Device and method for treatment of surface infections with nitric oxide

• US 7,892,198 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2004
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Inhalation Therapies (AIT) Ltd, Sensormedics Corporation (Becton, Dickinson & Co), Pulmonox Technologies Corp.
• Original Assignee: Sensormedics Corporation (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Stenzler, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephens; Jacqueline F.
• Application Number:
  US10/944,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20050137521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,349 Days
• Field of Search: 604/23, 604/290, 604/25, 604/540, 604/543, 424/718, 514/579, 514/645
• US Class Current: 604/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/14 Devices for gas baths with ozone, hydrogen, or the like production of ozone or hydrogen C01B, C25B1/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/94 with gas supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 13/003 Blowing gases other than for carrying powders, e.g. for inflating, dilating or rinsing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 13/006 with gas recirculation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0275 Nitric oxide [NO]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/30 Gas therapy for therapeutic treatment of the skin

Abstract

A device for the topical delivery of nitric oxide gas to an infected area of skin includes a source of nitric oxide gas, a bathing unit, a flow control valve, and a vacuum unit. The bathing unit is adapted to surround the area of the infected skin and form a substantially air-tight seal with the skin surface. The bathing unit is also in fluidic communication with the source of nitric oxide. The flow control valve is position downstream of the source of nitric oxide and upstream of the bathing unit. The flow control valve controls the amount of nitric oxide gas that is delivered to the bathing unit. The vacuum unit is positioned downstream of the bathing unit and is used to withdraw gas from the bathing unit. Application of nitric oxide gas to the infected area of skin reduces levels of bacteria in the infected area and promotes the healing process.

Claims

1. A method to promote healing of an area of the body with a lesion, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flow-controlled source of exogenous nitric oxide-containing gas; and

delivering the exogenous nitric oxide-containing gas to the area of the body so as to topically contact and bathe the lesion with nitric oxide gas.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a jet of exogenous nitric oxide-containing gas is delivered to the lesion.

3. A method to promote healing of a lesion, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying the lesion on the surface of a body;

providing a flow-controlled source of exogenous nitric oxide gas;

diluting the exogenous nitric oxide gas;

delivering the exogenous nitric oxide gas to the lesion on the surface of the body, and

topically contacting the lesion with the exogenous nitric oxide gas.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a jet of exogenous nitric oxide gas is delivered to the lesion.

5. A method to promote healing of a lesion on a surface of a body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a source of exogenous nitric oxide gas;

diluting the exogenous nitric oxide gas;

delivering the diluted exogenous nitric oxide gas to the lesion, and

topically contacting the lesion with the exogenous nitric oxide gas.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a jet of exogenous nitric oxide is delivered to the lesion.