Antibacterial material

Abstract

An antibacterial material, a method of producing an antibacterial material and a method of inhibiting infection during the treatment of wounds using an antibacterial material. The antibacterial including a fibrous substrate impregnated with a carrier and a controlled release biocide dispersed through the carrier.

1 . A method of inhibiting infection during the treatment of a wound by applying an antibacterial material to an affected skin area on a patient, said antibacterial material including: 
 a fibrous substrate, said fibrous substrate being impregnated with a carrier; and    a controlled release biocide dispersed through said carrier.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said biocide is mobile within said carrier.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is a substantially cellulose fibre blend.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said substrate is paper.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said paper has an open weave configuration.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the weight of said substrate is in the range of 50 to 200 gsm.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the weight of said substrate is in the range of 80 to 150 gsm.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the weight of said substrate is in the range of 100 to 120 gsm.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said substrate dissolves in water.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said biocide is in a latent state capable of subsequent activation by external stimulus.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said external stimulus is pressure.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said external stimulus is light.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein said light is ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said biocide is encapsulated.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said biocide is inactivated by blood serum.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said biocide is non-allergenic to humans.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said biocide inhibits the growth of  E. coli, Legionella  or  Staphylococcus.    
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said biocide is triclosan.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said triclosan is that known under the trademark CANSAN®TCH.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said biocide is present in an amount of 10 to 10,000 ppm.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said carrier transports said biocide to the site of action.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said carrier is a glycol.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said glycol is propylene glycol.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein 100 ml of said carrier is used per m 2  of said substrate.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said material further includes a nylon resin.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said nylon is a Kymene resin.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said wound is an ulcer.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said wound is a burn.  
     
     
         29 . Use of an antibacterial material including a fibrous substrate impregnated with a carrier, and a controlled release biocide dispersed through said carrier, in the manufacture of a dressing for inhibiting infection during the treatment of wounds.  
     
     
         30 . A wound dressing including an antibacterial material including a fibrous substrate impregnated with a carrier, and controlled release biocide dispersed through said carrier.  
     
     
         31 . A wound dressing according to  claim 30 , further including a waterproof backing material or an elastic-backed sticking plaster.  
     
     
         32 . An antibacterial material suitable for use as a wound dressing including: 
 a fibrous substrate having a weight of from 50 to 200 gsm, said fibrous substrate being impregnated with a carrier; and    a controlled release biocide dispersed through, and mobile within, said carrier.    
     
     
         33 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 32 , wherein said substrate is a substantially cellulose fibre blend.  
     
     
         34 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 33 , wherein said substrate is paper.  
     
     
         35 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 34 , wherein said paper has an open weave configuration.  
     
     
         36 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 35 , wherein the weight of said substrate is in the range of 80 to 150 gsm.  
     
     
         37 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 36 , wherein the weight of said substrate is in the range of 100 to 120 gsm.  
     
     
         38 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 33 , wherein said substrate dissolves in water.  
     
     
         39 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 32 , wherein said biocide is encapsulated.  
     
     
         40 . An antibacterial material according  claim 32 , wherein said biocide is triclosan.  
     
     
         41 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 40 , wherein said triclosan is that known under the trademark CANSAN®TCH.  
     
     
         42 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 32 , wherein said biocide is present in an amount of 10 to 10,000 ppm.  
     
     
         43 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 32  wherein said carrier is a glycol.  
     
     
         44 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 43 , wherein said glycol is propylene glycol.  
     
     
         45 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 32 , wherein 100 ml of said carrier is used per m 2  of said substrate.  
     
     
         46 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 32 , wherein said material further includes a nylon resin.  
     
     
         47 . An antibacterial material according to  claim 46 , wherein said nylon is a Kymene resin.  
     
     
         48 . A process for making an antibacterial material according to  claim 32 , said process including: 
 dispersing a controlled release biocide within a carrier to provide an active carrier mixture; and    impregnating a fibrous substrate having a weight of from 50 to 200 gsm with said active carrier mixture.