Healing powder and method of use thereof

Abstract

A wound healing powder, comprising a sugar selected from the group consisting of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable monosaccharides and disaccharides, in an amount of at least 25% by weight of the powder mixture; and an absorbent agent which forms a bioabsorbable biocompatible matrix with wound secretions, comprising a polymer formed of one or more of saccharide or saccharide derivative monomers and lactic acid monomers, in an amount of at least 25% by weight of the powder mixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation adapted for administration to external wounds of the skin which have wound secretions, to promote tissue regeneration and functional microvasculature, comprising:
 a first component comprising a sufficient amount of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable monosaccharides or disaccharides to form and maintain an antibacterial environment resulting from a low water activity and a high osmotic pressure due to partial dissolution of the first component; and   a second component comprising at least one of a starch and polylactic acid, forming a biocompatible and bioabsorbable matrix,   wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder is adapted to adhere and cake on the external surface of the wound, and to absorb would secretions from the wound.   
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , comprising polylactic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , comprising cornstarch. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , comprising finely granulated sucrose. 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises at least 25% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the second component comprises at least 25% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises at least 40% by weight. 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the second component comprises at least 40% by weight. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises at least 25% by weight of sucrose and the second component comprises at least 25% by weight of cornstarch. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises at least 40% by weight of sucrose and the second component comprises at least 40% by weight of cornstarch. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises at least 25% by weight 10× sugar and the second component comprises at least 25% by weight cornstarch. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1 , further comprising gelatin. 
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation adapted for administration to the skin, comprising:
 a sufficient amount of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable monosaccharides or disaccharides to absorb would secretions from the wound to form and maintain an antibacterial environment proximate to the wound resulting from a low water activity and a high osmotic pressure due to hydration of the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable monosaccharides or disaccharides with wound secretions; and   a sufficient amount of at least one of a starch and polylactic acid, which is adapted to form a biocompatible and bioabsorbable matrix proximate to the wound to facilitate tissue regeneration, the dry powder being adapted to adhere and cake on the external surface of the wound, forming a self-adherent dressing.   
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 13 , comprising sucrose and cornstarch. 
     
     
         15 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable monosaccharides or disaccharides comprise at least 25% by weight, and the at least one of starch and polymactic acid comprises at least 25% by weight. 
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable monosaccharides or disaccharides comprise at least 40% by weight, and the at least one of starch and polymactic acid comprises at least 40% by weight. 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 13 , comprising at least 40% by weight of 10× sugar. 
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a wound, comprising:
 administering the pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation according to  claim 1  to a wound having wound secretions for form a self-adherent cake on the wound;   hydrating a portion of the first component to result in a low water activity and a high osmotic pressure with wound secretions to form and maintain an antibacterial environment;   forming a biocompatible and bioabsorbable matrix proximate to the wound from the second component, to facilitate tissue regeneration; and   repeating administration after a period of time.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable dry powder formulation causes a reduction in pH to approximately 5. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the first component comprises at least 40% by weight of sucrose and the second component comprises at least 40% by weight of cornstarch.