This places a special responsibility on manufacturers. Materials used in patient care in particular must fulfil strict requirements. This is exactly where Mahlo’s quality measurement systems come into play.

“Antimicrobial wound dressings are among the most sensitive applications,” explains Matthias Wulbeck, Product Manager for Quality Measurement Systems at the Bavarian machine manufacturer. Antimicrobial wound dressings, which contain silver ions for disinfection, are an indispensable aid in modern medicine. They are used on wounds that are at risk of infection or are already infected. The principle: when wound exudate is drawn into the dressing tissue, the silver ions it contains develop their antimicrobial effect exactly where it is needed. In order for this effect to work optimally, the strictest parameters must be adhered to when manufacturing such products. This starts with material control.

Precise measurement for optimum quality

The Mahlo measuring systems ensure that every batch produced meets the high requirements. Using traversing sensors on a robust measuring bridge, they can determine various parameters on the running fabric web. Checking the basis weight plays a key role in wound dressings. ‘We have various sensors available for our Qualiscan QMS quality measurement system, depending on the application,’ says Wulbeck. ‘In this case, a sensor with near-infrared technology measures whether the weight of the material is evenly distributed over the surface.’ At the same time, the moisture content is analysed – a decisive factor for the effectiveness of the silver ions. Another key criterion is the thickness of the material. ‘This is where our laser technology comes into play.’ The double-sided measuring process allows the top and bottom of the product to be measured simultaneously, achieving accuracies in the µm range. ‘This method is particularly suitable for nonwovens, which are often used as the basis for wound dressings. We are talking about thicknesses of around 2 mm.’

Hygiene and clean room standards

However, functionality is not the only decisive factor for medical devices. Hygiene is the top priority during production. Mahlo has designed its frames to meet the strict requirements for clean rooms. All components are designed to prevent contamination. This ensures that the measuring systems can be used safely even under the most sensitive conditions. With Mahlo’s quality measurement systems, manufacturers of medical textiles can not only fulfil the required standards, but also make their production processes more efficient. The result: high-quality products that make a real difference for patients and medical staff.