| abstract |
A germicidal absorptive material for use in surgical packings, wound bandages, sanitary tampons and bed sore prevention and/or treatment uses is provided by a foam-like matrix of hydrophilic polyurethane polymer to which application-specific loads of a germicidal disinfectant dye have been made. Polyurethane polymer of various densities and thicknesses exhibits an exceptional ability to absorb different levels of a number of disinfectant dyes, both basic and acidic, such as gentian violet and methylene blue, respectively. The relationship between dye-load and application-specific uses permits a totally-bound gentian violet pad to be used as a conventional bandage or pad on a surface wound with the capability of preventing the incursion of external pathogens from entering the wound through the pad, where the pathogens are killed by the bound-dye. The wound exudate is absorbed safely by the pad, where wound-originating pathogens are also killed. When the loaded dye's concentration is saturated by exceeding the bound-dye limit, the limited free-dye is available to be delivered to the wound, particularly deep wounds, to rapidly kill pathogens in the wound. The free dye delivery pad can then be replaced by the bound-dye pad to absorb the wound exudate. |