Abstract: A process is disclosed for making contoured hydrocolloid-containing adhesive dressings in which, in the final product, a soft pliant adhesive layer having one or more hydrocolloids dispersed therein is sandwiched between a top backing layer of stretchable film or fabric and a bottom release layer of flexible but substantially non-stretchable material. In a combined contouring and cutting step, the layers are compressed and heated to reshape the adhesive material and are simultaneously cut to form the finished dressing. In a preferred embodiment, three steps of laminating, contouring and cutting are performed simultaneously at a single station.

Abstract: A thin film wound dressing is disclosed in which a thin, transparent, vapor-transmitting elastomeric film is coated along its underside with a suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive for securing the dressing to a patient's skin. Prior to use, the adhesive layer is protected by a removable release liner. The opposite (upper) surface of the film has a foraminous backing layer of flexible and stretchable material secured (preferably removably) thereto. The stretchable backing layer has a multiplicity of wide openings or foramina separated from each other by foam strip portions, and at least some of the strip portions preferably terminate in free ends along a peripheral edge of the film.

Abstract: A thin film wound dressing is disclosed in which a thin, transparent, vapor-transmitting elastomeric film is coated along its underside with a suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive for securing the dressing to a patient's skin. Prior to use, the adhesive layer is protected by a removable release liner. The opposite (upper) surface of the film has a removable backing layer with a multiplicity of wide openings or foramina separated from each other by connecting strip portions, and at least some of the strip portions preferably terminate in free ends along a peripheral edge of the film.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer for an ostomy pouch, and the combination of such a wafer and pouch, in which the adhesive layer of the wafer is composed of a hydrocolloid-containing skin barrier material and is contoured to provide a relatively thick body portion surrounded by a relatively thin peripheral portion, are disclosed. The wafer has a stoma-receiving opening, and the adhesive layer is of developed shape so that most, if not all, of the relatively thick body portion is located immediately below and to the sides of the stoma-receiving opening. The relatively thin peripheral portion of the adhesive layer is preferably embossed to provide a pattern of discrete, non-connecting depressions separated and isolated from each other by flat-top ridges dimensioned and arranged so that a skin surface engaged by said embossed surface primarily contacts only such ridges.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer, which is especially suitable for use as a faceplate for an ostomy appliance but may also be used as a wound dressing, has an adhesive layer of hydrocolloid-containing skin barrier material and a flexible backing layer extending over one surface of the adhesive layer. The opposite skin-contacting surface of the adhesive layer is embossed to provide a pattern of discrete, non-connecting depressions separated and isolated from each other by flat-topped ridges dimensioned and arranged so that a skin surface engaged by said embossed surface primarily contacts only such ridges.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer for an ostomy pouch, and the combination of such a wafer and pouch, in which the adhesive layer of the wafer is composed of a hydrocolloid-containing skin barrier material and is contoured to provide a relatively thick body portion surrounded by a relatively thin peripheral portion, are disclosed. The wafer has a stoma-receiving opening, and the adhesive layer is of developed shape so that most, if not all, of the relatively thick body portion is located immediately below and to the sides of the stoma-receiving opening. The relatively thin peripheral portion of the adhesive layer is preferably embossed to provide a pattern of discrete, non-connecting depressions separated and isolated from each other by flat-top ridges dimensioned and arranged so that a skin surface engaged by said embossed surface primarily contacts only such ridges.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer is disclosed having a thin barrier layer of soft, pliant adhesive material with particles of one or more hydrocolloids dispersed therein. A flexible and preferably stretchable cover layer extends along one side of the barrier layer and a removable release sheet protects the opposite side of the barrier layer. The wafer has a central zone and a relatively large outer zone surrounding that central zone, with the material of the barrier layer in the outer zone having generally uniform molecular orientations in radial directions over an arc of 360 degrees and being of relatively uniform tensile strength in all such radial directions. Also disclosed are injection/compression molding methods for making such wafers.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer is disclosed having a thin barrier layer of soft, pliant adhesive material with particles of one or more hydrocolloids dispersed therein. A flexible and preferably stretchable cover layer extends along one side of the barrier layer and a removable release sheet protects the opposite side of the barrier layer. The wafer has a central zone and a relatively large outer zone surrounding that central zone, with the material of the barrier layer in the outer zone having generally uniform molecular orientations in radial directions over an arc of 360 degrees and being of relatively uniform tensile strength in all such radial directions. Also disclosed are injection/compression molding methods for making such wafers.

Abstract: A continuous method for making adhesive-lined condom catheters for male urinary drainage. The method involves successive steps carried out with respect to a dipping mandrel and a latex catheter being formed upon it, all of which may be performed automatically as the mandrel is advanced from one station to the next.