Abstract: The present invention provides a method of attenuating swelling or inflammation in the tissue of a patient via applying a composition comprising a hydrophilic foam substrate and a polymeric hydrophilic agent capable of absorbing water to a portion of the surface of the skin of the patient in an amount and at a location sufficient to attenuate swelling or inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of attenuating the formation or reducing the severity of a bruise in the tissue of a patient via applying a composition comprising a hydrophilic foam substrate and a polymeric hydrophilic agent to a portion of the surface of the skin in an amount and at a location sufficient to attenuate formation of or reduce the severity of bruising.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of attenuating the response of nociceptors to noxious stimuli by applying a composition comprising a hydrophilic foam substrate, a polymeric hydrophilic agent capable of absorbing water to the surface of the skin. In other aspects, the present invention provides a method of preventing the formation of a bruise in traumatized tissue, a method of attenuating swelling, a method of attenuating neurogenic inflammatory response, and a method of reducing the sensation of pain by applying like compositions to the surface of the skin of patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of attenuating the formation of a bruise and a method of attenuating swelling or inflammation in the tissue of a patient via applying a composition comprising a hydrophilic foam substrate and a polymeric hydrophilic agent capable of absorbing water to the surface of the skin.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for the continuous preparation of a polymer-based cellular foam sheet of a predetermined thickness wherein the foam is produced from a reaction product capable of curing at ambient temperature formed by the reaction of a reactant composition including a prepolymer and water, the apparatus including: a means for reacting the reactant composition, a continuously moving substrate for receiving a quantity of the reaction product; a means for depositing the quantity of reaction product onto the substrate to form a rising foam sheet; a means for compressing the rising foam sheet to a predetermined degree, the compressing means being spaced from the depositing means; and a curing means spaced from the compressing means and providing for a rising of the foam sheet exiting from the compressing means to provide a porous foam sheet having the predetermined thickness.