Method for increasing tissue oxygenation

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and compositions for increasing tissue oxygen levels by administration of superoxygenated compositions of tissue surfaces. The methods are applicable to treatment of a wide variety of conditions including burns, bedsores, ulcers, necrosis and anaerobic infections.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of increasing tissue oxygenation in mammals, comprising applying a superoxygenated composition to a tissue surface for a time sufficient to increase the subepithelial partial oxygen pressure from about 30% to about 120% above baseline pO 2 .  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mammal is a human.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tissue is skin.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tissue is affected by a medical condition.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the medical condition is selected from the group consisting of bedsores, wounds, bums, and ulcers.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the medical condition is a bacterial infection.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the bacterial infection is identified as an anaerobic pathogen bacterial infection.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the superoxygenated composition is applied to a site selected from the group consisting of a mucosal surface and the surface of an organ.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the organ is one that has been removed from an animal donor.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the superoxygenated composition comprises from about 45 ppm oxygen to about 220 ppm oxygen.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the superoxygenated composition is at about 0° C. to about 34° C.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the superoxygenated composition comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the superoxygenated composition comprises water and oxygen microbubbles.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the oxygen microbubbles are between about 2μ and about 10μ in diameter.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the microbubbles are between about 0.6μ and about 5μ in diameter.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the superoxygenated composition is applied under agitation.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the agitation is provided in a whirlpool bath.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is applied in a cream, lotion or gel.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is applied by soaking, immersion, spraying, rubbing or aerosols.