Abstract: An adhesive bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape for use over a wound is made from a laminate structure of flexible rubber, a hydrophilic hydrogel polymer bonded to one side of the flexible rubber, and an adhesive bonded to the hydrophilic hydrogel polymer along at least a first section of the adhesive bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape. The adhesive is preferably a hydrogel adhesive with a cellulosic, polyurethane or polyacrylate base, while the flexible rubber is preferably rubber which is pretreated with hydrogel polymer prior to curing. A medicament such as CPC or BAK can be bonded to the hydrophilic hydrogel polymer along the non-adhesive portion of the adhesive bandage, wound dressing or surgical drape to provide slow release medication, and if desired, removable plastic may be provided to cover the adhesive portions. The bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape may take various shapes, sizes, and arrangements.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape for use over a wound is made from a laminate structure of flexible rubber, a hydrophilic hydrogel polymer bonded to one side of the flexible rubber, and an adhesive bonded to the hydrophilic hydrogel polymer along at least a first section of the adhesive bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape. The adhesive is preferably a hydrogel adhesive with a cellulosic, polyurethane or polyacrylate base, while the flexible rubber is preferably rubber which is pretreated with hydrogel polymer prior to curing. A medicament such as CPC or BAK can be bonded to the hydrophilic hydrogel polymer along the non-adhesive portion of the adhesive bandage, wound dressing or surgical drape to provide slow release medication, and if desired, removable plastic may be provided to cover the adhesive portions. The bandage, wound dressing, suture-like mechanism, or surgical drape may take various shapes, sizes, and arrangements.

Abstract: The interior surface of a container, such as a bloodbag, is primed and subsequently coated with a time-releasable viricide against HIV absorbed in a hydrogel polymer. The viricides of this invention are derivatives of urea, and upon release into the blood, have no adverse effects on the red blood cell functions of the blood.

Abstract: A skin-contacting lubricating layer formed from a hydrogel polymer bonded to a rubber article (such as a surgeon's glove) is treated by means of surfactant material (such as a bactericidal cationic surfactant which preferably has a 6-18C alkyl or alkenyl group, such as an N-hexadecyl group) or a long chain fatty amine so as to substantially improve the lubricity of the layer with respect to damp skin.The hydrogel polymer is preferably a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with methacrylic acid (MAA) or with 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) or with both MAA and EHA. Such a hydrogel polymer has improved lubricity to dry skin and, if used for this purpose, need not be treated with a surfactant or fatty amine to improve the lubricity with respect to damp skin.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible rubber or article having a coating of a hydrophilic hydrogel polymer. The coating is applied to at least one surface of the article prior to heat vulcanization of the article and prior to curing of the polymer to impart lubricant and moisture transmission properties after vulcanization and curing thereof. A solution of a trivalent cationic salt may be applied to the article prior to or simultaneously with the application of the polymer so as to provide for improved adhesion of the polymer to the article after curing. A powderless solution of an emulsion or a surfactant is applied to the article after curing to reduce the surface tack of both the surface of the article which has been coated by the polymer and the surface opposite such polymer-coated surface.

Abstract: A skin-contacting coating of a lubricating hydrogel polymer bonded to a rubber article (such as a surgeon's glove) is treated by means of surfactant material (such as a bactericidal cationic surfactant which preferably has an N-hexadecyl group) or a long chain fatty amine so as to substantially improve the lubricity of the coating with respect to damp skin.The hydrogel polymer is preferably a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with methacrylic acid (MAA) or with 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) or with both MAA and EHA. The copolymer contains HEMA and MAA is a molar ratio of 1 to 10:1 of HEMA and EHA in a molar ratio of 2.5 to 10:1. Such a hydrogel polymer has improved lubricity to dry skin and, if used for this purpose, need not be treated with a surfactant or fatty amine to improve the lubricity with respect to damp skin.

Abstract: A treatment of a shaped flexible elastomer item so as to form a coating of a hydrophilic polymer on the surface of the elastomer. The treatment encompasses cleaning of the elastomer surface, immersion of the elastomer in a concentrated solution of a strong acid such as sulphuric acid, washing, and subsequent dipping of the treated elastomer in a solution of an uncured hydrophilic polymer. The treated elastomer is then held at an elevated temperature for a period of time to cure the polymer coating and to bond the polymer coating to the elastomer.