Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonded nonwoven fabric generally including absorbent staple fibres and having bonding stripes of relatively high fibre entanglement density extending along the fabric and into the fabric from at least one face thereof. A method of producing a bonded nonwoven fabric suitable for use as an absorbent layer in a wound dressing is also described.

Abstract: Fibres suitable for use in the production of wound dressings comprise carboxymethyl cellulose and alginate in a total amount of at least 90% by weight of the fibre, the carboxymethyl cellulose and alginate are homogeneously distributed throughout the fibre and are present in amounts such that: (a) the amount of carboxymethyl cellulose present in the fibre is at least 50% by weight of the total weight of the carboxymethyl cellulose and alginate; (b) the alginate has a Guluronate-content of 50-90% by weight, and (c) the value of z given by the expression (1): z=(2x/40)/(2x/40)+(y/23) where x and y are the percentages by weight of calcium and sodium respectively in the fibres is at least 80. The fibres may be produced by spinning a solution comprising dissolved CMC and alginate in appropriate proportions into a coagulation bath containing calcium ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonded nonwoven fabric generally comprising absorbent staple fibres and having bonding stripes of relatively high fibre entanglement density extending along the fabric and into the fabric from at least one face thereof. A method of producing a bonded nonwoven fabric suitable for use as an absorbent layer in a wound dressing is also described.