Medical devices for generating heat and methods of treatment using same

Abstract

A device comprising a heat-generating component that comprises an alkali metal is provided. The alkali metal in the presence of water at a point of contact of the device undergoes an exothermic reaction to generate heat in situ. The amount of heat generated is proportional to and/or limited by the amount (or moles) of water at the point of contact, and the heat generated is sufficient to achieve an increase in temperature at the point of contact to achieve a therapeutic or beneficial result. In one embodiment, the device is used for reducing sweat production in a subject suffering from excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. In other embodiments, the device is used to substantially sterilize a surface or render a surface substantially aseptic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat-generating component, comprising:
 an alkali metal selected from sodium and potassium and in a form capable of reacting exothermically with water, wherein the alkali metal is present in an amount sufficient to generate an amount of heat when the alkali metal contacts water at a treatment surface associated with a medical or cosmetic procedure.   
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of heat generated is controlled by or limited by an amount of or moles of water at a point of contact between the alkali metal and the treatment surface. 
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of heat generated is proportional to an amount of or moles of water at a point of contact between the alkali metal and the treatment surface. 
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal is selected from the group consisting of neat sodium, neat potassium, an alloy of sodium, an alloy of potassium, a sodium/potassium alloy, an oxide of sodium, and an oxide of potassium. 
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal is a potassium oxide or a sodium oxide. 
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal reacts exothermically to generate an alkali metal hydroxide. 
     
     
         7 . The component of  claim 6 , wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture [component] is supported on a member of a medical device for the duration of the medical or cosmetic procedure. 
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment surface is an external surface of a human body. 
     
     
         10 . A device for use in a medical or cosmetic procedure, comprising:
 a base, and   an alkali metal supported by the base, the alkali metal (i) selected from sodium and potassium, (ii) in a form capable of reacting exothermically with water, and (iii) present in an amount sufficient to generate an amount of heat when the device contacts a treatment surface to cause contact of the alkali metal with water at the treatment surface.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the amount of heat generated is controlled by or limited by an amount of or moles of water at a point of contact between the alkali metal and the treatment surface. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the amount of heat generated is proportional to an amount of or moles of water at a point of contact between the alkali metal and the treatment surface. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the alkali metal is selected from the group consisting of neat sodium, neat potassium, an alloy of sodium, an alloy of potassium, a sodium/potassium alloy, an oxide of sodium, and an oxide of potassium. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the alkali metal is a potassium oxide or a sodium oxide. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the alkali metal reacts exothermically to generate an alkali metal hydroxide. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the treatment surface is separate from the device. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the treatment surface is an external surface of a human body. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device remains in contact with the treatment surface as the amount of heat is generated by reaction of water at the treatment surface and the alkali metal. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treatment, comprising:
 applying to a skin surface a heat-generating mixture comprised of an alkali metal selected from sodium and potassium and in a form capable of reacting exothermically with water, wherein the alkali metal is present in an amount sufficient to generate an amount of heat when the alkali metal contacts water at the skin surface.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the method is for treating a wound. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the method is for treating hyperhidrosis.