CA1102695A

CA1102695A - Styptic composition

Info

Publication number: CA1102695A
Application number: CA309,413A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Robert Brown; Jerome Setloff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-08-18
Filing date: 1978-08-15
Publication date: 1981-06-09
Also published as: FR2400364A1; SE7808590L; AR222976A1; IL55325A; NL7808482A; GB2002633A; NZ188169A; ES472655A1; AT363587B; GB2002633B; IT7826804A0; IE47172B1; LU80107A1; IE781625L; IL55325A0; BE869718A; ZA784489B; IT1098194B; AU3896778A; DE2835345A1

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved styptic composition which effectively curtails bleeding while administering a soothing sensation on the injured area. The styptic composition is in the form of a stable lotion or cream having the following general formula:
1) from about 2% to about 12% by weight of a long chain fatty acid;
2) from about 0.4% to about 3.5% by weight of a wax filler;
3) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of polyethylene glycol stearate;
4) from about 1% to about 5% by weight of polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax; and 5) from about 0.5% to about 25% by weight of an acidic metallic salt, 6) the balance being water.
Optionally, from about 1% to about 4% by weight of glycerin may be added as a humectant.
Any conventional antiseptic may also be added to the composition.
The styptic composition may be packaged in any convenient form including jars, bottles, tubes, pump applicators, aerosol canisters and can also be impregnated into pre-packaged bandages.

Description

~z~s BACKG~OUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel styptic composition which quickly and effectlvely stanches the flow of blood from a wound without causing irritation to the skin.
The use of styptic or astringent compositions is well established in the art. As originally formula-ted, the compo-sitions were comprised of highly acidic salts of such metals as iron, zinc or aluminum that were employed as a powder or shaped in the form of a stick or pencil. Typical styptic compositions in stick form are set forth in the U.S. Patent Nos. 459,738, ~97,659 and ~19,901.
In use, the acidic salts effectively curtailed the bleeding in the injured area by causing the adjacent blood vessels to constrict. Unfortunately, the acidic nature of the salts also caused a stinging sensation which often e~ceeded the pain caused by the original wound. The use of these styptic compositions was therefore restricted to very minor wour.ds, such as those received in shaving. If the composition were to be applied to a major wound, the pain accompanying the application migh-t send the injured person into shock. Of course, less acidic compositions, which caused less pain, could be utilized. However, such composi-tions have a markedly reduced effectiveness in curtailing bleeding.
A second drawback of some of the highly acidic composltions is its deleterious effect on any clothing with which it may ,f~

come into contact~ According to the typc of composition and fabric, the clothing could be indelibly stained or even deteriorated.
In an attempt to obviate these problems, liquid styptic compositions were formulated. It was hoped that by combining an acidic salt with a volatile solvent, the evaporation of the solvent would offset the stinging nature of the salt. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 2,118,225 and 3,343,540. While the evaporation of the solvent took some of the pain out of the application of the styptic compound, it was found that the amount of styptic necessary to stop the flow of blood still caused a great deal of discomfort and hence precluded its use in major wounds.
Aerosols, emitting a liquid or a powder, were also attempted, as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,624,201, 3,863,005, 3,928,556 and British Patent No. 1,254,534. Although the aerosol containers greatly simplified the application of the styptic composition and kept the composition sterile, the stinging problem associated with effective bleeding curtailment persisted.
It is also known in the art to prepare creams or lotions containing acidic metallic salts which are stable and hence do not separate into an oil phase and an aqueous phase. These creams or lotions, however, do not relate to styptic compositions.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,492,085 disclose`s an astringent composition which is in the form of a stable cream or lotion.
The stated advantages of this composition are its non-irrita-ting action upon the skin and non-deteriorating effect upon clothing~
These advantages are explained as resulting from the llse of aluminum chlorohydrate which has a low acidity in comparison with stronger aluminum salts, such as aluminum sulfate. The non-irritating action of the composition is restricted to its intended use as a deodorant. While it is almost inconceivable .. .

.. . .

that a deodorant composition would be used as a styptic compo-sition, if such a composition were applied to an open wound, a great amount of pain would result.
It is further known to prepare cosmetic gels which contain a variety of metallic salts in combination with a high molecular weight of polyvinyl alcohol and methyl cellulose.
See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,856,941. While highly acid salts are employed, the patent does not disclose the formation of a cream or ~otion, nor does it suggest that the gel can be applied to injured areas to curtail bleeding without irritation.
The invention is directed to a non-sting styptic composition as a stable cream or lotion comprising:
1) from about 2% to about 12% by weight of a long chain fatty acid;

2) from about 0.4% to about 3.5% by weight of - a wax filler;
33 from about 1% to about 10% by weight of polyethylene glycol stearate;
4) from about l~ to about 5% by weight of polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax; and 5) from about 0.5% to about 25% by weight of an acidic metallic salt, 6) the balance being water.
The acidic metallic salt may be selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum potassium sulfate and aluminum ammonium sulfate.
In the styptic composition the wax filler may be selected from the group consisting of beeswax, microcrystalline wax and paraffin wax.
In the s-typtic composi-tion a humectant may be present 6~P5 in an amount ranging from about 1~ to about 4% by weight. The humectant may be glycerin. The s-typtic composition may include an antiseptic.
In the styptic cornposition the long chain fatty acid may be stearic acid.
The invention is also directed -to an improved styptic composition which does not sting or stain clothes when applied, the composition being in the form of a stable cream or lotion which includes an acidic metallic salt.
In the styptic composition, the acidic metallic salt may be selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfat.e, aluminum potassium sulfate and aluminum ammonium sulfate.
Glycerin may be present in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 7% by weight. The styptic composition may include an antiseptic.
The invention also includes a pressurized aerosol canister containing an improved non-sting styptic composition~
the styptic composition being in the form of a stable lotion or cream which includes an acidic metallic salt.
In the pressurized aerosol canister described, the styptic composition can comprise: ~
1) from about 2% to about 12% by weight of a long chain fatty acid;
2) from about 0.4% to about 3.5% by weight of a wax filler;
31 from about 1% to about 10% by weight of poly-ethylene glycol stearate;
4) from about 1% to about 5% by weight of poly-ethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax; andr 5) from about 0.5% to about 25% by weight of said - 4a -. . .

acidic metallic salt, 6) the balance being water.
- The acidic metallic salt may be selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum potassium sulfate and aluminum ammonium sulfate.
In the pressurized aerosol canister, the wax ~iller may be selected from the group consisting of beeswax, micro-crystalline wax and parafEin wax.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The novel, non-sting styptic composition of the present invention is in the form of a stable lotion or cream. The components other than the acidic metallic salt and the con-sistency of the lotion or cream exert a soothing and cooling sensation on the injured area which effectively overcomes the stinging sensation caused by the highly acidic metallic salt~
The ability of the salt to curtail the bleeding of the wound, however, is not affected by the balance of the components in the lotion or cream. Thus, the styptic composition not only stops th~ flow of blood, but it does so with an att~ndant soothing sensation. Of course, if applied to major wounds, a slight stinging sensation will occur. The degree of pain, however, is ar below that caused by known styp~ic compositions and ca~ readily be tolerated without the fear of shock occurring.
A further surprising feature of the present inven-tion is the stability of the lotion or cream. In most instances, when an acidic composition is added to an emulsion of an oleaginous material and an aqueous mixture, the emulsion rapidly breaks down into the two phases. In contradistinction to this normal occurrence, the styptic composition of the present invention exists as stable emulsion which can be stored on a shelf for months without phase separation occurring.
The stable lotion or cream has the following general formula:

1~ from about 2% to aboui i2~ by weight of a long chain fatty acid;

2) from about 0.4~ to about 3.5% by weight of a wax filler;

3) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of polyethylene glycol stearate;

4) from about 1% to about 5% by weight of polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax; and,

5) from about 0.5% to about 25~ by weight of an acidic metallic salt,

6) the balance being water.

A preferred styptic compositicn has the following general _ -6-formula~ 2~
1) from about 4% to about 11% by weight of a long chain fatty acid;
2) from about 1~ to about 3% by weight of a wax filler;
3) from about 4% to about 7% by weight of polyethylene glycol stearate;
4~ from about 2% to about 4% by weight of poiyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax; and 5) from about 5% to about 20~ by weight of an acidic metallic salt, 6) the balance being water.
The above formulas are unique in that they combine the attributes of an effective styptic composition with the desired non-sting, non-stain characteristics not found in the prior art. These advantages are believed to flow from the form of the styptic composition, namely a stable lotion or cream.
The long chain fatty acid, polyethylene glycol stearate and polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax are employed as emulsifiers or dispersing agents which promote the formation of the stable lotion or cream. Polyethylene glycol stearate, for example, is a non-ionic emulsfier and dispersing agent which consists of a water soluble polyoxyethylene derivative of stearic acid. This compound can be purchased under the trade mark Myrj-52 manufactured by Atlas Powder Company.
Polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax is an analogous compound which can be purchased under the trade mark Atlas G-1726 which is also manufactured by Atlas Powder Company. While ~l@~6~5 the exact mechanism is not completely understood, the poly-ethyl~ne ~lycol stearate and polye~hylene glycol sorbit~n beeswax are also believed to be primarily responsible for the soothing nature of the lotion or cr~am.
The term "long chain fatty acid" as used herein includes those unsaturated or saturated fatty acids having from nine to twenty-three carbon atoms in the molecule. The saturated fatty acids are preferredfor purposes of the present inventivn. The unsaturated fatty acids, e.g. oleic acid, exhibit a tendency to oxidize and_thus are typically employed in conjunction with a con~entianal anti-oxidant. Exemplary of such anti-oxidants are buty~ated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene and propyl gallateO While the specific amount of anti--oxidant which is added ~o the composition containing an unsaturated fatty acid will depend on the particular anti-oxidant utilized, about .02~ based ~n the weight of the long chain unsaturated fatty acid has gen-erally been found to yield acceptable results. Exemplary of saturated fatty acids are laurlc, palmitic and, preferably, stearic acid. As may be seen from the above general formula, the amount of fatty acid incorporated into the composition may vary from about 2% to about 12% of the total weight of the ~omposition. When a fatty acid having a longer carbon chain is employed, a ~esser amount is required which approaches the lower limit of the range as the length of the carbon chain approaches twe~ty-three carbon atoms. Conversely, if a fatty acid having a shorter carbon chain is employ~d, a gxeater amount ~s requiredO The precise amount of a specific fatty acid in the composition can readily be determined by routine experi -~entation by those of ordinary skill in the art.

B
- . . , The term "wax filler" defines various w~x products which increase the viscosity or consistency of the lotion or cream.
Typical of such wax products are microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax and, preferably, beeswax.
The term 1'acidic metallic salt" as used herein includes those metal salts which exhibit a degree of acidity sufficient to stanch the flow of blood yet may be formulated into a stable lotion or cream. T~pical of such acidic salts are the chloride, sulfate, phénolsulfonate and chlorohydrate salts of aluminum, zinc and iron, either as a simple salt or as a dibasic salt as in the case of aluminum potassium sulfate. The preferred salts are those having aluminum contained therein, particularly aluminum ammonium sulfate, aluminum potassium sulfate and, as the most prefexred acidic metallic salt, aluminum sulfate.
Combinations of salts may also be employed. It will be apparent to those o~ ordinary skill in the art upon a perusal of the list of possible acidic metallic salts that they do not all exhibit the same degree of acidity. Accordingly, a greater amount o~ a less acidic metallic salt will be required in the composition than in the case of a more acidic metallic salt. The precise amount of acidic metallic salt must be selected such that the composition is effective in curtailing bleeding without causing an inordinate amount of pain when applied. These criteria create a variation in the time needed to completely stop the bleeding, the most preferred acidic metallic salt, namely aluminum sulfate, being the most effective in curtailing bleeding without causing pain. In all instances~
however, the amount of acidic metallic s~lt required in the composition will fall within the limits established by the above formula.

The following Examples are given ~s specific illustra-tions of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific details set forth therein. In the following Examples, all percentages are by weight of the total composition.
$XAMPLE I
1) Stearic Acid . . . . . D c O . . . . ~ 7.5%
2~ Beeswax . . ... . O . ~ O O O . O O O 1.7 3) Polyethylene glycol stearate . . . . . 5.3 4) Polyethylene gly.col sorbitan beeswax . 3.5%
5~ Aluminum sulfate . . . . . . . . . . .13%
6) Water . . . . . . ~ c . . . . . O .69%
$XAMPLE II
1~ Palmitic acia . . . . . . . . . . . . 9%
2) Microcrystalline r.~ax ' ' ' -3) Polyethylene glycol stearate . . . . . 3.8%
4) Polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax 2.3%
5) Aluminum Potassium Sulfate . . . . . .10%
6~ Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72.4%
EXAMPLE III
1) Lauric acid . . . . . . . . . . . . .11%
2) Paraffin Wax . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0%
3) Polyethylene glycol stearate . . . . . 6.2%
4) Polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax 4%
. 5) Zinc Sulfate . . . . . . . . ~ . . . .18%
6) ~ater O O . O ~ . . . . . O . .57.8 %

A humectant may optionally be present in an amount ranging from about 1~ -to about 4~ by weight. Although the humectant does not affect the ability of the styptic lotion or cream to stanch the flow of blood, it is generally incor-porated into the composition to prevent the lotion or cream froM drying out. Typical of the humectants which may be employed are the polyhydric aliphatic compounds. Glycerin is the preferred humectant.
Any conventional antiseptic may also be incorporated into the compositions. Such antiseptics include the quarter-nary ammonium compounds and the alcohol compounds including phenol compounds. One preferred antiseptic composition is hexylresorcinol. The amount of antiseptic utilized in the composition will depend on the particular compound employed.
Since most known antiseptic compounds cause some degree of stinging, the amount of antiseptic utilized should be main-tained at the minimum amount necessary to effectively prevent the growth of microorganisms. In the case of hexylresorcinol this amount is in the order of about 2% by weight.
The above mentioned ingredients may be combined in the following manner: the long chain fatty acid, the wax filler, polyethylene glycol steara-te, polyethylene sorbitan beeswax and optionally, glycerin are mixed together and heated to a temperature of about 70C. After the mixture has reached this temperature, a warm (70~C) aqueous solution of the highly acidic metallic salt is blended in. The mixture is then cooled while being agitated.
The resulting stable cream or lotion is an effective s-typtic composition which has a wide range of applications. In use, the cream or lotion is spread on the wound and is quickly absorbed by the skinO Therefore, if suturing is required or desired, it may be performed without having to clean the wound v~ the styptic composition. Due to its non-stiny characteristic, the styptic composition of the present invention may be spread on minor cuts, abrasions and even major wounds without causing pain to the injured entity. The term "entity" is utilized to reflect the fact that the syptic composition of the present invention is effective on animals as w~ll as humans. The composi-tion can also be employed in the dental field if a flavoring agent is added and can be incorporated into first-aid kits for civilian and military use.
A second advantageous feature of the styptic composition of this invention is that it does not stain or deteriorate fabrics with which it comes in contact. This feature enables -the composltion to be applied to a small cut or abrasion on an area of skin which is normally covered by clothing without the need for a restrictive bandage or covering.
The cream or lotion which comprises the styptic composition of this invention can be packaged in any convenient container including jars, bottles, tubes, pump applicators and preferably, in pressurized aerosol canisters. The aerosol canisters which may be employed to distribute the lotion or cream are well known in the art so that a further exposition of the details of the canisters need not be set forth here (see for example U.S. Patents 2,631,814 (issued 17 March, 1953 to Robert H. Abplanalp), 2,645,387 (issued 14 July, 1953 to Samuel Kahn) and 2,662,668 (issued 15 December, 1953 to John Schmidt~). In an aerosol canister, the composition may be maintained in a sterile condition irrespective of the surrounding environment and may be directly applied where needed with a minimum of effort.

s The styptic composition of the present lnvention may also be utilized to impregnate pxepackaged bandages. The wound covering area of the bandages may be fabricated out of natural fibers, such as cotton, man~made fibers, ~such as polyester or rayon or mixtures thereof. According to the type of fabric employed, the bandage density and thickness and the type of wound intended to be covered, it is necessary to vary the amounts of the several components which comprise the styptic composition. However, such variation will fall within the ranges established above. In this form, the combination of the styptic composition and the bandage may be maintained in a stexile package. When required, it may be quickly opened and applied to the wound thereby stanching the flow of blood, easing the pain o the wound and initiating the healing proc~ss without delay. Such advantages make the impregnated bandage particularly suitable for first aid kits, emergency units, physician's bags and a variety of other locations.
Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that variations and modifications may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claimsO

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A non-sting styptic composition as a stable cream or lotion comprising:
1) from about 2% to about 12% by weight of a long chain fatty acid;
2) from about 0.4% to about 3.5% by weight of a wax filler;
3) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of polyethylene glycol stearate;
4) from about 1% to about 5% by weight of polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax; and, 5) from about 0.5% to about 25% by weight of an acidic metallic salt, 6) the balance being water.

2. The styptic composition of claim 1, wherein the acidic metallic salt is selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum potassium sulfate and aluminum ammonium sulfate.

3. The styptic composition of claim 2, wherein the acidic metallic salt is aluminum sulfate.

4. The styptic composition of claim 3, wherein the wax filler is beeswax.

5. The styptic composition of claim 1, wherein the wax filler is selected from the group consisting of beeswax, micro-crystalline wax and paraffin wax.

6. The styptic composition of claim 1, wherein a humectant is present in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 4% by weight.

7. The styptic composition of claim 6, wherein the humectant is glycerin.

8. The styptic composition of claim 6 including an antiseptic.

9. The styptic composition of claim 4, wherein the long chain fatty acid is stearic acid.

10. An improved styptic composition which does not stain clothes or sting when applied, said composition being in the form of a stable cream or lotion and comprising:
1) from about 2% to about 12% by weight of a long chain fatty acid;
2) from about 0.4% to about 3.5% by weight of a wax filler;
3) from about 1% to about 10% by weight of polyethylene glycol stearate;
4) from about 1% to about 5% by weight of polyethylene glycol sorbitan beeswax; and 5) from about 0.5% to about 25% by weight of an acidic metallic salt, 6) the balance being water.

11. The styptic composition of claim 10, wherein said acidic metallic salt is selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum potassium sulfate and aluminum ammonium sulfate.

12. The styptic composition of claim 11, wherein glycerin is present in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 7% by weight.

13. The styptic composition of claim 12, including an antiseptic.