Abstract: An antimicrobial polyurethane foam that is formed from: a multi-functional isocyanate component; an aqueous polyol component reactive with the multi-functional isocyanate component; an antimicrobial metallic compound; and a complexing agent. The complexing agent is used to form a stable blend of the antimicrobial metallic compound with the polyol component. Exemplary complexing agents include amine compounds, ammonium-containing compounds and ammonia as well as combinations these compounds. The antimicrobial metallic compound can be a silver, zinc or copper compound. Desirably, the antimicrobial metallic compound is silver saccharinate. A process of making the antimicrobial polyurethane foam and stable blends used in the manufacture of the antimicrobial polyurethane foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for antimicrobial silver compositions comprising silver nanoparticles. The present invention further comprises compositions for preparing silver nanoparticles comprising at least one stabilizing agent, one or more silver compounds, at least one reducing agent and a solvent. In one aspect, the stabilizing agent comprises a surfactant or a polymer. The polymer may comprise polymers such as polyacrylamides, polyurethanes, and polyamides. In one aspect, the silver compound comprises a salt comprising a silver cation and an anion. The anion may comprise saccharinate derivatives, long chain fatty acids, and alkyl dicarboxylates. The methods of the present invention comprise treating devices with the silver nanoparticle compositions, including, but not limited to, such devices as woven wound care materials, catheters, patient care devices, and collagen matrices.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a stabilized catalase enzyme. In the method, a substrate is thoroughly mixed with phosphate borate and catalase, rinsed with water and the solids dried. The dried solid may be mixed with polyvinyl alcohol and dried for further stabilization. The stabilized powder may be mixed with various skin solutions (lotions, ointments and the like). The catalase enzyme can catalyze the reaction of peroxide to oxygen.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a stabilized microcrystalline cellulose powder containing catalase enzyme. In the method, cellulose is thoroughly mixed with phosphate borate and catalase, rinsed with water and a surfactant added. The stabilized powder may be mixed with various skin solutions (lotions, ointments and the like). The catalase enzyme can catalyze the reaction of peroxide to oxygen.

Abstract: There is provided on-demand, oxygen generating topical compositions having a built-in indicator specifically to indicate a color change upon the complete mixing of the oxygen precursor and catalyst. The first part of the composition contains a carrier and manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles. The second part of the composition comprises the oxygen precursor; hydrogen peroxide. When the two parts, one with manganese dioxide nanoparticles and exhibiting a characteristic color, (e.g. yellow brown) and the second part with hydrogen peroxide are mixed together, the color imparted by the manganese dioxide nanoparticles essentially disappears and the final composition (enriched with oxygen) either appears colorless or takes on the original color of the catalyst. Thus, the manganese dioxide catalyst nanoparticles themselves serve as the colorimetric indicator of peroxide decomposition to oxygen, precluding the need for an external colorant.

Abstract: There is provided on-demand, oxygen generating topical compositions having a built-in indicator specifically to indicate a color change upon the complete mixing of the oxygen precursor and catalyst. The first part of the composition contains a carrier and manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles. The second part of the composition comprises the oxygen precursor; hydrogen peroxide. When the two parts, one with manganese dioxide nanoparticles and exhibiting a characteristic color, (e.g. yellow brown) and the second part with hydrogen peroxide are mixed together, the color imparted by the manganese dioxide nanoparticles essentially disappears and the final composition (enriched with oxygen) either appears colorless or takes on the original color of the catalyst. Thus, the manganese dioxide catalyst nanoparticles themselves serve as the colorimetric indicator of peroxide decomposition to oxygen, precluding the need for an external colorant.

Abstract: There is provided a two part spray for the liberation and delivery of oxygen through the use of a first part that is a peroxide-containing solution and a second part that is a nanoparticle manganese dioxide catalyst. When the two parts are mixed together, the ensuing reaction results in the liberation of oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions comprising metal nanoparticles. The invention comprises metal nanoparticles and surfaces treated with a metal nanoparticle coating. The present invention further comprises compositions for preparing nanoparticles comprising at least one stabilizing agent, one or more metal compounds, at least one reducing agent and a solvent. In one aspect, the stabilizing agent comprises a surfactant or a polymer. The polymer may comprise polymers such as polyacrylamides, polyurethanes, and polyamides. In one aspect, the metal compound comprises a salt comprising a metal cation and an anion. The anion may comprise saccharinate derivatives, long chain fatty acids, and alkyl dicarboxylates.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polyurethane foam that is formed from: a multi-functional isocyanate component; an aqueous polyol component reactive with the multi-functional isocyanate component; an antimicrobial metallic compound; and a complexing agent. The complexing agent is used to form a stable blend of the antimicrobial metallic compound with the polyol component. Exemplary complexing agents include amine compounds, ammonium-containing compounds and ammonia as well as combinations these compounds. The antimicrobial metallic compound can be a silver, zinc or copper compound. Desirably, the antimicrobial metallic compound is silver saccharinate. A process of making the antimicrobial polyurethane foam and stable blends used in the manufacture of the antimicrobial polyurethane foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: A biosorbable oxygen-delivery wound treatment device that includes a biosorbable matrix for delivering oxygen. The biosorbable matrix includes a water swellable, cross-linked biosorbable polymer network. A plurality of gas-permeable, elastic, closed cells is defined by the cross-linked biosorbable polymer network. According to the invention, these closed cells may be produced from a reaction between a catalyst and a second reactant. Deliverable oxygen is contained within the elastic closed cells such that when the device is used to treat a wound, oxygen is delivered from the closed cells. A process for making a biosorbable oxygen-delivery wound treatment device that includes a biosorbable matrix for delivering oxygen as well as a method of using an oxygen-delivery wound treatment device is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods for making and using antimicrobial laminate constructs comprising an antimicrobial layer and optionally, an adhesive layer. The present invention comprises methods for making medical devices, surfaces that may be in contact with medical equipment, personnel or patients, or treatment areas antimicrobial comprising, for example, applying an antimicrobial laminate construct.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for antimicrobial devices comprising metal containing compositions which are resistant to heat and light discoloration. The metal containing compositions may comprise salts or complexes of silver, copper or zinc. In one aspect the compositions comprise silver salts. In another aspect, the compositions comprise silver complexes. In one aspect, the metal salts may comprise metal salts of saccharin, acesulfame, long chain fatty acids, and alkyl dicarboxylic acids. The compositions further comprise polymers which form salts or complexes with silver, copper or zinc. The methods of the present invention comprise treating devices with the metal containing compositions, including, but not limited to, such devices as woven wound care materials, catheters, patient care devices, and collagen matrices. The present invention further comprises treatment of humans and animals with the antimicrobial devices described herein.

Abstract: Two circuit bearing substrates, such as a rigid electronic circuit board and a flexible circuit film, each having large arrays or multiple arrays of surface contact pads or traces, are mechanically and electrically joined without relocating the substrates during the bonding process by using a bonding apparatus with multiple working tools or bond shoes. The bonding apparatus includes a fixture for holding the circuit bearing substrates with a joining layer between them, and two or more independently operated heated bond shoes that compress different portions of the circuit bearing substrates with the joining layer, such as a layer of anisotropic conductive film.

Abstract: Two circuit bearing substrates, such as a rigid electronic circuit board and a flexible circuit film, each having large arrays or multiple arrays of surface contact pads or traces, are mechanically and electrically joined without relocating the substrates during the bonding process by using a bonding apparatus with multiple working tools or bond shoes. The bonding apparatus includes a fixture for holding the circuit bearing substrates with a joining layer between them, and two or more independently operated heated bond shoes that compress different portions of the circuit bearing substrates with the joining layer, such as a layer of anisotropic conductive film.

Abstract: Organic light emitting device (OLED) assemblies having light emitting layers made from boron atom rigidized monomethine cyanines are disclosed. OLED assemblies are constructed by conventional vapor deposition technique as well as by solution spin coating method. The OLED assemblies disclosed are expected to emit blue light and have improved color saturation because of smaller spectral width of the light emissive materials used.

Abstract: Fluorescent monomethine cyanine complexes rigidized a two-carbon alkyl group between the nitrogen's of the cyanine's heterocycles are provided and having the structure wherein R1 through R7 represent various selected groups or ring structures that may be chosen to provide desired solubility, reactive, or spectral properties.

Abstract: Boron complexes of certain bis-heterocyclic compounds are provided. The complexes resemble monomethine cyanines and are useful for imparting fluorescent properties to materials by covalent and noncovalent association. The compounds have the following general formula: wherein the dotted lines Z1 and Z2 represent the atoms necessary to complete a structure selected from the group consisting of one ring, two fused rings, and three fused rings, each said ring having five or six atoms, and each said ring comprising carbon atoms and, optionally, no more than two atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, and R1 through R5 represent various atoms or groups and M is Cl or F.

Abstract: Fluorescent monomethine cyanine complexes rigidized by a two-carbon alkyl group between the nitrogen's of the cyanine's heterocycles are provided and have the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 through R.sub.7 represent various selected groups or ring structures that may be chosen to provide desired solubility, reactive, or spectral properties.

Abstract: Fluorescent monomethine cyanine complexes rigidized by a two-carbon alkyl group between the nitrogen's of the cyanine's heterocycles are provided and have the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 through R.sub.7 represent various selected groups or ring structures that may be chosen to provide desired solubility, reactive, or spectral properties.

Abstract: Boron complexes of certain bis-heterocyclic compounds are provided. The complexes resemble monomethine cyanines and are useful for imparting fluorescent properties to materials by covalent and noncovalent association. The compounds have the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein the dotted lines Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 represent the atoms necessary to complete a structure selected from the group consisting of one ring, two fused rings, and three fused rings, each said ring having five or six atoms, and each said ring comprising carbon atoms and, optionally, no more than two atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, and R.sub.1 through R.sub.5 represent various atoms or groups and M is Cl or F.