Advanced materials used in wearable health care devices and medical textiles in the battle against coronavirus (COVID-19): A review

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has generated great confusion around the world, affecting people’s lives and producing a large number of deaths. The development of portable and wearable devices is of great importance in several fields such as point-of-care medical applications and environmental monitoring. Wearable devices with an ability to collect various types of physiological records are progressively becoming incorporated into everyday life of people. Physiological indicators are essential health indicators and their monitoring could efficiently enable early discovery of disease. This would also help decrease the number of extra severe health problems, in disease avoidance, and lower the overall public sector health cost. Protective clothing is nowadays a main part of textiles classified as technical or industrial textiles. Protective clothing aims to protect its wearer from the harsh environmental impacts that may result in injury or death. Providing protection for the common population has also been taken seriously considering the anticipated disaster due to virus attacks. This review highlights the properties of the materials that are used in wearable health care device and medical textiles.