Programmable 3D printed wound dressing could improve treatment for burn, cancer patients

Date:
June 6, 2023
Source:
University of Waterloo
Summary:
Researchers have created a new type of wound dressing material
using advanced polymers. This new dressing could enhance the healing
process for burn patients and have potential applications for drug
delivery in cancer treatment as well as in the cosmetic industry.


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One of the challenges in treating burn victims is the frequency of
dressing changes, which can be extremely painful.

To bring relief to this and other problems, University of Waterloo
researchers have created a new type of wound dressing material using
advanced polymers.

This new dressing could enhance the healing process for burn patients
and have potential applications for drug delivery in cancer treatment
as well as in the cosmetic industry.

"To treat burn victims, we can customize the shape using a 3D printer, secondly, the material has fine-tuned surface adhesion, which is a key feature," said Dr. Boxin Zhao, a professor in Waterloo's Department
of Chemical Engineering, whose team has made significant strides in
developing intelligent hydrogel materials for use as a reusable wound
dressing. "The material can easily adhere to the skin and be taken
off. It's a very delicate balance within the material to make the
adhesion work." In developing the dressing, the researchers conducted
a 3D scan of the patient's face and body parts to customize it to an individual's needs. This enables the dressing to make good contact with surfaces like noses and fingers, making it ideal for creating personalized wound dressings for burn patients.

The material also has applications for cancer treatment. In traditional chemotherapy treatment, a patient may need to be in a clinic for hours,
which can be tiring and uncomfortable. This dressing can provide a
constant drug release outside the clinic setting, alleviating some of
the challenges associated with traditional methods.

The material used to create these smart dressings includes a biopolymer
derived from seaweed, a thermally responsive polymer, and cellulose nanocrystals. The dressing's thermal responsiveness allows it to warm
on the skin and gently lower to room temperature. Additionally, when
chilled in the fridge, the dressing expands but shrinks to a smaller size
at body temperature, making it easier and less painful to remove. Also,
the dressing is designed to provide time-release medication, allowing
for longer-lasting pain relief.

"We also envision applications in the beauty and cosmetic industry,"
said Zhao, Waterloo's Endowed Chair in Nanotechnology. "Cosmetologists
can utilize 3D scanning technology to analyze their clients' facial
features and customize hydrogel masks infused with specific facial and
skin regimen products.

Additionally, this innovative approach can benefit plastic surgeons."
This research is proof of concept for Zhao's Surface Science and Bio- nanomaterials Laboratory Group. The next step for Zhao's research group
is to continue improving the material's properties to make it healthier
and commercially viable.

A study highlighting the team's progress was recently published in the
Journal of Colloids and Interface Science.

* RELATED_TOPICS
o Matter_&_Energy
# Materials_Science # Nanotechnology # Chemistry
# Engineering # Engineering_and_Construction #
Inorganic_Chemistry # Nature_of_Water # Civil_Engineering
* RELATED_TERMS
o Nanomedicine o Polyethylene o Materials_science o
Energy_development o Plastic o Polymer o Silicone o
Tensile_strength

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Waterloo. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Lukas Bauman, Boxin Zhao. Multi-thermo responsive double network
composite hydrogel for 3D printing medical hydrogel mask. Journal
of Colloid and Interface Science, 2023; 638: 882 DOI: 10.1016/
j.jcis.2023.02.021 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230606111740.htm

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