CHITOSAN FOAM MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS
The invention provides a solid foam wound dressing useful for hemorrhage control and wound repair, as well as methods for making such a wound dressing.
1 . A method of making a solid foam wound dressing, comprising:
I. introducing gas bubbles into the aqueous solution to form an aqueous foam, wherein the aqueous solution comprises chitosan, at least one protic acid and at least one surface active agent;
II. freezing the aqueous foam; and
III. dehydrating the aqueous foam to form a solid foam.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said dehydrating the aqueous foam comprises freeze drying the aqueous foam.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising freezing the foam in a reduced pressure environment to expand the gas bubbles in the aqueous foam.
4 . (canceled)
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising compressing the solid foam.
6 . (canceled)
7 . (canceled)
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the protic acid is a hydrogen donator acid.
9 . (canceled)
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface-active agent is anionic, cationic, non-ionic, or amphoteric.
11 . (canceled)
12 . (canceled)
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, helium, hydrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the gas bubbles are introduced by mixing, beating, agitating, aerating, whipping, or injecting the gas into the aqueous solution.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wound dressing is capable of promoting at least one of hemostasis, wound healing, and adherence to wet tissues.
16 . (canceled)
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wound dressing is antimicrobial and antiviral.
18 . (canceled)
19 . (canceled)
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solid foam comprises at least one of an open-cell structure and a lamella structure.
21 . (canceled)
22 . A solid foam wound dressing comprising chitosan, at least one protic acid and at least one surface active agent wherein said wound dressing has a porous structure that is mechanically flexible and adhesive when in contact with physiological fluids or moisture.
23 . The wound dressing according to claim 22 , wherein the physiological fluid is blood.
24 . The wound dressing of claim 22 , wherein the solid foam wound dressing is a compressed solid foam wound dressing.
25 . (canceled)
26 . The wound dressing of claim 22 , wherein the protic acid is a hydrogen donator acid.
27 . (canceled)
28 . The wound dressing of claim 22 , wherein the surface-active agent is anionic, cationic, non-ionic, or amphoteric.
29 . (canceled)
30 . The wound dressing of claim 22 , wherein the surface-active agent is antimicrobial and antiviral.
31 . The wound dressing of claim 22 , wherein the wound dressing is capable of promoting at least one of hemostasis, wound healing, and adherence to wet tissues.
32 . (canceled)
33 . (canceled)
34 . (canceled)
35 . (canceled)
36 . The wound dressing of claim 22 , wherein the solid porous material comprises at least one of an open-cell structure and a lamella structure.
37 . (canceled)
38 . A method of treating a wound, comprising applying the wound dressing according to claim 22 to the wound.