Methods for ambulatory oxygen therapy

Abstract

The present invention provides a topical oxygen therapy system for treating chronic non-healing wounds. The system is configured to be extremely portable, allowing patients to be completely ambulatory during treatment. The topical oxygen therapy system includes an oxygen source and a wound dressing capsule. The oxygen source includes a miniature compressed oxygen cylinder and a miniature pressure regulator that delivers oxygen through an outlet tube to the interior of the wound dressing capsule. The oxygen source may be attached directly to or integrated into the wound dressing capsule. Alternatively, the oxygen source and wound dressing capsule may be separate modules connected by a flexible tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for ambulatory oxygen therapy for treating a patient wound, said method comprising:
 placing a capsule over the wound to form an interior space; and   delivering a controlled amount of an oxygen-containing to the interior space to promote healing;   wherein the oxygen-containing gas is delivered from a pressurized source which is worn by the patient without interfering with normal ambulation.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the source comprises:
 a gas cylinder containing compressed oxygen-containing gas; and   a pressure regulator having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the pressure regulator connected to the gas cylinder and the outlet opening to the interior space.   
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the gas cylinder and the pressure regulator are integrated into the capsule as a single wearable unit. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the gas cylinder and the pressure regulator are connected to the capsule by a tube. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein placing a capsule over the wound comprises sealing a rim of the capsule to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen-containing gas is delivered continuously to the interior space. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen-containing gas is delivered intermittently to the interior space. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas in the range from 0 to 10 m/hr. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein a pressure of the oxygen-containing gas within the capsule over the wound is maintained in the range from 0-20 PSI. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the flow rate of oxygen-containing gas is adjusted while the patient is wearing the capsule. 
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen-containing gas is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, heliox, and nitrox. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising periodically replacing the gas cylinder containing compressed oxygen-containing gas while the capsule remains in place over the wound. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising releasing the oxygen-containing gas from the interior of the capsule when pressure within the interior of the capsule exceeds a predetermined level. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the wound dressing capsule is, impermeable. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the wound dressing capsule is permeable. 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the wound dressing capsule is semipermeable. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising strapping the capsule over the wound a portable topical oxygen therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the wound dressing capsule is permeable. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising cycling pressures in the interior of the wound dressing capsule between hyperbaric, isobaric and/or hypobaric pressures according to a predetermined treatment regimen. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising pulsing pressures in the interior of the capsule. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising manually pressurizing the interior of the wound dressing capsule.