Abstract: A method and device for enhancing the vapor sterilization of the lumen of medical instruments and like articles under reduced pressure. A vessel containing a small amount of a vaporizable liquid antimicrobial solution is attached to the lumen. The antimicrobial vaporizes and flows directly into the lumen of the article as the pressure is reduced for the sterilization cycle. Preferred embodiments illustrate a sealed chamber containing the antimicrobial and an opener for opening the chamber with the device already attached to the article. Preferably, the opener comprises a hollow spike. A ring between the opener and chamber must be removed prior to opening the chamber and removal of the ring destroys the ring so that it can not be replaced.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam suitable for use as a wound-contact layer in a wound dressing is made by mixing 1 part by weight of an isocyanate-capped prepolymer having from 0.5 to 1.2 meq NCO groups/g with from 0.4 to 1.0 parts by weight of water in the presence of from 0.05 to 0.4 parts by weight of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 monohydric alcohol, and then drying the product. The monohydric alcohol is preferably methanol, and the isocyanate-capped prepolymer is preferably an isocyanate-capped ethyleneoxy/propyleneoxy copolymer.