The present invention relates to a compression bandage for treating wounds comprised of a linear elastic compression wrap and a sterilized polymer foam layer containing a plurality of antimicrobial dyes with at least one dye being gram positive and at least one other dye being gram negative and a biofilm reduction agent and wherein said foam is secured to said linear elastic compression wrap.

The invention concerns methods for the selective, topical or trans dermal delivery or removal of one or more substances to, or from, respectively, the skin or surface of a human or animal subject, via the topical or transdermal application of a porous, polymeric composition capable of releasing or sorbing (adsorbing and/or absorbing) said substances, wherein said porous polymer is a particulate material, with particles having an average diameter in the range of approximately 0.1 microns to approximately 0.5 centimeters, and having a plurality of pores with an average pore diameter in a range of approximately 50 Angstroms to approximately 40,000 Angstroms.

An auto-biodegradable absorbent article formed at least in part from a biodegradable polymer is provided that includes an inactivated microorganism product. The absorbent article contains one or more microorganisms that are designed to secrete an enzyme that degrades the biopolymer, which can be a polyhydroxybutyrate polymer. The microorganism can naturally secrete the enzyme or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The microorganisms or bacteria incorporated into the absorbent article are particularly selected based upon their salt tolerance and enzyme production at certain salt concentrations.

An auto-biodegradable absorbent article formed at least in part from a biodegradable polymer is provided that includes an inactivated microorganism product. The absorbent article contains one or more microorganisms that are designed to secrete an enzyme that degrades the biopolymer, which can be a polyhydroxybutyrate polymer. The microorganism can naturally secrete the enzyme or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The microorganisms or bacteria incorporated into the absorbent article are particularly selected based upon their salt tolerance and enzyme production at certain salt concentrations.

The invention generally relates to dextran fibers which are preferably electrospun and devices formed from such fibers. In particular, such devices may include substances of interest (such as therapeutic substances) associated with the electrospun fibers. Upon exposure to a liquid the electrospun fibers dissolve immediately and the substances of interest are released into the liquid. Exemplary devices include bandages formed from electrospun dextran fibers and associated agents that promote hemostasis, such as thrombin and fibrinogen.

The invention generally relates to dextran fibers which are preferably electrospun and devices formed from such fibers. In particular, such devices may include substances of interest (such as therapeutic substances) associated with the electrospun fibers. Upon exposure to a liquid the electrospun fibers dissolve immediately and the substances of interest are released into the liquid. Exemplary devices include bandages formed from electrospun dextran fibers and associated agents that promote hemostasis, such as thrombin and fibrinogen.

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 relates to plasma-based films and in particular to flexible plasma-based films. The invention further relates to and to methods of making and using the flexible plasma-based films. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for making flexible plasma-based films useful as a hemostat in the treatment and/or prevention of mild to severe as well as arterial bleedings, as an anti-adhesive sheet to reduce or prevent development of surgery-induced adhesions, as a wound healing patch, as a wound dressing, or as a film useful in hernia repair. Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to these applications. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

The present invention relates to plasma-based films and in particular to flexible plasma-based films. The invention further relates to and to methods of making and using the flexible plasma-based films. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for making flexible plasma-based films useful as a hemostat in the treatment and/or prevention of mild to severe as well as arterial bleedings, as an anti-adhesive sheet to reduce or prevent development of surgery-induced adhesions, as a wound healing patch, as a wound dressing, or as a film useful in hernia repair. Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to these applications. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.