A smart bandage could ease the pain of burn patients

One of the challenges in treating burn victims is the frequency of dressing changes, which can be extremely painful.

To address this problem and others, researchers at the University of Waterloo have created a new type of wound dressing material using advanced polymers. This new dressing could improve the healing process for burn patients and have potential applications for drug delivery in cancer treatment as well as in the cosmetics industry.

To treat burns we can customize the shape using a 3D printer, secondly the material has a refined surface adhesion which is a key feature. »

Dr. Boxin Zhao, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo

Zhao’s team has made significant progress in developing smart hydrogel materials for use as a reusable wound dressing. “The material can easily adhere to the skin and be pulled off. It’s a very delicate balance within the material for the adhesion to work.”

When developing the dressing, the researchers performed a 3D scan of the patient’s face and body parts to customize it according to individual needs. This allows the dressing to make good contact with surfaces such as the nose and fingers, making it ideal for creating custom dressings for burn patients.

The material also has applications for the treatment of cancer. In traditional chemotherapy treatment, a patient may need to be in a clinic for hours, which can be tiring and uncomfortable. This dressing can provide consistent drug delivery outside of the clinical setting, alleviating some of the challenges associated with traditional methods.

The material used to create these smart plasters includes an algae-derived biopolymer, a heat-sensitive polymer and cellulose nanocrystals. The thermal reactivity of the dressing allows it to warm up on the skin and slowly drop to room temperature. Additionally, when chilled in the refrigerator, the dressing expands but shrinks to a smaller size at body temperature, making it easier and less painful to remove. Additionally, the dressing is designed to provide time-release medication, allowing for longer lasting pain relief.

“We are also considering applications in the beauty and cosmetics industry,” said Zhao, Waterloo Endowed Chair in Nanotechnology. “Cosmetologists can use 3D scanning technology to analyze their clients’ facial features and customize infused hydrogel masks with specific face and skin products. Additionally, this innovative approach can benefit plastic surgeons.

This research is a proof of concept for Zhao’s Surface Science and Bio-Nanomaterials Laboratory Group. The next step for Zhao’s research group is to continue improving the properties of the material to make it healthier and commercially viable.

A study outlining the team’s progress was recently published in the Journal of Colloids and Interfacial Science.

Multithermal aspects of the dressingPlay