Abstract: Thin film adhesive dressings comprise a support layer having a continuous coating on one side thereof of a gel adhesive. The adhesive is non self-adherent and preferably comprises a hydrophilic gel containing polyurethane residues. The dressings may be highly water absorbent and are moisture vapor permeable, having a moisture vapor transmission rate of not less than 300 gm m.sup.2 hr.sup.-1 at a relative humidity difference of 10 to 100% when in contact with moisture vapor.

Abstract: A low tack orthopedic splinting material which includes a substrate coated with a low tack water curable composition that has an isocyanate resin which has dissolved therein from 1 to 10% of a compound of the formula (VII): R.sup.1 --X--(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--CO--(NH).sub.m --R.sup.2 wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1 to 14 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted by phenyl, R.sup.2 is alkyl of 1 to 14 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted by phenyl, n is 6 to 100, m is 0 or 1 and x is a bond or --(NH).sub.m --CO--.

Abstract: A dressing for retaining a cannula on the skin is described. The dressing comprises a backing film coated on one face with an adhesive layer and with first and second release sheets covering the adhesive layer. A hole and a dividing line are cut through the dressing and second release sheet so that the dividing line extends from the hole to one edge of the dressing and the edge of the second release sheet. In use when the second release sheet is removed the hole in the dressing fits around the indwelling cannula. In a preferred form a portion of the dressing comprises an adhesive coated handle which is stiffer than the remainder of the dressing and which carries the hole and dividing line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an elastic apertured film which contains voids. The film comprises a blend of polyurethane and an incompatible polymer which forms a discrete phase within the matrix of polyurethane. The film is in the form of a net. The area of apertures is 5 to 75% of the total area of the film or alternatively, the film is in the form of an interrupted film containing a pattern of holes which have a maximum dimension of not more than 3 times the thickness of the film.

Abstract: A low adherency wound dressing which comprises a wound facing layer, an intermediate absorbent layer and an outer layer wherein the wound facing layer comprises a conformable net of elastomer, the intermediate absorbent layer comprises a conformable open cell foam of hydrophilic polymer, and the outer layer comprises a conformable microporous film; and a process for making said dressing.

Abstract: Glass or plastics substrates which in use are susceptible to misting and which have on at least one surface thereof an antimist coating. The coating is formed from a hydrophilic polymer which comprises a hydrophilic polyurethane which contains from 35 to 60% by weight of water when hydrated and which has a thickness of from 3 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m in its anhydrous state. Substrates in which the coating comprises a first layer formed from a polyurethane which contains from 0 to 35% by weight of water when hydrated and in which a second and subsequent layers are formed from a polyurethane which contains 60 to 90% by weight of water are also described. Methods for forming the coatings are also described.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions which are suitable for topical application in the treatment of bacterial and/or fungal infections are described. The compositions comprise a synergistic mixture of a silver compound and an azole derivative together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. The compositions may be applied topically in the treatment of burns ulcers and other skin lesions, general skin infections and also in the treatment of infections of the mucous membranes. Preferred compositions contain silver sulphadiazine and clotrimazole or metronidazole. The compositions may be applied as ointments, gels, pessaries, tablets and the like.

Abstract: A water permeable, contoured, polymeric film which is apertured and which contains a pattern of raised areas. The film is formed from elastomeric polymer, preferably a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with incompatible polymer. The numbers of apertures and raised areas contained in the film are such that the ratio of apertures to raised areas is greater than unity. The apertures are preferably distributed in a random manner throughout the raised areas. Processes for forming the film by first aperturing the film and then impressing raised areas into the apertured film are also described. The film may be employed to form the body contacting surface in absorbent devices. The use of the film helps to reduce the phenomenon of wet-back.

Abstract: A surgical dressing is described which consists essentially of a film which carries an adhesive layer for securing the dressing to the body characterized in that (a) the film is continuous and comprises a polymer which in contact with water has a higher MVP than when in contact with moisture vapor but not water; (b) the adhesive layer is adapted to allow access of water to the film when water is in contact with the adhesive layer so that (c) the surgical dressing has an MVP of not less than 2500 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive layer is in contact with water and has an MVP of not more than 2000 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive is in contact with moisture vapor but not water; whereby the dressing is suitable for use on exuding wounds and on non-exuding wounds.

Abstract: Glass or plastics substrates which in use are susceptible to misting and which have on at least one surface thereof an antimist coating. The coating is formed from a hydrophilic polymer which comprises a hydrophilic polyurethane which contains from 35 to 60% by weight of water when hydrated and which has a thickness of from 3 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m in its anhydrous state. Substrates in which the coating comprises a first layer formed from a polyurethane which contains from 0 to 35% by weight of water when hydrated and in which a second and subsequent layers are formed from a polyurethane which contains 60 to 90% by weight of water are also described. Methods for forming the coatings are also described.

Abstract: Moisture vapor transmitting wound dressings are described which comprise (a) a conformable backing layer which has an adhesive on one of its surfaces and in which at least one of the backing layer and adhesive layer is continuous so as to provide a barrier both to bacteria and to liquid water when the dressing is in place on a wound and (b) a low wound adherency absorbent pad positioned on the adhesive side of the backing layer. The area of the pad is less than that of the backing layer so that an adhesive margin remains exposed on two, or preferably four, sides of the pad so that the backing layer may be adhered to the skin surrounding the wound area. The wound dressings have a moisture vapor transmission rate of from 500 to 2000 grams/square meter/24 hours at 37.5.degree. C. and 100% to 10% relative humidity difference. Materials for use in the dressings and processes for manufacture of the dressings are also described.

Abstract: An adhesive wound dressing which comprises a flexible polymer film having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface on the opposite side, a removable protector over the adhesive surface and a detachable handle along an edge margin of the polymer film is described. The handle is used to facilitate handling of the film during application of the dressing and is formed from a tearable material so that it can be removed by tearing without disturbing the applied dressing. In a second described embodiment the tearable handle carries an adhesive coating so that the user has the option of removing the handle or adhering it to the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A cross-linked, hydrogel polymer for contact lenses with a water uptake of between 60 and 70% by weight based on the total weight of hydrogel is formed from a mixture of monomer components containing (1) N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, (2) alkyl methacrylate and (3) a compound of formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, preferably methyl, and R.sup.2 is either a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted by a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxygroup or by a cycloalkyloxygroup. Preferably the alkyl methacrylate is hydroxyethyl methacrylate and the third component phenethyl methacrylate. Cross-linking agents used preferably have their two functional groups differing in reactivity, for example allyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A surgical dressing which consists essentially of a film which carries an adhesive layer for securing the dressing to the body characterized in that (a) the film is continuous and comprises a polymer which in contact with water has a higher MVP than when in contact with moisture vapor but not water, (b) the adhesive layer is adapted to allow access of water to the film when water is in contact with the adhesive layer so that said surgical dressing has a MVP of not less than 2500 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive layer is in contact with water and has a MVP of not more than 2000 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive is in contact with moisture vapor but not water; whereby the dressing is suitable for use on exuding wounds and on non-exuding wounds.

Abstract: A device for the prophylaxis of pressure sores which comprises a liquid retained within a flexible elastomeric envelope is described. The body contacting surface of the device is a film which has a moisture vapor transmission rate of greater than 300 g/m.sup.2 /24 hr at 37.degree. C. at 100% to 10% relative humidity difference. The liquid is a viscous liquid which absorbs moisture vapor. The device is formed in the shape of the letter "U" which makes the device particularly useful for application to the sacrum. A device in which the liquid retained within the flexible envelope is a mixture of a viscous liquid and a hygroscopic material is also described.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bandage is described which comprises a support carrying a vinyl compound, which compound polymerizes when exposed to a water-activated vinyl polymerization catalyst, characterized in that the vinyl compound is a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains not less than two polymerizable vinyl groups. Use of a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains not less than two polymerizable vinylic groups results in a storage stable bandage which on exposure to a water activated polymerization catalyst produces a cast of good strength.

Abstract: A moisture vapor permeable, adhesive surgical dressing is described which comprises a continuous film of a hydrophilic polymer which has a moisture vapor permeability which is greater when in contact with water than when not in contact with water and which is attached around its edges to a water transmitting film so as to form a sealed portion into which exudate may pass from an exuding wound. The water transmitting film comprises a backing layer and an adhesive layer on the side remote from the continuous film. The adhesive layer is suitable for adhering the dressing to the skin. The water transmitting film allows or is adapted to allow access of water to the film when in contact with water so that when used on an exuding wound the high moisture vapor permeability of the continuous film allows water to evaporate through the dressing and prevents the dressing forming a blister.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bandage is described which comprises a support carrying a vinyl compound, which compound polymerizes when exposed to a water-activated vinyl polymerization catalyst. The vinyl compound is a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains more than one polymerizable vinyl group. This prepolymer is in association with at least one component of a water-activatable vinyl polymerization redox catalyst in solid form in a water pervious coating which is insoluble in the prepolymer. Encapsulation of one component of the catalyst system in a water pervious coating provides a storage stable bandage which is activated by immersion in water and gives a satisfactory working time for immobilizing a limb compared to use of an uncoated catalyst.

Abstract: A moisture vapor transmitting elastomeric film which comprises a blend of incompatible polymers and contains voids characterized in that the blend comprises a continuous matrix of ethylene vinyl acetate within which the incompatible polymer forms a discrete particulate phase matrix, processes for the preparation thereof and articles comprising these films are described.

Abstract: A surgical dressing which consists essentially of a film which carries an adhesive layer for securing the dressing to the body characterized in that (a) the film is continuous and comprises a polymer which in contact with water has a higher MVP than when in contact with moisture vapor but not water, (b) the adhesive layer is adapted to allow access of water to the film when water is in contact with the adhesive layer so that said surgical dressing has a MVP of not less than 2500 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive layer is in contact with water and has a MVP of not more than 2000 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive is in contact with moisture vapor but not water; whereby the dressing is suitable for use on exuding wounds and on non-exuding wounds.