Hydrogel

Abstract

The invention is related to gel preparations capable of absorbing as well as releasing liquid, and the use of such gel preparations in the treatment of wounds.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the hydrogel comprises at least one gel-forming substance selected from the group consisting of agar, alginates, alginic acids, Arabic gum, gelatine, starch, tragacanth gum, methylcelluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses, carboxymethylcelluloses, polyacrylic acids and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the preparation further comprises a liposome forming material. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the liposome forming material comprises lecithin. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the lecithin is hydrogenated soy bean lecithin. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the liposome forming material further comprises cholesterol, or disodium succinate-hexahydrate. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the liposome forming material forms liposomes having an average size of the liposomes is in a range of about 1 μm to about 150 μm. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the preparation further comprises a film forming substance. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the film-forming substance is a hyetellose, hypromellose, hyaluronat, polyvinylalcohol or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the film forming substance is present in the range between 0.1% to 10%, based on the total weight of the preparation. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the film forming substance is polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the preparation further comprises at least one antiseptic agent. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the antiseptic agent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oxygen- and halogen-releasing compounds and metal compounds. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the preparation comprises one or more organic disinfectants. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the antiseptic agent is associated with liposomes. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the preparation further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, conserving agents, antioxidants, consistency forming additives and pH-adjusting agents. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the preparation further comprises a wound-healing promoting agent. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the wound-healing promoting agent is selected from the group consisting of dexpanthenol, allantoines, azulenes, tannins, vitamins, and derivatives thereof. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the preparation further comprises a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable medium. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the preparation releases at least 8%, of the liquid from a test substrate. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein liquid absorption of the hydrogel is less than 15%. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the hydrogel is formed from a pre-gel at the desired locus by evaporation of at least one volatile component or by absorption of a liquid component by body tissue. 
   
   
       23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the preparation is free of particulate carriers. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the preparation is free of antiseptic agents. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the preparation is free of anti-inflammatory agents. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the preparation is free of pharmaceutically active agents. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the preparation is free of film-forming substances. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the hydrogel comprises at least one gel-forming substance selected from the group consisting of agar, alginates, alginic acids, Arabic gum, gelatine, starch, tragacanth gum, methylcelluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses, carboxymethylcelluloses, polyacrylic acids and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the preparation further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, conserving agents, antioxidants, consistency forming additives and pH-adjusting agents. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the preparation further comprises a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable medium. 
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the preparation releases at least 8% of the liquid from the a test substrate. 
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein liquid absorption of the hydrogel is less than 15%. 
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the hydrogel is formed from a pre-gel at the desired locus by evaporation of at least one volatile component or by absorption of a liquid component by body tissue. 
   
   
       35 . A preparation for wound healing comprising a hydrogel wherein the capability of the preparation to release liquid is greater than its capability to absorb liquid and wherein the preparation does not contain liposomes and iodine. 
   
   
       36 . The preparation according to  claim 35  wherein the preparation is free of particulate carriers. 
   
   
       37 . The preparation according to  claim 35 , wherein the preparation is free of antiseptic agents. 
   
   
       38 . The preparation according to  claim 35 , wherein the preparation is free of anti-inflammatory agents. 
   
   
       39 . The preparation according to  claim 35 , wherein the preparation is free of pharmaceutically active agents. 
   
   
       40 . The preparation according to  claim 35 , wherein the preparation is free of film-forming substances. 
   
   
       41 . The preparation according to  claim 35 , wherein the hydrogel comprises at least one gel-forming substance selected from the group consisting of agar, alginates, alginic acids, Arabic gum, gelatine, starch, tragacanth gum, methylcelluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses, carboxymethylcelluloses, polyacrylic acids and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       42 . The preparation according to  claim 35 , wherein the preparation further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, conserving agents, antioxidants, consistency forming additives and pH-adjusting agents. 
   
   
       43 . The preparation according to  claim 37 , further comprising a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable medium. 
   
   
       44 . The preparation according to  claim 37 , wherein the preparation releases at least 8% of the liquid from a test substrate. 
   
   
       45 . The preparation according to  claim 37 , wherein liquid absorption of the hydrogel is less than 15%. 
   
   
       46 . A wound dressing comprising a preparation according to  claim 37 . 
   
   
       47 . A method for treating a wound, wherein said method comprises administering, to the wound, a preparation comprising a hydrogel;
 wherein the capability of the hydrogel to release liquid is greater than its capability to absorb liquid.   
   
   
       48 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the liposome forming material forms liposomes having an average size in a range of about 1 μm to about 70 μm. 
   
   
       49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the liposome forming material forms liposomes having an average size in a range of about 1 μm to about 30 μm. 
   
   
       50 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the film forming substance is present in a range between 0.5% and 7% based on the total weight of the preparation. 
   
   
       51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein the film forming substance is present in a range between 2% and 4% based on the total weight of the preparation. 
   
   
       52 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the antiseptic agent comprises at least one oxygen- and halogen-releasing compound selected from the group consisting of iodine and iodine complexes. 
   
   
       53 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the antiseptic agent comprises at least one metal compound selected from the group consisting of silver-compounds and mercury-compounds. 
   
   
       54 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the organic disinfectants is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde-releasing compound, phenolic compounds, chinolines, acridines, hexahydropyrimidines, quartenary ammonia compounds, imines and salts thereof, and guanidines. 
   
   
       55 . The method according to  claim 54 , wherein at least one of the organic disinfectants is a phenolic compound selected from the group consisting of alkyl- and aryl-phenolic compounds. 
   
   
       56 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the wound-healing promoting agent is vitamin B. 
   
   
       57 . The method for treating a wound, wherein said method comprises administering, to the wound, a preparation comprising a hydrogel; wherein
 (a) the capability of the hydrogen to release liquid is greater than its capability to absorb liquid, and   (b) the preparation is free of liposomes and iodine.