An adhesive material for medical use comprising gelatin and a non-toxic cross-linking material such as transglutaminase. An optional embodiment of the invention includes dressings in which a layer of a transglutaminase is sandwiched between a first and second layer of gelatin. The hemostatic products are useful for the treatment of wounded tissue.

The present invention is directed to topical enzymatic wound debriding compositions with enhanced enzymatic activity. These compositions comprise a dispersed phase comprising at least one proteolytic enzyme and at least one hydrophilic polyol; and a continuous phase comprising a hydrophobic base.

A debridement enzyme for necrotic tissue is described that is not dependent upon proteolytic enzymatic activity but instead utilizes the amylase family of enzymes. The amylases (-, -, -amylase) are noted for the cleavage of the -glycosidic bonds of polysaccharides, yielding lower molecular weight carbohydrate/sugar fragments. It has now been found that -amylase is effective in the debridement of devitalized tissue.

A debridement enzyme for necrotic tissue is described that is not dependent upon proteolytic enzymatic activity but instead utilizes the amylase family of enzymes. The amylases (-, -, -amylase) are noted for the cleavage of the -glycosidic bonds of polysaccharides, yielding lower molecular weight carbohydrate/sugar fragments. It has now been found that -amylase is effective in the debridement of devitalized tissue.

A wound dressing for active continuous debridement of devitalized tissues in non-healing wounds including diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, burn injuries and other etiologies, includes an active ingredient, such as collagenase, which serves to debride wounds in-situ. In one example, purified Collagenase (90% pure) was deposited onto several wound dressing materials. A key feature of this invention is that the activity level of the Collagenase used was substantially preserved.

A wound dressing for active continuous debridement of devitalized tissues in non-healing wounds including diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, burn injuries and other etiologies, includes an active ingredient, such as collagenase, which serves to debride wounds in-situ. In one example, purified Collagenase (90% pure) was deposited onto several wound dressing materials. A key feature of this invention is that the activity level of the Collagenase used was substantially preserved.

A method for controlling fiber cross-alignment in a nanofiber membrane, comprising: providing a multiple segment collector in an electrospinning device including a first and second segment electrically isolated from an intermediate segment positioned between the first and second segment, collectively presenting a cylindrical structure, rotating the cylindrical structure around a longitudinal axis proximate to an electrically charged fiber emitter; electrically grounding or charging edge conductors circumferentially resident on the first and second segment, maintaining intermediate collector electrically neutral; dispensing electrospun fiber toward the collector, the fiber attaching to edge conductors and spanning the separation space between edge conductors; attracting electrospun fiber attached to the edge conductors to the surface of the cylindrical structure, forming a first fiber layer; increasing or decreasing rotation speed of the cylindrical structure to alter the angular cross-alignment relationship between aligned nanofibers in adjacent layers, the rotation speed being altered to achieve a target relational angle.

Storage-stable compositions for generating antimicrobial activity are described. The compositions comprise an enzyme that is able to convert a substrate to release hydrogen peroxide, and an unrefined natural substance, such as a honey, that includes a substrate for the enzyme. In certain embodiments, the enzyme is a purified enzyme. In other embodiments, the substrate lacks catalase activity, and the enzyme is additional to any enzyme activity able to convert the substrate to release hydrogen peroxide that may be present in the unrefined natural substance. The storage-stable compositions do not include sufficient free water to allow the enzyme to convert the substrate. Use of the compositions to treat microbial infections and wounds is described, as well as methods for their production.

Storage-stable compositions for generating antimicrobial activity are described. The compositions comprise an enzyme that is able to convert a substrate to release hydrogen peroxide, and an unrefined natural substance, such as a honey, that includes a substrate for the enzyme. In certain embodiments, the enzyme is a purified enzyme. In other embodiments, the substrate lacks catalase activity, and the enzyme is additional to any enzyme activity able to convert the substrate to release hydrogen peroxide that may be present in the unrefined natural substance. The storage-stable compositions do not include sufficient free water to allow the enzyme to convert the substrate. Use of the compositions to treat microbial infections and wounds is described, as well as methods for their production.

The present invention provides hemostatic compositions comprising components of the flowers of pharmaceutical chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), the leaves of dioecious nettle (Urtica dioica), kaolin, chitosan, fibrinogen and thrombin. Further inclusion of a biocompatible polymeric base, particularly an alignate, generates a composition with superior and broad spectrum hemostatic capabilities, including the ability to arrest arterial hemorrhage. The invention further provides methods of using the inventive compositions in to reduce or stop bleeding, as well as a variety of apparatuses useful in hemostatic contexts that incorporate the inventive compositions. In one particular embodiment, the invention provides hemostatic dressings in which a polymeric layer incorporating chamomile, nettle, kaolin, chitosan, fibrinogen and thrombin components is applied to a textile or fabric material, for example a non-woven viscose.