The invention discloses a method of preventing transmission of viral pathogens between a source of viral pathogens and a target of said viral pathogens comprising positioning between said source and said target a microporous membrane material comprising (1) a thermoplastic polymer or polytetrafluoroethylene and (2) a water- and oil-repellent fluorochemical compound which provides said membrane with oleophobic, hydrophobic and viral barrier properties.
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/384,079 filed Feb. 6, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/105,430, filed Aug. 10, 1993 abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/962,416, filed Oct. 16, 1992 abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/779,014 filed Oct. 18, 1991 abandoned.
A method is provided for closing a containment device that involves wetting at least a portion of a permeable polymeric membrane such as tubular membrane with a liquid such as a cell suspension or drug formulation the device is being filled with, and applying heat to at least a portion of a wetted thermoplastic polymer in association with the membrane to form a "wet seal" closure. The thermoplastic polymer melts at a lower temperature than the polymeric membrane and the melted polymer integrates with the membrane by flowing along surfaces and into available interstices of the membrane to form a cell-tight closure when the polymer cools below its melt temperature. The application of heat may be accompanied by slight pressure, and a heat sink may be applied to limit heat transfer beyond the closure region to the membrane. In association with melting of the polymer, the membrane/thermoplastic polymer combination may be twisted and/or elongated, and twisting may form a separation region which can be cut to form first and second devices. The membrane and thermoplastic polymer may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene and fluorinated ethylene propylene, respectively. The containment device may be directly implanted into a recipient in need of a treatment provided by contents of the device.
Microporous articles formed by thermally induced phase separation from a diluent in combination with a thermoplastic polymer and a fluorochemical additive providing novel fluid repellent articles. Such articles are useful in clothing, barrier membranes, optical films in electronic devices (such as light reflective and dispersive films), and protective garments.
A hydrophilic polymer composition is described comprising thermoplastic of thermoset polymer, and a fluorochemical additive dispersed therein. The hydrophilic composition is useful, for example, in medical and surgical drapes.
The present invention provides an anti-pathogenic air filtration medium comprising a fibrous substrate whose fibers are coated with coating comprising a polymer. The coating provides an environment that is destructive to airborne pathogens. In particular, the filter medium can be used in a building air handling system that both filters the air and eliminates pathogens. The filter medium also can be used to create a new bio-protective gas mask that not only offers protection against chemical warfare agents, but also provides protection against biological pathogens.
Microporous articles formed by thermally induced phase separation from a diluent in combination with a thermoplastic polymer and a fluorochemical additive providing novel fluid repellent articles. Such articles are useful in clothing, barrier membranes, optical films in electronic devices (such as light reflective and dispersive films), and protective garments.
