Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/02—Adhesive bandages or dressings
  • A61F13/0203—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members
  • A61F13/0226—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members characterised by the support layer
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/02—Adhesive bandages or dressings
  • A61F13/0203—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
  • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
  • D04H1/407—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties containing absorbing substances, e.g. activated carbon
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/02—Adhesive bandages or dressings
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/02—Adhesive bandages or dressings
  • A61F13/0203—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members
  • A61F13/0206—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members with absorbent fibrous layers, e.g. woven or non-woven absorbent pads or island dressings
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/02—Adhesive bandages or dressings
  • A61F13/0203—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members
  • A61F13/0206—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members with absorbent fibrous layers, e.g. woven or non-woven absorbent pads or island dressings
  • A61F13/0209—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members with absorbent fibrous layers, e.g. woven or non-woven absorbent pads or island dressings comprising superabsorbent material
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/02—Adhesive bandages or dressings
  • A61F13/0203—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members
  • A61F13/0223—Adhesive bandages or dressings with fluid retention members characterized by parametric properties of the fluid retention layer, e.g. absorbency, wicking capacity, liquid distribution
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
  • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
  • A61L15/42—Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties
  • A61L15/56—Wetness-indicators or colourants
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
  • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
  • A61L15/42—Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties
  • A61L15/58—Adhesives
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
  • B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
  • D04H1/70—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres
  • D04H1/72—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged
  • D04H1/728—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged by electro-spinning
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00089—Wound bandages
  • A61F2013/00187—Wound bandages insulating; warmth or cold applying
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00089—Wound bandages
  • A61F2013/00217—Wound bandages not adhering to the wound
  • A61F2013/00234—Wound bandages not adhering to the wound metallic layer
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00361—Plasters
  • A61F2013/00365—Plasters use
  • A61F2013/00425—Plasters use for removing of external skin layer, e.g. prepping
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00361—Plasters
  • A61F2013/00365—Plasters use
  • A61F2013/00536—Plasters use for draining or irrigating wounds
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00361—Plasters
  • A61F2013/00727—Plasters means for wound humidity control
  • A61F2013/00748—Plasters means for wound humidity control with hydrocolloids or superabsorbers
  • A61F2013/00753—Plasters means for wound humidity control with hydrocolloids or superabsorbers superabsorbent fabric of cloth

Definitions

• decontamination denotes substantial removal of contaminants or noxious substances on a surface to be decontaminated or cleaned. In general, decontamination removes at least 30% (e.g., at least 50%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90%) of the contaminants or noxious substances.
• noxious substances or "contaminants” refers to substances that are neither a natural component nor an integral part of a surface to be cleaned or
• Nonwoven fabric is a fabric-like material made from long fibers, bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. The term is used to denote fabrics, such as felt, which are neither woven nor knitted.
• Nonwovens made of textile fibers having a diameter of less than 10 ⁇ , preferably of less than 1 ⁇ , are usually referred to as "nanofiber nonwovens.” Nanofiber nonwovens are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,043,331 and PCT Application Publication No. WO 01/27365. These documents also disclose methods for manufacturing of these nonwovens and are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
• the term "superabsorbent” denotes materials which can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of water or other fluids or liquids (e.g., up to a thousand times of their own mass). When the material is a polymer, such a superabsorbent can absorb water or another liquid and swell to form a gel.
• superabsorbents including superabsorbent polymers
• methods of their manufacture are well known in the art. See, e.g., Ullmanns Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 6th Ed., Vol. 35, pp. 73 ff., 2003; Modern
• superabsorbent Polymer Technology (1 ed.), Fredric L. Buchholz and Andrew T. ; Graham (Ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1997.
• examples of superabsorbent include poly-acrylic acid sodium salt, polyacrylamide copolymers (e.g., polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymer), ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.
• the use of a nanofiber nonwoven in a textile composite material, wherein the nanofiber nonwoven is filled with a superabsorbent would allow for the decontaminating of the skin from noxious substances without washing.
• skin denotes to either the skin of a mammal (e.g., a human) or a subject's physical surface through which water or another liquid can penetrate.
• the invention provides absorbent textile composite materials, each comprising a carrier layer and an active layer, wherein the active layer is connected with the carrier layer and comprises a nanofiber nonwoven optionally filled with a superabsorbent. It has been found by the inventors that the optional superabsorbent was very capable of absorbing or capturing (chemically or physically) liquid or oily substance from a surface or skin to be decontaminated or cleaned, and the nanofiber nonwoven structure provides physical space or sometime electronic charge that makes it suitable for absorbing or trapping solid particles.
• the nanofiber nonwoven may absorb or trap solid particles through Van der Waals forces.
• a “carrier layer” refers to a layer that is designed and positioned to carry the "active layer”. It can have the same or different chemical composition as compared to an active layer, and it may or may not contain or include a superabsorbent.
• the carrier layer and the active layer are integrally formed with each other. In some other embodiments, the carrier layer and the active layer are bonded to each other.
• the carrier layer is impermeable to water or oil vapor. In some other embodiments, the carrier layer is permeable to heat radiation. In still some other embodiments, the carrier layer is heat-conducting. For instance, the carrier layer may comprise metal or ceramics.
• the active layer further includes an agent that is capable of stimulating production of sweat on a skin.
• the active layer further includes a metallic coating.
• the carrier layer is elastic.
• the carrier layer is flexible.
• the carrier layer is not expandable.
• production of sweat can be applied to not only a mammal skin that naturally can produce or excrete sweat, but also a non-mammal-skin surface through which fluid can penetrate or permeate under certain condition.
• the superabsorbent contained in the composite material includes polymer particles which have a core swelling in the presence of water and a superficially postcured shell.
• the polymer particles can be a screening fraction of polymer particles which have not been crushed after superficial postcure of the shell.
• the superabsorbent can include a starch graft polymer, a biodegradable superabsorbent, activated carbon, clay, aluminum oxide, ionic exchange resin, or polyacrylate.
• biodegradable superabsorbent include, e.g., cross-linked copolymer of poly(carboxymethylcellulose) or poly(hydroxyethylcellulose), and carbodiimide. See, e.g., US 20080227944 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• the nanofiber nonwoven contained in the composite material includes cellulose or its derivative, polyurethane (e.g., aromatic or aliphatic, polyester- or polyether-based polyurethanes), polyamide, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, poly vinylpyrrolidone, poly ethyleneoxide, cellulose acetate, poly(ethylenimine), poly(capro!actone), poly(2-hydroxymethacrylate), or a mixture or copolymer thereof.
• polyurethane e.g., aromatic or aliphatic, polyester- or polyether-based polyurethanes
• polyamide polyester
• polyester polyacrylonitrile
• polyvinyl alcohol poly vinylpyrrolidone
• poly ethyleneoxide poly ethyleneoxide
• cellulose acetate poly(ethylenimine)
• poly(capro!actone) poly(2-hydroxymethacrylate)
• 2-hydroxymethacrylate poly(2-hydroxymethacrylate)
• the carrier layer of the composite material includes polypropylene, polyurethane, polycaprolactone, nylon, polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylamine, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene oxide, or a mixture or copolymer thereof.
• the polyester include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate, polyglycolide, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, polyethylene adipate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, or a copolymer thereof.
• the carrier layer includes polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene.
• the absorbent textile composite material further includes an adhesive layer.
• the adhesive layer can be, e.g., positioned on the carrier layer (away from the active layer) or on the active layer, and will enable the composite material to adhere to or connect with a surface, e.g., a skin area.
• the carrier layer in the composite material is larger than the active layer and is provided with an adhesive layer encircling its rim; while in some other embodiments, an adhesive layer is provided and positioned on the active layer.
• the active layer further includes an agent (or a color indicator) to indicate the presence of water or other liquid in the active layer.
• an agent or a color indicator
• the color change of the agent could indicate the production of sweat.
• the absorbent textile composite material further includes at least one layer of a nanofiber nonwoven without the superabsorbent.
• This additional layer of a nanofiber nonwoven can be configured or positioned, e.g., to attach or connect to the active layer (which may have superabsorbent) on the opposite of the carrier layer.
• the nanofiber nonwoven comprises fibers with a diameter of between about 0.001 ⁇ and about 10 ⁇ (e.g., between about 0.1 ⁇ and about 1.5 ⁇ , or between about 300 nm and about 900 nm).
• the nanofiber nonwoven has an average pore size of between about
• 0.01 ⁇ and about 500 ⁇ e.g., less than about 250 ⁇ , or less than 100 ⁇ .
• the nanofiber nonwoven has a porosity of between about 10% and about 90% (e.g., between about 40% and about 90%, or between about 70% and about
• the nanofiber nonwoven has a density of between about 0.8 g/cm and about 1.5 g/cm .
• the nanofiber nonwoven has a mass per unit area of between about 5 g/m 2 and about 1,000 g/m 2 (e.g., between about 50 g/m 2 and about 500 g/m 2 , between about 50 g m 2 and about 400 g/m 2 ; or between about 150 g m 2 and about 250 g/m 2 ).
• the nanofiber nonwoven has a breaking force and elongation of 0.1 to 100.0 MPa and 100 to 2,000% (e.g., 0.5 to 5.0 MPa and 250 to 1,000%, or 1.5 to 2.0 MPa and 400 to 500%>), as measured in a strip method according to EDANA standard WSP 110.4 (05).
• the nanofiber nonwoven has an absorbency in saline of between about 0.1 g/g and about 200.0 g g (e.g., between about 2.5 g/g and about 150.0 g g, or between about 8.0 g/g and about 10.0 g g), as measured in a teabag test in a 0.9% NaCI in water for 30 minutes in accordance with EDANA standard test WSP 240.2 (05).
• the nanofiber nonwoven has a retention capacity for saline of between about 0.1 g/g and about 100.0 g g (e.g., between about 3.0 g g and about 25.0 g/g, or between about 6.0 g/g and about 8.0 g/g), as measured in accordance with EDANA standard test WSP 241.2 (05).
• the active layer has a filling level of superabsorbent of between about 10% and about 80% (e.g., between about 40% and about 80%, or between about 50% and about 75%).
• the active layer has an absorbency in saline of between about 10 g/g and about 100 g/g (e.g., between about 25 g/g and about 31 g/g) at a superabsorbent filling level of 50%, or between about 20 g/g and 75 g/g (e.g., between about 38 g/g and about 45 g/g) at a superabsorbent filling level of 75%, or at least 0.01 g/g without superabsorbent.
• the active layer has a retention capacity for saline of between 14 g/g and 40 g/g (e.g., between 20 g/g and 35 g/g) at a superabsorbent filling level of between 50% and 75%.
• the invention provides a method for decontaminating a skin area contaminated with noxious substances, which includes the steps of:
• the absorbent textile composite material comprise a carrier layer and an active layer
• the active layer is connected with the carrier layer and comprises a nanofiber nonwoven filled with a superabsorbent, and the method is free of a washing procedure or a massage procedure.
• the absorbent textile composite material further includes an adhesive layer on the active layer facing the contaminated skin area.
• the method further includes applying a second absorbent textile composite material to the contaminated skin area; wherein the second absorbent textile composite material comprises a carrier layer, an active layer, and an adhesive layer; the active layer is connected with the carrier layer and comprises a nanofiber nonwoven filled with a superabsorbent; and the adhesive layer is on the active layer facing the contaminated skin area and adheres the absorbent composite material to the contaminated skin area.
• the method further includes stimulating production of sweat in the contaminated skin area, wherein the carrier layer in the composite material is impermeable to water vapor.
• the method further includes stimulating production of sweat in the contaminated skin area, wherein at least one of the active layer and the carrier layer is permeable to heat radiation.
• the method further includes stimulating production of sweat in the contaminated skin area, wherein at least one of an active layer and a carrier layer is heat conducting.
• the method further includes stimulating production of sweat in the contaminated skin area, wherein an active layer comprises a sweat promoting agent.
• Still another aspect of this invention provides a method for decontaminating human skin from noxious substances, which includes the steps of:
• the textile composite comprises a nanofiber nonwoven and a superabsorbent integrated into the nanofiber nonwoven, the nanofiber nonwoven having a fiber diameter of less than 1 ⁇ .
• the contaminated skin area comprises contaminated hair follicles before the textile composite is applied, and the noxious substances are removed from the hair follicles when or after the textile composite is removed.
• the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein in another aspect, comprises the use of a nanofiber nonwoven in a textile composite material for decontaminating skin
• nanofiber nonwoven is filled with a superabsorbent which is capable of absorbing and retaining the noxious substances from the skin.
• the textile composite material comprises an active layer comprised of the nanofiber nonwoven and the superabsorbent.
• the active layer can further include at least one cover layer which is formed from a nanofiber nonwoven without a superabsorbent, and one base layer comprising the nanofiber nonwoven filled with the superabsorbent.
• the active layer has a sandwich structure comprising a top and bottom cover layer formed from a nanofiber nonwoven without a superabsorbent, and a base layer(i.e., middle layer) comprising the nanofiber nonwoven filled with the superabsorbent, the base layer being arranged between said top and bottom cover layer.
• the cover layers can help to prevent the superabsorbent from bleeding out of the base layer, and provide a softer feel to the textile composite material.
• the superabsorbent may be dusted on the nanofiber nonwoven and mechanically held in the nanofiber structure.
• the superabsorbent can be provided or included to the nanofibers during the spinning process, or can be added to the polymer solution before spinning.
• the nanofiber nonwoven may be used in the manufacture of the textile composite material for decontaminating of skin wherein the composite material further comprises a flexible carrier layer connected to the active layer.
• a textile composite material used for decontaminating of skin includes a flexible carrier layer and an active layer connected to the carrier layer, and the active layer includes a nanofiber nonwoven filled with a superabsorbent that is capable of absorbing and retaining noxious substances from the skin.
• the textile composite material is applied to a skin area contaminated by particles of noxious substances such that the active layer comes in contact with the concerned parts of the skin.
• the carrier layer may be used for the shaping and, owing to its flexibility, for the optimum shape adaptation of the composite material to the skin surface.
• the nanofiber nonwoven contained in the active layer and finished with a superabsorbent is particularly absorbent due to the high capillarity in the nonwoven, and absorbs the noxious substances to be removed, according to the existing concentration gradient between the skin surface and the nonwoven material.
• the noxious substances can then be effectively stored and retained by the superabsorbent.
• an appropriate decontamination time e.g., about 30 seconds to 30 minutes or about 1 to 5 minutes, depending on the nature of the noxious substances, the textile composite material including the absorbed noxious substances can be removed again from the skin.
• At least one of the carrier layer and the active layer are designed to stimulate the production of sweat by the skin.
• An increased production of sweat by the areas of the skin covered by the active layer or carrier layer increases the decontaminating effect of the textile composite material.
• the sweat flushes out the noxious substances having already penetrated the hair follicles and the upper cell layer of the corneocytes.
• the sweat along with these noxious substances and the particles of noxious substances still present on the skin surface, is then absorbed by the superabsorbent in the nanofiber nonwoven and retained therein. As such, this could provide effective
• the textile composite material has a carrier layer that is impermeable to water vapor.
• This carrier layer can close the active layer lying on the contaminated skin surface in a damp-tight manner and thus stimulates the production of sweat in the enclosed skin area.
• the skin surface cannot release the sweat produced there to the environment by evaporation. Rather, the sweat, along with the noxious substances flushed out, is absorbed by the nanofiber nonwoven and retained in the superabsorbent.
• At least one of the active layer and the carrier layer are configured to be permeable to heat radiation.
• the skin areas concerned which are covered by the textile composite material can then be purposefully heated, e.g., using heat radiators or a chemical reaction producing heat. A quick and controlled stimulation of the production of sweat in the contaminated skin area is thereby obtained.
• the heat transfer between the active layer and the skin surface may take place by heat conduction. It is preferable that both the carrier layer and the active layer are permeable to heat radiation.
• the carrier layer or the active layer of the textile composite material is configured so as to be heat conducting. It is, for example, possible to insert heat conducting fibers or heat conducting filaments into the carrier layer or the active layer, or provide the active layer with a heat-conducting coating. Examples of suitable heat-conducting fibers or filaments include metallic or ceramic materials. As in the embodiment described above, the skin areas concerned can be purposefully heated using an appropriate heating source such as, e.g. , an electrical heating element, and the production of sweat can therefore be stimulated.
• an appropriate heating source such as, e.g. , an electrical heating element
• the active layer may contain an agent promoting the production of sweat, e.g., by applying a sweat promoting agent onto the surface of the active layer that faces the skin.
• the textile composite material then acts like a transdermal system, the agent being absorbed by the skin first and stimulating the production of sweat.
• the sweat promoting agent does not require a long-term effect since the production of sweat is to be locally restricted and is intended to occur only for the duration of the decontamination.
• the sweat produced in the contaminated skin area, along with the flushed-out noxious substances and the excessive agent, is then absorbed by the nanofiber nonwoven and retained in the superabsorbent.
• the carrier layer can be at the same time impermeable to water vapor and heat conducting or permeable to heat radiation, or the active layer can contain an agent promoting the production of sweat. Further combinations are also conceivable and considered to be within the scope of the invention.
• the carrier layer and the active layer can be formed integrally with each other.
• the carrier layer can be a woven fabric, and the nanofibers of the active layer can be firmly spun onto and with the woven fabric filaments of the carrier layer.
• the carrier layer and the active layer can be bonded to each other.
• the layers can be produced separately, so as to have the respective desired properties, and then bonded to each other by chemical, thermal or physical bonding as is generally known in the art.
• the carrier layer is elastic, allowing for optimum adaptation of the textile composite material to the skin. If the carrier layer is elastic, the textile composite material can be adapted to the shape of the skin surface by contraction or expansion.
• the carrier layer can be configured so as not to be expandable.
• the superabsorbent contained in the active layer swells as a result of which the volume of the active layer increases. Since the carrier layer which is arranged on the side of the active layer that faces away from the skin, cannot expand, this increase in volume results in that the contact between the active layer and the skin surface is intensified and the active layer rests more firmly on the skin area concerned, and thus further increases the effectiveness of the decontamination.
• an adhesive layer is provided on the surface of the composite material that faces the skin to fasten the textile composite material to the skin.
• the carrier layer preferably has a planar surface area which is larger than a planar surface area of the active layer so that the carrier layer overlaps the active layer thereby encircling the rim of the active layer.
• the overlapping edge part of the carrier layer is provided with the adhesive layer for connecting the composite material with the skin.
• the surface of the active layer that faces away from the carrier layer i.e. the skin-side surface
• the surface of the active layer that faces away from the carrier layer i.e. the skin-side surface
• an adhesive layer can be provided with an adhesive layer. This leads to an even better contact of the active layer with the skin which in turn leads to an improvement of the decontaminating effect.
• the adhesive layer applied to the active layer can be designed to remove the upper cell layer of the corneocytes from the skin.
• the composite material also includes an adhesive layer on the active layer that can be used to remove the upper cell layer of the corneocytes from the skin to be decontaminated.
• the composite textile material comprises a flexible carrier layer, a first active layer, and a second active layer, wherein the first active layer is provided with a metal coating.
• the nanofiber nonwoven included in or constituting the first active layer is produced to form peaks and valleys. The valleys can be filled with the second active layer.
• the second active layer is composed of the nanofiber nonwoven filled with superabsorbent, both the first and second active layers can include the superabsorbent.
• the adhesive layer is provided on the metallic coating, or on the rim portion of the carrier layer, as described above.
• the active layer may also comprise a color indicator to indicate the production of sweat. Owing to this addition, the optimum time to remove the material from the skin can be indicated to the user of the textile composite material.
• the colors of the color indicator change if the nanofiber nonwoven has absorbed an amount of sweat that is sufficient for
• the color indicator may be combined with the superabsorbent and incorporated into the active layer, e.g., by adding the combined superabsorbent and color indicator to the polymer melt or solution before spinning of the nanofiber nonwoven.
• the textile composite material can be configured as or made in the form of a cloth, a compress, a dressing, a plaster, or an article of clothing or part of clothing for application on larger surfaces.
• the nanofiber nonwovens can be produced through melt spinning, electrospinning, or gas jet spinning (NGJ) of suitable polymers. It is also contemplated that part of the nano ibers in the nonwoven can be replaced by microfibers which have a larger diameter than nanofibers.
• NGJ gas jet spinning
• the superabsorbent may be dusted onto a sheet of the nanofiber nonwoven and mechanically integrated into the nanofiber structure. This process can be repeated until the desired filling level of superabsorbent is achieved.
• the superabsorbent can be applied to the nanofibers during the spinning process when the fiber dries and solidifies.
• the superabsorbent can be homogeneously dispersed in a polymer solution which is then subjected to spinning into a nanofiber nonwoven including the superabsorbent embedded in the fiber structure.
• the nanofiber nonwoven contained therein has at least one or more of the following physical properties: a fiber diameter of between 0.001 ⁇ and 10 ⁇ (e.g., between 0.1 ⁇ and 1.5 ⁇ , or between 300 nm and 900 nm); an average pore size of between 0.01 ⁇ to 500 ⁇ (e.g., preferably less than 250 ⁇ , more preferably less than 100 ⁇ ; a porosity (i.e., , the percentage of the total volume of the nonwoven which is free space) of between 40% and 90% (e.g., between 70% and 90%); a thickness of the active layer of between 0.1 mm to 2 mm; a density of between 0.8 to 1.5 g/cm 3 ; a mass per unit area of between 50 to 500 g/m 2 (e.g., between 50 and 400 g/m 2 , or between 150 to 250 g m 2 ), a breaking force and e
• a fiber diameter of between 0.001 ⁇ and 10 ⁇ e.g
• the active layer composed of the nanofiber nonwoven filled with the superabsorbent preferably has at least one or more of the following properties: a filling level of superabsorbent (SAP), that is calculated as weight by weight of dry material, of between about 10% and 80% (e.g., between about 40% and 80%, or between about 50% to 70%); an absorbency (tb) in saline (0.9% NaCl in water, 30 min), as measured in the teabag test in accordance with ED ANA standard test WSP 240.2 (05), of between 20 g/g and 50 g/g (e.g., between 25 g/g and 31 g/g) at an SAP filling level of 50%, or between about 38 g/g and 45 g/g at an SAP filling level of 75%; a retention capacity (CRC) for saline (0.9% NaCl in water, 30 min), as measured in the centrifuge test according to EDANA standard test WSP 241.2 (05), of between
• Figure 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the textile composite material in accordance with principles of the present invention
• Figure 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the textile composite material in accordance with principles of the present invention
• Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of the bottom surface of a further embodiment of the textile composite material in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figure 4 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the textile composite material in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of Fig. 4 in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the penetration profile of a model substance into the skin obtained by tape stripping in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figure 7 is a graph illustrating the distribution of the model substance in the stratum corneum after washing in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figure 8 is a graph illustrating the distribution of the model substance in the stratum comeum after decontamination with a textile composite material composed of nanofiber nonwoven filled with superabsorbent in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figure 9 illustrates a laser scanning microscope (LSM) image of the distribution of a fluorescent dye on the skin after application and penetration in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• LSM laser scanning microscope
• Figures lOa-b illustrate an LSM image of the distribution of the fluorescent dye after washing in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figures 1 l a-c illustrate an LSM image of the distribution of the fluorescent dye after decontamination with the textile composite material in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figure 12 is a flow chart illustrating the method of decontaminating human skin from noxious substances in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• Figure 13 is a flow chart illustrating further steps in the method of decontaminating human skin from noxious substances in accordance with principles of the present invention.
• a decontamination of the skin after contact with noxious substances by intensive washing using different detergents and solvents does not extract particles of noxious substances which have already penetrated the hair follicles or the upper skin cell layer, i.e. the upper corneocytes of the stratum corneum, which constitute a long-term reservoir for topically applied substances.
• hair follicles act as a long-term reservoir for topically applied substances providing significantly increased storage times in comparison to the stratum corneum.
• the hair follicles contain or are surrounded by several important target structures, such as blood capillaries, stem and dendritic cells.
• hazardous substances can exhibit strong destructive activities.
• the noxious substances which are to be removed from the skin surface are partially rubbed in the hair follicles and the skin furrows by an intensive washing. In this way, the long-term effect of the noxious substances in the skin may even increase.
• a material for decontaminating the skin which permits an effective removal of noxious substances from the skin surface must not utilize washing.
• the absorbent textile composite material disclosed does not utilize washing to decontaminate the skin.
• the textile composite material comprises a carrier layer and an active layer connected to the carrier layer.
• the active layer comprises a nanofiber nonwoven filled with a superabsorbent capable of absorbing and retaining noxious substances from the skin.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an absorbent textile composite material 12.
• the absorbent textile composite material 12 includes a carrier layer 10 and an active layer 20 and, optionally, an adhesive layer 30 and a protective layer 40.
• the carrier layer 10 may be a film or a textile web, and can be made of polymers selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyurethane, polycaprolactone, nylon, polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylamine, polyester including polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene oxide, and mixtures or copolymers thereof.
• the carrier layer 10 is hydrophobic and made of a material impermeable to water vapor, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene.
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• the carrier layer 10 which is impermeable to water vapor closes the active layer 20 lying on the contaminated skin surface in a damp-tight manner and thus stimulates the production of sweat in the enclosed skin area.
• the skin surface cannot release the sweat produced there to the environment by evaporation. Rather, the sweat, along with the flushed-out noxious substances, is absorbed by a nanofiber nonwoven and retained in a superabsorbent.
• the carrier layer 10 may include a coating or an intermediate layer impermeable to water vapor.
• At least one of the carrier layer 10 or the active layer 20 can be configured to be permeable to heat radiation or heat conducting or both.
• the skin areas concerned which are covered by the textile composite material 12 can then be purposefully heated, for example, using heat radiators or a chemical reaction producing heat. A quick and controlled stimulation of the production of sweat in the contaminated skin area is thereby obtained.
• the heat transfer between the carrier layer 10 and the skin surface may take place by heat conduction. It is preferable that both the carrier layer 10 and the active layer 20 are permeable to heat radiation.
• At least one of the carrier layer 10 and the active layer 20 of the textile composite material 12 can be configured to be heat conducting. It is, for example, possible to insert heat conducting fibers or heat conducting filaments into the carrier layer 10 or the active layer 20, or provide the active layer 20 with a heat conducting coating. As in the embodiment described above, the skin areas concerned can be purposefully heated using appropriate heating sources such as, e.g. , an electrical heating element, and the production of sweat can therefore be stimulated.
• the active layer 20 may also comprise a color indicator to indicate the production of sweat. Owing to this addition, the optimum time to remove the material from the skin can be indicated to the user of the textile composite material 12.
• color indicators appropriate for this use include: cobalt (II) chloride, quinizarin powder, pentamethoxy red, methyl yellow, phenolphthalein, thymolphthalein, p-naphtolbenzein, 4-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, o-cresolphthalein, m-cresol red, thymol blue, m-cresol purple, or mixtures thereof, the colors of which change if the nanofiber nonwoven has absorbed an amount of sweat that is sufficient for decontaminating or the capacity of the superabsorbent to absorb liquid has been exhausted.
• the color indicator may be combined with the superabsorbent and incorporated into the active layer 20, e.g., by adding the combined superabsorbent and color indicator to the polymer melt or solution before spinning of the nanofiber nonwoven.
• the carrier layer 10 can be at the same time impermeable to water vapor and heat conducting or permeable to heat radiation, or the active layer 20 can contain an agent promoting the production of sweat. Further combinations are also conceivable and considered to be within the scope of the invention.
• the carrier layer 10 and the active layer 20 can be formed integrally with each other.
• the carrier layer 10 can be a woven fabric, and the nanofibers of the active layer 20 can be firmly spun onto and with the woven fabric filaments of the carrier layer 10.
• the carrier layer 10 and the active layer 20 are bonded to each other.
• the layers can then be produced separately, so as to have the respective desired properties, and then bonded to each other by chemical, thermal or physical bonding as is generally known in the art.
• the carrier layer 10 is elastic, allowing for optimum adaptation of the textile composite material 12 to the skin. If the carrier layer 10 is elastic, then the textile composite material 12 can be adapted to the shape of the skin surface by contraction or expansion.
• the carrier layer 10 is configured to not be expandable. During the absorption of noxious substances flushed out by the sweat, the superabsorbent contained in the active layer 20 swells as a result of which the volume of the active layer 20 increases. Since the carrier layer 10 which is arranged on the side of the active layer 20 that faces away from the skin, cannot expand, this increase in volume results in that the contact between the active layer 20 and the skin surface is intensified and the active layer 20 rests more firmly on the skin area concerned, and thus further increases the effectiveness of the decontamination.
• the active layer 20 of the absorbent textile composite material 12 comprises a nanofiber nonwoven finished with a superabsorbent.
• the superabsorbent preferably comprises completely or mainly of polymer particles which have a skin-core structure, that is a core swelling in the presence of water and a superficially post-cured shell, and thus has a low "gel blocking" effect.
• the polymer particles are preferably a screening fraction of such polymer particles that have not been crushed after the superficial post-cure of the shell, prior to incorporation in the active layer 20.
• the superabsorbent may be selected from starch graft polymers such as WaterlockTM, biodegradable superabsorbents, activated carbon, clay, aluminum oxide, ionic exchange resins or polyacrylates.
• biodegradable superabsorbent examples include, e.g., cross- linked copolymer of poly(carboxymethylcellulose) or poly(hydroxyethylcellulose), and carbodiimide.
• the nanofiber nonwoven of the active layer 20 finished with the superabsorbent is made of superfine fibers or superfine filaments having a diameter of less than 10 ⁇ , preferably of less than 1 ⁇ , more preferably of between about 300 nm and about 900 nm and is most preferably comprised of electrostatically spun nanofibers.
• the nanofiber nonwoven preferably comprises fibers or filaments formed from a thermoplastic, hydrophilic or hydrophilized polymer. Most preferably, the nanofiber nonwoven is formed from polyurethane.
• the nanofiber nonwovens can be produced through melt spinning, electrospinning, or gas jet spinning (NGJ) of suitable polymers. It is also contemplated that part of the nanofibers in the nonwoven can be replaced by microfibers.
• Materials for producing the nanofiber nonwovens comprise thermoplastic polymers that can be polyurethane, polyamides, polyesters,
• polyacrylonitrile polyvinyl alcohol, poly vinylpyrrolidone, poly ethyleneoxide, cellulose acetate, poly(ethylenimine), poly(caprolactone), poly(2-hydroxymethacrylate), or a mixture or copolymer thereof.
• Polyurethane is particularly preferred.
• the superabsorbent may be dusted onto a sheet of the electrostatically spun nanofiber nonwoven and mechanically integrated into the nanofiber structure.
• the superabsorbent is homogeneously dispersed in a polymer solution which is then subjected to electrostatically spinning into a nanofiber nonwoven including the superabsorbent embedded in the fiber structure.
• superabsorbent is particularly absorbent due to the high capillarity in the nonwoven, and absorbs the noxious substances that have to be removed, according to the existing concentration gradient between the skin surface and the nonwoven material.
• the noxious substances can then be effectively stored and retained by the superabsorbent.
• an appropriate decontamination time e.g., of about 30 seconds to 30 minutes (e.g., about 1 to 5 minutes), depending on the nature of the noxious substance, the textile composite material 12 including the absorbed noxious substances can be removed again from the skin.
• the adhesive layer 30 is provided on the surface of the composite material 12 that faces the skin to connect the composite material 12 with the skin and preferably comprises a skin-friendly adhesive, particularly preferably an acrylate adhesive.
• a skin-friendly adhesive particularly preferably an acrylate adhesive.
• the protective layer 40 is optional and is removed before applying the textile composite system 12 to the skin.
• the textile composite material 12 can be configured as a cloth, a compress, a dressing or a plaster, also as an article of clothing or part of clothing for application on larger surfaces.
• the nanofiber nonwoven preferably has at least one or more of the following physical properties: a fiber diameter of between 0.001 ⁇ and 10 ⁇ (e.g., between 0.1 ⁇ and 1.5 ⁇ or between 300 ran and 900 nm); an average pore size of between 0.01 ⁇ to 500 ⁇ (e.g., less than 250 ⁇ or less than 100 ⁇ ); a porosity (i.e., a percentage of the total volume of the nonwoven which is free space) of between 40% and 90% (e.g., between 70% and 90%); a thickness of the active layer of between 0.1 mm to 2 mm; a density of between 0.8 to 1 .5 g/cm 3 ; a mass per unit area of between 50 to 500 g/m 2 (e.g., between 50 and 400 g/m 2 or between 150 to 250 g/m 2 ); a breaking force and elongation (strip method), according to
• the active layer composed of the nanofiber nonwoven filled with the superabsorbent preferably has at least one or more of the following properties: a filling level of superabsorbent (SAP), that is calculated as weight by weight of dry material, of between about 10 and 80% (e.g., between about 40 and 80% or between about 50 to 70%); an absorbency (tb) in saline (0.9% NaCl in water, 30 min), as measured in the teabag test in accordance with ED ANA standard test WSP 240.2 (05) of between 20 g/g and 50 g g (e.g., between 25 g/g and 31 g/g), at an SAP filling level of 50%, or between about 38 g/g and 45 g/g at an SAP filling level of 75%; a retention capacity (CRC) for saline (0.9% NaCl in water, 30 min), as measured in the centrifuge test according to ED ANA standard test WSP 241.2 (05), of between 14 g/
• SAP
• a barrier layer 14 impermeable to water vapor is provided in addition to the layers already illustrated in Figure 1.
• the barrier layer 14 is intended to occlude the contaminated skin area and stimulate the production of sweat.
• the barrier layer 14 is formed from a material impermeable to water vapor (e.g., polypropylene or PET).
• the barrier layer 14 and the carrier layer 10 can be configured so as to be permeable to heat radiation or to be heat conducting.
• An increased production of sweat by the parts of the skin covered by the barrier layer 14 or carrier layer 10 increases the decontaminating effect of the textile composite material 12.
• the sweat flushes out the noxious substances having already penetrated the hair follicles and the upper cell layer of the corneocytes.
• the sweat along with these noxious substances and the particles of noxious substances still present on the skin surface, is then absorbed by the superabsorbent in the nanofiber nonwoven and retained therein.
• At least one of the barrier layer 14 and the carrier layer 10 is configured to be permeable to heat radiation.
• the skin areas concerned which are covered by the textile composite material 12 can then be purposefully heated using heat radiators, for example, or a chemical reaction producing heat. A quick and controlled stimulation of the production of sweat in the contaminated skin area is thereby obtained.
• the heat transfer between the barrier layer 1 and the skin surface may take place by heat conduction. It is preferable that both the barrier layer 14 and the carrier layer 10 are permeable to heat radiation.
• the carrier layer 10 or the barrier layer 14 of the textile composite material 12 can be configured to be heat conducting. It is, for example, possible to insert heat conducting fibers or heat conducting filaments into the carrier layer 10 or the barrier layer 14, or provide the barrier layer 14 with a heat conducting coating. As in the embodiment described above, the skin areas concerned can be purposefully heated using appropriate heating sources such as, e.g. , an electrical heating element, and the production of sweat can therefore be stimulated.
• appropriate heating sources such as, e.g. , an electrical heating element
• the barrier layer 14 may contain an agent promoting the production of sweat, for example, by applying a sweat promoting agent onto the surface of the barrier layer 14 that faces the skin.
• the textile composite material 12 then acts like a transdermal system, the agent being absorbed by the skin first and stimulating the production of sweat.
• the sweat promoting agent does not require a long-term effect since the production of sweat is locally restricted and is intended to occur only for the duration of the decontamination.
• the sweat produced in the contaminated skin area, along with the noxious substances, is flushed out and the excessive agent, is then absorbed by the nanofiber nonwoven and retained in the superabsorbent.
• suitable sweat producing agents include, but are not limited to, methyl nicotinate, 2-hydroxyethyl salicylate, methyl salicylate, ethyl salicylate, menthol B.P. or agents containing benzene derivatives as disclosed for example in JP-A 101 14649.
• the active layer 20 may also comprise a color indicator to indicate the production of sweat. Owing to this addition, the optimum time to remove the material from the skin can be indicated to the user of the textile composite material 12.
• color indicators appropriate for this use include, but are not limited to, cobalt (II) chloride, quinizarin powder, pentamethoxy red, methyl yellow, phenolphthalein, thymolphthalein, p-naphtolbenzein, 4- nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, o-cresolphthalein, m-cresol red, thymol blue, m-cresol purple, or mixtures thereof.
• the color of the color indicator changes if the nanofiber nonwoven has absorbed an amount of sweat that is sufficient for decontaminating and/or the capacity of the superabsorbent to absorb liquid has been exhausted.
• the color indicator may be combined with the superabsorbent and incorporated into the active layer 20, for example, by adding the combined superabsorbent and color indicator to the polymer melt or solution before spinning of the nanofiber nonwoven.
• the embodiments described above can be combined with each other in any way.
• the carrier layer 10 can be at the same time impermeable to water vapor and heat conducting or permeable to heat radiation, or the barrier layer 14 can contain an agent promoting the production of sweat. Further combinations are also conceivable and considered to be within the scope of the invention.
• the textile composite material 12 has a carrier layer 10 having a planar surface area which is larger than a planar surface area of the active layer 20 so that the carrier layer 10 overlaps and encircles the rim of the active layer 20.
• the overlapping edge of the carrier layer 10 is provided with an adhesive layer 30.
• the adhesive layer 30 is provided on the surface of the composite material 12 that faces the skin to fasten the textile composite material 12 to the skin. This leads to an even better contact of the active layer 20 with the skin which in turn leads to an improvement of the decontaminating effect.
• the adhesive layer 30 applied to the active layer 20 can be designed to remove the upper cell layer of the comeocytes from the skin.
• the upper cell layer of the comeocytes along with the noxious substance particles having already entered the latter, is thus extracted in a non-invasive way, and the proportion of the removed noxious substances is increased.
• the shape of the textile composite material is chosen randomly and can of course be configured in any way.
• the composite textile material 22 comprises the flexible carrier layer 10, and a first and second active layers 20, 20', wherein the first active layer 20 is provided with a metal coating 50.
• the nanofiber nonwoven constituting the first active layer 20 is produced to form peaks and valleys.
• the valleys of the first active layer 20 are filled with the second active layer 20'.
• At least the second active layer 20' is comprised of the nanofiber nonwoven filled with
• both of the first and second active layers 20, 20* include the superabsorbent.
• the adhesive layer 30 is provided on the metallic coating 50 (as shown in Fig. 4), or on the edge portion of the carrier layer 10 overlapping the rim of the active layers 20, 20' (as shown in Fig. 5).
• the method for forming the peaks and valleys comprises manipulating the fibers during the spinning process either with a vacuum or with grids. The peaks and valleys were created to allow for both the absorptive component 20' and the heat-conducting component 50 to be in direct contact with the skin.
• the metallic coating 50 which acts as a heat-conducting component, needs to be in direct contact with the skin in order to be conductive.
• both absorptive layer 20' and the conductive layer 50 can be in direct contact with the skin.
• Other parameters of the nonwoven and composite were as follows:
• a porosity that is a percentage of the total volume of the nonwovens, which is free space, of about 80%;
• a thickness of the active layer of about 0,5 mm
• the active layer comprised of the nanofiber nonwoven filled with the superabsorbent had the following properties:
• a filling level of superabsorbent (calculated as weight by weight of dry material) of about 50%;
• CRC retention capacity measured in the centrifuge test according to ED ANA standard test WSP 241.2 (05), of about 24 g g; and a contact angle as measured at 22 °C and 55% relative humidity (Fibro DAT of Rycobel, Belgium) of about 121°.
• octylmethoxycinnamate was applied onto the skin on the flexor forearm of 10 healthy volunteers.
• the sunscreen was chosen as a model formulation because it sticks strongly on the skin surface after application. 2 mg/cm 2 of the sunscreen was applied on selected skin areas at a size of 4 x 5 cm for each area. The application areas were surrounded with a silicon barrier to avoid the spreading of the formulation on the skin surface. After 10 minutes penetration time, the penetration of the formulation into the skin was analyzed by the method of tape stripping as described below.
• a second skin area was used as a control without decontamination.
• the tape stripping test is based on the successive application and removal of adhesive films (Tesa Film, Beiersdorf, Hamburg, Germany) from the skin.
• the removed tape strips comprise approximately one cell layer of corneocytes and the corresponding part of topically applied substance localized within this cell layer.
• the amount of stratum corneum removed with a single tape strip is determined spectroscopically by determining the pseudo-absorption at 430 nm, whilst the concentration of the penetrated formulation is analyzed by the absorption of the UV-filter substance octylmethoxycinnamate at 310 nm.
• the horny layer profile of the skin areas was calculated as described by Weigmann et. al., "Determination of the horny layer profile by tape stripping in combination with optical spectroscopy in the visible range as a prerequisite to quantify percutaneous absorption" in Skin Pharmacol. Appl. Skin Physiol, 1999, vol.12, pp. 34-45, which is incorporated by reference. Specifically, the horny layer profile of the skin areas was calculated by adding the pseudo-absorptions of the single tape strips removed from the same skin area. The penetration profile was determined by relating the amount of the penetrated UV filter substance to the corresponding tape strip in the horny layer profile. A typical example is shown in Fig. 6, wherein the distance between the horizontal lines corresponds to the amount of stratum corneum removed with a single tape strip. The upper horizontal lines represent the skin surface and the lower horizontal lines correspond to deeper parts of the stratum corneum.
• the concentration of the UV filter octylmethoxycinnamate in the different samples was determined by absorption, using an UV/VIS spectrometer.
• the UVNIS spectra of the extracts were measured between 240 and 500 nni.
• the concentration of the UV filter substance was calculated from the determined absorption maximum at 310 nm on the basis of a calibration curve in ethanol.
• FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the penetration profile of a model substance into the skin obtained by tape stripping. Specifically, Fig. 6 shows the typical penetration profile of the UV filter octylmethoxycinnamate, 10 minutes after application without decontamination obtained from skin area A. Most of the formulation is located in the first cell layers. The UV filter substances could be detected up to the 7 th cell layers of corneocytes. About 90% of the topically applied UV filter can be detected in the first 10 tape strips.
• Figure 7 is a graph illustrating the distribution of the model substance in the stratum corneum after washing. Specifically, in Fig. 7, the distribution of the UV Filter substance in the stratum corneum after washing is demonstrated. The results depicted in Fig. 7 show that the amount of UV filter substance in the upper cell layer was reduced by the washing procedure to about 60%. However, the UV filter substance could be detected in deeper layers in comparison to the penetration profile shown in Fig. 6.
• Figure 8 is a graph illustrating the distribution of the model substance in the stratum corneum after decontamination with a textile composite material composed of nanofiber nonwoven filled with superabsorbent. Specifically, in Fig. 8, the penetration profiles after decontamination with the absorbent textile composite material are presented. In this case, the concentration of the octylniethoxycinnamate was reduced strongly in the stratum corneum in comparison to the washed skin area B. Specifically, a reduction to about 35% of the initial UV filter concentration was found in the case of skin decontamination with the textile composite material. A penetration in deeper parts of the stratum corneum as in the case of washing was not observed.
• Figure 9 illustrates an LSM image of the distribution of a fluorescent dye on the skin after application and penetration. Without decontamination, a strong fluorescent signal was detected on the skin surface (Fig. 9).
• FIGs lOa-b illustrate an LSM image of the distribution of the fluorescent dye after washing.
• the washing procedure led to a removal of the topically applied substance from the skin surface.
• a strong fluorescent signal was still localized in the region of the furrows and orifices of the hair follicles (Figs. 10a, b).
• Figures 1 l a-c illustrate an LSM image of the distribution of the fluorescent dye after decontamination with the textile composite material. After decontamination with the absorbent material, the fluorescent signal was markedly reduced, both on the skin surface as well as in the furrows and orifices of the hair follicles. However, in Figs. 1 la-b, a low fluorescent signal was still detectable in the area of the furrows and orifices of the hair follicles (Fig. 1 1 a, b).
• Figures 12-13 illustrate methodologies of decontaminating human skin from noxious substances, according to various aspects of the innovation. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein (e.g., in the form of a flow chart or flow diagram) are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the innovation.
• a method of decontaminating human skin from noxious substances is illustrated.
• a textile composite is applied to a contaminated skin area for a predetermined period of time.
• the textile composite is applied to the contaminated skin area without applying a washing procedure or a massage procedure.
• the textile composite comprises an active layer comprising a nanofiber nonwoven which comprises a superabsorbent for absorbing and retaining at least one noxious substance.
• the textile composite is removed from the contaminated skin area.
• the method of decontaminating human skin from noxious substances is further illustrated.
• the textile composite is reapplied to the contaminated skin area.
• a repeated application of the textile composite on the same contaminated skin area led to an almost complete removal of the noxious substance from the contaminated area as well as the furrows and orifices of the hair follicles.
• the textile composite is adhered to the contaminated skin area via an adhesive layer.
• the adhesive layer is applied to the active layer and connects the composite material with the contaminated skin area.
• the adhesive layer can be designed to remove the upper cell layer of the corneocytes from the skin. When removing the textile composite from the contaminated skin area, the upper cell layer of the corneocytes, along with the noxious substance particles is extracted in a non-invasive way, and the proportion of the removed noxious substances is increased.
• the production of sweat is stimulated in the contaminated skin area, wherein a carrier layer is impermeable to water vapor.
• An increased production of sweat by the parts of the skin covered by the active layer or carrier layer increases the decontaminating effect of the textile composite.
• the sweat flushes out the noxious substances having already penetrated the hair follicles and the upper cell layer of the corneocytes.
• the sweat along with these noxious substances and the particles of noxious substances still present on the skin surface, is then absorbed by the superabsorbent in the nanofiber nonwoven and retained therein.
• the textile composite material has a carrier layer that is impermeable to water vapor.
• the carrier layer which is impermeable to water vapor closes the active layer lying on the contaminated skin surface in a damp-tight manner and thus stimulates the production of sweat in the enclosed skin area.
• the production of sweat is stimulated in the contaminated area, wherein at least one of the active layer and the carrier layer are configured to be permeable to heat radiation. At least one of the carrier layer and the active layer are designed to stimulate the production of sweat by the skin.
• the skin areas concerned which are covered by the textile composite can then be purposefully heated using heat radiators, for example, or a chemical reaction producing heat. A quick and controlled stimulation of the production of sweat in the contaminated skin area is thereby obtained.
• the production of sweat is stimulated in the contaminated area, wherein at least one of an active layer and a carrier layer of the textile composite material are configured to be heat conducting. It is, for example, possible to insert heat conducting fibers or heat conducting filaments into the carrier layer and/or the active layer, or provide the active layer with a heat conducting coating. As in the embodiment described above, the skin areas concerned can be purposefully heated using appropriate heating sources such as, e.g. , an electrical heating element, and the production of sweat can therefore be stimulated.
• appropriate heating sources such as, e.g. , an electrical heating element
• an active layer comprises an agent promoting the production of sweat.
• an active layer comprises an agent promoting the production of sweat.
• an active layer comprises an agent promoting the production of sweat.
• the agent will stimulate the production of sweat to flush out the noxious substances.
• the textile composite material then acts like a transdermal system, the agent being absorbed by the skin first and stimulating the production of sweat.
• Suitable sweat producing agents may be methyl nicotinate, 2-hydroxyethyl salicylate, methyl salicylate, ethyl salicylate, menthol B.P. or agents containing benzene derivatives disclosed for example in JP-A 101 14649.
• the active layer may also comprise a color indicator to indicate the production of sweat. Owing to this addition, the optimum time to remove the material from the skin can be indicated to the user of the textile composite material.
• Color indicators appropriate for this use are for example: cobalt (II) chloride, quinizarin powder,
• the color indicator may be combined with the superabsorbent and incorporated into the active layer, for example by adding the combined superabsorbent and color indicator to the polymer melt or solution before spinning of the nanofiber nonwoven.
• the embodiments described above can be combined with each other in any way.
• the carrier layer can be at the same time impermeable to water vapor and heat conducting or permeable to heat radiation, and/or the active layer can contain an agent promoting the production of sweat. Further combinations are also conceivable and considered to be within the scope of the invention.
• the carrier layer and the active layer can be formed integrally with each other.
• the carrier layer can be a woven fabric, and the nanofibers of the active layer can be firmly spun onto and with the woven fabric filaments of the carrier layer.
• the carrier layer and the active layer are bonded to each other.
• the layers can then be produced separately, so as to have the respective desired properties, and then bonded to each other by chemical, thermal or physical bonding as is generally known in the art.

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• 2011
  • 2011-02-21 JP JP2013524844A patent/JP6018061B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-02-21 KR KR1020127022891A patent/KR101742345B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-02-21 CN CN201180004385.3A patent/CN102596132B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-02-21 DK DK11818491.0T patent/DK2605736T3/en active
  • 2011-02-21 EP EP11818491.0A patent/EP2605736B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2011-02-21 WO PCT/US2011/025615 patent/WO2012023996A1/en not_active Ceased

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