Super-oxidized water, preparation and use thereof as sterilizers and medicaments

Abstract

Super-oxidized water based on hypochlorous acid, such as is obtained by the electrochemical treatment of a saline solution, may be used in the treatment of leg ulcers or other open wounds. Preferably, the pH of the super-oxidized water is in a range of 4 to 7, and the water has a redox potential of >950 mV. Medicaments based on the super-oxidized water may be in liquid or gel form. The super-oxidized water is able to control the microbial population within the wound and at the same time permit cell proliferation.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A medicament for the treatment of open wounds, the medicament comprising super-oxidized water based on hypochlorous acid.  
     
     
         2 . The medicament according to  claim 1 , wherein the super-oxidized water is in liquid form for application to the wound by bathing or spraying.  
     
     
         3 . The medicament according to  claim 1 , wherein the super-oxidized water is in gel form for topical application to the wound.  
     
     
         4 . The medicament according to  claim 1 , wherein the super-oxidized water or a preparation derived therefrom has a pH of 4 to 7.  
     
     
         5 . The medicament according to  claim 4 , wherein the pH is in a range of about 4.0 to 6.5.  
     
     
         6 . The medicament according to  claim 5 , wherein the pH is in a range of about 4.0 to 6.2.  
     
     
         7 . The medicament according to  claim 6 , wherein the pH is in a range of about 4.3 to 6.2.  
     
     
         8 . The medicament according to  claim 7 , wherein the pH is about 5.4.  
     
     
         9 . The medicament according to  claim 1 , wherein the super-oxidized water has a redox potential of >950 mV.  
     
     
         10 . The medicament according to  claim 9 , wherein the super-oxidized water has a redox potential of about 1000 mV.  
     
     
         11 . The medicament according to  claim 1 , wherein the super-oxidized water or a preparation derived therefrom has a biocide rate (D Value) of approximately 1 log reduction unit of bacillus subtilis spores in less than 1 minute with a 9:1 super-oxidized water:innoculum mix.  
     
     
         12 . The medicament according to  claim 1 , wherein the super-oxidized water is diluted to an extent that it does not inhibit cell proliferation in use.  
     
     
         13 . The medicament according to  claim 12 , wherein the super-oxidized water is diluted to an extent that it promotes cell proliferation in use.  
     
     
         14 . The medicament according to  claim 1 , wherein the super-oxidized water comprises an output solution obtained by electrochemical treatment of a saline solution.  
     
     
         15 . The medicament according to  claim 14 , wherein the super-oxidized water has a pH adjusted to a desired level by using an alkaline solution output from an electrochemical cell in which the saline solution is treated.  
     
     
         16 . The medicament according to  claim 14 , wherein the output solution further comprises a phosphate buffer to adjust a pH of the solution to a desired level.  
     
     
         17 . A super-oxidized water based on hypochlorous acid for use in treatment of a human or animal body.  
     
     
         18 . The super-oxidized water according to  claim 17  having a pH of 4 to 7.  
     
     
         19 . The super-oxidized water according to  claim 18  having a pH in a range of about 4.0 to 6.5.  
     
     
         20 . The super-oxidized water according to  claim 19  having a pH in a range of about 4.0 to 6.2.  
     
     
         21 . The super-oxidized water according to  claim 20  having a pH in a range of about 4.3 to 6.2.  
     
     
         22 . The super-oxidized water according to  claim 21  having a pH of about 5.4.  
     
     
         23 . The super-oxidized water according to  claim 17 , having a redox potential of >950 mV.  
     
     
         24 . The super-oxidized water according to  claim 23  having a redox potential of about 1000 mV.  
     
     
         25 . The super-oxidized water according to  claim 17 , having a biocide rate (D Value) of approximately 1 log unit reduction of bacillus subtilis spores in less than 1 minute with a 9:1 super-oxidized water:innoculum mix.  
     
     
         26 . A method for treatment of a human or animal body, comprising administering to the human or animal body a super-oxidized water based on hypochlorous acid.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , comprising administering super-oxidized water as a medicament for treatment of leg ulcers or other open wounds.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26 , comprising administering the super-oxidized water as a medicament for controlling microbial population and permitting cell growth.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the super-oxidized water or a preparation derived therefrom has a pH of 4 to 7, a redox potential of >950 mV, and a biocide rate (D Value) of approximately 1 log unit reduction of bacillus subtilis spores in less than 1 minute with a 9:1 super-oxidized water:innoculum mi.  
     
     
         30 . A method of preparing a medicament according to  1 , comprising passing a saline solution through an electrochemical cell having electrodes separated by a semipermeable membrane, operating the cell in such manner as to produce super-oxidized water based on hypochlorous acid, and incorporating the super-oxidized water in a carrier preparation at a sufficient concentration to impart biocidal properties and allow cell proliferation when applied to a human or animal body.  
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , further comprising controlling a pH of the super-oxidized water generated in the cell by a buffering action within the cell involving re-feeding alkaline solution also generated in the cell.  
     
     
         32 . A method of treating a leg ulcer or other open wound on a human or animal body, comprising applying to the wound a medicament according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the step of applying the medicament comprises immersing the wound in a hydrobath containing the medicament.  
     
     
         34 . A hydrobath preparation for the treatment of leg ulcers or other open wounds comprising super-oxidized water based on hypochlorous acid.