Invention Summary:
Many of the available burn dressings on the market use latex, PVC or polyurethane as means of barrier-like components to protect the patient from outside elements. The current use of these components presents a problem of waste and contamination. Other available options in the market are hydrogel-based dressings that may be coated in silver sulfadiazine, a commonly used antibiotic for large burn wounds. These coatings are of limited access to lower incomes because of their cost. There exists a need for a novel dressing that provides economical and efficacious wound healing.
Rutgers researchers have developed a product which is stored inside a pressurized can as an emulsion mixture of monomers and active ingredients stabilized by surfactants. Once application is commenced, the product changes into a foam and begins a polymerization reaction once in contact with air. This forms a polymeric matrix film on the applied skin with active ingredients dispersed in it. This film provides a long-lasting protection from surroundings and allows for stretching to accommodate for the user’s movement. The application is easy, virtually “hands-free,” and relatively low-cost.
A series of nanomaterials with antimicrobial properties have been synthesized, characterized, and tested against S. Aureus and E. Coli strains incapable of metabolizing copper. The effect of salts, oxidative states and time was investigated. The effect of pH on bactericidal activity was also studied.
Advantages:
- Accelerate wound healing: create a long-lasting barrier and inhibits biofilm formation
- Improve patient compliance: make care less labor intensive by alleviating the need for frequent changes
- Reduce healthcare costs by replacing costly traditional wound care materials
Market Applications:
- First and second-degree burn wounds
- Chronic wound treatment and prevention
- Platform for the delivery of topical drugs
- Veterinary Care
Intellectual Property & Development Status: Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.
