Abstract: The invention provides a layered composition comprising: a first layer comprising a first material, wherein the first material comprises a gel material; a second layer comprising a second material, wherein the second material is harder is than the first material; and a third layer comprising a third material, wherein the third material has a lower tensile modulus than the second material, wherein the second layer is disposed between the first and third layers. The composition may be used in a wound dressing, in which preferably the first layer is in fluid flow communication with the wound.

Abstract: A dressing for covering a wound of a patient comprises a sheet member adapted to be adhered to the patient's skin in use to provide an airtight seal around the wound, wherein the skin-adhesion is provided by a hydrogel layer 10 on the skin-facing face of the sheet member, wherein the sheet member defines in use a substantially enclosed space 5 above the wound, and wherein a plurality of mutually spaced-apart flutter valves formed by holes 5 in a thin film 13 overlying an upper face of a layer 12 of the sheet member permit one-way air, blood and/or other fluid flow communication from the space 5 above the wound to the exterior of the dressing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for the treatment of a wound, the composition comprising: a first layer, which comprises a porous, optionally hydrophilic material capable of absorbing fluid from the wound at least in part by capilliary action, a second layer comprising an absorbent hydrogel, the first layer being associated with the second layer, wherein, in the treatment, the first layer is disposed closer to the wound than the second layer and the composition modulates the concentration of dissolved ions in the fluid in the wound. The present invention further provides uses of the composition and methods of making the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent hydrogel composite for use in the manufacture of an article for application to a fluid-emitting surface, e.g. a wound, the composite having a laminar structure comprising first and second layers, the first layer being a surface contacting layer comprising a porous net structure having a surface contacting face and an outwardly directed face, the second layer comprising a low-crosslinked absorbent hydrogel disposed over the outwardly directed face of the first layer and arranged so that in use it is in fluid flow communication with the surface through apertures of the net structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogel composition, preferably for the treatment of wounds, comprising a hydrophilic co-polymer carrying multiple pendant anionic groups, wherein the polymer is derived from a first monomer and a second monomer, wherein both monomers have an octanohwater partition coefficient Log P value of less than 0, and, the Log P value of the first monomer is greater (more positive) than the second monomer. Preferably the difference between the Log P value for the two monomers is at least 0.1, preferably at least 0.2. The difference between the Log P value for the two monomers is preferably less than 2. The weight ratio (w/w) of the first monomer/second monomer in the hydrogel composition is preferably equal to or more than about 1. The pendant anionic groups may be sulphonyl groups, e.g. sulphonic acid groups or salts thereof. The anionic group in both first and second monomers may be in salt form and the counterion for both monomers is preferably the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of modulating proteases, particularly when treating a wound (for example, a chronic ulcerous skin lesion) in a human or non-human mammal (particularly a human). The medium containing the proteases (e.g. the wound) is contacted with a topical hydrogel composition comprising a hydrophilic polymer carrying multiple pendant sulphonyl groups, optionally with multiple pendant carboxylic groups, on each polymer molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of inhibiting inflammation and/or the complement cascade and/or the kinin cascade in a human or non-human animal patient, particularly in a wound (for example, a chronic ulcerous skin lesion) in a human or non-human mammal (particularly a human). The affected location of the patient is contacted with a hydrogel composition comprising a hydrophilic polymer carrying multiple pendant sulphonyl groups, optionally with multiple pendant carboxylic groups, on each polymer molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a wound (for example, a chronic ulcerous skin lesion) in a human or non-human mammal (particularly a human). The wound is contacted with a topical hydrogel composition comprising a hydrophilic polymer carrying multiple pendant sulphonyl groups, optionally with multiple pendant carboxylic groups, on each polymer molecule.

Abstract: Bioadhesive Compositions which comprise a hydrophobic polymer wherein the concentration of the polymer at the surface of the adhesive is greater than its concentration in the bulk of the adhesive are described; and biomedical electrodes, fixation products and wound dressings containing them.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition formed by polymerizing a homogeneous aqueous reaction mixture comprising from about 5% to about 50%, by weight of the reaction mixture, of at least one ionic water soluble monomer, from about 10% to about 50%, by weight of the reaction mixture, of at least one plasticizer (other than water), up to about 50%, by weight of the reaction mixture, of at least one non ionic water soluble monomer, up to about 40%, by weight of the reaction mixture, of water, optionally as well as up to about 10%, by weight of the reaction mixture, of at least one surfactant and from about 1% to about 30%, by weight of the reaction mixture, of at least one hydrophobic monomer and/or polymer. An electrolyte may be present, to enhance electrical conductivity, e.g. for use in biomedical electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable human waste management devices such as faecal and urine management devices (10) which are provided with adhesives for attachment of the device to the skin. In particular the present invention relates to adhesives (20) that provide secure attachment and are pleasing to the skin upon application, yet cause no discomfort upon removal. In particular the present invention relates to skin attachment means which provide secure attachment under moist and wet skin conditions and which maintains adhesive peel strength even under exposure to excess water.

Abstract: Bioadhesive Compositions which comprise a hydrophobic polymer wherein the concentration of the polymer at the surface of the adhesive is greater than its concentration in the bulk of the adhesive are described; and biomedical electrodes, fixation products and wound dressings containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent articles such as diapers and sanitary napkins which are provided with adhesives for attachment of the article to the skin. In particular the present invention relates to adhesives which provide secure attachment and are pleasing to the skin upon application, yet cause no discomfort upon removal. In particular the present invention relates to an adhesive which provide secure attachment under moist and wet skin conditions and which maintains adhesive peel strength even under exposure to excess water.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition for use as a skin adhesive, the composition formed by polymerizing with cross-linking and/or entanglement an aqueous reaction mixture comprising effective amounts of at least one monomer dissolved or suspended therein and capable of forming a hydrogel on polymerization, optionally at least one cross-linking agent for the monomer, and water, said composition having an elastic modulus (G′) and a viscous modulus (G″), wherein the degree of polymerization and/or the degree of cross-linking and/or entanglement are selected to control the skin adhesion properties of the bioadhesive composition having regard to the rate of change of tan delta (G″÷G″) against frequency in a diagnostic portion of the frequency range 0.01 to 300 rad/s, typically the lower end of the said frequency range below about 100 rad/s.

Abstract: A disposable human waste management device, such as faecal and urine management devices (10), which are provided with adhesives for attachment of the device to the skin. Such adhesives (20) provide secure attachment and are pleasing to the skin upon application, yet cause no discomfort upon removal. The device may also be used in combination with a disposable diaper.

Abstract: Bioadhesive Compositions which comprise a hydrophobic polymer wherein the concentration of the polymer at the surface of the adhesive is greater than its concentration in the bulk of the adhesive are described; and biomedical electrodes, fixation products and wound dressings containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers and sanitary napkins which are provided with adhesives for attachment of the article to the skin which adhesives provide secure attachment and are pleasing to the skin upon application, yet cause no discomfort upon removal.

Abstract: Bioadhesive Compositions which comprise a hydrophobic polymer wherein the concentration of the polymer at the surface of the adhesive is greater than its concentration in the bulk of the adhesive are described; and biomedical electrodes, fixation products and wound dressings containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable human waste management devices such as fecal and urine management devices (10) which are provided with adhesives for attachment of the device to the skin. In particular the present invention relates to adhesives (20) which provide secure attachment and are pleasing to the skin upon application, yet cause no discomfort upon removal. In particular the present invention relates to adhesives which provide secure attachment to oily and greasy skins. Preferably the adhesive also provides secure attachment under moist and wet skin conditions and which maintains adhesive peel strength even under exposure to excess water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a high water content (greater than about 40% by weight of water) cross-linked hydrogel composition which has an acceptable non-greasy “feel”, sufficient structural integrity and low brittleness, as well as good processing properties. In the process, a photopolymerisable monomer is photopolymerised, in the presence of water, low levels of a multifunctional photopolymerisable cross-limiting agent (less than about 0.5% by weight of the total polymerisation reaction mixture) and low levels of a photoinitiator (between about 0.002% and about 0.05% by weight of the total polymerisation reaction mixture).