Solutions and aerosols of metal-containing compounds

Abstract

Solutions and aerosols of metal-containing compounds are disclosed. Methods of preparing and using the solutions and aerosols, particularly in the treatment of a subject having a condition, are also disclosed. The metal-containing material can be, for example, an antimicrobial material, an antibacterial material, an anti-inflammatory material, an anti-fungal material, an anti-viral material, an anti-cancer material, a pro-apoptosis material, and/or an MMP modulating material. In certain embodiments, the metal-containing material is an atomically disordered, silver-containing material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treating a subject having a condition, comprising: 
 contacting an area of the subject having the condition with a solution containing an atomically disordered, nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metals and alloys.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal halides and metal hydrides.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum and palladium.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises silver.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an ionic compound.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises atoms, molecules or clusters.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an antimicrobial compound.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is selected from skin conditions and integument conditions.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, noncancerous growths, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths, and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of a bum, eczema, erythroderma, an insect bite, mycosis fungoides, pyoderma gangrenosum, eythrema multiforme, rosacea, onychomyocosis, acne, psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, pityriasis rubra pilaris, hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, hypertropic scarring, keloid, lichen plainus, age related skin disorders and hyperproliferative variants of the disorders of keratinization.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition comprises a respiratory condition.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral respiratory conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the respiratory condition is selected from the group consisting of asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary atelectasis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, mucositis, stomatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, lupus pneumonitis and cystic fibrosis.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition comprises a musculo-skeletal condition.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the musculo-skeletal condition is selected from the group consisting of tendonitis, osteomyelitis, fibromyalgia, bursitis and arthritis.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition comprises a circulatory condition.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the circulatory condition is selected from the group consisting of microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal circulatory conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the circulatory condition is selected from the group consisting of arteriosclerosis, septicemia, leukemia, ischemic vascular disease, lymphangitis and atherosclerosis.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition comprises cancer.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of tumors and hematologic malignancies.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the subject is selected from the group consisting of a hyperplastic tissue, a tumor tissue and a cancerous lesion.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the method induces apoptosis at the area of the subject.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the method modulates matrix metalloproteinases at the area of the subject.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is selected from mucosal conditions and serosal conditions.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of bacterial conditions, microbial conditions, inflammatory conditions, fungal conditions, viral conditions, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic conditions, noncancerous growths and cancerous conditions.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of pericarditis, Bowen's disease, stomatitis, prostatitis, sinusitis, digestive disorders, toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome, Stevens Johnson syndrome, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, common cold, ear infections, sore throat, sexually transmitted diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, hemorrhoids, thrush, dental conditions, oral conditions, conjunctivitis, and periodontal conditions.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution contains at least about 0.001 weight percent of the metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the solution contains about 10 weight percent or less of the metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the solution containing the metal-containing compound, 
 wherein the solution containing the metal-containing compound is contacted with the area of the subject having the condition within about one minute or less of formation of the solution containing the compound metal-containing.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the solution containing the metal-containing compound, 
 wherein a period of at least about 1.5 minutes passes between when the solution containing the metal-containing compound is formed and the solution containing the metal-containing compound is contacted with the area of the subject having the condition.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution further comprises a solvent.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the solution by 
 combining a powder of the metal-containing compound in a solvent.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the solution by disposing an article containing the metal-containing compound in a solvent, the article comprising a substrate having a coating of the metal-containing compound disposed thereon.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the solution into an aerosol.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising inhaling the aerosol.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein contacting the area of the subject having the condition includes injecting the solution into the subject.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the solution is injected with a needleless injector.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the solution is injected with a needle.  
     
     
         42 . A solution, comprising: 
 an atomically disordered, nanocrystalline metal-containing compound; and    a solvent for the metal-containing compound, the metal-containing compound being at least partially dissolved in the solvent.    
     
     
         43 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metals and alloys.  
     
     
         44 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal halides and metal hydrides.  
     
     
         45 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum and palladium.  
     
     
         46 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises silver.  
     
     
         47 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an ionic compound.  
     
     
         48 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises atoms, molecules or clusters.  
     
     
         49 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an antimicrobial compound.  
     
     
         50 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the solution contains at least about 0.001 weight percent of the metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         51 . The solution of  claim 50 , wherein the solution contains about 10 weight percent or less of the metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         52 . The solution of  claim 42 , wherein the solvent comprises water.  
     
     
         53 . An aerosol comprising a nanocrystalline, metal-containing compound.  
     
     
         54 . The aerosol of  claim 53 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metals and alloys.  
     
     
         55 . The aerosol of  claim 53 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal halides and metal hydrides.  
     
     
         56 . The aerosol of  claim 53 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum and palladium.  
     
     
         57 . The aerosol of  claim 53 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises silver.  
     
     
         58 . The aerosol of  claim 53 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an ionic compound.  
     
     
         59 . The aerosol of  claim 53 , wherein the metal-containing compound is an atomically disordered compound.  
     
     
         60 . The aerosol of  claim 53 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises atoms, molecules or clusters.  
     
     
         61 . The aerosol of  claim 53 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an antimicrobial compound.  
     
     
         62 . An aerosol comprising an atomically disordered, metal-containing a compound.  
     
     
         63 . The aerosol of  claim 62 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metals and alloys.  
     
     
         64 . The aerosol of  claim 62 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal halides and metal hydrides.  
     
     
         65 . The aerosol of  claim 62 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum and palladium.  
     
     
         66 . The aerosol of  claim 62 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises silver.  
     
     
         67 . The aerosol of  claim 62 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an ionic compound.  
     
     
         68 . The aerosol of  claim 62 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises atoms, molecules or clusters.  
     
     
         69 . The aerosol of  claim 62 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an antimicrobial compound.  
     
     
         70 . A method of treating a subject having a condition, comprising: 
 contacting an area of the subject having the condition with an atomically disordered, crystalline metal-containing compound by injecting a solution containing the nanocrystalline metal-containing compound.    
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metals and alloys.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the metal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal halides and metal hydrides.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum and palladium.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises silver.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an ionic compound.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises atoms, molecules or clusters.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the metal-containing compound comprises an antimicrobial compound.