New antibiotic bandage dissolves when wound heals
Made from antibiotic-releasing fibers, the new bandage protects the wound until it is no longer needed, then simply melts away.
By Bryan NelsonTue, Nov 24 2009 at 5:01 AM EST
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GREEN HEALING: These drug-releasing fibers will simply dissolve after they've done their job, leaving behind no waste. (Photo: American Friends of Tel Aviv University) Dressing wounds can be a dirty business. Not only do emergency rooms around the world create countless tons of biohazardous waste from used bandages, but persistent wounds can become infected if tainted bandages aren't replaced in a timely manner.
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Now researchers at Tel Aviv University think they may have found a clean solution. They've created fibers which release antibiotics at a controlled pace and which miraculously biodegrade — dissolving into thin air — as soon as a wound heals, or as soon as they become obsolete.
The amazing wound dressing was inspired by the way that real human skin protects the body, according to Professor Meital Zilberman, the researcher who pioneered the breakthrough fibers. "We've developed the first wound dressing that both releases antibiotic drugs and biodegrades in a controlled manner," she said. "It solves current mechanical and physical limitations in wound-dressing techniques."
While the concept may sound simple, the technology of wound dressing is actually incredibly complicated. Not only must bandages maintain a controlled level of moisture and enable fluids from the wound to leave the infected tissue at a certain rate, they must also act as a shield and prevent infection from growing.
That delicate balance is something Zilberman's new fibers seem to strike with perfection. They combine positive mechanical and physical properties with what medical researchers call "a desired release profile of antibiotics." In fact, research has already shown that after only two days, this dressing can eradicate infection-causing bacteria from serious wounds.
Hopes are high that the bandages will be particularly effective for treating burn victims, since about 70 percent of all people with severe burns die from related infections that could not be prevented with current dressing technology.
Best of all, since the bandages biodegrade instantly after the wound has healed, they leave little to no waste. That means, like most good things, that they're as good for the environment as they are for your health.
The new bandages aren't quite ready for hospital use just yet, but so far they have passed physical and mechanical tests in vitro and in bacterial inhibition tests in the laboratory. And Prof. Zilberman is currently seeking a strategic partner to develop the research so it can be taken to the commercial stage.
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Comments
Phil Indelicato
01/09/2011 01:54 AM
Dear prof I suffer from wounds In my lower legs and with with all the stuff they have tried though the years nothing works because it keeps getting harder and harder to clear up the infection anti biotics don't work like they used to your body builds an ammuityto antibiotics so unless you can change this well I do hope it works for me and people like me good luck prof also if you need someone to try it on I'm willing no money involved I would be willing to help for free good luck phil.... More
Stephen
07/28/2010 18:52 PM
There is always a down and a up side for every new product, like when first appear generic viagra, no one knew that it could leave you blind.
Guest
12/02/2009 15:33 PM
Sounds great, but there's a potential issue with this product: if this becomes available for widespread use, (i.e. outside hospitals, or even if it's overused in them), we might have just one more way to promote the development of multi-drug-resistant bacteria
John
11/28/2009 05:01 AM
Honey is so far the most effective treatment for burn victims.
Almero
Today 01:04 AM
It is true that honey has been used in the treatment of various wounds for centuries, and by conventional medicine for many years. Please be careful when making statements like 'honey is the best treatment for burns victims'. The only type of honey proven to work comes from a specific area in New Zeeland, and is quite expensive. There has been no trials proving benefit in other honey products, and if you decide to use your local honey you must be very sure that it is free of contaminants -.... More
Jippy Sharts
11/26/2009 02:33 AM
When your mom puts her "heals" on your band aids. Quite the story charlie.
jibraltor
11/25/2009 23:09 PM
Wonderful creation. Study nature yee will find the solution.
New antibiotic bandage dissolves when wound heals
11/25/2009 10:01 AM
The promise of the new bandages to greatly reduce antibiotic volume and quickly eradicate the burn wound swamp sounds great, but disease bacteria are an ancient and wily foe that adapt quickly to human challenge. It's a huge problem of human suffering and economic costs. I hope this advance is all that we all dream, and far cheaper than the status quo. Good luck, Profess
.... More
nanoloupe
11/25/2009 07:22 AM
The promise of the new bandages to greatly reduce antibiotic volume and quickly eradicate the burn wound swamp sounds great, but disease bacteria are an ancient and wily foe that adapt quickly to human challenge. It's a huge problem of human suffering and economic costs. I hope this advance is all that we all dream, and far cheaper than the status quo. Good luck, Professor.
