Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an applicator assembly suitable for application of a catheter patch with one hand comprises an upper arm with a proximal end and a distal portion, a lower arm with a proximal end and a distal portion, and a hinge member fixedly joining the proximal ends of the upper arm and the lower arm, wherein an upper surface of the upper arm distal portion abuts a lower surface of the lower arm distal portion. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a catheter patch assembly may be secured against a lower surface of the upper arm distal portion. The distal portion of the lower arm may include a securing mechanism for securing the catheter patch assembly to the applicator assembly. A method of applying a catheter patch is provided.

Abstract: Copper salts of ion exchange materials provide copper ions at levels suitable for use as an anti-infective agent. The copper salts of ion exchange materials may be formed using ether and ester derivatives of cellulose, such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), ethylcellulose (EC), methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), cellulose acetate, and cellulose triacetate. Wound dressings having copper salts of ion exchange materials incorporated therein are also provided, and may be used to reduce the incidence of infection in wounds. The wound dressings may also be used to prevent infections in long-term wounds, such as those formed at wound drain, catheter, and ostomy entry sites. Copper salts of ion exchange materials may be used to kill microorganisms, and may optionally be used with additional anti-infective agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to antimicrobial hydrogel polymers, and dressings comprising one or more hydrogel-forming hydrophilic polymers, where the hydrogels and dressings further comprise one or more antimicrobial agents that are released from the hydrogel in a controlled manner. The hydrogels and dressings may be used for medical, veterinary, and/or cosmetic applications. The dressings may be applied, for example, as wound dressings, surgical dressings, and percutaneous site dressings. In certain aspects of the invention, the dressings may be beneficially used in methods of accelerating wound healing, preventing and/or reducing the incidence of wound infection, and reducing scarring associated with wounds.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an applicator assembly suitable for application of a catheter patch about an insertion site of a percutaneous device includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and laterally extending right and left side gripping members, a pull tab member attached toward the proximal end of the body, and a release tab connected to the pull tab member, wherein the release tab is positioned toward the distal end of the body so that a lower surface of the release tab abuts an upper surface of the body. The release tab may have a securing mechanism for securing a catheter patch to a lower surface of the body toward the distal end of the body. A method of applying a catheter patch about an insertion site of a percutaneous device using an applicator assembly is provided.

Abstract: Copper salts of ion exchange materials provide copper ions at levels suitable for use as an anti-infective agent. The copper salts of ion exchange materials may be formed using ether and ester derivatives of cellulose, such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), ethylcellulose (EC), methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), cellulose acetate, and cellulose triacetate. Wound dressings having copper salts of ion exchange materials incorporated therein are also provided, and may be used to reduce the incidence of infection in wounds. The wound dressings may also be used to prevent infections in long-term wounds, such as those formed at wound drain, catheter, and ostomy entry sites. Copper salts of ion exchange materials may be used to kill microorganisms, and may optionally be used with additional anti-infective agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to particles that include one or more antimicrobial agents therein and/or thereon. The particles may be provided with one or more coatings that contain one or more antimicrobial agents, or the one or more antimicrobial agents may be embedded in the particles. The present invention also relates to goods such as medical devices, personal care products, and household devices that incorporate one or more antimicrobial particles. The goods may be provided with one or more coatings that contain the antimicrobial particles, or the antimicrobial particles may be physically embedded in the medical devices. The present invention is further directed towards methods of making such medical devices. The goods incorporating the antimicrobial particles may be used in accordance with methods of killing microorganisms and preventing infections.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an applicator assembly suitable for application of a catheter patch with one hand comprises an upper arm with a proximal end and a distal portion, a lower arm with a proximal end and a distal portion, and a hinge member fixedly joining the proximal ends of the upper arm and the lower arm, wherein an upper surface of the upper arm distal portion abuts a lower surface of the lower arm distal portion. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a catheter patch assembly may be secured against a lower surface of the upper arm distal portion. The distal portion of the lower arm may include a securing mechanism for securing the catheter patch assembly to the applicator assembly. A method of applying a catheter patch is provided.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an applicator assembly suitable for application of a catheter patch about an insertion site of a percutaneous device includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and laterally extending right and left side gripping members, a pull tab member attached toward the proximal end of the body, and a release tab connected to the pull tab member, wherein the release tab is positioned toward the distal end of the body so that a lower surface of the release tab abuts an upper surface of the body. The release tab may have a securing mechanism for securing a catheter patch to a lower surface of the body toward the distal end of the body. A method of applying a catheter patch about an insertion site of a percutaneous device using an applicator assembly is provided.

Abstract: An applicator for reducing the concentration of unwanted chemicals such as para-chloroaniline (PCA) from an antiseptic solution includes an antiseptic solution in amount sufficient to have an antimicrobial effect on a surface and at least one hydrophobic or hydrophilic material. The hydrophobic or hydrophilic material selectively removes undesired by-products from the antiseptic solution when the antiseptic solution contacts the hydrophobic or hydrophilic material. A method for selectively removing unwanted by-products from an antiseptic solution includes the steps of providing an antiseptic solution in amount sufficient to have an antimicrobial effect on a surface and contacting the antiseptic solution with at least one hydrophobic or hydrophilic material that selectively removes the unwanted by-products from the antiseptic solution.

Abstract: Applicators and a method for reducing the concentration of unwanted chemicals, such as para-chloroaniline (PCA) from an antiseptic solution. More specifically, the applicator includes antiseptic solution in amount sufficient to be applied to a desired surface and to have an antimicrobial effect on the desired surface and a porous element. The porous element selectively removes undesired by-products from the antiseptic solution when the antiseptic solution contacts the at least one porous element.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to applicators and a method for reducing the concentration of unwanted chemicals, such as para-chloroaniline (PCA) from an antiseptic solution. More specifically, the applicator includes antiseptic solution in amount sufficient to be applied to a desired surface and to have an antimicrobial effect on the desired surface and a porous element. The porous element selectively removes undesired by-products from the antiseptic solution when the antiseptic solution contacts the at least one porous element.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to applicators and a method of coloring antiseptics. More specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to an applicator having a flexible hollow body containing antiseptic to be applied. The applicator also has a porous element containing colorant positioned such that the antiseptic flows through the porous element containing colorant. Colorant is transferred to the antiseptic as it flows through the porous element. The resulting colored solution may be applied to the desired surface.

Abstract: Applicators and a method of coloring antiseptics are provided. More specifically, in one embodiment, an applicator having a flexible hollow body containing antiseptic to be applied is provided. The applicator also has a porous element containing colorant positioned such that the antiseptic flows through the porous element containing colorant. Colorant is transferred to the antiseptic as it flows through the porous element. The resulting colored solution may be applied to the desired surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to applicators and a method of coloring antiseptics. More specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to an applicator having a flexible hollow body containing antiseptic to be applied. The applicator also has a porous element containing colorant positioned such that the antiseptic flows through the porous element containing colorant. Colorant is transferred to the antiseptic as it flows through the porous element. The resulting colored solution may be applied to the desired surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to applicators and a method for reducing the concentration of unwanted chemicals, such as para-chloroaniline (PCA) from an antiseptic solution. More specifically, the applicator includes antiseptic solution in amount sufficient to be applied to a desired surface and to have an antimicrobial effect on the desired surface and a porous element. The porous element selectively removes undesired by-products from the antiseptic solution when the antiseptic solution contacts the at least one porous element.

Abstract: An applicator usable to color antiseptics is provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, the applicator includes a flexible hollow body containing antiseptic to be applied. The applicator also has a porous element containing colorant positioned such that the antiseptic flows through the porous element containing colorant. Colorant is transferred to the antiseptic as it flows through the porous element. The resulting colored solution may be applied to the desired surface.

Abstract: Hand-held applicators for applying antiseptic are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand-held applicator having at least one flexible elongated hollow body within which at least two antiseptic-filled ampoules are received, and a mechanism for fracturing the ampoules to release the antiseptic for dispensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to applicators for applying antiseptic. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand-held applicator having at least one flexible elongated hollow body within which at least two antiseptic-filled, frangible ampoules are received, and a mechanism for fracturing the ampoules to release the antiseptic for dispensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to applicators and a method of coloring antiseptics. More specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to an applicator having a flexible hollow body containing antiseptic to be applied. The applicator also has a porous element containing colorant positioned such that the antiseptic flows through the porous element containing colorant. Colorant is transferred to the antiseptic as it flows through the porous element. The resulting colored solution may be applied to the desired surface.