Abstract: The present invention relates to skin dressings that are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with tissue ischaemia and skin lesions including those that are infected, such as burns and surgical wounds and chronic wounds such as but not limited5 to diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. The skin dressings are also useful to effect transdermal delivery of pharmaceutically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to skin dressings that are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with tissue ischaemia and skin lesions including those that are infected, such as burns and surgical wounds and chronic wounds such as but not limited5 to diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. The skin dressings are also useful to effect transdermal delivery of pharmaceutically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to skin dressings that are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with tissue ischaemia and skin lesions including those that are infected, such as burns and surgical wounds and chronic wounds such as but not limited5 to diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. The skin dressings are also useful to effect transdermal delivery of pharmaceutically active agents.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program selectively capture a re-playable sequence of web pages. In one form, the system comprises an internet browser comprising a plurality of network addresses maintained in computer memory, the network addresses representing a sequence; at least one browser window configured to display to a user at least one web page identified by one of the network addresses; and a playlist engine configured to retrieve successive network addresses from the sequence and to display, in the browser window, web pages corresponding to the network addresses.

Abstract: A process for coating a perforated substrate with a gel (e.g. a polymerised acrylate hydrogel or a xerogel) without substantial occlusion of the perforations comprises (i) forming a layer of a liquid pregel mixture, comprising one or more monomers, on a web coated with a silicone, polyethylene, Teflon® or other coating having a surface energy less than the surface energy of the liquid pregel mixture. Preferably at least part of the curing takes place while the liquid pregel mixture is in contact with both the perforated substrate and the web. The process is especially applicable to the manufacture of attachment tabs for wigs and toupees, wound dressings, patches for transdermal drug delivery, therapeutic patches or biomedical electrodes.

Abstract: An absorbent material comprises a flexible, skin-conformable, moisture-absorbent sheet member, optionally a net member in sheet form overlying and associated with the absorbent sheet member on at least one face thereof, and a hydrogel disposed on at least one of the net member, when present, and the absorbent sheet member in an amount of less than about 500 g of hydrogel per square metre per face, wherein the aqueous saline absorbency rate of the absorbent material through the face on which the hydrogel is disposed is less than about 300 seconds. Absorbent articles comprising the absorbent material and methods of manufacturing the material or articles are also described.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed. The compositions include a binder, a transparent or semi-transparent colorant having an average particle diameter of greater than 150 nanometers; and at least one member comprising a scattering pigment dispersed in a matrix. Substrates coated with such compositions and methods of coating substrates with such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an absorbent material or article comprising an absorbent hydrogel composite sheet. The sheet includes an absorbent layer part having two major faces which comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having an internal cellular structure, and a second part which comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having a relatively continuous internal structure. The second part may be associated with the layer part such that the second part infiltrates some but not all of the cellular voids of the absorbent layer part over a major face of the absorbent layer part. Alternatively, the second part may be associated with the layer part such that the second part overlies a major face of the absorbent layer part. By this arrangement, some but not all of the absorbent layer part is effectively exposed for absorption of external water or other fluid through the side of the sheet corresponding to that said major face of the absorbent layer.

Abstract: The invention provides wound dressings comprising an absorbent (porous) hydrogel composition comprising a foam portion which comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having an internal cellular structure, and a continuous portion which comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having relatively continuous internal structure. The continuous portion of the hydrogel composition includes apertures providing fluid flow communication through the continuous portion between an external surface of the continuous portion and the foam portion whereby the foam portion can take up external water or other fluid into the cellular structure through the apertures of the continuous portion. The continuous portion of the hydrogel composition may be tacky to the skin, allowing its use as a bioadhesive.

Abstract: An absorbent material comprises a flexible, skin-conformable, moisture-absorbent sheet member, optionally a net member in sheet form overlying and associated with the absorbent sheet member on at least one face thereof, and a hydrogel disposed on at least one of the net member, when present, and the absorbent sheet member in an amount of less than about 500 g of hydrogel per square metre per face, wherein the aqueous saline absorbency rate of the absorbent material through the face on which the hydrogel is disposed is less than about 300 seconds. Absorbent articles comprising the absorbent material and methods of manufacturing the material or articles are also described.

Abstract: A cross-linked plasticised polymeric hydrogel suitable for use in mammalian body tissue (e.g. skin) contacting applications, which comprises a cross-linked copolymer formed from a first monomer comprising one or more pendant anionic group and a second monomer comprising one or more pendant cationic group, the relative amounts of the said monomers in the copolymer being such that the anionic groups and cationic groups are present in essentially equimolar quantities.

Abstract: The invention provides an absorbent (porous) hydrogel composition comprising a foam portion which comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having an internal cellular structure, and a continuous portion which comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having a relatively continuous internal structure. The continuous portion of the hydrogel composition includes apertures providing fluid flow communication through the continuous portion between an external surface of the continuous portion and the foam portion whereby the foam portion can take up external water or other fluid into the cellular structure through the apertures of the continuous portion. The continuous portion of the hydrogel composition may be tacky to the skin, allowing its use as a bioadhesive. The porous hydrogel has wide applicability, e.g. in wound or burn dressings, biomedical electrodes, etc., as an absorbent and/or adhesive component.

Abstract: The invention provides absorbent hydrogel compositions and hydrogel-containing structures. Typically, a first portion of the novel materials comprises a porous flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having an internal cellular structure, and a second portion is relatively non-porous, e.g. comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having relatively continuous internal structure. Methods for the manufacture or such hydrogels and structures are provided, as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrogel/fibre composite comprises: impregnating fibres of a fibrous material with a precursor solution comprising at least one polymerisable, and optionally also crosslinkable, monomer such that at least partial swelling of the fibres takes place; and polymerising, and optionally also crosslinking, the at least one monomer after impregnation and at least partial swelling of the fibres such that the integrity of the fibrous material is at least partially preserved in the resulting hydrogel/fibre composite, provided that the crosslinking is not initiated solely by cation release from the fibres of the fibrous material. The invention provides a hydrogel/fibre composite prepared or preparable by the said method. The hydrogel/fibre composite may be adhesive to human skin with good properties of performance and subsequent painless removal.

Abstract: Bioadhesive Compositions which comprise a hydrophobic polymer wherein the concentration of the polymer at the surface of the adhesive is greater than its concentration in the bulk of the adhesive are described; and biomedical electrodes, fixation products and wound dressings containing them.

Abstract: A process for coating a perforated substrate with a gel (e.g. a polymerised acrylate hydrogel or a xerogel) without substantial occlusion of the perforations comprises (i) forming a layer of a liquid pregel mixture, comprising one or more monomers, on a web coated with a silicone, polyethylene, Teflon (R) or other coating having a surface energy less than the surface energy of the liquid pregel mixture. Preferably at least part of the curing takes place while the liquid pregel mixture is in contact with both the perforated substrate and the web. The process is especially applicable to the manufacture of attachment tabs for wigs and toupees, wound dressings, patches for transdermal drug delivery, therapeutic patches or biomedical electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection of target nucleic acids or nucleic acid units in a sample, by obtaining a SER(R)S spectrum for a SER(R)S-active complex containing, or derived directly from, the target. The complex includes at least a SER(R)S-active label, and optionally a target binding species containing a nucleic acid or nucleic acid unit. In this detection method, the concentration of the target present in the SER(R)S-active complex, or of the nucleic acid or unit contained in the target binding species in the SER(R)S-active complex, is no higher than 10.sup.-10 moles per liter. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the following features may be used with the method: i) the introduction of a polyamine; ii) modification of the target, and/or of the nucleic acid or nucleic acid unit contained in the target binding species, in a manner that promotes or facilitates its chemi-sorption onto a SER(R)S-active surface; iii) inclusion of a chemi-sorptive functional group in the SER(R)S-active label.

Abstract: A suspension device for use in mounting a bicycle seat on a bicycle frame. The device has an upper guide member telescopically, non-rotatability mounted in a lower guide member. An air cushion is provided between the guide members for use in cushioning movement of the guide members toward each other. First connecting members are provided on the upper portion of the upper guide member for use in connecting a bicycle seat to the upper member. Second connecting members are provided on the front, top of the lower guide member for use in connecting the lower guide member to a seat post with the lower guide member affixed in cantilever fashion, behind the seat post. The seat post is adapted to be mounted on the bicycle frame. The second connecting members are adjustably mounted to the lower guide member and the upper portion of the guide member extends at an angle of between fifty and seventy fifty degrees to the second connecting members.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink which contains a SERS--active metal aggregate containing a Raman active compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a pigment composition comprising a pigment having adsorbed on its surface, or as a physical mixture, up to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of pigment composition of a coding compound which is a compound containing an azo, azomethine or polycyclic chromophore and which has an absorption spectrum and a Raman spectrum different from that of the pigment. The compositions are suitable for use in printing inks for security applications.