Abstract: A wound dressing material comprising a solid substrate having interstitial spaces therein, wherein said substrate is a hydrophilic open-cell foam material, and wherein said interstitial spaces are at least partially filled by a hydrophilic polyurethane foam different from said substrate foam material. Also provided is a method of making a porous wound dressing material comprising the steps of: providing a substrate of a solid hydrophilic first foam material; applying a fluid or gel polyurethane foam prepolymer mixture to at least one surface of said solid substrate; and curing said prepolymer in contact with said solid substrate.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: a water-absorbent fabric comprising at least about 10 wt. % of hydrogel-forming absorbent fibers based on the dry weight of the fabric; and an adhesion-resistant, water-permeable wound contacting surface textile layer that is substantially continuously bonded to at least one surface of said fabric. The surface textile layer may be formed by surface treatment of the fabric, or by bonding a suitable textile web to the surface of the fabric.

Abstract: Use of a moulding composition comprising a polymer and a setting agent for wound debridement, wherein said use comprises adding water to said moulding composition to form a moulding fluid, applying said moulding fluid to a surface of a wound, allowing said moulding fluid to set in contact with said surface to form a solid covering on said surface, followed by removing said solid covering from the wound. The alginate composition adheres strongly to bacterial biofilms on the wound, whereby the biofilms are removed with the alginate composition. The moulding composition may be used in conjunction with a staining agent that undergoes a colour change in the presence of bacteria or bacterial polysaccharides to show the presence and removal of the biofilm. Also provided are methods of treating wounds using the compositions.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.

Abstract: Use of a moulding composition comprising a polymer and a setting agent for wound debridement, wherein said use comprises adding water to said moulding composition to form a moulding fluid, applying said moulding fluid to a surface of a wound, allowing said moulding fluid to set in contact with said surface to form a solid covering on said surface, followed by removing said solid covering from the wound. The alginate composition adheres strongly to bacterial biofilms on the wound, whereby the biofilms are removed with the alginate composition. The moulding composition may be used in conjunction with a staining agent that undergoes a color change in the presence of bacteria or bacterial polysaccharides to show the presence and removal of the biofilm. Also provided are methods of treating wounds using the compositions.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: a water-absorbent fabric comprising at least about 10 wt. % of hydrogel-forming absorbent fibers based on the dry weight of the fabric; and an adhesion-resistant, water-permeable wound contacting surface textile layer that is substantially continuously bonded to at least one surface of said fabric. The surface textile layer may be formed by surface treatment of the fabric, or by bonding a suitable textile web to the surface of the fabric.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: a water-absorbent fabric comprising at least about 10 wt. % of hydrogel-forming absorbent fibers based on the dry weight of the fabric; and an adhesion-resistant, water-permeable wound contacting surface textile layer that is substantially continuously bonded to at least one surface of said fabric. The surface textile layer may be formed by surface treatment of the fabric, or by bonding a suitable textile web to the surface of the fabric.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.

Abstract: Use of a moulding composition comprising a polymer and a setting agent for wound debridement, wherein said use comprises adding water to said moulding composition to form a moulding fluid, applying said moulding fluid to a surface of a wound, allowing said moulding fluid to set in contact with said surface to form a solid covering on said surface, followed by removing said solid covering from the wound. The alginate composition adheres strongly to bacterial biofilms on the wound, whereby the biofilms are removed with the alginate composition. The moulding composition may be used in conjunction with a staining agent that undergoes a colour change in the presence of bacteria or bacterial polysaccharides to show the presence and removal of the biofilm. Also provided are methods of treating wounds using the compositions.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.

Abstract: A wound dressing material comprising a solid substrate having interstitial spaces therein, wherein said substrate is a hydrophilic open-cell foam material, and wherein said interstitial spaces are at least partially filled by a hydrophilic polyurethane foam different from said substrate foam material. Also provided is a method of making a porous wound dressing material comprising the steps of: providing a substrate of a solid hydrophilic first foam material; applying a fluid or gel polyurethane foam prepolymer mixture to at least one surface of said solid substrate; and curing said prepolymer in contact with said solid substrate.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: a water-absorbent fabric comprising at least about 10 wt. % of hydrogel-forming absorbent fibers based on the dry weight of the fabric; and an adhesion-resistant, water-permeable wound contacting surface textile layer that is substantially continuously bonded to at least one surface of said fabric. The surface textile layer may be formed by surface treatment of the fabric, or by bonding a suitable textile web to the surface of the fabric.