Color changing skin sealant

• US 20080063615A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Weart, Ilona Furman, MacDonald, John Gavin, Schorr, Phillip A., Smith, Molly K., Arehart, Kelly
• Application Number:
  US11/590,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20080063615A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 24/001 Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties

Abstract

Iodine is used in about 80 percent of surgeries in the US to remove some level of microbial load on the skin prior to making an incision. Skin sealants are applied over skin preps to seal the skin and hold any remaining bacteria in place. Iodine produces a characteristic orange-brown color on skin. A skin sealant is provided that has a decolorant that reacts with the iodine found in most skin preps, rendering the skin prep colorless. A skin sealant containing ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Indigo Carmine or Indigo will react with the iodine, thus visually indicating where the skin prep and sealant have been applied and allowing an unobstructed view of the incision.

Claims

1. A decolorant for use with a skin sealant and application over an iodine-containing skin prep wherein said decolorant comprises at least an oxidizing agent having a reduction potential higher than the reduction potential of a reaction I₂ to 2I⁻

.

2. The decolorant of claim 1 wherein said oxidizing agent is a peroxygen bleach, an inorganic oxide, or an organic oxidizing compound.

3. The decolorant of claim 1 wherein said decolorant is present in an amount between about 0.09 and 1.5 weight percent of the sealant.

4. The decolorant of claim 1 wherein said decolorant is mixed with said skin sealant.

5. The decolorant of claim 1 wherein said decolorant is impregnated onto a sponge which is used to apply said sealant.

6. The decolorant of claim 1 wherein said decolorant is applied separately from said skin sealant from a separate reservoir.

7. The decolorant of claim 1 wherein said decolorant is applied simultaneously with said skin sealant but from a separate reservoir.

8. The decolorant of claim 1 used with said sealant to cover wounds, abrasions, burns, acne, blisters and other disruptions in the skin to protect them from subsequent contamination.

9. The decolorant of claim 1 used with said skin sealant to close wounds.

10. The decolorant of claim 1 used with a skin sealant and packaged in a “

kit”

form.

11. The decolorant of claim 1 used with a skin sealant and bundled with an iodine-containing skin prep solution.

12. The decolorant of claim 1 which decolorizes an iodine-containing skin prep in less than 10 minutes.

14. The skin sealant of claim 12 wherein said decolorant comprises at least an oxidizing agent having a reduction potential higher than 0.54 V.

15. The skin sealant of claim 12 wherein said decolorant is ascorbic acid or its derivatives.

16. The skin sealant of claim 12 wherein said sealant is used to cover wounds, abrasions, burns, acne, blisters and other disruptions in the skin to protect them from subsequent contamination and to close wounds.

13. A skin sealant comprising a decolorant.

17. A medical kit comprising a skin sealant and a decolorant.

18. The medical kit of claim 17 further comprising an iodine-containing skin prep.

19. The medical kit of claim 17 wherein said decolorant is impregnated onto a sponge which is used to apply said sealant.

20. The medical kit of claim 17 wherein said decolorant is applied simultaneously with said skin sealant but from a separate reservoir.