Abstract: A hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition prepared by irradiating solid poly(N-vinyl lactam) with ionizing radiation to crosslink the poly(N-vinyl lactam) and thereafter mixing the radiation-crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) with essentially unirradiated plasticizer in an amount sufficient to form a cohesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. The composition is useful as a biomedical adhesive for transmitting or receiving electrical signals as a component of a biomedical electrode. The composition is also useful as a drug delivery device to deliver pharmaceuticals or other active ingredients to or through mammalian skin. The composition is also useful as a component in a skin covering for protecting mammalian skin or mammalian skin openings with antimicrobial agents. A method of preparation of the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite of a gel of swollen hydrocolloid dispersed in a pressure sensitive adhesive matrix is provided. The gel has a natural or synthetically derived hydrocolloid swollen with a non-volatile swelling agent, such that the gel may have a shear modulus of less than 6.2.times.10.sup.6 dynes/cm.sup.2. The gel-adhesive composite has continued skin adhesion whether applied to or existing in dry or moist skin conditions. The gel contributes a high moisture vapor transmission rate to attempt to maintain dry skin conditions while the adhesive maintains skin adhesion. The gel-adhesive composite may be used in a variety of tape, dressing, bandage, drape, or other skin contacting usage and may optionally include antimicrobial agents to treat the skin while adhesion continues.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive medical sealant composition comprising (a) a crosslinked, swellable polymeric matrix made from an N-vinyl lactam monomer and a multi-ethylenically unsaturated compound, wherein the ethylenic groups are vinyl groups, allyl groups or methallyl groups, which groups are bonded to nitrogen or oxygen atoms; (b) a plasticizer; and (c) an antimicrobial. The medical sealant is highly moisture vapor transmissive and is capable of incorporating large concentrations of iodine. The composition can be used in a variety of medical applications including as a teat plug, a wound or burn dressing, or as a sealant to seal junctions between medical instruments penetrating the skin and the skin. A method of preparing the medical sealant composition in a caulkable form is also disclosed.