Abstract: Hydrophilic polyurethane foams containing residues of a polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl or alkaryl ether may be produced by reacting the ether with an isocyanate having a functionality of greater than two and using only stoichiometric amounts or small excesses e.g. up to 12% of weight of water as foaming agent. Methyl, lauryl, cetyl, octylphenyl and nonyl phenyl ethers may be used. The foams are applicable for the manufacture of absorptive devices such as wound dressings, sanitary towels, diapers, incontinence pads or tampons.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bandage is described which comprises a support carrying a vinyl compound, which compound polymerizes when exposed to a water-activated vinyl polymerization catalyst, characterized in that the vinyl compound is a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains not less than two polymerizable vinyl groups. Use of a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains not less than two polymerizable vinylic groups results in a storage stable bandage which on exposure to a water activated polymerization catalyst produces a cast of good strength.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bandage is described which comprises a support carrying a vinyl compound, which compound polymerizes when exposed to a water-activated vinyl polymerization catalyst. The vinyl compound is a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains more than one polymerizable vinyl group. This prepolymer is in association with at least one component of a water-activatable vinyl polymerization redox catalyst in solid form in a water pervious coating which is insoluble in the prepolymer. Encapsulation of one component of the catalyst system in a water pervious coating provides a storage stable bandage which is activated by immersion in water and gives a satisfactory working time for immobilizing a limb compared to use of an uncoated catalyst.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula:CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R)--COO--(CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--O).sub.x --(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.y --OC--A--COOHor a salt thereof, whereinR is H or CH.sub.3,x is an integer from 2 to 20.y is an integer from 0 to 5,A is an alkylene, alkenylene, or phenylene radical such that A(COOH).sub.2 is a dibasic acid capable of forming an anhydride (A(CO).sub.2 O, are described. These are polymerizable compounds which have also surfactant properties. The compounds may be used to replace non-polymerizible surfactants in emulsion polymerization reactions, and preferably in those reactions which result in adhesive polymers which are suitable for surgical and medical use. Methods for preparing the compounds and pressure sensitive adhesives formed by copolymerization of the compounds with other acrylate monomers are also described.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an adhesive layer on a substrate which comprises applying to a substrate a composition of an acrylate rendered curable by the presence of a cross linking agent and curing it by electron beam radiation characterized in that the curable composition comprises a liquid alkyl acrylate polymer having a K value of less than 30 in particular a process for preparing cured pressure sensitive adhesive layers for surgical products and products of the process are described.

Abstract: Water hardenable splinting bandages comprising a flexible fabric carrying an isocyanate terminated prepolymer having a reaction functionality of not less than two and a catalyst which bandage is characterized in that the prepolymer is a water absorbing isocyanate terminated prepolymer and the catalyst is water soluble but insoluble in the prepolymer, compositions therefore and processes of manufacture thereof are described.