Development of a biodegradable foam for use in negative pressure wound therapy

Abstract

Treatment of wounds using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) uses a nondegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam in the application of negative pressures typically for 1-3 days. The purpose of this study was to construct and test biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) foam as a substitute for the PVA foam. Such a foam would be left within the wound until healing was achieved and form a biodegradable matrix into which tissue would grow. The use of such foam would obviate the need for any serial foam changes and a final foam removal, thus making patient care much easier and more economical. PCL foams were prepared by salt leaching and phase separation. Morphological and mechanical properties of the foams were characterized and compared to PVA foam. PCL and PVA foams were tested on the uncut surface of a pig liver maintained in a hydration chamber continuously replenished with saline under the conditions of negative pressure of 50 mm Hg for 72 h. The results demonstrated that PCL foam made from phase separation had the similar properties and function as the PVA foam. The results demonstrate that PCL foam is an appropriate substitute for currently used nondegradable PVA foam in NPWT applications.

Mechanical Tissue Resuscitation Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

“…Both types of matrices were able to transduce the negative pressure from the vacuum pump to the epicardial surface, resulting in benefit to the treated area. In addition, the PCL foam has been shown to maintain negative pressure for at least 72 hours with no cytotoxicity . Although in vitro degradation studies predict that ∼80% of the PCL foam will degrade within 33 weeks whereas non‐modified POC elastomers have been manufactured that degrade nearly completely within 12 hours in vitro, elastomeric modifications, such as co‐spinning with collagen, can significantly alter the rate of degradation.…”

“…In addition, the PCL foam has been shown to maintain negative pressure for at least 72 hours with no cytotoxicity . Although in vitro degradation studies predict that ∼80% of the PCL foam will degrade within 33 weeks whereas non‐modified POC elastomers have been manufactured that degrade nearly completely within 12 hours in vitro, elastomeric modifications, such as co‐spinning with collagen, can significantly alter the rate of degradation. While the timing of degradation is not ideal, the results of this study suggest that appropriate materials can be manufactured to maintain the ability to treat with MTR for approximately 72 hours while being absorbed quickly beyond that time.…”

“…The MTR device was constructed using a computer‐controlled vacuum pump connected to a silicone tube, an open‐cell poly‐caprolactone (PCL) foam matrix, and a collagen/poly‐octanediol citrate (POC) sealing film. The PCL foam was fabricated using phase separation techniques as previously described . The biodegradable sheeting for securing the matrix to the heart was electrospun using a blend of type I‐collagen and poly‐1,8‐octanediol citrate (POC).…”

Marine Spongin: Naturally Prefabricated 3D Scaffold-Based Biomaterial

“…For example, negative pressure wound therapy is a dynamic wound closure system that uses topical, controlled negative pressure continuously or intermittently in wound management. A vacuum is used to reduce pressure around the wound, to draw out excess fluids and cellular wastes, and to promote the formation of granulation tissue [ 115 ]. To maintain the vacuum and the moist wound setting, the defect is sealed with a sponge.…”

Mechanical Tissue Resuscitation at the Site of Traumatic Brain Injuries Reduces the Volume of Injury and Hemorrhage in a Swine Model

“…We hypothesize that recent biomaterial innovations such as absorbable matrix compositions in our laboratory will facilitate clinical use of mechanical tissue resuscitation with less invasive procedures. 33 Since mechanical tissue resuscitation is a purely mechanical treatment, its use in combination with other modalities such as pharmacological agents is attractive.…”