Abstract: An elongated, self-adhesive wound dressing is provided which includes a hydrogel layer secured to a vapor permeable bacterial barrier layer. The vapor permeable barrier layer possesses sufficient porosity such that it readily adheres to the hydrogel layer without the need for an adhesive layer. The wound dressing is adapted to be wrapped around a portion of a patient's body and secured without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: A disposable biomedical electrode having a one-piece terminal secured therein without washers, retaining rings or other securement means is provided. The electrode also includes an electrolytic gel which exhibits greater patient comfort without any decrease in electrical performance. The gel layer is preferably a hydrogel material formed from an aqueous mixture of polyhydric alcohol, aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer, polyethylene oxide based polyamine, and sodium chloride.

Abstract: A flexible wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, optional removable tab and optional release liner. The wound dressing comprises a thin-film layer, an adhesive layer, porous backing layer, optional support layer and a hydrogel material. The thin-film layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the thin-film layer. The porous backing layer is formed of a porous material having sufficient porosity that the backing layer can be secured to the hydrogel material without the use of an adhesive. During manufacture, the hydrogel patch is assembled in sheet form and subsequently cut to a desired size and shape.

Abstract: A flexible, transparent wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, removable tab and release liner. The removable tab provides a grippable surface to allow for the removal of the release liner from the wound dressing and to facilitate handling of the wound dressing during application to the wound site. The tab may be comprised of a flat, double-coated paper or other suitable material, or a flexible, V-shaped member, and is removable by peeling after the wound dressing is applied. The wound dressing comprises a transparent thin-film layer, a first adhesive layer, backing layer, second adhesive layer, support layer and a hydrogel material. The transparent layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the transparent layer.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel for cutting the tissue of a patient and for selectively applying an electrosurgical cutting current or an electrosurgical coagulation current from an electrosurgical generator to the patient, includes a scalpel body defining a contoured external surface configured to be held comfortably in the hand of a surgeon, and an electrically conductive blade, mounted on and extending from the scalpel body, for cutting the tissue of a patient and for selectively applying electrosurgical cutting current or electrosurgical coagulation current to the tissue of a patient. The scalpel further includes a cable having an electrical connector for electrical connection to the electrosurgical generator, and manual switch means, mounted on the scalpel body, for controlling the application of electrosurgical cutting current and electrosurgical coagulation current to the tissue of a patient.

Abstract: A wound dressing product is provided which includes a wound dressing laminate having a plurality of layers including a backing layer which forms a first side of the wound dressing laminate and a hydrogel layer which forms a second side of the wound dressing laminate. The wound dressing laminate is spirally wrapped about a center axis such that the wound dressing laminate terminates at a leading end and the first side of the wound dressing laminate forms the outer surface of the wound dressing product.

Abstract: A sterile wound packing material and package therefor is provided, which wound packing is flexible and conformable to deep and/or irregular shaped wounds, is compact and easily dispensed, and which can be stored indefinitely. The wound packing may also be used for absorbing wound exudate and immediately discarded or by be designed to remain in place for extended periods during healing. The wound packing includes a sterile, wound packing of a flexible material capable of absorbing wound exudate, with the flexible material being in the form of a substantially flat, coiled, spirally-cut layer and a package therefor. In certain embodiments of the invention where it is desired that the wound packing remain in place for an extended period, the flexible material is impregnated with a hydrogel, which may be a "wet" hydrogel (i.e., one containing substantial amounts of water) or a dehydrated hydrogel which is substantially devoid of water but becomes hydrated in use.

Abstract: A flexible wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, optional removable tab and optional release liner. The wound dressing comprises a thin-film layer, an adhesive layer, porous backing layer, optional support layer and a hydrogel material. The thin-film layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the thin-film layer. The porous backing layer is formed of a porous material having sufficient porosity that the backing layer can be secured to the hydrogel material without the use of an adhesive. During manufacture, the hydrogel patch is assembled in sheet form and subsequently cut to a desired size and shape.

Abstract: A flexible external fixation dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The fixation dressing product is comprised of several layers including a thin-film top layer, optional backing layer, optional support layer, hydrogel layer, and optional release liner, and is adapted for use around the retaining pins of an external fixation device. The thin-film top layer may define a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material are positioned in the center portion of the thin-film top layer. The porous backing layer is formed of a porous material having sufficient porosity that the backing layer can be secured to the hydrogel material without the use of an adhesive. During manufacture, the dressing product is assembled and a substantially centered opening and a slit are cut. The opening and slit extend through all layers of the dressing and may also extend through the release liner, if included.

Abstract: A wound dressing capable of being inserted into a deep wound found on a patient is provided. The wound dressing contains a hydrogel material capable of absorbing wound exudate emitted by a deep wound and is substantially in the form of a cylinder. A support layer is mounted within the cylinder for purposes of providing support for the hydrogel material in the wound dressing. The invention also provides a syringe for inserting and removing the wound dressing from the deep wound for which it is applicable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound dressing in the form of a gauze or similar absorbent material having dehydrated hydrogel material impregnated therein for absorbing wound exudate. The dehydrated hydrogel material is formed from an aqueous mixture comprising: (a) from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer; (c) from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethylene oxide based polyamine; (d) 0% to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water. The present wound dressing is capable of absorbing large amounts of wound exudate without inhibiting the healing of the wound to which it is contacted since it does not adhere to such a wound.

Abstract: A flexible, transparent wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, removable tab and release liner. The removable tab provides a grippable surface to allow for the removal of the release liner from the wound dressing and to facilitate handling of the wound dressing during application to the wound site. The tab may be comprised of a flat, double-coated paper or other suitable material, or a flexible, V-shaped member, and is removable by peeling after the wound dressing is applied. The wound dressing comprises a transparent thin-film layer, a first adhesive layer, backing layer, second adhesive layer, support layer and a hydrogel material. The transparent layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the transparent layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound dressing in the form of a gauze or similar absorbent material having dehydrated hydrogel material impregnated therein for absorbing wound exudate. The dehydrated hydrogel material is formed from an aqueous mixture comprising: (a) from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer; (c) from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethylene oxide based polyamine; (d) 0% to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water. The present wound dressing is capable of absorbing large amounts of wound exudate without inhibiting the healing of the wound to which it is contacted since it does not adhere or stick to the wound.