Fine‐Tuning the Endcap Chemistry of Acrylated Poly(Ethylene Glycol)‐Based Hydrogels for Efficient Burn Wound Exudate Management

Abstract

Most commercial dressings with moderate to high exudate uptake capacities are mechanically weaker and/or require a secondary dressing. The current research article focuses on the development of hydrogel-based wound dressings combining mechanical strength with high exudate absorption capacities using acrylate-endcapped urethane-based precursors (AUPs). AUPs with varying poly(ethylene glycol) backbone molar masses (10 and 20 kg mol −1 ) and endcap chemistries are successfully synthesized in toluene, subsequently processed into UV-cured hydrogel sheets and are benchmarked against several commercial wound dressings (Hydrosorb, Kaltostat, and Mepilex Ag). The AUP materials show high gel fractions (>90%) together with strong swelling degrees in water, phosphate buffered saline and simulated wound fluid (12.7-19.6 g g −1 ), as well as tunable mechanical properties (e.g., Young's modulus: 0.026-0.061 MPa). The AUPs have significantly (p < 0.05) higher swelling degrees than the tested commercial dressings, while also being mechanically resistant. The elasticity of the synthesized materials leads to an increased resistance against fatigue. The di-and hexa-acrylated AUPs show excellent in vitro biocompatibility against human foreskin fibroblasts, as evidenced by indirect MTS assays and live/dead cell assays. In conclusion, the processed AUP materials demonstrate high potential for wound healing application and can even compete with commercially available dressings.

Melt electrowriting of poly(ϵ-caprolactone)—poly(ethylene glycol) backbone polymer blend scaffolds with improved hydrophilicity and functionality

“…The AUP used in this work was provided and synthesised by the Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials group at Ghent University according to the protocol described in a previous publication [18]. In brief, 100 g of PEG (20 000 g mol −1 ) was molten at 90 • C, followed by the addition of phosphoric acid (149 ppm) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (500 ppm).…”

“…As a result, several AUPs, primarily utilising backbone polymers of PCL and PEG, have been evaluated for their potential applications in a biomedical setting. PEG-based AUPs in particular have seen a great deal of research into their suitability as hydrogels for wound healing, including in burn wound exudate management [18], anti-bacterial embedded dressings [19], and as novel smell-reducing materials for malodorous wounds [20]. In these implementations the PEG-based AUPs showed great promise, even producing results comparable to commercial products in some cases [18].…”

“…PEG-based AUPs in particular have seen a great deal of research into their suitability as hydrogels for wound healing, including in burn wound exudate management [18], anti-bacterial embedded dressings [19], and as novel smell-reducing materials for malodorous wounds [20]. In these implementations the PEG-based AUPs showed great promise, even producing results comparable to commercial products in some cases [18]. Research into the use of PEG-based AUPs for this purpose has primarily utilised sheets/bulk forms of material and currently, there are no published works which consider the application of this type of AUP using MEW.…”