Abstract: An apparatus (1) for negative pressure wound therapy comprises a source of reduced pressure (10) and first (22a) and second (26a) chambers, the first chamber being in fluid communication with the source of reduced pressure such that a negative pressure may be generated in the first chamber, the negative pressure being prevented from exceeding a predetermined value by way of a pressure release means (30), and the second chamber comprising means (28) for establishing a fluid connection with a wound. A valve (24) between the first and second chambers permits the negative pressure in the second chamber to increase in response to an increase in the negative pressure in the first chamber and prevents the negative pressure in the second chamber from dropping in response to a drop in the negative pressure in the first chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating blood. A device (10) for separating plasma from blood comprises a blood flow path (20) including formations (24) for agitating blood flow along the blood flow path and a separation membrane (28) with a first surface in fluid communication with the blood flow path. The device may be comprised in an extracorporeal blood circuit and used in a method for separating plasma from blood.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for negative pressure wound therapy comprises a source of reduced pressure (10) and first (22a) and second (26a) chambers, the first chamber being in fluid communication with the source of reduced pressure such that a negative pressure may be generated in the first chamber, the negative pressure being prevented from exceeding a predetermined value by way of a pressure release means (30), and the second chamber comprising means (28) for establishing a fluid connection with a wound. A valve (24) between the first and second chambers permits the negative pressure in the second chamber to increase in response to an increase in the negative pressure in the first chamber and prevents the negative pressure in the second chamber from dropping in response to a drop in the negative pressure in the first chamber.

Abstract: Wound dressings displaying improved adhesion and breathability and methods for their manufacture, the wound dressing comprising a backing layer, a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive and a perforated layer of silicone gel, wherein the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed between the substrate and the perforated layer of silicone gel, and wherein the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive is moisture-permeable.

Abstract: A non-adhesive absorbent wound dressing (10) is suitable for application about a jointed limb. The wound dressing (10) has a first portion (20) adapted to conform to and wrap around an upper part of the limb, a second portion (30) adapted to conform to and wrap around a lower part of the limb, and a hinge portion (40) between said first portion (20) and said second portion (30), said hinge portion (40) in use lying adjacent to the joint of the limb. The wound dressing (10) also comprises a porous wound contact sheet (80) and a substantially liquid-impermeable backing sheet (90), the wound contact sheet (80) and the backing sheet (90) being bounded (50) together at their periphery and along lines that define a plurality of pockets (60) in both the first portion (20) and the second portion (30), the pockets (60) containing absorbent material (70).

Abstract: An absorbent wound dressing (1) comprising a superabsorbent material (13) that is in fluid communication with the surface of a wound to which the dressing is applied when in use. The superabsorbent material (13) is enclosed in an envelope (14,15) having a wound-facing surface that is knitted or woven from a yarn comprising gelling fibres.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprises an antimicrobial layer. The antimicrobial layer comprises a knitted silver thread, optionally with a non-metallic thread. The thread or threads may be knitted onto a non-woven sheet of a thermoplastic material. The wound dressing may further comprise any of an absorbent material and a hydrophobic gel and may be used in a system for negative pressure wound therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for negative pressure wound therapy comprises a source of reduced pressure (10) and first (22a) and second (26a) chambers, the first chamber being in fluid communication with the source of reduced pressure such that a negative pressure may be generated in the first chamber, the negative pressure being prevented from exceeding a predetermined value by way of a pressure release means (30), and the second chamber comprising means (28) for establishing a fluid connection with a wound. A valve (24) between the first and second chambers permits the negative pressure in the second chamber to increase in response to an increase in the negative pressure in the first chamber and prevents the negative pressure in the second chamber from dropping in response to a drop in the negative pressure in the first chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating blood. A device (10) for separating plasma from blood comprises a blood flow path (20) including formations (24) for agitating blood flow along the blood flow path and a separation membrane (28) with a first surface in fluid communication with the blood flow path. The device may be comprised in an extracorporeal blood circuit and used in a method for separating plasma from blood.

Abstract: A non-adhesive absorbent wound dressing (10) is suitable for application about a jointed limb. The wound dressing (10) has a first portion (20) adapted to conform to and wrap around an upper part of the limb, a second portion (30) adapted to conform to and wrap around a lower part of the limb, and a hinge portion (40) between said first portion (20) and said second portion (30), said hinge portion (40) in use lying adjacent to the joint of the limb. The wound dressing (10) also comprises a porous wound contact sheet (80) and a substantially liquid-impermeable backing sheet (90), the wound contact sheet (80) and the backing sheet (90) being bounded (50) together at their periphery and along lines that define a plurality of pockets (60) in both the first portion (20) and the second portion (30), the pockets (60) containing absorbent material (70).

Abstract: A non-adhesive absorbent wound dressing (10) is suitable for application about a jointed limb. The wound dressing (10) has a first portion (20) adapted to conform to and wrap around an upper part of the limb, a second portion (30) adapted to conform to and wrap around a lower part of the limb, and a hinge portion (40) between said first portion (20) and said second portion (30), said hinge portion (40) in use lying adjacent to the joint of the limb. The wound dressing (10) also comprises a porous wound contact sheet (80) and a substantially liquid-impermeable backing sheet (90), the wound contact sheet (80) and the backing sheet (90) being bonded (50) together at their periphery and along lines that define a plurality of pockets (60) in both the first portion (20) and the second portion (30), the pockets (60) containing absorbent material (70).

Abstract: A device for collecting cellular material from a fluid sample comprises first and second chambers that are releasably connected and which define a fluid flow path from the first chamber to the second chamber. A porous membrane is between the chambers when they are connected to each other, in the fluid flow path. An absorbent body is positioned in close proximity to the downstream surface of the porous membrane, and a resilient member is arranged to urge the absorbent body towards the porous membrane. In use, a sample introduced into the first chamber contacts the upstream surface of the porous membrane and fluid is drawn through the porous membrane and is absorbed by the absorbent body. Cellular material is retained upon the upstream surface of the porous membrane. After separation of the chambers, the porous membrane can be removed from the device for analysis of the deposited cellular material.

Abstract: A releasably adhesive laminate (1) comprises a structural layer (2) carrying on at least part of one side thereof a hydrophobic gel (4) and on at least part of the other side thereof a pressure-sensitive adhesive (3). The structural layer (2) is preferably a film of synthetic plastics material, eg polyurethane. The pressure-sensitive adhesive (3) is preferably an acrylic adhesive, and the hydrophobic gel (4) is preferably a silicone gel. The laminate (1) may be used as a skin contact component of a wound dressing or in numerous other applications.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy dressing comprising a drainage tube. The drainage tube comprises a tube knitted or braided from monofilament yarn and surrounded by an impermeable sheath. Also disclosed is a method of treating a wound using the negative pressure wound therapy dressing, and the knitted or braided tube for use in medical applications.

Abstract: A releasably adhesive laminate (1) comprises a structural layer (2) carrying on at least part of one side thereof a hydrophobic gel (4) and on at least part of the other side thereof a pressure-sensitive adhesive (3). The structural layer (2) is preferably a film of synthetic plastics material, eg polyurethane. The pressure-sensitive adhesive (3) is preferably an acrylic adhesive, and the hydrophobic gel (4) is preferably a silicone gel. The laminate (1) may be used as a skin contact component of a wound dressing or in numerous other applications.

Abstract: Described herein are wound dressings, methods for their production and components for use therein. Described herein are a knitted structure including a blend of gelling fibres and non-gelling fibres wherein the yarn includes at least 50% w/w gelling fibres, a three-dimensional textile material including gelling fibres, and a yarn including a blend of gelling and non-gelling fibres which may be used in their production, the knitted structure and three-dimensional textile material being suitable for use as wound dressings or as components of composite wound dressings. The wound dressings may be adapted for use in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). It has been found that the incorporation of gel-forming fibres provides a material which has a high absorbency, enabling good transfer of exudates away from a wound, which retains structural integrity, and which is non-adherent and easily removed from the wound.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wound dressing or the like comprises the steps of a) providing a layer of substrate material; b) extruding a curable hydrophobic gel precursor composition onto that substrate material via one or more mobile applicators; and c) causing or allowing the hydrophobic gel precursor composition to cure to form a hydrophobic gel. Wound dressings or the like that can be manufactured by such a method comprise a layer of substrate material, the wound facing surface of which carries bands of hydrophobic gel that are intermingled in a lattice-like arrangement.

Abstract: A non-adherent wound dressing (1) comprises a substrate (2) in the form of a perforated sheet of melt-blown non-woven material. The substrate (2) is impregnated with, and coated on both sides with, a silicone gel (3).

Abstract: A disposable blood transfer conduit is used in association with a pump drive unit, a blood collection vessel and a blood concentration device. The blood transfer conduit comprises a blood transfer tube (13) and a peristaltic pump element (12) having an enclosed housing mounted about the blood transfer tube (12). At least part of the blood transfer tube (13) is resiliently deformable and extends through the enclosed housing of the peristaltic pump element (12). The disposable blood transfer conduit may be used in the concentration of blood for autologous blood transfusion.