Abstract: The invention provides a wound dressing (1) comprising a wound contacting sheet (4) laminated to one side of an absorbent layer (3) of water-swellable absorbent material such as a polyurethane. A liquid water-impermeable backing layer (2) is laminated to the other side of the absorbent layer (3). The wound contacting sheet is provided with one or more slits (5) therein. Expansion of the absorbent layer (3) due to absorption of wound exudate causes the slits (5) in the wound contacting sheet (4) to expand, thereby allowing passage of high flow rates of wound exudate. If the flow of exudate falls, then the slits close, thereby avoiding excessive drying of the wound surface.

Abstract: During a vacuum evacuation of a chamber, the presence of water in the chamber can be detected by monitoring the pressure level in the chamber. In the absence of water, the pressure will decrease continuously and smoothly. If water is present, the pressure will rise slightly one or more times, especially as the pressure falls below 5 torr. This rise in pressure can be detected to signal the unwanted presence of water in the chamber. The method has particular application to ensuring the chamber is free of water during the evacuation of a chamber employed in vapor or vapor/plasma sterilization.

Abstract: An apparatus releasably clamps a wheeled or castored object to the floor or other surface to thereby restrain its movement during a seismic event such as an earthquake. The apparatus comprises a pair of wheel tracks or receivers which guide the castors into position whereby a pair of horizontally projecting pins on the receivers enter corresponding openings on the object and snubbers on the receivers abut the object. An overcenter locking clamp releasably holds the object in place.

Abstract: A system for preparing autologous plasma comprises a single use filter unit having two inlets in fluid communication with each other, an outlet, and a filtration membrane selectively permeable to blood plasma separating the inlets from the outlet. Manually operable, single use pumps, preferably syringes, connect to the inlets. A flow path is defined along the membrane between the pumps, whereby, whole blood can be repeatedly exchanged between the two pumps, past the membrane, to cause plasma to flow across the membrane and out of the outlet. A syringe can collect plasma from the outlet. Plasma thus collected can be simultaneously applied with a thrombin solution to a site on the body, thereby forming a fibrin gel.

Abstract: A novel shoe cover for medical uses comprises a one piece unit of thin elastomeric material having a pair of side panels in substantially parallel relation to each other. Each of the side panels has a foot shaped portion, an ankle shaped portion and an outer perimetric edge. A bead shaped perimetric section joins the two side panels at their respective perimetric edges, except at an upper edge of the ankle portions. A traction enhancing embossed pattern is formed on a lower portion of the foot shaped portion of the side panels. A novel method for forming the shoe cover comprises providing a shoe cover form which has substantially parallel lateral sides and a peripheral edge thereabout, which comprises a foot forming portion and an ankle forming portion, which has recesses covering substantially all of the foot forming portion of the first and second sides, and which has a textured surface on a louver portion of the foot forming portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping fluid at a steady rate. A first drive chamber having a movable outer surface, and a second drive chamber having a movable outer surface are provided. The apparatus further includes a block having a plurality of internal passages including a first passage for receiving the fluid into the block and a second passage for discharging the fluid from the block at the steady rate. The block has first and second internal chambers which are in fluid connection with the first and second passages. The first internal chamber has a first flexible surface for mating with the movable outer surface of the first drive chamber, and the second internal chamber has a second flexible surface for mating with the movable outer surface of the second drive chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the diagnosis and assessment of wound status by quantitating levels of cortisol present in wound fluid. The present invention is also directed to a kit and test strip for assessing wound status.

Abstract: A method for delivering liquids is disclosed wherein a quantity of the liquid is provided within a cell within a cassette. The cassette is received within a sleeve having an open end. A flap at the open end of the sleeve extends inwardly through the open end between the sleeve and cassette to abut a lip on the cassette and hold the cassette therein. Impingement of the flap pushes the flap away from the lip to allow the cassette to move out of the sleeve. A label mounted within the sleeve rotates between a viewable position where it is visible through a window in the sleeve and a retracted position away from the window. Extraction and reinsertion of the cassette into the sleeve moves the label from the viewable to the nonviewable position.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing water-insoluble polysaccharide sponges, and sponges obtained by means of the method. The method comprises: (a) providing an aqueous solution of a soluble polysaccharide; (b) freezing the solution; (c) treating the frozen solution with a water-miscible organic solvent such as isopropanol to effect solvent exchange for the water in the frozen solution; and (d) drying the resulting polysaccharide material. The organic solvent contains a cross-linking agent such as calcium chloride to render the polysaccharide water-insoluble in the solvent-exchange step (c). The resulting materials are more conformable and less friable than freeze-dried polysaccharide sponges.

Abstract: A method for delivering liquids is disclosed wherein a quantity of the liquid is provided within a cell within a cassette. The cassette is received within a sleeve having an open end. A flap at the open end of the sleeve extends inwardly through the open end between the sleeve and cassette to abut a lip on the cassette and hold the cassette therein. Impingement of the flap pushes the flap away from the lip to allow the cassette to move out of the sleeve. A label mounted within the sleeve rotates between a viewable position where it is visible through a window in the sleeve and a retracted position away from the window. Extraction and reinsertion of the cassette into the sleeve moves the label from the viewable to the non-viewable position.

Abstract: In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement according to the present invention comprises a vapor barrier between the outer covering and the interior space. Thus, vapor, such as hydrogen peroxide or other sterilants, passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier. Further, the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances, such as lubricants, within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.

Abstract: Absorbable implant materials having controlled porosity are formed by a method comprising the steps of: providing a dispersion of a bioabsorbable polymer, such as collagen, in a first solvent, such as water; adding particles of a second material, e.g. frozen water droplets or ice particles to the dispersion; followed by freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion having the particles embedded therein, and removing both the first solvent and the second material from the frozen dispersion by freeze-drying or solvent extraction to leave the porous implant material. The invention also encompasses the use of such implant materials for wound healing applications.

Abstract: A product suitable for absorbing wound exudate comprising a series of interconnected square or rectangular perforated bags made of a substance of maximum thickness 1 mm e.g. film, which is substantially non-adherent to a wound, wherein alginic acid or a salt thereof such as calcium alginate is housed in the bags, preferably in the form of small spheres. The film preferably comprises ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer. Alternatively, the product comprises a string along which beads of alginic acid or alginate are threaded.

Abstract: A method for forming a glove in an elastomer deposition process employs a folded glove form. The form has a hand forming portion having palm and finger forming portions. The finger forming portions terminate in distal tips and the cuff forming portion terminates in a terminal end for forming the cuff opening. The form is folded so that finger forming portion distal tips and the cuff forming portion terminal end lie in separate planes and in facing relationship to one another. To form the glove, the form is vertically oriented and dipped into a bath of elastomer with both the cuff forming portion terminal end and the finger portion distal tips facing upwards.

Abstract: A pressure equalization device connects to a port on an endoscope and equalizes the pressure within the endoscope to an environment thereabout. An outlet check valve allows flow out of the port and blocks flow into the port. A filter may be provided for preventing known chemical agents from entering the port. If the agent is hydrogen peroxide, the filter preferably comprises a catalyst, such as copper wool, for decomposing the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. An inlet check valve may also be provided to communicate with the endoscope port and allow flow into the port in response to a downstream pressure gradient exceeding a predetermined value.

Abstract: A tray and process for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of medical articles. The tray includes a bottom surface and side walls defining a space to receive articles to be sterilized. The bottom surface of the tray includes a number of inlet passages and wells with a known volume. In the process of the present invention, articles to be sterilized are placed in the tray, and aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide is delivered into the tray. When the excess hydrogen peroxide is drained through the inlet passages, a known volume of peroxide remains in the wells. Such remaining hydrogen peroxide is then vaporized to achieve sterilization.

Abstract: A composite surgical material comprising a collagen matrix reinforced by a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material such as polylactide/polyglycolide or oxidized regenerated cellulose, and wherein oil droplets are dispersed in the collagen matrix. The oil droplets comprise 1% to 75% of the weight of the composite and result in improved leak-proofing of the composite. The composite, in the form of a sheet or a tube, is especially useful as a temporary, fully bioabsorbable prosthesis, for membranes or blood vessels where a highly leak-proof prosthesis is required. The invention also provides a method of making a composite surgical material comprising the steps of: providing a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material; providing a dispersion of collagen in an oil-in-water emulsion; coating at least one face of the layer of synthetic bioabsorbable material with the said dispersion; and drying the composite material thus obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides wound dressings comprising a molecular filtration membrane having a maximum pore size in the range of from 0.001 .mu.m to 0.5 .mu.m, and preferably in the range of from 0.01 .mu.m to 0.25 .mu.m. The wound dressings may also comprise an absorbent layer atop the molecular filtration membrane and/or a wound contact layer of wound-friendly bioabsorbable material for contacting the wound. In use, the molecular filtration membrane retains high molecular weight biopolymers and wound healing factors at the wound surface while excluding bacteria and allowing rapid egress of wound exudate through the membrane into the absorbent layer.

Abstract: There is provided a package for containing a wound dressing, the package comprising a first web and a second web hermetically sealed together around their peripheries, the inside of the package being sterile, wherein the first and second webs include transparent areas which can be superimposed and wherein the internal surface of one of the transparent areas is receptive to marking.

Abstract: Wound healing compositions comprise from 1 to 20% by weight of a gel forming polysaccharide such as carboxymethyl cellulose and from 15 to 50% by weight of hexylene glycol. Such compositions are strongly antimicrobial, but show low toxicity to fibroblasts.