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. A dry composition, and wet compositions such as a gel, slurry or suspension having avidin immobilized on an inert support material are disclosed. The dry composition has at least 1000 biotin binding units of activity, and the wet compositions have at least 50 units of binding activity. 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layered wound dressing particularly for use as a dressing on highly exudating wounds.

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: Alginate fabrics have, in conjuction with charcoal cloth, been used in wound dressings for malodorous wounds and there are commercial examples of such wound dressings. A problem associated with known alginate wound dressings which employ charcoal cloth is that the dressing is a relatively rigid structure. Furthermore, the known dressings have been constrained to the use of charcoal cloth which limits the absorptive properties thereof for wound odorants due to the fixed surface area of the cloth. We have now developed an alginate fabric which alleviates the above problems, and there is provided by the present invention an alginate fabric having particulate charcoal dispersed therein.

Abstract: A permanent, biocompatible material for soft tissue augmentation. The biocompatible material comprises a matrix of smooth, round, finely divided, substantially spherical particles of a biocompatible ceramic material, close to or in contact with each other, which provide a scaffold or lattice for autogenous, three dimensional, randomly oriented, non-scar soft tissue growth at the augmentation site. The augmentation material can be homogeneously suspended in a biocompatible, resorbable lubricious gel carrier comprising a polysaccharide. This serves to improve the delivery of the augmentation material by injection to the tissue site where augmentation is desired. The augmentation material is especially suitable for urethral sphincter augmentation, for treatment of incontinence, for filling soft tissue voids, for creating soft tissue blebs, for the treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis, and for mammary implants. It can be injected intradermally, subcutaneously or can be implanted.

Abstract: Alginate fibres comprising at least one medicament incorporated into the structure thereof, the medicament being present at a level of at least 10% by weight, based on the weight of the alginate fibre with no incorporated medicament.

Abstract: Methods and devices for preventing and/or treating an adverse reaction of the skin to the presence of a skin-sensitizing and/or skin-irritating agent by administering an effective amount of a loop diuretic alone or in combination with at least one mast cell degranulator or at least one glucocorticosteroid.

Abstract: Methods for producing poly?urethane-(meth)acrylate!-based adhesives in which an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is reacted to convert the isocyanate terminal groups into groups capable of cross-linking with each other, excess isocyanate groups are quenched with an isocyanate group quenching compound and the resulting prepolymer is then irradiated or heated to form the polyurethane-based adhesives, and adhesives produced thereby. Alternatively, a hydroxyl-terminated prepolymer is reacted with a reagent having isocyanate and methacrylate groups to form a prepolymer which is then irradiated or heated.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of an adhesive composition for the preparation of a wound dressing, or part of a wound dressing, for treating wounds by reducing the volume of exudate produced by the wound.

Abstract: An improved wound dressing is provided which comprises a backing layer bearing a reference marking, a hydrocolloid layer and a release layer. The hydrocolloid swells in use. This swelling can be seen or felt through the backing layer. When the swelling extends to or beyond the reference marking, the dressing should be changed to prevent leaking. Thus, the dressing can be left in place for as long as possible, but not so long as to damage the underlying skin.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved wound dressings that are adapted to being readily sized to fit the shape of the wound so that healing is promoted. In particular, the present invention is directed to a scored spiral wound dressing. More particularly, this invention relates to a spiral wound dressing having superior absorption properties and which is capable of swelling in the presence of wound fluid to closely fit the wound.

Abstract: A non-immunogenic, bioerodible implantation composition which comprises alginate fibres.

Abstract: An apparatus for centrifuging and furthermore automatically handling a container (10) for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer, from plasma, where the container (10) comprises a cylindrical member (11) with a lower rim as well as a piston member (12) with a tubular piston rod (12) projecting upwardly from the upper end of the cylindrical member (11). The apparatus comprises a supporting turntable (1) with a first gripping member (27) releasably gripping the lower rim of the cylindrical member (11) when the container is placed thereon, the supporting turntable being connected to a first activator (5) for rotating the turntable (1) with the container (10) about the central axis thereof. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a rotatably journalled piston activating mechanism adapted to activate the piston (12) by way of a second activator (21) and provided with a second gripping member (13) for releasably gripping the piston rod (12).

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 apparatus is provided for centrifuging and further automatically handling a container (110) for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer, from blood. The container (110) comprises a cylindrical member (27) and a piston displaceable in said cylindrical member, said piston comprising a tubular piston rod (8) extending through a top wall (73). The piston divides the cylindrical member (27) into a first chamber (70) positioned above said piston between said piston and the top wall (73), and a second chamber positioned below said piston. The top wall (73) of the container comprises an extension (90) defining a circumferential slit surrounding the outer side of the piston rod (8), whereby one end of said slit communicates in the axial direction with the first chamber. In addition, the first chamber communicates through a plurality of channels with the second chamber.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting or preventing the skin irritating or sensitizing effects of a skin irritating or sensitizing component of a dermal or transdermal drug delivery system are disclosed. The composition comprises a mast cell degranulating agent which is capable of inducing a state of immunological tolerance to the skin sensitizing agent by delivery prior to, or at the onset of transdermal drug delivery. Such an agent, preferably cis-urocanic acid or an analogue or metabolite thereof, can be administered before, during or after each transdermal drug delivery to achieve immune tolerance countersensitization. Alternatively, the agent can be used to induce countersensitization. The agent is preferably capable of permeating the epidermis and is administered transdermally. Novel methods and compositions comprising cis-urocanic acid or an analogue or metabolite thereof to obtain anti-inflammatory effects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reagent delivery system comprises an axial hub passing through the center of two equal-diameter, spaced apart discs, wherein the hub and discs are positioned in a sleeve such that an annular reagent chamber is provided. When the sleeve is moved in either an up or down axial direction the so-formed chamber is opened and the reagent is released. Such a regent delivery system is particularly useful in a centrifuge for concentrating or preparing blood products.

Abstract: A method of treating a wound comprising minimizing pressure on newly formed tissue around the perimeter of the wound by applying within the borders of the wound, a multi-layer laminate having a non-stretchable wound contact layer, a core layer comprising an absorbent material and a stretchable outer surface layer.

Abstract: A method and a device for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer from blood, by centrifugation, involve feeding of blood admixed an anticoagulant to a first annular chamber in a device, where the annular chamber is defined by a cylindrical outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall, both walls extending coaxially about a common axis, as well as by a top wall and a bottom wall. The top wall or the bottom wall is formed by a piston body displaceable within the first chamber. This method involves furthermore a centrifugation of the device about the said common axis to substantially separate blood into a cell fraction and a plasma fraction followed by the resulting plasma fraction being transferred while influenced by the piston body to a second chamber defined by an outer cylindrical wall. The outer cylindrical wall extends coaxially with the said common axis, whereby a fraction with fibrin I is caused to be separated in the second chamber while a suitable enzyme is being added.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with alginate fibres, and in particular the use thereof as a wound dressing and a method of preparing the same. There is provided alginate fibres for use in the absorption of at least 10% by weight based on the weight of the alginate fibres of proteinaceous material from a wound environment into the structure of the fibres.