Antimicrobial barriers, systems, and methods formed from hydrophilic polymer structures such as chistosan

1 . An antimicrobial barrier comprising:

a structure including a chitosan biomaterial.

2 . The antimicrobial barrier of claim 1 wherein said structure further comprises a polymer sponge structure.

3 . The antimicrobial barrier of claim 2 wherein said polymer sponge structure is a hydrophilic material.

4 . The antimicrobial barrier of claim 3 wherein said polymer sponge structure further includes at least one of (i) micro-fracturing of a substantial portion of the structure by mechanical manipulation prior to use, or (ii) a surface relief pattern formed on a substantial portion of the structure prior to use, or (iii) a pattern of fluid inlet channels formed in a substantial portion of the structure prior to use.

5 . An antimicrobial barrier according to claim 4 , wherein the micro-fracturing results from at least one of bending, twisting, rotating, vibration, probing, compressing, extending, shaking, or kneading.

6 . An antimicrobial barrier according to claim 4 , wherein the surface relief pattern results from thermal compressing.

7 . An antimicrobial barrier according to claim 4 , wherein the structure includes a base surface and a top surface, and wherein the surface relief pattern is formed on the top surface and not on the base surface.

8 . A tissue dressing according to claim 4 , wherein the pattern of fluid inlet channels comprises perforations.

9 . An antimicrobial barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the structure includes a base surface and a top surface, and wherein a backing surface is located on the top surface.

10 . A method of making an antimicrobial barrier as defined in claim 1 .

11 . A method of using an antimicrobial barrier as define in claim 1 to perform at least one of (i) stanch, seal, or stabilize a site of tissue injury, tissue trauma, or tissue access; or (ii) form an anti-microbial barrier; or (iii) form an antiviral patch; or (iv) intervene in a bleeding disorder; or (v) release a therapeutic agent; or (vi) treat a mucosal surface; or (vii) a combination thereof.

12 . An antimicrobial barrier comprising:

a structure including a chitosan biomaterial, said structure having been densified by compression.

13 . The antimicrobial barrier of claim 12 wherein said structure is compressed to a density of between 0.6 to 0.1 g/cm3.

14 . A method of making an antimicrobial barrier as defined in claim 12 .

15 . A method of using an antimicrobial barrier as define in claim 12 to perform at least one of (i) stanch, seal, or stabilize a site of tissue injury, tissue trauma, or tissue access; or (ii) form an anti-microbial barrier; or (iii) form an antiviral patch; or (iv) intervene in a bleeding disorder; or (v) release a therapeutic agent; or (vi) treat a mucosal surface; or (vii) a combination thereof.

16 . A method of reducing a bacterial count, the method comprising:

exposing a population of bacteria to a chitosan biomaterial.

17 . A method of reducing a bacterial count to a non-invasive level, the method comprising:

exposing a population of bacteria to a chitosan biomaterial for a period of less than 2 hours.