Conductive wound dressings and methods of use

• US 8,449,514 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Argentum Medical LLC
• Original Assignee: Argentum Medical LLC
• Inventors: Flick, Bart A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCETICH, ADAM M
• Application Number:
  US11/926,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20080064997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,038 Days
• Field of Search: 428/412, 428/423, 428/425, 602/41, 604/73, 604/289, 604/290, 604/304, 604/305, 604/310, 604/543, 424/443
• US Class Current: 604/385.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00 Bandages or dressings radioactive dressings A61N5/1029; Absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00063 comprising medicaments or additives, e.g. odor control, PH control, debriding, antimicrobic drug delivery dressings A61K9/70; chemical aspect of the additives A61L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/022 having more than one layer with different fluid retention characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0289 manufacturing of adhesive dressings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/069 Decubitus ulcer bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15 Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body non-absorbent catamenial receptacles A61F5/44; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00251 with macroscopic openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00612 with different thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0074 containing foams
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00859 with macroscopic openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0091 with disinfecting or anaesthetics means, e.g. anti-mycrobic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00919 for physical therapy, e.g. cold or magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00936 metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process

Abstract

Wound treatment dressings comprising combinations of at least one conductive layer, at least one absorbent layer or a moisture regulation layer, and methods of making and methods of use are disclosed for treatment of wounds in humans and animals. The novel dressings aid in healing by helping restore the transepithelial potential of the skin, providing a functional anti-microbial barrier, and allowing for regulation of the moisture content of the wound without disturbing the wound.

Claims

1. A method of treating a wound in a human or an animal comprising, applying a dressing to a wound on a human or animal wherein the dressing comprises at least one conductive layer comprising a metallic silver-coated polymeric foam having a uniform three dimensional coating of metallic silver or a conformable fabric of nylon fibers having a uniform three dimensional coating of metallic silver,

wherein the metallic silver-coated nylon fibers comprise multiple longitudinal filaments that have a uniform three dimensional coating of metallic silver;

wherein the metallic silver-coated fibers or metallic silver-coated foam provide large active surface areas for a given denier per fiber to passively release an effective amount of ionic silver to promote or accelerate wound healing and wherein the fabric has a surface resistance of 0.001 to 10 Ohms/in²,

wherein the effective amount of ionic silver is between 3 and 25 micrograms/ml per hour at the wound.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the dressing further comprises an absorbent layer affixed to the at least one conductive layer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the absorbent layer comprises conductive fibers.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the dressing further comprises at least one moisture regulation layer positioned adjacent to the absorbent layer.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the absorbent layer comprises polymeric sheets, films, or foams.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the absorbent layer comprises a foam, a sponge or sponge-like material, cellulosic materials, cotton, rayon, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyurethane hydrocolloids, alginates, hydrogels, hydrocolloids, hydrofibrils, collagens or any combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber or foam has grooves or channels along the longitudinal axis of the fiber or foam for capillary movement of water, to store or trap substances, and to provide large active surface areas for a given denier per fiber or foam.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive fabric further comprises a nonconductive fiber selected from the group consisting of elastomers, natural polymers, synthetic polymers, alginates, chitosan, rayon, cotton, or polymeric substrates.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the dressing is made into a shape selected from a pad, a tampon, a tubular configuration, an island dressing, a strip dressing, or any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a magnetic field is provided to the wound surface by the conductive layer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric is a woven fabric, twisted and knotted fabric, knit fabric, non-woven fabric, or a compound/complex fabric.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric foam or silver-coated fibers are coated with metallic silver by autocatalytic metal plating.