MSGID: 1:317/3 648007e8   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Programmable 3D printed wound dressing could improve treatment for burn,   
   cancer patients    
      
     Date:   
         June 6, 2023   
     Source:   
         University of Waterloo   
     Summary:   
         Researchers have created a new type of wound dressing material   
         using advanced polymers. This new dressing could enhance the healing   
         process for burn patients and have potential applications for drug   
         delivery in cancer treatment as well as in the cosmetic industry.   
      
      
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   FULL STORY   
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   One of the challenges in treating burn victims is the frequency of   
   dressing changes, which can be extremely painful.   
      
   To bring relief to this and other problems, University of Waterloo   
   researchers have created a new type of wound dressing material using   
   advanced polymers.   
      
   This new dressing could enhance the healing process for burn patients   
   and have potential applications for drug delivery in cancer treatment   
   as well as in the cosmetic industry.   
      
   "To treat burn victims, we can customize the shape using a 3D printer,   
   secondly, the material has fine-tuned 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."  In developing the dressing, the researchers conducted   
   a 3D scan of the patient's face and body parts to customize it to an   
   individual's needs. This enables the dressing to make good contact with   
   surfaces like noses and fingers, making it ideal for creating personalized   
   wound dressings for burn patients.   
      
   The material also has applications for cancer treatment. 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 a   
   constant drug release outside the clinic setting, alleviating some of   
   the challenges associated with traditional methods.   
      
   The material used to create these smart dressings includes a biopolymer   
   derived from seaweed, a thermally responsive polymer, and cellulose   
   nanocrystals. The dressing's thermal responsiveness allows it to warm   
   on the skin and gently lower to room temperature. Additionally, when   
   chilled in the fridge, the dressing expands but shrinks to a smaller size   
   at body temperature, making it easier and less painful to remove. Also,   
   the dressing is designed to provide time-release medication, allowing   
   for longer-lasting pain relief.   
      
   "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 research is 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 material's properties to make it healthier   
   and commercially viable.   
      
   A study highlighting the team's progress was recently published in the   
   Journal of Colloids and Interface Science.   
      
       * RELATED_TOPICS   
             o Matter_&_Energy   
                   # Materials_Science # Nanotechnology # Chemistry   
                   # Engineering # Engineering_and_Construction #   
                   Inorganic_Chemistry # Nature_of_Water # Civil_Engineering   
       * RELATED_TERMS   
             o Nanomedicine o Polyethylene o Materials_science o   
             Energy_development o Plastic o Polymer o Silicone o   
             Tensile_strength   
      
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   Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Waterloo. Note:   
   Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. Lukas Bauman, Boxin Zhao. Multi-thermo responsive double network   
         composite hydrogel for 3D printing medical hydrogel mask. Journal   
         of Colloid and Interface Science, 2023; 638: 882 DOI: 10.1016/   
         j.jcis.2023.02.021   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230606111740.htm   
      
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