COLLECTION OF AMNIOTIC FLUID FOR WOUND HEALING

Abstract

Disclosed are a method of wound healing and an apparatus for the collection, processing and application of amniotic fluid at a wound site to improve healing. The apparatus includes a canister or bag positioned along the vacuum line through which the amniotic fluid and placental aspirate is suctioned. The canister or bag also has a sterile syringe port, through which amniotic fluid can be extracted and later processed. The processed material can then be applied to the wound site of the patient. The apparatus and method disclosed allow for the processing of the amniotic fluid to take place in the same room as the surgical procedure. A kit is provided but not limited to including an amnion rupture tool, a canister or bag for collection, Yankauer suction tip, tubing, and a dual syringe mixing sprayer for reapplication.

Claims

1. A method for healing wounds comprising: use of amniotic fluid during a medical procedure; processing of said amniotic fluid to improve its efficacy for the purposes of wound healing; and administration of said amniotic fluid on a wound of interest, whereby said wound may be healed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said medical procedure is either a Caesarian section operation or a natural child birth.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing includes the addition of a hemostat.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said hemostat is selected from a group consisting of: a calcium chloride solution and a thrombin solution.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said administration includes the use of a sprayer whereby therapeutic material may be thinly and evenly applied over the surface of the wound.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said sprayer is a dual syringe including amniotic fluid and hemostat.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said administration includes dermal injection.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said administration is autologous or non-autologous.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the non-autologous administration is the administration of therapeutic amniotic fluid on the fetus of the birthing mother.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the non-autologous administration is on a human patient.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the non-autologous administration is on a non-human patient.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing includes cryogenic preservation of said amniotic fluid for future use.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the future use includes autologous administration of said amniotic fluid on the original donor and human patient to heal the wounds of said patient.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the future use includes non-autologous administration of said amniotic fluid on a separate human patient to heal the wounds of said separate human patient.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said amniotic fluid is extracted during an amniocentesis procedure.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said environment includes additional growth factors added to the solution.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising: collecting said amniotic fluid in a mucus trap.

18. The method of claim 1, said step of processing comprising: use of a dual syringe to create a solution capable of improving wound healing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a basic outline of the method of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a perspective and an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the kit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a basic outline of the method claimed. Extracted amniotic fluid (1) is collected in a sterile container (2). The sterile container prevents contamination of the solution during the course of the coincident operation, which may be a C-Section operation. After collection, amniotic fluid can be withdrawn from the container and processed (3). Once the solution has an appropriate density and consistency, it can be administered (4) to the wound of a patient (5). Because of the therapeutic capability of the solution, the wound healing is fast, clean, and effective (6).

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective and an exploded view of one embodiment of the environment claimed. In this embodiment, an incision (1) is clearly visible on the skin of a patient. A blown up view (2) of the stressed tissue would indicate the propagation of a growth factor cascade, the release of several chemical signals (3). As the stem cells are applied to the wound (4), these signaling molecules promote the differentiation and proliferation of these cells (5).

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus claimed. The apparatus of FIG. 3 implements a modified mucus trap with an additional sterile syringe port. In this embodiment, the canister (1) is capable of storing approximately 800 cubic centimeters of amniotic fluid. The sterile syringe port (2) consists of a female luer lock (3) spanning across the top membrane of the mucus trap. The luer lock fits snugly against the membrane of the mucus trap such that the inner canister of the mucus trap is sealed. The portion of the luer lock within the canister connects to a rubber hose (4) that extends down a few centimeters from the bottom of the mucus trap. The female portion of the luer lock, which faces the outside of the canister, is suited for a syringe to lock into for the withdrawal of amniotic fluid after collection. In addition, the two ports characteristic to a mucus trap are utilized as an inlet port (5) and an outlet port (6) respectively. When a hose is placed to connect the outlet port to a medical vacuum pump, the outlet port creates a vacuum line and evolves a lower pressure within the canister. A hose can be connected to the inlet port and can be placed within the uterus of the birthing mother to collect the amniotic fluid with a force caused by the differential in pressure between the inside of the canister and the surrounding atmosphere. Because the inside of the canister has a lower pressure, the pressure from the surrounding atmosphere forces the amniotic fluid through the hose and the inlet port and into the canister.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the kit claimed. In FIG. 4, the device shown in FIG. 3 is shown in an exploded view such that the mucus trap (1) with an additional hole for the syringe port is shown apart from the female luer lock (2) and the rubber hose (3). In addition, this embodiment of the kit includes a Yankauer tip (4) that can be placed on the inlet hose to aid in the collection of amniotic fluid from the mother's uterus. The Yankauer tip may have teeth that aid in the collection of biological material. This embodiment of the kit also includes a dual chambered applicator (5) while a suitable coagulant or hemostat can occupy space in the other chamber such that the two can mix before administration.

[0027] In one embodiment of the apparatus or kit, the mixture of amniotic fluid and a coagulant or hemostat can then feed into a sprayer device such that the therapeutic biological material from the amniotic fluid can coagulate on the wound from the Caesarian section.

[0028] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.