Abstract: A thin film device for medical applications such as a wound dressing including an occlusive layer having an edge portion about at least a portion of the thin film device and a non-continuous, hydrocolloid-containing polymeric support layer overlying the edge portion of the occlusive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preventing, or reducing the severity of, an ischemic injury originating in an animal's dermal tissue by applying to the animal a composition comprising a compound of formula I*: ##STR1## or a nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable salt, physiologically hydrolyzable ester or solvate thereof, in whichX is --O--CO--, --NH--CO--, --CS--NH--, --CO--O--, --CO--NH--, --COS--, --SCO--, --SCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C--, --CH.sub.2 --NH--, --COCH.sub.2 --, --NHCS--, --CH.sub.2 S--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --NHCH.sub.2 -- or --CR.sup.5 .dbd.CR.sup.6 --;n is 1 or 0;R.sup.m and R.sup.k are independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyloxy or nitro;R.sup.4 is --(CH.sub.2).sub.t --Y.sup.b, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl;R.sup.1 is --CO.sub.2 Z, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, CH.sub.2 OH, --CONHR.sup.y, or CHO;R.sup.a and R.sup.b are independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or R.sup.a and R.sup.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to fibrin sealants. More specifically, the subject invention relates to the use of a fibrin sealant wherein a composition comprising fibrin monomer or a composition comprising noncrosslinked fibrin is utilized as a component of the fibrin sealant.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for avidin immobilized on an inert support material, e.g. agarose, are disclosed. The compositions have high activity levels of avidin and may further include a bulking agent, e.g., maltose, and a protectant to maintain the stability and integrity of the avidin agarose during lyophilization and terminal sterilization processes. These compositions have applicability in any instance where avidin agarose and/or the avidin/biotin technology are useful. In particular, the present compositions are useful in an enzyme capture system to prepare fibrin monomer useful for fibrin sealants. The fibrin is prepared by subjecting a fibrinogen-containing composition to a biotinylated enzyme to convert the fibrinogen in the composition to a corresponding fibrin monomer. A fibrin monomer/biotinylated enzyme mixture is formed.

Abstract: A leak sensor system for use in liquid processing equipment is disclosed. Liquid is detected by a sensing resistor whose impedance decreases dramatically in the presence of liquid. The effect of this impedance drop on the output voltage of he sensor indicates a wet or moist state which may indicate leakage from the liquid processing. A terminal resistor is in the circuit beyond the sensing resistor ro provide a warning indicator when the sensing resistor is damage or disconnected. The leak sensor system is particularly useful in centrifuge equipment, e.g., for the processing of blood.

Abstract: in a process of separating a liquid sample having phase portions of different densities by centrifugal separation, a phase separator container is employed. The phase separator container comprises a housing having concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls defining a longitudinal axis and a top wall and further a piston body constituting a bottom wall of the housing. The piston body defines together with the outer cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall and the top wall, an annular chamber for receiving the liquid sample. The piston body is displaceable within the annular chamber for draining a phase portion separated from the liquid sample through a drain conduit means communicating with the annular chamber. The phase separation chamber further comprises a reaction chamber to which the phase portions exposed from the annular chamber is processed.

Abstract: An autoadhesive wound dressing which having a pad of highly absorbent alginate fibers, one face of which is provided with an interrupted layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive. Such a dressing has the advantages that a separate dressing need not be used to secure the autoadhesive dressing and the autoadhesive dressing may be cut to fit an irregular wound.

Abstract: An improved wound dressing is provided according to the present invention. In a prefenred embodiment, the dressing comprises an absorbent layer including one or more absorbent and/or superabsorbent materials; a porous, non-stick layer or film larger in size than said absorbent layer and overlying, a wound-facing surface of the absorbent layer such that a portion of the non-stick layer extends beyond the length and width of the absorbent layer; a protective cover layer, which protective cover layer is larger in size than the absorbent layer but generally no greater in size than the non-stick layer; and a cohesive layer of an adhesive material generally being substantially the size and shape of the protective cover layer which is adhered to its non-wound-facing surface and having the absorbent layer and the extending portion of the non-stick layer adhered to its wound facing surface, whereby a substantially non-adherent dressing is provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for avidin or protein having affinity for biotin immobilized on an inert support material, e.g., agarose, are disclosed. The compositions have high activity levels for binding biotin and may include a bulking agent, e.g., maltose, and a protectant to maintain the stability and integrity of the composition during lyophilization and terminal sterilization processes. The compositions have applicability in any instance where avidin agarose and/or the avidin/biotin technology are useful. In particular, the present compositions are useful in an enzyme capture system to prepare fibrin monomers useful for fibrin sealants.

Abstract: A wound dressing which comprises alginate characterized in that the alginate has a mannuronate content of 50% to 80% has a molecular weight of 7,000 to 40,000 and has a monovalent:polyvalent of from 10 to 30:70 to 90.

Abstract: Highly absorbent alginate fibers are described which have use in the manufacture of dressings. The fibers and dressings described are highly swellable while also being soluble, rather than just being soluble. This is a considerable advantage for use in environments where high absorption coupled with biodegradability is desired, for example, in wound dressings such as dressings for ulcers or burns.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alginate rope, which process comprises the steps of: (a) extruding an aqueous solution of a water soluble alginate into a coagulation bath; (b) contacting the extruded water soluble alginate with a source of a cation capable of forming a water insoluble alginate salt so as to produce a tow of water insoluble alginate fibers; (c) twisting the water insoluble alginate fibers of the tow; and (d) stretching the fibers up to 250% of their original length. The alginate rope prepared according to the process of the invention may be used as a surgical pack material or in the treatment of cavity wounds.

Abstract: A wound dressing having a lower skin-contacting layer, an upper occlusive layer and an absorbent layer therebetween, at least one seal is provided which defines an absorbent region for preventing the migration of body fluids from the absorbent region and to provide a moist wound environment including the optional inclusion of a wound healing substance.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to fibrin sealants. More specifically, the subject invention relates to the use of a fibrin sealant wherein a composition comprising fibrin monomer or a composition comprising noncrosslinked fibrin is utilized as a component of the fibrin sealant.

Abstract: This invention is directed to solid compositions, for example, lyophilized forms, of fibrin monomer. These compositions are useful wherever fibrin monomer could be employed, e.g., as a surgical sealant to provide hemostasis.

Abstract: A device for separating components, such as fibrin I from blood, by way of centrifugation about a central axis of rotation comprises a first annular chamber defined by an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall, both walls being concentrically accommodated about the axis of rotation, and by a top wall and a bottom wall, where the top wall or the bottom wall is formed by a piston body displaceable within the first chamber. The device comprises furthermore a second chamber communicating with said first chamber through a first conduit and being defined by an outer cylindrical wall concentrically accommodated about the axis of rotation, said bottom wall of the first chamber, and another bottom wall. The second chamber is adapted to be placed below the first chamber during the centrifugation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a blood component, e.g., fibrin monomer, from blood or plasma ?comprises! includes a container ?(110)! with a reaction chamber for receiving the plasma, where ?said! the reaction chamber is defined by an outer wall and ?comprises! includes means for supplying ?said! the reaction chamber with an agent for converting the fibrinogen content of the plasma into a non-cross-linked fibrin polymer. The apparatus ?comprises furthermore! also includes a device for centrifuging the reaction chamber with the plasma and ?said! the agent to a degree sufficient for separating the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer from the plasma, for depositing ?said! the polymer on the outer wall of the reaction chamber, and for expelling the remaining plasma from the reaction chamber. The container ?(110) comprises! includes means for supplying the reaction chamber with a solvent for dissolving ?said! the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer.

Abstract: Method for forming a polyurethane based adhesive composition in which a reaction mixture of at least one NCO-terminated prepolymer and a polyhydroxy compound is heated at a temperature and for a length of time sufficient to provide a gel content of from about 30 to 42% by weight and a molecular weight of extractables of at least about 45,000. Polyurethane based adhesives prepared by the method and medical devices employing the same are also disclosed.