance are critical, Ahlstrom provides the most versatile range of products for your single use (disposable) nonwoven fabric needs.

Ahlstrom’s products meet the demands of hospitals and medical device manufacturers throughout the world. Ahlstrom’s fiber technologies and flexible finishing operations provide a portfolio of fabric properties that can be used in your drapes, gowns, accessories, face masks and sterile barrier systems (sterilization wraps).

BREATHABLE VIRAL BARRIER FABRIC

Ahlstrom's Breathable Viral Barrier (BVB) fabric currently provides the greatest viral barrier protection available on the market today. BVB fabric passes ASTM F1671 (Resistance to Viral Penetration), the highest standard for protection. Other gown fabrics that also meet this standard use micro-porous film, whereas BVB incorporates a monolithic film to create a complete impervious barrier.

The barrier and comfort properties of the BVB fabric are the result of an innovative three-layer construction:

• The inner layer provides a soft touch to the wearer's skin
• The outer layer provides additional fluid repellency and strength
• The layer sandwiched between the inner and outer layers is a responsive, monolithic membrane that provides an impervious barrier

SURGICAL DRAPES AND GOWNS

Ahlstrom nonwoven fabrics are used extensively in surgical drapes and gowns. At Ahlstrom, using spunbond, wetlaid, hydroentangled or composite technologies, they have optimized their fabrics to fulfil the most demanding expectations:

Viral and fluid protection: Ahlstrom currently offers medical fabrics for drapes and gowns with the highest barrier protection available. BVB fabric passes ASTM F1671 and also meets the requirements of ASTM F1670.

Compatible with most sterilization processes: All fabrics are fully compatible with most sterilization methods used in industry, healthcare facilities, and wherever medical devices are sterilized. They are recommended for commonly used techniques such as steam, steam-formaldehyde, ethylene oxide (EtO), radiation and gas plasma.

Linting: Virtually lint free, Ahlstrom’s medical fabrics are designed for use in the type of operating room / theater where the most demanding procedures are performed.

Gown comfort: Breathable fabrics help to minimize bodily discomfort. They are made to ensure thermo-physiological comfort (removing the 'sauna effect'), provide strength characteristics and drapeability, and give healthcare providers the optimum combination of protection and comfort.

Drape and sterile barrier systems flexibility: Ahlstrom fabrics allow the drape to conform to the patient. The drape and sterile barrier systems do not have the slip-slide-and-glide inconvenience of other nonwovens.

Easy to run, easy to convert: The fabrics are easy to convert into finished products.

STERILE BARRIER SYSTEMS

Ahlstrom advanced sterile barrier systems are designed to accommodate a wide variety of medical devices ranging in size and weight. Our products maintain optimal integrity during all phases of gamma radiation, steam sterilization – pre-vacuum, air removal, steam penetration holding time and drying cycle – and are fully permeable to Ethylene Oxide (EtO), without impeding aeration.

Our range of fabrics comprises the most economic crepe paper to the most stringent wetlaid nonwovens and spunmelt composites (SSMMS) products. Ahlstrom sterile barrier systems are soft, virtually lint free and have a proven bacterial barrier. Uniformity is a key advantage, enabling immediate detection of pinholes.

SURGICAL FACE MASKS

Ahlstrom’s facemask inner and outer cover stocks are lightweight, highly breathable wetlaid fabrics. They are extremely gentle and will not irritate the skin. Even when worn for long periods of time, the fabrics leave the skin feeling clean and dry.

The materials can be used with thermal-bonding and / or ultrasonic assembly techniques, and are easy to process. They are suitable for printing - enabling customization of the finished facemask.