Medical fibres & fabrics

Abstract

A fiber or fabric comprising silicon for use as a medical fiber or fabric. The silicon present can be biocompatible, bioactive or resorbable material and may also be able to act as an electrical conductor. In addition, porous silicon may be used as a slow release means for example for drugs or fragrances, or as a collector for example for sweat. Novel fibers, fabrics and methods of preparation of these are also described and claimed.

1 .- 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . A method for producing a fiber comprising silicon, which method comprises coating a microfiber with silicon or a silicon composite.  
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein the microfiber is a biodegradable suture.  
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein the microfiber is soluble and wherein in a subsequent step, said microfiber is wholly or partially dissolved to producing a hollow amorphous silicon or silicon composite microfiber.  
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 32  wherein the said soluble microfiber is hollow.  
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein the silicon microfiber obtained is porosified.  
   
   
       35 .- 72 . (canceled)