A material engagement element sheet formed from a sheet material (10) incorporates a pattern of material engagement element slots (14), each slot containing an array of material engagement elements (20) which have a tapered distal section (30), a flange section (34) and a proximal section (32) which is attached to an edge of the slots in the sheet material. The material engagement element sheet material may be a single layer of shape memory material, or the sheet material may be a composite of different layers some of which may include pre-strained shape memory materials with distinguishable activation parameters. The material engagement element slot configuration allows for the simultaneous processing of the material engagement elements. The material engagement elements may be processed such that they are in a state that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the material engagement element sheet. The configuration of the flexible base material and the pattern of the material engagement element slots may be used in order to manufacture various material engagement element devices including a material engagement element pad device (166), a cylindrical material engagement element device (104, 105), and a spherical material engagement element device (152).

A transfer dressing that can secure and/or prevent undesired movement of epidermal skin grafts transfer substrates is described. The transfer dressing can include a transfer substrate and one or more adhesive appendages that are configured to secure the transfer substrate to a recipient site (e.g., periwound area) in order to hold the transfer substrate in place and/or facilitate handling of the transfer substrate. The transfer substrate can be comprised of a fenestrated surface configured to facilitate harvesting and transfer of epidermal skin grafts.

In some aspects, the present invention provides an active dressing for transfer of superficial epidermal biopsies to a wound site, where the dressing can enhance keratinocyte out growth from the biopsies at the wound site and improve the rate of re-epithelization. In some embodiments, the dressing can include a perforated dehydrated amniotic membrane sheet that is coupled to a backing sheet having suitable adhesive properties. The perforations can have appropriate dimensions and distributions for capturing and transferring the skin biopsies. Without being limited to any particular theory, the amniotic membrane sheet can enhance the re-epithelization of the wound site to which the biopsies are transferred, e.g., by supplying signaling proteins and extra-cellular matrix (ECM) components.

A material engagement element sheet formed from a sheet material (10) incorporates a pattern of material engagement element slots (14), each slot containing an array of material engagement elements (20) which have a tapered distal section (30), a flange section (34) and a proximal section (32) which is attached to an edge of the slots in the sheet material. The material engagement element sheet material may be a single layer of shape memory material, or the sheet material may be a composite of different layers some of which may include pre-strained shape memory materials with distinguishable activation parameters. The material engagement element slot configuration allows for the simultaneous processing of the material engagement elements. The material engagement elements may be processed such that they are in a state that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the material engagement element sheet. The configuration of the flexible base material and the pattern of the material engagement element slots may be used in order to manufacture various material engagement element devices including a material engagement element pad device (166), a cylindrical material engagement element device (104, 105), and a spherical material engagement element device (152).

A material engagement element sheet formed from a sheet material (10) incorporates a pattern of material engagement element slots (14), each slot containing an array of material engagement elements (20) which have a tapered distal section (30), a flange section (34) and a proximal section (32) which is attached to an edge of the slots in the sheet material.. The material engagement element sheet material may be a single layer of shape memory material, or the sheet material may be a composite of different layers some of which may include pre-strained shape memory materials with distinguishable activation parameters. The material engagement element slot configuration allows for the simultaneous processing of the material engagement elements. The material engagement elements may be processed such that they are in a state that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the material engagement element sheet. The configuration of the flexible base material and the pattern of the material engagement element slots may be used in order to manufacture various material engagement element devices including a material engagement element pad device (166), a cylindrical material engagement element device (104, 105), and a spherical material engagement element device (152).

Methods, materials, articles, assemblies, systems, devices, kits and computer hardware/software for improving medical procedures, including, but not limited to, hemodialysis. Particular beneficial designs and uses of disinfecting patches, scab removal patches, hemostatic patches, healing patches and artificial scabs are included. For example, scab removal patches that avoid tenting, hemostatic patches with needle stabilizing elements, hemostatic patches applying pressure at a skin puncture site and a vessel puncture site, artificial scabs that release antimicrobial agents, etc.

The present invention provides a method for decontaminating a skin area contaminated with noxious substances by absorbing or capturing the substances, and the method comprises the steps of applying absorbent textile composite material to the contaminated skin area for a predetermined period of time, and removing the absorbent textile composite material from the contaminated skin area.