Treatment devices providing targeted antimicrobial action

Abstract

A treatment device having an antimicrobial sheet material operably connected to an appliance. The antimicrobial material includes a first layer of polymeric material such as a gel composition containing a block copolymer and mineral oil, and a second layer that contains a bactericidal metal such as silver. The appliance retains the antimicrobial material in a selected position in the user's mouth, nose, or other body cavity; it may assume a variety of configurations depending on position and extent of the treatment site.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for treating dental and periodontal conditions, comprising: 
 an antimicrobial sheet material having 
 a first layer of polymeric material, and  
 at least one second layer engaging a side of said first layer, said second layer containing metallic silver; and  
   a dental appliance operably connected to said antimicrobial sheet material, said dental appliance configured for retaining said antimicrobial sheet material in a position wherein said antimicrobial sheet material engages a selected region in the mouth of a user so that, when said antimicrobial sheet material is in said selected position, said antimicrobial sheet material releases silver ions to said treatment site when wetted.    
     
     
         2 . The device as recited in claim  29 , wherein said first layer further comprises a gel composition including a block copolymer and mineral oil.  
     
     
         3 . The device as recited in claim  29 , wherein at least a portion of said silver is crystalline.  
     
     
         4 . The device as recited in claim  29 , wherein said second layer further comprises silver-containing nylon fabric.  
     
     
         5 . The device as recited in claim  29 , wherein said dental appliance includes a somewhat conformable substrate carrying said antimicrobial sheet material.  
     
     
         6 . The device as recited in claim  29 , wherein said dental appliance further comprises a formable material attached to a side of said first layer, said formable material being shapeable.  
     
     
         7 . The device as recited in claim  27 , wherein said dental appliance further comprises a brace, a splint, a cap, a bite block, or a bite plate operably connected to said antimicrobial sheet material.  
     
     
         8 . A method for making a device for use in treating dental and periodontal conditions, comprising: 
 providing an antimicrobial sheet material having a first layer of polymeric material and at least one second layer engaging a side of said first layer, said second layer containing silver; and    attaching a quantity of said antimicrobial sheet material to a dental appliance, said dental appliance configured for retaining said antimicrobial sheet material in a position wherein said antimicrobial sheet material engages a selected region in the mouth of a user.    
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in claim  36 , wherein said first layer includes a gel composition containing a block copolymer and mineral oil.  
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in claim  36 , wherein at least a portion of said silver is crystalline.  
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in claim  36 , wherein said second layer further comprises silver-containing nylon fabric.  
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in claim  36 , wherein said dental appliance further comprises a shapeable material attached to a side of said first layer.