Abstract: There is described a biodegradable composite material for tissue repair comprising a water-soluble glass, preferably as glass fibers and/or particles in the form of a matrix, impregnated with a biodegradable polymer. An especially preferred polymer is poly ?-caprolactone. The biodegradable composite is particularly useful for the repair of nerve and/or bone tissue, especially the bones of the skull. A method of producing the composite material is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a surgical material formed using water soluble glass fibres, optionally together with a binding material such as polycaprolactone. One or more layers of non-woven glass fibre material may be present. The material, which is usually in sheet form, can be folded around a defective area of tissue to promote healing, or may be used to prevent adhesion formation following surgery. A method of forming the surgical material is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising an admixture of a finely divided alginate (or a salt or derivative thereof) together with a finely divided carrier material. The composition overcomes the problems associated with applying gel-forming alginates to a body surface without formation of a clumpy paste that leads to local irritation. An admixture of sodium alginate and a water-soluble glass carrier material is preferred. Optionally, the alginate and carrier material each have a particle size of less than 150 &mgr;m diameter and are present in a weight ration of 20:30 to 80:20. The presence of the carrier aids even gel formation and also promotes wound healing.

Abstract: A surgical suture material having either an external surface at least partially coated with an anti-microbial composition or an anti-microbial agent incorporated therein. Preferably the anti-microbial agent is a water-soluble metal ion-releasing glass in particle form.

Abstract: There is provided an admixture comprising morsellised bone particles and particles of water-soluble biodegradable glass. The particle size distribution and diameter range is pre-selected to produce an aggregate. Addition of the glass enables an admixture having aggregate characteristics and thus increased shear strength to be produced whilst simultaneously enabling bone regeneration to occur within the treated defect. The admixture is therefore useful in the repair of bone defects, especially primary joint arthroplasties, such as hip replacement operations.

Abstract: There is described a foamable formulation comprising a foamable carrier and an active ingredient which may be admixed with the carrier or packaged separately and dispersed into the carrier during the foaming process. Alginate gel is a preferred foamable carrier. The foam produced from such a formulation, and a foam sheet produced by drying the foam, also form part of the invention. The formulation, foam and foam sheet are especially useful for medical applications, for example in treating burns. As apparatus to store the components of the formulation and to generate the foam is also described.

Abstract: There is provided an antimicrobial composition for combatting infections. The material is a controlled release glass having two or more agents selected from the group consisting of metals, selenium and boron. Preferably the agents are selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, magnesium, zinc, cerium,consisting of copper, silver, magnesium, zinc, cerium, manganese bismuth, selenium and boron. The combinations of copper and silver and of copper and zinc are particularly preferred and exhibit synergist activity. The antimicrobial composition is effective against infections due to Proteus spp.

Abstract: A medical film dressing comprising a thin transparent film having a layer of skin adhesive on its front face, shielded before use by a removable cover sheet in contact which is in contact with the adhesive across the entire area of the front face, and a backing sheet detachably affixed over the whole of the rear face of said film. The dressing further comprises a flexible hinge in the form of a folded strip disposed along a peripheral edge of said thin film to conjoin said cover sheet and said backing sheet adjacent said edge, and extending around the corresponding edge of the thin film, and wherein a scoreline is formed in said cover sheet. The score line extends parallel to the edge of the dressing opposite the hinge and wherein the line of perforation extends through said thin film beneath said score line.

Abstract: There is provided a device to promote healing of cut tissue members, such as nerves, tendon or muscles, within a body. The device is of hollow construction and comprises apertures into which the cut ends of the tissue members are placed and fixed, usually by a fibrin-based tissue glue. Located between the apertures is a substance to promote healing of the tissue member such as, for example, nerve growth factor. Optionally the device may be used in conjunction with the external reservoir of the substance and/or with a time-operated pump to deliver the substance to the device. The device is biodegradable and is preferably composed of watersoluble glass.

Abstract: The invention discloses fluids for use in medical dialysis procedures which contain proteolytic hydrolysates of one or more proteins (e.g. casein) as effective osmotic agent and bicarbonate ions as buffering agent. Additionally the dialysis fluid contains physiological salts.

Abstract: A medicinal substance for topical application is disclosed. The substance comprises a water-soluble glass containing silver or a silver compound. Typically, the glass comprises phosphorus pentoxide and contains silver oxide. The substance may be used for the treatment of wounds, catheter and tubing entry points, stoma sites and body passage entrances where bacterial growth and migration are rife. The glass may be in the form of a powder, granules, woven into a dressing form, a sinter shaped in a particular way or used as filler in polymers for surface release.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in fluid flow lines to or from a living body in order to reduce the incidence or growth of bacteria comprising in the flow line a connecting member which includes water-soluble silver impregnated glass, whereby the glass undergoes slow dissolution with concomitant release of silver into the fluid. The silver has antibacterial or bacterial static properties.

Abstract: A medicinal composition, particularly but not exclusively for use in fluids for medical dialysis, contains, as an agent for maintaining the osmolality of the fluid, a protein hydrolysate resulting from the action of a proteolytic enzyme on the sodium caseinate fraction of milk protein. The enzyme is preferably trypsin but other proteolytic enzymes and enzyme mixtures may be used, examples being chymotrypsin, pancreatin and pronase.The method of production involves treating the sodium caseinate in aqueous medium with the enzyme at the appropriate pH and temperature for optimum enzyme activity. The product of the enzymic hydrolysis, after filtration through a bacterial filter, adjustment of the osmolality to an appropriate level of around 300 mOsm/Kg and the pH to physiological level of about 6.6 and addition of physiological salt levels, constitutes the final product.

Abstract: An adsorbent material intended particularly for use in extracorporeal haemodialysis, is described which is composed of granules of an adsorbent which are coated with a biocompatible polymeric membrane which is semipermeable to the solutes selected for removal. The polymer is a copolymer containing carboxyl and amino groups. In use, solutes pass selectively through the membrane and are trapped by adsorption in the adsorbent thereby preventing or at least reducing the reverse process. To improve biocompatibility the product may be further coated with a plasma protein.