Sprayable Antimicrobial and Regeneration Promoting Foam Scaffold for the Treatment of Non-Healing Skin Wounds
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to introduce a novel and efficient treatment platform for the management of non-healing skin wounds including pressure ulcers. Thus, this project addresses the Pressure Ulcer Topic Area and Sustained Release Drug Delivery of the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). More specifically, this proposal addresses the Strategic Goals to: (1) develop and test therapeutics or dressings that enhance wound healing; (2) advance engineered tissue technology to improve wound healing and transplant outcomes; and (3) develop and test novel treatments, and/or improve upon existing treatments for associated diseases and conditions. Wound-healing capability is essential for survival. Service Members, Veterans, their Beneficiaries, and the general public around the world suffer from severe, non-healing wounds such as pressure ulcers. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually on treatments that are, unfortunately, ineffective. Two major factors closely associated with compromised wound healing -- population aging and the increased prevalence of obesity -- have caused an alarming increase in the number of patients suffering from non-healing wounds. Alarmingly, 26% of hospitalized and long-term community care patients have pressure ulcers across a continuum of health care settings. Infections in chronic wounds are a common problem and further exacerbate poor healing, leading to increased risks of patient morbidity, mortality, and an escalation in health care costs. The slow regeneration is mainly caused by dysregulated inflammatory response and slow angiogenesis. Taken together, these concerns stress the desperate need to find efficient, novel solutions for military and civilian patients suffering from painful, non-healing wounds. Innovative treatment modalities are needed to address multiple facets of chronic wound care, which include: (1) promoting wound closure, (2) limiting infection, and (3) stimulating and expediting the healing process. To address these objectives, we present an easy-to-apply foaming system, which rapidly coats the wound bed with a robust matrix reducing infection risk and inducing tissue regeneration. The overall goal of this project is to introduce a new and better method to treat Service Members as well as civilian population suffering from non-healing wounds. We will utilize a technology invented by InPrint Bio LLC to directly deliver biocompatible, hydrogel-based foam scaffold into the wound. The ultimate applicability of this research will be using this foaming system for better and faster wound treatment. It can be used on demand for the generation for quick wound coverage to protect the wounds from contamination. This foam will contain medicine to prevent infections and promote wound healing. It can be used by non-surgeons, who are often not present or available during transportation of injured Soldiers. The foam scaffolds are easy to deploy to protect the injured area and can significantly assist healing, which in turn, expedites the return to service of injured personnel. In the first and second aims of this project, we will engineer the application device and develop and optimize the physical properties of the foam. In addition, we will the quantity the released medicine that will promote healing and prevent infection. In the third aim of this project, effects of this treatment will be evaluated in a murine wound model of compromised wound healing. In the fourth aim, the translational feasibility of this approach will be tested in porcine full-thickness wound model. The effects of this treatment will be evaluated on wound healing and prevention of infection. The proposed strategy is carefully designed, easy-to-use, highly translational, can be used as a platform technology for rapid wound coverage and promotion of healing. Long term, the translation of this innovative and robust strategy has the potential to
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252311011
Entities
People
- Kristo Nuutila
Organizations
- United States Army