Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogel wound dressing substantially in the form of a rope and also in the form of a strand. The wound dressing comprises a hydrogel material substantially in a rope configuration or a strand configuration having a predetermined length for filling the cavity of a wound, and a dressing removal layer disposed within the strand configuration. The dressing removal layer may extend outwardly from an end so as to form a pull tab which facilitates removal of the rope configuration from the wound. The present invention also provides a wound dressing comprising a hydrogel material substantially in a strand configuration having a predetermined length for filling the cavity of a wound. The strand configuration also includes a dressing removal layer disposed within the strand configuration and may also include a pull tab which facilitates removal of the strand configuration from the wound.

Abstract: A flexible wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, optional removable tab and optional release liner. The wound dressing comprises a thin-film layer, an adhesive layer, porous backing layer, optional support layer and a hydrogel material. The thin-film layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the thin-film layer. The porous backing layer is formed of a porous material having sufficient porosity that the backing layer can be secured to the hydrogel material without the use of an adhesive. During manufacture, the hydrogel patch is assembled in sheet form and subsequently cut to a desired size and shape.

Abstract: A flexible, transparent wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, removable tab and release liner. The removable tab provides a grippable surface to allow for the removal of the release liner from the wound dressing and to facilitate handling of the wound dressing during application to the wound site. The tab may be comprised of a flat, double-coated paper or other suitable material, or a flexible, V-shaped member, and is removable by peeling after the wound dressing is applied. The wound dressing comprises a transparent thin-film layer, a first adhesive layer, backing layer, second adhesive layer, support layer and a hydrogel material. The transparent layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the transparent layer.

Abstract: A wound dressing product is provided which includes a wound dressing laminate having a plurality of layers including a backing layer which forms a first side of the wound dressing laminate and a hydrogel layer which forms a second side of the wound dressing laminate. The wound dressing laminate is spirally wrapped about a center axis such that the wound dressing laminate terminates at a leading end and the first side of the wound dressing laminate forms the outer surface of the wound dressing product.

Abstract: A sterile wound packing material and package therefor is provided, which wound packing is flexible and conformable to deep and/or irregular shaped wounds, is compact and easily dispensed, and which can be stored indefinitely. The wound packing may also be used for absorbing wound exudate and immediately discarded or by be designed to remain in place for extended periods during healing. The wound packing includes a sterile, wound packing of a flexible material capable of absorbing wound exudate, with the flexible material being in the form of a substantially flat, coiled, spirally-cut layer and a package therefor. In certain embodiments of the invention where it is desired that the wound packing remain in place for an extended period, the flexible material is impregnated with a hydrogel, which may be a "wet" hydrogel (i.e., one containing substantial amounts of water) or a dehydrated hydrogel which is substantially devoid of water but becomes hydrated in use.

Abstract: A flexible wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, optional removable tab and optional release liner. The wound dressing comprises a thin-film layer, an adhesive layer, porous backing layer, optional support layer and a hydrogel material. The thin-film layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the thin-film layer. The porous backing layer is formed of a porous material having sufficient porosity that the backing layer can be secured to the hydrogel material without the use of an adhesive. During manufacture, the hydrogel patch is assembled in sheet form and subsequently cut to a desired size and shape.

Abstract: A flexible external fixation dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The fixation dressing product is comprised of several layers including a thin-film top layer, optional backing layer, optional support layer, hydrogel layer, and optional release liner, and is adapted for use around the retaining pins of an external fixation device. The thin-film top layer may define a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material are positioned in the center portion of the thin-film top layer. The porous backing layer is formed of a porous material having sufficient porosity that the backing layer can be secured to the hydrogel material without the use of an adhesive. During manufacture, the dressing product is assembled and a substantially centered opening and a slit are cut. The opening and slit extend through all layers of the dressing and may also extend through the release liner, if included.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound dressing in the form of a gauze or similar absorbent material having dehydrated hydrogel material impregnated therein for absorbing wound exudate. The dehydrated hydrogel material is formed from an aqueous mixture comprising: (a) from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer; (c) from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethylene oxide based polyamine; (d) 0% to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water. The present wound dressing is capable of absorbing large amounts of wound exudate without inhibiting the healing of the wound to which it is contacted since it does not adhere to such a wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound dressing in the form of a gauze or similar absorbent material having dehydrated hydrogel material impregnated therein for absorbing wound exudate. The dehydrated hydrogel material is formed from an aqueous mixture comprising: (a) from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer; (c) from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethylene oxide based polyamine; (d) 0% to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water. The present wound dressing is capable of absorbing large amounts of wound exudate without inhibiting the healing of the wound to which it is contacted since it does not adhere or stick to the wound.

Abstract: A flexible, transparent wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, removable tab and release liner. The removable tab provides a grippable surface to allow for the removal of the release liner from the wound dressing and to facilitate handling of the wound dressing during application to the wound site. The tab may be comprised of a flat, double-coated paper or other suitable material, or a flexible, V-shaped member, and is removable by peeling after the wound dressing is applied. The wound dressing comprises a transparent thin-film layer, a first adhesive layer, backing layer, second adhesive layer, support layer and a hydrogel material. The transparent layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the transparent layer.

Abstract: A medical electrode assembly for an electrocardiograph or similar device is provided. The medical electrode assembly comprises an electrolyte pad having an electrolyte layer which may be secured to the skin of a patient and a backing member made from a nonconductive material being coextensively superposed directly onto the electrolyte layer. The electrolyte pad is used in conjunction with a reusable lead wire connector having at least one surface contacting the electrolyte layer of the electrolyte pad. The reusable lead wire connector includes a set of jaws which may be compressed together for contacting the electrolyte pad. The set of jaws may be formed of a nonconductive binder material having a conductive filler dispersed therein. A metallic conductive material, such as a silver/silver chloride system, is superposed over the nonconductive binder material.

Abstract: A flexible burn dressing product contains a high absorbency hydrogel material in a gel phase. The hydrogel material is formed from a hydrogel composition for use in a wound dressings. The hydrogel composition is formed from a mixture comprising: (a) from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol selected from the group consisting of polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and glycerine; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer based on polyols containing more than about 40% polyethylene oxide and having an isocyanate content of about 3% by weight; (c) from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethylene oxide based polyamine; (d) up to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water. Such a hydrogel material provides a highly absorbent material capable of retaining large amounts of wound exudate, thereby rendering it very suitable for use in wound dressings.

Abstract: A medical electrode assembly for an electrocardiograph or similar device is provided. The medical electrode assembly comprises an electrolyte pad having an electrolyte layer which may be secured to the skin of a patient and a backing member made from a nonconductive material being coextensively superposed directly onto the electrolyte layer. The electrolyte pad is used in conjunction with a reusable lead wire connector having at least one surface contacting the electrolyte layer of the electrolyte pad. The reusable lead wire connector includes a set of jaws which may be compressed together for contacting the electrolyte pad. The set of jaws may be formed of a nonconductive binder material having a conductive filler dispersed therein. A metallic conductive material, such as a silver/silver chloride system, is superposed over the nonconductive binder material.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing electrodes used in conjunction with electrocardiograph apparatus is provided. The assembly comprises a carrier sheet having two generally parallel and longitudinal tear lines extending along the carrier sheet, and a plurality of electrodes each having a projecting tab. The electrodes are mounted on the carrier sheet over the tear lines in two rows which are substantially parallel. The electrodes are oriented with their respective tabs extending away from the center of the carrier sheet, wherein the electrodes are exposed successively as the carrier sheet is torn along the tear lines thereby facilitating access to the tabs of the electrodes. The invention also provides an assembly comprising a carrier sheet, a pull strip releasably mounted along the longitudinal center of the carrier sheet, and a plurality of electrodes each having a projecting tab.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing electrodes used in conjunction with electrocardiograph apparatus is provided. The assembly comprises a carrier sheet having two generally parallel and longitudinal tear lines extending along the carrier sheet, and a plurality of electrodes each having a projecting tab. The electrodes are mounted on the carrier sheet over the tear lines in two rows which are substantially parallel. The electrodes are oriented with their respective tabs extending away from the center of the carrier sheet, wherein the electrodes are exposed successively as the carrier sheet is torn along the tear lines thereby facilitating access to the tabs of the electrodes. The invention also provides an assembly comprising a carrier sheet, a pull strip releasably mounted along the longitudinal center of the carrier sheet, and a plurality of electrodes each having a projecting tab.

Abstract: A self-adhesive bandage is provided. The bandage comprises a substrate having a first side and a second side and a plurality of layers including a backing layer which forms the first side of the substrate, and an adhesive layer which forms the second side of the substrate. A hydrogel layer is disposed over the second side of the substrate and is made from a polyurethane hydrogel material especially suitable for absorbing bodily fluids, such as wound exudate. Additionally, a plurality of support layers may be interposed between the substrate and the hydrogel layer to provide the bandage with additional support.

Abstract: A wound dressing for a deep wound is provided. The wound dressing comprises a hydrogel layer having an upper surface and a lower surface. The hydrogel layer is correspondingly sized to fill the cavity of the deep wound. The wound dressing further comprises a dressing removal layer disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the hydrogel layer. The dressing removal layer extends outwardly from the hydrogel layer so as to form a pull tab which facilitates removal of the hydrogel layer from the deep wound. A method of making a wound dressing for a deep wound is also provided.

Abstract: A flexible burn dressing product contains a hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The burn dressing product is comprised of several layers including a burn dressing and a release layer. The burn dressing is comprised of a bacterial barrier layer coated with a bonding layer, a reticulated layer impregnated with a hydrogel material, and a hydrogel material layer. A dimensionally stable backing member may also be adhesively attached to the bacterial barrier layer to help the burn dressing maintain its shape until it is applied to a patient. When the burn dressing product is to be applied to a burn site, the release layer is removed to expose the hydrogel material layer. The remaining layers of the burn dressing product are then applied to the burn site, with the hydrogel material layer directly contacting the burn. Once these layers are in place, the dimensionally stable backing member is removed.

Abstract: A wound dressing product is described which includes a flexible backing member that can be vacuum formed to include a depression. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends across the depression side of the flexible backing member. A hydrogel material is positioned in the depression of the flexible backing member and a release liner extends over the exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the exposed hydrogel material, which release liner has a selective releasability whereby it can be removed from the wound dressing product intact, leaving a portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the hydrogel material exposed.

Abstract: A flexible, transparent wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, a release layer, and a dimensionally stable backing member. The wound dressing is comprised of a thin-film transparent layer having an adhesive perimeter portion and a center portion, and a hydrogel material positioned in the center portion of the transparent layer. Since the wound dressing is transparent, a grid pattern may be printed on the thin-film transparent layer to permit measurement of a wound. During manufacture, a vacuum pressure is applied to allow temporary access to the center portion of the thin-film transparent layer, creating a cavity for insertion of the hydrogel material. The dimensionally stable backing member is then adhesively attached around the perimeter portion of the thin-film transparent layer to help the wound dressing maintain its shape.