Abstract: A non-adhesive absorbent wound dressing (10) is suitable for application about a jointed limb. The wound dressing (10) has a first portion (20) adapted to conform to and wrap around an upper part of the limb, a second portion (30) adapted to conform to and wrap around a lower part of the limb, and a hinge portion (40) between said first portion (20) and said second portion (30), said hinge portion (40) in use lying adjacent to the joint of the limb. The wound dressing (10) also comprises a porous wound contact sheet (80) and a substantially liquid-impermeable backing sheet (90), the wound contact sheet (80) and the backing sheet (90) being bonded (50) together at their periphery and along lines that define a plurality of pockets (60) in both the first portion (20) and the second portion (30), the pockets (60) containing absorbent material (70).

Abstract: A device for collecting cellular material from a fluid sample comprises first and second chambers that are releasably connected and which define a fluid flow path from the first chamber to the second chamber. A porous membrane is between the chambers when they are connected to each other, in the fluid flow path. An absorbent body is positioned in close proximity to the downstream surface of the porous membrane, and a resilient member is arranged to urge the absorbent body towards the porous membrane. In use, a sample introduced into the first chamber contacts the upstream surface of the porous membrane and fluid is drawn through the porous membrane and is absorbed by the absorbent body. Cellular material is retained upon the upstream surface of the porous membrane. After separation of the chambers, the porous membrane can be removed from the device for analysis of the deposited cellular material.

Abstract: A device for the concentration of a mixture of fatty material and aqueous fluid comprises a chamber for receiving a mixture of fatty material and aqueous fluid, and a body of absorbent material, the chamber being separated from the absorbent material by a barrier member having at least one opening, and a shutter element movable from a closed position, in which said opening is occluded, to an open position, in which said opening permits fluid flow from the chamber to the absorbent material. It has been found that the use of an absorbent material enables fatty material to be concentrated to the required degree in a passive, single vessel process without damage to the fatty tissue. There are also described methods for the use of the device.

Abstract: A releasably adhesive laminate (1) comprises a structural layer (2) carrying on at least part of one side thereof a hydrophobic gel (4) and on at least part of the other side thereof a pressure-sensitive adhesive (3). The structural layer (2) is preferably a film of synthetic plastics material, eg polyurethane. The pressure-sensitive adhesive (3) is preferably an acrylic adhesive, and the hydrophobic gel (4) is preferably a silicone gel. The laminate (1) may be used as a skin contact component of a wound dressing or in numerous other applications.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wound dressing or the like comprises the steps of a) providing a layer of substrate material; b) extruding a curable hydrophobic gel precursor composition onto that substrate material via one or more mobile applicators; and c) causing or allowing the hydrophobic gel precursor composition to cure to form a hydrophobic gel. Wound dressings or the like that can be manufactured by such a method comprise a layer of substrate material, the wound facing surface of which carries bands of hydrophobic gel that are intermingled in a lattice-like arrangement.

Abstract: A non-adherent wound dressing (1) comprises a substrate (2) in the form of a perforated sheet of melt-blown non-woven material. The substrate (2) is impregnated with, and coated on both sides with, a silicone gel (3).

Abstract: Devices for concentrating fluids that comprise discrete or particulate material dispersed in a liquid medium, such as whole blood, by removal of a proportion of the liquid medium, and a method of producing blood cell concentrates from whole blood using reduced pressure. The devices comprise an outer bag formed of an impermeable material and an inner bag formed of a permeable material, the inner bag containing an absorbent material or being adapted for connection to a source of reduced pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extracorporeal blood filtration involving the connection of a patient's cardiovascular circulation to an extracorporeal circulatory circuit, and filtration devices suitable for use in such apparatus and methods are disclosed. Such filtration devices include a filter medium comprising a layer of non-woven fabric (21) impregnated with porous beads (22) and carrying a porous screen (23) on at least one side. This invention enables the removal or particular molecular species such as pro-inflammatory cytokines from a patient's circulation, and is of particular utility in cardiopulmonary bypass and haemodialysis-like procedures.

Abstract: An adhesive tape, particularly suitable for medical applications, comprises a structural layer carrying on at least one part of one side thereof a hydrophobic gel and on at least part of the other side thereof a backing layer. The structural layer comprises a synthetic material in the form of a film or non-woven web. The tape has separation lines comprising perforations extending laterally across the tape at regular intervals along the length of the tape. The hydrophobic gel that is carried on one side of the structural layer is preferably a soft silicone.