Physiologically balanced, ionized, acidic solution and methodology for use in wound healing

Abstract

Described herein is a physiologically-balanced, ionized, acidic solution. Typically the solution is prepared by the electrolysis of a solution comprising a mixture of inorganic salts in physiologically balanced proportions. This invention also relates to a methodology for use of the solutions, including a specialized bandage which may be used in combination with the solutions, or with other topically applied materials. A mixture of inorganic salts and, optionally minerals, (such as metallic elements, for example and not by way of limitation) is used in order to mimic the electrolyte concentration and mixture of body fluid in an isotonic state. The solution typically comprises halide salts of sodium, potassium, calcium, and other cations. Typically the halide is fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide, and most typically chloride. The concentrations of these salts in combination with particular minerals are such that they give the electrolyzed composition its unique properties. A typical electrolyzed solution of the present invention has a pH within the range of about 2 to about 6, an oxidation reduction potential within the range of about +600 mV to about +1200 mV, and a titratable halide content within the range of about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm. The electrolyzed, halide-comprising solution has a typical oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of about +600 to +1200 mV. The pH of the electrolyzed, chlorine-comprising solution is typically lowered to about 6 or less, giving the solution bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal properties. The halide-comprising acidic solution is physiologically balanced by the inclusion of elements such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, lithium, and beryllium in the solution. The composition of the invention is nontoxic and has antibacterial properties. The composition is useful in any application in which antimicrobial properties are desirable. The composition of the invention can be incorporated into a bandage or wound dressing. Preferably, the bandage is a specialized bandage including an opening which can be opened and closed, and through which topical treatment materials such as the solution of the present invention may be applied.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising a physiologically-balanced, ionized, acidic solution, wherein said solution is generated from a starting solution having a total concentration of halide-comprising salts ranging from about 0.4 g/L to about 16 g/L.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said solution is an electrolyzed solution.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein a physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic solution exhibits a pH ranging from about 2 to about 6, and an oxidation reduction potential ranging from about +600 mV to about +1200 mV.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic solution exhibits a titratable halogen content ranging from about 20 ppm to about 100 ppm.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic solution exhibits an O 3  concentration ranging from about 0.001 ppm to about 5 ppm.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic solution exhibits a soluble O 2  concentration ranging from about 5 ppm to about 30 ppm.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said starting solution concentration of halide-comprising salts ranges from about 4 g/L to about 12 μL.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said concentration of halide-comprising salts ranges from about 5.2 g/L to about 6.2 g/L.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said starting solution comprises a plurality of halide-comprising salts selected from the group consisting of sodium halide, potassium halide, magnesium halide, calcium halide, zinc halide, lithium halide, and beryllium halide.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said halide is chloride.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said electrolyzed, acidic solution starting solution exhibits a hypochlorite concentration ranging from about 0.1 ppm to about 1000 ppm.  
     
     
         12 . A method of wound healing, or tissue repair, or tissue regeneration, comprising: treating the wound, or tissue, or a combination thereof with the physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic composition of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         13 . A method of treating a bum, comprising application of the physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic composition of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         14 . A method of irrigation of damaged tissue, comprising exposing the area of damaged tissue to be irrigated to the physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic composition of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a burn, comprising applying the physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic composition of  claim 2  to said burn.  
     
     
         16 . A method of irrigation, comprising rinsing an area to be irrigated with the physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic composition of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         17 . A method of cleaning or treating oral tissue, comprising gargling with the physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic composition of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         18 . A method of cleaning or treating ophthalmic tissue, comprising applying the physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic composition of  claim 2  to said ophthalmic tissue.  
     
     
         19 . A method of cleaning or treating dermal tissue, comprising applying the physiologically-balanced, electrolyzed, acidic composition of  claim 2  to said dermal tissue.  
     
     
         20 . An article of manufacture, comprising the composition of  claim 2  packaged in a container, wherein surfaces of said container which contact said composition comprise at least one material which is not substantially reactive with an oxidizing agent.  
     
     
         21 . The article of manufacture of  claim 20 , wherein surfaces of said container which contact said composition comprise glass.  
     
     
         22 . A wound care kit comprising the composition of  claim 2  and a bandage for use in combination with said composition.  
     
     
         23 . An air-permeable bandage comprising a opening located at an interior portion of said bandage, wherein said opening can be reopened as needed to permit the application of the composition of  claim 2  or other topical material periodically through said opening, as needed depending on the application.  
     
     
         24 . The air-permeable bandage of  claim 23 , including a sensor which indicates the condition of said bandage in a manner such that a user of said bandage may use the indication to determine when to add said composition of  claim 2  or said other topical material through said opening.  
     
     
         25 . The wound care kit of  claim 22 , including the air-permeable bandage of  claim 23 .  
     
     
         26 . The would care kit of  claim 22 , including a wound packing material.  
     
     
         27 . The wound care kit of  claim 23 , including a wound packing material.