Abstract: A system for providing a method of sealing skin with a film forming polymer is provided. The system includes providing an at least two part applicator containing a sealant composition in one or more frangible containers, providing instructions for using the applicator associated therewith, where the method including moving at least one of said applicator parts from a first position to a second position and applying said sealant to skin. The composition has film former, a plasticizer and 3000 to 10000 ppm of a dye that changes color when is undergoes a phase change. The color change is visible to a human eye under normal light conditions. changing dyes may be used to indicate that the composition has dried. The dyes change color in response to the phase change, i.e., drying of the film former.

Abstract: A skin sealant composition of a film former and a plasticizer and having various color changing dyes may be used to indicate that the composition has dried. The dyes change color in response to the phase change, i.e., drying of the film former. The dye may be added either directly to the composition, incorporated into a sponge on an applicator through which the composition is dispensed and applied, applied separately or applied simultaneously from a separate reservoir. The amount of dye in the composition can be adjusted to provide a visual cue to the user of the application area and the extent of cure though should generally be in the range of 3000 to 10000 ppm.

Abstract: A breathable viral barrier film, viral barrier laminate and surgical articles including the film or laminate are provided. The film has viral barrier properties in the presence of low surface tension liquids, as well as in the presence of aqueous liquids. The film includes a core layer surrounded by two skin layers. The core layer includes a polymer matrix, filler particles, and at least 0.5% by weight of a selected fluorochemical. The film is bonded to one or more nonwoven webs to provide laminates useful in surgical articles.

Abstract: A breathable viral barrier film, viral barrier laminate and surgical articles including the film or laminate are provided. The film has viral barrier properties in the presence of low surface tension liquids, as well as in the presence of aqueous liquids. The film includes a core layer surrounded by two skin layers. The core layer includes a polymer matrix, filler particles, and at least 0.5% by weight of a selected fluorochemical. The film is bonded to one or more nonwoven webs to provide laminates useful in surgical articles.

Abstract: Iodine is used in about 80 percent of surgeries in the US to remove some level of microbial load on the skin prior to making an incision. Skin sealants are applied over skin preps to seal the skin and hold any remaining bacteria in place. Iodine produces a characteristic orange-brown color on skin. A skin sealant is provided that has a decolorant that reacts with the iodine found in most skin preps, rendering the skin prep colorless. A skin sealant containing ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Indigo Carmine or Indigo will react with the iodine, thus visually indicating where the skin prep and sealant have been applied and allowing an unobstructed view of the incision.

Abstract: A substrate that is capable of generating heat upon activation is provided. Specifically, the substrate is applied with an exothermic coating that may be formed from a variety of different components, including oxidizable metals, carbon components, binders, electrolytic salts, moisture-retaining particles, and so forth. The oxidizable metal is capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction in the presence of oxygen and water to generate heat. To reduce the likelihood of premature activation prior to use, the exothermic coating is anhydrous, i.e., generally free of water. The coated substrate may be employed in a wide variety of articles, such as absorbent articles, thermal blankets, drapes, heating pads etc.

Abstract: Thermochromatic dyes may be added to compositions to be applied to skin in order to indicate where the composition is applied. After application to the skin the composition will turn from colored to colorless in a short period of time as its temperature rises in response to the curing reaction and to heat from the skin. The dyes are microencapsulated in order to avoid migration of the dye into the wound and to remain protected and functional. The dyes are selected such that they have a transition temperature between room temperature and that of the skin.

Abstract: A germicidal surface-covering assembly that includes at least two different donnable or drapable garments. Each garment defines at least one treated surface that is susceptible to pathogen contamination in a physical contamination event when used as intended in an environment subject to contamination (e.g., a clinical environment, a laboratory or a workplace). Each treated surface is adapted to provide a time-dependent reduction in the number of pathogens available at that treated surface after a physical contamination event, such that at least a predetermined time after a physical contamination event at a first location on a first treated surface of a first garment, a first physical contact between the first location on the first treated surface and a second location on a second treated surface of a second garment results fewer viable pathogens on the second treated surface as compared to an untreated control.

Abstract: A material substrate having at least part of a surface treated with an antimicrobial composition is described. The antimicrobial composition exhibits at least a 3 log10 CFU reduction within a period of about 30 minutes after contact with various species of a broad spectrum of microorganisms. The substrate can be a nonwoven material that has good fluid barrier properties, which can be used in protective garments and sheets. Methods for manufacturing and imparting the antimicrobial treatment to the substrate are also provided.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition that involves a synergistic mixture in terms of active agents, of a primary antimicrobial agent, such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), a secondary antimicrobial agent, and optionally an organic acid against various kinds of microbes is described. Various additional processing aids, such as alcohols and surfactants, may also be incorporated within the mixture. The composition allows one to use a significantly less concentration of individual constituent antimicrobial agents to achieve the same or a better degree of antimicrobial efficacy. The antimicrobial composition can be applied to the surface of almost any kind of substrate material, and can achieve a killing-efficacy of about 3 Log10 reduction in microbes within 30 minutes under ambient conditions.

Abstract: A face mask for reducing the amount of microbes to which a wearer is exposed is provided. The face mask includes a body portion that has an outer layer that has been treated with a germicidal agent in an effective amount. The layer may be a nonwoven fabric like a spunbond, meltblown or coform layer and may be a laminate of such layers. The face mask having such a germicidal treatment can result in a reduction in microbial activity as compared to another face mask, identical but for the germicidal agent.

Abstract: A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing at least two kinds of antimicrobial agents, including poly-hexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), stably associated to a material substrate is described. The substrate can take the forms of an anti-infection face mask, medical devices, or surgical instruments.

Abstract: A substrate that is capable of generating heat upon activation is provided. Specifically, the substrate is applied with an exothermic coating that may be formed from a variety of different components, including oxidizable metals, carbon components, binders, electrolytic salts, moisture-retaining particles, and so forth. The oxidizable metal is capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction in the presence of oxygen and water to generate heat. To reduce the likelihood of premature activation prior to use, the exothermic coating is anhydrous, i.e., generally free of water. The coated substrate may be employed in a wide variety of articles, such as absorbent articles, thermal blankets, drapes, heating pads etc.

Abstract: A thermal covering that comprises a thermoregulatory substrate is provided. The thermoregulatory substrate contains an exothermic coating formed from an oxidizable metal. The exothermic coating is generally free of moisture prior to activation. Exposure of the exothermic coating to oxygen and moisture activates an exothermic reaction to generate heat, such heat being transferable to a patient or user through an outer surface defined by the thermal covering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protective outerwear or workwear for covering a body portion. The protective outerwear has an inner surface and an outer surface, with the outer surface including thereupon a low surface tension liquid blocking material in a continuous unbroken band for blocking the wicking of at least low surface tension liquid that is contained on the outer surface of the outerwear.

Abstract: An extensible fluid permeable substrate having at least one direction of extensibility in an X-Y plane is provided with improved retraction to make the composite material suitable for disposable garment applications with minimal application of coalesced elastomeric materials. A pattern of untensioned coalesced elastomeric stripes is applied on an X-Y plane surface of the substrate in low add-on amounts of between about 20% to about 100% of the substrate basis weight to make the composite material. The longitudinal axes of the coalesced elastomeric stripes are oriented substantially along the direction of substrate extensibility and desired retraction of the composite material. By applying the minimal amount of elastomer necessary in an open pattern, the economical composite material also avoids negative by-products of elastic coatings or films such as bad hand, bad drape, loss of fluid transfer or intake ability and lack of breathability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a substrate to improve the alcohol repellency of the substrate while minimizing the effect on the hydrostatic head value of the substrate that includes contacting a substrate with a treatment solution that includes an ionic fluoropolymer, a monovalent salt, and essentially no antistatic agent or less than 0.05 weight percent by weight of an antistatic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a nonwoven fabric to improve alcohol repellency that includes contacting a nonwoven fabric with an aqueous treatment solution that includes a non-ionic fluoropolymer and essentially no antistatic agent or less than 0.05 weight percent by weight of an antistatic agent. The present invention also provides a nonwoven fabric with improved alcohol repellency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protective outerwear or workwear for covering a body portion. The protective outerwear has an inner surface and an outer surface, with the outer surface including thereupon a low surface tension liquid blocking material in a continuous unbroken band for blocking the wicking of at least low surface tension liquid that is contained on the outer surface of the outerwear.

Abstract: The present invention relates a material having fluid handling characteristics and generally includes a substrate having at least a first surface, and one or more chemistries, being applied to the first surface of the substrate in discrete droplets, wherein one or more droplets form discrete domains on the substrate. The chemistries applied to the substrate may penetrate the substrate to varying degrees wherein the varying degrees of chemistry penetration produce materials having various topographies. The topography or topographies may create fluid barriers, skin separation, or otherwise result in skin health benefits. A second embodiment of the present invention is directed to an absorbent article having one or more phase-change materials applied thereto. A third embodiment is directed to a composite including a substrate and one or more chemistries, wherein the chemistries are applied to the substrate so as to produce a substrate having discretely placed and registered bond points.