Wound Dressings Containing Complexes of Transition Metals and Alginate for Elastase-Sequestering

Abstract

Transition metal (e.g., silver and copper) derivatized phosphorylated polysaccharides (cellulose, starch, gauze) provide antimicrobial and elastase sequestration properties to wound dressings, and the wound dressing have enhanced water sorption and elastase sequestration when used with alginates. Wound dressings with alginates (e.g., silver alginate, crosslinked alginates, etc.) provide enhanced wound fluid absorption as well as elastase sequestration.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10 / 446,806 filed May 29, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 515,172, entitled “Wound Dressing with Protease-Lowering Activity,” filed on Feb. 29, 2000, that are incorporated herein in entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention generally relates to wound dressings and their methods of use. In particular, the invention provides wound dressings with associated active agents such as protease inhibitors and sequestrants which enhance the healing of wounds, especially chronic wounds.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The normal response to tissue injury is a timely and orderly reparative process that results in sustained restoration of anatomic and functional integrity (Lazarus, et al. 1994). In contrast, in chronic ulcers, the healing process is prolonged, incomplete and proceeds in an uncoordinated manner resulting in poor anato...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"This patent describes a new type of wound dressing that can be used to treat chronic wounds. The dressing is made up of a support matrix and an antimicrobial agent. The support matrix can be made from materials like cellulose or alginate, and the antimicrobial agent can be silver or copper. The dressing also contains elastase sequestrants that can remove harmful proteases from the wound. The dressing can be applied to wounds to promote healing, especially chronic ones. Overall, this patent provides a new and effective way to treat wounds and promote healing."

Problems solved by technology

In contrast, in chronic ulcers, the healing process is prolonged, incomplete and proceeds in an uncoordinated manner resulting in poor anatomical and functional outcome.

For the most part, these attempts have met with little notable success.

While this second approach has shown some promise, its expense presently greatly limits its use to the richer developed countries.

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