Electrochemically linking collagen fibrils to animal tissue

Claim 2

A collagen dispersion adapted for topical application to an animal body with a wound, lesion or the like, and useful for providing an adherent skin-like protective membrane of electrochemically-linked collagen fibrils over said wound, lesion or the like, said collagen fibrils also capable of electrochemiclly-linking with exposed collagen fibrils of the wound, lesion or the like to form an electrochemical biological junction, said dispersion having a paste-like consistency and inlcuding collagen fibrils and an electrochemically effective amount of an electrolyte.

Claim 3

The collagen dispersion of claim 1, wherein said electrolyte is selected from the group comprising sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 4

The bandage of claim 2 further comprising a quantity of silver protein medicament borne on said substrate.

Claim 5

The collagen dispersion of claim 1, wherein said collagen fibrils are from 0.001 to 0.5 mm in length.

Claim 6

The collagen dispersion of claim 1, wherein said electrolyte component is present in the concentration of from 0.1% to 1.0% by weight.

Claim 7

The collagen dispersion of claim 1, further comprising a metallic salt component present in the concentration of from 0.01% to 10.0% by weight.

Claim 8

A bandage adapted for topical application to an animal body with a wound, lesion or the like, and useful for providing an adherent, skin-like protective membrane of electrochemically-linked collagen fibrils over said wound, lesion or the like, said bandage comprising a substrate bearing a quantity of dried collagen dispersion defined by claim 1.

Claim 9

The bandage of claim 7 further comprising first and second electrodes intimately adhered to said substrate.

Claim 10

The bandage of claim 8, wherein said first electrode is characterized as possessing a positive standard reduction potential with respect to said second electrode, said first electrode further characterized as being in operative electrical contact with said collagen dispersion.

Claim 11

The bandage of claim 8 further comprising a dry electrolyte disposed intermediate said first and second electrodes.

Claim 12

The bandage of claim 7, wherein said collagen dispersion is coated on said substrate.

Claim 13

The bandage of claim 7, wherein said collagen dispersion is impregnated into said substrate.

Claim 14

The bandage of claim 8, wherein said first and second electrodes are fabricated from strips of electrochemically active materials and adhered to said substrate by an adhesive.

Claim 15

The bandage of claim 8, wherein said first and second electrodes are each comprised of electrochemically active materials having been applied to said substrate as a dispersion thereof with a volatile carrier.

Claim 16

The bandage of claim 7 further comprising a quantity of silver protein medicament borne on said substrate.

Claim 17

A bandage adapted for topical application to an animal body with a wound, lesion or the like thereon and useful for providing an adherent, skin-like protective membrane of electrochemically-linked collagen fibrils over said wound, lesion or the like, comprising: a. A film-forming quantity of collagen fibrils; and b. a film of an electrochemically active material upon which said fibrils are borne in electrically cooperative relationship, wherein said collagen is capable of application to said wound, lesion or the like, and upon introduction of fluid to said bandage, said electrochemically active material is capable of generating a galvanic current, whereby said collagen fibrils electrochemically-link to form said adherent, skin-like protective membrane.

Claim 18

A bandage adapted for topical application to an animal body with a wound, lesion or the like thereon and useful for providing an adherent, skin-like protective membrane of electrochemically-linked collagen fibrils over said wound, lesion or the like, comprising: a. A film-forming quantity of collagen fibrils; and b. a film of an electrochemically active material upon which said fibrils are borne in electrically cooperative relationship, wherein said collagen is capable of application to said wound, lesion or the like, and upon introduction of fluid to said bandage, said electrochemically active material is capable of generating a galvanic current, whereby said collagen fibrils electrochemically-link to form said adherent, skin-like protective membrane.

Claim 19

The bandage of claim 16 further comprising a functionally-effective amount of mild silver protein mixed with said collagen fibrils.

Claim 20

The bandage of claim 16, wherein said electrochemically active material is selected from the group comprising aluminum, zinc, titanium, tin and mild silver protein.

Claim 21

The bandage of claim 16, wherein said electrochemically active material is aluminum.

Claim 22

The bandage of claim 16, wherein said electrochemically active material is mild silver protein.

Claim 23

The bandage of claim 16, wherein said callagen fibrils are undenatured.

Claim 26

The method of claim 22, wherein said collagen dispersion and said electrochemically active material are borne upon a bandage substrate, said method further comprising the step of removing said bandage substrate after said electrochemically-linked biological junction has formed.

Claim 27

The bandage of claim 16, further comprising a medicament.

Claim 28

The bandage of claim 24, wherein said medicament is amphoteric.