Gum pad for mucosal delivery of medication

Abstract

A gum growth pad ( 10 ) comprising has a nonporous first layer ( 12 ). An and an absorbent second layer ( 14 ) is placed upon the nonporous first layer ( 12 ). A gum tissue growth medication ( 16 ) in a liquid form is may be impregnated within the absorbent second layer ( 14 ) and then dried. A semi-permeable third layer ( 18 ) covers the absorbent second layer ( 14 ) with the dried gum tissue growth medication ( 16 ). A facility ( 20 ) is for sealing the nonporous first layer ( 12 ) to the semi-permeable third layer ( 18 ) about a periphery thereof.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:  
     
       1. A gum growth  pad comprising: 
       a) a nonporous first layer;  
       b) an absorbent second layer placed upon and in contact with said nonporous first layer;  
       c) a dried medication capable of being liquified by saliva impregnated within said absorbent second layer;  
       d) a semi-permeable third layer covering said absorbent second layer with said dried medication forming a pocket completely filled by said absorbent second layer; and  
       e) means for sealing said nonporous first layer to said semi-permeable third layer about a periphery thereof.  
     
     
       2. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  1 , wherein said medication is a gum tissue growth substance, whereby said nonporous first layer is applied high up/low down against the gum tissue of the teeth in the mouth of a person, with said semi-permeable third layer against the buccal mucosa, so that saliva in the mouth of the person will penetrate through to said semi-permeable third layer and cause said dried gum tissue growth substance in said absorbent second layer to liquify and diffuse through said semi-permeable third layer, to enhance the growth of the gum tissue, reverse age related gum recession, protect against gingival disease and loss of teeth, wherein said nonporous first layer contributes stability, but allows flexibility, so that said pad can adapt to the cavity without buckling and curling. 
     
     
       3. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  1 , wherein said nonporous first layer is a synthetic thermoplastic sheet. 
     
     
       4. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  1 , wherein said absorbent second layer is a sponge cushion. 
     
     
       5. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  1 , wherein said semi-permeable third layer is a thin membrane sheet. 
     
     
       6. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  1 , wherein said sealing means is a hot-bond adhesive. 
     
     
       7. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  1 , further having an elongated generally tubular shaped body with bulb shaped ends, to supply a large posterior area of the gum tissue and help stabilize placement between the buccal mucosa and the gum tissue of the teeth. 
     
     
       8. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  7 , wherein said nonporous first layer is flat, while said semi-permeable third layer is curved on said tubular shaped body, so as to fit snugly and comfortably between the buccal mucosa and the gum tissue in the mouth of the person. 
     
     
       9. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  2 , wherein said gum tissue growth substance is a drug diphenylhydantoin sodium, which is ordinarily used to treat and prevent seizures, with a well known side effect for gingival hyperplasia, whereby drug diphenylantoin sodium stimulates the formation of bone, as well as gum tissue. 
     
     
       10. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  2 , wherein said gum tissue growth substance is an immuno-suppressant agent, such as cyclosporin and nifedipine that will stimulate gum growth. 
     
     
       11. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  2 , wherein said gum tissue growth substance is a nerve growth factor. 
     
     
       12. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  2 , wherein said gum growth substance is a protein gene product. 
     
     
       13. A gum growth  pad as recited in claim  2 , wherein said gum tissue growth substance is a bone growth protein that will stimulate the repair of bone and tooth-anchoring corrective tissue. 
     
     
       14. The method of delivering medication at a controlled rate directly onto human tissue within the mouth of a person utilizing a pad, said pad consisting essentially of a nonporous first layer, an absorbent second layer on one side of said nonporous first layer, and a semi-permeable third layer covering the absorbent second layer forming a sealed pocket completely filled with said absorbent second layer, said method comprising the steps of: 
       a) impregnating said absorbent second layer with medication in a liquid form and then drying said medication; and  
       b) placing said pad within the mouth of said person with the semi-permeable third layer in contact with the tissue to receive said medication for permitting the saliva within said mouth to penetrate said semi-permeable third layer causing the dried medication to liquify and diffuse through said semi-permeable third layer.  
     
     
       15. The method of claim  14  in which said pad is placed between the buccal mucosa and the gum tissue in said mouth. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim  15  in which said medication is diphenylantoin sodium. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim  15  in which said pad includes means for stabilizing said pad within said mouth. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim  17  in which said stabilizing means comprises said pad having a generally tubular shaped body with the first layer being flat and having bulb shaped ends. 
     
     
       19. A gum pad comprising: 
         a )  a nonporous first layer which is stable and flexible such that it can be mounted in place on the gums in the mouth of a person;    
         b )  a second layer placed upon and in contact with said nonporous first layer;    
         c )  a medication carried in said second layer which is capable of being liquified by saliva and transported in liquified form by diffusion from said second layer;    
         d )  a semi - permeable third layer covering said second layer which is permeable to saliva from the mouth of the person, such that, when said gum pad is mounted with said nonporous first layer on the gums of the person and with said semi - permeable third layer in contact with buccal mucosa tissue facing toward the gums, saliva can penetrate through said semi - permeable layer to said medication - carrying second layer and liquify the medication therein and transport it in liquified form by diffusion through said semi - permeable third layer to the buccal mucosa tissue of the person; and    
         e )  means for sealing said nonporous first layer to said semi - permeable third layer so as to enclose the second layer, therein.   
     
     
       20. A method of delivering medication at a controlled rate onto buccal mucosa tissue within the mouth of a person by utilizing a pad, said pad consisting essentially of a nonporous first layer, a medication- carrying second layer on one side of said nonporous first layer, and a semi - permeable third layer covering the second layer and sealed to said nonporous first layer so as to enclose the second layer therein, said method comprising the steps of:    
         a )  impregnating said second layer with medication which is capable of being liquified by saliva and transported in liquified form by diffusion from said second layer; and    
         b )  placing said pad within the mouth of the person with the semi - permeable third layer in contact with the buccal mucosa tissue in order to have saliva from within the mouth of the person penetrate the semi - permeable third layer to liquify the medication in the second layer and cause the saliva - liquified medication to diffuse through the semi - permeable third layer onto the buccal mucosa tissue.