# US 4,393,048 A · Protective gel composition for wounds

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- Number: US 4,393,048 A
- Document ID: US4393048A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/316,574
- Filed: 1981-10-30
- Granted: 1983-07-12
- Earliest claimed: 1980-02-15
- Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
- Inventors: Arthur D. Mason, Jr.; Avery A. Johnson, Jr.; Harrel L. Walker; Eleanor G. Bowler; Charles R. Ritchey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4393048A

## CPC

- A61L 26/0023: {Polysaccharides}
- Y10S 424/13: Burn treatment
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

Water soluble hydrogels of alkali metal alginate and glycerine have been found to be excellent wound dressings. The gels dry to an adherent, non-toxic pliable protective film which can be removed by water-washing when desired. The gels are also compatible with medicaments and hence can serve as vehicles or carriers for medicament application to wounds as well as a protective cover.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A gel composition, having use as a wound dressing, comprising a water-soluble hydrogel consisting essentially of about 0.5 to 3% by weight of alkali metal alginate, about 8 to 12% by weight glycerine and about 82 to 90% by weight water wherein said hydrogel has a pH in the range of 6.8 to 7.2 and which upon drying forms a flexible, stretchable, transparent water-soluble protective film, nontoxic and adherent to a wound surface to which said gel composition is applied for protection.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A gel composition according to claim 1 wherein the alkali metal alginate is sodium alginate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A gel composition according to claim 1 further comprising a medicament dispersed therein in an amount therapeutically effective as a wound dressing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A gel composition according to claim 3 wherein the medicament is silver nitrate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

A gel composition according to claim 3 wherein the medicament is a sulfa drug.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

A gel composition according to claim 3 wherein the medicament is an antibiotic.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

A gel composition according to claim 3 wherein the medicament is a chemotherapeutic agent.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

A gel composition according to claim 3 wherein the amount of medicament is in the range of from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the gel composition.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

A gel composition according to claim 5 wherein the medicament is mafenide acetate.

### Claim 10

A method for protecting wounds which comprises applying over a wound surface a coating of a gel composition comprising a water-soluble hydrogel consisting essentially of about 0.5 to 3% by weight alkali metal alginate, about 8 to 12% by weight glycerine and about 82 to 90% by weight water wherein said hydrogel has a pH in the range of 6.8 to 7.2 and allowing the coating to dry to a water-soluble, flexible, stretchable, transparent, protective film, non-toxic and adherent to said wound surface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A method according to claim 10 wherein the alkali metal alginate is sodium alginate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

A method according to claim 10 wherein the gel composition comprises a medicament in an amount therapeutically effective as a wound dressing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

A method according to claim 10 wherein the wound is a burn wound.