GAS DISPENSER WITH THERAPEUTIC AGENT
Various embodiments described herein promote accelerated healing of a wound. For example, in some embodiments, a gas emitter, such as an oxygen emitter, and a therapeutic agent, such as a zeolite, are positioned proximal to a wound. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is dispersed or contained in a substrate or pouch removably attached to the gas emitter. The therapeutic agent can be a topical agent configured to make contact with the wound during therapy.
1 . A device for treating a wound, the device comprising:
a gas permeable pad configured to be placed in proximity to a wound, the gas permeable pad comprising a therapeutic agent; and
a gas dispenser disposed adjacent to the gas permeable pad, the gas dispenser configured to direct a gas through the gas permeable pad toward the wound.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas dispenser is configured to direct a therapeutic concentration of oxygen through the gas permeable pad.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable pad comprises a material that is permeable to the gas.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable pad comprises a plurality of holes extending therethrough to allow the gas to pass through the gas permeable pad.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a molecular sieve material.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises zeolite particles.
7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the zeolite particles are granular zeolite particles.
8 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the zeolite particles have an average size greater than or equal to about 0.4 mm and less than or equal to about 2.4 mm.
9 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the zeolite particles have an average moisture content between about 5% and 15% by weight.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is applied to a surface of the gas permeable pad configured to face the wound.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas dispenser comprises an inlet configured to connect to an external gas supply.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the gas dispenser comprises a plurality of outlets and one or more distribution structures contained within the gas dispenser, the distribution structures configured to affect the distribution of the gas through the outlets.
13 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the gas dispenser comprises an inlet for taking in atmospheric air and an oxygen generator contained within the gas dispenser, the oxygen generator configured to extract the oxygen from the atmospheric air and direct the oxygen toward the gas permeable pad.
14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable pad is removably attachable to the gas dispenser.
15 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas permeable pad is secured to the gas dispenser and the device is a single-use disposable unit.
16 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the gas dispenser comprises a flexible material and the gas dispenser also comprises one or more support structures disposed inside the gas dispenser, the support structures configured to prevent the gas dispenser from collapsing when pressure is applied to the gas dispenser.
17 . A method of treating a wound on a patient, comprising:
applying a gas permeable pad to the wound, the gas permeable pad comprising a therapeutic agent, such that the therapeutic agent is configured to be placed in direct contact with the wound; and
dispersing a gas through the gas permeable pad and onto the wound.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the gas comprises a therapeutic concentration of oxygen.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the wound is a non-bleeding wound.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises zeolite particles.
21 . The method of claim 17 , wherein applying a gas permeable pad to the wound comprises placing the gas permeable pad directly under the patient such that the weight of the patient presses the therapeutic agent onto the wound.