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 absorbent body of foam material with first and second major surfaces. The first major surface is, in use, the wound-facing surface of the absorbent body. A thermochromic indicator is incorporated into, or is in intimate contact with, the second major surface of the absorbent body. The thermochromic indicator is sensitive to a change in temperature of the skin below the dressing and so is indicative of an infection.

Abstract: Devices for concentrating fluids that comprise discrete or particulate material dispersed in a liquid medium, such as whole blood, by removal of a proportion of the liquid medium, and a method of producing blood cell concentrates from whole blood using reduced pressure. The devices comprise an outer bag formed of an impermeable material and an inner bag formed of a permeable material, the inner bag containing an absorbent material or being adapted for connection to a source of reduced pressure.

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: Apparatus and methods for extracorporeal blood filtration involving the connection of a patient's cardiovascular circulation to an extracorporeal circulatory circuit, and filtration devices suitable for use in such apparatus and methods are disclosed. Such filtration devices include a filter medium comprising a layer of non-woven fabric (21) impregnated with porous beads (22) and carrying a porous screen (23) on at least one side. This invention enables the removal or particular molecular species such as pro-inflammatory cytokines from a patient's circulation, and is of particular utility in cardiopulmonary bypass and haemodialysis-like procedures.

Abstract: Wound dressings, methods for their production and components for use therein. A knitted structure comprising a blend of gelling fibres and non-gelling fibres wherein the yarn comprises at least 50% w/w gelling fibres, a three-dimensional textile material comprising gelling fibres, and a yarn comprising a blend of gelling and non-gelling fibres which may be used in their production, the knitted structure and three-dimensional textile material beings 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 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: Devices for concentrating fluids that comprise discrete or particulate material dispersed in a liquid medium, such as whole blood, by removal of a proportion of the liquid medium, and a method of producing blood cell concentrates from whole blood using reduced pressure. The devices comprise an outer bag formed of an impermeable material and an inner bag formed of a permeable material, the inner bag containing an absorbent material or being adapted for connection to a source of reduced pressure.

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: An antimicrobial material comprises propolis dispersed within a solid carrier. The antimicrobial material is preferably in the form of a film The carrier may be a polymeric material.

Abstract: A composite absorbent material (1) comprising one or more absorbent layers (6) and one or more reinforcing layers (4) bonded together, and method of manufacture. The reinforcing layers (4) maintain the structural integrity of the material following fluid absorption. The composite absorbent material (1) may form the absorbent component of an absorbent wound dressing.

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: Apparatus and methods for extracorporeal blood filtration involving the connection of a patient's cardiovascular circulation to an extracorporeal circulatory circuit, and filtration devices suitable for use in such apparatus and methods are disclosed. Such filtration devices include a filter medium comprising a layer of non-woven fabric (21) impregnated with porous beads (22) and carrying a porous screen (23) on at least one side. This invention enables the removal or particular molecular species such as pro-inflammatory cytokines from a patient's circulation, and is of particular utility in cardiopulmonary bypass and haemodialysis-like procedures.

Abstract: A method is described for introducing perforations into a sheet (1) of laminated material that includes a layer of hydrophobic gel (4). The method involves contacting perforating elements (13) with the sheet and subjecting the sheet (1), at least in the regions contacted with the perforating elements (13), to high frequency mechanical vibrations, eg using a sonotrode (14). The hydrophobic gel (4) is most suitably a silicone gel, and the perforated laminate may be utilised in a wound dressing.

Abstract: A wound packing element is in the form of a nonwoven material, particularly an airlaid nonwoven material. Such a wound packing element, or a number of such wound packing elements formed into a layered assembly, may be utilised to pack a wound cavity. The wound packing element is of particular utility in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Abstract: An adhesive tape, particularly suitable for medical applications, comprises a structural layer carrying on at least one part of one side thereof a hydrophobic gel and on at least part of the other side thereof a backing layer. The structural layer comprises a synthetic material in the form of a film or non-woven web. The tape has separation lines comprising perforations extending laterally across the tape at regular intervals along the length of the tape. The hydrophobic gel that is carried on one side of the structural layer is preferably a soft silicone.