Abstract: Laminar polysaccharide structures, e.g., laminar microbial cellulose structures, are disclosed. These structures comprise densified planiform sheets or laminae that merge into one another and together define plural regions having reduced polysaccharide microfibril density. The disclosed laminar polysaccharide structures are derived by manipulating fibrous polysaccharide pellicles produced by microorganisms such as those of the genere Acetobacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Pseudomonas, Sphaerotilus, and the like.

Abstract: A surgical dressing is disclosed which is composed of a polymeric film having a moisture vapor transmission rate between 15 and 80 grams per 100 sq. inches per 24 hours. There is an adhesive around the periphery on the lower surface of the film and a series of apertures through the film of the adhesive. There is an absorbent pad on the upper surface of the film secured in place by a fibrous covering material. The fibrous covering material is adhesively coated and is of the same dimensions as the film so that it may be removed without lifting the film from the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP)/Silver Sulfadiazine (SSD) hydrogel dressing in which the gel is formed by the use of electron beam (E-Beam) radiation to cross-link the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); in which the color of the hydrogel dressing has been stabilized by the addition thereto of magnesium trisilicate and, optionally but preferably, also hydrogen peroxide and/or polyacrylic acid is disclosed; and also the process of stabilizing the color by adding magnesium trisilicate, to a water dispersion of PVP and SSD before it is exposed to E-Beam radiation is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition used to reinforce polyurethane casts is disclosed. The composition has controlled foaming activity and a viscosity between 100,000 and 1,000,000. The foaming activity and viscosity allow the formulation to be readily applied to the cast area that is to be reinforced.

Abstract: A surgical sponge constructed of a nonwoven fabric is provided with an integral X-ray detectable element in the form of a yarn or monofilament which is positioned interiorly of the nonwoven fabric and in the plane thereof. The fabric is produced by placing the X-ray detectable element between two fibrous webs and subjecting the composite material to hydraulic entanglement to produce a patterned, nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A continent ostomy valve comprising a drainage tube which is secured at one end within the stoma of the patient while the other end passes through an orifice in a disk-shaped valve body which includes releasable clamping means for selectively occluding the drainage tube. The outer end of the drainage tube is stored on the face of the valve body under a cover which encloses the valve body and provides a low profile of uniform configuration.

Abstract: A surgical hemostat comprising oxidized cellulose having a warp knit tricot construction which provides a fabric density of at least 0.03 g/cm.sup.2, air porosity of less than 150 cm.sup.3 /sec/cm.sup.2, and liquid absorption of at least 3 times the dry weight of the fabric.

Abstract: Adhesive bandages comprising a blister pad and adjacent adhesive-coated areas are prepared from heat-fusible bandage materials, preferably a nonwoven batt material, by applying the pad material to a base material and heat-welding around the perimeter of the pad to totally enclose the interior thereof. The portions of the base material extending from the pad area are compacted under heat and pressure to provide a surface suitable for a coating with adhesive. A medicated gel or other therapeutic material may be included within the confines of the pad area to provide a medicated blister bandage.

Abstract: Hemostatic adhesive bandages are disclosed wherein a very thin coating of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is applied to the surface of the perforated plastic film wound release cover of an adhesive bandage, in a manner compatible with commonly used high speed production techniques and equipment, which stop the bleeding faster when applied to minor cuts.

Abstract: A thin adhesive coated film dressing is provided with the adhesive surface covered by a release paper in three sections to facilitate the application of the dressing to the wound site. The construction of the dressing provides for the center section of the release paper to be removed to expose the central adhesive area of the film. While gripping the film by the two end portions still covered by the release paper, the central portion of the dressing is applied to the wound site. Once the center section is secure, the end sections of the release papers are removed and application of the dressing completed.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage and integral wrapper therefor is constructed of a continuous length of bulky, nonwoven bandage and wrapper material which is preferably a nonwoven fabric batt constructed at least in part of heat-fusible fibers. The bandage pad is formed by a Z-fold in the bandage portion of the material. The adhesive wing portions of the bandage are compacted and fused prior to the application of a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The wrapper portion of the product may be entirely nonwoven fabric compacted and heat-fused and coated with an adhesive release surface, or may be formed in part of polyethylene or similar film. The wrapper material is folded around the bandage and sealed on three edges to totally enclose the bandage.

Abstract: Liquid loaded pads useful as wound and burn dressings are prepared from pellicles of microbially-produced cellulose obtained, for example, by culturing Acetobacter xylinum. A pellicle having a thickness from about 0.1 to 15 millimeters or greater is processed to replace the culture medium with water or other physiologically compatible liquid. The liquid-loaded pellicle is sterilized prior to its use as a dressing or in other medical applications.

Abstract: A dental floss consisting of filaments containing a higher melting point core material and a lower melting point sheath material whereby the sheath material fibers are fused by subjecting them to a sufficient temperature to achieve same.

Abstract: An absorbable internal bone fixation device is disclosed. The device is made from a high molecular weight polymer of L(-)lactide having an inherent viscosity above 4.5. The polymer contains less than 2% unreacted monomer and is polymerized under conditions of selected monomer to catalyst ratios and temperature.

Abstract: A packaged adhesive bandage comprising a bandage backing strip having an adhesive coating and a wound covering pad on one surface thereof contained in a sealed envelope with the side edges of the backing strip laminated and sealed between the panels of the envelope. The packaged bandage is produced by a continuous process wherein a length of wrapper material is folded to enclose a length of bandage material and individual bandages are cut transversely from the folded material with simultaneous sealing of the cut edges.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage and integral wrapper therefor is constructed of a continuous length of bulky, nonwoven bandage and wrapper material which is preferably a nonwoven fabric batt constructed at least in part of heat-fusible fibers. The bandage pad is formed by a Z-fold in the bandage portion of the material. The adhesive wing portions of the bandage are compacted and fused prior to the application of a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The wrapper portion of the product may be entirely nonwoven fabric compacted and heat-fused and coated with an adhesive release surface, or may be formed in part of polyethylene or similar film. The wrapper material is folded around the bandage and sealed on three edges to totally enclose the bandage.

Abstract: A surgical swab comprises a warp knitted body portion (1) and an integrally warp knitted handling tape (3). Both the body portion and the handling tape are formed as two superimposed layers on a twin needle bed knitting machine, the respective longitudinal and/or laterally extending edges of each layer being joined by interknitting.The swab may be cut from a continuous swab strip which is formed by continuously knitting a length of body portion fabric and of handling tape fabric with a lateral band of the fabrics being knitted together at intervals. Individual swabs are separated from the strip by cutting through the lateral band.

Abstract: An absorbable internal bone fixation device is disclosed. The device is made from a high molecular weight polymer of L(-)lactide having an inherent viscosity above 4.5. The polymer contains less than 2% unreacted monomer and is polymerized under conditions of selected monomer to catalyst ratios and temperatures.

Abstract: Adhesive bandages comprising a pad area and adjacent adhesive-coated areas are prepared from a single sheet of heat-fusible bandage material, preferably a nonwoven batt material, by overlapping the center portion of the material in a Z-fold to form a triple thickness pad area, and heat calendaring the material adjacent the desired pad area to provide a surface suitable for coating with adhesive. The integrity of the pad is preserved by heat fusing the material along the folded edges of the pad.