Abstract: An adhesive composition which is switchable under irradiation to change from a tacky to a less tacky state which includes a switchable polymer. The polymer comprises a backbone polymeric moiety bound to a plurality of curable moieties, each of which comprises a free-radically active group and has an amine functionality. Also, the switchable polymer, processes for producing such polymers and compositions, and switchable adhesive articles comprising the adhesive compositions, such as light-switchable pressure sensitive adhesive dressings, and methods of using such articles.

Abstract: Bioresorbable blends are presented for use in the manufacture of surgical implants. The blends comprise a bioresorbable copolymer and a further bioresorbable polymer.

Abstract: An extension indicator is provided for determining a predetermined extension applied to an extensibly deformable article such as medical bandage used in compression therapy. The indicator includes first (420) and second (430) co-operating members, each adapted to be secured to an extensibly deformable article (440). One of the members is more extensible than the other and each member (420, 430) bears visual indicia (450, 460, 470) which upon extension of the more extensible member, are adapted to align with each other to indicate a predetermined extension of the more extensible member.

Abstract: A woven fabric comprising warp and weft yarns is characterized in that the warp yarns comprise a plurality of elasticized yarns and twisted inelastic yarns arranged such that the inelastic yarns are in pairs of like twist, with two elastic yarns between. Alternate pairs of inelastic yarn are of opposing direction of twist. Such fabrics may be used for medical bandages such as elasticized adhesive or non-adhesive bandages and support or compression garments such as stockings.

Abstract: A paste or cream formulation which can be sterilised comprises an emulsion formed of a wax or oil, an emulsifier and water and an insoluble material which forms a gel in the presence of water. A bandage or wound dressing having the paste on a surface thereof is also disclosed. A method of making a sterilisable paste comprises forming an emulsion of oil or wax in water, forming a slurry of a gel-forming material in a polyol and then adding the slurry to the emulsion while mixing.

Abstract: Novel cross-linked polyesters of pyromellitic anhydride and a polyhydroxy compound containing more than two hydroxyl groups are highly water absorbent, and biodegradable, water swellable. The polyesters may be employed for the manufacture of medical devices such as prosthetic implants, supports for cell cultures or as wound dressings e.g. as a debriding agent.

Abstract: A wound dressing is provided which is made up of a backing layer, an apertured wound facing layer and an intermediate absorbent layer comprising fibers of material which upon contact with moisture will form a gel. The intermediate layer also includes a non-gel forming component, e.g., another fibrous material which can support the formed gels. The backing layer also has a water transmission rate which is greater than its moisture vapor transmission rate.

Abstract: There are described novel adhesives, which are capable of being “switched” form a tack to a non-tacky state. Such switchable adhesives are especially advantageous when used in medical dressings, and therefore, novel medical dressings comprising a switchable adhesive layer, a removable light occlusive layer and an intermediate transparent or translucent layer are also described.

Abstract: A compression device for applying a predetermined compression to a limb including a pliable non-extensible sheet, co-operating fastening parts and a mechanism for indicating changes in compression.

Abstract: There is disclosed an extensible article comprising an extensible fabric and an indicator for showing when the fabric has reached a predetermined degree of extension, a method for forming such articles and a method of treatment of venous disorders comprising applying said article to an affected site on a patient.

Abstract: A conformable wound dressing is prepared by producing a sub-confluent layer of cultured mammalian cells such as epithelial cells anchored to a surface of a synthetic polymeric film which is hydrophobic, non-inhibitory to cell growth and non-cytotoxic. The polymer may be ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and polystyrene, and is preferably subjected to corona discharge to improve cell attachment. The polymeric film may be sterilized with ethylene oxide or by gamma-irradiation. Preferably, the polymeric film is a continuous film containing apertures formed by perforation before or after cell culture to provide an apertured wound dressing. In a preferred embodiment, a laminate is formed containing a sub-confluent layer of mammalian cells anchored to a surface of a continuous film of synthetic polymer having a plurality of thin and thick portions cast on and supported by a carrier layer having a plurality of raised portions.

Abstract: There is described a cannula or catheter dressing comprising a body portion of flexible adherent sheet material for covering a wound site caused by the insertion of a catheter into a patient; and a handle an edge of which defines an aperture for receiving the catheter or cannula wherein the handle comprises a material less flexible than the body portion.

Abstract: A curable silane functionalized resin for casting and splinting materials comprising a flexible substrate carrying the resin. The resin is based upon a prepolymer made by nucleophilic addition reactions where at least one reagent is terminated with an alkylenesilane.

Abstract: A colored orthopedic splinting material comprising a glass fiber substrate and a hardenable resin wherein the individual filaments making up the substrate are colored.

Abstract: A package comprising a plurality of filled sealed containers containing dispensable materials, adjacent containers (20a, 20b) being connected by a joint (40) which comprises a tear means (50) allowing the containers, to be torn open with a single tearing action.

Abstract: A medical bandaging material, for example, for use as a wound dressing, soft-tissue support bandage, brace or orthopaedic splinting bandage, comprises two superposed layers of, for example, a woven, knitted or non-woven material spaced apart by strands of mono-filamentary or fibrous layers. The interstitial spaces may be filled with a hardenable resin and/or pharmacologically active agent.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising an absorbent layer (5) and absorbent layer retaining means wherein the absorbent layer retaining means comprises an adhesive annular foam flange (2).

Abstract: An absorbent wound dressing (1) includes a polymer foam layer (3) having a plurality of discrete zones (2) on at least one surface (4) of the foam layer, the material forming the zones being less swellable than the foam layer material, such that when the dressing is placed with the zones of polymeric material in contact with a wet surface, the zones move apart as the foam layer absorbs fluid and swells.

Abstract: A conformable material is described which comprises a backing layer having an adhesive layer on a first surface and a removable protector covering the adhesive layer and a removable carrier layer on the non-adhesive surface of the backing layer. The carrier layer and the protector layer are provided with slits substantially the length of the longitudinal or major axis.

Abstract: There are described padding materials comprising a first moisture vapor permeable film layer and a second moisture vapor permeable film layer with air bubbles spaced therebetween. The air bubbles may optionally contain foam pips. Methods of preparation and uses of the padding materials are also described.