AN ADHESIVE BODY DRESSING AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ADHESIVE BODY DRESSING

Abstract

An adhesive body dressing includes a hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H) and a backing layer (B) provided on a first side of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H). The backing layer (B) is made of biodegradable polymer material.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. An adhesive body dressing comprising a hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H) and a backing layer (B) provided on a first side of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H), wherein the backing layer (B) and the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H) are made of biodegradable polymer materials.

18. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 17, wherein the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H) comprises: a hydrocolloid adhesive material layer; or a first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer and a second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer, the first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer being provided between the backing layer (B) and the second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer.

19. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 17, wherein: the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer is made of biodegradable polymer material; or the first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer and the second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer are made of biodegradable polymer materials.

20. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 17, wherein: the backing layer (B) comprises a surface backing material layer provided on the first side of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H); or the backing layer (B) comprises a surface backing material layer and an intermediate backing material layer, the intermediate backing material layer is provided between the surface backing material layer and the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H).

21. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 17, wherein the backing layer (B) or the surface backing material layer comprises: biodegradable agro-polymers; or biodegradable biopolyesters; or biodegradable agro-polymers and biodegradable biopolyesters.

22. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 21, wherein the backing layer (B) or the surface backing material layer comprises: biodegradable agro-polymers; or biodegradable agro-polymers, the biodegradable agro-polymers comprising one or more of the following: polysaccharides, proteins and lignins.

23. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 21, wherein the backing layer (B) or the surface backing material layer comprises: biodegradable biopolyesters; or biodegradable biopolyesters, the biodegradable biopolyesters comprising one or more of the following: polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactides, polyglycolide, polycaprolactones, polyesteramides, polyurethane, aliphatic copolyesters and aromatic copolyesters.

24. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 21, wherein the backing layer (B) or the surface backing material layer is a film layer or a foam layer.

25. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 21, wherein the intermediate backing material layer is an intermediate elastomer layer.

26. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 21, wherein the intermediate backing material layer comprise s one or more of the following: biodegradable agro-polymers; biodegradable agro-polymers, the biodegradable agro-polymers comprising one or more of the following: polysaccharides, proteins and lignins; biodegradable biopolyesters; and biodegradable biopolyesters, the biodegradable biopolyesters comprising one or more of the following: polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactides, polyglycolide, polycaprolactones, polyesteramides, polyurethane, aliphatic copolyesters and aromatic copolyesters.

27. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 17, wherein: the backing layer (B) has a thickness between 0,01- to 0.1 mm; or the backing layer (B) has preferably a thickness between 0,02-0.05 mm.

28. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 17, wherein: the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H) has thickness between 0,3 to 3 mm; or the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H) has thickness between 0.5 to 2 mm.

29. The adhesive body dressing according to claim 17, wherein the adhesive body dressing comprises a first removable covering layer provided on a second side of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H).

30. A method for manufacturing an adhesive body dressing having a hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H) and a backing layer (B), wherein the method comprises: forming a backing layer (B) of a biodegradable polymer material; and providing an adhesive hydrocolloid layer (H) on the backing layer (B), the adhesive hydrocolloid layer being made of biodegradable material.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the step of providing an adhesive hydrocolloid layer (H) comprises: forming a hydrocolloid adhesive material layer; or forming a first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer and a second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer, the first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer being provided between the backing layer (B) and the second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer.

32. A method of using a biodegradable material comprising providing a backing layer (B) of an adhesive body dressing comprising a hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H), the backing layer (B) being provided on a first side of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer (H).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

[0079] FIG. 1 shows schematically an upper view of an adhesive body dressing;

[0080] FIG. 2 shows schematically a bottom view of an adhesive body dressing;

[0081] FIGS. 3 and 4 show schematically general structure of one embodiment of an adhesive body dressing according to the present invention;

[0082] FIGS. 5 to 12 show schematically different embodiments of an adhesive body dressing according to the present invention; and

[0083] FIG. 13 shows schematically a further embodiment of an adhesive body dressing according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0084] FIG. 1 shows schematically a top view of one embodiment of an adhesive body dressing 10. The adhesive body dressing 10 comprises a backing material layer 20 on top surface of the adhesive body dressing 10. The adhesive body dressing further comprises a hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 on bottom surface of the adhesive body dressing 10.

[0085] It should be noted, that the size and shape of the adhesive body dressing 10 of the present invention may vary and the present invention is not restricted to any particular shape or size.

[0086] Usually the backing material layer 20 is larger than the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30. Thus, the surface area of the backing material layer 20 is larger than the surface area of the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30, as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 is provided at peripheral distance A from the peripheral edges of the backing material layer 20. The backing material layer 20 extends beyond the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 or the peripheral edges of the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 such that the peripheral area A is provided. This enables the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 to be protected and not to be exposed during use of the adhesive body dressing. The hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 remains covered between the backing material layer 20 and the skin of the user and against the skin of the user.

[0087] FIG. 4 shows schematically a cross-sectional view of an adhesive body dressing 10. The adhesive body dressing 10 comprises a backing layer B and hydrocolloid adhesive layer H. The backing layer B and the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H are superposed such that the backing layer B is provided on a first side of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H. Thus, the backing layer B and the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H are superposed in the structure of the adhesive body dressing 10. Second side of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H is arranged to be placed against the skin of the user.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 4, the backing layer B extends beyond the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H or the peripheral edges of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H such that the peripheral area A is provided around the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H.

[0089] In some other alternative embodiments, the backing layer B and the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H have substantially same or identical surface area. In that case, the peripheral area A is omitted or there is no peripheral area A. Thus, the peripheral edges of the backing layer B and the peripheral edges of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer are aligned such that the surface area of the backing layer B is substantially same as the surface area of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H.

[0090] In the context of this application hydrocolloid adhesive layer comprises one or more layers of the hydrocolloid adhesive material. Hydrocolloid material or hydrocolloid adhesive material or hydrocolloid dressing material refers to a flexible sheet or wafer which contains material that forms a gel in the presence of water. Hydrocolloid dressing material may be adhered to the skin without the use of adhesives or separate taping, as the hydrocolloid adhesive material or hydrocolloid dressing material is self-adhesive or comprises self-adhesive properties.

[0091] The active surface of a hydrocolloid dressing or hydrocolloid layer H may be coated with a cross-linked adhesive mass containing a dispersion of gelatin, pectin and carboxy-methylcellulose (e.g., sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) together with other polymers and adhesives. Suitably the hydrocolloid is combined with elastomers and adhesives and applied to the backing layer B. In contact with a fluid (e.g., a wound exudate, pus, oil, blood, etc.), the polysaccharides and other polymers of the hydrocolloid material of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H absorb water and swell, forming a gel which is held within the structure of the adhesive matrix. The gel which is formed as a result of the absorption of fluid is not mobile and free running but held within the structure of the adhesive matrix. Suitably, a hydrocolloid dressing is waterproof. In some embodiments, hydrocolloid adhesive material comprise a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive (e.g., butyl rubber or a styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymer) compounded with hydrophilic particulates.

[0092] In the present invention, the backing layer B comprises or is made of biodegradable polymer material.

[0093] In some embodiments, the backing layer B comprises or is made of biodegradable agro-polymers and/or biodegradable biopolyesters.

[0094] The biodegradable agro-polymers comprise polysaccharides, proteins and lignins.

[0095] The polysaccharides comprise starches such as wheat, potatoes and maize, ligno-cellulose products such as wood and straws, and other such as pectins, chitosan/chitin and gums.

[0096] The proteins and lignins comprise animal proteins such as casein, whey and collagen/gelatin, and plant proteins such as zein, soya and gluten. The biodegradable biopolyesters comprise polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactides, polyglycolide, polycaprolactones, polyesteramides, polyurethane, aliphatic copolyesters and aromatic copolyesters.

[0097] The polyhydroxyalkanoates comprise such as poly(hydroxybutyrate) and poly(hydroxybutyrate cohydroxyvalerate). The polyhydroxyalkanoates are obtained from micro-organisms by extraction.

[0098] The polylactides comprise such as polylactic acid. The polylactides are obtained from biotechnology by conventional synthesis from bio-derived monomers.

[0099] The polycaprolactones, polyesteramides, aliphatic copolyesters and aromatic copolyesters are obtained by conventional synthesis from synthetic monomers.

[0100] The agro-polymers are enzymatically degradable polymers. The biopolyesters are hydrolytically degradable polymers. Thus agro-polymers may withstand water and humid conditions better than the biopolyesters. On the other hand, the biopolyesters may be preferable in conditions of low moisture or humidity.

[0101] The backing layer B may comprise one or more material layers which are made of or comprise same or different biodegradable materials.

[0102] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the backing layer B comprise one material layer 20. In this embodiment, the backing layer B comprises a surface backing material layer 20 provided on the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H. The surface backing material layer 20 forms the outer and top surface of the adhesive body dressing. The surface backing material layer 20 is made of or comprises one or more biodegradable polymer materials.

[0103] The surface backing layer 20 comprises a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 22. The top surface 24 of the surface backing material layer 20 forms the top surface of the adhesive body dressing 10. Top surface 24 of the surface backing material layer 20 is preferably smooth and non-adhesive.

[0104] The bottom surface 22 of the surface backing material layer 20 is arranged towards or against the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H, as shown in FIG. 8. The bottom surface 22 of the surface backing material layer 20 or the surface backing material layer 20 may be adhesive or self-adhesive for attaching to the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H and/or to the skin at the peripheral area A. Alternatively, the bottom surface 22 of the surface backing material layer 20 may be provided with additional adhesive layer (not shown). The additional adhesive layer is preferably made of biodegradable adhesive material.

[0105] The surface backing material layer 20 may be a film layer or a foam layer.

[0106] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment in which the backing layer B comprises the surface backing material layer 20 and an intermediate backing material layer 40. The intermediate backing material layer 40 is provided between the surface backing material layer 20 and the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H.

[0107] The intermediate backing material layer 40 is arranged against the bottom surface 22 of the surface backing material layer 20 and the upper surface of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H.

[0108] In some embodiments, the intermediate backing material layer 40 is an intermediate elastomer layer.

[0109] In some embodiments, the intermediate backing material layer 40 comprises or is made of biodegradable agro-polymers and/or biodegradable biopolyesters.

[0110] The intermediate backing material layer 40 comprises an intermediate top surface 44 and an intermediate bottom surface 42, as shown in FIG. 9. The intermediate top surface 44 of the intermediate backing material layer 40 is arranged towards or against the surface backing material layer 20 and/or the bottom surface 22 thereof. The intermediate bottom surface 42 of the intermediate backing material layer 40 is arranged towards or against the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H.

[0111] The surface backing material layer 20 or the intermediate backing material layer 40 may be adhesive or self-adhesive for surface backing material layer 20 and the intermediate backing material layer 40 together. Alternatively, an additional adhesive layer may be provided between the bottom surface 22 of the surface backing material layer 20 and the intermediate top surface 44 of the intermediate backing material layer 40. The additional adhesive layer is preferably made of biodegradable adhesive material.

[0112] The intermediate bottom surface 42 of the intermediate backing material layer 40 is arranged towards or against the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H, as shown in FIG. 9. The intermediate bottom surface 42 of the intermediate backing material layer 40 or the intermediate backing material layer 40 may be adhesive or self-adhesive for attaching to the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H and/or to the skin at the peripheral area A. Alternatively, the intermediate bottom surface 42 of the intermediate backing material layer 40 may be provided with additional adhesive layer (not shown). The additional adhesive layer is preferably made of biodegradable adhesive material.

[0113] The hydrocolloid adhesive layer H may comprise one or more hydrocolloid material layers which are made of or comprise same or different hydrocolloid materials.

[0114] The one or more hydrocolloid material layers are preferably made of or comprise one or more biodegradable polymer based materials.

[0115] In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 10, the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H comprise only one hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30.

[0116] The hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 comprises a hydrocolloid top surface 34 and a hydrocolloid bottom surface 32, as shown in FIG. 10. The hydrocolloid bottom surface 32 of the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 forms bottom surface of the adhesive body dressing 10 and an active surface of the adhesive body dressing 10 which is to be placed against the skin of the user.

[0117] The hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 and the hydrocolloid bottom surface 32 thereof is usually self-adhesive for attachment to skin of the user. Alternatively, the hydrocolloid bottom surface 32 of the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 may be provided with additional adhesive layer (not shown). The additional adhesive layer is preferably made of biodegradable adhesive material.

[0118] The hydrocolloid top surface 34 of the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 is arranged towards or against the backing material layer B, or the surface backing material layer 20 and/or the bottom surface 22 thereof, or the intermediate backing material layer 40 and/or the intermediate bottom surface 42 thereof.

[0119] The hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 may be adhesive or self-adhesive for attaching the hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 30 and the backing layer B together. Alternatively, an additional adhesive layer may be provided between the hydrocolloid top surface 34 backing layer B. The additional adhesive layer is preferably made of biodegradable adhesive material.

[0120] FIGS. 6, 7 and 11 show an alternative embodiment in which the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H comprises a first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 50 and a second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 60. The first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 50 is provided between the backing layer B and the second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 60.

[0121] The first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 50 and the second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 60 are preferably made of or comprise biodegradable polymer materials.

[0122] The first hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 50 comprises a first hydrocolloid top surface 54 and a first hydrocolloid bottom surface 52, as shown in FIG. 11. The second hydrocolloid adhesive material layer 60 comprises a second hydrocolloid top surface 64 and a second hydrocolloid bottom surface 62.

[0123] The first hydrocolloid top surface 54 forms the hydrocolloid top surface 34 and the second hydrocolloid bottom surface 62 forms the bottom surface of the active surface of the adhesive body dressing 10 to be placed against skin of the user.

[0124] The first hydrocolloid bottom surface 52 and the second hydrocolloid top surface 64 are arranged towards or against each other.

[0125] It should be noted that the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H may comprise one or more hydrocolloid adhesive material layers 30, 50, 60 made of same or different material or hydrocolloid materials or comprises same or different hydrocolloid substances.

[0126] Similarly, the backing layer may comprise one or more backing material layers 20, 40 made of or comprising same or different biodegradable polymer materials.

[0127] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the adhesive body dressing 10 in which a first removable covering layer 80 provided on a second side of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H or on the bottom or active bottom surface of the adhesive body dressing 10. The first covering layer 80 may be a conventional release liner which is used to protect the exposed active surface of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H, and optionally the exposed portion of the backing layer B, the peripheral area A. The first covering layer 80 is removed just before applying the adhesive body dressing 10 to skin of the user.

[0128] A second removable covering layer 70 is provided the top surface of the backing layer B or the top surface 24 of the backing material layer 20 for preventing wrinkling, curling or deteriorating of the edges of backing layer B. The second covering layer 70 may support the exposed periphery of backing layer B during application of the adhesive body dressing 10 to skin of the user. Once the adhesive body dressing 10 is in place on the skin, the second covering layer is removed.

[0129] The first and/or second removable covering layers 80, 70 may also comprise or made of biodegradable polymer material. The biodegradable polymer material of the first and/or second removable covering layers 80, 70 may be made of or comprise one of the biodegradable polymer materials mentioned above in connection with the backing layer B.

[0130] Alternatively, the first and/or second removable covering layer may be made of biodegradable paper-based material or some biodegradable material.

[0131] The backing layer B may have a preferably thickness between 0.01-to 0.1 mm, preferably the backing layer B has preferably a thickness between 0,02-0.05 mm.

[0132] The hydrocolloid adhesive layer H may have thickness between 0,3 to 3 mm, or preferably the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H has thickness between 0.5 to 2 mm.

[0133] FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the adhesive body dressing 10. The hydrocolloid adhesive layer H has a larger thickness in the central portion of the adhesive body dressing 10 than in the peripheral portions of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H. Thus, the thickness of the hydrocolloid adhesive layer H decreases from the central portion of the adhesive body dressing 10 towards the edges of the adhesive body dressing 10 or towards the peripheral areas A. This may provide the structure of the adhesive body dressing 10 more resistant to wear and enhance the attachment of the adhesive body dressing 10 skin during use.

[0134] The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.