Abstract: A dressing includes a stable, tacky gel of polyurethane and poly(N-vinyl lactam), the poly(N-vinyl lactam) having a K-value of at least about 60 and mole equivalents of acid groups above about 1.4. The dressing may also include a substrate and various additives incorporated with the gel.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer blend is disclosed which comprises a first polymer component which is an organic solvent-soluble, thermoplastic polyvinylbutyral (PVB) and a second polymer component which is a hydrophilic poly(N-Vinyl lactam), e.g., a water soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone. The blend demonstrates slipperiness in aqueous environments and, among other applications, is useful in low-friction coatings for a wide variety of substrates. A method for providing the coatings is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is a shaving article such as a shaving cartridge which includes at least one blade and a blade support having a skin-engaging portion adjacent to a shaving edge of the blade. The skin-engaging portion is provided with a hydrogel comprising a water soluble polymer bound so as to prevent dissolution whereby the coefficient of friction of the skin-engaging portion is reduced in the presence of water.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer blend is disclosed which comprises a first polymer component which is an organic solvent-soluble, thermoplastic polyvinylbutyral (PVB) and a second polymer component which is a hydrophilic poly(N-vinyl lactam), e.g., a water soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone. The blend demonstrates slipperiness in aqueous environments and, among other applications, is useful in low-friction coatings for a wide variety of substrates. A method for providing the coatings is also described.

Abstract: A medical material comprising a polyurethane complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone and a bio-effecting agent, such as an anti-bacterial agent, complexed with the polyvinylpyrrolidone. The material is used per se as, for example a foam, and as a coating for medical devices such as, for example, catheters and wound drainage tubes.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer blend is disclosed which comprises a first polymer component which is an organic solvent-soluble, thermoplastic polyurethane and a second polymer component which is a hydrophilic poly(N-vinyl lactam), e.g., a water soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone. The blend demonstrates slipperiness is aqueous environments and, among other applications, is useful in low-friction coatings for a wide variety of substrates.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, flexible, open cell polyurethane-poly(N-vinyl lactam) interpolymer foam is obtained from the process which comprises reacting under interpolymer and foam-forming conditions (a) a substantially linear isocyanate-capped polyether polyol prepolymer having an average reactive functionality of less that about 2.0 with (b) a poly(N-vinyl lactam) and (c) a foam-forming amount of water in the presence of (d) a cell formation-regulating amount of surface active agent. The foams exhibit unexpectedly higher levels of absorptivity for aqueous fluids compared to those of known crosslinked foams. The foams herein are especially useful for the manufacture of a variety of dental and biomedical products including surgical bandages and dressings, laparotomy sponges, medicament carriers, and the like, where the capability for absorbing body fluids is an important performance criterion.

Abstract: An anti-fog liquid coating composition comprises: a polymer which is polyvinylpyrrolidone, polydimethylacrylamide or a polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymer with a polymerizable alpha olefin free of functional groups reactive with isocyanates; a polyisocyanate prepolymer; a surfactant which will chemically bond to a reaction product of the polymer and prepolymer, and an organic solvent to form a solution of the foregoing ingredients.The invention includes a substrate having an anti-fog transparent coating comprising the reaction product of polyvinylpyrrolidione, a polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymer with a polymerizable alpha olefin free of functional groups reactive with isocyanates or polydimethylacrylamide with a polyisocyanate prepolymer, said reaction product being chemically bound to a surfactant.