Controlled release dressing for enzymatic debridement of necrotic and non-viable tissue in a wound

Abstract

A dressing for debridement of necrotic and non-viable tissue in a wound, wherein the dressing comprises an effective amount of one or more proteolytic enzymes incorporated in a degradable polymeric material. The dressing of the invention provides effective debridement of necrotic wounds over a prolonged period of time, as the enzymes may be released over time. As the enzymes are incorporated in the polymeric material, a high stability is achieved.

1 . A dressing for debridement of necrotic and non-viable tissue in a wound comprising:
 an effective amount of one or more proteolytic enzymes in the form of particles incorporated in a degradable polymeric coating,   said enzymes distributed in a wound exudates handling means in the form of an absorbent material; and   
       wherein said degradable polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of celluloses, polyvinyl, acrylic polymers, polylactates, polymers of glycerol and palmitostearic acid, shellac, polyurethanes, gelatin, polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and derivatives and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         2 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein said dressing further comprises a pain-relieving agent. 
     
     
         3 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein said dressing further comprises an anti-bacterial agent. 
     
     
         4 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein said dressing further comprises urea. 
     
     
         5 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , further comprising a backing layer. 
     
     
         6 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the enzymes are selected from the group consisting of bromelain, collagenase, fibrinolysin, deoxyribonuclease, krillase, papain, streptokinase, streptodornase, sutilains, subtilisin, trypsin, and vibriolysin. 
     
     
         7 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the dressing is in the form of an island dressing, and said dressing further comprising an adhesive flange surrounding said absorbent element. 
     
     
         8 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of hydrocolloids, foams, alginates, chitosan, or super absorbent materials in the form of particles or fibers or in a hydrogel form. 
     
     
         9 . A dressing according to  claim 6 , wherein the enzyme is papain. 
     
     
         10 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent element has an absorption capacity of at least between about 0.05 g of 0.9% aqueous NaCl at 37° C. per cm 2  to about 0.6 g of 0.9% aqueous NaCl at 37° C. per cm 2 . 
     
     
         11 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric coating is selected from the group consisting of celluloses, polyvinyls, acryic copolymers, polylactates, polymers of glycerol and palmitostearic acid, shellac, polyurethanes, gelatin and polyethylene glycol.