Abstract: Herein are disclosed methods for processing plastic substrate surfaces having inorganic antimicrobial microparticles within. The methods involve providing a plastic substrate having a substrate surface, having inorganic antimicrobial microparticles within the plastic substrate, and exposing the substrate surface to a plasma.

Abstract: Polymeric beads and methods of making the polymeric beads are described. The polymeric beads are crosslinked hydrogels or dried hydrogels. The polymeric beads are formed from droplets of a precursor composition that are exposed to radiation. The droplets are totally surrounded by a gas phase. The precursor composition contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material miscible in the polar solvent. The polymerizable material has an average number of ethylenically unsaturated groups per monomer molecule equal to at least 1.2.

Abstract: A microstructured antimicrobial film, an antimicrobial film assembly, a method of protecting a surface from microbial contamination, and a method of making a microstructured antimicrobial film. The microstructured antimicrobial film can include a substrate having a first side that includes a first major surface, a plurality of microstructured wells defined in the first side of the substrate, and an antimicrobial material positioned within at least some of the plurality of wells. Each of the plurality of wells can be at least partially defined by a base that is spaced a distance from the first major surface of the substrate. The antimicrobial material can be positioned, such that an upper surface of the antimicrobial material is spaced a distance from the first major surface of the substrate. The antimicrobial film assembly can include a roll or a stack of microstructured antimicrobial films.

Abstract: Light-activated antimicrobial devices and articles are disclosed. The devices include a light source and a light-activated antimicrobial article comprising a photosensitizer and a viscoelastic material such as a pressure sensitive adhesive adapted to receive light from the light source. The viscoelastic material may be adapted to transport light by total internal reflection. The photosensitizer may comprise a dye, a metal oxide or a composition that comprises anions that oxidize or react to form a gas. Upon activation of the light source, the photosensitizer absorbs light from the light source such that antimicrobial activity is exhibited. The photosensitizer may be included in the light-activated antimicrobial article or it may be provided as a topical composition that is separate from the article. The light-activated antimicrobial articles and devices may have constructions similar to those of wound dressings.

Abstract: A light-activated antimicrobial article is disclosed, consisting essentially of an acridine dye covalently bonded without a linking group to a nylon material. The article may be made using electron beam processing. The article in combination with light absorbed by the acridine dye may be used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. A photosensitive nylon material in which the acridine dye is disposed on the nylon material may also be used. Medical kits that include a light source and an article having the acridine dye are disclosed.

Abstract: Antimicrobial electret material are described. In some embodiments, the materials comprise a unitary web comprising an antimicrobial surface treatment and having certain properties. In other embodiments, an antimicrobial electret material is described comprising an electret web comprising an antimicrobial surface treatment wherein the surface treatment comprises a sparingly soluble silver-containing compound, a photosensitive antimicrobial agent that forms reactive oxygen species, a biguanide compound, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Polymeric fibers and methods of making the polymeric fibers are described. The polymeric fibers are crosslinked hydrogels or dried hydrogels that are prepared from a precursor composition that contains polymerizable material having an average number of ethylenically unsaturated groups per monomer molecule greater than 1.0. The polymeric fibers can contain an optional active agent.

Abstract: Methods of making a (e.g. dilute) cleaning solution from a hydrogel cleaning concentrate, packages of hydrogel cleaning concentrate, and methods of making a hydrogel cleaning concentrate are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for making shaped polymeric materials. Methods are provided for making shaped polymeric materials from a precursor composition that contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material that is miscible with the polar solvent. The precursor composition is at least partially polymerized in a mold.

Abstract: A microstructured antimicrobial film, an antimicrobial film assembly, a method of protecting a surface from microbial contamination, and a method of making a microstructured antimicrobial film. The microstructured antimicrobial film can include a substrate having a first side that includes a first major surface, a plurality of microstructured wells defined in the first side of the substrate, and an antimicrobial material positioned within at least some of the plurality of wells. Each of the plurality of wells can be at least partially defined by a base that is spaced a distance from the first major surface of the substrate. The antimicrobial material can be positioned, such that an upper surface of the antimicrobial material is spaced a distance from the first major surface of the substrate. The antimicrobial film assembly can include a roll or a stack of microstructured antimicrobial films.

Abstract: An antimicrobial film-forming composition, an antimicrobial film, and a method of verifying the presence of an antimicrobial film. The film-forming composition can include no greater than 10 weight percent of polyvinyl alcohol, from 0.05 to 15 weight percent of polyhexamethylene biguanide, from 0.001 to 10 weight percent of a quaternary ammonium compound, and water or a water-based solvent. The film-forming composition can form a water-soluble, biocidal antimicrobial film that includes no greater than 98 weight percent of polyvinyl alcohol, and from 1 to 15 weight percent of each of polyhexamethylene biguanide and the quaternary ammonium compound. The method can include applying a film-forming composition comprising an indicator dye to a surface, drying the film-forming composition to form an antimicrobial film, and triggering the antimicrobial film to trigger the indicator dye to verify the presence of the film.

Abstract: Polymeric beads and methods of making the polymeric beads are described. The polymeric beads are crosslinked hydrogels or dried hydrogels. The polymeric beads are formed from droplets of a precursor composition that are exposed to radiation. The droplets are totally surrounded by a gas phase. The precursor composition contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material miscible in the polar solvent. The polymerizable material has an average number of ethylenically unsaturated groups per monomer molecule equal to at least 1.2.

Abstract: Polymeric fibers and methods of making the polymeric fibers are described. The polymeric fibers are crosslinked hydrogels or dried hydrogels that are prepared from a precursor composition that contains polymerizable material having an average number of ethylenically unsaturated groups per monomer molecule greater than 1.0. The polymeric fibers can contain an optional active agent.