Abstract: A method of making a nonwoven fiber web comprises: providing a melt-blown nonwoven fiber web comprising bonded primary fibers having an average fiber diameter of 2 to 100 microns, wherein the primary fibers comprise a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units; opening at least a portion of the melt-blown nonwoven fiber web to provide loose primary fibers; combining the loose primary fibers with secondary fibers; and forming a secondary nonwoven fiber web comprising the primary fibers and secondary fibers. A fiber web preparable according to the method and a multicomponent fiber including a first phase comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units and a second phase comprising a non-biodegradable polymer.

Abstract: A reinforced fiber web has first and second opposed major sides and comprises first and second fiber webs having a reinforcing mesh disposed therebetween. The first and second fiber webs are physically entangled with each other and the reinforcing mesh. A wound dressing material comprises the reinforced fiber web, a first wound-contact scrim, and a first antimicrobial layer sandwiched therebetween. The first wound-contact scrim comprises water-sensitive fibers comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units.

Abstract: A wound dressing material comprises: a first water-sensitive film comprising a first copolymer comprising first divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and first divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units; and a first antimicrobial layer disposed on the first water-sensitive film. Methods of making and using the wound dressing material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wound dressing material comprises a porous flexible foam core, a wound-contact scrim, and an antimicrobial layer. The wound-contact scrim comprises water-sensitive fibers comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units. The antimicrobial layer is sandwiched between the porous flexible foam core and the wound-contact scrim. The wounds dressing material may be contacted with an exposed surface of a wound. A method of making the wound dressing material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wound dressing material comprises first and second wound-contact scrims, and an antimicrobial layer disposed therebetween. The wound-contact scrims comprise water-sensitive fibers comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units. The wound dressing material may be contacted with an exposed surface of a wound. A method of making the wound dressing material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wound dressing material comprises a base fiber web, a wound-contact scrim, and an antimicrobial layer. The wound-contact scrim comprises water-sensitive fibers comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units. The antimicrobial layer is sandwiched between the base fiber web and the wound-contact scrim. The wounds dressing material may be contacted with an exposed surface of a wound. A method of making the wound dressing material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a nonwoven fiber web comprises: providing a melt-blown nonwoven fiber web comprising bonded primary fibers having an average fiber diameter of 2 to 100 microns, wherein the primary fibers comprise a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units; opening at least a portion of the melt-blown nonwoven fiber web to provide loose primary fibers; combining the loose primary fibers with secondary fibers; and forming a secondary nonwoven fiber web comprising the primary fibers and secondary fibers. A fiber web preparable according to the method and a multicomponent fiber including a first phase comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units and a second phase comprising a non-biodegradable polymer.

Abstract: Compositions including a quaternary amine antiseptic component having a concentration of at least about 0.04% by weight; a poly carboxylic acid chelator having a concentration of at least about 0.05 M and/or an alphahydroxy acid buffer having a concentration of at least about 0.05 M; a (C8-C12) 1,2 alkane diol; and optionally water are provided. The compositions have a pH greater than or equal to 3.5 and less than 5.5 at 23° C. In certain embodiments, water is present in the composition at a greater weight percent than each of the quaternary amine antiseptic component; the polycarboxylic acid chelator, if present; the alphahydroxy acid buffer, if present; and the (C8-C12) 1,2-alkane diol. In certain embodiments, water is present in the composition at a greater weight percent than any other component.

Abstract: A method of establishing a therapeutic window of wound fluid nitric oxide (WFNO) in the wound of a mammal, the method including: obtaining a wound fluid sample from a mammal; analyzing the WFNO level; determining whether the WFNO is at or below a lower threshold level, or is at or above an upper threshold level; wherein the lower threshold level and upper threshold level define the therapeutic window of WFNO; and treating the mammal with a substance that alters the WFNO level such that the therapeutic window of WFNO in the wound is established.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and rapid methods to acquire a wound sample to detect and measure NOx, and optionally, one or more other analytes that are indicative of the status of a wound.

Abstract: A sample acquisition device includes a capillary array configured to draw in a sample and retain the sample by capillary action. The capillary array may be coupled to an elongated member, such as a stem or a hollow tube, which defines a longitudinal axis extending in a first direction. In some embodiments, the capillary array defines a major sample acquisition surface that extends in a second direction different than the first direction. A ratio of the major sample acquisition surface area to maximum volume retained by the capillary array may be selected to minimize physical binding between the capillary array and sample. In some embodiments, the device may include a feedback mechanism to indicate the relative pressure applied to a sample source with the sample acquisition device. In addition, in some embodiments, the sample acquisition device may include a suction source to help draw the sample into the capillary array.

Abstract: A method for testing efficacy of a protease enzyme assay, the method comprising providing an enzyme which acts as a surrogate enzyme control for the protease enzyme; combining the surrogate enzyme control with an assay substrate for the protease enzyme; and determining a change in the assay substrate resulting from the surrogate enzyme control acting on the assay substrate; wherein the protease enzyme is selected from the group consisting of metalloproteinases, serine proteases, and cysteine proteases; a method for conducting a protease enzyme assay using the method for testing efficacy; a kit including an enzyme which acts as a surrogate enzyme control for a protease enzyme in testing efficacy of a protease enzyme assay; and a method of releasing the kit are provided.

Abstract: A method for testing efficacy of a protease enzyme assay, the method comprising providing an enzyme which acts as a surrogate enzyme control for the protease enzyme; combining the surrogate enzyme control with an assay substrate for the protease enzyme; and determining a change in the assay substrate resulting from the surrogate enzyme control acting on the assay substrate; wherein the protease enzyme is selected from the group consisting of metalloproteinases, serine proteases, and cysteine proteases; a method for conducting a protease enzyme assay using the method for testing efficacy; a kit including an enzyme which acts as a surrogate enzyme control for a protease enzyme in testing efficacy of a protease enzyme assay; and a method of releasing the kit are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and rapid methods to acquire a wound sample to detect the presence of NOx and, optionally, one or more other analytes that are indicative of the status of a wound.

Abstract: A sample acquisition device includes a body comprising a plurality of sample acquisition regions defined by at least a first wall and a second wall oriented nonparallel to the first wall. In some embodiments, the body defines a plurality of apertures that define a plurality of sample acquisition regions. In other embodiments, the walls extend from the body, and the sample acquisition regions are defined between the walls. The sample acquisition regions may be configured in some embodiments such that a user may acquire a sample by rotating the body in a first direction relative to a sample source and may release the sample by rotating the body in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction. When rotated in the first direction, at least one of the first or second walls defines a surface that is inclined into a sample acquisition region.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of capturing bacterial whole cells that includes the use of one or more antibodies having antigenic specificities for one or more distinct analytes characteristic of the specific bacterium, followed by analyzing the target whole cells using a direct or indirect ATP assay.

Abstract: A sample acquisition device includes a capillary array configured to draw in a sample and retain the sample by capillary action. The capillary array may be coupled to an elongated member, such as a stem or a hollow tube, which defines a longitudinal axis extending in a first direction. In some embodiments, the capillary array defines a major sample acquisition surface that extends in a second direction different than the first direction. A ratio of the major sample acquisition surface area to maximum volume retained by the capillary array may be selected to minimize physical binding between the capillary array and sample. In some embodiments, the device may include a feedback mechanism to indicate the relative pressure applied to a sample source with the sample acquisition device. In addition, in some embodiments, the sample acquisition device may include a suction source to help draw the sample into the capillary array.

Abstract: The application discloses embodiments of detection devices including a sensor component in a flow path between a first flow path portion and a second flow path portion. In embodiments described, the sensor component includes a receptor in a polymerized composition. The receptor is configured to bind with an analyte in a test sample. Upon binding the sensor component undergoes a detectable change in response to interaction of the analyte with the receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of analyzing a sample for a bacterium of interest. In particular, the methods involve an initial capture process that includes the use of one or more antibodies having antigenic specificities for one or more distinct analytes characteristic of the specific bacterium. After initial capture of a specific bacterium, techniques of analyzing involve colorimetric techniques, particularly using colorimetric sensors that include polydiacetylene (PDA) materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for analyzing a sample (and preferably preparing a sample), which is particularly used in analysis, such as analysis of a sample for a bacterium of interest.