Skin compatible silicone composition

1. A skin compatible component attachable to mammalian skin comprising:

a silicone polymer network derived from the addition curing of a first part including a vinyl functionalised siloxane polymer and a second part including a silicon hydride containing crosslinker, in the presence of a metal catalyst;

a superabsorbent particulate distributed within the polymer network configured to absorb moisture from the skin;

characterised by:

a permeability modifying polymer being a polyester distributed within the polymer network and having hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains.

2. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent particulate has an average particle size less than 150 μm.

3. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent particulate comprises an average particle size in the range 10 to 40 μm, 15 to 35 μm or 20 to 30 μm.

4. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent particulate is distributed within the polymer network at a concentration in the range 5 to 45 wt %, 10 to 40 wt %, 15 to 35 wt % or 20 to 30 wt %.

5. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent particulate comprises any one or a combination of the set of:

a naturally occurring hydrocolloid;

a semi-synthetic hydrocolloid; and

a synthetic hydrocolloid.

6. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent particulate comprises any one or a combination of:

a polysaccharide;

a cellulose;

hydroxyethylcellulose;

carboxymethylcellulose; and

hydroxypropylcellulose.

7. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent particulate comprises any one or a combination of:

carboxymethyl β-glucan;

cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;

sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and

methylcellulose.

8. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent particulate comprises sodium polyacrylate.

9. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein an organosilicone resin is included in the first or second part prior to addition curing.

10. The component as claimed in claim 9 wherein the organosilicone resin is an MQ resin.

11. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cohesive strengthening agent is included in the first part or the second part prior to addition curing.

12. The component as claimed in claim 11 wherein the cohesive strengthening agent comprises any one or a combination of the set of: fumed silica, fumed alumina, colloidal silica, nanoclays, silicates, silane treated organic polymers, polymeric metal oxides, and non-polymeric metal oxides.

13. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the permeability modifying polymer is not chemically bonded to the silicone polymer network.

14. The component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polyester comprises polycaprolactone (PCL).

15. The component as claimed in claim 1 comprising the permeability modifying polymer at 0.1 to 5.0 wt %; 0.1 to 4.0 wt %; 0.1 to 3.0 wt %; 0.1 to 2.0 wt %; 0.2 to 1.8 wt %; 0.2 to 1.6 wt %; 0.2 to 1.2 wt %; 0.2 to 1.0 wt %; 0.2 to 0.8 wt %; 0.2 to 0.4 wt %; or 0.6 to 1.0 wt %.

16. A skin compatible component attachable to mammalian skin manufactured by a method comprising:

mixing a first part including a vinyl functionalized siloxane polymer with a second part including a silicon hydride containing crosslinker to form a mix;

incorporating within the mix a superabsorbent particulate;

incorporating within the mix a permeability modifying polymer being a polyester having hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains; and

curing the mix via a metal catalyst;

wherein the superabsorbent particulate and the polyester are distributed within the resulting addition cured silicone polymer network.