Abstract: Indicators for indicating the integrity of a seal of a sterilization container are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in one state and displays a first indicium, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in another state and displays a second indicium. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, such that the user may be assured that the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility of the articles post-sterilization. Further, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state if the seal is subsequently broken, to signal to the user that the seal and the sterility of the container interior has been compromised.

Abstract: A sterilization wrap system with features for protecting a sterilization wrap and/or a sterilization tray of the sterilization wrap system is provided. Such features include strap or belt protectors, edge protectors, corner protectors, and/or expandable protectors, which each may provide protection of one or more areas of the sterilization wrap and/or tray when positioned against an outer surface of the wrap and/or between an inner surface of the wrap and a container for holding implements to be sterilized. A size-selectable protection system also is provided. The size-selectable protection system provides a material having a plurality of perforations such that a length of the material may be selected and detached from the rest of the material. The selected length of material may be used with a sterilization wrap system to protect a sterilization wrap and/or sterilization tray from cuts, tears, or the like.

Abstract: A sterilization wrap system with features for protecting a sterilization wrap and/or a sterilization tray of the sterilization wrap system is provided. Such features include strap or belt protectors, edge protectors, corner protectors, and/or expandable protectors, which each may provide protection of one or more areas of the sterilization wrap and/or tray when positioned against an outer surface of the wrap and/or between an inner surface of the wrap and a container for holding implements to be sterilized. A size-selectable protection system also is provided. The size-selectable protection system provides a material having a plurality of perforations such that a length of the material may be selected and detached from the rest of the material. The selected length of material may be used with a sterilization wrap system to protect a sterilization wrap and/or sterilization tray from cuts, tears, or the like.

Abstract: A coating composition that is incorporated into a facemask to reduce fogging and glare is provided. For example, in one embodiment, the facemask contains a shield or visor formed from a transparent substrate having at least one surface applied with the coating composition of the present disclosure. The coating composition contains a large amount of nanoparticles, desirably greater than 10 wt %.

Abstract: A surfactant treatment is provided that can result in a sterilization wrap that can have a bacterial filtration efficiency of at least 94 percent as determined according to ASTM F2101. The surfactant treatment includes a surfactant consisting essentially of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Wrapping packs in a wrap treated with said surfactant treatment in an amount ranging from greater than 0 to 2 weight percent based on the dry weight of the wrap results in the production of fewer wet packs after steam sterilization compared to when packs are wrapped with an identical wrap without said surfactant treatment. A sterilization wrap comprising a nonwoven fabric and a dried residue surfactant treatment that is essentially free of silicon, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur is also provided, where wrapping packs to be sterilized in the surfactant treated wrap reduces the occurrence of wet packs after steam sterilization compared using an untreated wrap.

Abstract: A urine odor control system for personal care products includes a substrate with a formulation of activated carbon and an absorbent core with a formulation of silver. The personal care product includes diapers, training pants, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, or feminine hygiene products. The personal care product can include a liquid-permeable bodyside liner, liquid-impermeable outer cover affixed to the bodyside liner, wherein the absorbent core and substrate are disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover.

Abstract: Anti-fouling treatments are applied to polymer substrates for preventing bacterial adhesion. The polymer substrate may comprise a medical device, such as a catheter. The treatment generally comprises a polymer layer graft polymerized to the surface of the polymer substrate. An anti-biofilm agent is contained in the polymer layer or applied to the surface. A polymer over-layer is then applied that encapsulates the anti-biofilm agent. The anti-biofilm agent prevents bacterial adhesion through the polymer over-layer.

Abstract: Anti-fouling treatments are applied to polymer substrates for preventing bacterial adhesion. The polymer substrate may comprise a medical device, such as a catheter. The treatment generally comprises a polymer layer graft polymerized to the surface of the polymer substrate. An anti-biofilm agent is contained in the polymer layer or applied to the surface. A polymer over-layer is then applied that encapsulates the anti-biofilm agent. The anti-biofilm agent prevents bacterial adhesion through the polymer over-layer.

Abstract: Electrically conductive adhesive hydrogels formed from a composition which generally includes a monomer, an initiator, an organic solvent, and a cross-linking agent are suitable for use as skin contact adhesives and, particularly, suitable for use as an electrical interface for disposable medical devices. The present hydrogels provide for reduced skin irritation and/or malodor properties, hydrate a subject's skin, readily wet around a subject's skin surface hair, and protect against burning of a subject upon or due to electrical stimulation through the hydrogel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to hydrogel-fibrous web composites that can be used various heat transfer applications. For instance, the thermally conductive hydrogel-fibrous web composite can be used as a skin-contacting layer in a thermal energy transfer pad used to control patient body temperature. The hydrogel polymer is integral to the fibers of the web. Thus, the hydrogel-fibrous web composite provides good thermal conductivity and skin adhesion properties. The present disclosure is also generally directed to methods of preparing the hydrogel-fibrous web composites.

Abstract: Electrically conductive adhesive hydrogels formed from a composition which generally includes a monomer, an initiator, an organic solvent, and a cross-linking agent are suitable for use as skin contact adhesives and, particularly, suitable for use as an electrical interface for disposable medical devices. The present hydrogels provide for reduced skin irritation and/or malodor properties, hydrate a subject's skin, readily wet around a subject's skin surface hair, and protect against burning of a subject upon or due to electrical stimulation through the hydrogel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to hydrogel-fibrous web composites that can be used various heat transfer applications. For instance, the thermally conductive hydrogel-fibrous web composite can be used as a skin-contacting layer in a thermal energy transfer pad used to control patient body temperature. The hydrogel polymer is integral to the fibers of the web. Thus, the hydrogel-fibrous web composite provides good thermal conductivity and skin adhesion properties. The present disclosure is also generally directed to methods of preparing the hydrogel-fibrous web composites.

Abstract: An elastic laminate web is disclosed. The elastic laminate web can be non-apertured or apertured, and comprises a first web, and a second web joined to the first web in a face to face relationship at a plurality of discrete bond sites having an aspect ratio of at least 2. The first and second webs form an interior region therebetween. An elastic material is disposed between the first and second webs. The elastic material is apertured in regions coincident the bond sites, such that the first and second webs are joined through the apertures. The laminate so produced can be stretched in a predetermined direction, such as by incremental stretching, to produce an apertured elastic laminate.

Abstract: An elastic laminate web is disclosed. The elastic laminate web can be nonapertured or apertured, and comprises a first web, and a second web joined to the first web in a face to face relationship at a plurality of discrete bond sites having an aspect ratio of at least 2. The first and second webs form an interior region therebetween. An elastic material is disposed between the first and second webs. The elastic material is apertured in regions coincident the bond sites, such that the first and second webs are joined through the apertures. The laminate so produced can be stretched in a predetermined direction, such as by incremental stretching, to produce an apertured elastic laminate. Also disclosed are mattress covers and other applications in which the elastic laminate web may be used.

Abstract: An elastic laminate web is disclosed. The elastic laminate web can be non-apertured or apertured, and comprises a first web, and a second web joined to the first web in a face to face relationship at a plurality of discrete bond sites having an aspect ratio of at least 2. The first and second webs form an interior region therebetween. An elastic material is disposed between the first and second webs. The elastic material is apertured in regions coincident the bond sites, such that the first and second webs are joined through the apertures. The laminate so produced can be stretched in a predetermined direction, such as by incremental stretching, to produce an apertured elastic laminate.