Antimicrobial composite

Abstract

An antimicrobial composite which comprises a first, liquid-permeable layer and a second layer arranged on the first layer. An antimicrobial metal in elemental form is present between the first and second layers and substantially no antimicrobial metal in elemental form is present on exterior surfaces of the composite. 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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 654,949, filed on Sep. 5, 2003, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Patent Application No. 103 28 261.0, filed on Jun. 23, 2003. The disclosures of these applications are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to antimicrobial composites which may be used, in particular, as wound coverings, dressings, cloths, and the like. By coating one side of a liquid-permeable material with an antimicrobial metal such as silver and laminating the resultant material to a material such as a liquid-absorbing nonwoven material with the metal coating facing the liquid-absorbing material, the abrasion of metal particles may be prevented while at the same time, the antimicrobial and disinfectant effect of the metal coating is retained. [0004] 2. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0084] where a mesh, perforated film or the like is provided as a cover layer over a textile material (as liquid-absorbing material) fibers from the textile material are prevented from being released into the wound and/or adhering to the wound.

[0085] Surprisingly, the structure according to the present invention can be realized without, or at least without substantial loss, of antimicrobial activity. In the case of silver, this activity is observed already with a very slight coating of silver, and a coating of preferably at least about 10 mg silver/m2 is particularly preferred to ensure satisfactory antimicrobial activity. More silver can also be applied, e.g., for reasons of the manufacturing process. It has been shown, for example, that the application of as much as about 600 mg/m2 of silver does not harm the user.

[0086] A comparison with known silver-containing wound dressings has shown that a dressing according to the present invention releases an advantageously high amount of silver at the beginning of the application. Moreover, the release rate is also sufficiently high over an extended period after application; excessive doping with silver is, therefore, not required, and the wound dressing does not have to be replaced already after a short period of time. This is of great advantage

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, substantially none of this antimicrobial metal in el

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