Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A water swellable wound dressing material comprising, by weight based on the weight of the material when anhydrous: from 5 % to 50% of an alginate ester of a C₁-C₆ polyhydric alcohol; from 50% to 95% of a humectant consisting of one or more C₁-C₆ monohydric or polyhydric alcohols; and from 0% to 30% of water, provided that the wound dressing material comprises less than 1.5% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to claim 1 wherein the alginate ester comprises propylene glycol alginate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the degree of esterification of the alginate ester is from 35% to 95%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A water-swellable wound dressing material according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the humectant comprises glycerol or propylene glycol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A water-swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim wherein the material comprises from 10% to 25% by weight of the alginate ester.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A water-swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim wherein the material comprises from 65% to 90% by weight of the humectant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A water-swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim wherein the material comprises from 5% to 15% by weight of water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A water-swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim further comprising from 0% to 25% by weight of one or more substances that are pharmacologically active to promote wound healing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A water-swellable wound dressing material according to claim 8 wherein the said one or more substances that are pharmacologically active to promote wound healing comprise a cytokine or a biopolymer other than an alginate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A water-swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim further comprising from 0% to 2% of an antimicrobial substance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim wherein the alginate ester is ionically cross-linked by polyvalent cations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to claim 11 wherein the polyvalent cations are calcium cations or zinc cations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim wherein the alginate ester is covalently cross-linked.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim wherein the material further comprises from 5% to 20% by weight based on the weight of the material when anhydrous of a substantially non-esterified alginate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim wherein the material further comprises from 10% to 35% by weight based on the weight of the material when anhydrous of gelatin or a water swellable polysaccharide other than an alginate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to claim 15 wherein the water swellable polysaccharide comprises gellan gum, agar, a cellulose derivative or a starch derivative.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim wherein the material further comprises from 5% to 20% by weight based on the weight of the material when anhydrous of a cationic polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to claim 17 wherein the cationic polymer comprises cationic chitosan.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A water swellable wound dressing material according to any preceding claim in the form of a continuous or perforated film.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A water swellable wound dressing material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the examples.