Absorbent cellulosic base structures

Abstract

Absorbent, coherent, flexible structures in the form of fibrous webs and porous sponges comprising water-insoluble, ring oxidized cellulosic bases consisting of water-insoluble cellulose ethers, cellulose mixed ethers ring oxidized forms of these cellulose, cellulose ether mixed esters and mixtures of the bases. The cellulose bases have a DS of between about 0.05 and about 0.35. Upon application of the structures to the body and wet with aqueous body liquids, sharp edges and protruding fibers and fibrils or hairs become highly swollen or may dissolve thereby eliminating irritation. The ring oxidized forms of the cellulose bases contain between about 2% and about 52% added carboxyl groups. The structures may have hemostatic properties and the structure may include uniformly dispersed therein chitin and/or starch derivatives or contain starch or gelatin compounds to enhance the hemostatic efficacy. The structures may include water-soluble agents which function as dry binders but when the structure is wet with aqueous body liquids, the agents dissolve and become leached from the structures.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.