Abstract: Devices and methods for cell harvesting are disclosed. More particularly this invention relates to devices and methods for enabling the formation of a dispersion of cells from tissue for medical or research use. This invention provides a rapid method for cell isolation thereby reducing the time and costs associated with the production of autologous cells where required, for example, for tissue engineering in the operating theater or in research. Alternately this invention may be used to separate a cell dispersion containing cells of varying sizes or types from a predigested tissue dispersion. Also a kit is disclosed which provides the basic components of the device and instructions on how to accomplish the use of the device.

Abstract: The invention provides oxidized alginates that are bioresorbable. The oxidized alginates are prepared by controlled oxidation of alginates with nitrogen tetroxide or the like, The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, wound dressings, surgical implants and prostheses comprising the oxidized alginate derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of N-acetyl cysteine and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives, for the preparation of a composition for treatment or prophylaxis of chronic ulcers. In particular, the treatment of venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers and decubitis ulcers.

Abstract: Stable oil-in-water emulsions are prepared by mixing oil, water and an insoluble protein at high shear. By varying the amount of insoluble protein the emulsions may be made liquid, semisolid or solid. The preferred insoluble proteins are insoluble fibrous proteins such as collagen. The emulsions may be medicated with hydrophilic or hydrophobic pharmacologically active agents and are useful as or in wound dressings or ointments.

Abstract: The invention provides wound treatment compositions comprising from 10.sup.-6 % to 1.0% w/w of one or more peptides, wherein the peptides are from 3 to 30 amino acid residues long and comprise the sequence Gly-Pro-Ala. Preferably, the peptides comprise the sequence Gly-Pro-Ala-Gly, more preferably at the N-terminus. The peptides exhibit a chemotactic effect towards fibroblasts.

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 lower portion of the foot forming portion.

Abstract: A powder free medical glove having an outer side a silicon treated surface and the inside of cross linked coagulated glove bonded with a layer formed of an anti-blocking composition. The anti-blocking composition includes of a polymer or copolymer mixed together with a micronised high density polyethylene material and wax in suitable blends that result in the composition having anti-blocking and improved lubricity properties. The medical glove with the skin contacting anti-blocking coating enables donning of the glove to be effected without the aid of donning powder such as starch powder. When the finished glove is washed and rinsed with water to remove the coagulant powder, and the said glove treated with a silicon solution, a glove substantially free of loose powder glove is produced and has good lubricity for donning.

Abstract: A composite surgical material comprising a collagen matrix reinforced by a layer of a synthetic bioabsorbable material such as polylactide/polyglycolide or oxidised 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: 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: Method of catalytically activating the surface of a heat exchange device while retaining the heat exchange properties of the device and heat exchange devices obtained thereby.

Abstract: A NO.sub.x abatement composition comprises a NO.sub.x abatement catalyst and a NO.sub.x sorbent material which are dispersed in proximity to, but segregated from, each other on a common refractory carrier member (10). The NO.sub.x sorbent material comprises a basic oxygenated metal compound and optionally further comprises ceria. The NO.sub.x abatement catalyst contains a catalytic metal component including a platinum metal catalytic component. The catalytic metal component is segregated from the NO.sub.x sorbent material, which may be one or more of metal oxides, metal carbonates, metal hydroxides and mixed metal oxides. At least the catalytic metal component and the NO.sub.x sorbent material must be on, or comprise separate, particles; the particles may either be admixed or may be disposed in separate layers (20a, 20b) on the carrier member (10). A NO.sub.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for imprinting a catalyst and/or adsorbent composition on a flat or corrugated substrate. The coated substrate is useful in pollutant treating devices to remove pollutants from a gas.

Abstract: A method of at least periodically removing from a lean gaseous stream a sorbable component such as SO.sub.x includes passing the gaseous stream through a trap member having an oxidation catalyst combined with a sorbent material at a temperature within the sorbing temperature range of the sorbent material. The sorbed component is periodically removed by introducing a combustible component into the gaseous stream and oxidizing it on the trap member to thermally desorb the sorbed component. The amount of combustible component introduced is limited to maintain the gaseous stream composition lean, but is sufficient to increase the surface temperature of at least part of the trap member to above the bulk temperature of the gaseous stream. Sorbing and desorbing periods are alternated and a composition and an apparatus to carry out the process is provided.

Abstract: Oleaginous compositions comprising a fuel oil or a lubricating oil, a friction modifying amount of a hydroxy ether amine compound such as that having the formula: ##STR1## where X is O or S, R.sub.3 is H, R.sub.1 is C.sub.18 alkylene, R.sub.2 is C.sub.3 alkylene, and R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are C.sub.2 alkylene, and, optionally an amount effective to impart anti-wear properties to the composition of an organic phosphite ester, such as triphenyl phosphite, are disclosed.