Invention Summary:
Many available dressings on the market use latex, PVC, or polyurethane as 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 economic and efficacious wound healing.
Rutgers researchers have developed a series of nanomaterials with antimicrobial properties that have been synthesized, characterized, and tested against wild-type S. aureus and E. coli and the corresponding strains incapable of metabolizing copper. The effect of salts, oxidative states, and time were investigated. The effect of pH on bactericidal activity and copper ion release was also studied.
Future works include the development of a product that contains these materials stored inside a pressurized can as an emulsion mixture of monomers and active ingredients stabilized by surfactants. Once the application is commenced, the product changes into a foam and begins to dry once in contact with air. This forms a polymeric matrix film on the applied skin with active ingredients dispersed. This film provides long-lasting protection from surroundings and allows for stretching to accommodate the user’s movement. The application would be easy, virtually “hands-free,” and relatively low-cost.
Market Applications:
- Burn wounds healing
- Platform for the delivery of topical drugs
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
Intellectual Property & Development Status: Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.
