US 6,333,093 B1 · Anti-microbial coatings having indicator properties and wound dressings

Abstract

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.

Claims44

Dependent claims

A multilayer anti-microbial material comprising:

a base layer of a partly reflective material capable of generating an inference colour when covered with a partly reflective, partly light transmissive top layer;
a top layer formed over said base layer, said top layer being a partly reflective, partly light transmissive thin film containing at least one anti-microbial metal and having a thickness such that an interference colour is produced, said top layer having a refractive index different from that of the base layer, and the anti-microbial metal being formed with sufficient atomic disorder such that the top layer, in contact with an alcohol or water based electrolyte, releases ions, atoms, molecules or clusters of the anti-microbial metal into the alcohol or water based electrolyte at a concentration sufficient to provide a localized anti-microbial effect on a sustainable basis.

A multiplayer, laminated wound dressing, comprising:

a first, wound facing layer formed of a perforated, non-adherent material;
a second layer laminated to the first layer, and being formed of an absorbent material;
an optional third layer laminated to one or both of the first and second layers;
at least one of the first, second and optional third layers, being formed from a plastic material;
and
the first, second and optional third layer being laminated together by ultrasonic welds spaced intermittently on the dressing so as to allow the dressing to be cut down in size without causing delamination.

3 more elements

A process for producing a multilayer anti-microbial material capable of indicating exposure to an alcohol or water based electrolyte, comprising:

providing a base layer of a partly reflective material capable of generating an interference color when covered with a partly reflective, partly light transmissive top layer;
providing a top layer over said base layer, said top layer being a partly reflective, partly light transmissive thin film containing at least one anti-microbial metal and having a thickness such that an interference color is produced, said top layer having a refractive index different from that of the base layer, and said anti-microbial metal being formed with sufficient atomic disorder such that the top layer, in contact with an alcohol or water based electrolyte, releases ions, atomos, molecules or clusters of the antimicrobial metal into the alcohol or water based electrolyte at a concentration sufficient to provide a localized anti-microbial effect on a sustainable basis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Anti-microbial coatings having indicator properties and wound dressings

Life of this patent

Anti-microbial coatings having indicator properties and wound dressings

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims44