초록 ▼

A skin dressing, particularly a wound dressing, comprises oxidoreductase enzyme and, optionally, peroxidase enzyme, wherein the enzyme(s) are present in hydrated condition, e.g. being present in one or more hydrated hydrogels. The dressing is used by being located on the skin of a human or animal e.

A skin dressing, particularly a wound dressing, comprises oxidoreductase enzyme and, optionally, peroxidase enzyme, wherein the enzyme(s) are present in hydrated condition, e.g. being present in one or more hydrated hydrogels. The dressing is used by being located on the skin of a human or animal e.g. over a wound. The oxidoreductase enzyme catalyses a reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide from an appropriate substrate, the substrate either being naturally present in body fluids and/or being supplied separately and/or being incorporated into the dressing. The currently preferred oxidoreductase enzyme is glucose oxidase. The catalyses reaction of β-D-glucose substrate to give hydrogen peroxide and gluconic acid. A mixture of oxidoreductase enzyme can undergo reaction (optionally catalysed by the peroxidase enzyme) to produce a variety of species including reactive oxygen intermediates that have antimicrobial properties and that can therefore assist in promoting wound healing.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A skin dressing comprising a layered construction, said layered construction including one or more oxidoreductase enzymes in hydrated condition and present in sufficient amount to catalyze, in the presence of appropriate substrate, the conversion of atmospheric oxygen t

The invention claimed is: 1. A skin dressing comprising a layered construction, said layered construction including one or more oxidoreductase enzymes in hydrated condition and present in sufficient amount to catalyze, in the presence of appropriate substrate, the conversion of atmospheric oxygen to hydrogen peroxide for transmittal through the dressing to the skin, wherein at least the enzyme-containing layer of the dressing is sealed in packaging and maintained in hydrated and sterile condition in said packaging up to use, wherein said layered construction comprises an upper layer and a lower layer, said upper layer being remote from the skin in use and including the oxidoreductase enzyme, and said lower layer being below the upper layer in use such that hydrogen peroxide which is formed and transported through the dressing is discharged at the skin for conversion to oxygen, said lower layer comprising a hydrogel including said source of substrate for the oxidoreductase enzyme, said oxidoreductase enzyme being included only in said upper layer and remaining in the upper layer in use. 2. The skin dressing according to claim 1, wherein the one or more oxidoreductase enzymes comprise glucose oxidase and the substrate is β-D glucose. 3. The skin dressing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the layers is in the form of a hydrated hydrogel. 4. The skin dressing according to claim 3, wherein the hydrated hydrogel comprises a hydrophilic polymer material. 5. The skin dressing according to claim 3, wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme or enzymes are present in one or more hydrated hydrogels. 6. The skin dressing according to claim 1, wherein the one or more enzymes are located on an inert support. 7. The skin dressing according to claim 6 wherein the inert support comprises a cotton or cellulose woven gauze to which the one or more enzymes are irreversibly attached. 8. The skin dressing according to claim 1, including a layer of a barrier material at the interface with the skin in use. 9. The skin dressing according to claim 1 including a covering or outer layer for adhering the dressing to the skin of a human or animal subject. 10. The skin dressing according to claim 9, wherein the covering or outer layer includes a window in or through which can be seen indicator means that indicates when the dressing chemistry is active. 11. The skin dressing according to claim 9, wherein immobilised catalase enzyme is provided on the inner surface of the covering or outer layer. 12. The skin dressing according to claim 1, in the form of a multi-part system, with different layers separately packaged for subsequent combination when used. 13. The skin dressing according to claim 12, said dressing being in the form of a multi-part system, with different elements comprising said layers separately packaged, and wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme and the substrate for the oxidoreductase enzyme are in separate packages. 14. The skin dressing according to claim 1, wherein the lower layer further includes a supply of iodide ions. 15. The skin dressing according to claim 1 wherein said layers are free from peroxidase enzyme and the oxidoreductase enzyme is included only in the upper layer. 16. The skin dressing of claim 1 wherein the upper layer is in the form of a gauze or film and the lower layer comprises a hydrogel slab. 17. A layered dressing for treatment of skin wounds comprising an upper layer intended to be remote from the skin in use, said upper layer being permeable to atmospheric oxygen and including at least one oxidoreductase enzyme; and a separate lower layer comprising a hydrogel including a source of substrate for said oxidoreductase enzyme, said lower layer being free from any oxidoreductase enzyme and being positioned below the upper layer in use, wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme in said upper layer is in a hydrated condition and is present in an amount sufficient, in the presence of the substrate, to catalyze conversion of atmospheric oxygen entering said upper layer into hydrogen peroxide wherein construction of the upper and lower layers allows for transportation of the thus formed hydrogen peroxide through the lower layer to the skin for conversion to oxygen; and wherein at least the upper layer of the dressing before use is sealed in packaging in the hydrated condition.