Anti-microbial coatings having indicator properties and wound dressings

• Main Authors: PRECHT RODERICK JOHN, BURRELL ROBERT EDWARD
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.12.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES, AS HERBICIDES; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FISHING; FOMENTATION; FORESTRY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; HYGIENE; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS; PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTSTHEREOF; PROSTHESES; TRAPPING; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

Multilayer anti-microbial materials formed to produce an interference colour, and thus an indictor of anti-microbial effect, are provided. The materials include a partly reflective base layer and a partly reflective, partly transmissive top layer balanced to produce an interference colour. The top layer is formed from an anti-microbial metal with atomic disorder. Dissolution or a change in composition of the top layer on contacting an alcohol or electrolyte causes a change in optical path length so as to produce a change in the interference colour of the material. Multilayer, laminated wound dressings are also provided. The dressing includes a first and second layer, and preferably a third layer. The first and third layers are formed of perforated, non-adherent materials and most preferably carry an anti-microbial coating as above. The second layer is sandwiched between the first and third layers and is formed of an absorbent material. At least one of the layers is formed from a plastic material. The layers are laminated together by ultrasonic welds spaced intermittently on the dressing to allow the dressing to be cut to size with delaminating.