Patent Publication Number: US-2021178052-A1

Title: System and method for patient skin treatment and irrigation

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/686,612, filed Aug. 25, 2017, (pending), the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a system and method treating a patient, and in particular, to treating and irrigating a patient&#39;s skin. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Surgical wounds or chronically occurring wounds, such as diabetic or vascular foot or leg ulcers, can become inoculated during surgery or infected with bacteria or other infectious organisms. Prophylaxis to prevent and/or cure infections can be provided by eradicating inoculation, colonization or contamination. Further, prevention of infection, inoculation or colonization of surgical wounds or chronically occurring wounds can be provided by a lasting antimicrobial activity in a nontoxic irrigant which offers persistent antimicrobial activity. This can be accomplished if the irrigant is allowed to remain in or around the wound, eliciting persistent antimicrobial activity. 
     Increasing metabolism and growth of anaerobic bacteria in such wounds may increase when an oxidation-reduction potential (E h ) is decreased. The E h  in such wound areas can decrease, for example, when oxygen in the wound area is decreased and may decrease responsive to other changes in the characteristics of the wound area. Conversely, by increasing the E h  in a wound area, metabolism and growth of anaerobic bacteria may be decreased, which may prevent and/or cure an infection in a wound area. Increasing the E h  in a wound area may include irrigating the wound area with one or more ion rich compounds, such as a charged zinc compound having free available zinc ions and at least one E h  raising component. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are implementations of aspects, features, elements, implementations, and embodiments of irrigating a patient&#39;s wounds. 
     An aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a system for irrigating a patient&#39;s skin. The system includes a fluid container that includes a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment being adapted to retain a first fluid on a first side of a divider and the second compartment being adapted to retain a second fluid on a second side of the divider. The system also includes an irrigation sleeve adapted to cover a portion of the patient&#39;s skin. The system also includes a fluid charging portion adapted to receive a portion of the first fluid and a portion of the second fluid, wherein the portion of the first fluid reacts with the portion of the second fluid to form a charged compound in the fluid charging portion. The system also includes a compound delivery portion that extends at a first end of the compound delivery portion from the fluid charging portion, the compound delivery portion being adapted to deliver the charged compound from the fluid charging portion to the irrigation sleeve. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method for irrigating a patient&#39;s skin. The method includes: retaining a first fluid on a first side of a divider; retaining a second fluid on a second side of a divider, the second side of the divider being disposed opposite the first side of the divider; covering a portion of the patient&#39;s skin with an irrigation sleeve; receiving a portion of the first fluid and a portion of the second fluid, wherein the portion of the first fluid reacts with the portion of the second fluid to form a charged compound; and delivering the charged compound from a fluid charging portion to the irrigation sleeve. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a system for irrigating a patient&#39;s skin. The system includes an irrigation sleeve adapted to cover a portion of the patient&#39;s skin. The system also includes a fluid charging portion adapted to receive a portion of a first fluid and a portion of a second fluid, wherein the portion of the first fluid reacts with the portion of the second fluid to form a charged compound in the fluid charging portion. The system also includes a compound delivery portion adapted to deliver the charged compound from the fluid charging portion to the irrigation sleeve while the charged compound is charged. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  generally illustrate a wound and/or skin irrigation system according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  generally illustrates an alternative wound and/or skin irrigation system according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  generally illustrates an alternative wound and/or skin irrigation system according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a wound and/or skin irrigation method according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Surgical wounds or chronically occurring wounds, such as diabetic foot or leg ulcers, can become infected with bacteria or other infectious organisms. Prophylaxis to prevent and/or solutions to cure infections can be provided by preventing inoculation or contamination. Further, prevention or treatment of infection, inoculation, or colonization of surgical wounds or chronically occurring wounds can be provided by a lasting antimicrobial activity in a nontoxic irrigant which offers persistent antimicrobial activity. This can be accomplished if the irrigant is allowed to remain in or around the wound, eliciting persistent antimicrobial activity. 
     Metabolism and growth of anaerobic bacteria in such wounds may increase when an oxidation-reduction potential (E h ) is decreased. The E h  in such wound areas can decrease, for example, when oxygen in the wound area is decreased or in response to other changes in the characteristics of the wound area. Conversely, by increasing the E h  in a wound area, metabolism and growth of anaerobic bacteria may be decreased, which may prevent and/or cure an infection in a wound area. Increasing the E h  in a wound area may include irrigating the wound area with one or more electron-rich or ion-rich compounds, such as a charged zinc compound having free available zinc ions and at least one E h  raising component. Accordingly, a system that charges a charged compound and provides the charged compound to a wound area and/or the patient&#39;s skin is desirable. 
     In some embodiments, according to the principles of the present disclosure, an ion-rich or electron-rich compound suitable for treating such wound areas can be formed by combining a first fluid and a second fluid in a charging area. For example, in some embodiments, a system for irrigating a patient&#39;s skin can include a fluid container, such as an intravenous bag or bags hung from an intravenous stand. The fluid container includes a first fluid compartment and a second fluid compartment, or the two fluids could be held in separate containers. In some embodiments, a first fluid, such as zinc chloride (ZnCl 2 ), is retained in the first fluid compartment and a second fluid, such as sodium chlorite (NaClO 2 ), is retained in the second fluid compartment. Before irrigating the patient&#39;s skin, a portion of the first fluid and a portion of the second fluid is released from the first fluid compartment and the second fluid compartment, respectively, into a fluid charging portion. The portion of the first fluid and the portion of the second fluid mix and/or interact in the fluid charging portion to form a charged compound. For example, a portion of the ZnCl 2  interacts with a portion of the NaClO 2  to form a charged zinc compound having free available zinc ions and at least one E h  raising component (e.g., the NaClO 2  acts like an E h  raising component when interacting with the ZnCl 2 ). By providing the charged compound to a wound area, the free available zinc ions and the at least one E h  raising component have been shown to prevent lowering of the E h  levels in the wound area, thereby inhibiting metabolism and/or growth of anaerobic bacteria, which may prevent and/or cure infections in the wound area. 
     The system may include an irrigator. For example, the system may include an irrigation sleeve, an aerosol irrigator, or other suitable irrigator. The charged compound may be delivered to the irrigator from the fluid charging portion. The irrigator can then be used to apply the charged compound to a patient&#39;s skin. For example, the irrigator can be used by a medical professional to apply the charged compound to a chronically occurring wound, to an operative and/or postoperative surgical wound, to an injury wound, directly to an area on the patient&#39;s skin that does not include a wound, to other suitable areas on the patient&#39;s skin, or a combination thereof. Chronically occurring wounds may include diabetes ulcers, decubitus ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, skin affected by eczema, skin affected by psoriasis, chronic skin infections, other suitable chronically occurring wounds, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the charged compound may be applied to non-chronically occurring wounds, such as, skin affected by contact with poison ivy, poison oak, skin affected by other skin irritants, skin affected by allergic reactions, or other suitable non-chronically occurring wounds, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the system is adapted to prevent irrigation of the patient&#39;s skin and/or wound area when the charged compound is not charged. For example, after a period of time, the charged compound may lose its charge, such that, an amount of free available zinc ions in the charged compound may be reduced, which may render the charged compound ineffective for preventing the lowering of E h  in a wound area. Additionally, or alternatively, as the charged compound loses its charge, the charged compound may become hazardous to the patient. For example, as the charged compound loses its charge, the metabolism and/or growth of anaerobic bacteria may be promoted. 
     In some embodiments, the system may include a valve disposed at or near the fluid charging portion. The valve may be manually or automatically controlled and may control flow of the charged compound to the irrigator. For example, a medical professional operating the system may open the valve to release the charged compound from the fluid charging portion. The medical professional may then close the valve after a predetermined time and/or after a predetermined amount of the charged compound has been released from the fluid charging portion. The predetermined amount of time and/or the predetermined amount of charged compound may correspond to an amount of charged compound that the irrigator can apply to the wound area and/or the patient&#39;s skin before the charged compound loses its charge. 
     In some embodiments, the system may include a timer, such as a stopwatch, a counter, a clock, or other suitable time. The timer may be disposed on a portion of the system that is readily visible to the medical professional operating the system. For example, the time may be disposed at or near the container, at or near the irrigator, or other suitable position on the system. The timer may act as a visual guide for the operator to determine when the charged compound has lost or started to lose its charge. The medical professional may stop irrigating the wound area and/or patient&#39;s skin based on the time. In some embodiments, the time may include a countdown time. For example, the timer may be started when charged compound is released from the fluid charging portion. The timer may be set to an amount of time that the charged compound will retain enough free available zinc ions to effectively increase E h  in the wound area. The medical professional may stop irrigating the wound area and/or patient&#39;s skin when the timer reaches zero. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  generally illustrate a patient wound and/or skin irrigation system  100 , according to the principles of the present disclosure. The system includes a container  102 , an irrigator or irrigation sleeve  104 , and a reservoir  106 . In some embodiments, the container  102  includes an intravenous bag, a canister having cylindrical profile or other suitable profile, or other suitable container. The container  102  is adapted to receive one or more fluids. For example, the container  102  includes a first or upper portion  108 . The upper portion  108  may include an opening and/or a port adapted to receive the one or more fluids. In some embodiments, the upper portion  108  includes a plurality of openings and/or ports adapted to receive fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the container  102  includes at least one divider  110 . The divider  110  is disposed in an inner portion of the container  102  and is adapted to divide the container  102  into a first compartment  112  disposed on a first side of the divider  110  and a second compartment  114  disposed on a second side of the divider  110  that is opposite the first side of the divider  110 . While only a divider  110  is described herein, the principles of the present disclosure apply to a container  102  having any suitable number of dividers  110 . Further, the principles of the present disclosure apply to a container  102  having additional or fewer compartments than described herein. The divider  110  is adapted to isolate fluid in the first compartment  112  from fluid in the second compartment  114 , such that, the fluid in the first compartment  112  does not mix and/or interact with the fluid in the second compartment  114 . 
     In some embodiments, the first compartment  112  is adapted to retain a first fluid. For example, as described above, the container  102  includes one or more openings and/or ports adapted to receive one or more fluids. In some embodiments, a first opening and/or port may correspond to the first compartment  112 . For example, the first opening and/or port is adapted to receive the first fluid and direct the first fluid to the first compartment  112 . The second compartment  114  is adapted to retain a second fluid. For example, a second opening and/or port may correspond to the second compartment  114 . For example, the second opening and/or port is adapted to receive the second fluid and direct the second fluid to the second compartment  114 . 
     In some embodiments, the first fluid is a different fluid than the second fluid. The first fluid includes a fluid capable of chemically interacting with the second fluid to form a charged compound. For example, the first fluid includes zinc chloride (ZnCl 2 ) and the second fluid includes sodium chlorite (NaClO 2 ). It should be understood that the first fluid and the second fluid are interchangeable. For example, the first fluid may include sodium chlorite and the second fluid may include zinc chloride. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes silver chloride (AgCl) and the second fluid includes sodium chlorite (NaClO 2 ). In some embodiments, the first fluid includes copper chloride (CuCl 2 ) and the second fluid includes sodium chlorite (NaClO 2 ). Additionally, or alternatively, the container  102  may include one or more additional fluid compartments. The one or more additional fluid compartments may be adapted to retain one or more additional fluids. For example, the one or more additional fluids may include antibacterial fluids, vitamin fluids, other suitable fluids, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the vitamin fluids may include vitamin A fluid, vitamin C fluid, vitamin D fluid, vitamin E fluid, other suitable vitamin fluids, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the first fluid and/or the second fluid may be infused with one or more antibiotics, one or more vitamins, or a combination thereof. 
     A ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid may vary based on the application and/or use of resulting charged compound and/or various characteristics of the first fluid and the second fluid may be altered and/or controlled, such that, a desired charged compound results from the interaction between the first fluid and the second fluid. Such ratios and/or characteristics are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,992, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     As described above, when the first fluid and the second fluid form a charged compound when the first fluid and the second fluid interact with one another. The system  100  includes a fluid charging portion  118 . The fluid charging portion  118  is disposed at or near a lower portion  120  of the container  102 . The second or lower portion  120  is disposed on an opposite side of the container  102  from the upper portion  108 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more fluid transfer portions  122  extend from the lower portion  120  to the fluid charging portion  118 . For example, a first fluid transfer portion  122 A extends from the lower portion  120  to the fluid charging portion  118  and a second fluid transfer portion  122 B extends from the lower portion  120  to the fluid charging portion  118 . The first fluid transfer portion  122 A is in communication with the first compartment  112  and the second fluid transfer portion  122 B is in communication with the second compartment  114 . While only a first and second transfer portions  122 A and  122 B are described herein, the system  100  may include any suitable number of transfer portions  122  in communication with corresponding compartments of the container  102 . 
     In some embodiments, a portion of the first fluid transfers from the first compartment  112  to the fluid charging portion  118  via the first fluid transfer portion  122 A and a portion of the second fluid transfers from the second compartment  114  to the fluid charging portion  118  via the second fluid transfer portion  122 B. For example, each fluid transfer portion  122  may include a valve  124 , as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The valves  124  are adapted to release fluid from the container  102  into the fluid charging portion  118 . For example, each valve  124  may include a shutoff valve that is selectively opened to allow fluid to transfer from the container  102  to the fluid charging portion  118 . In some embodiments, a medical professional operating the system  100  may actuate a control, such as a lever or a knob, associated with a valve  124  in order to allow fluid to transfer from the container  102  to the fluid charging portion  118 . Conversely, the medical professional may actuate the control to prevent fluid from transferring from the container  102  to the fluid charging portion  118 . 
     In some embodiments, fluid transfers from the container  102  to the fluid charging portion  118  due to the force of gravity acting on the fluid. The container  102  may be disposed at a position above the fluid charging portion  118 . For example, the container  102  may be hung on an intravenous stand or other suitable stand. In some embodiments, the medical professional may hold the container  102  above the fluid charging portion  118  in order to allow gravity to act on fluid within the container  102 . 
     In some embodiments, a pump, such as a pump  126 , as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 , may promote transfer of fluid from the container  102  to the fluid charging portion  118 . For example, the pump  126  may be in communication with the container  102  or other suitable component of the system  100 . The pump  126  may create a current and/or force that promotes transferring the fluid from the container  102  to the fluid charging portion  118 . 
     As described above, the portion of the first fluid transferred from the first compartment  112  interacts with the portion of the second fluid from the second compartment  114  to form a charged compound when the portion of the first fluid and the portion of the second fluid are in the fluid charging portion  118 . In some embodiments, the charged compound transfers from the fluid charging portion  118  to a compound delivery portion  128  that extends from a first end of the compound delivery portion  128  from the fluid charging portion  118 . 
     In some embodiments, the compound delivery portion  128  includes a flexible polymer tube or hose, a corrugated tube or hose, and/or other suitable tube or hose. The compound delivery portion  128  includes a generally circular profile having a diameter and a length. In some embodiments, the diameter and length may allow the charged compound to flow the compound delivery portion  128  at a predetermined rate. For example, a larger diameter may allow the charged compound to flow through the compound delivery portion  128  at a faster rate than a smaller diameter. Additionally, or alternatively, a longer length may allow the charged compound to flow through the compound delivery portion  128  at a slower rate than a shorter length. 
     In some embodiments, a control  130 , as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 , may be disposed on the compound delivery portion  128  at or near the fluid charging portion  118 . The control  130  may include features similar to those of the valves  124  described above. The medical professional operating the system  100  may actuate the control to allow the charged compound to transfer from the fluid charging portion  118  to the compound delivery portion  128 . 
     In some embodiments, the charged compound is drawn into the compound delivery portion  128  as a result of the force of gravity acting on the charged compound and/or as a result of the pump  126  promoting the charged compound through the compound delivery portion  128 . In some embodiments, a second end of the compound delivery portion  128  is adapted to connect to, couple to, attach to, and/or be in communication with the irrigation sleeve  104 . 
     For example, the irrigation sleeve  104  includes a first aperture  132  disposed near an upper portion  134  of the irrigation sleeve  104 . In some embodiments, the second end of the compound delivery portion  128  is adapted to be inserted into the first aperture  132 . In some embodiments, the first aperture  132  may include a port adapted to receive the second end of the compound delivery portion  128 . Additionally, or alternatively, the second end of the compound delivery portion  128  may be adapted to connect to, couple to, attach to, and/or be in communication with the first aperture  132  in other suitable manners than those described herein. 
     As described above, the charged compound transfers from the fluid charging portion  118  to the compound delivery portion  128 . The charged compound exits the compound delivery portion  128  at the second end of the compound delivery portion  128  and enters the irrigation sleeve  104  at the first aperture  132 . In some embodiments, and as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first aperture  132  may include a filter  136 . The filter  136  may include a screen or other suitable filter and is adapted to filter particulates from the charged compound before the charged compound irrigates the wound area and/or the patient&#39;s skin. 
     In some embodiments, the irrigation sleeve  104  a profile. The profile may include a profile corresponding to a portion of the patient&#39;s anatomy. For example, and as is generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the profile may include a profile corresponding to a patient&#39;s foot. The irrigation sleeve  104  may include a generic profile, such that, the profile may accommodate various patients. In some embodiments, the profile may be adapted to match a particular patient. For example, the irrigation sleeve  104  may include a profile that corresponds to a patient&#39;s foot. The patient&#39;s foot may be measured and/or examined. The irrigation sleeve  104  may be manufactured to match the measurements and/or examination of the patient&#39;s foot. 
     In some embodiments, the profile may include a generic shape such as a cylinder. The irrigation sleeve  104  having a profile that includes a generic shape may be wrapped around a portion of the patient&#39;s anatomy, such as an arm or a leg. In some embodiments, the irrigation sleeve  104  may include an attachment portion (not shown). For example, a portion of the irrigation sleeve  104  may be opened to receive the corresponding portion of the patient&#39;s anatomy. The irrigation sleeve  104  may include closing mechanism adapted to close the irrigation sleeve  104  around the corresponding portion of the patient&#39;s anatomy. The closing mechanism may include a strap, tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other suitable closing mechanism. In some embodiments, irrigation sleeve  104  may be slid over the corresponding portion of the patient&#39;s anatomy. For example, the irrigation sleeve  104  generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be slid onto a patient&#39;s foot like a sock. In some embodiments, the irrigation sleeve  104  may include tightening features. For example, the irrigation sleeve  104  may include laces, straps, or other features that tighten and/or compress the irrigation sleeve  104  onto the patient. 
     In some embodiments, the irrigation sleeve  104  may include one or more fluid seals. The fluid seals may be disposed at one or more openings of the irrigation sleeve  104  in order to prevent fluid, such as the charged compound, from exiting the irrigation sleeve  104  at the one or more openings. In some embodiments, the irrigation sleeve  104  may include a fluid seal disposed around the upper portion  134 , such that, when the irrigation sleeve  104  is on the patient, a fluid tight seal is formed at the upper portion  134 . 
     In some embodiments, the irrigation sleeve  104  covers one or more wound areas on the patient. By way of non-limiting example only, the irrigation sleeve  104  may be adapted to cover one or more diabetic foot ulcers. While only limited examples are described herein, the irrigation sleeve  104  may be adapted to cover any suitable wound area or portion of the patient&#39;s skin. As the charged compound enters the irrigation sleeve  104  through the first aperture  132 , the charged compound is directed to the one or more wound areas. The charged compound irrigates the one or more wound areas and/or the patient&#39;s skin in order to promote higher levels of E h  in the one or more wound areas, which decreases metabolism and/or growth of anaerobic bacteria in the one or more wound areas. By decreasing metabolism and/or growth of anaerobic bacteria in the one or more wound areas, infections in the one or more wound areas may be prevented and/or cured. Colonization may also be decreased, thereby increasing the wound healing potential in the area. 
     As described above, the charge of the charged compound decreases over a period. As the charge of the charged compound decreases below a charge threshold, the charged compound is converted into a residual compound. The residual compound may be ineffective to promote higher levels of E h  in the one or more wound areas. In order to prevent the residual compound from irrigating the one or more wound areas, the control  130  may include a timer. The timer may act as a visual guide for the medical professional to determine when the charged compound has lost or started to lose its charge. The medical professional may stop irrigating the wound area and/or patient&#39;s skin based on the timer. In some embodiments, the timer may include a countdown time. For example, the timer may be started when charged compound is released from the fluid charging portion  118 . The timer may be set to an amount of time that the charged compound will retain enough free available ions to effectively increase E h  in the one or more wound areas. The medical professional may stop irrigating the one or more wound areas and/or patient&#39;s skin when the timer reaches zero. While only limited examples are described herein, the timer may include any suitable timer. 
     In some embodiments, the residual compound may be released from the irrigation sleeve  104 . In some embodiments, the irrigation sleeve  104  includes a second aperture  138 . The second aperture  138  may be disposed at a lower portion  140  of the irrigation sleeve  104 . The lower portion  140  is disposed on the irrigation sleeve  104  opposite the upper portion  134 . In some embodiments, a valve may be disposed at or near the second aperture  138 . The medical professional may actuate the valve to create a vacuum effect within the irrigation sleeve  104 . The vacuum effect may act to draw the residual compound toward the second aperture  138 . In some embodiments, the force of gravity acting on the residual compound may act to draw the residual compound toward the second aperture  138 . The residual compound may exit the irrigation sleeve  104  through the second aperture  138 . In some embodiments, a filter  142  may be disposed at or near the second aperture  138 . The filter  142  includes features similar to the filter  136 . 
     In some embodiments, a drain portion  144  is connected to, coupled to, attached to, or in communication with the second aperture  138  at a first end of the drain portion  144 . The drain portion  144  may include a tube or hose and includes features similar to those of the compound delivery portion  128 . The drain portion  144  extends from the second aperture  138  from the first end of the drain portion  144  to a second end of the drain portion  144 . The second end of the drain portion  144  may be connected to, coupled to, attached to, or in communication with the reservoir  106 . 
     The reservoir  106  may include canister having a generally cylindrical profile. In some embodiments, the reservoir  106  may include a canister having a profile other than cylindrical, a bag, a receptacle, or other suitable reservoir. The reservoir  106  is adapted to receive the residual compound through the drain portion  144 . In some embodiments, the reservoir  106  may receive residual compound from a plurality of irrigation sleeves  104 . The residual compound with in the reservoir  106  may be disposed of after the residual compound is received by the reservoir  106 . 
       FIG. 3  generally illustrates an alternative wound and/or skin irrigation system  200  according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, a medical professional may irrigate surgical wounds during (operative wounds) and/or after (postoperative wounds) a patient surgery. The medical professional may operate the system  200  to direct charged compound to the operative and/or postoperative wounds to raise E h  in the wounds in order to prevent and/or cure operative and/or postoperative infections in the wounds. The system  200  may include a portable or substantially portable irrigation system that includes a container  202 . The container  202  may include a generally cylindrical profile or other suitable profile. The container  202  is adapted to receive one or more fluids and includes features similar to those of the container  102 . In some embodiments, the container  202  includes a divider  204 . The divider  204  includes features similar to the divider  110 . The divider  204  defines a first compartment  206  disposed on a first side of the divider  204  and a second compartment  208  disposed on a second side of the divider  204 . The second side of the divider  204  is disposed opposite the first side of the divider  204 . 
     The first compartment  206  includes features similar to those of the first compartment  112  and the second compartment  208  includes features similar to those of the second compartment  114 . The first compartment  206  is adapted to receive and retain a first fluid. The first fluid includes features similar to the first fluid described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The second compartment  208  is adapted to receive and retain a second fluid. The second fluid includes features similar to the second fluid described above with the respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . While only a first compartment  206  and a second compartment  208  is described herein, the system  200  may include any suitable number of compartments and may receive and retain any suitable number of fluids. 
     The system  200  includes one or more fluid transfer portion  210 . For example, the system  200  includes a first fluid transfer portion  210 A disposed in the first compartment  206  and a second fluid transfer portion  210 B disposed in the second compartment  208 . The first fluid transfer portion  210 A is adapted to allow a portion of the first fluid to be drawn out of the first compartment  206  and the second fluid transfer portion  210 B is adapted to allow a portion of the second fluid to be drawn out of the second compartment  208 . 
     In some embodiments, the system  200  includes an irrigator  212  disposed at or near an upper portion of the container  202 . The irrigator  212  is adapted to apply charged compound to a surgical wound. For example, the irrigator  212  includes a fluid charging portion  214  disposed in an interior portion of the irrigator  212 . The fluid charging portion  214  includes features similar to the fluid charging portion  118 . The fluid charging portion  214  is adapted to receive the portion of the first fluid and the portion of the second fluid. As described above with respect to the fluid charging portion  118 , the portion of the first fluid and the portion of the second fluid interact to form a charged compound in the fluid charging portion  214 . 
     In some embodiments, the irrigator  212  includes an actuator  216 . The actuator  216  may include a trigger or other suitable actuator. When the medical professional actuates the actuator  216 , a vacuum and/or suction effect is created within the container  202 . The portion of the first fluid and the portion of the second fluid are drawn into the fluid charging portion  214  in response to the vacuum and/or suction effect. 
     The irrigator  212  includes a compound applicator  218 . The compound applicator  218  is adapted to apply the charged compound to the surgical wound, expelling the charged compound from the fluid charging portion  214  in response to the vacuum and/or suction effect created by the actuator  216 . The compound applicator  218  may include a selectively adjustable head  220 . The head  220  may be adjusted to provide a wider or narrower compound application field. The medical professional may direct the charged compound to the surgical wound, aiming the irrigator  212  in a direction that applies the charged compound to the surgical wound when the actuator  216  is actuated by the medical professional. 
       FIG. 4  generally illustrates an alternative wound and/or skin irrigation system  300  according to the principles of the present disclosure. The medical professional may operate the system  300  to direct charged compound to the operative and/or postoperative wounds to raise E h  in the wounds in order to prevent and/or cure operative and/or postoperative infections in the wounds. The system  300  may include a portable or substantially portable irrigation system that includes a container  302 . The container  302  includes features similar to those of the container  102  described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The system  300  includes a fluid charging portion  304 . The fluid charging portion  304  includes features similar to those of the fluid charging portion  118  described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The system includes a compound delivery portion  306 . The compound delivery portion  306  includes features similar to those the compound delivery portion  128  described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In some embodiments, the system  300  includes an irrigator  308 . The irrigator  308  may include features similar to those of the irrigator  212  described with respect to  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the irrigator  308  includes a continuously or substantially continuously irrigating irrigator. For example, the irrigator  308  may include a powered and/or motorized irrigator adapted to continuously or substantially continuously apply charged compound to a surgical wound. The medical professional may actuate an actuator associated with the irrigator  308 . While the actuator is actuated, the irrigator  308  may continuously or substantially continuously apply charged compound to a surgical wound that the medical professional is aiming and/or directing the irrigator  308  toward. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart generally illustrating a wound and/or skin irrigation method  500  according to the principles of the present disclosure. At  502 , the method  500  includes providing a first fluid and a second fluid. For example, as described above, the first fluid and the second fluid may be provided in a first compartment and a second compartment respectively. At  504 , the method  500  includes providing a divider between the first fluid and the second fluid. For example, the divider may be provided to separate the first fluid from the second fluid, such that, the first fluid does not interact with the second fluid. 
     At  506 , the method  500  includes releasing a portion of the first fluid and a portion of the second fluid. For example, the portion of the first fluid and the portion of the second fluid may be released to a fluid charging portion, such as the fluid charging portion  118 , the fluid charging portion  214 , or the fluid charging portion  304 . At  508 , the method  500  includes creating a charged compound. For example, the portion of the first fluid interacts with the portion of the second fluid to form a charged compound, as described above. At  510 , the method  500  includes delivering the charged compound. For example, as described above, the charged compound may be delivered to the irrigation sleeve  104 , the irrigator  212 , or the irrigator  308 . 
     At  512 , the method  500  includes irrigating, while the compound is charged, a wound area. For example, as described above, a medical professional irrigates one or more wound areas, one or more operative and/or postoperative wounds, a portion of a patient&#39;s skin, or a combination thereof using the charged compound while the charged compound is charged. At  514 , the method  500  collects residual compound. For example, as described above, as the charge of the charged compound decreases below the charge threshold, the charge compound becomes a residual compound. The residual compound may be collected by the reservoir  106 . In some embodiments, the method  500  may omit  514 . 
     As used herein, the terminology “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X includes A or B” is intended to indicate any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes both A and B, then “X includes A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Further, for simplicity of explanation, although the figures and descriptions herein may include sequences or series of steps or stages, elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur in various orders or concurrently. Additionally, elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur with other elements not explicitly presented and described herein. Furthermore, not all elements of the methods described herein may be required to implement a method in accordance with this disclosure. Although aspects, features, and elements are described herein in particular combinations, each aspect, feature, or element may be used independently or in various combinations with or without other aspects, features, and elements. 
     While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.