Bamboo Medical Application
A State-of-the-Art Review
H.B. Lamesgin (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
K.I. van der Stoel (Student TU Delft)
V. Popovich (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
P. Breedveld (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
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Abstract
Bamboo, known for its unique mechanical and antibacterial properties, has attracted growing interest as a sustainable material for medical applications. Despite its potential, its adoption in modern clinical settings remains limited. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current medical uses of bamboo-based materials, focusing on application areas and material composition. A systematic literature search across the PubMed and Scopus databases yielded 45 relevant articles. These were categorized according to medical application and material utilization. Bamboo medical devices exhibited greater variability; those used inside the body often incorporated bamboo as a significant structural element, whereas external devices typically used bamboo as reinforcement. Textiles for treatment primarily used bamboo as a minor component, often combined with antimicrobial or mechanical strengthening agents. In contrast, protective textiles used bamboo primarily as a significant component, leveraging its inherent comfort and breathability. Across all applications, bamboo was selected for its mechanical, antimicrobial, and breathable characteristics. The integration of bamboo in medical technologies is growing, driven by its sustainability and functional performance. However, challenges remain in processing complexity and in demonstrating clear advantages over conventional materials.
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