GB594185A - A process and apparatus for the manufacture of sterile surgical dressings - Google Patents

Abstract

594,185. Medicated dressings. HERTS PH ARMACEUTICALS, Ltd., ' MITCHELL, S. C., PICARD, C. W., SAWER, G. L., SHAW, T.., ROCHE PRODUCTS, Ltd., BERGEL, F., MORRISON, A. L., and MOSS, A. R. June 27, 1945, No. 16432. [Classes 81 (i) and 81 (ii)] A continuous process for the manufacture of sterile surgical dressings comprises passing sterile surgical gauze or like absorbent - fabric through a solution of penicillin, for example in the form of its calcium salt, or other therapeutic substances, drying the impregnated fabric under sterile conditions to a moisture con- .tent well below that at which the fabric is normally in equilibrium with air of 50 per cent. relative humidity at 70‹F., and enclosing it, preferably after cutting it into portions, in a hermetically sealed sterile envelope. In Fig. I, surgical gauze from a spool or spools 2 is passed through tensionings rolls 4 to an impregnating tank 5 containing a solution of the therapeutic substance in water or an organic solvent, such as acetone or alcohol, or -mixture thereof with water. Thence the gauze passes through rollers 6, which may be eccentrically adjusted, to express fluid therefrom and leave for example 1c.c. fluid per 1gm. of gauze, to a drying tunnel 8 supplied with sterile hot air from chamber 9. If more than one ply of gauze is used, they may be separated by means of transverse glass rods for passage through the tunnel and reunited at the further end thereof. More hot air is supplied to the tunnel than fan 12 will exhaust therefrom. The gauze next passes through rollers 13 to guillotine 14 whence the individual pieces are transported by a shutter to between two layers of plastic film 60, for example of " Pliofilm " (Registered Trade Mark) polyvinyl chloride or other non-permeable film, from spools 16. The film is sterilised by exposure to ultra-violet light lamps 17 and is supplied at a faster rate than the gauze portions. The films containing the gauze pass between rollers 15, under guide roller 18, to sealing jig 18a, and thence to rollers 19 and guillotine 20. Transparent hoods 1 are provided when necessary as a protection against airborne infection. The moving parts are powered from a shaft 26, rollers 6, 13, 15 and 19 through bevel gears and guillotines 14 and 20 and jig 18a through intermittent bevel gears driving a shaft on which is mounted a cam acting on a rocker arm connected with the operating member. The rocker arm which drives guillotine 14 also operates the shutter by means of gear and a bell crank. The top blades of guillotine 14 and 20 are pivoted and have spring loaded adjustments. The air heating of the gauze may be supplemented by electronic heating. Specification 581,234 is referred to.