Biolife, L.l.c.

Roger Thomas

John Hen

Griscom Bettle, Iii

Talmadge Kelly Keene

Mark Travi

John Alfred Thompson

Michael H Tollon

Timothy J Kelly

The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for stopping or decreasing the blood flow from an open wound or medical or surgical procedure. Compositions of the invention comprise a salt form of a cross-linked polyacrylic acid. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a sodium salt of a polyacrylic acid. Compositions of the invention can also optionally comprise one or more different salt ferrates, and/or a cationic exchanger resins, and/or a silver compound. In an exemplified embodiment, a composition of the invention comprises sodium polyacrylate provided in a dry powdered form. Polyacrylate compositions of the invention can be applied directly to a wound or treatment site, or they can be incorporated into a wound dressing, such as a bandage. The clot or scab formed at a wound or treatment site treated with the present invention is extremely elastic and exhibits considerable tensile strength when stretched to the breaking point. The subject invention also concerns wound and surgical site dressings and coverings, and methods of using a composition of the invention to stop blood flow from an open wound or treatment site.

Materials and methods for wound treatment

A method of reducing infections associated with vascular access procedures. A powder containment device (PCD) is preferably adhesively attached to a skin area, the PCD having a hole formed centrally therethrough adapted to completely surround the catheter wound site. The open cavity formed by the PCD being attached to the skin is filled with a hemostatic agent of a salt ferrate and an insoluble cation exchange material. The salt ferrate combines with blood to form a trivalent Feion promoting blood clotting and producing oxygen at the wound site for bacteria reduction. The cation exchange material also forms a protective cover over the wound site as the trivalent Feion is formed. Semi-occlusive pressure is applied against the hemostatic agent for a time sufficient to arrest blood flow from the wound site right after inserting or removing the catheter. The PCD and hemostatic agent are then covered with an adhesive dressing. The occurrence of air embolisms introduced around the catheter is also reduced after the hemostatic agent has interacted to arrest blood flow around the catheter.

Method of reducing infections and/or air embolisms associated with vascular access procedures

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Pinehurst, NC, United States of America

Roger Thomas