Low-Complexity, Rugged, and Versatile Hydrogel Wound Dressings in the Era of Prolonged Field Care
Abstract
In the era of prolonged field care (PFC), the combat medic will have an expanded and prolonged role in decontamination and preparation of the battlefield wounds, as well as pain management and hemorrhage control in austere, far-forward environments. The primary goal of the proposal is to optimize a simple and portable hydrogel platform that enhances wound decontamination through sustained release of antibiotic, while secondarily releasing analgesic and hemostatic agents. This dressing and sealant was designed with both practical constraints in mind. Far-forward care necessitates (1) using potable water as the solvent, allowing medics to carry only lightweight powders as solutes that can be easily mixed in austere environments, (2) using redox reactions to initiate rapid field polymerization without adding burdensome equipment demands, and (3) developing a form-fitting dressing that will polymerize within the wound, providing a versatility to fill almost any wound, irrespective of size or shape. Should this dressing and sealant be successfully optimized to eradicate infection, decrease blood loss, and improve pain without breeding antimicrobial resistance, this would fundamentally alter our ability to care for our Service members in the battlefield. High-level care could be achieved in settings of limited evacuation potential with Soldiers returning to duty more efficiently and without facing the dreaded sequelae of wound infections. This 3-year proposal aims to have sufficient data for the Food and Drug Administration by the end of the project period such that Soldiers would be benefitting from this work with available field dressings within the next 4 years.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010520
Entities
People
- Nicholas Bernthal
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of California, Los Angeles