Abstract:
Oxidized cellulose material is neutralized, by contacting an acidic oxidized cellulose material with a water and alcohol solution of a basic salt of a weak organic acid, e. g. sodium acetate, to elevate the pH of the cellulosic material to between 5 and 8. The resulting neutralized product is storage stable and has therapeutic applications, including hemostasis and adhesion prevention. Furthermore, the neutralized product may be impregnated with acid-sensitive hemostatic agents, such as thrombin, to enhance its hemostatic properties, or with acid-sensitive adhesion-preventive agents, such as t-PA, to enhace its adhesion-prevention properties.