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: 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: A cyclodextrin-modified thermoplastic porous layer material is prepared by coating the surface of a fibrous nonwoven web, open-celled foam, porous film or the like with a chemical composition including a cyclodextrin compound, and then irradiating the coated fabric to induce a chemical reaction between the cyclodextrin compound and the underlying layer material. The resulting cyclodextrin-modified layer material has durable hydrophilic properties useful in topsheets for absorbent articles, and entrapment capabilities useful in water filters, blood filters, controlled delivery articles and protective garments.

Abstract: A durable, single or multi-use cooling garment is provided having a multilayer structure. The cooling garment includes an inner layer of a thermoplastic polymer material that is liquid impermeable and vapor permeable, an outer liquid permeable reinforcing layer such as a web of thermoplastic polymer fibers, and a central absorbent layer that contains a stabilized matrix of about 55% to 95% cellulosic fibers and from about 5% to 45% thermoplastic polymer fibers. The layers are bonded together and the absorbent layer is bonded to at least one of the other layers by regionally applying sufficient energy to the layers wherein the thermoplastic polymers melt and resolidify to form inter-fiber bonds. The cooling garment can be saturated with water or other liquids and provide the wearer with relief from the heat such as may be achieved by evaporative cooling.

Abstract: An improved coform material having a plurality of synthetic fibers, a plurality of natural fibers commingled with the plurality of synthetic fibers and a treatment system including a surfactant selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated hydrogenated fatty oils, monosaccharides, monosaccharide derivatives, polysaccharides, polysaccharide derivatives, and combinations thereof, applied to the synthetic fibers. The integrated composite material is particularly suitable for use in personal care absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene products, diapers, training pants, absorbent underpants, and adult incontinence products.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved composition and method for treating substrates such as nonwoven fabrics to impart durable properties such as wettability. The composition includes a viscosity modifier that provides reduced viscosity to normally viscous treating agents allowing them to be applied at room temperature without adversely affecting the desired properties of the treated substrate. Advantageously the treating composition includes an alkyl polyglycoside having 8 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain and a surfactant such as a blend of ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil and sorbitan monooleate. Nonwovens treated in accordance with the invention with high solids treating compositions at room temperature have a durability of at least 2 cycles in accordance with the runoff test. The treating compositions of the invention are stable and adapted to many conventional treating systems. As little as 1 part in 20 of the addition of the alkyl polyglycoside is effective.

Abstract: A coated porous substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer which is substantially uniformly coated with a hydrophilic polymeric material. The substrate may be a sheet-like material, examples of which are foams, fibers, and fibrous webs. The fibrous webs desirably will be nonwoven webs. The coating on the substrate is durable to an aqueous medium at a temperature in a range of from about 10.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. and does not significantly suppress the surface tension of an aqueous medium with which the coated substrate may come in contact. The hydrophobic polymer may be a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The hydrophilic polymeric material with which the polymer fibers are coated may be a polysaccharide or a modified polysaccharide. Also provided is a method of preparing a coated porous substrate which involves providing a porous substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer. At least a portion of the substrate then is exposed to a field of reactive species.

Abstract: A coated porous substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer which is substantially uniformly coated with a hydrophilic polymeric material. The substrate may be a sheet-like material, examples of which are foams, fibers, and fibrous webs. The fibrous webs desirably will be nonwoven webs. The coating on the substrate is durable to an aqueous medium at a temperature in a range of from about 10.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. and does not significantly suppress the surface tension of an aqueous medium with which the coated substrate may come in contact. The hydrophobic polymer may be a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The hydrophilic polymeric material with which the polymer fibers are coated may be a polysaccharide or a modified polysaccharide. Also provided is a method of preparing a coated porous substrate which involves providing a porous substrate composed of a hydrophobic polymer. At least a portion of the substrate then is exposed to a field of reactive species.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing or eliminating the odors commonly produced by the sterilization of polyolefin-based products by gamma radiation. In addition, the invention also provides a method for minimizing the amount of fabric strength loss associated with the irradiation process and a method for actually increasing the fabric strength of a polyethylene that has been irradiated. Both the reduction in odors and the minimization of strength or increase in polyolefin strength are achieved in methods comprising the use of an oxygen scavenger. The invention further includes the use of non-gamma stabilized polyolefins. The polyolefinic product may also include an odor mask that may be used to mask any residual odor.