GB2134793A

GB2134793A - Absorbent media comprising sphagnum moss

Info

Publication number: GB2134793A
Application number: GB08403621A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dr Edmund Carus; John Tracey Scales
Original assignee: Vernon Carus Ltd; Institute of Orthopaedics
Current assignee: Vernon Carus Ltd; Institute of Orthopaedics
Priority date: 1983-02-11
Filing date: 1984-02-10
Publication date: 1984-08-22
Also published as: GB2134793B; GB8403621D0

Abstract

Absorbent media such as wound dressings or incontinence pads comprise dried vegetable matter from one of more species of moss selected from: Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pallustre, Sphagnum magellanicum and Sphagnum imbricatum. A highly absorbent material such as fluff pulp or cellulose fibres may be incorporated in the medium.

Description

SPECIFICATION Absorbent media This invention relates to absorbent media particularly but not exclusively for use in absorption of physiological liquids for example as surgical dressing or incontinence pads.

Sphagnum mosses have long been used for surgical dressings on account of their absorptive properties, having been quoted, for example, in the British Pharmaceutical Codex until 1 948. There were, however, problems with sterilisation of the moss and this has only been overcome with the advent of sterilisation using ionising radiation.

Moss possess several unique properties which are advantageous for use in surgical dressings. In particular moss can absorb large quantities of liquids, the liquid being stored in the leaf cells. The stems may act as capillaries to attract liquid to the leaf cells.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a physiological liquid absorbent medium comprising dried vegetable matter from one or more species of moss selected from: Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum magellanicum and Sphagnum imbricatum.

The media may comprise a wound dressing or incontinence pad.

Quantities of pure moss, free from animal, vegetable and other harmful contaminants, may be cultivated hydroponically.

Absorbent media in accordance with the invention remain resilient when retaining liquid and do not collapse as do regenerated cellulose products. Products containing sphagnum moss may even expand when absorbing liquid.

Improved comfort for the patient and enhanced wound protection may be obtained.

The moss may be manufactured into pads or dressings either alone or in combination with additives.

The moss is preferably treated to remove any large stems or other conglomerations of coarse material. The treatment is preferably performed by passing the dried moss between crimping rollers to break the stems etc., without causing excessive damage to the leaves. Shredding sieving or other means which do not damage the leaves may also be employed.

Media comprising sphagnum moss provide an excellent environment for wound healing.

Leuocytes concetrate at the wound/moss interface and blood cells and plasma are absorbed into the sphagnum leaf cells.

A disadvantage of media in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention may be their slow rate of liquid absorption.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention an absorbent medium comprises said vegetable matter in combination with a material having an absorbency rate greater than that of said matter.

Such a material may comprise fluff pulp, regenerated cellulose fibres such as super-inflated fibres, cotton or absorbent artificial fibres.

Composites in accordance with this preferred aspect of the invention exhibit a high rate of liquid uptake, remain resilient and retain bulk without structural collapse.

Absorbent media in accordance with the preferred aspect of the invention may be prepared in a number of ways.

Blending with fluff-pulp may be achieved using conventional techniques such as hammer milling.

Pads may be formed by adding an outer wrap of coverstock. A thermoplastic coverstock may be applied using the techniques employed by the tea bag manufacturing industry.

Regenerated or natural cellulose-containing media may be manufactured by conventional techniques, including air laying and needling.

Media containing a high effective moss content may be obtained using the moss in combination with hydrophilic polypropylene fibres or fibrils.

These media exhibit efficient rates of wicking and take-up.

The additives to the moss may be added during crimping of the latter or at any other convenient stage of manufacture.

1. A physiological liquid absorbent medium comprising dried vegetable matter from one or more species of moss selected from: Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum mageilanicum and Sphagnum imbricatum.

2. A medium as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vegetable matter has been treated to remove coarse material.

3. A medium as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dried vegetable matter has been passed between crimping rollers.

4. A medium as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dried vegetable matter has been shredded or sieved.

5. A medium as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said vegetable matter is in combination with a material having an absorbency rate greater than that of said matter.

6. A medium as claimed in claim 5, wherein said material comprises fluff pulp, regenerated cellulose fibres such as super-inflated cellulose fibres, cotton or absorbent artificial fibres.

7. A medium as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising hydrophobic polypropylene fibres or fibrils.

8. A wound dressing or incontinence pad comprising a medium in accordance with any preceding claim.

9. A medium as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Absorbent media This invention relates to absorbent media particularly but not exclusively for use in absorption of physiological liquids for example as surgical dressing or incontinence pads. Sphagnum mosses have long been used for surgical dressings on account of their absorptive properties, having been quoted, for example, in the British Pharmaceutical Codex until 1 948. There were, however, problems with sterilisation of the moss and this has only been overcome with the advent of sterilisation using ionising radiation. Moss possess several unique properties which are advantageous for use in surgical dressings. In particular moss can absorb large quantities of liquids, the liquid being stored in the leaf cells. The stems may act as capillaries to attract liquid to the leaf cells. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a physiological liquid absorbent medium comprising dried vegetable matter from one or more species of moss selected from: Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum magellanicum and Sphagnum imbricatum. The media may comprise a wound dressing or incontinence pad. Quantities of pure moss, free from animal, vegetable and other harmful contaminants, may be cultivated hydroponically. Absorbent media in accordance with the invention remain resilient when retaining liquid and do not collapse as do regenerated cellulose products. Products containing sphagnum moss may even expand when absorbing liquid. Improved comfort for the patient and enhanced wound protection may be obtained. The moss may be manufactured into pads or dressings either alone or in combination with additives. The moss is preferably treated to remove any large stems or other conglomerations of coarse material. The treatment is preferably performed by passing the dried moss between crimping rollers to break the stems etc., without causing excessive damage to the leaves. Shredding sieving or other means which do not damage the leaves may also be employed. Media comprising sphagnum moss provide an excellent environment for wound healing. Leuocytes concetrate at the wound/moss interface and blood cells and plasma are absorbed into the sphagnum leaf cells. A disadvantage of media in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention may be their slow rate of liquid absorption. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention an absorbent medium comprises said vegetable matter in combination with a material having an absorbency rate greater than that of said matter. Such a material may comprise fluff pulp, regenerated cellulose fibres such as super-inflated fibres, cotton or absorbent artificial fibres. Composites in accordance with this preferred aspect of the invention exhibit a high rate of liquid uptake, remain resilient and retain bulk without structural collapse. Absorbent media in accordance with the preferred aspect of the invention may be prepared in a number of ways. Blending with fluff-pulp may be achieved using conventional techniques such as hammer milling. Pads may be formed by adding an outer wrap of coverstock. A thermoplastic coverstock may be applied using the techniques employed by the tea bag manufacturing industry. Regenerated or natural cellulose-containing media may be manufactured by conventional techniques, including air laying and needling. Media containing a high effective moss content may be obtained using the moss in combination with hydrophilic polypropylene fibres or fibrils. These media exhibit efficient rates of wicking and take-up. The additives to the moss may be added during crimping of the latter or at any other convenient stage of manufacture. CLAIMS

9. A medium as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described.