| Two-phase oxygenated solution and method of use -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Two-phase oxygenated solution and method of useUSPTO Application #: 20080081324Title: Two-phase oxygenated solution and method of use Abstract: A two-phase mixture is provided having a dissolved gas and a suspension of bubbles in a liquid. Methods for making, maintaining, and using the two-phase mixture are also provided. The gas molecules may be introduced into the liquid at a high velocity under elevated pressure to form a supersaturated solution that retains the dissolved gas concentration in solution when the solution is exposed to ambient conditions. The mixture may be used in a number of applications where high concentrations of gas must be retained in solution during prolonged exposure to ambient conditions. An example of use is the treatment of wounds to non-surgically remove dead, devitalized, contaminated and foreign matter from tissue cells. The mixture may be combined with a plastic to encapsulate the suspension of bubbles to minimize liberation of the gas bubbles from the mixture. (end of abstract)
Agent: Dann, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman - Philadelphia, PA, US Inventor: C. Edward Eckert USPTO Applicaton #: 20080081324 - Class: 435001100 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Chemistry: Molecular Biology And Microbiology, Differentiated Tissue Or Organ Other Than Blood, Per Se, Or Differentiated Tissue Or Organ Maintaining; Composition Therefor The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080081324. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/197,787, filed Jul. 18, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/306,309, filed Jul. 18, 2001. The disclosures of the aforesaid applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties in the present application. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to solutions of dissolved gas, and more specifically, to multi-phase mixtures containing a solution of gas and a dispersion of gas micro-bubbles in colloidal suspension. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Oxygenated solutions are used in a variety of applications where elevated dissolved oxygen content is desired. In the medical community, it is generally known that the effect of oxygen on living tissue can be characterized by three regimes, namely, metabolic enhancement (growth accelerator), metabolic inhibition (growth arrest), and toxicity. In the former regime, oxygenated solutions can be used to accelerate the healing and regeneration rate of damaged tissue. Such wounds include cuts, lacerations, sores and burns on the face, arms, legs, torso and roof of the mouth. When wounds begin to heal, fibroblastic cells divide and spread throughout the wound area. The fibroblastic cells produce collagen, an important protein that facilitates healing. Supplying sufficient quantities of oxygen to the wound area significantly enhances fibroblast proliferation. In particular, the fibroblastic cells use amino acids hydroxylated with oxygen to synthesize collagen chains. In addition to treating wounds, oxygen is frequently used in topical applications for cleaning and revitalizing skin. In facial cleansing, dissolved oxygen assists in exfoliating dead skin particles from the skin surface. Dissolved oxygen has also been used to remove toxins, particulates and other occlusions in skin pores. In addition, oxygen has been used to revitalize skin cells by joining with protein molecules to nourish the cells and produce collagen. [0004] The amount of oxygen initially dissolved into solution is largely dependent on the method used to dissolve the oxygen gas into solution. One common method for oxygenating water is the coarse bubble aeration process, which is a subset of aeration methods known categorically as air diffusion. Pressurized air or oxygen gas is introduced through a submerged pipe having small holes or orifices into a container of water. Gas pressure is sufficient to overcome the hydrostatic head pressure, and also sustains pressure losses during passage through the small gas orifices. As a result, bubble aeration occurs at relatively low pressures; this pressure being predominantly a function of tube immersion depth. [0005] Since all interphase interfaces have a characteristic surface energy, the creation of interfacial (surface) area is an energetic process. As a gas passes through an orifice, for example, pressure energy is converted to kinetic energy, which consequently satisfies the energetic requirements of the system for the production of surface area. Area and velocity are inversely proportional; hence, as the orifice diameter decreases, the corresponding pressure drop and gas velocity increase, and more surface area is generated. Smaller bubbles result. This process has a limiting condition, however, in that the amount of heat (as irreversible work) that is produced is inversely proportional to the square of orifice diameter. It therefore becomes impractical and energetically inefficient to operate at exceptionally small orifice diameters. This process also has an absolute limit as a gas velocity of Mach one is approached within the pore. Because a pore lacks the convergent/divergent geometry required to achieve supersonic flow, increasing pressure beyond the critical pressure will not result in a further reduction of bubble size. [0006] Since oxygen therefore is introduced into solution at relatively low pressures in the bubble aeration process, the oxygen bubbles are relatively large. As a result, the aggregate bubble surface area for a dispersion of bubbles produced by bubble aeration is relatively small. The limited surface area produced by bubble aeration limits the concentration of gas that can be dissolved into solution. Oxygen dissolution is a function of the interfacial contact area between gas bubbles and the surrounding medium, and bulk fluid transport (mixing) in the liquid phase. In particular, the rate of oxygen dissolution is directly proportional to the surface area of the bubbles. A dispersion of very small bubbles, e.g. bubbles having diameters in the order of 50 microns, will have a much larger total surface area than a dispersion of large bubbles occupying the same volume. Consequently, the rate of oxygen dissolution in bubbling aeration is limited by the size of the bubbles introduced into the solvent. Fluid mixing is also very limited in bubbling aeration because the only energy source available for agitation is the isothermal expansion energy of oxygen as it rises in the solution. [0007] Oxygen dissolution in bubbling aeration is also limited by ambient pressure conditions above the solution. If the solution being aerated is exposed to atmospheric conditions, the dissolved oxygen concentration will be limited to the solubility limit of oxygen (at its partial pressure in air of 0.21 atm) under such conditions. The desirability of bubbling aeration is further hampered by equipment and energy requirements. Large blower units are used to force the gas bubbles into the carrying liquid. These blowers generate high-energy costs and often require special soundproof installations or other engineering costs. [0008] Hydrogen peroxide is another popular source of oxygen used in topical applications and baths. Oxygen is easily derived from hydrogen peroxide, or H.sub.2O.sub.2, because an H.sub.2O.sub.2 molecule readily dissociates into water (H.sub.2O) and an oxygen free-radical. The decomposition of H.sub.2O.sub.2 into water and oxygen free-radicals creates an enriched solution that facilitates dermal contact with oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide is distributed in various grades and concentrations that are specific to certain applications. Solutions of 3% and 6% hydrogen peroxide are commonly sold to consumers who use the solutions to disinfect cuts and clean skin areas. Solutions of 35% hydrogen peroxide are frequently added to spas and hot tubs to disinfect the water. Skin therapists use solutions of 35% hydrogen peroxide in oxygen baths to improve tissue regeneration and remove toxins from the dermis. Some topical creams contain stabilized forms of hydrogen peroxide intended to prevent free-radical formation and infections in skin. [0009] Despite being a significant source of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide has been the subject of significant controversy when used in skin treatment applications. Some authorities claim that hydrogen peroxide is cytotoxic to human fibroblasts, due to the presence of free-radical oxygen. As a result, some medical professionals recommend additional dilution of hydrogen peroxide solutions to avoid their toxic effects on skin. Authorities also state that hydrogen peroxide reduces white blood cell activity. Still others have found that hydrogen peroxide slows wound healing by drying the wound, which destroys the exudate and leads to necrosis of skin tissue. Dry tissue also makes the wound area prone to bacterial growth and infection. As a result, hydrogen peroxide has drawn some questions as to its suitability for treating skin wounds and burns. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Based on the foregoing, an oxygenated mixture is provided having a dissolved molecular oxygen content well above the equilibrium limit at ambient conditions. The oxygenated mixture can supply a large amount of molecular oxygen in a medium that is not traumatic to skin tissue. Since the dissolution of oxygen into solution occurs under hyperbaric conditions, a large concentration of oxygen is dissolved into solution. The resulting solution can have a dissolved oxygen content as high as 200 mg/l. In one embodiment of the solution, an oxygen-enriched solution is accompanied by a dispersion of micro-bubbles held in suspension. In another embodiment, the oxygenated solution and micro-bubble dispersion are encapsulated in a Bingham Plastic. [0011] A method for using the oxygenated solution in medical treatment is also provided. The method includes the step of filling a bath with oxygenated solution and a micro-bubble dispersion. Wounded areas of a patient, such as burned tissue, are submerged into the oxygenated solution and dispersion. The solution is allowed to enter tiny fissures or cavities in the wounded tissue. Some of the dissolved oxygen contacts the wounded tissue and aids in the regeneration of new tissue cells. As the solution is circulated in the tissue layers, the dissolved oxygen nucleates into fine micro-bubbles that attach to skin fragments. A volume change occurs upon nucleation of the oxygen bubbles. The dispersion of micro-bubbles and nucleating bubbles exfoliate damaged tissue layers and non-surgically remove dead, devitalized, contaminated and foreign matter from the tissue cells as the bubbles rise to the surface of the bath, further assisting in debridement and the regeneration of new tissue cells. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The foregoing summary as well as the following description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the figures, in which: [0013] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a two-phase mixture containing a gas enriched solution and micro-bubble dispersion in accordance with the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of an alternate mixture in accordance with the present invention; [0015] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing steps of a method for generating and using a gas enriched solution and micro-bubble dispersion in accordance with the present invention; and [0016] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing steps of an alternate method for generating and using a gas-enriched solution and micro-bubble dispersion in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-4 in general and FIG. 1 specifically, a two-phase mixture 10 containing a dissolved gas is illustrated. The mixture 10 contains a homogeneous solution 15 and a suspension or emulsion 20. The solution 15 contains a gas, such as oxygen, dissolved in a solvent, such as water. The suspension 20 is formed by a dispersion of micro-bubbles containing a gas, such as oxygen. For purposes of this description, the mixture 10 will be described as containing pure oxygen gas in water. However, it is intended that the mixture may contain other solute gases and solvents, as will be discussed further below. [0018] FIG. 1 shows the two-phase mixture in a static condition, where the mixture is stored in a vessel 5. The micro-bubble dispersion 20 consists primarily of oxygen gas bubbles that have nucleated out of the solution 15. The micro-bubble suspension 20 has a lower density than the solution phase 15 and therefore forms a stratified layer on top of the solution. Although it is not clear from FIG. 1, the micro-bubble dispersion 20 typically has an occluded or cloudy appearance. This is caused by the scattering of visible light energy through the micro-bubble surfaces. Continue reading... Full patent description for Two-phase oxygenated solution and method of use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Two-phase oxygenated solution and method of use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Two-phase oxygenated solution and method of use or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Recombinant microorganism Next Patent Application: Compositions and methods for detecting hepatitis b virus Industry Class: Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Two-phase oxygenated solution and method of use patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 5.18582 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
