Oxygen-producing bandage with releasable oxygen source

1. A device for delivering oxygen to a wound or injury, the device comprising:

a) a bandage, including,

i) a base defining an opening,

ii) a cover wherein the cover defines openings that provide fluid communication with ambient air,

iii) a locking mechanism for releasably securing the cover to one side of the base, wherein the locking mechanism includes an interference-type fitting having a male portion and a female portion, the male portion being attached to one of the base and the cover, the female portion being attached to the other of the base and the cover, and includes a continuous closure that provides a gas-tight seal at the point of closure, and

iv) an adhesive at a perimeter of an opposite side of the base;

b) an oxygen source sealed into the cover that includes a cathode and an anode that generate concentrated oxygen from ambient air by an electrochemical process, whereby the concentrated oxygen from the oxygen source is delivered to the opening in the base; and

c) a battery incorporated into the cover.

2. The device of claim 1 , further including a water-resistant blank, whereby the cover can be removed and replaced with the water-resistant blank, thereby keeping the wound dry.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the base further includes a porous component that conducts oxygen from the oxygen source to the wound or injury.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the battery includes a primary battery.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the battery includes a rechargeable battery.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the polarity of the battery is reversible, to thereby modulate the oxygen concentration.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the oxygen source further includes a phosphoric acid-treated ion conducting membrane.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the oxygen source generates oxygen according to a four-electron process.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein said ion conducting membrane is a perfluorinated ionomeric membrane.

10. The device of claim 7 , wherein said battery applies a current across said cathode and anode.

11. The device of claim 7 , further including a catalyst in at least one of said anode and cathode.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein said catalyst on the cathode comprises Pt, Pt—Ru, Pt—Sn, Pt—Ir or ternary compositions of Pt, Ir, Ru, Sn and a valve metal, either as a metal or alloy black or as deposited on a carbon substrate, and said catalyst on the anode comprises Pt—Ir, Pt—Sn, or ternary compositions of Pt, Ir, Sn and a valve metal.

13. The device of claim 7 , wherein said device generates between about 0.1 to about 50 ml oxygen/hr under standard temperature and pressure.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the battery applies a current to the oxygen source, said current being adjustable, to thereby modulate the oxygen concentration.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the bandage further includes medicinal components.

16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the base further includes a stand-off that creates a plenum between the bandage and the wound for collection and concentration of oxygen directly over the wound.

17. A method for treating a wound with oxygen gas, comprising the steps of:

a) applying a bandage to a wound site, the bandage including,

i) a base defining an opening,

a cover wherein the cover defines openings that provide fluid communication with ambient air,

iii) a locking mechanism for releasably securing the cover to one side of the base, wherein the locking mechanism includes an interference-type fitting having a male portion and a female portion, the male portion being attached to one of the base and the cover, the female portion being attached to the other of the base and the cover, and includes a continuous closure that provides a gas-tight seal at the point of closure, and

iv) an adhesive at a perimeter of an opposite side of the base;

b) actuating an oxygen source sealed into the cover by actuating a battery incorporated into the cover; and

c) delivering oxygen from the oxygen source through the cover to the opening in the base, thereby treating the wound with oxygen gas.

18. The method of claim 17 , further including the steps of removing the cover, changing the bandage base, and replacing the cover.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the cover is replaced with a water-resistant blank.