Topical Copper Ion Treatments and Methods of Treatment Using Topical Copper Ion Treatments in the Oral-Respiratory-Otic Areas of the Body

Abstract

Copper ion treatments and methods of treatment are provided to treat various body conditions affecting the oral, respiratory and/or otic areas of the body. The copper ion treatments contain copper ions which bring about local and systemic therapeutic effects as a result of contacting anatomical tissue of the oral cavity, the nasal passages or ear canal. The copper ion treatments and methods involve copper ion-containing solutions, copper ion toothpaste and copper ion mouthwash. The copper ion-containing solutions can be delivered to the oral cavity by spraying or swabbing, can be delivered to the nostrils as spray, drops, or by swabbing, and can be delivered to the ear canal as spray, drops, or by swabbing. The copper ion toothpaste is used for brushing the teeth, and the copper ion mouthwash is used for rinsing the mouth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A copper ion toothpaste for treating conditions affecting the oral cavity, comprising
 a toothpaste base material; and   a copper ion-containing solution mixed with said toothpaste base material, said copper ion-containing solution being composed of a biocompatible solution and copper ions contained in said biocompatible solution, said copper ions providing therapeutic effects as a result of the copper ions contacting anatomical tissue and saliva of the oral cavity when said copper ion toothpaste is used for brushing the teeth.   
     
     
         2 . The copper ion toothpaste recited in  claim 1  wherein said copper ion-containing solution contains an amount of copper ions equal or substantially equal to 46 milligrams in a quantity of biocompatible solution equal or substantially equal to 7.44 ounces. 
     
     
         3 . The copper ion toothpaste recited in  claim 2  wherein said copper ion-containing solution constitutes in the range of 5 to 30 percent by weight of the copper ion toothpaste. 
     
     
         4 . A copper ion mouthwash for treating conditions affecting the oral cavity, comprising
 a mouthwash base solution; and   a copper ion-containing solution mixed with said mouthwash base solution, said copper ion-containing solution being composed of a biocompatible solution and copper ions contained in said biocompatible solution, said copper ions providing therapeutic effects as a result of the copper ions contacting anatomical tissue and saliva of the oral cavity when the oral cavity is rinsed with said copper ion mouthwash.   
     
     
         5 . The copper ion mouthwash recited in  claim 4  wherein said copper ion-containing solution contains an amount of copper ions equal or substantially equal to 46 milligrams in a quantity of biocompatible solution equal or substantially equal to 7.44 ounces. 
     
     
         6 . The copper ion mouthwash recited in  claim 5  wherein said copper ion-containing solution is in the range of 5 to 30 percent by weight of said copper ion mouthwash. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treating conditions affecting the oral cavity, comprising the steps of
 spraying a copper ion-containing solution inside the mouth such that copper ions in the copper ion-containing solution contact anatomical tissue and saliva inside the mouth; and   repeating said step of spraying at least every four hours for a number of consecutive days.   
     
     
         8 . The method of treating recited in  claim 7  wherein said step of spraying includes spraying the copper ion-containing solution from a spray pump nozzle into the throat. 
     
     
         9 . The method of treating recited in  claim 7  wherein said step of spraying includes spraying the copper ion-containing solution from a spray pump nozzle onto a canker sore, mouth sore or mouth ulcer within the oral cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The method of treating recited in  claim 7  wherein said step of spraying includes spraying the copper ion-containing solution from a spray pump nozzle onto an area of the gums that is sore, inflamed or infected. 
     
     
         11 . The method of treating recited in  claim 7  wherein the conditions treated include bacterial, viral and/or fungal conditions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of treating recited in  claim 7  wherein said conditions treated include one or more of colds, sore throat, bronchitis, cough, mouth sores, canker sores, mouth ulcers, allergies, tonsillitis, sore gums, periodontal disease, hoarseness, laryngitis, halitosis,  streptococcus, staphylococcus, trichomonas , fungal disease, thrush, herpes (I and II), HIV, HPV,  chlamydia  and gonorrhea. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating conditions affecting the respiratory area of the body, comprising the steps of
 delivering into each nostril a copper ion-containing solution; and   repeating said step of delivering every four hours for a number of consecutive days to treat conditions including one or more of colds, congestion, nasal discharge, runny nose, allergies, asthma, wheezing, sinusitis, rhinosinusitis, sinus pressure and sneezing.   
     
     
         14 . The method of treating recited in  claim 13  wherein said step of delivering includes spraying the copper ion-containing solution into each nostril. 
     
     
         15 . The method of treating recited in  claim 13  wherein said step of delivering includes delivering the copper ion-containing solution by drops into each nostril. 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating conditions affecting the oral cavity, comprising the steps of
 brushing the teeth with a copper ion toothpaste composed of a toothpaste base material and a copper ion-containing solution mixed with the toothpaste base material; and   repeating said step of brushing at least two times per day every day on a regular basis to treat conditions including one or more of halitosis, sore gums, periodontal disease and tooth decay.   
     
     
         17 . The method of treating recited in  claim 16  wherein said step of brushing includes brushing the teeth with the copper ion toothpaste in the morning and brushing the teeth with the copper ion toothpaste in the evening before going to sleep. 
     
     
         18 . A method of treating conditions affecting the oral cavity, comprising the steps of
 rinsing the mouth with a copper ion mouthwash composed of a mouthwash base solution and a copper ion-containing solution mixed with the mouthwash base solution; and   repeating said step of rinsing at least two times per day every day on a regular basis to treat conditions including one or more of halitosis, sore gums, periodontal disease and tooth decay.   
     
     
         19 . The method of treating recited in  claim 18  wherein said step of rinsing includes rinsing the mouth with the copper ion mouthwash in the morning and rinsing the mouth with the copper ion mouthwash in the evening before going to sleep. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating conditions affecting the otic area, comprising the steps of
 delivering a copper ion-containing solution into the ear canal of an affected ear; and   repeating said step of introducing every four hours to treat conditions including one or more of earache, ear infection, stuffy ear and pressure in the ear.   
     
     
         21 . The method of treating recited in  claim 20  wherein said step of delivering includes delivering the copper ion-containing solution into the ear canal of both ears. 
     
     
         22 . The method of treating recited in  claim 20  wherein said step of delivering includes spraying the copper ion-containing solution into the ear canal. 
     
     
         23 . The method of treating recited in  claim 20  wherein said step of delivering includes delivering the copper ion-containing solution by drops into the ear canal.