Abstract: An absorbent dressing that includes a transparent, elastomeric, body fluid-absorbing composition that is essentially free of hydrocolloidal gel particles. The composition includes the reaction product of:(a) 20 to 80 parts by weight of an acrylic or methacrylic acid ester of a non-tertiary alcohol having between 4 and 14 carbon atoms, inclusive;(b) 30 to 60 parts by weight of a hydrophilic, ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and p1 (c) 5 to 25 parts by weight of a polar, ethylenically unsaturated monomer different from the hydrophilic, ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The composition is capable of absorbing moderate to heavy amounts of body fluids, while retaining its structural integrity and transparency.

Abstract: A polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described. The composition preferably has a biocontinuous structure of a continuous phase of a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive polymer and a continuous phase of a hydrophilic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the bicontinuous structure. The composition is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar amphiphilic or hydrophilic monomer or oligomer in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, having a glass transition temperature suitable for forming a pressure sensitive adhesive, in the oil phase, water, and surfactant. Uses for the pressure sensitive adhesive composition include biomedical articles, such as biomedical electrodes, medical skin coverings, and pharmaceutical delivery devices, and industrial articles, such as zinc/adhesive tapes used for cathodic protection of rebars embedded in concrete.

Abstract: A polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described. The composition has peel adhesion of at least 3 Newtons/ 100 mm as measured according to a PSTC-1 Test. The composition preferably has a bicontinuous structure of a continuous phase of a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive polymer and a continuous phase of a hydrophilic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the bicontinuous structure. The composition is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar amphiphilic or hydrophilic monomer or oligomer in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, having a glass transition temperature suitable for forming a pressure sensitive adhesive, in the oil phase, water, and surfactant.

Abstract: An ionically conductive agent having means for reducing passivation of metal subject to anodic dissolution is disclosed. The ionically conductive agent is interposed between metal to be protected from corrosion and metal to be sacrificed to provide cathodic protection. An electrical connection between the two metals completes a galvanic circuit. The means for reducing passivation can be either a complexing agent for ions of the metal to be sacrificed or can be a membrane to inhibit flow of ions that would affect the ability of the ionically conductive medium to support continued anodic metal dissolution. The ionically conductive agent and a system for cathodic protection using the ionically conductive agent is particularly suitable for a galvanic circuit to cathodically protect reinforcement bars in concrete structures such as transportation bridges, transportation highways, parking facilities, and balconies exposed to corrosive environments.

Abstract: Solid state conductive polymer compositions which are ionically-conductive regardless of the amount of water present in the composition are disclosed. The compositions have solvating polymer, ionic salt, and optionally if the composition is not cohesive and pliable, essentially non-volatile plasticizer in an amount sufficient to render the composition cohesive and pliable. Biomedical electrodes having means for electrical communication contacting the compositions are also disclosed. Methods of making the compositions and electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid state conductive polymer compositions which are ionically-conductive regardless of the amount of water present in the composition are disclosed. The compositions have solvating polymer, ionic salt, and optionally if the composition is not cohesive and pliable, essentially non-volatile plasticizer in an amount sufficient to render the composition cohesive and pliable. Biomedical electrodes having means for electrical communication contacting the compositions are also disclosed. Methods of making the compositions and electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition prepared by irradiating solid poly(N-vinyl lactam) with ionizing radiation to crosslink the poly(N-vinyl lactam) and thereafter mixing the radiation-crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) with essentially unirradiated plasticizer in an amount sufficient to form a cohesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. The composition is useful as a biomedical adhesive for transmitting or receiving electrical signals as a component of a biomedical electrode. The composition is also useful as a drug delivery device to deliver pharmaceuticals or other active ingredients to or through mammalian skin. The composition is also useful as a component in a skin covering for protecting mammalian skin or mammalian skin openings with antimicrobial agents. A method of preparation of the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition prepared by irradiating solid poly(N-vinyl lactam) with ionizing radiation to crosslink the poly(N-vinyl lactam) and thereafter mixing the radiation-crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) with essentially unirradiated plasticizer in an amount sufficient to form a cohesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. The composition is useful as a biomedical adhesive for transmitting or receiving electrical signals as a component of a biomedical electrode. The composition is also useful as a drug delivery device to deliver pharmaceuticals or other active ingredients to or through mammalian skin. The composition is also useful as a component in a skin covering for protecting mammalian skin Or mammalian skin openings with antimicrobial agents. A method of preparation of the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition prepared by irradiating solid poly(N-vinyl lactam) with ionizing radiation to crosslink the poly(N-vinyl lactam) and thereafter mixing the radiation-crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) with essentially unirradiated plasticizer in an amount sufficient to form a cohesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. The composition is useful as a biomedical adhesive for transmitting or receiving electrical signals as a component of a biomedical electrode. The composition is also useful as a drug delivery device to deliver pharmaceuticals or other active ingredients to or through mammalian skin. The composition is also useful as a component in a skin covering for protecting mammalian skin or mammalian skin openings with antimicrobial agents. A method of preparation of the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid state conductive polymer compositions which are ionically-conductive regardless of the amount of water present in the composition are disclosed. The compositions have solvating polymer, ionic salt, and optionally if the composition is not cohesive and pliable, essentially non-volatile plasticizer in an amount sufficient to render the composition cohesive and pliable. Biomedical electrodes having means for electrical communication contacting the compositions are also disclosed. Methods of making the compositions and electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a low impedance, water-absorbing, ionically-conductive, hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising an ionically-conductive, hydrophilic, pressure sensitive adhesive hydrogel and crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) in an amount sufficient to retain low electrical impedance and maintain hydrogel adhesion and cohesion during use of the composition in the presence of water and other moisture tending to plasticize the hydrogel. Crosslinked homopolymers and copolymers of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) having Swelling Capacity of at least 15 milliliters of water per gram of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) are preferred. Adhesion values upon removal from mammalian skin after about four hours of adhesion are not greater than initial adhesion removal values, demonstrating ease of removal of electrodes of the present invention from skin.

Abstract: A two-phase composite of ionically-conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive, biomedical electrodes using the composite and methods of preparing the composite and the electrode are disclosed. The continuous phase is a hydrophilic, solid state pressure-sensitive adhesive composition ionically-conductive regardless of an amount of water present in the composition. The discontinuous phase are domains of a hydrophobic pressure-sensitive adhesive which enhances adhesion of the composite to mammalian skin while maintaining acceptable alternating current impedance of the composite.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition prepared by irradiating solid poly(N-vinyl lactam) with ionizing radiation to crosslink the poly(N-vinyl lactam) and thereafter mixing the radiation-crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) with essentially unirradiated plasticizer in an amount sufficient to form a cohesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. The composition is useful as a biomedical adhesive for transmitting or receiving electrical signals as a component of a biomedical electrode. The composition is also useful as a drug delivery device to deliver pharmaceuticals or other active ingredients to or through mammalian skin. The composition is also useful as a component in a skin covering for protecting mammalian skin or mammalian skin openings with antimicrobial agents. A method of preparation of the composition is also disclosed.