Fraunhofer Institute develops advanced wound dressings
Researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS have developed new wound dressings using electrospinning technology. These dressings incorporate multiple active agents to accelerate healing and prevent infections.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) in Dresden have developed innovative wound dressings made from polylactic acid (PLA). The goal is to accelerate the wound healing process and prevent infections.
Approximately one million people in Germany are treated annually for chronic wounds, often due to circulatory problems or diabetes. These treatments cost an estimated 7.5 billion euros per year. Fraunhofer IKTS aims to develop a new, natural treatment method with fewer side effects that can also help address antibiotic resistance.
The dressings are produced using electrospinning, a process where a polymer solution is turned into thin fibers using an electric field. This results in a fabric-like material capable of integrating various active agents. The new dressings contain bacteriophages that kill bacteria, proteins that promote skin cell growth, and antiseptic MXene nanomaterials.
The research is expected to be completed by May 2027. Similar technologies could also be applied to protect food from pathogens in packaging materials.