Advances in biomaterials for medical textile applications: a review on integration strategies and sustainable innovations

Biomaterials have undergone remarkable evolution over recent decades, driven by advances in molecular design, synthesis techniques, and functional optimization. These innovations have transformed biomedical applications, addressing critical global healthcare challenges. Early-career researchers have played a pivotal role in this progress through interdisciplinary approaches and novel methodologies. This review provides a systematic assessment of biomaterials in medical textile applications, covering performance characteristics, fabrication strategies, and emerging eco-friendly alternatives. It highlights recent interdisciplinary developments and innovative concepts not addressed in previous literature, offering new perspectives to guide future research in biomedical textiles. Furthermore, the review presents an in-depth analysis of biomaterial-based approaches for medical textiles, emphasizing strategies for next-generation functional polymers. Medical textiles, essential in clinical practice, demand stringent properties such as biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and functionality. Applications include wound dressings, implants, surgical sutures, and drug delivery systems. Incorporating advanced biomaterials into these textiles has improved therapeutic efficacy, patient outcomes, and sustainability. This paper evaluates the performance of various biomaterials, explores innovative fabrication and functionalization techniques, and discusses eco-friendly alternatives to overcome limitations of conventional materials. Ultimately, the review underscores the potential of biomaterial-enabled medical textiles in shaping personalized and regenerative healthcare.