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: Methods and devices for determining the healing status of wounds, in particular of chronic wounds are provided. Also provided are kits comprising the diagnostic devices, and methods of wound diagnosis and treatment using the diagnostic devices and methods. A diagnostic apparatus (device) for monitoring wounds that exude a wound fluid and determining whether said wounds would be responsive to treatment with wound therapy such as oxidized cellulose therapy is also provided along with kits comprising the diagnostic apparatus and a wound dressing. Furthermore, methods of prognosing and treating wounds that exude a wound fluid are also provided.

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 sample collection and testing device comprising: An elongate housing (1) having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis; an analytical element (4) retained in the housing; a sample collector assembly extending from the first end of the housing and comprising a sample collector (24) in fluid communication with the analytical element (4); a swing arm (2) attached to the housing by a pivot fitting (44), said swing arm having proximal and distal ends; and a cap (40) at the distal end of the swing arm (2); wherein the device comprises a slide to allow limited linear movement of the cap (40) substantially along the longitudinal axis of the housing (1), and wherein the pivot fitting (44) allows the swing arm to rotate about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis, whereby the swing arm (2) is movable between a sample collection configuration in which the cap (40) is remote from the sample collector (24) and a sample analysis configuration in which the cap (40) encloses t

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 device (10) for collecting and testing biological samples comprises a housing (12) having a pivot arm (14) pivotally attached thereto and moveable from sample collection configuration in which the pivot arm projects away from the housing and the sample collector is remote from the housing to a sample analysis configuration in which pivot arm is folded back along an outer surface of the housing. A sample collector (16) such as a swab is provided at the distal end of the pivot arm for the collection of the sample. When the pivot arm (14) has been moved to the sample analysis configuration, the sample collector (16) is received in a sample receiving port (29) in the housing. A retaining clip (18) is movable from a free configuration to a retaining configuration whereby the clip retains the pivot arm in the sample analysis configuration. A fluid reservoir (56) is mounted on the retaining clip (18) so as to overlie the sample receiving port (29) when the retaining clip is in the retaining position.

Abstract: A sample collection and testing device comprising An elongate housing (1) having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis; an analytical element (4) retained in the housing; a sample collector assembly extending from the first end of the housing and comprising a sample collector (24) in fluid communication with the analytical element (4); a swing arm (2) attached to the housing by a pivot fitting (44), said swing arm having proximal and distal ends; and a cap (40) at the distal end of the swing arm (2); wherein the device comprises a slide to allow limited linear movement of the cap (40) substantially along the longitudinal axis of the housing (1), and wherein the pivot fitting (44) allows the swing arm to rotate about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis, whereby the swing arm (2) is movable between a sample collection configuration in which the cap (40) is remote from the sample collector (24) and a sample analysis configuration in which the cap (40) encloses th

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor electrode strip that measures analyte concentration in an aqueous sample as small as 2.5 to 2.0 .mu.L is described. Reduction in the minimum sample size is achieved by means of a dielectric coating impregnated into peripheral regions of one or more hydrophilic mesh layers, thereby reducing sample dead volume. The mesh layers are located between an electrode support and a cover layer, which cover layer includes an aperture located upstream from an electrode arrangement.