An Absorbent, Flexible, Transparent, and Scalable Substrate for Wound Dressings

Abstract

Objective: Wound dressings that create and maintain a moist environment provide the optimal conditions for wound healing by increasing the rate of epithelialization and angiogenesis. However, current wound dressings require periodic removal which exposes the wound to the surrounding environment, thereby increasing the likelihood for infection and drying out the wound itself. There remains an unmet medical need for the development of an absorbent, flexible, and transparent wound dressing that can conform to the irregular geometry of the wound for a long-term duration. Herein, we report the development of AFTI Derm, an Absorbent, Flexible, Transparent, and Inexpensive moisture-management wound dressing using Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the host material. Methods: AFTI Derm substrates of varying glycerol concentrations (1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt%, 7 wt%, and 10 wt%) were fabricated and tested. The mechanical, absorption, and biological properties of AFTI Derm were evaluated. Results: We found that 5% glycerol served as the optimal concentration for AFTI Derm. The biocompatibility, absorptive capabilities, and scalability render PVA/glycerol an ideal material composition for wound dressings. Benchtop experimentation and pre-clinical testing demonstrate AFTI Derm as a platform for use in wound dressings. Discussion/Conclusion: The development of AFTI Derm broadens the translational utility of this materials platform not only as a material for wound dressings to minimize dressing changes in low to moderate exudate environments, but also as a potential substrate material for smart bandages. Clinical and Translational Impact Statement— AFTI Derm, an absorbent, flexible, and transparent wound dressing, maintains the moist environment required for healing while enabling monitoring of healing without removal and disruption to the wound bed.

3D printing of gellan‐dextran methacrylate IPNs in glycerol and their bioadhesion by RGD derivatives

“…The amounts of DexMa and Ge − Na + , Ge‐(PEG) 9 ‐RGD or Ge‐εAhx‐RGD present were subtracted from the obtained value. The percentage of residual glycerol was less than 5%, a quite low percentage compatible with biomedical applications 60,61 …”

Design of On-Body Epidermal Antenna on AMC Substrate for UHF RFID in Healthcare

“…17a) was realized by etching the copper from the Duroid substrate, whereas the microchip was soldered with the help of a bench soldering iron. Moreover, the resulting structure was entirely covered with a thin film of Tegaderm [77] to stabilize the prototype and ensure that all its components were joined together. 15b).…”

Recent advances in novel materials and techniques for developing transparent wound dressings

“…The wound dressing at optimized concentration shows relatively good stability in terms of absorption compared to lower concentrations over one week; moreover, the methodology to prepare AFTIDerm is amenable to addressing the diversity of clinical wounds. 9 Clinical treatment faces a challenging issue with treating and managing diabetic foot ulcers. A transparent monitoring system was used to treat and control diabetic foot ulcers that seep blood and are hard to heal, which present challenges for the other non-transparent conductive patches (Fig.…”

“…8 Similar to the extracellular matrix (ECM), a suitable wound dressing can provide a desirable environment for wound healing. 9,10 An ideal wound dressing should protect the wound from the external environment, exchange air, absorb and remove a high volume of exudate, have antibacterial properties against microorganisms and infections, decrease the number of dead cells at a wound, provide strong mechanical protection, be easy to replace, be sterile, non-toxic and non-allergic, and relieve pain from an infected wound. 6,11 Modern wound dressings are fabricated using natural, synthetic, and biopolymer-based materials.…”