Chlorhexidine-containing antimicrobial laminates

1. An antimicrobial laminate comprising:

at least one adhesive layer;

a backing on a first side of the adhesive layer; and

optionally, a release liner on a second side of the adhesive layer opposite from the first side of the adhesive layer,

wherein at least one of the adhesive layer and the backing comprises an antimicrobially effective amount of substantially pure chlorhexidine as a free base dispersed within a polymeric material,

wherein a lack of bonding between chlorhexidine and the polymeric material in which it is dispersed exists, and

wherein the adhesive layer comprises at least about 3% by weight of the substantially pure chlorhexidine.

2. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the laminate is a surgical incise drape.

3. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the laminate essentially comprises substantially transparent or translucent flexible polymeric materials.

4. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the backing imparts structural integrity to the laminate.

5. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the backing is extensible.

6. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the backing comprises a polyurethane base polymer.

7. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

8. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a skin-compatible adhesive.

9. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises a (meth)acrylate adhesive.

10. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the laminate is essentially free of chlorhexidine salt.

11. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one adhesive layer is essentially free of antimicrobial agents.

12. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the backing is essentially free of antimicrobial agents.

13. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises the antimicrobially effective amount of substantially pure chlorhexidine.

14. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein the at least one adhesive layer comprises about 8.75% by weight of the substantially pure chlorhexidine.

15. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein, when the laminate is tested against stainless steel according to ASTM D1000, the laminate has an adhesion level of at least about 350 mL/cm.

16. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein, when the laminate is tested against stainless steel according to ASTM D1000, the laminate has an adhesion level of at least about 580 mL/cm.

17. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 in which antimicrobial agents in the antimicrobial laminate consist of the substantially pure chlorhexidine as a free base dispersed within a polymeric material.

18. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 1 , wherein a base polymer in the adhesive layer is essentially acid-free.

19. The antimicrobial laminate of claim 18 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises the antimicrobially effective amount of the substantially pure chlorhexidine as a free base dispersed within the polymeric material.

20. An antimicrobial laminate comprising:

at least one adhesive layer;

a backing on a first side of the adhesive layer; and

optionally, a release liner on a second side of the adhesive layer opposite from the first side of the adhesive layer,

wherein at least one of the adhesive layer and the backing comprises an antimicrobially effective amount of substantially pure chlorhexidine as a free base dispersed within a polymeric material, and

wherein the adhesive layer comprises a (meth)acrylate adhesive and at least about 3% by weight of the substantially pure chlorhexidine.