Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the production of absorbent materials comprising fibers cross-linked by a suitable cross-linker therefor, and wherein said cross-linker is associated with substantially the entire surface of each fiber, said materials being preparable by mixing of an aerated suspension of the charged fibers with the cross-linker before heating and compressing, such fibers having a capacity for fluid absorption considerably greater than has been heretofore known for such materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent materials comprising fibers cross-linked by a suitable heat activatable compound therefor, and wherein said heat activatable compound is associated with substantially the entire surface of each fiber, said materials being preparable by mixing of an aerated suspension of the charged fibers with the heat activated compound before heating and compressing, such fibers having a capacity for fluid absorption considerably greater than has been heretofore known for such materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorptive dressings which are highly absorbent and which retain moisture, said dressings comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers wherein the cross-linker has been blended with the fibers after electrostatically charging the fibers, the retentive membrane being a layer of thermoplastic which has been laminated onto the dressing at its glass transition temperature, thereby giving the membrane selective moisture permeability properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic membranes which are selectively permeable to water or water vapor and which can be simply produced by the lamination of a thermoplastic sheet onto an absorbent material at or around the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent materials comprising fibers cross-linked by a suitable cross-linker therefor, and wherein said cross-linker is associated with substantially the entire surface of each fiber, said materials being preparable by mixing of an aerated suspension of the charged fibers with the cross-linker before heating and compressing, such fibers having a capacity for fluid absorption considerably greater than has been heretofore known for such materials.

Abstract: A wound dressing material comprising a sheet of a synthetic plastics material which is permeable to water vapour and to air, having on one side a surface for application to a wound, and immediately behind the said surface a cellular region having a structure of collapsed, open cells which intercommunicate with one another, and a more dense region behind the cellular region, and an intermediate region in which there is a gradual transition from the cellular region to the more dense region, so that on contact with liquid exudate from a wound, the dressing material will absorb a limited amount of exudate into the cellular region but prevent it from passing right through the dressing material.

Abstract: A wound dressing material, particularly for burns, comprises a sheet of synthetic plastics material which is permeable to water vapor and air, preferably a polyurethane produced by polymerization of an isocyanate capped polyoxyethylene polyol, without any substantial amount of water present, using a cross-linking agent which reacts with the isocyanate groups. The polyol and cross-linking agent, and preferably also an alkylene oxide surfactant, are agitated to form an aerated mix, spread on a release paper, and heated so that polymerization begins in the exposed upper surface, so as to form a sheet having a dense outer region which is impervious to liquids, a cellular region beneath the dense region, and a smooth glazed surface for application to a wound.