Antimicrobial composite

Abstract

A wound covering article comprises an antimicrobial composite which comprises a first, liquid-permeable layer and a second layer over the first layer, An antimicrobial metal in elemental form is present between the first and second layers. The article further comprises a backing material arranged on the second layer. This Abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

1 . A wound covering article comprising an antimicrobial composite which comprises a first, liquid-permeable layer and a second layer over the first layer, wherein an antimicrobial metal in elemental form is present between the first and second layers, the article further comprising a backing material arranged on the second layer.  
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the backing material carries an adhesive on a surface which faces the second layer of the composite.  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive comprises one of a UV-curable acrylic adhesive and a rubber-based hot melt adhesive.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the backing material comprises at least one of a polyester nonwoven and a polyethylene film.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a foramenous material.  
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises at least one of a perforated film and a mesh.  
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the first layer comprises a polyethylene mesh.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is one of a liquid-permeable layer and a liquid-absorbing layer.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the second layer is a liquid-absorbing layer.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 9 , wherein the second layer comprises a textile sheet.  
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the antimicrobial metal comprises Ag and alloys thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial metal is provided as a coating on at least one of the surfaces of the first and second layers.  
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial metal is present as a layer which comprises the antimicrobial metal and is arranged between the first and second layers.  
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article has a sheet-like structure.  
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer has a silver coating on a surface thereof which faces the second layer.  
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein an intermediate aluminum layer is arranged between the silver coating and the first layer.  
     
     
         17 . A wound covering article comprising an antimicrobial composite which comprises a first, liquid-permeable layer and a second, liquid-absorbing layer over the first layer, wherein silver in elemental form is present between the first and second layers, the article further comprising a backing material arranged on the second layer.  
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the silver is provided as a coating on one of the surfaces of the first and second layers.  
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 18 , wherein substantially no silver is present on external surfaces thereof.  
     
     
         20 . A wound covering article comprising an antimicrobial composite which comprises a first, liquid-permeable layer and a second, liquid-absorbing layer over the first layer, wherein a coating of silver in elemental form is present on a surface of the first layer that faces the second layer, the article further comprising a backing material arranged on the second layer and being substantially free of elemental silver on external surfaces thereof.