Abstract: Improved polymeric devices are disclosed which slowly and gradually release drugs or other chemicals, for use as wound dressings that gradually release antibiotics, analgesics, or other useful drugs directly onto the surfaces of wounds. These polymers also provide other sustained-release devices, such as capsules that will gradually release a drug the entire time they remain in the digestive system, until the inert polymer is excreted in feces. These devices are created by reacting: (1) a hydrophilic polymer such as poly(2-hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate); (2) a solvent such as polyethylene glycol; (3) a plasticizing agent that promotes hydrogen bonding, such as dimethylsulfoxide in a quantity which is substantially reduced compared to prior formulations; and (4) the drug or chemical that is to be slowly released by the final device. The quantity of DMSO has been reduced from about 5%, in previously-known polymer systems, to about 0.1% in these improved devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for applying epidermal growth factor (EGF) for achieving healing enhancement at a wound site. The human source of epidermal growth factor, designated as hEGF, is applied from the synthetic resin matrix system of this invention, and which comprises a polymer, such as poly(2-hydroxyl ethyl methyl methacrylate), referred to as PHEMA, an organic solvent, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), and a hydrogen binding plasticizer, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The plasticizer regulates the set-up time of the synthetic resin, so that the more plasticizer present, the shorter the set-up time. The dressing, once formed, and having the healing enhancer contained therein, may be sealed within various backing sheets, in order to preserve its aseptic condition. When ready for use, one of the backing sheets may be peeled away to expose the resin pad with the emobodied healing enhancer, ready for application to the wound site.

Abstract: An anti-microbial sensitivity test and testing stratum is disclosed for evaluating the sensitivity of different anti-microbial agents relative to identifiable microbial contaminants. The test stratum comprises a polymer such as poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) referred to as PHEMA, an organic solvent, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), a hydrogen binding plasticizer, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), an an anti-microbial agent such as silver sulfadiazine, mafenide, nystatin, nitrofurazone, silver nitrate, bacitracin, gentamicin, amphotericin B, cesium nitrate, or other anti-microbial agents. The test includes positioning testing stratum of the type described, each having a different anti-microbial agent therein, on a sterile plate or on an agar substrate and spaced in fixed relationship to one another. The testing stratum are self adhering and remain fixed on a sterile plate, or on an applicator, even when the sterile plate, is inverted.

Abstract: A synthetic resin matrix system for the delayed and extended duration delivery of drugs to humans and animals is disclosed consisting of a polymer, such as poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate), referred to as PHEMA, an organic solvent, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), and a hydrogen binding plasticizer, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The plasticizer regulates the set-up time of the synthetic resin so that the more plasticizer present, the shorter the set-up time. The plasticizer also has a direct shortening effect upon the cure time and also profoundly influences many of the physical characteristics of the resultant synthetic resin matrix system. A variety of drugs can be embodied in the fabricated matrix system and administered to the patient (or animal) by different modes of application, including but not limited to oral, topical, rectal, subcutaneous implant, or organ-specific implant such as in the conjunctival sac of the eye.

Abstract: A synthetic resin matrix dressing is disclosed consisting essentially of a polymer, such as poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate), referred to as PHEMA, an organic solvent, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), and a hydrogen bonding plasticizer, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The plasticizer regulates the set-up time of the synthetic resin so that the more plasticizer present, the shorter the set-up time. The dressing may be applied to the treatment site in veterninary use in the form of a paste for the in-situ curing or setting thereof, or the dressing may be preformed and then applied to the treatment site. A variety of drug agents may be incorporated in the synthetic resin matrix so as to result in the time released administration of the drug agent to the area of the skin covered by the dressing. A method of treatment using this dressing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic resin wound dressing (e.g., a burn wound dressing) is disclosed consisting essentially of a polymer, such as poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate), referred to as PHEMA, an organic solvent, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), and a hydrogen binding plasticizer, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The plasticizer regulates the set-up time of the synthetic resin so that the more plasticizer present, the shorter the set-up time. The dressing may be applied to the wound site in the form of a paste for the in situ curing or setting thereof, or the dressing may be preformed and then applied to the wound site. A variety of drug agents (e.g., silver sulfadiazine) may be incorporated in the synthetic resin so as to result in the time released administration of the drug agent to the area of the skin (e.g., a burn wound site or the like) covered by the wound dressing. A method of treatment using this dressing is also disclosed.