Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several books and numerous publications have
been written in order to disclose various informations
about the beneficial effects of seawater. Folklore
attributes to seawater a variety of healing powers.
From ancient history until now, seawater was and is
still used for treating a multitude of ailments and
diseases, curing skin diseases, clearing the upper
respiratory tract, improving some cases of thyroid
dysfunctions and alleviating constipation among
others.
Thalassotherapy is one example of the use of
seawater as a therapeutlc agent. The treatment
essentially comprises warm baths in sea water coupled
with physiotherapy massages and, if necessary,
showers, algae applications and underwater massages.
It is often associated with the action of the sun and
the marine climate. This natural treatment has
enjoyed extensive success over the years because it
offers to the medical profession a very efficient
method for treating rheumatic fever, cardiovascular
problems, excess fatlgue and premature aging among
others.
It is possible that the high salt
concentration and resulting high osmolality of
seawater contributes to whatever healing power
seawater might have. However, medical science has yet
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to confirm or refute healing powers attributable to
seawater.
Many prior art methods have been proposed
for the treatment of various animal body tissues with
solutions containing sodium chloride and other
ingredients. One such method involves treating skln
and scalp conditions with a saline solution. The
soiution is prepared by evaporating seawater by heat,
subjecting the concentrated liquid obtained to a low
temperature to separate by crystillazation a part of
the magnesium sulphate and a part of the sodium and
potassium chlorides, drawing off the liquid from the
precipitate, redissolving the magnesium sulphate and
adding the liquor with a small amount of acetic acid
to the solution.
Another method involves forming a saline
solution by dissolving zinc sulphate and sodium
chloride in water and applying it as an eyewash or
lotion. Still another method relates to the use of
salts of an alkali-forming metal containing small
amounts of available chlorine and even smaller amounts
of free alkali as a germicidal solution. There are
currently on the market several pharmaceutical
products which are used as hyperosmolar agents.
A product sold under the name of Debrisan
acts as a hypertonic solution: it consists essentially
of hydrophilic beads of dextranomer, which, it is
claimed, sucks rluid and bacteria out of wounds. The
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small beads are poured directly onto the wound, and,
of course, must be washed out periodically.
Furthermore, in U.S.P. 4,581,226, Dillon
teaches the use of an isotonic seawater solution for
the treatment of various sensitive animal body
tissues. ~owever, his patent leads away from the use
of a hypertonic seawater solution, stating that
hypertonic solutions shrink normal tissue, irritate
mucosal tissue and desensitize numerous varieties of
bacteria by stabilizing bacterial membranes.
Most of the above-mentioned solutions are
not natural and therefore the possibility of negative
side-effects can never be completely ruled out. Thus,
a natural hypertonic solution which could be used for
the treatment of various types of infections would be
highly desirable.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, it
has been unexpectedly discovered that a steriiized
seawater soiution devoid of debris and microorganisms
can be used as a disinfectant and a decongestant of
; the mucous membranes of the nose, gums, buccal cavity
; and pharynx.
The sterilized seawater solution of the
present invention can also be used to ciean and
disinfect some skin affections and ulcers and to
promote granulation and healing. These healing
~- properties are associated to both the hypertonicity of
seawater as well as the various elements found in its
composition.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preparation of the seawater solution
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The seawater supply may be obtained by
filtering offshore seawater obtained for example from
Fundy Bay, N.B., Canada, through filters that will
insure that the solution obtained is free from any
suspension particules and microorganisms. For these
purposes, 0.2 micron filters will preferably be
employed although the man skilled in the art will
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appreciate that other filtering means could be used.
The filtered water i9 then sterilized. Although many
sterilization techniques, one of which is boiling, may
be envisaged, ultra-violet utilization or autoclaving
are prererred. By filtering the seawater through 0.2
micron filters and sterilizing it by U.V. irradiation
or autoclaving, the water solution obtained in this
manner will still contain the various elements present
in seawater and these elements will be maintained in
their original proportions.
An analysis of the seawater to be used in
the context of the present invention revealed that the
optimal concentration of the most important
~ constituants should be as follows:
;~ ph: 7.20
Major constituents chloride1776 mg %
sodium991 mg %
magnesium 120 mg %
calcium73 mg %
potassium 35 mg %
phosphorus 4.5 mg %
sodium bicarbonate 1.25 mg %
Trace elements Sulfur 895 ppm
Fluoride 1.3 ppm
Copper 0.003 ppm
Cobalt 0.0005 ppm
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Following these treatments, samples are
taken for bacterialogical tests in order to confirm
the sterllity of the solution. These tests are
well-known by those skilled in the art.
Uses
A. As a solution
Once the seawater has been filtered and
sterilized, it can be used as a nasal drop or spray,
gargle or mouth wash to decongest and disinfect the
mucous membranes. It is also effective in diminishing
oedema and reducing the inflammatory reaction because
of its hypertonic and bacteriostatic activity. It
thus opens air passages and facilitates breathing
through the nose, and eases swallowing and alleviating
pain. When used as nasal drops, the solution may be
administered between 1 and 4 times daily in amounts
varying between 2 and 5 drops.
It can also be used to clear and disinfect
buccal, gum, tongue pharyngeal, nasal ulcers. In
these cases, the mode of action of the seawater
solution resides in the removal of necrotic tissues
and bacteria, thus promoting granulation and healing.
Therefore, depending on the type of ulcer to be
treated and its location, between 2 and 4 daily
applications of the solution in the form of a gargle,
mouthwash, nasal drops or irrigating solution would
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This solution may also be used to treat
various irritated mucosal tissue. For example, the
solution may be used to irrigate nasal mucosa,
pharyngeal mucosa, external auditory meatus, tissue
lining the cavity of the mouth and vaginal tissue.
Thus, when used for irrigation, the solution may be
applied as a spray, a wash or a douche. The volume
applied will vary depending on the type and the
location of the irritated tissue. For example, in the
case of the pharyngeal mucosa, the solution should be
administered 1 to 4 times daily in amounts varying
between 15 ml and 60 ml. In the case of vaginal
irritation, 1 to 2 daily doses ranging between 50 and
100 ml should be envisaged.
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~ B In dressings
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~ When it is desired to treat skin ulcers, it
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lS prefered to use the solutlon ln the form of a
dressing or a soak rather than as drops or as a spray.
In order to do so, gauze pads having the desired size
' are soaked in the seawater solution, then dried and
sterilized. They are then ready to be applied on the
ulcerated surface. They can be applied either in a dry ~
or wet form, the wet form being obtained by the
addition of sterile water on the pad. Application of
the wet or the dry form will depend on the nature and
the evolution of the ulcer but generally, the pads
should be replaced every 12 to 24 hours.
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Again, healing will be promoted by the
removal of necrotic tissues and the destruction of
many pathogens coupled with an accelerating effect on
granulation and skin recovery.
The following examples are listed to
illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present
invention.
Example 1
A 45 year old patient who was complaining of
persistant nasal blockage due to congested mucous
membranes against which the usual decongestant and
antihistaminic drugs had no effect. An important
decongestion and soothing effect as well as easy
breathing was obtained after using the solution 3 to 4
times daily in the form of nasal drops.
Example 2
A 75 year old woman presented signs of severely
obstructed nasal passages, secondarly causing chronic
insomnia. Available decongestants failed to provide a
long symptom-free period. Very good decongestion of
the nasal passages was obtained by using the seawater
solution of the present invention for a few weeks in
the form of nasal drops 3 times daily and at bedtime.
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Example 3
~, A 42 year old man suffering from obstructed nasal
; passages as well as bleeding frorn a recurrent ulcer of
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the nasal septum, used the solution of the present
invention in the form of nasal drops 3 times daily and
at bedtime. Complete healing of the ulcer has been
observed after 10 days of use.
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Example 4
Three patients suffering from chronlc congested noses
and inflammed throats, used the same solution 3 times
daily as nasal drops and ~ times daily as gargle.
Subsidance of tne symptoms was observed after 10 days. - --
:Example 5
A 15 year old bedridden patient had developed a
pressure ulcer at the level of the lateral aspect of
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the head o the metatarsal bone. Applications of the
dry gauze dressing of the present invention for 5 days
~-~ resulted in complete healing.
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Example 6
A 36 year old patient had minor right elbow surgery.
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~ Following surgery, she had a right elbow injury which
; ~ caused rupture of the wound and local infection.
Application of the dressing of the present invention
resulted in complete healing of the wound a~ter 10
days. No antibiotics and/or other disinfectants were
used.
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