Wound Care Device Having Fluid Transfer Properties

• US 20110040289A1
• Filed: 10/20/2010
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Original Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Inventors: Canada, T. Andrew, Cowan, Martin E., Wiencek, Kenneth M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,021,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 2300/00 Combinations or mixtures of active ingredients covered by classes A01N27/00 - A01N65/48 with other active or formulation relevant ingredients, e.g. specific carrier materials or surfactants, covered by classes A01N25/00 - A01N65/48
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/10 Macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/34 Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4172 Imidazole-alkanecarboxylic acids, e.g. histidine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/38 Silver; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/42 Phosphorus; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/18 containing inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/26 Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Derivatives thereof A61L15/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/44 Medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/46 Deodorants or malodour counteractants, e.g. to inhibit the formation of ammonia or bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/104 Silver, e.g. silver sulfadiazine
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/404 Biocides, antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/606 Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/02 for treating wounds, ulcers, burns, scars, keloids, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/00 Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 77/02 Polyamides derived from omega-amino carboxylic acids or from lactams thereof C08L77/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 11/42 Oxides or hydroxides of copper, silver or gold
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 11/71 Salts of phosphoric acids
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 11/83 : with metals; with metal-generating compounds, e.g. metal carbonyls; Reduction of metal compounds on textiles
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 15/564 : Polyureas, polyurethanes or other polymers having ureide or urethane links; Precondensation products forming them
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 16/00 : Biochemical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. enzymatic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2525 : Coating or impregnation functions biologically [e.g., insect repellent, antiseptic, insecticide, bactericide, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2566 : Organic solvent resistant [e.g., dry cleaning fluid, etc.]

Abstract

This disclosure relates to wound care devices which are capable of one-way, directional flow of fluids and contaminants away from the wound site to the opposite side of the wound care device, which functions as a fluid reservoir. This fluid transport mechanism generally aids in reducing wound maceration by removing excess fluid, and potentially even bacteria, and is carried out without loss of physical integrity of the wound care device itself. In addition to providing a uni-directional fluid transport mechanism, the wound care device may contain a topically applied silver-based antimicrobial finish which provides certain levels of antimicrobial agent to the wound in order to clear infection from the wound site and control bacterial growth in the wound care dressing. Exemplary topical antimicrobial finishes include silver ion-releasing compounds.

Claims

1. A wound care device comprising:

a fabric having a wound contact surface and a wound fluid reservoir surface,

wherein said wound contact surface is comprised primarily of hydrophobic fiber and said wound fluid reservoir surface is comprised primarily of hydrophilic fiber, said hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers being intermeshed together; and

wherein said wound care device transports wound fluid uni-directionally from said wound contact surface to said wound fluid reservoir surface upon exposure to a wound.

2. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein at least said wound contact surface is coated with a composition comprising at least one silver ion-containing compound.

3. The wound care device of claim 2, wherein said at least one silver ion-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of silver ion exchange materials, silver particles, silver salts, silver glass, and mixtures thereof.

4. The wound care device of claim 3, wherein said silver ion exchange material is selected from the group consisting of silver zirconium phosphate, silver calcium phosphate, silver zeolite, and mixtures thereof.

5. The wound care device of claim 4, wherein said silver ion exchange material is silver zirconium phosphate.

6. The wound care device of claim 2, wherein said composition further comprises a binding agent selected from the group consisting of polyurethane binders, acrylic binders, and mixtures thereof.

7. The wound care device of claim 6, wherein said binding agent is a polyurethane-based material.

8. The wound care device of claim 2, wherein said device is non-electrically conductive.

9. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers are intermeshed together in a knit fabric construction.

10. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein said knit fabric construction is a jersey knit.

11. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic fiber is polyester fiber.

12. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic fiber is polyamide fiber.

13. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein said device further comprises an elastomeric fiber.

14. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers are intermeshed together in a woven construction.

15. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers are intermeshed together in a nonwoven construction.

16. The wound care device of claim 1, wherein said wound contact and said fluid reservoir surfaces are coated with a composition comprising at least one silver ion-containing compound.

17. The wound care device of claim 16, wherein said device exhibits effective antimicrobial properties, as defined by a zone of inhibition against bacteria on Diagnostic Sensitivity Test Agar of at least 1 mm after two successive microbial inoculations.

18. The wound care device of claim 16, wherein said device is non-electrically conductive.

19. A method for managing moisture at a wound site comprising the steps of:

(a) providing said wound care device of claim 1;

(b) placing said wound contact surface of said wound care device in contact with said wound site; and

(c) allowing said wound care device to transport wound fluid uni-directionally from said wound contact surface to said wound fluid reservoir surface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said wound contact surface is coated with a composition comprising at least one silver ion-containing compound.

21. A wound care device comprising:

a fabric having a wound contact surface and a wound fluid reservoir surface,

wherein said wound contact surface is comprised primarily of hydrophobic fiber and said fluid reservoir surface is comprised primarily of hydrophilic fiber,

wherein said hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers are intermeshed together in a jersey knit construction, and

wherein said wound care device transports wound fluid uni-directionally from said wound contact surface to said wound fluid reservoir surface upon exposure to a wound.

22. A wound care device comprising:

a fabric having a wound contact surface and a wound fluid reservoir surface,

wherein said wound contact surface is comprised primarily of polyester fiber and said fluid reservoir surface is comprised primarily of nylon fiber,

wherein said polyester and nylon fibers are intermeshed together in a jersey knit construction, and

wherein said wound care device transports wound fluid uni-directionally from said wound contact surface to said wound fluid reservoir surface upon exposure to a wound.