Abstract: A shaped chitin body containing a high content of a physiologically active substance, such as a drug to be used for the cure or prevention of disease, is prepared by incorporating said physiologically active substance into a dope comprising (a) a water-insoluble chitin, (b) lithium chloride, and (c) N-methylpyrrolidone and/or dimethylacetamide, with the amount of said physiologically active substance incorporated being 0.5 wt. % or more with respect to the amount of the chitin contained in said dope, and thereafter coagulating the resulting mixture with a coagulant to obtain a shaped body.The high content of the physiologically active substance thus incorporated in the shaped chitin can be slowly released therefrom over a long period of time. The shaped-chitin of the present invention is characterized by long duration of the physiological activity of the active substance contained therein.

Abstract: A slow-releasing composition of a platinum-containing anticancer agent comprising a platinum-containing anticancer agent bound to deacetylated chitin. The release of the platinum-containing anticancer agent is sustained for a prolonged duration of several months, thereby minimizing undesirable side effects of the platinum-containing anticancer agent.

Abstract: A fiber comprised of chitin having a single yarn denier of 0.5 to 20 and a dry tensile strength of 2 g/d or more, and a process for the production thereof are described. The use of such chitin fibers permits the production of surgical sutures having high tensile strength and flexibility, and good absorption properties.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a biodegradable drug donor capable of gradually releasing a drug to a living body and the drug donor made thereby are described, said method comprising dissolving a chitin in a solvent to thereby prepare a dope, bringing said dope into contact with a liquid coagulant to thereby form a swelled mass containing said chitin, impregnating said chitin-containing swelled mass with a solution containing a drug, and subsequently drying the impregnated swelled mass.

Abstract: A shaped chitin body prepared by treating a shaped body of chitin with an alkali solution, such that within a dilute aqueous solution of acetic acid, the volume of said shaped chitin body will increase by a factor of at least about 10 while substantially retaining its shape. This shaped chitin body has versatile capabilities comparable to those of chitosan. A nonwoven fabric made of a fibrous chitin body is particularly effective as a wound dressing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wound dressing comprising a nonwoven fabric composed of(A) a chitin fiber having a thickness of less than one denier and a strength of not less than 2 g/d, and(b) a fibrous binder,which is suitable for dressings of skin defect wounds, which has compatibility to a living body and good fitness property to the surface of wounds and which is insoluble with exudates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous chitin shaped article which has a wet strength of not less than about 1 g/mm.sup.2. The shaped article has preferably a porosity of more than 90%.The present invention also provides a process for preparing the above chitin shaped article, which comprises:dissolving chitin in a solvent to form a dope, dispersing a water-soluble polymer, which is solid at ambient temperature, in said dope to form a coagulated article, andremoving the water-soluble polymer from said coagulated article by treating with aqueous solution.

Abstract: An insulin supplier, which can be effectively used for the treatment of diabetic patients, comprising a casing and at least one tubular structure composed of a polymeric semipermeable membrane to provide an internal chamber inside of the tubular membrane and an external chamber outside of the tubular membrane, either one of the internal chamber and the external chamber having at least one fluid-inlet and at least one fluid-outlet; wherein blood or another body fluid is introduced into that chamber which has the at least one fluid-inlet and the at least one fluid-outlet and a solution of insulin is introduced into the other chamber, whereby insulin in an effective amount required for metabolism within the body is supplied to the blood or the body fluid depending on the blood glucose level through the polymeric semipermeable membrane between the internal and external chambers over a long period of time.

Abstract: A fiber comprised of chitin having a single yarn denier of 0.5 to 20 and a dry tensile strength of 2 g/d or more, and a process for the production thereof are described. The use of such chitin fibers permits the production of surgical sutures having high tensile strength and flexibility, and good absorption properties.