Abstract: A soft tissue implant comprises a condensed surgical mesh having a plurality of monofilament biocompatible fibers 12. Condensing of the fibers reduces the void space between adjacent fibers 12 in the mesh and reduces the surface area of the fibers 12 available for contact with tissue. Condensation of the fibers 12 may be achieved by applying mechanical pressure, and/or vacuum, and/or heat to the mesh.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising a substrate comprising a plurality of fibers, at least one antimicrobial agent in the substrate, and an oil emulsion on at least a portion of the substrate is disclosed. The at least one antimicrobial agent can be polyhexamethylene biguanide, and the oil emulsion can consist essentially of a petrolatum in a range of from about 75 wt % to about 90 wt % of the oil emulsion, a mineral oil in a range of from about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of the oil emulsion, water in a range of from about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt % of the oil emulsion, and at least one surfactant in a range of from about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the oil emulsion.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper, pant diaper, adult incontinence guard, sanitary napkin and the like contains a skin conditioning agent in at least a portion of the article so as to be transferable to the skin of the wearer. The skin conditioning agent is contained in a hydrogel foam material (9; 19; 20) intended to be applied in skin contact with the wearer, either directly or indirectly via a liquid permeable material (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing and promoting tissue growth in wounds, in which irrigant fluid optionally containing cell nutrients and/or other physiologically active material from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing, a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The apparatus has means for supplying thermal energy to the fluid in the wound. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. micro-filtration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.

Abstract: Provided herein are protective laminate devices comprising a biocompatible non-adherent substance and a fast-setting adhesive and methods of use. Also provided is a dispenser for an adhesive tape. The protective laminate devices and methods may be used for wound closure.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds with means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound, in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. micro-filtration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound promotes wound healing. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dressing-protector system of the type comprising: a dressing incorporating at least one fatty substance and having a first face intended to come into contact with skin or a wound and a second face opposite the first; and a protector that can be separated from said dressing. According to the invention, said protector is constituted by a single sheet that completely covers said second face and has flaps folded down over said first face in order to cover it substantially entirely. Application: treatment of skin and wounds.

Abstract: An integrated wound dressing system and method including a bandage and a self-contained receptacle that stores treatment material for the care and treatment of wounds. The treatment material is easily accessible and can be removed from the receptacle through an exit. The treatment material can then be used to control bleeding and/or clean the wound before dressing. The bandage may include a layer of plastic that acts as an occlusion barrier to reduce heat loss and maintain moisture levels at the wound site. The occlusion barrier also acts to prevent the passage of air into or out of the wound site. The bandage also includes fasteners that act to prevent unintentional unraveling and to secure the bandage during final packaging. These fasteners help facilitate the wrapping of amputations, stumps, and extremities. The integrated wound dressing system provides an all-in-one system for treating and dressing wounds and reduces the time required to do so.

Abstract: Nasal dilators and strips, methods of their manufacture, and methods for improving the breathing of individuals are provided. The strips and dilators include an elongated substrate, with or without a dilating component or portion, having top and bottom surfaces and a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the bottom surface. The dilator is designed to provide a gentle expanding force to the nasal wall tissue when the dilator is adhesively attached to the nose. This invention further includes a cosmetic fragrance, an aromatic medication and/or transdermal medication disposed on the strips or dilators. In order to improve the shelf-life and in-use olfactory effectiveness of such products, fragrance delivery mechanisms are used. Separation of volatile oils and adhesives are also provided to minimize adhesive residue.

Abstract: A method for providing a paraffin treatment to a patient, including the steps of: (a) melting a paraffin composition to a melted, flowable state; (b) immersing at least a portion of an absorptive strip into the melted paraffin composition so that the strip absorbs some of the melted paraffin composition; (c) applying the strip containing the melted paraffin composition to a portion of skin on the patient; (d) allowing the strip containing the melted paraffin composition to remain in contact with the portion of skin whereby the melted paraffin transfers heat to the patient's skin; and (e) removing the strip from the portion of the patient's skin wherein the paraffin composition is contained by the strip making removal of strip and paraffin composition substantially simultaneous. The present invention is also directed to a therapeutic strip, containing melted paraffin, to be applied to a portion of a patient's skin to provide a therapeutic treatment of heat to the patient.

Abstract: Novel nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are provided which comprise a lipid molecule selected from (a) phosphoglycerides, (b) lipids having a sphingosine base as a backbone, (c) monoacylglyerols, (d) diacylglycerols, (e) glycosylacylglycerols, wherein the lipid molecole is provided with a nitric-oxide contianing group which comprises a (a) a —S—N═O moiety, (b) a —O—N═O moiety, or (c) a moiety. Also provided are methods of forming such nitric oxide releasing lipid molecules. Various pharmaceutical compositions, topical liquids and drug delivery systems comprising the ntric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are also described. Further provided are methods for therapeutically administering nitric oxide to patients, methods for treating or preventing various conditions, methods for promoting wound healing and methods for reducing the cells present in an atherosclerotic lesion which methods utilize the nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wound dressing. According to the invention, the dressing comprises a soft, dimensionally stable fat depot (2) which adheres to skin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vitamin additive such as Vitamin A, B12, C, D, E, incorporated into the thermoplastic material of a sock, glove or like body protection article. The thermoplastic material is preferably a block copolymer such as SEBS, SEPS and SEEPS copolymer. Additionally, the thermoplastic material can include natural oils such as grape seed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, canola oil, ceramides, aloe and olive oil.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper. The disposable absorbent article has a liquid pervious structured carrier, a liquid impervious backsheet at least partially peripherally joined to the structured carrier; and an absorbent core intermediate the structured carrier and the backsheet. The liquid pervious structured carrier has an inner surface oriented toward the interior of the disposable absorbent article and an outer surface oriented toward the skin of the wearer when the disposable absorbent article is worn The structured carrier has an effective open area of at least about 12 percent and a plurality of apertures with an effective size greater than 0.1 square millimeters. The outer surface of the structured carrier has an effective amount of a skin care composition which is semi-solid or solid at 20° C. and which is partially transferable to the wearer's skin.

Abstract: A therapeutic mat for application to a person includes a relatively elastic substrate of a predetermined size, a hydrogel substance connected to the elastic substrate, and a plurality of microcrystals dispersed throughout the hydrogel substance. The therapeutic mat may further include retaining straps connectable to the elastic substrate and of a size and configuration to extend about the part of the body for supporting the therapeutic mat in a relatively fixed position.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition prepared by irradiating solid poly(N-vinyl lactam) with ionizing radiation to crosslink the poly(N-vinyl lactam) and thereafter mixing the radiation-crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) with essentially unirradiated plasticizer in an amount sufficient to form a cohesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. The composition is useful as a biomedical adhesive for transmitting or receiving electrical signals as a component (14) of a biomedical electrode (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition containing a hydrophobic solvent, a network polymer and a flow control agent which is useful in healing wounds. The composition of this invention may be applied directly to a wound to create a structured occlusive dressing. The dressings of this invention do not migrate, but maintain their integrity at skin temperature, and encourage the creation of a moist wound environment while protecting the wound in order to accelerate healing.

Abstract: A method is provided for the repair of a bone defect in a patient which employs a bone growth-stimulating composition derived from healthy cancellous bone.

Abstract: A device for administering an active agent to the skin or mucosa of an individual comprising a laminated composite of an adhesive overlay, a backing layer underlying the central portion of the adhesive overlay, an active agent-permeable membrane, the backing layer and membrane defining a reservoir that contains a formulation of the active agent, a peel seal disc underlying the active agent-permeable membrane, a heat seal about the periphery of the peel seal disc, the active agent-permeable membrane and the backing layer and a removable release liner underlying the exposed overlay and peel seal disc. The adhesive layer is above and peripheral to the path of the active agent to the skin or mucosa and is protected from degradation by the components of the reservoir by a multiplicity of heat seals. The peel seal disc protects against release of the active agent-containing reservoir and the release liner protects the adhesive from exposure to the environment prior to use.

Abstract: A diaper containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition reduces the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM clean up. The lotion composition comprises a plastic or fluid emollient such as mineral oil or petrolatum, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or paraffin wax to immobilize the emollient on the surface of the diaper topsheet, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant to improve wettability of the coated topsheet. Because the emollient is substantially immobilized on the surface of the topsheet, less lotion is required to impart the desired therapeutic or protective lotion coating benefits.

Abstract: A diaper containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition reduces the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM clean up. The lotion composition comprises a plastic or fluid polysiloxane emollient such as phenyl-functional polymethylsiloxanes, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or paraffin wax to immobilize the emollient on the surface of the diaper topsheet, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant to improve wettability of the coated topsheet. Because the polysiloxane emollient is substantially immobilized on the surface of the topsheet, less lotion is required to impart the desired therapeutic or protective lotion coating benefits.

Abstract: An elongated segmented wound packing product comprised of individual linked segments of hydrogel enclosed within a liquid permeable pliable material, the individual segments being connected in a strand-of-beads like configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dressing comprising a mixture of block copolymer with a saturated central sequence and plasticizer. The saturated central sequence has three sequences wherein the structure at each block is a polystyrene terminal block and the central sequence is a saturated polyolefin block.

Abstract: Membranes suitable for use as wound dressings and in particular as synthetic skin substitutes are disclosed. The membranes consist of a natural or synthetic polymer, a non-gellable polysaccharide and a cross-linking agent.The membranes of the invention may contain one or more additional components selected from water-loss control agents, emulsifying agents and plasticizers. An internal reinforcing material may also be provided to supplement the inherent mechanical strength of the membrane.Methods of forming such membranes are also disclosed.