Antimicrobial Amorphous Compositions

Abstract

The present invention comprises compositions and methods for providing antimicrobial compositions. The antimicrobial compositions comprise gel delivery vehicles comprising stabilized silver, wherein ionic silver is provided to a site for antimicrobial purposes. Methods of making and using such compositions are taught, including application of the silver-containing gel compositions to wounds, burns, abrasions, cuts, surgical incision, sites where skin or organ integrity has been breached, and other sites to supply an antimicrobial environment.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 663,236, filed Mar. 19, 2007, which is a national stage application of PCT / US2005 / 033600, filed Sep. 19, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 611,486, filed Sep. 20, 2004, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention pertains to compositions comprising stabilized silver in amorphous formulations, and methods of making and using such compositions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Silver has been long recognized for its antimicrobial properties. It was shown in the late 19th century that the ionic state of silver was the only form of silver that possessed this property (Ravelin, J. Sci. Nat. Vol. 11, p 93-102, 1869). It was subsequently shown that only minute amounts of silver are needed to demonstrate the antimicrobial effect (van Naegeli, V., Deut. Schr. Schweiz....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating skin and organ integrity issues and other sites where antimicrobial properties are needed. The compositions comprise silver compounds that can be applied to wounds, burns, abrasions, breaks, tears, cuts, surgical sites, or any other area where bacteria are not desired. The compositions are in an amorphous state, making them easy to apply and maximize antimicrobial activity. The technical effects of the invention are improved treatment and prevention of infections related to loss of organ integrity.

Problems solved by technology

These negatively charged side groups are common to the macromolecular structures of virtually all microorganisms which makes the organisms susceptible to the antimicrobial action of this element.

Although effective, it has been found that ionic silver has a very short half life or time in which it is available to attack bacteria.

Tissue components including proteins and various anions in body fluids bind to silver and reduce its availability for acting on bacteria.

Another problem encountered with silver is its reaction to light.

Although this delivery vehicle of silver overcame some of the light instability issues, it still has limitations.

However modern wound care coverings that maintain conditions that optimize wound healing typically out last the activity of antimicrobial agents applied to the wound during dressing changes.

This results in the undesirable situation where moist wound management is used to encourage tissue proliferation and repair without protection against microbial growth.

However iodine is relatively toxic at the 10,000 ppm level that is present in such products.

However not all wounds are sufficiently moist to enable mobilization of silver for the purpose of causing an antimicrobial effect in the wound environment.

Although hydrating gels are marketed, none of them provide adequate antimicrobial protection to control the bioburden in the wound environment.

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