Abstract: Disclosed herein are matrices, compositions and methods of making matrices. The matrix comprises a biomolecule and the matrix is a dried, cross-linked foam. The matrix is not lyophilized. The method comprises foaming the composition, crosslinking the composition and drying the composition. Matrices disclosed herein are useful as wound dressings and treating wounds.

Abstract: There is provided a guard for an intravenous adaptor. The guard comprises a polymer sheet formed of a polymer film, the polymer sheet having left, right and middle portions; tear lines within the polymer sheet, located on either side of the central extent of the middle portion; a pull strip extending lengthwise, generally parallel to the central extent and positioned between the tear lines; and an adhesive applied to a periphery of the polymer sheet and over the ends of the pull strip, the tear lines penetrating through the adhesive. The left and right portions of the polymer sheet are arranged to be folded onto each other to form a folded polymer sheet adhered by the adhesive to define a pocket, which is openable by tearing the folded polymer sheet and adhesive along the tear lines.

Abstract: Antimicrobial silicone-based dressings, such as wound dressings, are disclosed. An example dressing comprises a transparent and self-adhesive gel sheet cured from a liquid containing silicone, the sheet having dispersed therein (i) particulates of a chlorhexidine compound that is not soluble in the liquid; and (ii) at least one other antimicrobial. Methods of making the silicone-based dressings and methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a cover including a first region that extends over a vulnerable site on a patient and a second region that extends over an area on the patient peripheral to the vulnerable site. The first region of the cover is at least generally impermeable to liquid water. The device further includes an adhesive film and a liquid-absorbing element. The adhesive film is configured to form an adhesive bond between the second region of the cover and the patient. The bond has an inner edge portion positioned toward the vulnerable site and an outer edge portion positioned away from the vulnerable site. The liquid-absorbing element is configured to absorb liquid contamination at the outer edge portion of the bond and/or liquid contamination approaching the outer edge portion of the bond when the cover is operably positioned on the patient.

Abstract: Antimicrobial silicone-based dressings, such as wound dressings, are disclosed. An example dressing comprises a transparent and self-adhesive gel sheet cured from a liquid containing silicone, the sheet having dispersed therein (i) particulates of a chlorhexidine compound that is not soluble in the liquid; and (ii) at least one other antimicrobial. Methods of making the silicone-based dressings and methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for reducing microbial load at a site on the skin of a subject. The method comprises applying a dressing over the site on the skin of the subject at which a medical procedure that involves breaching the skin is to be performed. As used in the method, the dressing comprises a self-adhesive silicone gel sheet comprising at least about 95 wt % silicone and up to about 5 wt % of particulates of an antimicrobial dispersed in the silicone. The dressing is applied with the silicone gel sheet contacting the skin of the subject and is left in place to allow the antimicrobial to diffuse onto the site.

Abstract: A system and method for photo-grafting a coating polymer onto the surface of a medical device are provided. The system comprises a plurality of stations including a novel grafting station. The system and method of the invention are both time- and resource-efficient. The system includes several stations, each station including a dipping tank. The system allows for the automated, semi-automated, or manual dipping of medical devices into the dipping tanks in a specified order, as desired, wherein at least one of the stations is a grafting station for photo-grafting the coating polymer onto the surface of the medical device. The system is modular, which allows for modification of the process as required, depending on the needs of the user. The system may comprise stations for incorporating an antimicrobial agent into the coating, and/or for rendering the coating lubricious.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure can include a method for grafting a coating polymer onto a surface of a device. The method can include the following steps: a) submerging the device into a photoinitiator solution; b) without first drying the device, submerging the device into a polymerizable solution; c) bubbling an oxygen-scavenging gas through the polymerizable solution; d) applying a UV light to the device to activate the photoinitiator, thereby grafting the coating polymer onto the device; and e) drying the device.

Abstract: The invention is an antimicrobial photo-stable coating composition that deters photo-induced discoloration, does not stain tissue and can be applied to the surface of a variety of medical materials. The composition comprises in an aspect silver-PCA complex and dye.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the modification of the surfaces of polymeric materials with polymer coatings that may be subsequently treated to be lubricious and anti-microbial. The method comprises incubating a photo-initiator-coated polymeric material with an aqueous monomer that is capable of free radical polymerization and exposing the incubating polymeric material to UV light creating a modified surface on said polymeric material. The method may additionally comprise adding a silver component to the modified surface. The silver component may be provided as a silver salt coating or a silver salt contained within a hydrogel bonded to the acrylate modified polymeric material surface.

Abstract: A system and method for photo-grafting a coating polymer onto the surface of a medical device are provided. The system comprises a plurality of stations including a novel grafting station. The system and method of the invention are both time- and resource-efficient. The system includes several stations, each station including a dipping tank. The system allows for the automated, semi-automated, or manual dipping of medical devices into the dipping tanks in a specified order, as desired, wherein at least one of the stations is a grafting station for photo-grafting the coating polymer onto the surface of the medical device. The system is modular, which allows for modification of the process as required, depending on the needs of the user. The system may comprise stations for incorporating an antimicrobial agent into the coating, and/or for rendering the coating lubricious.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface with a therapeutic agent is disclosed. The method comprises precipitating a therapeutic agent from a hydrophilic polymeric base layer with which the therapeutic agent has been complexed, to form a layer comprising microparticles of the therapeutic agent on the hydrophilic polymeric base layer, the hydrophilic polymeric base layer being grafted to the surface. Devices comprising a surface having a hydrophilic polymeric base layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer grafted to the surface and a layer comprising microparticles of a therapeutic agent disposed on and complexed with the hydrophilic polymeric base layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a substantially non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix. The matrix is both non-adhesive to wounds, tissues and organs and is also elastic such that it is flexible. The matrix is a lyophilized mixture of protein(s), polymer(s), cross-linking agent(s) and optional plasticizer(s). The invention also provides methods for making the non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is a substantially non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix. The matrix is both non-adhesive to wounds, tissues and organs and is also elastic such that it is flexible. The matrix is a lyophilized mixture of protein(s), polymer(s), cross-linking agent(s) and optional plasticizer(s). The invention also provides methods for making the non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface with a therapeutic agent is disclosed. The method comprises precipitating a therapeutic agent from a hydrophilic polymeric base layer with which the therapeutic agent has been complexed, to form a layer comprising microparticles of the therapeutic agent on the hydrophilic polymeric base layer, the hydrophilic polymeric base layer being grafted to the surface. Devices comprising a surface having a hydrophilic polymeric base layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer grafted to the surface and a layer comprising microparticles of a therapeutic agent disposed on and complexed with the hydrophilic polymeric base layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a substantially non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix. The matrix is both non-adhesive to wounds, tissues and organs and is also elastic such that it is flexible. The matrix is a lyophilized mixture of protein(s), polymer(s), cross-linking agent(s) and optional plasticizer(s). The invention also provides methods for making the non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is a substantially non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix. The matrix is both non-adhesive to wounds, tissues and organs and is also elastic such that it is flexible. The matrix is a lyophilized mixture of protein(s), polymer(s), cross-linking agent(s) and optional plasticizer(s). The invention also provides methods for making the non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix.

Abstract: Antimicrobial silicone-based dressings, such as wound dressings, are disclosed. An example dressing comprises a transparent and self-adhesive gel sheet cured from a liquid containing silicone, the sheet having dispersed therein (i) particulates of a chlorhexidine compound that is not soluble in the liquid; and (ii) at least one other antimicrobial. Methods of making the silicone-based dressings and methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a substantially non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix. The matrix is both non-adhesive to wounds, tissues and organs and is also elastic such that it is flexible. The matrix is a lyophilized mixture of protein(s), polymer(s), cross-linking agent(s) and optional plasticizer(s). The invention also provides methods for making the non-adhesive elastic gelatin matrix.