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: A method is described for introducing perforations into a sheet (1) of laminated material that includes a layer of hydrophobic gel (4). The method involves contacting perforating elements (13) with the sheet and subjecting the sheet (1), at least in the regions contacted with the perforating elements (13), to high frequency mechanical vibrations, eg using a sonotrode (14). The hydrophobic gel (4) is most suitably a silicone gel, and the perforated laminate may be utilised in a wound dressing.

Abstract: A wound packing element is in the form of a nonwoven material, particularly an airlaid nonwoven material. Such a wound packing element, or a number of such wound packing elements formed into a layered assembly, may be utilised to pack a wound cavity. The wound packing element is of particular utility in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

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.

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.