Abstract: A sporicidal composition has a moderately low pH and includes at least one oxidizing acid and the dissociation product of at least one inorganic oxidizing agent. Very high effective solute concentrations can enhance the efficacy of the composition. Embodiments of the composition can be applied to a surface and allowed to absorb into the endospore, ultimately killing at least some of those bacteria in mature endospore form. The surface being treated can be an inanimate surface, particularly a hard surface, or a medical device.

Abstract: A biocompatible antimicrobial composition effective against microbial biofilms, including in vivo biofilms containing gram-positive bacteria, can be delivered to and used near the spinal column of vertebrates. Once introduced to an area colonized with a bacterial biofilm, particularly an intervertebral disc, the antimicrobial composition weakens the EPS/ECPS macromolecules of the biofilm, which makes the entire biofilm structure susceptible to being dislodged from the affected area or biosorbed. Additionally or alternatively, certain of the subcomponents of the solute component, as well as perhaps the organic liquid(s) of the solvent component, might lyse microbes, particularly gram-positive bacteria, previously protected by the EPS/ECPS macromolecules. Swelling of and around previously impacted intervertebral discs can be reduced or eliminated, often resulting in appreciable reductions in patient pain levels.

Abstract: An aqueous composition with a higher-than-neutral pH includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants and large amounts of osmotically active solutes. This composition, as well as an acidic counterpart and solid materials, can be used in a variety of applications such as wound care, oral care, medical equipment reprocessing, healthcare acquired infection and implant treatment.

Abstract: A solid material adapted to kill bacteria in planktonic, spore and biofilm states is lethal toward a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as other microbes. The solid material includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants entrained in a crosslinked polymeric network.

Abstract: A solid material adapted to kill bacteria in planktonic, spore and biofilm states is lethal toward a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as other microbes. The solid material includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants entrained in a crosslinked polymeric network.

Abstract: A topical composition can be used to treat or inhibit onset of fibrillar collagenous growths, including but not limited to keloids. The composition includes elemental iodine carried in a non-migratory vehicle. Application of the composition can result in a significant reduction in the size of such a growth or, if applied to an area of skin susceptible to such a growth, inhibit the onset thereof.

Abstract: A composition that can solvate biofilms and disrupt bacterial cell walls acts to both kill the bacteria by cell lysis and remove the biofilm. This solvent-containing composition is effective against a broad spectrum of microbes and can be used on a variety of surfaces, both living and inanimate. The polarity of the solvent component of the composition is lower than that of pure water so that the composition exhibits increased efficacy in solvating the macromolecular matrix of a biofilm and in penetrating bacterial cell walls.

Abstract: A composition that can solvate biofilms and disrupt bacterial cell walls acts to both kill the bacteria by cell lysis and remove the biofilm. This solvent-containing composition is effective against a broad spectrum of microbes and can be used on a variety of surfaces, both living and inanimate. The polarity of the solvent component of the composition is lower than that of pure water so that the composition exhibits increased efficacy in solvating the macromolecular matrix of a biofilm and in penetrating bacterial cell walls.

Abstract: A spray head having multiple openings arranged to provide at spray coverage throughout at least 90 degrees from the spray head central axis. The spray head may be used for applying tissue sealants.

Abstract: Tissue and other body structures may be protected using a dry, free-flowing, sterilized mixture of chitosan particles and oxidized polysaccharide particles in sealed packaging. The mixture may assist in returning an injured, inflamed or surgically repaired surface to a normal state, e.g., through one or more healing mechanisms such as modulation of an inflammatory response, phagocytosis, mucosal remodeling, reciliation or other full or partial restoration of normal function.

Abstract: A composition that can be used to treat a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, including but not limited to those in biofilm form, and other microbes can be used in cilia-containing areas such as the sinus cavities and middle/inner ear, while resulting in no, or very minimal amounts of, deciliation. Where such a targeted treatment area includes a biofilm, the composition often can detach and assist in removing the biofilm from affected tissue. Many embodiments of the composition are biocompatible.

Abstract: An aqueous composition with a higher-than-neutral pH includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants and large amounts of osmotically active solutes. This composition, as well as an acidic counterpart and solid materials, can be used in a variety of applications such as wound care, oral care, medical equipment reprocessing, healthcare acquired infection and implant treatment.

Abstract: An aqueous composition with a higher-than-neutral pH includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants and large amounts of osmotically active solutes. This composition, as well as an acidic counterpart and solid materials, can be used in a variety of applications such as wound care, oral care, medical equipment reprocessing, healthcare acquired infection and implant treatment.

Abstract: Body tissue and structures in an airway may be treated with an artificial scab comprising an inhomogeneous, uncohesive, solid sheet-like body comprising a granular mixture of chitosan and polysaccharide particles. The artificial scab breaks apart into smaller pieces if peeled away from the surgical site or wound, thus reducing the risk of airway occlusion.

Abstract: A sporicidal composition has a moderately low pH and includes at least one oxidizing acid and the dissociation product of at least one inorganic oxidizing agent. Very high effective solute concentrations can enhance the efficacy of the composition. Embodiments of the composition can be applied to a surface and allowed to absorb into the endospore, ultimately killing at least some of those bacteria in mature endospore form. The surface being treated can be an inanimate surface, particularly a hard surface, or a medical device.

Abstract: Body tissue and structures in an airway may be treated with an artificial scab comprising an inhomogeneous, uncohesive, solid sheet-like body comprising a granular mixture of chitosan and polysaccharide particles. The artificial scab breaks apart into smaller pieces if peeled away from the surgical site or wound, thus reducing the risk of airway occlusion.

Abstract: Body tissue and structures in an airway may be treated with an artificial scab comprising an inhomogeneous, uncohesive, solid sheet-like body comprising a granular mixture of chitosan and polysaccharide particles. The artificial scab breaks apart into smaller pieces if peeled away from the surgical site or wound, thus reducing the risk of airway occlusion.

Abstract: Chronic wounds may be treated by debriding necrotic and other devitalized tissue from the wound, and applying to the wound an extracellular polymeric substance solvating system comprising a metal ion sequestering agent, surfactant and buffering agent. The solvating system disrupts biofilms which may be present in the wound and aids or enables the resumption of normal healing.

Abstract: Tissue and other body structures may be protected using a dry, free-flowing, sterilized mixture of chitosan particles and oxidized polysaccharide particles in sealed packaging. The mixture may assist in returning an injured, inflamed or surgically repaired surface to a normal state, e.g., through one or more healing mechanisms such as modulation of an inflammatory response, phagocytosis, mucosal remodeling, reciliation or other full or partial restoration of normal function.

Abstract: Tissue and other body structures may be protected using a hydrated composition made from free-flowing substantially collagen-free rehydratable polysaccharide particles and rehydratable polysaccharide sponges. Rehydration of the particles without clumping may be carried out be dispersing the particles in a biocompatible water-miscible polar dispersant such as ethanol and combining the dispersion with sufficient aqueous solvent for the particles to convert them to a cohesive hydrogel. The hydrated composition may assist in returning an injured, inflamed or surgically repaired surface to a normal state, e.g., through one or more healing mechanisms such as modulation of an inflammatory response, phagocytosis, mucosal remodeling, reciliation or other full or partial restoration of normal function.