Frequent dressing changes, which can be incredibly painful, are one of obstacles in caring for burn patients. Researchers at the University of Waterloo utilized modern polymers to make a new class of wound dressing material to help with this and other similar issues. This unique dressing could help burn patients heal faster, and it could also be used to deliver drugs for cancer treatment and in the beauty industry.

"To treat burn victims, we can customize the shape using a 3D printer, secondly, the material has fine-tunedPrecise adhesion and drug delivery are a main feature. Image Credit: University of Waterloo 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."

When the experts created the dressing, they used a 3D scan of the patient's face and body to make it fit each person's requirements. This lets the dressing make effective contact with surfaces like noses and hands, making it optimal for crafting personalized wound dressings for burn victims.

Reduced clinic times for cancer patients

The product could also be used to treat cancer. In traditional chemotherapy, the recipient might have to stay in a clinic for hours, which can be exhausting and unpleasant. This dressing can allow for medication to release into the body without the patient having to remain in the medical facility.

The adaptive dressings are made from a biopolymer made from seaweed that responds to temperature and cellulose nanocrystals. The thermal response of the dressing lets it warm up on the skin and slowly cool down to room temperature. The dressing gets bigger when refrigerated but shrinks when at body temperature. This makes it easier and less uncomfortable to take off. By integrating time-released Seaweed has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.pain medication, the dressing can remain useful longer than traditional wraps.

[Learn more about medical grade polymers at GlobalSpec]

"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 study confirms that Zhao's Surface Science and Bio-nanomaterials Laboratory Group is on the right track. The next phase is to keep refining the properties of the material until it passes safety requirements and becomes commercially feasible.

A study highlighting the research project was recently published in the Journal of Colloids and Interface Science.