Hemostatic Composition, Apparatus, and Methods

Abstract

The present invention provides hemostatic compositions comprising components of the flowers of pharmaceutical chamomile ( Chamomilla recutita ) and the leaves of dioecious nettle ( Urtica dioica ). Further inclusion of a biocompatible polymeric base, particularly an alignate, generates a composition with excellent and broad spectrum hemostatic capabilities, with concurrent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The invention further provides methods of using the inventive compositions in to reduce or stop bleeding, as well as a variety of apparatuses useful in hemostatic contexts that incorporate the inventive compositions. In one particular embodiment, the invention provides hemostatic dressings in which a polymeric layer incorporating chamomile and nettle components is applied to a textile or fabric material, for example a non-woven viscose.

1 . A composition comprising chamomile, dioecious nettle, and a biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible polymer is selected from one or more of agarose, agar, carrageen, alginic acid, alginate, an alginic acid derivative, a hyaluronate derivative, a polyanionic polysaccharide, chitin, chitosan, fibrin, a polyglycolide, a polylactide, a polycaprolactone, a dextran or copolymer thereof, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a polyacrylate, a wax, a polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymer, wool fat, poly(L-lactic acid), poly(DL-Lactic acid) copoly(lactic/glycolic acid), cellulose, a cellulose derivative, a glycol, polylactide-polyglycolide, polymethyldisiloxane, polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, and ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible polymer comprises a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible polymer comprises alginic acid, alginate or other alginic acid derivative. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible polymer comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the chamomile and nettle together are present in an amount that is within the range of 0.32-0.92% of the quantity by weight of the biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein chamomile and nettle are present in a weight ratio within the range of 0.2-5.0:1.0. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to any one of  claims 1 - 7 , further comprising an additional therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the additional therapeutic agent is selected from one or more of an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an antimyobacterial, an antifungal, an antiviral, a neoplastic agent, an agent affecting the immune response, an antithrombotic, an antihyperlipidemic agent, a cardiac drug, a thyromimetic or antithyroid drug, an adrenergic, an antihypertensive agent, a cholinergic, an anticholinergic, an antispasmodic, an antiulcer agent, a skeletal and/or smooth muscle relaxant, a prostaglandin, a general inhibitor of the allergic response, an antihistamine, a local anesthetic, an analgesic, a narcotic antagonist, an antitussive, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, an antioxidant, a vaso-active agent, a bone-active agent, an antiarthritic, a vitamin, or a diagnostic agent. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the additional therapeutic agent is selected from one or more of an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an antimyobacterial, an antifungal, an antiviral, a local anesthetic, an analgesic, an antioxidant, or a vitamin. 
     
     
         11 . A dressing for topical or transdermal administration comprising the composition of any one of  claims 1 - 7 . 
     
     
         12 . The dressing according to  claim 11 , wherein the dressing comprises a textile material and the composition is applied on one surface of the textile material. 
     
     
         13 . The dressing according to  claim 12 , wherein the composition is applied in a layer not less than 0.025 mm thick. 
     
     
         14 . The dressing according to  claim 12 , wherein the textile material comprises a non-woven material. 
     
     
         15 . The dressing according to  claim 14 , wherein the textile material has been stitched with reinforced threads. 
     
     
         16 . The dressing according to  claim 15 , wherein rows of stitching are separated from one another by a distance within the range of 1.0-10.0 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The dressing according to  claim 12 , wherein the textile material is a 6×10 cm pad or a 10×18 cm pad. 
     
     
         18 . A method of controlling or lessening the severity of bleeding in a patient in need thereof, wherein said method comprises administering to said patient a composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A method of controlling or lessening the severity of bleeding in a patient in need thereof, wherein said method comprises administering to said patient a composition according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said bleeding is associated with a wound, accidental injury, a dental procedure, or a surgical procedure. 
     
     
         21 . A method of promoting wound healing in a patient in need thereof, wherein said method comprises applying a composition according to  claim 1  to a wound on the patient. 
     
     
         22 . A method of treating a burn in a patient in need thereof, wherein said method comprises applying a composition according to  claim 1  to a burn on the patient.