Patent ID: 8383527

Claim:
An antimicrobial composite, wherein the composite comprises a first, liquid-permeable layer which is a polyethylene mesh that has openings having a size of from about 400 μm to about 700 μm to provide an open area of from about 15% to about 60% of a surface area of the first layer, which mesh is substantially completely laminated to a second liquid-absorbing layer having a liquid-absorbing capacity of at least about 400 g/m 2 to provide a peeling strength between the first layer and the second layer of at least about 0.15 N/cm, which mesh comprises a coating of not more than about 80 mg/m 2 silver as such on a side which faces the second layer, and wherein substantially no silver in elemental form is present on exterior surfaces of the composite, and the composite shows a 24-hour release of silver of at least about 0.1 mg/m 2 .