Abstract: A binary process for manufacturing dipped latex product. The binary process disclosed herein eliminates the influence of any level of pre-vulcanization on the outcome of the dipping process whether using natural or synthetic latex. The binary process includes preparing a first latex mixture Formulation A including latex, one or more accelerators, and one or more surfactants, but without curing agents; and preparing a second latex mixture Formulation B including latex, one or more curing agents, and one or more surfactants, but without curing accelerators. The process further includes dipping one or more formers into the Formulations A and B separately in order to form a plurality of coatings/layers of the Formulations A and B, and later on curing the plurality of coatings/layers on the formers to form the dipped latex products, which can be a condom, glove, balloon, catheter, finger cot, surgical tubing, baby bottle nipple or dental dam.

Abstract: A binary process for manufacturing dipped latex product. The binary process disclosed herein eliminates the influence of any level of pre-vulcanization on the outcome of the dipping process whether using natural or synthetic latex. The binary process includes preparing a first latex mixture Formulation A including latex, one or accelerators, and one or more surfactants, and preparing a second latex mixture Formulation B including latex, one or more curing agents, and one or more surfactants. Further, dipping one or more formers into the Formulation A and B separately in order to form a plurality of coatings/layers of the Formulation A and B, and later on curing the plurality of coatings/layers on the formers to form the dipped latex products, which can be a condom, glove, balloon, catheter, finger cot, surgical tubing, baby bottle nipple or dental dam.

Abstract: A personal lubricant composition comprises a mixture of a latent lubricant additive and a carrier lubricant, in which the latent lubricant additive is insoluble in the carrier lubricant but is capable of activation on contact with body fluids to realise lubricant properties. The additive may comprise a poly(ethylene oxide) polymer and the carrier lubricant may comprise glycols such as glycerol and propylene glycol or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for making thin walled hollow polymeric articles or for forming a polymeric coating on a substrate, comprises contacting a suitably shaped former on a substrate to be coated with a solution of an amine-terminated prepolymer having a functionality of at least 2 in an organic solvent to form a coating on the former or substrate, drying the coating on the former or substrate, then contacting the coating on the former or substrate with a solution of a polyfunctional curing agent which is capable of reacting with the amino end groups of the prepolymer to cause chain extension and/or cross-linking of the latter.

Abstract: An adhesive dressing for use on moist wounds which comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive-coated wound contacting first layer in which there are present holes capable of transmitting liquid water and a moisture vapor permeable, continuous film. The continuous film is attached to the first layer in such a way as to form a reservoir into which water can pass through the holes in the first layer and can evaporate from the reservoir through the continuous film. The adhesive coated first layer has a moisture vapor permeability of less than 300 gm.sup.-2 24 hr.sup.-1 at 37.degree. C. and 100% to 10% relative humidity difference and the continuous film has a moisture vapor permeability which is greater when in contact with liquid water than when not in contact with liquid water. Optionally, an intermediate water transmitting layer may be present between the first layer and the continuous film.

Abstract: A surgical dressing is described which consists essentially of a film which carries an adhesive layer for securing the dressing to the body characterized in that (a) the film is continuous and comprises a polymer which in contact with water has a higher MVP than when in contact with moisture vapor but not water; (b) the adhesive layer is adapted to allow access of water to the film when water is in contact with the adhesive layer so that (c) the surgical dressing has an MVP of not less than 2500 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive layer is in contact with water and has an MVP of not more than 2000 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive is in contact with moisture vapor but not water; whereby the dressing is suitable for use on exuding wounds and on non-exuding wounds.

Abstract: A surgical dressing which consists essentially of a film which carries an adhesive layer for securing the dressing to the body characterized in that (a) the film is continuous and comprises a polymer which in contact with water has a higher MVP than when in contact with moisture vapor but not water, (b) the adhesive layer is adapted to allow access of water to the film when water is in contact with the adhesive layer so that said surgical dressing has a MVP of not less than 2500 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive layer is in contact with water and has a MVP of not more than 2000 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive is in contact with moisture vapor but not water; whereby the dressing is suitable for use on exuding wounds and on non-exuding wounds.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bandage is described which comprises a support carrying a vinyl compound, which compound polymerizes when exposed to a water-activated vinyl polymerization catalyst, characterized in that the vinyl compound is a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains not less than two polymerizable vinyl groups. Use of a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains not less than two polymerizable vinylic groups results in a storage stable bandage which on exposure to a water activated polymerization catalyst produces a cast of good strength.

Abstract: A moisture vapor permeable, adhesive surgical dressing is described which comprises a continuous film of a hydrophilic polymer which has a moisture vapor permeability which is greater when in contact with water than when not in contact with water and which is attached around its edges to a water transmitting film so as to form a sealed portion into which exudate may pass from an exuding wound. The water transmitting film comprises a backing layer and an adhesive layer on the side remote from the continuous film. The adhesive layer is suitable for adhering the dressing to the skin. The water transmitting film allows or is adapted to allow access of water to the film when in contact with water so that when used on an exuding wound the high moisture vapor permeability of the continuous film allows water to evaporate through the dressing and prevents the dressing forming a blister.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bandage is described which comprises a support carrying a vinyl compound, which compound polymerizes when exposed to a water-activated vinyl polymerization catalyst. The vinyl compound is a hydrophilic prepolymer which contains more than one polymerizable vinyl group. This prepolymer is in association with at least one component of a water-activatable vinyl polymerization redox catalyst in solid form in a water pervious coating which is insoluble in the prepolymer. Encapsulation of one component of the catalyst system in a water pervious coating provides a storage stable bandage which is activated by immersion in water and gives a satisfactory working time for immobilizing a limb compared to use of an uncoated catalyst.

Abstract: A surgical dressing which consists essentially of a film which carries an adhesive layer for securing the dressing to the body characterized in that (a) the film is continuous and comprises a polymer which in contact with water has a higher MVP than when in contact with moisture vapor but not water, (b) the adhesive layer is adapted to allow access of water to the film when water is in contact with the adhesive layer so that said surgical dressing has a MVP of not less than 2500 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive layer is in contact with water and has a MVP of not more than 2000 g/m.sup.2 when the adhesive is in contact with moisture vapor but not water; whereby the dressing is suitable for use on exuding wounds and on non-exuding wounds.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula:CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R)--COO--(CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--O).sub.x --(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.y --OC--A--COOHor a salt thereof, whereinR is H or CH.sub.3,x is an integer from 2 to 20.y is an integer from 0 to 5,A is an alkylene, alkenylene, or phenylene radical such that A(COOH).sub.2 is a dibasic acid capable of forming an anhydride (A(CO).sub.2 O, are described. These are polymerizable compounds which have also surfactant properties. The compounds may be used to replace non-polymerizible surfactants in emulsion polymerization reactions, and preferably in those reactions which result in adhesive polymers which are suitable for surgical and medical use. Methods for preparing the compounds and pressure sensitive adhesives formed by copolymerization of the compounds with other acrylate monomers are also described.

Abstract: A device for use in determining blood gas which employs a membrane of material permeable to blood gas to be determined characterized in that the membrane is hydrophilic polyurethane is described.

Abstract: A water hardenable cement composition comprising a fluorine-free calcium alumino silicate glass in particulate form in which the individual particulates have a particle size of less than 100 microns consisting essentially of 25-35% silica, 27-35% calcium oxide, 25-40% alumina, up to 4% of an alkali metal oxide, up to 5% of titania, the total amount of alkali metal oxide and titania being 0.5-9%, wherein the ratio of calcium oxide to silica is 0.7:1 to 1:0-7, together with a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis which has the whole or part of its surface which is in contact with the mucous membrane of the mouth coated with a soft, hydrophilic polyurethane is provided. The polyurethane coating has a thickness of from 0.1 to 3.00 mm when hydrated. The polyurethane is applied to the prosthesis from a non-aqueous solvent in an anhydrous state and is subsequently hydrated by soaking in water. The polyurethane is a reaction product of a mixture of polyether polyols and a di-isocyanate using an alkenediol as a chain extender. The polyurethane contains from 5 to 40% water when hydrated.

Abstract: The invention relates to calciumaluminosilicate glasses. The glasses contain, in weight percent, 25 to 35% silica, 27 to 35% calcium oxide, 25 to 40% alumina, 0 to 4% of alkali metal oxide selected from lithium oxide, sodium oxide and potassium oxide, and 0 to 5% of titanium oxide and a total content of lithium, sodium, potassium and titanium oxides of 0.5 to 9%. The glasses, in finely divided form, react with aqueous polycarboxylic acids and set to a solid mass; cements made from the glass and polycarboxylic acids are useful in splinting compositions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an adhesive layer on a substrate which comprises applying to a substrate a composition of an acrylate rendered curable by the presence of a cross linking agent and curing it by electron beam radiation characterized in that the curable composition comprises a liquid alkyl acrylate polymer having a K value of less than 30 in particular a process for preparing cured pressure sensitive adhesive layers for surgical products and products of the process are described.

Abstract: Water hardenable splinting bandages comprising a flexible fabric carrying an isocyanate terminated prepolymer having a reaction functionality of not less than two and a catalyst which bandage is characterized in that the prepolymer is a water absorbing isocyanate terminated prepolymer and the catalyst is water soluble but insoluble in the prepolymer, compositions therefore and processes of manufacture thereof are described.

Abstract: Cements for medical or industrial purposes contain watersoluble borate or phosphate glasses including multivalent ions e.g. zinc, aluminium or calcium and a poly (carboxylic acid) such as polyacrylic acid. As the glass dissolves ions or other reactive species crosslink the polymer.

Abstract: A novel calcium fluoroaluminosilicate glass consisting essentially of from 25 to 35% by weight of silicon calculated as silica, from 30 to 40% by weight of aluminum calculated as alumina, from 20 to 35% by weight calcium, calculated as calcium oxide, and up to 9% by weight fluorine (preferably 4-7%) can be associated with a poly(carboxylic acid e.g. as an intimate mixture of glass and acid to constitute a composition curable on contact with water and useful, for example, as a loading on a splinting bandage. Such a bandage preferably has a ratio of set time to gel time from 4:1 to 8:1 with a minimum gel time.