Fabrication and characterization of a blood congealing hydrogel for wound dressing

With the passage of time, several categories of wounds have been introduced, each with its own distinctive need to heal. This rise in categories has taken the world of research into breakneck speed of development, where, over the years, a multitude of biomaterials scientists have laid hold on polyme

Project Title

Fabrication and characterization of a blood congealing hydrogel for wound dressing

Project Area of Specialization

Biomedical Engineering

Project Summary

With the passage of time, several categories of wounds have been introduced, each with its own distinctive need to heal. This rise in categories has taken the world of research into breakneck speed of development, where, over the years, a multitude of biomaterials scientists have laid hold on polymeric matter to be used for a myriad of wound dressings. Many methods have been developed and tested in pursuit of a stellar rated material. However, having only a single material adopting all the characteristics needed to fulfill wound healing sounds quite bizarre. Out of tons of different materials, the unanimous agreement reaches upon Hydrogels to be the perfect candidate for wound dressings. Hydrogels are one of the most versatile dressings consisting of 80-99% water. The peculiar properties possessed by hydrogels make them ideal for use in a variety of biomedical applications.  As concluded by some recent articles, a hybrid polymeric hydrogel membrane results in better flexibility and mechanical strength. Our project provides an insight to an optimum blend of a hybrid polymeric hydrogel that is compatible for use in wound dressings. A three dimensional matrix of sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan has been targeted to form. Different blends have been used to create different samples with varying sizes of micro pores. This review offers information of the difference in mechanical stability, and surface morphology caused by varying ratios of copolymers and outlines the distinctive properties that conforms to the natural healing process.

Project Objectives

Naturally available resources are being utilized to synthesize a hydrogel. The aims and objectives of our research are as follows:

1. To fabricate a Polyvinyl Alcohol-Sodium Alginate (PVA-SA) copolymer that mimics the skin tissue chemically, physically and as well as aesthetically.
2. To induce hemocoagulation feature in the polymeric material.
3. To design a hydrogel that is cheap.
4. To design a hydrogel that provides rapid wound healing

 

Project Implementation Method

The scaffolds will be prepared with different ratios of sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol and calcium chloride, they will undergo a freeze- thaw cycle in a -40°C freezer. Five freeze-thaw cycles will be performed. For the first cycle, the samples will be kept overnight in the freezer at -30°C. Rest of the four cycles will be performed for 1 hour each, at a temperature of -30°C, followed by 30 minutes of defrosting at room temperature. This will ensure the physical cross linking of the poly vinyl alcohol and sodium alginate. After the preparation of all the scaffolds, each will be evaluated to check for their surface morphology under scanning electron microscopy (SEM).  Furthermore, structural stability, compressive, and tensile properties will be individually analyzed. The scaffold will also be tested for hardness. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) will be used for characterizing molecular structures. X-ray diffraction will be used to reveal chemical composition through the analysis of crystal structures of the scaffold. Thermo gravimetric analysis will be done by measuring the mass of the samples at different temperatures. Differential scanning calorimetry will be used to measure the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample. Degradation rate will also be determined, for which we will be using simulated body fluid (SBF). SBF is a solution having ions of similar concentration to that of blood plasma. Upon completion of all testing, statistical analysis will be performed to observe for the results and arrive at a conclusion for the behavior of scaffold by difference in composition. Keeping in mind the objectives of this project, we target fabricating a scaffold which will serve as a template to be used for enhanced cellular interactions and provide mechanical support.

Benefits of the Project

Fabricating scaffolds based on PVA-SA copolymer and following the aforementioned procedures will lead to a design of
soft scaffolds which can be used for substitution or repair of soft tissues. Moreover, the flexible nature will allow the user
to modify the shape according to the requirement and its transparent nature will make it effective for corneal use. This
fabrication technique will be of higher clinical importance as PVA-SA based scaffolds will provide mechanical stability,
flexibility as well as functional integrity.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The fabricated wound dessing is based on a hydrogel. Hydrogels comprise of hydrophillic functional groups which enable them to absorb water and retain them within their structures. For this reason, hydrogel dressings have high absroption and capacity for water. They are flexible, protect wounds from infections and lower the pain. Owing to their flexible nature, hydrogel sheets can be cut to fit around different sizes of wounds. The final delivered product will be able to provide a moist environment to the wound, be non-allergic and non-toxic. It will also provide sufficient exchange of gases, and prevent the entrance of any foreign microorganisms from entering the body. Moreoever, the dressing would be able to remove wound exudates and provide rapid healing. Such a wound dressing is being fabricated that will utilise easily available biomaterials which not only shorten the processing time, but also possess antimicrobial properties.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Health

Other Industries

Medical

Core Technology

Others

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com